First timer in India needs advice!

Hi Everybody,
I'm arriving in Mumbai on 4th July for a month and am struggling to put together an itinerary because I want to see so much - My thoughts at the moment (after much debate) are: Mumbai (2 days), Jaisalmer (2 days), Jaipur (2 days), Agra (2 days), Varanasi (6 days), Kolkata (5 days) and back to Mumbai (6 days).

As I said I have a month and intend to do most of the travelling by train. I have been told that I 'must go' to Jaisalmer by a friend who was there a few years ago.

Am I missing any other 'must sees' on this route? Any thoughts and advice gratefully received.

Wayne

please book your train tickets in advance and if possible the hotel tickets. the train tickets might be very messy in the last minute .
by the way what are you going to do in varanasi for 6 days... instead you can consider darjeeling
monsoons have arrived in mumbai and be carefull with the rain as it might be very floody in mumbai

I hope you know that to get to Jaisalmer from Mumbai you have to get to Jodhpur first (train ride takes about 20 hours) and there catch a train to Jaisalmer (6-7 hours). So the whole trip takes about 30 hours or more. I would consider to have a flight instead or to skip Jaisalmer for this time (if you're on budget). Again - from Kokata to Mumbai it takes 30-36 hours by train (there is only one fast train - 2262 HWH CSTM DURONT, which takes "only" 26 hours - but it runs only twice a week), so it's better to have a flight again, or you have to spend too much time on trains.

Thanks for the advice - WICHY I have looked at flights between Kolkata and Mumbai and they are about 3500 rupees, I think this is better than 30 hours on the train!
CANDYROX - I was hoping to just relax in Varanasi for a few days, maybe do some yoga and chill out!

While I am an unabashed fan of Mumbai - 8 days may be a bit much. On the last portion of your journey consider 1 or 2 nights in Mumbai - then head off to Aurangabad as a base for the Ellora and Ajanta caves (2 full days) before returning to Mumbai for the last few days of your journey.

Have a great trip!

Don't think Varanasi is the best place to relax... I would better add 1 more day to Jaisalmer or think about 2-3 days in Rishkeish.

And, as NatashaC said, include Ellora/Ajanta in your itinerary - it's really must see sites.

Natasha - I think I'm going to follow your advice and go to Aurangabad for a couple of days. Any accommodation you could recommend?
Thanks for the information everybody - Much appreciated!

Jaipur is not the best of Rajasthan. I'd suggest Udaipur instead. You can fly there from Mumbai then head to Jaisalmer.
I agree that 2 + 6 days in Mumbai may be a bit much 2+2 should do it, but you may have a better idea after your first 2 days there.

Wayne...

You said you are here for 1 month and Delhi doesn't seems to pop up in the list, specially when you are going north for Jaipur and Varanasi... ... or are you intentionally leaving out Delhi for some reason? Spending 8 days at Mumbai seems to be too much..you can squeeze out 2-3 days from your tour quite easily on your way to Jaipur and Varanasi and see the Indian Capital which has one of the most important sights in India.

I agree. Cut out 5 days from Mumbai and it might still allow you to get in Ajanta & Ellora which are very nice indeed.

Varanasi is a very intense in-your-face city. People either love it or hate it. Not much chillin going on there unless you're very wealthy and are going to hang out in a spa most of the time! I used to hate Benares as a child (thought it was too filthy, crowded and chaotic), and also while I lived in India, but as I've grown older I've come to really love it. It's one of those inexplicable things. Anyway, hope you enjoy it and fall in love w/ it too

Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice - I have lots to think about!! I was missing out Delhi because I was spending plenty of time in Mumbai - Time for another rethink!!

Delhi is far more interesting than mumbai. Varanasi is a favourite with many foreigners though it's said to be quite hassly. Its not popular with indian tourists.

I hope you plan to fly back to mumbai from Calcutta otherwise its a waste of travelling time.

If you are going via jodhpur, you might as well get off. Jodhpur is worth looking at and has a good fort experience. Stay in teh old city if you can find somewhere nice to stay. Its quite pretty and iwth all its little streets its a worthwhile experience.

Probably skip Jaipur.

Mumbai is also very expensive for accommodation. Delhi is much better value all around though in July its all going to be pretty awful i think. I mean it will be hot.

Make sure you travel 2AC on the train for a decent level of comfort. And definiltey take the plane for long distances.