Is this itinerary crazy?

MissMasala

Day 1: Fly from Mumbai to Jodhpur. See the town until 11:15 when hopping on the train to Jaisalmer.

Day 2: Spend first night in hotel in Jaisalmer

Day 3: Camel safari

Day 4: Hop the Jaipur Express.

Day 5 Arrive In Jaipur at 5:15 am... see the town until depart at 8 pm on flight back to Mumbai.

Am I crazy? My 65 year old mom is comin' w/ me. It's just that's all the time we have and I really want to Jaisalmer. Anyone got a better idea? I could go back to Jodhpur - but all the flights depart from their around noon.

mastergrimoire

Well, that's a lot to pack into just 5 days but what else can you do? Seems like you might be rushed for a lot of it. Hopefully you will have time to enjoy it.

jarman_ah

No, it's not crazy, it's wonderful! It uses every minute wisely -- the night on the train is such a logical way to do it, especially if you travel by either 1AC, 2AC, or 3AC (our own choice, with a preference for SL and SU seats), so that you will arrive in Jaipur refreshed and ready to sight-see.

What great destinations you have chosen! And, while of course it would be better to have three or four times as much time in each of these cities, the good thing is that when you arrive at a railway station, no matter what the time of day, there will definitiely be at least fifty autorickshaw drivers waiting, all vying for your patronage, so if the train is on time, you are already well into your sightseeing by the time the sun come up. Remember (I'm sure you have, because you have planned so cannily) that some of the attractions won't be open until 9 a.m., so choose your autorickshaw driver carefully and let him help with the planning for the day.

You are wise to favour Jaisalmer, my favourite city in India. If you decide to stay at the Shahi Palace, you will be twice-blessed, as their camel safari takes you to places that none of the other safaris go to (they have family connections with a tiny village out near the border with Pakistan). You can go to a REALLY isolated spot, where you will feel like you are on the Moon!

My only hope for you now is that the airline contacts you about the Jaipur-Mumbai flight and tells you that it has been rescheduled to depart at 11 p.m.

Have a wonderful holiday -- with that itinerary, this is a fairly safe wish!

camelgirl

There is no way I could ever do what you have planned. If everything went absolutely perfectly, you are still rushing around in a country that almost guarantees things not going that smoothly. BUT you might get really lucky and have your plans run perfectly.

I also have to admit I hate rushing from place to place, especially in India, it really ruins it for me, so I am totally biased on this one If your mother likes to dash from place to place, she'll be just fine.

I've preferred slow travel since I was young and I still do, being close in age to your mother. My personal philosphy is I'll just have to go back again and sometimes I actually do! Nothing wrong with your choice of places though.

I'd be very interested to know how it does work out after you do this. I just worry you will end up hating everything because you might be really stressed trying to cram so much into such a short time. GOOD LUCK though

sachin1313

Hey Wat Dates U R Planning This Trip. Just Check The Trains For Availability. Itinerary Is Quite Feasible With Almost Rush Evry Next Minute. Have A Best Luck For Ur Tour.

Shiver me Timbers

I think it's doable, not necessarily enjoyable.....

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seventies'hippy

You'll be forever thinking about where you are going next and not enjoying where you are now,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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MissMasala

For those thinking I'm rushing - I admit - it's my concern too. I'm high energy, but I also like "puttering" (as my mom puts it).

The deal is - my mom's mom is in Mumbai - and so time with her is dear. My mom is only giving us 4 days and 5 nights to see something in Rajasthan. While to some this may seam so little, it's acutally quite generous given the circumstances.

Anyway - should I not try and do Jaisalmer? Maybe do Jaipur/Udaipur or something like Jaipur/Pushkar/Johdpur? Just that EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE gushes over Jaisalmer.

camelgirl

The way I read your itinerary it seems like you only spend one actual day in Jaisalmer. All the rest is spent traveling with some sightseeing between trains & planes. Maybe you should just do Jaipur & Udaipur. You'll at least have a couple of days to see some things.

Jaisalmer is a unique environment to visit but definitely needs more time for wandering the fort, the havalis, etc. It's much more than just the camel safari (which is great!!).

Now for my opposite opinion just to confuse things: The people who come there on the Palace on Wheels do it in one day and I'm sure they enjoy it since it's done in a very luxury tour sort of way--being guided around every second by a tour guide. Nothing to think about, just enjoying it. And in a private train, no worries about getting there, etc. My father-in-law did it many years ago and loved it. All tours are great that way--jamming lots of stuff into a shorter time.

So, it definitely can be done. (but not by me )

MissMasala

We thought about that - but then I read that the lake in Udaipur is gone.

Someone told us that Udaipur was close enough to Jaisalmer that we could fly out of there... but eh???

We also thought about a johdpur - pushkar -jaipur trip -

but then I just got pulled in by all the jaisalmer talk. The cool thing is - we actually have close the three days in jaisalmer with this itenerary! The train arrives at 5 am and the departing train leave at 4. (assuming things run on time!)... so that's two days to see the city and one day to see the things outside along with camel safari.

What I'm sad about it that I *know* I will want to see more of Jodhpur and Jaipur... but what's a girl to do? India is so hard... so many things to see and do...

I did not build in anytime to get sick. I always get sick at least for one day in India... let's hope it happens in Mumbai!

Thanks again for the handy dandy advice from the indiamike board. I promise that - rushed or not - I will savor every moment.

seventies'hippy

The lake is now full since last Monsoon