Del-Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur

I will be traveling with two other women. I plan on flying domestic from Udaipur to Mumbai and then working my way south from there. I had been planning on using train travel between locations, but I wonder if it might be a better option to hire a driver for part of it just to be more efficient? Especially since the rail system can be tricky. How much time would you allow in each place? I see that some recommend getting out of Delhi right away and some recommend staying an extra day to get your bearings, so I'm not sure what to do there. I am considering hiring a company for a Delhi city tour the first day. It seems as if Namaste India Tours has had a good reputation on this site. I'm hoping that hasn't changed? Would you recommend staying in Agra and then moving on to Jaipur, or do an Agra day trip and travel from Del to Jaipur via train? I know that's a lot of questions. Appreciate the advice!

Few points based on what you've asked:

a) It is more efficient to hire a car and driver from jodhpur to Udaipur allowing you a stop at Ranakpur temples and/or Kumbhalgarh fort. There's no train and only non-deluxe buses.
b) You may want to stay overnight in Agra (coming in from Delhi by train) allowing for a day and a half of sightseeing and then move to Jaipur via train.
c) Namaste still gets referred around here. Another option would be to spend two days or more and use the Hop on Hop off bus tour (HoHo). See this: http://www.hohodelhi.com/

Excellent! Exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks.

So you're suggesting Delhi --(train)--> Agra --(train)--> Jaipur --(train?)--> Jodhpur --(driver)--> Udaipur?

Any recommendation for drivers out of Jodhpur?

Will definitely check out the HoHo. Hadn't heard of it!

Yes. On the driver though, I've made a mention of a certain Shambhu dutt in my blog . He was an airforce driver earlier and then retired - seemed very down to earth and reliable to us. I'll try to dig out the hotel location where we met him as I've lost his number. There's a taxi stand there and he usually parks his cars (he has two) there.

As an alternative to Namaste Tours, you also have Delhi Magic.

Most of the hotels in Jodhpur do have a transport desk which will provide you with a cab for Udaipur via Ranakpur / Kumbhalgarh.

Bharatpur is pretty close to Agra/Jaipur and I would recommend a stop there if you have any interest in birds, as many long-bill birds spend the winter there. The town itself didn't look that interesting, so I went straight out to Keoladeo; there are half a dozen hotels right by the park and several young men who will take you around in a ricksha and introduce you to the birds. Or you can hire bicycles.

That would be great. Thanks! Also good to know that it is a common enough trip that it is fairly easy to find a driver.

That sounds like so much fun and something I would never have thought of doing! Who wouldn't love to take a ride in a rickshaw and enjoy the wildlife? I'll check into it.

Planning this trip has been so much fun, like putting together a very complicated puzzle. I can only imagine how awesome the trip itself will be. I'm so excited!

If you include Bharatpur do not miss Deeg Palace which is also near by. For more information Bharatpur and Deeg Palace you can see my trip report.

For your information, migratory birds are seen from November onwards.

I saw that. Deeg Palace looked fantastic and totally worth seeing. So do you think it's not worth it to visit the preserve during October? Or will there be enough to see there then?

Migratory birds start arriving as it gets cold ... this year the monsoon is delayed so November will see more birds. However, there're plenty of resident birds in the park as such, and it is a peaceful, green place for a visit.

I was there in September and I enjoyed my time there. However I was not able to see migratory birds the overall experience was good. It will be calm and serene place compared to all the other places that you plan to visit.

Yay! Peaceful and calm will be just what the doctor ordered right about then.