Darjeeling to Jaisalmer

Yes, You can catch train from Bikaner to Kalka for Shimla Train Number 14888. I think two or three days enough to see all the sight of Bikaner.

Josh

This is a useful website for finding trains. Just put the places you want to travel from and to in the top left hand corner. This example shows the Bikaner - Kalka train. There is also a Jaisalmer-Bikaner overnight train (14701)


http://indiarailinfo.com/search/117/1982

This train should connect with train 52453 up to Shimla. I would say that 3 days is about right in Shimla.

Regarding the other places that you mention we have been to a few. These are my thoughts. Others will differ

Agra - We went on a day trip and saw the Taj, the fort and Fatephur Sikri. Neither of us really enjoyed Agra which seemed to be dirty and full of touts.

Delhi - There's plenty to do. Not sure about the independence day parade though. It's quite easy and cheap to get about using the Metro.

Udaipur - Beautiful place. Quite laid back but with quite a bit to do in and around. You could probably spend 5 days here.

Jaipur - Pretty frantic sort of place but again plenty to see and do. Probably 2 or 3 days worth.

Shame about Kolkata - a great place but one to save for next time!

You might consider Jodhpur although I'm not sure how different it is from Jaisalmer. We did a desert excursion and camel ride from Jodhpur which was great fun. Originally recommended by Vonkla.

We were also blown away by the Golden Temple in Amritsar - I'm not usually into religion or spiritualism but this was a bit special. The Border ceremony is quite a spectacle if you go to Amritsar.

I see that you plan to travel in July/August. Have you started booking trains yet?

BTW - As a Leeds lad are you named for Joshua Tetley?