Itinerary and Budget reality...

ODaniGirl

Hi there,
I would love some advice and input about my proposed itinerary before I buy my return tickets. The plan is to arrive in India (Mumbai) the first week of February, travel south to Goa for about a week and head north to McCleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Shimla, Dehra Dun and on to Varanasi, Bodhgaya and Agra before flying hom to SF from Dehli. I am flexible and am not attached to visiting all of these places if we don't have the time for it (I will have my 6yo daughter with me), but I do know that I don't want to miss Goa, Dharamsala or Varansai and Bodhgaya. What can you suggest for a trip of approximately 2 months (I am flexible on time frame as well).

Also, as I am travelling with my daughter, what would you all recommend as far as a monthly budget? I am trying to be realistic about how long we should stay in each place and how much I should expect to spend. I don't want to be going quickly from place to place because I know it would be too hard on her.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

New-South-Welshman

I remember going to India for the first time as a kid when I was 8 years old. I was so shocked by how different the place was compared to Australia I cried, but I got used to it when I went to the rural areas. I hated Varanasi and Calcutta and all that, but the rural and country side were peachy for me. Hopefully my experience will give you on some clues to your kid.

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arunchs

Sinec you are with your daughter, you should always be looking for clean and comfortable hotel rooms and decent places to eat. You can assume around Rs.600 to 1000 for the hotel room and around Rs.60-120 per meal. Actually this is on the higher side of a budget travellers expense.

And since you are not travelling too much, your travel costs, assuming 2ac train tickets should set you back by not more than 10000.

I think you can do your budgeting with this as base amount you would be spending.

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Darmabum

Good looking itinerary. Nice weather window for each place too. Though Dharamsala may show you some rain/cold. The plains and the Ganges Valley are nice that time of year. The time you've given each place seems good too; alotting each destination a week, including travel time to/from each place gives you at least four/five days in each location. Some (Agra/Taj) places may be too much, while others (I've spent over a year in Varanasi over two trips, and still want more) may require more. You can make it up as you go along. All in all, good thinking. How old is your daughter? Recommendations above seem good for budget. Have a Great Trip.

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wonderwomanusa

I've seen children of your daughter's age have a really great time in India; the local people are very nice to children and there will be plenty of other kids around for her to play with.

I sent you a PM; hope you will see it today.

dhans

For some tips see below, or read our journal. Travel with the kid will be great!

Hans

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Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids
Stories about our travels in India: Journal