Its the standard 'here's my itinerary' question - my turn!

Fresa81 · Oct 23rd, 2005, 15:32

Ok, I've done all the research, searched every nook and cranny of IM, read steven_ber's fantastically comprehensive train threads etc and now I think I've got it all sussed!!!

I also think I'm ready to start booking my train tickets online when the 60 day deadline starts for me in a few weeks.

But - I would love advice from those of you who have done it before! Here's my plan for the 4 weeks that I'll be in India with questions on the bits that I'm not sure about ...

6 Jan 06
Arrive Delhi 8pm
Will book 3 nights (online) with Smyle Inn in Paharganj so that I have somewhere fixed when I get there

9 Jan 06
Shiv Ganga Express # 2560 Delhi - Varanasi
Depart NDLS 18:25, arrive BSB 07:30 next day
Will stay in Varanasi 4 nights

13 or 14 Jan 06
Catch the 12 hour bus from Varanasi - Khajuraho, 09:00
Is this the best way to do this leg of the trip or should I maybe hire a driver??

16 Jan 06
Bus from Khajuraho to Jhansi, getting off at Orchha Junction (4 hours)
Same question as above - is this bus recommended, and if so, what time does it leave!

17 or 18 Jan 06
Orchha - Agra
I'm not sure which is the best way to do this bit!

19 Jan 06
Jhellum Express # 1077 Agra - Pathankot
Depart AGC 17:55, arrive PTK 08:45 next day
Is this train trip WAAAAY too long? Should I try to break it up a little or will the views make the 14 hour trip worth it?

20 Jan 06
3.5 hour bus from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj
Spend 5 days in McLeod Ganj

25 Jan 06
Jammu Mail # 4034 Pathankot - Delhi
Depart PTK 18:40, arrive NDLS 06:10 next day
Here's the problem with this date - I know that there will be huuuuge festivities in Delhi for Republic Day right? I don't really want to be on the train on the way there while this is happening do I ...

26 Jan 06
Arrive Dehli 06:10
... but it means that I will now have 7 days in Delhi before my flight home ... is that too much time to spend in Delhi, should I try to squeeze in another trip somewhere not too far away, or just chill for a week?

02 Feb 06
Delhi - KL - Perth
Hometime

Any help, comments, suggestions on the above plan are GREATLY appreciated guys, its hard work compiling an itinerary! Phew!

Muchly love

F.

cyberhippie · Oct 23rd, 2005, 15:52

6 Jan 06
Arrive Delhi 8pm
Will book 3 nights (online) with Smyle Inn in Paharganj so that I have somewhere fixed when I get there

Perhaps you should just book the one night you wouldn't be the first person who wanted to flee Delhi on first time arrival!!

9 Jan 06
Shiv Ganga Express # 2560 Delhi - Varanasi
Depart NDLS 18:25, arrive BSB 07:30 next day
Will stay in Varanasi 4 nights

Seems fine

13 or 14 Jan 06
Catch the 12 hour bus from Varanasi - Khajuraho, 09:00
Is this the best way to do this leg of the trip or should I maybe hire a driver??

Another option is the train, to Mahoba then taxi/bus to Kajuraho though the train gets in rather late to be the best option 01.23 am

16 Jan 06
Bus from Khajuraho to Jhansi, getting off at Orchha Junction (4 hours)
Same question as above - is this bus recommended, and if so, what time does it leave!

Yeah this is fine it really only takes four hours, mostly good roads and the ride is quite scenic!!

17 or 18 Jan 06
Orchha - Agra
I'm not sure which is the best way to do this bit!

Get yourself into Jhansi (18kms) and there are many many trains doing the Agra run, You won't even need to reserve for this part (although a reservation is always a good thing, there's an IR office in Kajuraho where you could reserve, it's at the bus station!) just buy a general class ticket and either squeeze into third class or find somewhere in second that's empty and upgrade you ticket with TTE

19 Jan 06

Jhellum Express # 1077 Agra - Pathankot
Depart AGC 17:55, arrive PTK 08:45 next day
Is this train trip WAAAAY too long? Should I try to break it up a little or will the views make the 14 hour trip worth it?

You've got time on your hands why not a couple of days in Bharatpur you can see the bird park, Fatehour Sikri and Deeg if you so wish, using up a few of those seven days you have in Delhi.
You can pick your up your Train for Pathankot in Mthura which is just up the road from Bharatpur.
The train is 14 hours but it's an overnight train (no views I'm afraid) so get a good night sleep and you arrive at 8.00am the next day

20 Jan 06
3.5 hour bus from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj
Spend 5 days in McLeod Ganj

Sounds fine

25 Jan 06
Jammu Mail # 4034 Pathankot - Delhi
Depart PTK 18:40, arrive NDLS 06:10 next day
Here's the problem with this date - I know that there will be huuuuge festivities in Delhi for Republic Day right? I don't really want to be on the train on the way there while this is happening do I ...

If you spend some time in Bharatpur this will shove your itinery forward a couple of days and this wont be a problem!!

26 Jan 06
Arrive Dehli 06:10
... but it means that I will now have 7 days in Delhi before my flight home ... is that too much time to spend in Delhi, should I try to squeeze in another trip somewhere not too far away, or just chill for a week?

You could squeeze in Rishikesh it's a easy five hour journey!!

02 Feb 06
Delhi - KL - Perth
Hometime

Mission accomplished!!

SHIMLA · Oct 23rd, 2005, 16:19

Agree with cyberhippie's suggestions above.

An alternative itinerary - from Jan 25 onwards - is:

Jan 25 and 26 - Palampur (35 kms. from Dharamsala)
Jan 27 - Mandi
Jan 28 - Chandigarh, stay for 3 nights
Jan 31 to Feb 2 - Delhi

Tip : Carry enough woollens; North India will be freezing in January !

Fresa81 · Oct 24th, 2005, 08:41

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I've organised a train from Jhansi to Agra, so that problem is fixed (for now!).

I'm not sure what to do with the 4 days that I have free at the end before I go home, thanks for the idea of Chandigarh SHIMLA, but I'm not that good with subzero temperatures, so I might head somewhere warmer after Dharamsala!

I love tigers - any chance I could fit in a national park visit, as long as its not too far from Delhi? None at all?

Cheers

F.

SHIMLA · Oct 24th, 2005, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresa81

I love tigers - any chance I could fit in a national park visit, as long as its not too far from Delhi? None at all?

You have the Ranathambhore National Park near Sawai Madhopur, in Rajasthan. I'm not keen on wildlife myself hence cannot offer you more information on the same; but a search in the "Wildlife" forum will reveal a lot on Ranathambhore.

Lovemax · Oct 24th, 2005, 09:58

You can squeeze the last leg of your journey by travelling around near about places within 5-7 hours duration for couple of nites.
You can take a plunge towards shimla besides its gonna be snow and if you want to relax a bit then Rishikesh, nainital, Almora, binsar might just do a good deal to your itineary.
Well, you might like to join IMers on a meet if that is the case so....

Regards
FreeBirD

Lovemax · Oct 24th, 2005, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresa81

I love tigers - any chance I could fit in a national park visit, as long as its not too far from Delhi? None at all?

Cheers

F.

Closest place you can catch up Lions if not tigers is Renuka.

Its not far with about 4. Hrs of journey.
Or you can end up buddying up weekend bikers from delhi to get a closest touch with nature on a weekend drive.

CheerS

kiwi_razz · Oct 24th, 2005, 13:12

Instead of 7 days in Delhi at the end, why not head to Amritsar for 2/3 days.

In the past, I have spent 5 days in Jodhpur/Jaisalmer (including transport there and back from Delhi).

happytraveler · Oct 25th, 2005, 01:13

I think kiwi_razz's suggestion of going to Amritsar is a good one. Seeing the Golden Temple was definitely a high point of my trip - just incredible. I would have liked to stay at the temple complex but it was so hot in August I decided against it - you can do so for a few nights if you like. And, if you went from Pathankot to Amritsar (instead of Pathankot to Delhi), I think the train ride is 3 hours if I remember correctly. Amritsar to Delhi was 5 hours if I recall that one correctly.

aadil · Oct 25th, 2005, 05:55

Hi Fresa,

Well, the trip from Varanasi to Sarnath is wonderful and can be done in half a day as it is just about an hour away from Varanasi and it has a beautiful stupa and buddhist temples of various countries besides the ASI museum and also the excavations of the stupa area with monasteries and the original Ashoka pillar where the four lions emblem of India is taken from.

About the Varanasi to khajuraho route it is not worth the 12 hour journey by the rickety state transport bus and it takes more than 12 hours everytime!!! I have done it myself this year though it was the other way around from Khajuraho to Varanasi but the roads are simply non existant and the bus is in a really run down condition so I would rather advice to go by a private taxi if you find someone to share it with but if you are adventurous then you can take the bus too!!!

Khajuraho to Orchha is easily done by bus which leaves at three different times in a day and you have to get off near Orchha as there is no direct bus to Orchha and then take a shared rickshaw to Orchha for about Rs10 to 15 from the drop off point.

Orchha to Agra is best done by coming to Jhansi by shared rickshaw or bus (Rs10-15) to the bus stand and then another shared rickshaw to the train station for Rs5 for taking the train to Agra.

If you are interested in tigers then Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh is the best place to see them. It is near Satna which is also on the way to Khajuraho. Getting to Bandhavgarh is a tiresome journey and has to be done in three different trips so it is a bit long and you have to have the right connections at the right times!!! Or else you will spend a lot of time just travelling. But once you get there you will not feel like leaving the place, especially if you see the tigers.

So you will be there in Delhi in time for the Republic Day parade? Good for you as in 40 years of my life I have not been there even once!!! Lucky you!!!

And some place warm is definitely Mumbai (won't be colder than 15 - 17 degrees Celsius at most but usually about 20 - 25 degrees) but it is way too far out from Delhi at the time you are here in India so I guess you will have to come here later on!!!

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Oct 23rd, 2005, 15:32	#1
Fresa81 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: india Posts: 165	Its the standard 'here's my itinerary' question - my turn! Ok, I've done all the research, searched every nook and cranny of IM, read steven_ber's fantastically comprehensive train threads etc and now I think I've got it all sussed!!! I also think I'm ready to start booking my train tickets online when the 60 day deadline starts for me in a few weeks. But - I would love advice from those of you who have done it before! Here's my plan for the 4 weeks that I'll be in India with questions on the bits that I'm not sure about ... 6 Jan 06 Arrive Delhi 8pm Will book 3 nights (online) with Smyle Inn in Paharganj so that I have somewhere fixed when I get there 9 Jan 06 Shiv Ganga Express # 2560 Delhi - Varanasi Depart NDLS 18:25, arrive BSB 07:30 next day Will stay in Varanasi 4 nights 13 or 14 Jan 06 Catch the 12 hour bus from Varanasi - Khajuraho, 09:00 Is this the best way to do this leg of the trip or should I maybe hire a driver?? 16 Jan 06 Bus from Khajuraho to Jhansi, getting off at Orchha Junction (4 hours) Same question as above - is this bus recommended, and if so, what time does it leave! 17 or 18 Jan 06 Orchha - Agra I'm not sure which is the best way to do this bit! 19 Jan 06 Jhellum Express # 1077 Agra - Pathankot Depart AGC 17:55, arrive PTK 08:45 next day Is this train trip WAAAAY too long? Should I try to break it up a little or will the views make the 14 hour trip worth it? 20 Jan 06 3.5 hour bus from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj Spend 5 days in McLeod Ganj 25 Jan 06 Jammu Mail # 4034 Pathankot - Delhi Depart PTK 18:40, arrive NDLS 06:10 next day Here's the problem with this date - I know that there will be huuuuge festivities in Delhi for Republic Day right? I don't really want to be on the train on the way there while this is happening do I ... 26 Jan 06 Arrive Dehli 06:10 ... but it means that I will now have 7 days in Delhi before my flight home ... is that too much time to spend in Delhi, should I try to squeeze in another trip somewhere not too far away, or just chill for a week? 02 Feb 06 Delhi - KL - Perth Hometime Any help, comments, suggestions on the above plan are GREATLY appreciated guys, its hard work compiling an itinerary! Phew! Muchly love F. __________________ Whereever you go, there you are.

Oct 23rd, 2005, 16:19	#3
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	Agree with cyberhippie's suggestions above. An alternative itinerary - from Jan 25 onwards - is: Jan 25 and 26 - Palampur (35 kms. from Dharamsala) Jan 27 - Mandi Jan 28 - Chandigarh, stay for 3 nights Jan 31 to Feb 2 - Delhi Tip : Carry enough woollens; North India will be freezing in January ! __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Oct 25th, 2005, 05:55	#10
aadil Aircraft Service Engineer, Astronomer & Traveller Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai, India. (Lat 18.967 N, Long 72.833 E, Alt 11 m) Posts: 2,031	Hi Fresa, Well, the trip from Varanasi to Sarnath is wonderful and can be done in half a day as it is just about an hour away from Varanasi and it has a beautiful stupa and buddhist temples of various countries besides the ASI museum and also the excavations of the stupa area with monasteries and the original Ashoka pillar where the four lions emblem of India is taken from. About the Varanasi to khajuraho route it is not worth the 12 hour journey by the rickety state transport bus and it takes more than 12 hours everytime!!! I have done it myself this year though it was the other way around from Khajuraho to Varanasi but the roads are simply non existant and the bus is in a really run down condition so I would rather advice to go by a private taxi if you find someone to share it with but if you are adventurous then you can take the bus too!!! Khajuraho to Orchha is easily done by bus which leaves at three different times in a day and you have to get off near Orchha as there is no direct bus to Orchha and then take a shared rickshaw to Orchha for about Rs10 to 15 from the drop off point. Orchha to Agra is best done by coming to Jhansi by shared rickshaw or bus (Rs10-15) to the bus stand and then another shared rickshaw to the train station for Rs5 for taking the train to Agra. If you are interested in tigers then Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh is the best place to see them. It is near Satna which is also on the way to Khajuraho. Getting to Bandhavgarh is a tiresome journey and has to be done in three different trips so it is a bit long and you have to have the right connections at the right times!!! Or else you will spend a lot of time just travelling. But once you get there you will not feel like leaving the place, especially if you see the tigers. So you will be there in Delhi in time for the Republic Day parade? Good for you as in 40 years of my life I have not been there even once!!! Lucky you!!! And some place warm is definitely Mumbai (won't be colder than 15 - 17 degrees Celsius at most but usually about 20 - 25 degrees) but it is way too far out from Delhi at the time you are here in India so I guess you will have to come here later on!!! Hope this helps. Cheers, Aadil. __________________ Climb high; climb far; Your goal, the sky, Your aim, the stars!!!

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Oct 23rd, 2005, 15:52	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	6 Jan 06 Arrive Delhi 8pm Will book 3 nights (online) with Smyle Inn in Paharganj so that I have somewhere fixed when I get there Perhaps you should just book the one night you wouldn't be the first person who wanted to flee Delhi on first time arrival!! 9 Jan 06 Shiv Ganga Express # 2560 Delhi - Varanasi Depart NDLS 18:25, arrive BSB 07:30 next day Will stay in Varanasi 4 nights Seems fine 13 or 14 Jan 06 Catch the 12 hour bus from Varanasi - Khajuraho, 09:00 Is this the best way to do this leg of the trip or should I maybe hire a driver?? Another option is the train, to Mahoba then taxi/bus to Kajuraho though the train gets in rather late to be the best option 01.23 am 16 Jan 06 Bus from Khajuraho to Jhansi, getting off at Orchha Junction (4 hours) Same question as above - is this bus recommended, and if so, what time does it leave! Yeah this is fine it really only takes four hours, mostly good roads and the ride is quite scenic!! 17 or 18 Jan 06 Orchha - Agra I'm not sure which is the best way to do this bit! Get yourself into Jhansi (18kms) and there are many many trains doing the Agra run, You won't even need to reserve for this part (although a reservation is always a good thing, there's an IR office in Kajuraho where you could reserve, it's at the bus station!) just buy a general class ticket and either squeeze into third class or find somewhere in second that's empty and upgrade you ticket with TTE 19 Jan 06 Jhellum Express # 1077 Agra - Pathankot Depart AGC 17:55, arrive PTK 08:45 next day Is this train trip WAAAAY too long? Should I try to break it up a little or will the views make the 14 hour trip worth it? You've got time on your hands why not a couple of days in Bharatpur you can see the bird park, Fatehour Sikri and Deeg if you so wish, using up a few of those seven days you have in Delhi. You can pick your up your Train for Pathankot in Mthura which is just up the road from Bharatpur. The train is 14 hours but it's an overnight train (no views I'm afraid) so get a good night sleep and you arrive at 8.00am the next day 20 Jan 06 3.5 hour bus from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj Spend 5 days in McLeod Ganj Sounds fine 25 Jan 06 Jammu Mail # 4034 Pathankot - Delhi Depart PTK 18:40, arrive NDLS 06:10 next day Here's the problem with this date - I know that there will be huuuuge festivities in Delhi for Republic Day right? I don't really want to be on the train on the way there while this is happening do I ... If you spend some time in Bharatpur this will shove your itinery forward a couple of days and this wont be a problem!! 26 Jan 06 Arrive Dehli 06:10 ... but it means that I will now have 7 days in Delhi before my flight home ... is that too much time to spend in Delhi, should I try to squeeze in another trip somewhere not too far away, or just chill for a week? You could squeeze in Rishikesh it's a easy five hour journey!! 02 Feb 06 Delhi - KL - Perth Hometime Mission accomplished!!

Oct 24th, 2005, 08:41	#4
Fresa81 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: india Posts: 165	Thanks for the suggestions guys, I've organised a train from Jhansi to Agra, so that problem is fixed (for now!). I'm not sure what to do with the 4 days that I have free at the end before I go home, thanks for the idea of Chandigarh SHIMLA, but I'm not that good with subzero temperatures, so I might head somewhere warmer after Dharamsala! I love tigers - any chance I could fit in a national park visit, as long as its not too far from Delhi? None at all? Cheers F.

Oct 24th, 2005, 09:58	#6
Lovemax -FreeBirD- Road Raker - Da Loner Join Date: May 2005 Location: Delhi\Ladakh Posts: 434	You can squeeze the last leg of your journey by travelling around near about places within 5-7 hours duration for couple of nites. You can take a plunge towards shimla besides its gonna be snow and if you want to relax a bit then Rishikesh, nainital, Almora, binsar might just do a good deal to your itineary. Well, you might like to join IMers on a meet if that is the case so.... Regards FreeBirD

Oct 24th, 2005, 13:12	#8
kiwi_razz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 410	Instead of 7 days in Delhi at the end, why not head to Amritsar for 2/3 days. In the past, I have spent 5 days in Jodhpur/Jaisalmer (including transport there and back from Delhi).

Oct 25th, 2005, 01:13	#9
happytraveler Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 45	I think kiwi_razz's suggestion of going to Amritsar is a good one. Seeing the Golden Temple was definitely a high point of my trip - just incredible. I would have liked to stay at the temple complex but it was so hot in August I decided against it - you can do so for a few nights if you like. And, if you went from Pathankot to Amritsar (instead of Pathankot to Delhi), I think the train ride is 3 hours if I remember correctly. Amritsar to Delhi was 5 hours if I recall that one correctly.