2 weeks, Jaipur-Dharamsala-Varanasi - bus, plane or trains?

trulyarcadia · Oct 15th, 2009, 09:00

Hello,

I am going to my friend's wedding in Rajkot on Nov 27/28th, and - having just lost my job - want to stay in India for a little longer than originally planned, do some voluntary work, and see some more of the country. I need to be back in England by around 21st Dec to spend Xmas with my family. Because I have only just found out I can stay there longer than originally thought, I haven't had much time to do my research and am bamboozled by all the recommendations and non-recommendations that you get online!!

I have applied to do one week volunteering in Jaipur, and then a second week in Dharamsala - I could do one straight after the other and save sight-seeing for end of my trip, or could take a couple of days in between to see some sights en route (eg Taj).

After the 2 weeks of volunteering I would love to go to Varanasi, as have heard it is amazing; and will fly home from Delhi.

Would really appreciate some advice on this tentative itinerary, with suggestions for modes of transport. Probably not feasible but should I try to squeeze in Haridwar/Rishikesh? So much to see!!!

Nov 29th travel from Rajkot to Jaipur
Nov 30th-Dec 6th Jaipur voluntary work
Dec 7th - set off for Dharamsala...should I go directly there or fit in Taj here?
Dec 9th - 15th Dharamsala voluntary work
Dec 16th travel from Dharamsala to Varanasi
Dec 20th travel from Varanasi back to Delhi... or is this the time to go to Taj?
Dec 21st fly home

I'm female and will be on my own... bit nervous, but excited too.

Thank you so much for any help and advise that comes my way

harsha · Oct 15th, 2009, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by trulyarcadia

Hello,

I am going to my friend's wedding in Rajkot on Nov 27/28th, and - having just lost my job - want to stay in India for a little longer than originally planned, do some voluntary work, and see some more of the country. I need to be back in England by around 21st Dec to spend Xmas with my family. Because I have only just found out I can stay there longer than originally thought, I haven't had much time to do my research and am bamboozled by all the recommendations and non-recommendations that you get online!!

I have applied to do one week volunteering in Jaipur, and then a second week in Dharamsala - I could do one straight after the other and save sight-seeing for end of my trip, or could take a couple of days in between to see some sights en route (eg Taj).

After the 2 weeks of volunteering I would love to go to Varanasi, as have heard it is amazing; and will fly home from Delhi.

Would really appreciate some advice on this tentative itinerary, with suggestions for modes of transport. Probably not feasible but should I try to squeeze in Haridwar/Rishikesh? So much to see!!!

Nov 29th travel from Rajkot to Jaipur
Nov 30th-Dec 6th Jaipur voluntary work
Dec 7th - set off for Dharamsala...should I go directly there or fit in Taj here?
Dec 9th - 15th Dharamsala voluntary work
Dec 16th travel from Dharamsala to Varanasi
Dec 20th travel from Varanasi back to Delhi... or is this the time to go to Taj?
Dec 21st fly home

I'm female and will be on my own... bit nervous, but excited too.

Thank you so much for any help and advise that comes my way

Hello,

Very sorry to hear that you have lost your job. This recession has affected so many people all over. However, I am sure something better and more challenging will come up soon.

I think once you are done with your jaipur work, leave on 6th late afternoon to Agra, reach Agra before 10 pm...spend the night there and visit Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri)during the day and take the evening train (The Taj express) at 6.50 pm to Delhi. You will land in Delhi at 10 pm.

Spend 7th night in Delhi. Take the evening bus on 8th December to Dharamshala and you will reach on 9th morning and you can then carry on with your volunteering work.

The rest of the plan can stay. You can be back in Delhi on 20th afternoon and do some sight seeing before you leave on 21st night.

Hope it helps.

Harsha

trulyarcadia · Oct 16th, 2009, 02:31

Thank you so much for the advice

And yes... one door closes and another one opens. Adventures lie ahead!.....

steven_ber · Oct 16th, 2009, 12:42

Maybe the easiest way from Delhi to Dharamsala is an overnight bus, but after a few hours in India you may decide that an overnight bus is only for the suicidal, here's another option.

Skip Delhi (till you return later).

Chakki Bank is a station in Pathankot, you can either get an auto (from Chakki Bank) to Pathankot station, and get a train to Kangra (about 17kms from Dharamsala) or get a bus from CB to Dharamsala.

Train 1077 departs Agra Cant daily at 17.10 and gets to Chakki Bank 05.55 (2A, 3A, SL.)

harsha · Oct 16th, 2009, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by trulyarcadia

Thank you so much for the advice

And yes... one door closes and another one opens. Adventures lie ahead!.....

You are welcome

Nice to hear the positive spirit...

What kind of volunteer work do you plan to do in India?

trulyarcadia · Oct 17th, 2009, 15:21

Harsha - I'm doing one week volunteering with street children in Jaipur, and a second week helping with childcare (in Dharamsala). I wish I could stay longer as it seems like a bit of a token gesture really, but I want to spend Xmas with my family in England so have to get back for that.

Steven_ber - thank you for the other option, that sounds like a good suggestion.

On a separate note - I was trying to book a train ticket from Rajkot to Jaipur - the 9263 Delhi Express dep Rajkot 7.15pm arr Jaipur 1.45pm - but couldn't even open an account on the website http://irctc.co.in/, which it was asking me to do before allowing me to book, would either of you know how else I can book this train? And is this the best way for me to get to Jaipur?

Thanks again, your help is really appreciated. It's very reassuring to know there are some friendly people out there willing to help out a "newbie" like me!

steven_ber · Oct 18th, 2009, 00:01

The following thread has loads of great advice about booking online.

How to book train tickets online - consolidated advice

trulyarcadia · Oct 18th, 2009, 04:09

THANK YOU! That's a really helpful thread. I couldn't even register an account it just kept giving me an unintelligible error message, but now I know to persevere!

Oct 15th, 2009, 09:00	#1
trulyarcadia Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA Posts: 10	2 weeks, Jaipur-Dharamsala-Varanasi - bus, plane or trains? Hello, I am going to my friend's wedding in Rajkot on Nov 27/28th, and - having just lost my job - want to stay in India for a little longer than originally planned, do some voluntary work, and see some more of the country. I need to be back in England by around 21st Dec to spend Xmas with my family. Because I have only just found out I can stay there longer than originally thought, I haven't had much time to do my research and am bamboozled by all the recommendations and non-recommendations that you get online!! I have applied to do one week volunteering in Jaipur, and then a second week in Dharamsala - I could do one straight after the other and save sight-seeing for end of my trip, or could take a couple of days in between to see some sights en route (eg Taj). After the 2 weeks of volunteering I would love to go to Varanasi, as have heard it is amazing; and will fly home from Delhi. Would really appreciate some advice on this tentative itinerary, with suggestions for modes of transport. Probably not feasible but should I try to squeeze in Haridwar/Rishikesh? So much to see!!! Nov 29th travel from Rajkot to Jaipur Nov 30th-Dec 6th Jaipur voluntary work Dec 7th - set off for Dharamsala...should I go directly there or fit in Taj here? Dec 9th - 15th Dharamsala voluntary work Dec 16th travel from Dharamsala to Varanasi Dec 20th travel from Varanasi back to Delhi... or is this the time to go to Taj? Dec 21st fly home I'm female and will be on my own... bit nervous, but excited too. Thank you so much for any help and advise that comes my way Last edited by trulyarcadia : Oct 15th, 2009 at 09:12. Reason: headline not specific enough

Oct 16th, 2009, 12:42	#4
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	Maybe the easiest way from Delhi to Dharamsala is an overnight bus, but after a few hours in India you may decide that an overnight bus is only for the suicidal, here's another option. Skip Delhi (till you return later). Chakki Bank is a station in Pathankot, you can either get an auto (from Chakki Bank) to Pathankot station, and get a train to Kangra (about 17kms from Dharamsala) or get a bus from CB to Dharamsala. Train 1077 departs Agra Cant daily at 17.10 and gets to Chakki Bank 05.55 (2A, 3A, SL.) __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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Oct 16th, 2009, 02:31	#3
trulyarcadia Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA Posts: 10	Thank you so much for the advice And yes... one door closes and another one opens. Adventures lie ahead!.....

Oct 17th, 2009, 15:21	#6
trulyarcadia Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA Posts: 10	Harsha - I'm doing one week volunteering with street children in Jaipur, and a second week helping with childcare (in Dharamsala). I wish I could stay longer as it seems like a bit of a token gesture really, but I want to spend Xmas with my family in England so have to get back for that. Steven_ber - thank you for the other option, that sounds like a good suggestion. On a separate note - I was trying to book a train ticket from Rajkot to Jaipur - the 9263 Delhi Express dep Rajkot 7.15pm arr Jaipur 1.45pm - but couldn't even open an account on the website http://irctc.co.in/, which it was asking me to do before allowing me to book, would either of you know how else I can book this train? And is this the best way for me to get to Jaipur? Thanks again, your help is really appreciated. It's very reassuring to know there are some friendly people out there willing to help out a "newbie" like me!

Oct 18th, 2009, 00:01	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	The following thread has loads of great advice about booking online. How to book train tickets online - consolidated advice

Oct 18th, 2009, 04:09	#8
trulyarcadia Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA Posts: 10	THANK YOU! That's a really helpful thread. I couldn't even register an account it just kept giving me an unintelligible error message, but now I know to persevere!