4.5 months - High level advice

markhyd · Sep 27th, 2007, 21:50

My girlfriend and I are heading to India for 4.5 months and I'm looking for some high level itinerary advice before I get down to the details of what cities/sites/hotels etc.

We'll be starting in Mumbai in early January and finishing up there in mid-May. I have in mind to do a circuit tour without any flights, except to the Andamans and possibly Sri Lanka.

Does it make more sense to travel in a anti-clockwise way, or clockwise? Clockwise the plan would be:
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Rajasthan
Punjab
Himachal Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Nepal
Sikkim
West Bengal
Andamans
Hyderabad
Karnatika
Kerala
Goa
Mumbai

So what do you think climate wise? Clockwise? Anti Clockwise? Does that sound a bit busy for 19 weeks? Might try to slot a week in Sri Lanka in there too if not. I've never organised anything like this before so I appreciate the advice, and stories of similar length itineraries.

Thanks!

tacita · Sep 27th, 2007, 22:08

well, i don't have "high level" security clearance, however...

many guidebooks have a section on suggested routes for various periods of time. i seem to recall that LP has one for a full circuit tour, which may give you some route ideas. i'm sure others with a greater breadth of experience will be along soon.

capt_mahajan · Sep 27th, 2007, 22:17

14 states/cities/countries in 19 weeks, Hmm. (I have not counted Mumbai in Maharashtra twice).

Possible, generally speaking. provided you spend a week in a state or thereabouts, less in Hyderabad, maybe the same or a few days more in Nepal.

Budget? Travelling by train can eat up some ti- which you generally have.

As for the circuit, I would say clockwise. Come April/May, I think you are better off in Goa than Rajasthan.

I think what you need to do is identify which places are must sees, and then decide how laid back or not you want your trip to be. That will be the beginning of a good plan.

markhyd · Sep 30th, 2007, 01:02

Thanks for the help guys, I'm glad that clockwise makes sense..

wonderwomanusa · Sep 30th, 2007, 05:31

You have asked a very general question and requested a "high-level" reply.

It depends on which/how many places you intend to visit in each of the states you have named and how long you will spend in each place. Some areas have a lot of tourist sites, some have many interesting things that are not on the tourist trail.

I think you are being very optimistic about your chances of seeing all those areas in 19 weeks and having it be more than a big blur in the end, so be sure to take lots of photos. Or cut your list in half.

On the other hand, you can just pick a starting place and a direction, and see how long it really takes to see, say, Maharashtra followed by Gujerat. That will give you some idea if your plans are realistic.

Be sure to keep the opportunity to go off to someplace NOT on your list, when you hear that something cool is happening there. In India, serendipity is everything.

freenote · Sep 30th, 2007, 05:50

Hi Mark hyde ,i see you based in hyderabad so how well do you know India ? With the amount of time that you have any " high level itinerary advise " will be blown apart at the puncture of the first bald tyre on an Indian bus !! Don't organise ,select initial direction ,(clockwise -anti clockwise will do )don't pay up front and just go with the flow

markhyd · Oct 2nd, 2007, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

You have asked a very general question and requested a "high-level" reply.

It depends on which/how many places you intend to visit in each of the states you have named and how long you will spend in each place. Some areas have a lot of tourist sites, some have many interesting things that are not on the tourist trail.

I think you are being very optimistic about your chances of seeing all those areas in 19 weeks and having it be more than a big blur in the end, so be sure to take lots of photos. Or cut your list in half.

On the other hand, you can just pick a starting place and a direction, and see how long it really takes to see, say, Maharashtra followed by Gujerat. That will give you some idea if your plans are realistic.

Be sure to keep the opportunity to go off to someplace NOT on your list, when you hear that something cool is happening there. In India, serendipity is everything.

Sorry, it's the IT side of me coming out.. By high-level i meant 1000 mile high view, little detail or granularity, outline plan or framework (agh i've been rendered incapable of talking anything other than bulls**t!).. not that i wanted a high level of replys!

Thanks for the advice, i think you're right, if we have a decent plan for the first week or so and let the rest take care of itself that might be best

atala · Oct 3rd, 2007, 02:30

I do not understand the clockwise anti-clockwise thing. But you should start out with going South and then make your way towards the north. It is cold up north in January February. People sleeping outside die from the cold, just to give you an idea. Depending on your previous experience in India I would suggest you choose a hub from which you explore various places, rather than going in a linear way. This gives you time to find a place to relax, to return to, otherwise you are just mostly on a best bet level. The hub way also gives you more of familiarity with one place, instead of always new new new. You need times when you can withdraw from being hassled as a tourist. In a familiar place where you are a known face after a few days it is easier to get that. Have fun.

Sep 27th, 2007, 21:50	#1
markhyd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London Posts: 100	4.5 months - High level advice My girlfriend and I are heading to India for 4.5 months and I'm looking for some high level itinerary advice before I get down to the details of what cities/sites/hotels etc. We'll be starting in Mumbai in early January and finishing up there in mid-May. I have in mind to do a circuit tour without any flights, except to the Andamans and possibly Sri Lanka. Does it make more sense to travel in a anti-clockwise way, or clockwise? Clockwise the plan would be: Maharashtra Gujarat Rajasthan Punjab Himachal Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Nepal Sikkim West Bengal Andamans Hyderabad Karnatika Kerala Goa Mumbai So what do you think climate wise? Clockwise? Anti Clockwise? Does that sound a bit busy for 19 weeks? Might try to slot a week in Sri Lanka in there too if not. I've never organised anything like this before so I appreciate the advice, and stories of similar length itineraries. Thanks!

Sep 27th, 2007, 22:08	#2
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,413	well, i don't have "high level" security clearance, however... many guidebooks have a section on suggested routes for various periods of time. i seem to recall that LP has one for a full circuit tour, which may give you some route ideas. i'm sure others with a greater breadth of experience will be along soon. __________________ Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

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Sep 27th, 2007, 22:17	#3
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,756	14 states/cities/countries in 19 weeks, Hmm. (I have not counted Mumbai in Maharashtra twice). Possible, generally speaking. provided you spend a week in a state or thereabouts, less in Hyderabad, maybe the same or a few days more in Nepal. Budget? Travelling by train can eat up some ti- which you generally have. As for the circuit, I would say clockwise. Come April/May, I think you are better off in Goa than Rajasthan. I think what you need to do is identify which places are must sees, and then decide how laid back or not you want your trip to be. That will be the beginning of a good plan.

Sep 30th, 2007, 01:02	#4
markhyd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London Posts: 100	Thanks for the help guys, I'm glad that clockwise makes sense..

Sep 30th, 2007, 05:31	#5
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,259	You have asked a very general question and requested a "high-level" reply. It depends on which/how many places you intend to visit in each of the states you have named and how long you will spend in each place. Some areas have a lot of tourist sites, some have many interesting things that are not on the tourist trail. I think you are being very optimistic about your chances of seeing all those areas in 19 weeks and having it be more than a big blur in the end, so be sure to take lots of photos. Or cut your list in half. On the other hand, you can just pick a starting place and a direction, and see how long it really takes to see, say, Maharashtra followed by Gujerat. That will give you some idea if your plans are realistic. Be sure to keep the opportunity to go off to someplace NOT on your list, when you hear that something cool is happening there. In India, serendipity is everything.

Sep 30th, 2007, 05:50	#6
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,512	Hi Mark hyde ,i see you based in hyderabad so how well do you know India ? With the amount of time that you have any " high level itinerary advise " will be blown apart at the puncture of the first bald tyre on an Indian bus !! Don't organise ,select initial direction ,(clockwise -anti clockwise will do )don't pay up front and just go with the flow

Oct 3rd, 2007, 02:30	#8
atala Senior Member, 8 yrs in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland, just back from India 2008 Posts: 691	I do not understand the clockwise anti-clockwise thing. But you should start out with going South and then make your way towards the north. It is cold up north in January February. People sleeping outside die from the cold, just to give you an idea. Depending on your previous experience in India I would suggest you choose a hub from which you explore various places, rather than going in a linear way. This gives you time to find a place to relax, to return to, otherwise you are just mostly on a best bet level. The hub way also gives you more of familiarity with one place, instead of always new new new. You need times when you can withdraw from being hassled as a tourist. In a familiar place where you are a known face after a few days it is easier to get that. Have fun.

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