First Time Visit -15+ days in India

nflores07030 · Jun 12th, 2008, 22:21

Hi I am looking to visit India for the 1st time with my husband. We are both in our early 30's and avid travelers. I have traveled to Asia before (alone), and he has lived and traveled abroad in South America before. We are trying contract a driver to take us to the following places: Here is our tentative itinerary

Dehli - 1-2 days
Jaipur 2 days
Jodhpur 1 day
Udaipur 1-2 days
Agra 1-2
Orchha/Khajuraho 2 days
Varanasi - 3 days

Since we are aware because India is so vast in size we are forced to limit ourselves to one area due to time constraints (we will do the south another visit). We would like to know if there is anything that we "must" see on this trip? Are there are any stops that we should make? (i.e., off the beaten path)

wonderwomanusa · Jun 13th, 2008, 08:13

From Udaipur, you might want to go to Ranakpur to see the Jain temple. It's around 90km, and if you have a car and driver, just add it to the itinerary.

edwardseco · Jun 13th, 2008, 09:05

Did WW's idea with an early departure and some night travel on the return and managed to include the great K. fort..

nflores07030 · Jun 13th, 2008, 21:53

Great K fort? I am sorry where and what is that?

Cheap 'n' Best · Jun 13th, 2008, 22:25

You could consider visiting Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Best time to go is from October to January. It's on the way from Delhi to Jaipur.

Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary

I really loved the place and stayed for four days.

Take plenty of insect repellent.

Exactly how long will you be in India ? If only fifteen days then your schedule looks pretty busy, there will be a lot of travelling and you need to allow some time for unexpected holdups, which in India, can occur quite frequently.

machadinha · Jun 13th, 2008, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by nflores07030

Great K fort? I am sorry where and what is that?

I think Kumbhalgarh is what is meant

*

(No, there's no way you could or should have known this. Some of us regulars can get a little cryptic sometimes

)

* Never been, gets rave reports though. Spelling/transcription options will be legion of course; anyway, scour the web for it, you'll find some pics and descriptions on this site too. It features a (small?) wildlife reserve as well I believe, said to be likewise good.

dhans · Jun 13th, 2008, 23:58

Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur are both well worth a visit and can be combined in one day when travelling from Jodphur to udaipur or vice vera. For non Jains Ranakpur temple is only open in the afternoons, so plan your travel with that in mind. See our report (link below) for more info.

Hans

nflores07030 · Jun 16th, 2008, 02:26

Thanks I added both as stops on my way to Udaipur and the driver actually already had planned to stop in Ranakpur. I just did not see it when I read the itinerary first. The driver also recommended Jaisalmer if I can add 2 more days - is it worth it?

machadinha · Jun 16th, 2008, 02:43

If you have the time, sure, it's a famous destination. Little touristy I'd say, but worth it, certainly, and quite impressive and romantic. Just read around on this site for it, or for any of your destinations.

nflores07030 · Jun 16th, 2008, 07:29

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay thank you to all of you that gave me suggestions for cities I must see while visiting Rajasthan. Based on tons or research and reviews - I decided to extend my trip 2 days to include Jaisalmer . My main question is whether a SUV necessary? Our other options are Small car and midsize car both with Air conditioning. The difference in price between the 2 vehicles is a lot.

edwardseco · Jun 16th, 2008, 12:34

Quote:

Great K fort?

As in numero 7..

zoltan · Jun 16th, 2008, 14:15

For what it's worth, rather than driving all across the countryside, you may want to try doing the journey slightly in reverse.

ie. rather than arriving in Delhi & then doing your car journey, land in Kolkata, get a train to Varanasi; train & bus to Khajuraho; bus to Orchha and then hire a car from Agra to do the balance.

Quote:

Dehli - 1-2 days
Jaipur 2 days
Jodhpur 1 day
Udaipur 1-2 days
Agra 1-2

You'll save a packet, rather than driving those extra km's (esp. as I have been advised petrol prices have gone through the roof in India).

Quote:

whether a SUV necessary? Our other options are Small car and midsize car both with Air conditioning. The difference in price between the 2 vehicles is a lot.

If there are only 2 of you travelling, I'd opt for the mid-sized car. Depending on when you are travelling, you could well do without AC. This will also save you a lot of money. You definitely won't need an SUV.

Cheers
Zoltan

nflores07030 · Jun 16th, 2008, 20:24

I will be traveling first 2 weeks of March - Thanks for the car avoiding the SUV would save me loads of money - but our driver recommended it which is why I had to ask.

nflores07030 · Jun 16th, 2008, 22:34

Aside from the question of whetherI need A/C in March? I am also curious if the MP hotels are a good option for 1st time visitors?

machadinha · Jun 16th, 2008, 22:52

You mean the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism hotels or something along those lines? I couldn't tell you, just making sure what your question is.

I think the tourist board there is supposed to have been doing a not-half-bad job for quite some time yes, but don't know how this pertains to their hotels.

Jun 12th, 2008, 22:21	#1
nflores07030 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York Posts: 21	First Time Visit -15+ days in India Hi I am looking to visit India for the 1st time with my husband. We are both in our early 30's and avid travelers. I have traveled to Asia before (alone), and he has lived and traveled abroad in South America before. We are trying contract a driver to take us to the following places: Here is our tentative itinerary Dehli - 1-2 days Jaipur 2 days Jodhpur 1 day Udaipur 1-2 days Agra 1-2 Orchha/Khajuraho 2 days Varanasi - 3 days Since we are aware because India is so vast in size we are forced to limit ourselves to one area due to time constraints (we will do the south another visit). We would like to know if there is anything that we "must" see on this trip? Are there are any stops that we should make? (i.e., off the beaten path)

Jun 13th, 2008, 23:58	#7
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,440	Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur are both well worth a visit and can be combined in one day when travelling from Jodphur to udaipur or vice vera. For non Jains Ranakpur temple is only open in the afternoons, so plan your travel with that in mind. See our report (link below) for more info. Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

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Jun 13th, 2008, 08:13	#2
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,245	From Udaipur, you might want to go to Ranakpur to see the Jain temple. It's around 90km, and if you have a car and driver, just add it to the itinerary.

Jun 13th, 2008, 09:05	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,784	Did WW's idea with an early departure and some night travel on the return and managed to include the great K. fort..

Jun 13th, 2008, 21:53	#4
nflores07030 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York Posts: 21	Great K fort? I am sorry where and what is that?

Jun 13th, 2008, 22:25	#5
Cheap 'n' Best Occasional Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South India Posts: 115	You could consider visiting Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Best time to go is from October to January. It's on the way from Delhi to Jaipur. Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary I really loved the place and stayed for four days. Take plenty of insect repellent. Exactly how long will you be in India ? If only fifteen days then your schedule looks pretty busy, there will be a lot of travelling and you need to allow some time for unexpected holdups, which in India, can occur quite frequently.

Jun 16th, 2008, 02:26	#8
nflores07030 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York Posts: 21	Thanks I added both as stops on my way to Udaipur and the driver actually already had planned to stop in Ranakpur. I just did not see it when I read the itinerary first. The driver also recommended Jaisalmer if I can add 2 more days - is it worth it?

Jun 16th, 2008, 02:43	#9
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	If you have the time, sure, it's a famous destination. Little touristy I'd say, but worth it, certainly, and quite impressive and romantic. Just read around on this site for it, or for any of your destinations.

Jun 16th, 2008, 07:29	#10
nflores07030 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York Posts: 21	-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay thank you to all of you that gave me suggestions for cities I must see while visiting Rajasthan. Based on tons or research and reviews - I decided to extend my trip 2 days to include Jaisalmer . My main question is whether a SUV necessary? Our other options are Small car and midsize car both with Air conditioning. The difference in price between the 2 vehicles is a lot.

Jun 16th, 2008, 20:24	#13
nflores07030 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York Posts: 21	I will be traveling first 2 weeks of March - Thanks for the car avoiding the SUV would save me loads of money - but our driver recommended it which is why I had to ask.

Jun 16th, 2008, 22:34	#14
nflores07030 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York Posts: 21	Aside from the question of whetherI need A/C in March? I am also curious if the MP hotels are a good option for 1st time visitors?

Jun 16th, 2008, 22:52	#15
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	You mean the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism hotels or something along those lines? I couldn't tell you, just making sure what your question is. I think the tourist board there is supposed to have been doing a not-half-bad job for quite some time yes, but don't know how this pertains to their hotels.

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