17 days North India in October

watl1

Here is my itinerary (after endless hours of planning and replanning!)

Day 1 Arrive Delhi 22:35 (sleep Delhi)
Day 2 Sleep Delhi
Day 3 Train to Agra (sleep Agra)
Day 4 Train to Ranthamhhore (sleep Ranthambhore)
Day 5 Sleep Ranthambhore
Day 6 am Train to Jaipur (sleep Jaipur)
Day 7 Sleep Jaipur
Day 8 Overnight train to Bikaner
Day 9 Sleep Bikaner
Day 10 Sleep Bikaner
Day 11 Overnight train to Delhi
Day 12 Early morning train to Dehra Dun (sleep Dehradun)
Day 13 pm to Mussoorie (sleep Mussoorie)
Day 14 Bus to Rishikesh (sleep Rishikesh)
Day 15 Overnight train to Delhi
Day 16 Sleep Delhi
Day 17 am Depart Delhi

Do you think this is ok? Long enough time in one place/not too rushed?

Thanks

Louise

machadinha

Heheh. Did you copy the format from a recent question? Don't worry, it's a good and clear and simple way of presenting it, I like it.

I think in terms of (un-) hurriedness it looks good to me (assuming you've got your connections and approximate travel times worked out?) That last bit post-Delhi seems like you're picking up speed a little, on a shorter trip I tend to be all speedy at first, then slow down towards the end (or pick up speed again, whichever way it comes). Hard to say, it looks alright I guess. I also can't advise on that northernly bit as I don't know that area. Others will. I'm not sure how easy moving around those mountains is, which would matter.

Is this your first trip to India? If so, once there, don't push yourself into doing more than you feel up to. It's not a race, and it's no failure to end up dropping some destinations.

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steven_ber

Hello Louise

Train 4888A departs Bikaner daily at 16:40 and gets to Haridwar at 09:30, this train has 3-tier air con and Sleeper Class (not air con)

I agree with Mach, the last few days sound very rushed.

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machadinha

Yeh, to be honest... in 17 days I'd pick one or two more destinations in Rajasthan maybe, then leave it at that (then again I'm one who would hesitate to get on a plane all the way out there for as short. I'm also one who ends up dropping 1/3-1/2 of his planned itinerary for that matter ). I can see the wish to see the hills as well though.

No real advice. It's mostly the first bit that seemed fairly well-considered to me. The last bit, again I just don't know that area, but might be pushing it. How's about just one or two places there to get a feel, to return at some point? If the bug bites you, you will be back.

btw Good you came around Steve , I figured Delhi could be skipped going to the mountains yes.

watl1

Thanks peeps.

Yes - I saw the format and thought it was a really simple and quick way to get the info across so decided to pinch it!

It will indeed be our first visit to India and my other half isn't massively interested in temples/forts/architecture, so we've had a bit of a compromise to combine some other sights/activities. For example, we're only going to Rishikesh to do white water river rafting and because it's near Mussoorie where I really wanted to go because my grandfather was their when he was posted to India in the war and is quite keen to hear about the trip.

Wildlife is also v important to both of us (but more me!)

Perhaps it would be better to do the more strenuous activities at the start and do the itinerary backwards with more chill out time towards the end. We did originally have Nainital included as well but I decided to take that off the list as it was just too much and I couldn't bear the thought of doing a long distance bus journey!

Thanks v much for the info about the train from Bikaner to Haridwar - that's perfect as it means we won't have to stop off in Delhi again. Do you know if it's a scenic route?

machadinha

Yes, quite. Funny enough at first it got me pieved like here's another one who thinks we can fill in their bloody But it actually makes for a very clear overview, esp. with those days and nights involved. Way to go!

Um, I generally don't know. From past experience in many places I'd advise you to fit your itinerary around what you want to see the most; you can count on stuff falling off esp. at the end. So in the above case I guess you'll have to prioritize between either area, then see what you can muster on the ground. You sometimes do a lot; other days you don't, kind of thing. Sort of like the way it works at home. It's not like having it all in your agenda actually guarantees you'll do all that stuff. I mean this works in the simplest of ways: Last foreign city I was in I covered an amazing lot of ground the one day, then the next day thinking Oh I just want to buy this and see that and maybe this too, it turns out to not work out at all. Don't you have that home? I know I do. You know, the bus not showing up and you being tired and cranky and that walk being just a little farther than planned and that simple baguette turning out to be so massively huge that it takes an hour to eat and when you finally think you're going you both need to go to the toilet and then want another cup of coffee etc. etc. (and trying not to have a fight over it all, in case you're so lucky to be together or in a group that is).

Aishah

As Machadinha says the last bit, Mussoorie etc. looks a bit rushed. Don't stay in Dehradun , take a taxi straight up to Mussoorie. And while there you should try and get up to landour Cantt, Lal tibba and see the views from there, as well as walk Camel Back Road in mussoorie for views (hopefully no rain and no mist!)Nothing much in Dehra dun for a rushed trip.

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machadinha

ps Didn't really get into your detailed requirements before.

Yes. Count on everything not working out quite as you planned. You can fight against it for the 2.5 weeks, but you'll be mostly fighting against yourself & it won't help you much either way.

Well, that's a must then, innit

That might indeed make sense. Moreover, if you then need to skip one of your later destinations, you can think "Oh well so be it, I've been to Rajasthan and it was fun" right.

greengirl

hello

at bikaner you can easily skip one night.

jaisalmer is the fort to head for so dont miss it.

rishikesh is a wonderful place and it would be great if you could spend more time there.

i am sure yur grandpa will like to share stories about the place when you return specially about dehradun as it has the old military cantonment area. dont miss it. the buildings are fascinating. also see the forest museum there, the best in the country and it was built by the britishers.....

happy travelling....