Help me to show my Mum a good trip!

Hello! I am currently living in Mumbai, and my mum is coming for Christmas and NY's. She really wants to see the Taj Mahal and the Ganges, because she is not sure if she'll make it back to India and has never been here before.

One snag - I have been to Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi etc etc and I am not keen to spend my precious traveling funds (am doing an around the world trip after this stint in Mumbai) on repeats! I am torn between this bit of practicality and also wanting my Mum to have a great time in India. Here is my plan so far - I am just looking for some positive reinforcement and/or suggestions to make this itinerary better. Keep in mind that I want her to have the best trip and get a true India experience - if you think I am missing something let me know!

Day 1 - Delhi (old city, India Gate, Gandhi Smirti etc)
Day 2 - Still sleep in Delhi, but spend entire day on day trip (by train with guide) to Agra and Fatepur Sikri
Day 3 - head to Rishikesh
Days 4 and 5 - laughing yoga, Ganges boat ride and prayers, relax, cooking classes etc - possible wildlife excursion
Day 6 - arrive in Chandigarh
Day 7 - Nek Chand Rock Garden (for something a bit wacky!) and Rose Garden
Day 8 - fly to Mumbai

I am pretty happy with it - but my only hesitation is with Chandigarh. Would you recommend visiting it over something else, seeing as the time is limited?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jess

Seems pretty hectic, with back to back Agra/Rishikesh trips.

I would consider dropping Chandigarh and spending the extra day in Delhi or Rishikesh, probably Delhi. Lots to do/see there.

quite a schedule , i might consider dropping Chandigarh as well , but if you think you can manage it , go for it!

Rock Garden is an amazing and beautiful place (Chosen by HRH Prince Charles as one of Asia's Most Beautiful Gardens) - not to mention it is a beautiful and safe place to spend time with your mom... You can skip Rose Garden, and Chandigarh's location makes it to be a good stop-over on the express train.

I would suggest:

Day 1 - Delhi (old city, India Gate, Gandhi Smirti etc)
Day 2 - I would sleep in Agra, and get up before dawn to get to the Taj, and watch the fog burn off (stunning) and then get out of there ASAP. Take the Shatabdi straight to Chandigarh.
Day 3 - head to Chandigarh - Rock Garden, stopover. And Go up to Shimla on the Toy Train.
Days 4- Night in Shimla
Day 5-6-7 - Then to Rishikesh. - laughing yoga, Ganges boat ride and prayers, relax, cooking classes etc.
Day 8 - fly to Mumbai (from Delhi?) You may just want to do this "golden triangle" and not try to fit in Mumbai unless you have a lot more time after this.

You should not try to rush Mother India. :-)

This is a good schedule for me at 29. For my mother it would be too much. Don't forget about jet lag and it is her first time to India too. Seems a little much like many other posters said. Is your mom flying out of Mumbai? I am a little confused as to why you are going to Mumbai (besides the fact you live there). I think it would be nicer with less places and more time in the places you do go to (with the exception of Agra..ick).

Thanks so much for all of the advice!

To answer April Flower and Haptotrope - we will fly to Mumbai because I live there! We have a committment to attend - so we must be back that day.

She's a very fit lady of 45 - so I think she will be okay with the rush - we will be spending the week prior on a fishing boat in the Maldives so I think we will be really relaxed at this point and ready for the action!

Thanks again!

Any health problems can make the trip miserable for anyone. I did a whirlwind tour of Agra and Fatehpur Sikri in an unairconditioned taxi in May (I was a teenager then) and almost passed out because of heat exhaustion and dehydration. My most memorable moment was staying on the grounds of the Taj late at night 9 - 10 pm really peaceful and beautiful in the moonlight.

The trip to Chandigarh from Delhi can be hectic. How do you plan to do this? If it ends up being a road trip, I would recommend cutting out chandigarh from your itinerary and staying in Uttaranchal instead. Spend a day in Haridwar or go to Devprayag, Karnaprayag or Joshimath if possible. Haridwar Ganga aarti is awesome at sunset (better than the one at Rishikesh IMO) so it is not to be missed. There are lots of temples to see in Haridwar as well.
Also there are convenient trains from Haridwar to Delhi.

Hi Jess,

I can imagine your plight. I have been to Chandigarh tons of times and was there three weeks back for a friend's wedding. it is really boring city and there is not much to do. The Rock garden is very over rated and I would recommend that you skip that.

My advice:

Day 1: Delhi
Day 2: day trip to Agra. Take the morning Taj express and come back by 11 pm.
Day 3-5: Rishikesh
Day 6: Go to Dhanaulti (close to Rishikesh)
Day 7: Return to Delhi by night.
Day 8: Fly to Mumbai.

I hope it helps. Let me know if you need any help.

Merry X-mas.

Harsha

Nooooooo! Chandigarh is very interesting! If you have an interest in architecture and a good guide. If not, it's probably dull I suppose.
And I don't think the Rock Garden is overrated- it was really fun.

However, something needs cutting out, and in this itinerary Chandigarh is the least interesting site.

I also loved aarti at Haridwar- in fact I preferred Haridwar to Rishikesh hands down. But they're so close if you don't like one, just move to the other.

Delhi - Agra - Haridwar/Rishikesh - Delhi - flight to Mumbai seems about right to me.