first trip to India

jituyadav · Sep 4th, 2009, 23:25

Guilty, no way, you would know exactly why the next time you happen to visit Taj.

sanket2612 · Sep 4th, 2009, 23:30

You can skip anything ---- but not lakshdweep

camelgirl · Sep 5th, 2009, 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanket2612

You can skip anything ---- but not lakshdweep

Please ignore this--he's obviously trying to be funny, which isn't helpful for the OPs time & itinerary.

I would pass up Goa before I'd pass up the Taj Mahal, Fatipur Sikri & Agra Fort. Agra isn't a very nice city but these sights are worth the visit. But I don't go to India to go hang out at a beach, unless I've got a really lot of time! Goa is very interesting & you can take a short trip inland to see a spice plantation in the town of Ponda, which, if you haven't seen one, is fascinating. http://www.goavacationguide.com/spice-plantation.html

On the other hand, just forgetting about the north (Delhi & Agra) & saving that for another trip would probably work best. Otherwise, you are kind of all over the place. Travel between places takes time & can be tiring.

I wouldn't feel guilty about missing anything though. I've been to Venice several times & never took a gondola ride

Ajanta & Ellora are absolutely fantastic. It took me 5 India trips before I finally got there.

While you are in Mumbai, you can take a short ferry ride out to Elephanta Island to see some rock/cave carvings. Certainly nothing like Ellora & Ajanta but so easy, it makes a nice outting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanta_Caves

bonded · Sep 5th, 2009, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salohcin

Greetings! Should one feel guilty about visiting India and NOT seeing the Taj Mahal? I´ve just revised my schedule to include: 5 days visiting Goa, then fly to Kerala for 5-6 days, return to Mumbai and visit Aurangabad - Ellora and Ajanta, then 2.5 days visiting Mumbai. I think I have to leave out Delhi and Agra on this trip -- I just don´t see how to make that work this time. From what I have read about Kerala it sounds wonderful. Any advice from anyone?

Kerala

Kottayam / Kumarakom / Alleppey for backwaters
Munnar / Thekkady for hill station
Trivandrum (Kovalam, Varkala, Shanghumugham) / Cochin (Cherai, Fort Kochi) for beaches

There are overnight trains from Madgaon (MAO) to Ernakulam (ERS)(Cochin) running daily.

There is a train from Ernakulam (ERS) to Manmad (MMR) around 110 kms from Aurangabad running daily.
In Aurangabad see the Bibi Ka Maqbara a cheaper version of the Taj. It was built by Aurangzeb's son.

indiaddict · Sep 5th, 2009, 02:10

Salohcin, I fully second Camelgirl.

I think you are trying to pack in too much in a 18 day itinerary. Travelling in India can be very tiring and can keep you from enjoying the most fantastic sights.

You'll just have to keep coming back, as most of us do. And you will realize that not even in 10 lifetimes you'll be able to see it all.

camelgirl · Sep 5th, 2009, 02:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaddict

Salohcin, I fully second Camelgirl.

I think you are trying to pack in too much in a 18 day itinerary. Travelling in India can be very tiring and can keep you from enjoying the most fantastic sights.

You'll just have to keep coming back, as most of us do. And you will realize that not even in 10 lifetimes you'll be able to see it all.

Salohcin · Sep 5th, 2009, 03:09

Thank you everyone for these incredibly helpful posts. I will need to spend 5 days in Goa with friends, and I think that will eliminate the possibility for me to visit Agra and Delhi. The more I read about Kerala the more curious I become about this place. As indiaddict points out, I guess I'll just have to keep coming back!! ;-) Many humble thanks, Salohcin

Salohcin · Sep 12th, 2009, 04:20

Hello! I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has a specific recommendation for houseboat tour operators in Kerala. I realize there are many but was hoping for a referral and/or any general advice. We were thinking of taking a 2-3 day backwater trip. Many thanks!

Sep 4th, 2009, 23:25	#16
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	Guilty, no way, you would know exactly why the next time you happen to visit Taj. __________________ I started with nothing and I still have most of it!

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Sep 4th, 2009, 23:30	#17
sanket2612 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bomaby Posts: 20	You can skip anything ---- but not lakshdweep

Sep 5th, 2009, 02:10	#20
indiaddict Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London Posts: 109	Salohcin, I fully second Camelgirl. I think you are trying to pack in too much in a 18 day itinerary. Travelling in India can be very tiring and can keep you from enjoying the most fantastic sights. You'll just have to keep coming back, as most of us do. And you will realize that not even in 10 lifetimes you'll be able to see it all.

Sep 5th, 2009, 03:09	#22
Salohcin Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 20	Thank you everyone for these incredibly helpful posts. I will need to spend 5 days in Goa with friends, and I think that will eliminate the possibility for me to visit Agra and Delhi. The more I read about Kerala the more curious I become about this place. As indiaddict points out, I guess I'll just have to keep coming back!! ;-) Many humble thanks, Salohcin

Sep 12th, 2009, 04:20	#23
Salohcin Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 20	Hello! I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has a specific recommendation for houseboat tour operators in Kerala. I realize there are many but was hoping for a referral and/or any general advice. We were thinking of taking a 2-3 day backwater trip. Many thanks!