1 month itinerary advice needed

hellogoodbye

Hello! I'll be heading to India for the first time in May (2-30). I would really appreciate some help with the itinerary. Here is what I have so far...

2-arr Mumbai 3pm; dep Mumbai 11pm (via train)
3-arr Goa (Panaji) 10 am; dep Panaji - arr Mandrem 4pm (via taxi)
4-6 Madrem
7-dep Mandrem 6pm (via train)
8-arr Mumbai 6am
9-dep Mumbai 12:10am (via train)
10-arr Varanasi 4:30am
11-14 Varanasi
15-Sarnath; dep Varanasi 6:15pm (via train)
16-arr Agra 6:15 am
17-Agra
18-dep Agra 6:15am; arr Jaipur 11:30am (via train); dep Jaipur 11:30pm (via train)
19-arr Udaipur 7:45am
20-21 Udaipur
22-dep Udaipur; arr Jodhpur (via bus)
23-dep Jodhpur 11:30pm (via train)
24-arr Jaisalmer 5:30am
25-27 Jaisalmer
28-dep Jaisalmer 4pm (via train)
29-arr Delhi 11am
30-dep Delhi

(I am aware it will be hot and that Goa is a bit out of the way) Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated (more specifically regarding my plans for Jaipur and Jodhpur. Feasible?) Is this whole plan reasonable? Many thanks!

kristinm

As you'll only have a day in Jodhpur and 2 on trains and buses why not fly direct to Jaisalmer from Udaipur and have a day more in each of those places??

NeeliAankhen

You know yourself and your stamina, but I'd give some thought to whether you are sure you'll be okay continuing your travel immediately after arrival without even one night in a regular bed.

A long plane trip is tough on the body in many ways, including the time change. The thing I'd suggest thinking about is whether or not you'reputting yourself in the way of cumulative exhaustion, which could undercut your enjoyment of your trip. Adjustment to India itself uses up some energy for most people.

steven_ber

Damn, I wish I could write like that, I try to say the same thing many times, but just never seem to find the right words.

Can you fly anywhere?

There's some long journeys there, and a flight would save you a day in travel, for example (times/costs for travel on 8th May)

Goa 08:30, Varanasi 15:50 (Rs 7924)
Goa 14:30, Udaipur 18:55 (Rs 7725)

Search using http://www.ixigo.com/

If no flights....then maybe

First,
2-arr Mumbai 3pm; night in Mumbai
3- depart from Mumbai CST at 05.10, arrive at Thivim at 13:02 arr Mandrem 2pm (via taxi)
(an early start from Mumbai, but it doesn't lose you a day, and you'll sleep early in Mumbai after your journey from Canada)
That's way too much travel time, a flight would save you 2 days.

But Goa - Varanasi by train is too long, so I'd change the Itinery to something like

7th - an extra day in Mandrem
8th - overnight train, departs Pernem (an hour by taxi from Mandrem) 19:02
9th - arr Mumbai CST 05:50, then later on the same day, train 2995 departs Bandra Terminus at 15.45
10th - arrive in Udaipur at 08.50

then the rest of your chosen places in Rajasthan, then Agra, then overnight train to Varanasi....and overnight train to Delhi.

I agree, but there seems to be a problem finding info about this flight after 31st of this month.

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Train information.

kristinm

Maybe Jaisalmer airport is like Brigadoon and only appears when the moon is full and the month has an M in it????

Aishah

It's not the airport Kristin it's Kingfisher Airlines - and by the end of May, hardly anyone will be coming here and my guess is there will be no flights. They are already talking about winding them down now as the weather hots up.(Could have already, haven't checked this out recently). hello.. do you want to come to an inferno? Because this is what it is like at this time. I once lasted till May 26, but it was awful - in the room with cooling device from 11 a.m. onwards. Didn't come out until around 7.30 p.m. Temps reaching 50' even up to 56'c one day. Not your pleasant sightseeing, leisurely walking about weather at all. If you really want to come make sure you have an air conditioned room. I'm settling this year for natural air conditioning and am off to NZ and Mussoorie!

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kristinm

OOoh yes - I didn't notice that it was May - perhaps Rajasthan is not such a good idea at all...

Just another thing - I know I say this to everyone, but Mumbai is actually a great place so if you're leaving Mumbai on the same day because you think its not worth staying - think again. OTH it would be very hot then I guess and it is expensive.

hellogoodbye

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
I will reconsider my longer train travels - I'm thinking the Goa-Varanasi flight. (I think I'll need to pick up more shifts at work )
Yes, I know it's hot, but I'm generally good with heat but if not I'm sure I'll figure out a way to escape. Thanks for the warning though.
Just a little question - Are there pre-paid taxi stands at/near every train station?

Aishah

Yes generally there are at the larger places - but smaller towns /stops will have auto-rickshaws there waiting.

hellogoodbye

Thanks again Aishah!