choice between some less traveled areas..please help!

sam78a · Sep 10th, 2009, 08:46

I need some help trying to eliminate cities and towns from my India trip. For some background, I will be going to India in the begining of January, and want to see big cities and small towns, and both the main touristy areas and areas not well known to tourists to get a feeling of "real India", whatever your interpretation of that might be. I also like photography alot.

At any rate, I am planning to essentially start in Delhi, go down to Agra, the western area of MP, and then west to Ujjian and ultimately up Rajasthan and back to Dehli.

Right now, I have a leg of my trip where I will see (coming from Jhansi) Ujjian, Mandu, Omkareshwar, and Mahakaleshwarar After that, I want to see Jhalawar and then Bundi, before making it to Delhi to pick someone up from the airport before seeing the more touristy areas with my friend. (I know the Dehli leg is messing me up a little)

So, in short, I have a few questions:

1. How much time is needed to explore Ujjian, Mandu, Om'shwar, and Mahak.? Can it be done in three days? Note that after I check out these cities, I will be going via train to the Bundi-Kota area. If this CANT be done in three days, which city should get scrapped? Note that I will probably already be in Ujjian anyway from the overnight train trip (Jhansi-Ujjian). I guess the question can be broken down into: if 3 days isnt enough, should I see Mandu or Om/Mahak?

2. After this leg of the trip, I want to see Bundi and Jhalawar. I know Jhalawar is a pain to get to, since it means taxing from a nearby rail town to the town. Is one day in each city enough? If I had to choose one to visit, which one should I choose?

3. I am also open to the possibility of spending more time in either greater Ujjian OR greater Bundi and dumping the other one. Is this something you suggest, or should I break up my limited time between these two areas? All together, I am looking at about 5 days for both areas.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Also, for what it is worth, I want for a lack of a better term, diversity, in my India trip. I am thinking Om'shwar-Mahakaleshwar would be good since I want to see real small towns with religious significance. What will Jhalawar/Bundi offer me that other cities with old buildings won't?

many thanks!!!

vonkla · Sep 11th, 2009, 04:40

Hi Sam
Parts of your questions I have already answered in some other threads but now I know your route I maybe can contribute something more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam78a

Right now, I have a leg of my trip where I will see (coming from Jhansi) Ujjian, Mandu, Omkareshwar, and Mahakaleshwarar After that, I want to see Jhalawar and then Bundi, before making it to Delhi
So, in short, I have a few questions:

1. How much time is needed to explore Ujjian, Mandu, Om'shwar, and Mahak.? Can it be done in three days? Note that after I check out these cities, I will be going via train to the Bundi-Kota area. If this CANT be done in three days, which city should get scrapped? Note that I will probably already be in Ujjian anyway from the overnight train trip (Jhansi-Ujjian). I guess the question can be broken down into: if 3 days isnt enough, should I see Mandu or Om/Mahak?

It will be very, and for me too hectic, to accomplish this. We did the same itinerary but had a day of ten for it.
Since you want to the direction of Kota afterward the only possibility I see is.

Train from Jhansi to Khandwa Jhansi Khandwa
Hire a car from Khandwa to Mandu, en route visiting Omkareshwar and Maheshwar. The car will be something of 2000 rs.

Stay in Mandu for one day.

Next morning hire a car to Ujjain. We paid 1600 rs and were at 10.30 in Ujjain. Explore Ujjain the rest of the day.

But do not skip Mandu.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam78a

2. After this leg of the trip, I want to see Bundi and Jhalawar. I know Jhalawar is a pain to get to, since it means taxing from a nearby rail town to the town. Is one day in each city enough? If I had to choose one to visit, which one should I choose?

Again I think you have to little time.
Bundi is a typical Rajasthan town without the many tourists.
Jhalawar is more like the MP places. The nearby Jhalarapattan is great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam78a

3. I am also open to the possibility of spending more time in either greater Ujjian OR greater Bundi and dumping the other one. Is this something you suggest, or should I break up my limited time between these two areas? All together, I am looking at about 5 days for both areas.

If you and your friend afterward visit Rajasthan I should drop Bundi.

sam78a · Sep 11th, 2009, 06:06

thanks. I also apologize for a somewhat repetitive post, but I am trying to nail down where I should go and now I have a more concrete plan in mind.

Vonkla, should Jhalawar be scrapped for more time in Ujjain and Mandu you think? Or, is Jhalawar plus the other areas right by it different enough from the other araes I am seeing to warrant the visit? I also understand the concept of not doing too much. Already, I am dumping Jaipur and (unfortunately) probably Jaisalmer.

delhiwala · Sep 11th, 2009, 14:30

Very good piece of advice...

It's hidden gem of MP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonkla

.....But do not skip Mandu.....

vonkla · Sep 12th, 2009, 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam78a

Vonkla, should Jhalawar be scrapped for more time in Ujjain and Mandu you think? Or, is Jhalawar plus the other areas right by it different enough from the other araes I am seeing to warrant the visit? I also understand the concept of not doing too much. Already, I am dumping Jaipur and (unfortunately) probably Jaisalmer.

Since you have not so much time I think you should skip Jhalawar, especially since it takes a lot of traveling for a visit of one day.

The days you gain you can spend at the best in Mandu and Bundi. For Ujjain a full day is sufficient.

Sep 10th, 2009, 08:46	#1
sam78a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nc Posts: 44	choice between some less traveled areas..please help! I need some help trying to eliminate cities and towns from my India trip. For some background, I will be going to India in the begining of January, and want to see big cities and small towns, and both the main touristy areas and areas not well known to tourists to get a feeling of "real India", whatever your interpretation of that might be. I also like photography alot. At any rate, I am planning to essentially start in Delhi, go down to Agra, the western area of MP, and then west to Ujjian and ultimately up Rajasthan and back to Dehli. Right now, I have a leg of my trip where I will see (coming from Jhansi) Ujjian, Mandu, Omkareshwar, and Mahakaleshwarar After that, I want to see Jhalawar and then Bundi, before making it to Delhi to pick someone up from the airport before seeing the more touristy areas with my friend. (I know the Dehli leg is messing me up a little) So, in short, I have a few questions: 1. How much time is needed to explore Ujjian, Mandu, Om'shwar, and Mahak.? Can it be done in three days? Note that after I check out these cities, I will be going via train to the Bundi-Kota area. If this CANT be done in three days, which city should get scrapped? Note that I will probably already be in Ujjian anyway from the overnight train trip (Jhansi-Ujjian). I guess the question can be broken down into: if 3 days isnt enough, should I see Mandu or Om/Mahak? 2. After this leg of the trip, I want to see Bundi and Jhalawar. I know Jhalawar is a pain to get to, since it means taxing from a nearby rail town to the town. Is one day in each city enough? If I had to choose one to visit, which one should I choose? 3. I am also open to the possibility of spending more time in either greater Ujjian OR greater Bundi and dumping the other one. Is this something you suggest, or should I break up my limited time between these two areas? All together, I am looking at about 5 days for both areas. Any suggestions appreciated! Also, for what it is worth, I want for a lack of a better term, diversity, in my India trip. I am thinking Om'shwar-Mahakaleshwar would be good since I want to see real small towns with religious significance. What will Jhalawar/Bundi offer me that other cities with old buildings won't? many thanks!!!

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Sep 11th, 2009, 06:06	#3
sam78a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nc Posts: 44	thanks. I also apologize for a somewhat repetitive post, but I am trying to nail down where I should go and now I have a more concrete plan in mind. Vonkla, should Jhalawar be scrapped for more time in Ujjain and Mandu you think? Or, is Jhalawar plus the other areas right by it different enough from the other araes I am seeing to warrant the visit? I also understand the concept of not doing too much. Already, I am dumping Jaipur and (unfortunately) probably Jaisalmer.