delhi-rajasthan round trip

Mrs.meggy

Hi

I’ll be in India in December with my husband- Need some really good advice on how to best fit in these cities into a 10-11 day trip. We would like to travel by rail where possible, but if costs are the same, then air travel is also ok.

Delhi-agra-jaipur-jaisalmer-delhi.

I understand that the distances between jaipur and jaisalmer are quite long, and so if theres no good way to do it, im willing to drop jaipur and go directly from agra to jaisalmer. My biggest interest in this trip is definitely the camel safari in jaisalmer, so do advice how to fit that in as well. 2 days should do. Don’t think I can afford a longer safari tour- they are expensive, yes?

Please advice with train travel suggestions and if the indirail pass would be worth it.

Thanks heaps,
Meggy.

steven_ber

The Indrail pass wouldn't be worth it.

I suggest you do the long journey first.


Delhi - Jaisalmer

Train 4059 departs (old)Delhi station daily at 17:45 and gets to Jaisalmer at 13:00 (2A, 3A, SL.)


Jaisalmer - Jaipur

Train 4060 departs Jaisalmer daily at 16:00 Jaipur at 04:50 (2A, 3A, SL.)


Then there are many options for the shorter Jaipur-Agra and Agra-Delhi journeys.

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Mrs.meggy

thnaks so much stephen

I guess I should then plan to spend some time in delhi first and then go straight to jaisalmer.
have you ever travelled in the Jammu-kashmir region? Since its winter we're hoping to go to srinagar as the next destination after agra. if you have travelled, please do give me some tips.
thanks.

steven_ber

I've not been to the Jammu-kashmir region, I suggest you start another thread to get more info about the region.

The 2 main options to get to Srinagar are flying from Delhi, or train to Jammu, then bus.

There is a train from Agra to Jammu.....

Train 1077 departs Agra Cant daily at 17:10 and gets to Jammu Tawi at 08:55 (2A, 3A, SL.)

There are many more trains from Delhi.

Remember there are 2 main train stations in Agra, if you get the train from Jaipur to Agra you will arrive at Agra Fort station, but most trains use Agra Cant station.

7 (I think) different airline fly from Delhi to Srinagar, for details check the following website, and remember, fares can be a lot cheaper if you book well in advance.

http://www.ixigo.com/

Mrs.meggy

alrite thanks,
will start a new thread.
have you been on the camel safaris in jaisalmer? any tips or what have your experiences been like?

steven_ber

I had a camal ride and didn't think much of it, everyone else thought I was lucky because I had (by far) the fastest camal, I was just bouncing up & down and holding on for dear life, didn't enjoy it.

Tip - everyone's different.

But I loved Jaisalmer, it has to be seen and experienced to be beleived.

Mrs.meggy

hehe
yeah well, hope i hold on pretty well then cos i'm definitely gonna ride a camel!!!
Do you think i can get the locals to dress me up in rajasthani garb for a pic? I'd love it!!!
cheap shopping anywhere?

steven_ber

There's cheap shopping everywhere, until you walk into the shop, then the prices will triple.

There's a Rajasthan government emporium somewhere in Delhi (south Central I think), the prices aren't the cheapest you will find, but it will be a hassle free experience.

The locals will help you dress, but there may be no local women on a camal safari.

Aishah

Definitely no local women on camel safaris! These are for tourists - i suggest you wait until you come to Jaisalmer for your local Rajasthani dress because there are many styles and varieties that are regional. You could probably arrange with your accommodation folks to borrow something for your photograph. Another thought for you is when you return to Jaipur why not take the overnight train to Jodhpur, then either bus or pick up a later train (Steven may be able to sort this out for you) in the evening for Jaipur so you can see the Jodhpur Fort which is one of the best Forts in India, in my opinion. Another option is to go by car to Jodhpur leaving early morning and you would have time in the afternoon for a Fort visit.

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Mrs.meggy

Stephen, is it essential ( like a must must) to book the train journeys well in advance? Since I'm pretty new to travelling, I dont want to overdo it and run from one place to the other everyday- I'd like to take things as they come, extend or shorten my visit as I please so a train booking may be aproblem there. please advice?

Mrs.meggy

whats the usual winter temperature in delhi/rajasthan? I undersatnd the desert gets cold at night, but is it also cold throughout the day in winter? please advice as to whether I'd need heavy warm clothes for rajathan and delhi.

also, what sort of drugs (apart from asprin/paracetomol) should I definitely carry with me while in India?

Aishah

No you won't need heavy warm clothes for Rajasthan/ Delhi. Winter is the only time I can wear polyester/cotton mix! Cotton always rest of time. A singlet under your normal spring/autumn clothes will do the trick and bring a lightweight, warm jacket or vest. if it becomes too cold for you then buy one of the pure woollen shawls Rajasthani style and you will find that useful for your head and back - that should be more than enough warmth. Delhi is colder than here - misty, dull fogs and chilly days but not what i call winter cold like we have in NZ or Australia.Layers of clothing are the trick. I sometimes, but not often bring out the old lambswool cardigan and put it on top of singlet, cotton dress, and that is enough!

RoaringBull

After you have arrived at the New Delhi airport you can get urself train to Agra, Satabdi fare would be around 800 INR from there you can head to Jaipur in luxury coaches that would be around 1000 INR and from there you can take a train or a bus to the respective destinations. but from jaisalmer-delhi I would suggest you get a train only.

One more thing avoide old delhi station as it is a crazy place.