So..What if I don't want to go to Agra?

zanzi

Take a call on the Taj. You could do it within a day. Do Varanasi, with a car it's pretty easy. Driving over to Chandigarh from Delhi is doable, if seeing a Corbusier city interests you (the rock garden should). You don't seem to have the time, but a drive up towards Himachal or Punjab at that time of year from Delhi has its own charm. That said, I would repeat - don't miss Varanasi.

steven_ber

I think that's more to do with the entrance fee.

Romantic nights out are wonderful aren't they.

About what percentage of those love filled evenings are organised by women?

The Taj is great, was it built by a woman?

Anyway.....

The Taj may be the best thing in the world for some people, but the best advice I would give is not to expect to much when you view the Taj, I expected to be blown away by it, and I simply wasn't, I thought it was wonderful and I'm happy I visited (on my 5th or 6th trip), but my expectations were too high, I wasn't expecting anything when I visited the Golden Temple, and that really blew me away, I was speechless every time I visited.

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OceanTragic

I think thats always the trouble SB, whatever we rave about on here will raise expectations which often leads to disappointment.

I didn't expect much from Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur/Keoladeo or Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort and I left extremely pleased with my visits.
I expected to hate Agra, I didn't; love Pushkar, I didn't; be bored at Sariska, I wasn't. Most of these opinions I had before we because of what I'd read here .

For the OP, my only bit of advice is not to skip a visit somewhere because you're worried about touts or hassle. If you don't want to see the Taj then fine, but don't skip it due to what you've read about touts. I didn't find them bad at all - at 6:15am - a little bit of sales banter on the way out but that was it. We almost skiped Fatehpur Sikri due to the talk about touts, but we went and really enjoyed the place.

Other than that I second suggestions for Keoladeo, Ranthambhore and I'd like to add Sariska to the list as far as wildlife goes.
Monument wise I'd plan to go back to Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort before I next visit the Taj Mahal, I think I prefer it, but Jodhpur's a bit to far out of your way for the time you've got.

With a car+driver don't think that you have to do a circuit in the time you've got available. You could go for a A to B route, flying back (or train) from B to Delhi, whilst the driver returns by road. That's sort of what we did, going from Delhi to Udaipur and leaving the driver there.

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Matthew Morris

Well I am not sure how busy Haridwar will be in early January. The Kumbh Mela (largest gathering of human kind) is on in 2010, and the 14th and 15 Jan are bathing days...so it's possible it could already be very busy by early Jan....Will add that it's a really lovely place though.

You could consider flying, internal flights are cheap in India. You could fly to Varanasi and back, also Amritsar return.

If you only go to one or two places in India, I would do away with the driver and go for the train or plane option.

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delhiwala

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namaste_cat

Agra itself is a dump, but there are so many neat places to see there, not just the Taj (which I personally consider a must-see). But if you're not feeling it, skip it, no worries. Just don't do it because you're scared of touts because then might as well skip India altogether!

I've personally never been hassled at the Taj, found some other places way worse.

If you skip Agra, I'd do Varanasi & Haridwar (Rishikesh is very close by). Entirely different towns & experiences from Agra. I guess I'm in the minority as a Jaipur fan. Not much in Rajasthan I haven't loved :shrug:

vkochar

Here is my advise.

If you have not seen the Taj then I'd say - see it once !

Catch the Shatabdi morning train - It is January so weather is good during the day - bright and sunny with a cold breeze.

View tha Taj and then head towards Jaipur and ahead.

In fact I'd say do give Udaipur a thought. it is definetely beautiful.

Delhi is a must and Amritsar is fabulous. Both these cities deserve 5 days at least.

Take the Shatabdi from Delhi to Amritsar.

Amritsar - Golden Temple, Wagah Border - A day is enough for these 2. Head out the second day.

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