Hi all

We’re currently planning our first trip to India, which is also our honeymoon.

We plan to go for 4 weeks, landing in Cochin on 31 October, and departing from Delhi on 26 November. We live in Sydney, Australia.

Our flights in and out have been booked, and cannot be changed. Nothing else has been arranged.

As background, we like to travel fairly hectically, getting itchy feet if we’re in the one place too long. In saying that, this is out honeymoon, so we want to slow down a little for the first week or two.

We enjoy food (lots), seeing different cultures, temples, ruins, and being outdoors. Museums a little, but not for long or too often. Beaches are nice, but we get bored quickly - a few days at most, and need to have other activities nearby. We like to have a few drinks in the evening, but not nightclubs etc.

We're both in our late 20's. It is not likely that we will return to India for some time – we have a huge wish-list of countries to travel to and not enough leave to go everywhere!

We take 4 weeks of vacation each year, choosing to take it all at once in a different part of the world. Previous trips have been to the US, Russia and the Baltic’s, Brazil and Argentina, and the Middle East.

I'd like any accommodation recommendations to be in the US$ 70-100 range per room per night, although I understand it will be more for the houseboat and I'm happy to splurge in Cochin for the first three nights. Happy to pay for internal flights or catch trains / busses etc.

Ok - enough background - sorry if it's too much!

Our first-draft itinerary - comments please, I suspect I'm moving too much from Udaipur onwards? And not sure about the order to see Agra - Varanasi - Khajuraho.

31 Oct - land Cochin at around 11pm - best to push on to Fort Cochin or stay near airport?
1 Nov - in Cochin
2 - in Cochin
3 - make way to Alappuzha, night in Alapuzha
4 - day and night on a boat in the backwaters
5 - make way to Goa (train back to Cochin, flight to Goa, or just train all, the way?) night where?
6 - in Goa - where?
7 - in Goa - where?
8 - in Goa - where?
9 - in Goa, overnight train to Mumbai
10 - in Mumbai (must travel here to see a friend, not terribly interested otherwise)
11 - in Mumbai
12 - travel to Udaipur (how?)
13 - in Udaipur
14 - travel to Bundi (bus/train or car and driver?)
15 - in Bundi
16 - travel to Jaipur (bus/train or car and driver?)
17 - in Jaipur
18 - travel to Agra (bus/train or car and driver? Fatehpur Sikh on the way?)
19 - in Agra, overnight train to Varanasi
20 - in Varanasi
21 - in Varanasi
22 - travel to Khajuraho (flight?)
23 - in Khajuaho
24 - travel to Delhi (flight?)
25 - in Delhi
26 - depart Delhi at around 6pm

Thank you in advance for any help and ideas on accomodation. Please also comment on the places I've chosen to visit - nothing set in stone, so could easily be persuaded to drop some places and add others.

I'd be inclined to head straight for Kochi (Fort Cochin) from the airport, not sure where there is to stay nearby. For a start of honeymoon splurge in Kochi I'd highly recommend Malabar House - http://www.malabarhouse.com/default.html

If you're not into beaches (me, too) the best part of Goa will Panjim and Old Goa, and the place to stay is the Panjim Inn - http://www.panjiminn.com/

It's a pity you're not seeing more of south India, since you're starting in the south. The temples in Tamil Nadu are quite something, and the hill country around Coorg and Ooty is also worth seeing. (Click my name for my south India TR.)

For info on trains in India see http://seat61.com/India.htm

i will warn you that travel in india is slow and awkward often. its not like the rest of the world where you have been. for instance going from agra to varanasi on a night train probably requires a change or two and may take longer... making train reservations can be difficult in person and very time consuming.

you will be shocked at hotel prices all over india, especially in the main tourist areas. your planned budget might be difficult...

Have you been on an Indian train yet, Bob?

There are two direct night trains from Agra to Varanasi. Booking through Cleartrip is very easy.

I suspect Approach_Guides of special pleading....

However, it is true that travel in India can be challenging, the roads are certainly not suited to fast travel. I don't see anything wrong with your budget.

First Congrats!

Second www.keralahouseboat.org other decent providers advice
can be found at www.indiamike.com www.bootsnall.com India
Best to negotiate hard cash boots on the ground avoid troll
poo touting agents scammers like above NEVER wire money to them have seen folks lose thousands so just wait do careful
homework.Sounds like you are more of a "flashpacker" in your travel so I might do route like Delhi,Temple, Moghul Emperor Humayun's Tomb Jodhpur, Meherangarh Fort, markets Sadar Bazaar, jeep safari Rajasthan villages wildlife
Jaipur,Maharaja's City Palace, Johori Bazaar,Amber Fort, Water Palace Agra Taj Mahal,Red Fort Varanasi, holy city, Ganges River, Sarnath Kathmandu,flight over Mt Everest to finish...

Have actually done this a decade or so ago in less than 1 month easily... get best hotel deals over there currently
with www.otel.com www.asiarooms.com TONNES within your budget.

quotewright.com or duinsure.com comp trip insurance a must

Delhi Belly your biggest risk mdtravelhealth.com India

for all your health issues... always carry antibiotics etc

very careful with food and water I have never not gotten

sick for a day or 2 over there... The Rough Guide India

best for travel style you describe...

Happy Planning,

Thank you for your helpful replies.

I'll cut out somewhere in the north - perhaps Bundi - to allow for a slightly more relaxed pace in Jaipur and Udapiur.

I've looked at cleartrip and it seems fairly straightforward - thanks for the tip.

Thursdaysd - loved your trip report. I was considering dropping something to fit Hampi in - but I fear I too may find it a little dull.

I'm tempted to go to Mysore in order to spend more time in the south - of course I'll then have to cut somewhere else out....

If only I had 6 months for this trip, and not 1!

Thanks again.

Glad you enjoyed the TR!

Mysore is definitely a worthwhile destination. The palace is something else, and it's a good base for Belur and Halebid which are stunning. Coming from Kerala you might manage a stop in the Nilgiri Hills as well.

If you're not big on beaches you could skip Goa. Old Goa is worth seeing, and there are spice plantations, and an inland waterfall, and some colonial era houses, but beaches are really the big draw, and even the southern beaches have been well and truly discovered.

Thanks again - lots to consider!

I'm finding it hard to get my head around transport from Cochin to Mysore - it seems a bus is the only way? Or train to Bangalore and bus rest of the way?

Loath to miss Goa because of the food! But I'll give it some thought...

I think I need to get this locked in asap - there are already no spaces on overnight trains left from Kerala to Goa on 5 or 6 November - which forces me into a rather pricey flight.

The train system isn't as comprehensive in the south as the north. The shortest distance between Ernakulam (train station for Kochi) and Mysore would be a train to Coimbatore and a bus or car and driver from there. (The most interesting way to do that route is the mountain railway up to Ooty, and a car or bus from there). But it's not fast.

There is a train from Bangalore to Mysore. After Mysore it's theoretically possible to go by train via Londa to Madgaon for Goa, but you might do better going back to Bangalore. Actually, even I, a train fan, would be inclined to fly that leg. Note that there should be a route map here - http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ - although it's not showing up right now.

BTW, what class are you looking at on the train? I think 2AC is fine, and 3AC is OK, just less space. In the worst case, there's the Taktal quota, which is sold 48 hours before departure. There's also a tourist quota, which I don't think you can book on Cleartrip - try the Indian Railways site.

If you're doing a lot of train travel it's worth looking into an Indrail pass, which will come with reservations, see http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...e-money-t1795/ I bought mine from the UK agent, as there's no agent in the US, but it looks like there is an agent in Australia.

Cochin to Mysore in November: Kingfisher Airlines 4,400 rupees one way.

Which would be $94.00 Australian dollars.

Thanks again - great advice. Might I trouble you for some more?

To go from Kochi to Mysore I a have the following flight options:

Note, I plan to be on houseboat in Alappuzha the night of 4 Nov, so I believe I cannot take a flight anywhere on 5 Nov before about 1pm in order to be comfortable.

1. On 5 Nov spend the night in Cochin, perhaps near the airport. Fly Kochi to Mysore on 6 Nov. Leave Kochi at 7.45am, arrive Mysore at 12.45pm after a three hour layover in Bangalore. Cost for 2 is AU$225

2. On 5 November fly Kochi to Bangalore at 16.25, arrive 17.50 for AU$122 for 2, OR leave at 20.30 arrive at 21.50 for AU$62 for 2 (!) Spend night in Bangalore. On 6 November fly Bangalore to Mysore leave 12.00 arrive 12.45 for AU$108 for 2

What would you do? I would already have spent three nights in Kochi, so no desire to spend another - but I'm not sure it's worth going to Bangalore if I only get there at 17.50, or 21.50. Plus I'd need to check in twice etc.

But if I'm in Kochi the extra night I'm not sure what I'd do that day after I get off the houseboat.

I have no particular interest in Bangalore, so don't want to linger there for a few nights - it would cause me to cut something else from the trip.

Thanks for any advice.

Tom, you're just digging yourself into a hole. Fergeddabout Mysore, O.K.?

Other things to fergeddabout: buses and overnight train trips.

thursday, bless her, is a noted train tragic. She'll lead you astray.

What she doesn't mention is the horrible shlep of first; getting the tickets, second; negotiating the railway station; finding your train; waiting interminably till it arrives; fighting your way on board to be greeted by a compartment of interested faces for whom you will be the entertainment till dawn; trying to sleep, your luggage chained to your body; getting up; braving the toilets; arriving; negotiating the station and the wall of hustlers strategically placed to reduce your new wife to tears; negotiating your taxi to whatever crap hotel you've chosen for the night then fighting with the owner because the room he's given you has a herd of cows in the corner.

lol. Well, something like that. Buses are worse.

How many nights have I spent on a train in India? None. Why?

'Cos I'm very, very smart.

Like everybody else advising you in here, I'm also twice your age - so what would I know? Maybe reducing yourself to a gibbering wreck on this trip is what you want. 'Cos, trust me, Tom - you will.

The only way to achieve this itinerary - whatever it is - is to fly wherever possible. Car and driver for the rest.

Stop trying to micromanage your time. India will defeat you.

Stop trying to save a buck on the travel - you'll arrive so ragged you'll not enjoy anything.

And that, my friend, is when India strikes.

How do I know this?

http://thedogster.wordpress.com/

Don't even try to do this yourself. Walk, don't run to the nearest Indian travel agent/planner. Many have been recommended in this forum. You will find that they will save you money and time. Also, the good ones will provide you with a wonderful itinerary and experience.
Search this Forum.
I personally recommend VP Singh, LegendandPalaces.com.
Have a great trip.

Sorry, that's LegendsandPalaces.com.

Dogster does tend to exaggerate a little... He also has a bigger budget than I (and I suspect you) do. As a counter to his description of train travel, I suggest (re)reading http://seat61.com/India.htm.

Buying tickets on Cleartrip is very easy. Stations can be challenging - my advice is to find the AC waiting room and camp out there rather than on the (probably dirty) platform. If you board the train at the originating station it should be on time, otherwise it may indeed run late. There's usually some kind of chart telling you where your carriage will stop (Indian trains are very long), otherwise you might use a porter. If you're in the AC classes you won't get stared at a whole lot (I've seen worse in China), and if you're in 2AC or 3AC you may get to talk to your fellow-travelers (1AC tends to be the preserve of officials and businessmen). If you're worried about the taxi touts on arrival have your hotel pick you up.

1st day in Goa you can go the stunning beaches of the place are: Anjuna, Baga, Benamulim, Bogmalo, Colva, Candolim, Dona, Paula, Miramar, Cavelossim, Keri, Morjim, Vagator, Calangute, Palolem, Varca, etc.

In 2nd day you can go to see the art and architecture of the churches some of the popular churches are: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Mary Immaculate Conception, Reis Magos Church, St. Anne Church, Church of St. Augustine, St. Cajetan Church, Church of St. Francis, St. Paul Church, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, etc.

and in 3rd day the main markets where you can visit are: Anjuna Market, Calangute Market Square, Mapusa Market, Baga Beach, etc.

From Mumbai to Udaipur you have to go from flight and from Udaipur to Bundi,Bundi to Jaipur ,Jaipur to Agra you have to go with car and driver.

And from
Varanasi to Khajuraho and Khajuaho to Delhi flight is best option.....

All the best

Oh Dogster, you never cease to delight! " . . . chained to your suitcases . . ."

I would ask why so much time in Goa, especially since you don't like beaches overmuch?

More time in Udaipur -- very romantic.

Forget the travel agency -- you're well traveled people who can do this yourself. Have you gotten a couple of good travel guides? And some maps??

Indiamike is a good place to look for reccos for lower-cost hotels. Some people on this board can't be comfortable unless they're spending $500/night. Others are happy with modest accommodations. Only you can know what works best for you.

indianapearl - of course, if you're traveling with a pile of expensive silver suitcases maybe you DO need to chain them to your body. I just locked my backpack to the strap under the lower berth put there for the purpose.

Of course, it does help to realize you should put the FRONT of the pack on the floor, not the back, which will come in contact with your back when you get off....

The ball's in Dogster's court . . .