How to get the most of India in 30 days

mariusu · Sep 30th, 2004, 03:34

Hi,

This forum amazes me - it's the most valuable resource on travel to India. And I hope someone will take some time to give me advice on a travel issue. Big one.

I have 30 days to spend in India. No more, no less. The problem is I want to see most of it, and cannot decide how to make my itinerary. I will arrive in Delhi, and departure will be from Delhi, too. Apart from that, nothing is settled. I will be on a smaller budget, so I prefer to travel by train or bus between various point. Internal flights are not out of question, but I'd prefer not to spend too much money on it.

Can anyone suggest me a 30 day itinerary?

Thanks,

Marius

guerik · Sep 30th, 2004, 06:13

What is your reason for travelling to India? That will help people to make recommendations.
Are there any attractions you absolutely want to see?

mariusu · Sep 30th, 2004, 20:43

I'll be in India on vacation, so I want to see it as a tourist.
I will be flying to Delhi (most likely) so I will probably go to Agra and Jaipur. I would also want to go on an elephant safari and (dreaming) seeing a tiger. I understand that Bandavgarh offers a greater chance than Ranthambhor.
I would take some time to go to Kathmandu for 2-3 days, so I could easily go from Varanasi to Kathmandu, then to Darjeeling.

Nothing else in my mind now. My profile would be: young guy (27), adventurous, not afraid of travelling 2nd class trains

) (until I try it). I just want to squeeze the most out of my trip to India.

icetea · Sep 30th, 2004, 23:20

well go round round....

you could add some Uttar Pradesh to ur list.....then Konark & Puri....and then you can head south too, if u get the time..it adds a different flavour to your trip: head down for Madurai.....Pondicherry....the n you could go to Kerala...and then up to Mumbai again..let's say.

from Romania huh? me too....I'm still amazed to find Romanians on India travel forums...(you'd be the third so far, lol)

bijapuri · Sep 30th, 2004, 23:25

1.Skip Jaipur, go anywhere else in Rajasthan but there.

2.Get to the South as fast as you can.

3.Remember, U can't rush india

Jackson Palak · Oct 1st, 2004, 01:48

30 days is plenty to get a good taste of India but don't expect to cover too much ground, as in: Rajasthan+Uttar Pradesh+Safari+Nepal+South etc...
My advice, (which is based on my own dislike of hopping from place to place, prefering to soak a place up and move at a slow pace - even if I'd have just one month) would be this: Concentrate on one or two states.
Rajasthan is like a country on its own, and a very nice one. Though I agree with skipping Jaipur, which is quite hectic and tiring. Pushkar is wonderful, so are Udaipur and Jaisalmer (the last being a bit more remote). There's plenty to see up north, north-east, so I wouldn't go south from Rajasthan. (leave south for next trip?)
Agra is not, and that's just my opinion, a must. The Taj is superb but Agra is not a pleasant place. Still, it's the Taj, so in & out of there.
Delhi, Rajasthan and Agra, even if rushed, can take up to 10,12,14 days, so I think you'll have to choose carefully, remeber the distances are huge and believe me you don't want to be on a train every 2 days. (if you DO want to take trains every 2 days, I'd stop reading this now, if you got that far...)
You could either go to Kathmandu (very nice!) with a stop in Varanasi (very very nice!!), and maybe pick one or two places tops on your way to Kathmandu and back to Delhi;
or you could go north to Himachal Pradesh, and visit Rishikesh, Shimla, Kulu or Manali, McLeod Ganj etc.
OR you could go to Kathmandu then cross Nepal at full speed and re-enter India from west-Nepal (if that is possible?) If so this way you can still pick up Rishikesh+Corbett Tiger Reserve (dont' know if it's any good) on your way back to Delhi. Phew!
I think the big question is do you wanna Kathmandu or not. It's a very charming place but you should count on (I'd say at least) a week to go there, look around, and come back.
Delhi-Pushkar-Varanasi-Kathmandu-Manali.... Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll have a great time, as any of those places could fill up a month just like that.

ericd · Oct 1st, 2004, 04:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusu

I have 30 days to spend in India. No more, no less.

I would also visit Amristsar. It is just a traintrip away from Delhi, you can leave in the morning quite early (fast train) and you are there in the afternoon. You can leave the next day in the evening with a sleeper.
Amritsar is quite different from the rest of India (at least the parts where I've been) and the Golden Temple was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

hobbes · Oct 1st, 2004, 08:32

Take a look at the Indian Airlines and Jet websites for their travel passes - even to you are on a budget you are also starpped for time and these are really very cost effective.

mariusu · Oct 2nd, 2004, 01:14

Thank you everyone.
I will probably set on route from Delhi to Agra then to some Rajahstan cities (Jaisalmer, Udaipur) then off to Bandavgarh and Varanasi. I will be probably flying from Varanasi to Kathmandu, then from there go by bus or train to Sikkim. From Sikkim I will return to Delhi by plane.

Some questions:

1. Why avoid Jaipur? It looked like an interesting city to me, or is it just a couple of buildings?

2. Any further suggestions on things to see on this itinerary?

3. What is your opinion on the itinerary?

Cheers!

Marius

lotus blossom · Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:59

definitely go see the Taj. i saw it at sunset and then again in the morning light. it was sublime but what was even more phenomenal was the haunting sound inside of it. it is primordial and no doubt as old as the magnificent structure itself. but according to the lonely planet, do not stick around in agra because the scams are big there.

with re to jaipur, it is a very stressful place to be. i was there studying ayurveda but ended up leaving early because i was on overload the whole time.

my favorite place is dharamsala, upper dharamsala aka mcleod ganj. the tibetan people are lovely and of course its the dalai lamas home.

i would also pick a couple of spots and stay put for a spell because the transportation in india is less than desirable.

enjoy!

yogivivek · Oct 13th, 2004, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by bijapuri

Skip Jaipur, go anywhere else in Rajasthan but there.

and why is that if i may ask

Sep 30th, 2004, 03:34	#1
mariusu Marius Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Romania Posts: 3	How to get the most of India in 30 days Hi, This forum amazes me - it's the most valuable resource on travel to India. And I hope someone will take some time to give me advice on a travel issue. Big one. I have 30 days to spend in India. No more, no less. The problem is I want to see most of it, and cannot decide how to make my itinerary. I will arrive in Delhi, and departure will be from Delhi, too. Apart from that, nothing is settled. I will be on a smaller budget, so I prefer to travel by train or bus between various point. Internal flights are not out of question, but I'd prefer not to spend too much money on it. Can anyone suggest me a 30 day itinerary? Thanks, Marius

Sep 30th, 2004, 23:25	#5
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,601	1.Skip Jaipur, go anywhere else in Rajasthan but there. 2.Get to the South as fast as you can. 3.Remember, U can't rush india __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

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Sep 30th, 2004, 06:13	#2
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	What is your reason for travelling to India? That will help people to make recommendations. Are there any attractions you absolutely want to see?

Sep 30th, 2004, 20:43	#3
mariusu Marius Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Romania Posts: 3	I'll be in India on vacation, so I want to see it as a tourist. I will be flying to Delhi (most likely) so I will probably go to Agra and Jaipur. I would also want to go on an elephant safari and (dreaming) seeing a tiger. I understand that Bandavgarh offers a greater chance than Ranthambhor. I would take some time to go to Kathmandu for 2-3 days, so I could easily go from Varanasi to Kathmandu, then to Darjeeling. Nothing else in my mind now. My profile would be: young guy (27), adventurous, not afraid of travelling 2nd class trains ) (until I try it). I just want to squeeze the most out of my trip to India.

Sep 30th, 2004, 23:20	#4
icetea 'sort of hate India' club member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chennai, via Romania Posts: 917	well go round round.... you could add some Uttar Pradesh to ur list.....then Konark & Puri....and then you can head south too, if u get the time..it adds a different flavour to your trip: head down for Madurai.....Pondicherry....the n you could go to Kerala...and then up to Mumbai again..let's say. from Romania huh? me too....I'm still amazed to find Romanians on India travel forums...(you'd be the third so far, lol)

Oct 1st, 2004, 01:48	#6
Jackson Palak Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 38	30 days is plenty to get a good taste of India but don't expect to cover too much ground, as in: Rajasthan+Uttar Pradesh+Safari+Nepal+South etc... My advice, (which is based on my own dislike of hopping from place to place, prefering to soak a place up and move at a slow pace - even if I'd have just one month) would be this: Concentrate on one or two states. Rajasthan is like a country on its own, and a very nice one. Though I agree with skipping Jaipur, which is quite hectic and tiring. Pushkar is wonderful, so are Udaipur and Jaisalmer (the last being a bit more remote). There's plenty to see up north, north-east, so I wouldn't go south from Rajasthan. (leave south for next trip?) Agra is not, and that's just my opinion, a must. The Taj is superb but Agra is not a pleasant place. Still, it's the Taj, so in & out of there. Delhi, Rajasthan and Agra, even if rushed, can take up to 10,12,14 days, so I think you'll have to choose carefully, remeber the distances are huge and believe me you don't want to be on a train every 2 days. (if you DO want to take trains every 2 days, I'd stop reading this now, if you got that far...) You could either go to Kathmandu (very nice!) with a stop in Varanasi (very very nice!!), and maybe pick one or two places tops on your way to Kathmandu and back to Delhi; or you could go north to Himachal Pradesh, and visit Rishikesh, Shimla, Kulu or Manali, McLeod Ganj etc. OR you could go to Kathmandu then cross Nepal at full speed and re-enter India from west-Nepal (if that is possible?) If so this way you can still pick up Rishikesh+Corbett Tiger Reserve (dont' know if it's any good) on your way back to Delhi. Phew! I think the big question is do you wanna Kathmandu or not. It's a very charming place but you should count on (I'd say at least) a week to go there, look around, and come back. Delhi-Pushkar-Varanasi-Kathmandu-Manali.... Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll have a great time, as any of those places could fill up a month just like that.

Oct 1st, 2004, 08:32	#8
hobbes Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: hong kong Posts: 45	Take a look at the Indian Airlines and Jet websites for their travel passes - even to you are on a budget you are also starpped for time and these are really very cost effective.

Oct 2nd, 2004, 01:14	#9
mariusu Marius Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Romania Posts: 3	Thank you everyone. I will probably set on route from Delhi to Agra then to some Rajahstan cities (Jaisalmer, Udaipur) then off to Bandavgarh and Varanasi. I will be probably flying from Varanasi to Kathmandu, then from there go by bus or train to Sikkim. From Sikkim I will return to Delhi by plane. Some questions: 1. Why avoid Jaipur? It looked like an interesting city to me, or is it just a couple of buildings? 2. Any further suggestions on things to see on this itinerary? 3. What is your opinion on the itinerary? Cheers! Marius

Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:59	#10
lotus blossom re-member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: blowin' in the wind Posts: 1,885	definitely go see the Taj. i saw it at sunset and then again in the morning light. it was sublime but what was even more phenomenal was the haunting sound inside of it. it is primordial and no doubt as old as the magnificent structure itself. but according to the lonely planet, do not stick around in agra because the scams are big there. with re to jaipur, it is a very stressful place to be. i was there studying ayurveda but ended up leaving early because i was on overload the whole time. my favorite place is dharamsala, upper dharamsala aka mcleod ganj. the tibetan people are lovely and of course its the dalai lamas home. i would also pick a couple of spots and stay put for a spell because the transportation in india is less than desirable. enjoy!

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