I think I figured out my 3 Weeks in India (need some advice)

Hey,

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I think that I've figured out a decent itinerary that I can pull off in 3+ weeks in India during May. Here is goes:

I'd fly into Delhi on the evening of May 4th. That same evening, I'd catch a flight down to Bangalore (I have family there, and also am excited to see the technological onslaught down there). After doing some things in and around Bangalore, I'd then travel up the west coast of India to Mumbai. I'm not sure exactly what would be worth seeing on this portion of the trip (that's where you guys would come in, haha!) but I'm sure it would be worth going through Goa on the way up. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. I'm thinking that this whole trip should take 10-12 days (including time spent in Bangalore). How feasible does this sound?

The plan would then be to fly up to Delhi. I'd then spend a couple days in Delhi, followed by a route through Agra and Lucknow. I'd then go North in through Uttar to Himachal. Spend a couple days there. Then go onward to Amritsar on my way into Packistan. I'd also welcome any suggestions of must-see places on this part of the trip, and again, I'd allocate about 10-12 days for this portion of the trip.

I'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions regarding this travel plan.

Thanks in advance!

Yep, goa 'd definitely be worth looking up on the way (though it's somewhat off season now...)

You're trying to cram too much in three weeks.

Agree with Shimla! It sounds crazy to see that many places in only 3 weeks. It can be very exhausting to travel around in India. I remember the first time I went to India 11 years ago; back in Sweden I looked at a map of India and it didn't look that big so I thought that in 3 months I could cover whole India
Ha! Ha! Ha!
My first 2 months I travelled like crazy and then I realized that it's not possible to cover India in 3 months. I extended my ticket for another 3 months and started to spend more time in few places. Since then I've been back 5 times and nowadays I like to spend at least 2-4 weeks in one place.
I wish you the best time in India!

Hi

I think when u come down to bangalore. There is not much place to visit..Its a techno city...and people are too mechanical..you might not find it really intresting if you are really a travell freek..with lot of polution and traffic...insturd of that i think you can catch a bus form bangalore to mysore (City of palace and greenery)..which is 3 hrs journey..from bangalore and lot of busses travell...or if u r in time you can check for train timings..at airport. and book the tickets...its really a calm and quite city ( Mysore). but explorig mysore fully will take at least..3 days.

Rudy.

I think th efirst part of your itinery, Bangalore-Goa-Mumbai is ok to do in 10-12 days, depending on how much time you want to spend in each place. 3 days in Bangalore to see your family would be ok, a day getting to goa, and another 3-4 days realxing would be fine, and then 3-4 days in Mumbai. The rest of your trip is wildely optimistic. Unless you want to spend most of your time on buses and trains. I know it might seem like you can travel pn overnights, thereby making the most of your time, but in actual fact you will be tired all the time, and not appreciate what you do get to see. Also, at least for me, one of the joys of India is the amazing variety of truly delicious food available. if you spend most of your evenings travelling, you'll have to subsit on fairly boring bus station food, without sampling the mcuh wider variety of mouthg-watering treats whcih await you. I'm not saying you can't get good food at bus stations and highway service restaurants, just that it can be a little generic, and also, when you do come across a local delicacy, you could probably find it much better and cheaper if you have a chance to look around, and decide for yourself where, and what you want to eat.
I would suggest that if you only have three weeks, go to Bangalore, spend a few extra days in Karnataka and see what the state has to offer before spending a week in Goa and Mumbai ( or a week in goa and 3 days in Mumbai, if your a big fan of beaches). Bear in mind, tho, that it will be off-season in Goa

Some choices here for 10-12 days from Bangalore to Mumbai leg

Bangalore 3 days
Mysore/Bandipur/Sravanabelagola 3 Days
Belur - Halebid 2 Days
Hampi 3 Days
Badami 1 Day
Pattadakal 1 Day
Goa 3 Days

You can leave out places that you are not interested. May will be very hot and is not a season in Goa. If you want to take it leisurely then i would say
Visit Hampi and then relax in Bandipur or any beach or in any hill station like Coorg.