January 2006: 2 months in the North / North East

mikewill · Apr 19th, 2005, 02:04

Have started work on an itinerary for our next trip, next year. Dates are still fairly flexible, as is the whole plan to some extent - but see the following limitations.

Must fly in through Delhi to see old friends. Can't put off Madhya Pradesh tigers any longer. Still haven't seen Varanasi. Definitely want to go to the North East this time, hence Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Seems like a good opportunity to visit Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Although I've been to Delhi and Agra before, Vikki hasn't and despite the hassle there are some great sites/sights. I'm a biologist hence the number of NP's

Would really appreciate any advice on major omissions and things to leave out.

Would also be very glad of any thoughts on guides / tour companies for the more out of the way bits especially AP.

Here's the plan:

Date From To
14 January London Delhi
15 January Delhi
16 January Delhi
17 January Delhi Agra
18 January Agra
19 January Agra
20 January Agra Khajuraho (need to fit in Orchha here)
21 January Khajuraho
22 January Khajuraho
23 January Khajuraho Panna NP
24 January Panna
25 January Panna
26 January Panna Kanha NP
27 January Kanha
28 January Kanha
29 January Kanha
30 January Kanha Bandhavgarh NP
31 January Bandhavgarh
01 February Bandhavgarh
02 February Bandhavgarh Allahabad
03 February Allahabad
04 February Allahabad Varanasi
05 February Varanasi
06 February Varanasi
07 February Varanasi Kolkata
08 February Kolkata
09 February Kolkata
10 February Kolkata Dibrugarh (flight)
11 February Dibrugarh Namdapha NP
12 February Namdapha
13 February Namdapha
14 February Namdapha
15 February Namdapha Tinsukia / Dibru Saikhowa
16 February Tinsukia Kaziranga
17 February Kaziranga
18 February Kaziranga
19 February Kaziranga
20 February Kaziranga Guwahati
21 February Guwahati Jalpaiguri
22 February Jalpaiguri Siliguri
23 February Siliguri Darjeeling
24 February Darjeeling
25 February Darjeeling
26 February Darjeeling
27 February Darjeeling Gangtok
28 February Gangtok
01 March Gangtok Khechepari
02 March Khechepari Pemayangtse
03 March Pemayangtse
04 March Pemayangtse Darjeeling
05 March Darjeeling Siliguri
06 March Siliguri Patna
07 March Patna
08 March Patna Gaya
09 March Gaya Bodhgaya
10 March Gaya Delhi
11 March Delhi
12 March Delhi
13 March Delhi
14 March Delhi London

Any assistance from the many IM experts gratefully received!

Judi · Apr 19th, 2005, 02:33

Hi Mikewill!

I'm not an expert by anymeans - but I think you would both love Darjeeling and Kolkata, so I wouldn't drop them from your itinerary. The Toy train up to Darjeeling goes through fabulous, ever changing countryside, at little more than walking pace, and takes the best part of a day. However, it really is an enchanting experience, and one not really to be missed. Don't forget, though, it will still be cold in Darjeeling in January, so take some warm clothing. We were on Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise on January 2nd

and it was minus 5 celcius -

Don't know where you are planning to stay in Kolkata - or what your budget is - but I can heartily recomment the Tollygunge Club. Its set in several acres of glorious grounds, with bird life galore - and the last wild pack of jackals in Kolkata! A really scary experience when they come and howl outside the club house every night. BTW - a very comfortable double room costs about 2600 rupees. It's close to the (excellent) underground line, and only a few minutes from the centre of town this way.

Hope you have a fabulous trip. My husband and I will be there in January 2006 too. Who knows - our paths might even cross. Good luck with the itinerary.

mikewill · Apr 22nd, 2005, 05:25

Hi Judi

Thanks for the tips. yes, one of our colleagues at work was brought up in Darjeeling and went back a couple of years ago, so has also told us we must go! I've also just realised / remembered that the England cricket team are touring India in February 2006. Maybe I'll be able to realise a thirty year ambition of seeing India v England at Eden Gardens!

Hope you have a great trip too - I'll post something nearer the time and we'll see if we can meet up. Do you know about the meeting in London on May 14?
See this thread London IM get together...

Regards
Mike

Watson · Apr 22nd, 2005, 05:34

First of all, that is one grand journey! Envy all around! My opinion is, since you have already been to Agra, why not cut a day off of that. Khajuraho is a definite nice spot! If you can make it than I recommend checking out Ajanta. Have a great trip!

Apr 19th, 2005, 02:04	#1
mikewill Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Exeter, England Posts: 282	January 2006: 2 months in the North / North East Have started work on an itinerary for our next trip, next year. Dates are still fairly flexible, as is the whole plan to some extent - but see the following limitations. Must fly in through Delhi to see old friends. Can't put off Madhya Pradesh tigers any longer. Still haven't seen Varanasi. Definitely want to go to the North East this time, hence Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Seems like a good opportunity to visit Darjeeling and Sikkim. Although I've been to Delhi and Agra before, Vikki hasn't and despite the hassle there are some great sites/sights. I'm a biologist hence the number of NP's Would really appreciate any advice on major omissions and things to leave out. Would also be very glad of any thoughts on guides / tour companies for the more out of the way bits especially AP. Here's the plan: Date From To 14 January London Delhi 15 January Delhi 16 January Delhi 17 January Delhi Agra 18 January Agra 19 January Agra 20 January Agra Khajuraho (need to fit in Orchha here) 21 January Khajuraho 22 January Khajuraho 23 January Khajuraho Panna NP 24 January Panna 25 January Panna 26 January Panna Kanha NP 27 January Kanha 28 January Kanha 29 January Kanha 30 January Kanha Bandhavgarh NP 31 January Bandhavgarh 01 February Bandhavgarh 02 February Bandhavgarh Allahabad 03 February Allahabad 04 February Allahabad Varanasi 05 February Varanasi 06 February Varanasi 07 February Varanasi Kolkata 08 February Kolkata 09 February Kolkata 10 February Kolkata Dibrugarh (flight) 11 February Dibrugarh Namdapha NP 12 February Namdapha 13 February Namdapha 14 February Namdapha 15 February Namdapha Tinsukia / Dibru Saikhowa 16 February Tinsukia Kaziranga 17 February Kaziranga 18 February Kaziranga 19 February Kaziranga 20 February Kaziranga Guwahati 21 February Guwahati Jalpaiguri 22 February Jalpaiguri Siliguri 23 February Siliguri Darjeeling 24 February Darjeeling 25 February Darjeeling 26 February Darjeeling 27 February Darjeeling Gangtok 28 February Gangtok 01 March Gangtok Khechepari 02 March Khechepari Pemayangtse 03 March Pemayangtse 04 March Pemayangtse Darjeeling 05 March Darjeeling Siliguri 06 March Siliguri Patna 07 March Patna 08 March Patna Gaya 09 March Gaya Bodhgaya 10 March Gaya Delhi 11 March Delhi 12 March Delhi 13 March Delhi 14 March Delhi London Any assistance from the many IM experts gratefully received!

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Apr 19th, 2005, 02:33	#2
Judi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England Posts: 459	Hi Mikewill! I'm not an expert by anymeans - but I think you would both love Darjeeling and Kolkata, so I wouldn't drop them from your itinerary. The Toy train up to Darjeeling goes through fabulous, ever changing countryside, at little more than walking pace, and takes the best part of a day. However, it really is an enchanting experience, and one not really to be missed. Don't forget, though, it will still be cold in Darjeeling in January, so take some warm clothing. We were on Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise on January 2nd and it was minus 5 celcius - Don't know where you are planning to stay in Kolkata - or what your budget is - but I can heartily recomment the Tollygunge Club. Its set in several acres of glorious grounds, with bird life galore - and the last wild pack of jackals in Kolkata! A really scary experience when they come and howl outside the club house every night. BTW - a very comfortable double room costs about 2600 rupees. It's close to the (excellent) underground line, and only a few minutes from the centre of town this way. Hope you have a fabulous trip. My husband and I will be there in January 2006 too. Who knows - our paths might even cross. Good luck with the itinerary.

Apr 22nd, 2005, 05:25	#3
mikewill Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Exeter, England Posts: 282	Hi Judi Thanks for the tips. yes, one of our colleagues at work was brought up in Darjeeling and went back a couple of years ago, so has also told us we must go! I've also just realised / remembered that the England cricket team are touring India in February 2006. Maybe I'll be able to realise a thirty year ambition of seeing India v England at Eden Gardens! Hope you have a great trip too - I'll post something nearer the time and we'll see if we can meet up. Do you know about the meeting in London on May 14? See this thread London IM get together... Regards Mike

Apr 22nd, 2005, 05:34	#4
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 241	First of all, that is one grand journey! Envy all around! My opinion is, since you have already been to Agra, why not cut a day off of that. Khajuraho is a definite nice spot! If you can make it than I recommend checking out Ajanta. Have a great trip!