First India Trip - 14 days in Nov

teaksisu · Jun 26th, 2007, 08:55

Hello everyone...

I know 14 days is not very long to spend in India - but this is all I have. I'm 23 and will be travelling sometime in November or February. I want to focus my time in one region of the country and need help selecting a starting point.

I have quite a bit of travel experience: 6 months in SE Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, etc.), 1.5 months in Africa (Uganda), several times backpacking in Europe.

I've never been to India before and I want to experience the 'crazy sensory overload' experience that every talks about.

I've read a lot about Kolkata and Varanasi - they both seem really interesting and it looks like I could split my time between the two. Others have recommended Rajasthan area - here I've read about Agra, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur. I'm also really interested in Kashmir, but think that its a bit out of way and probably should see another part of India first.

What area should I focus on? I appreciate your help!!

shashank.aggarwal · Jun 26th, 2007, 08:59

I guess you can focus on Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. and you can throw in Varanasi if time permits..

machadinha · Jun 26th, 2007, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaksisu

I've read a lot about Kolkata and Varanasi - they both seem really interesting and it looks like I could split my time between the two. Others have recommended Rajasthan area - here I've read about Agra, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur.

The latter is the more touristy route though, and on a first-time 2-week visit it may not be so easy to find your way off the beaten track if that's what you want.

In that sense, I think Kolkata-Varanasi would make for an interesting alternative. They're one night train apart (direct train 8-11 hours). Both crowded places but you could throw in some sidesteps maybe. They're both very special, I could easily spend weeks in each. For crazy sensory overload they'll be just your thing

Note that Kolkata can be a little hard on first or even repeated arrivals, but then this is true of all the metros where you might arrive. Just take some time to get used to the beggars and lepers and general chaos. It's a wonderful city really.

Nick-H · Jun 26th, 2007, 12:12

14 days is all a lot of people get, what with demands of work and everything --- it was the most I ever had until the job gave me up, and one of my trips was ten days only.

Maybe it is a bit more like a 'holiday' than a 'trip' --- but, whatever... it's a visit to India

I used to do Kerala or Kerala/Tamil Nadu. But every time I came I reduced the number of places on the itinerary (except for one trip with GF) until I ended up with only two! One was doing a lot of stuff in chennai, the other was lazing around in my favourite hotel! You don't have to go that far, but I think you have the idea not to cram too much in and will have a great time, where-ever you choose to go

ks_bluechip · Jun 26th, 2007, 12:39

After seeing this thread ... I gathered all my travel diaries and counted the Number of Days I have been travelling, in last 3 years (since I retired, to travel and see India).

It adds up to 276 days so far! I think maybe I have seen about 10-15% of India so far? Still lots of places left to see!

teaksisu · Jul 18th, 2007, 08:38

Hello! I'm planning a trip to India with my Dad. Me = low 20s, Dad = low 50s. We have both traveled extensively in other parts of the world but have never been to India.

We will have 14 full days in India (November). Not sure if we should fly in/out of Delhi, Mumbai, or in one out the other.

I am mostly interested in Rajasthan area (Agra, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Fatepur Sikri). My dad would like to spend some time on the coast. I am also intrigued by Varanasi.

Any suggestions? Is it crunching too much to try and see Rajasthan and also somewhere on the coast or Varanasi? We don't want to spend our entire trip in bustling cities (Delhi).

A few more questions if you are feeling helpful...
(1) are the 2-3 day camel treks in Jaisalmer worth it?
(2) are there any parts of golden triangle worth skipping over (udaipur, jaipur, ...?)

steven_ber · Jul 18th, 2007, 10:59

How do you plan to get around India?

Fly or train?

teaksisu · Jul 19th, 2007, 08:45

What makes the most sense given this itinerary? My thought was train.

wonderwomanusa · Jul 19th, 2007, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaksisu

Hello! I'm planning a trip to India with my Dad. Me = low 20s, Dad = low 50s. We have both traveled extensively in other parts of the world but have never been to India.

We will have 14 full days in India (November). Not sure if we should fly in/out of Delhi, Mumbai, or in one out the other....?)

Well, if you fly in to Delhi and out of Mumbai, then you will be able to take trains through Rajasthan, maybe hit the coast for a day or two in Gujarat, and fly out of Mumbai.

I think trying to put Varanasi in there might be a bit much unless you fly out of Kolkata instead of Mumbai.

Jun 26th, 2007, 08:55	#1
teaksisu Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 34	First India Trip - 14 days in Nov Hello everyone... I know 14 days is not very long to spend in India - but this is all I have. I'm 23 and will be travelling sometime in November or February. I want to focus my time in one region of the country and need help selecting a starting point. I have quite a bit of travel experience: 6 months in SE Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, etc.), 1.5 months in Africa (Uganda), several times backpacking in Europe. I've never been to India before and I want to experience the 'crazy sensory overload' experience that every talks about. I've read a lot about Kolkata and Varanasi - they both seem really interesting and it looks like I could split my time between the two. Others have recommended Rajasthan area - here I've read about Agra, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur. I'm also really interested in Kashmir, but think that its a bit out of way and probably should see another part of India first. What area should I focus on? I appreciate your help!! Last edited by machadinha : Jul 18th, 2007 at 08:50. Reason: merged threads, adjusted title

Jun 26th, 2007, 08:59	#2
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,173	I guess you can focus on Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. and you can throw in Varanasi if time permits.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Jun 26th, 2007, 12:12	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	14 days is all a lot of people get, what with demands of work and everything --- it was the most I ever had until the job gave me up, and one of my trips was ten days only. Maybe it is a bit more like a 'holiday' than a 'trip' --- but, whatever... it's a visit to India I used to do Kerala or Kerala/Tamil Nadu. But every time I came I reduced the number of places on the itinerary (except for one trip with GF) until I ended up with only two! One was doing a lot of stuff in chennai, the other was lazing around in my favourite hotel! You don't have to go that far, but I think you have the idea not to cram too much in and will have a great time, where-ever you choose to go __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 26th, 2007, 12:39	#5
ks_bluechip Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 987	276 days - 10% done After seeing this thread ... I gathered all my travel diaries and counted the Number of Days I have been travelling, in last 3 years (since I retired, to travel and see India). It adds up to 276 days so far! I think maybe I have seen about 10-15% of India so far? Still lots of places left to see! __________________ ks_bluechip [My Travel Blog] [My Flickr Photo Sets]

Jul 18th, 2007, 08:38	#6
teaksisu Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 34	First India Trip - 14 days in Nov Hello! I'm planning a trip to India with my Dad. Me = low 20s, Dad = low 50s. We have both traveled extensively in other parts of the world but have never been to India. We will have 14 full days in India (November). Not sure if we should fly in/out of Delhi, Mumbai, or in one out the other. I am mostly interested in Rajasthan area (Agra, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Fatepur Sikri). My dad would like to spend some time on the coast. I am also intrigued by Varanasi. Any suggestions? Is it crunching too much to try and see Rajasthan and also somewhere on the coast or Varanasi? We don't want to spend our entire trip in bustling cities (Delhi). A few more questions if you are feeling helpful... (1) are the 2-3 day camel treks in Jaisalmer worth it? (2) are there any parts of golden triangle worth skipping over (udaipur, jaipur, ...?) Last edited by machadinha : Jul 18th, 2007 at 08:49. Reason: merged threads

Jul 18th, 2007, 10:59	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 8,927	How do you plan to get around India? Fly or train? __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Jul 19th, 2007, 08:45	#8
teaksisu Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 34	What makes the most sense given this itinerary? My thought was train.

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