Delhi - Agra - Rajasthan - Varanasi + Darjeeling or Shimla sampler

suede

Hi all, this will be my first trip to the North. My starting point will be Delhi and I hope to see Agra, some cities in Rajasthan and Varanasi and if possible Darjeeling or Shimla in 11 days -- if it's possible.

I'll be willing to make one flight between the farthest points to save time (but it seems that if an overnight train is available, that doesn't seem to make much difference).

I know that this is a short trip but it's possible to make another 10-14 day trip some years down the road since I'm travelling from Singapore. So for now, I want to do something in 11 days.

Of the royal cities Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, which 2 or 3 can should I pick if I want to fit Agra, Varanasi and Shimla (preferable given the shorter distance to travel over Darjeeling).

Also, is there already a thread on Shimla vs Darjeeling which I should read?

Thanks!

capt_mahajan

11 days, you are biting off far more than you can chew, I am afraid. Even if you fly more than once.


I suspect you will have to forget Darjeeling, and maybe even Varanasi or Shimla.. but do browse the relevant subforums here.

Meanwhile, here is somebodys similar itinerary for a 19 day trip

19 day trip in february - delhi/agra/rajasthan/varanasi/darjeeling?

machadinha

Since I commented on that other thread: Please remember 19 days isn't long, but it's more than just 8 days longer than 11. You can count on some time going into getting in and out of the country & finding your bearings at first (in any country, really). This will likely bite into your plans.

That other poster seemed to have it well planned out, or I wouldn't have advised that way. 11 Days on a first trip: I'd say concentrate on 1 manageable area, it will be over before you know. You'll get the greater pleasure I think from actually having seen a place or two (or three) than from rushing around not knowing what hit you. Travel in India can be hard-going and time-consuming.

As I usually say: Look up India on a map that shows it on the same scale as your home country. And bear in mind the infrastructure and speed of transport may not be what you're used to.

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