Dehli , Rajasthan , Varanasi ? Mid July to Mid August

Hi we will be arriving and departing from Delhi Mid July leaving Mid August, and need some advice on suggested order of visiting places so we can book train tickets etc.

Its our first time in india and we want to see a mixture of countryside , temples , cities etc. So far the plan is Delhi , Agra , Jaipur ,Jodhpur , Jaisalmer ( with a camel trek ) Udaipur , Ranakpur. So not really sure if there is a logical order to see these that will minmize hassle / travel time, also suggestions for time in each place would be appreciated.

We also want to visit some where other than Rajasthan , Varnasi has been suggested although maybe some where cooler would be good any suggestions.

Thanks in anticipation.

have you already book the tour and you are still planing to book?

I loved varanasi - something infectious about it, really special place. But it's monsoon season over there at that time so not sure if its best time to be there. dunno

I think Udaipur was an amazing place, try and fit that in.

Personally got very little from Jodphur.

Plenty of camel treks in Jaiselmeer. I went on a 2 day one. Any longer and I would definatly not be having children in the future.

have a good trip.

I'm there at same time but heading for Ladakh to avoid the monsoon and see the hymalayas

Hi , I havent booked anything yet , I think I will have to just put up with the monsoon as I can only really travel in the summer.Thanks for the advice. I have had a bit more of a think and this is what I have come up with.

Delhi - arrive/ stay for 3 days
Jaipur - 4 hour train journey then stay 3 days
Udaipur - overnight train stay for 3 days
Jodhpur - by bus stoping quickly at Ranakpur then stay 2 days
Jaisalamer by bus stoping quickly at Osian then stay for 4 days with a day / 2 day camel trek
Bikaner - 2 days see the rat temple then back to delhi

That leaves me with about 10 days to go to some other places and get back to delhi. I Will start to read up about Ladakh it may be a good option to escape the heat

Any Views / Ideas / Advice

Suggested Train Route :

Delhi (3 days) ---> Jaipur (2 days)---> overnight Train to Udaipur (3 days)----> Taxi to Jodhpur via Kumbhalgarh/Ranakpur (2 days) ----> Night Train to Jaisalmer (3/4 days)----> Evening Train to Delhi

Jaipur - 2 days more than sufficient.

Bikaner - Drop. Unless the Rat Temple at Deshnoke is something you are really looking forward to. The Junagarh Fort is excellent but otherwise Bikaner is pretty Dull. Night buses ply from jaisalmer to Bikaner daily.

Udaipur to Jodhpur - Take a taxi and visit Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh Fort enroute. Can be done in a day. The latter has the second longest wall in the world (36 km) after the The great Wall of China.

Jodhpur - Remember to visit the cenotaphs in Mandore gardens.

Ladakh ( 1 week) - Absolute must !! Buy a budget airline ticket from Delhi to Leh and back. But book fast as there seems to be a price war on for the summers amongst the airlines currently. If you are adventurous , you could take the Leh-Srinagar road route while returning(Can be done in a day) and spend 3 days in the spectacular Kashmir Valley and fly back to Delhi from Srinagar. Kashmir is quiet and peaceful currently and a shikara ride in early morning mist at the Dal lake is something you will cherish forever.

I am presuming you are doing a day trip to Agra . Take the early morning Shatabdi Train and you are in Agra in less than 2 hours.

If you have time, a quick trip to Rishikesh /Haridwar possible if you wish to experience the religious/spiritual side of India. Morning Shatabdi trains run everyday from Delhi to Haridwar.

Monsoons in Rajasthan is not of the incessant type and you can easily enjoy yourself. But remember to wear washable sandals and if you are fussy about getting caught in showers (unlike most Indians), carry a collapsible umbrella.

I meant to say I didn't get much from Jaipur. Jodphur is a different story - amazing town.

having said that the observatory in Jaipur was pretty interesting

Thanks everyone, flights to Leh are too expensive so I think the second section of the trip is going to revolve around varanasi to nepal then back to Delhi I have about 14 days free to do this.

Pablo, I'm planning almost the same trip but arriving to Delhi on July, 27th, and so, I will be following your steps...
I think Varanasi is a good option, though you were not completely decided, thats what I'll do!

Hola Clipioola, al parecer por lo que mencionas estaremos siguiendos los pasos, jejejeje.... Es muy grato saber que mi camino a recorrer y los consejos que he recibido estan sirviendo tambien para otras personas. Como notaras hablo Espanol y se que tal vez no toparemos por ahi. Gracias hasta luego.

No quise hablar español por respeto a todos los IndiaMikers!
(I didn't speak spanish so everybody here could understand it)

I've planned quite a few more stops than you, and I havent really taken much of your planning trip..it's been more a coincidence than cheating
When are you arriving to Delhi?

I arrive the 25th /26th just got my visa today!! I am now booking train tickets, just hope its not too complicated.

I'll arrive on 26th!! but haven't got my visa yet Did you apply for it in Spain or in England? If in Spain, how long did it take you?
I'll ask you for some tips on train-bookings,as somebody told me it could be a problem even booking with a credit card..so, good luck!

I am a british citizen and got my visa in england it was done over the internet and post via the indian embassy absolutley no hassle , my friend who is mexican but lives here got his at the same time again no hassle. I have booked about half my tickets and again its not too bad, one credit card wouldnt be accepted but I had no problem with the other.

Great!