My Itinerary - North India - 4 weeks - a penny for your thoughts

comet

Hi, I'm hoping for some advice/help/info on my proposed itinerary for a solo 4 week trip to Inida starting the last week of October flying in and out of Delhi. I realise its a bit hectic but I plan to spend the 5th week of my holiday in Sri Lanka at a more relaxed pace so am prepared to push myself a bit on the India leg to see as much as I can. I've travelled solo Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and parts of Europe before.

Day 1 - Fly into Delhi evening
Day 2 - 22:20 overnight train to Kalka
Day 3 - Shimla by toy train arriving at 10:50
Day 4 - Shimla
Day 5 - Bus to Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 6 - Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 7 - Bus to Amritsar
Day 8 - Amritsar, 18:20 night train to Varanasi
Day 9 - Travel Day, arrive Varanasi at 16:35
Day 10 - Varanasi
Day 11 - Varanasi Overnight train to Agra 18:15
Day 12 - Arrive Agra 06:15 day in Agra
Day 13 - 05:10 train to Sawai Madhopur arriving 09:25 bus to Ranthambore National Park
Day 14 - Ranthambore National Park
Day 15 - Jaipur arriving 12:30
Day 16 - Jaipur ... night train to Udaipur (21:30 - 07:00)
Day 17 - Udaipur
Day 18 - Udaipur (possible day trip to Chittogarh)
Day 19 - Travel Day, Udaipur to Johdpur
Day 20 - Jodhpur
Day 21 - Johdpur
Day 22 - Jaisalmer (Jodhpur 06:45 - Jaisalmer 13:30)
Day 23 - Jaisalmer
Day 24 - Jailsamer 16:00 night train to Delhi
Day 25 - arrive 11:10 Delhi
Day 26 - Delhi fly to Colombo for a week to relax in Sri Lanka

Some Questions too!

1) Will it already be very cold in the mountains by the last week of October? I don't fancy having to bring big warm clothes on my trip just to be used for a 3 or 4 days.

2) How does the break down of days look, should I spend less time in some places and more in others?

3) If I was to cut out one place where would you recommend?

4) I don't think i'll take any private car on this trip. Is there maybe one flight that would make my life a lot easier?

3) Does any tourist bus make the trip from Udaipur to Jodhpur with a stop at Ranakpur.

4) How long is the trip from Shimla to Dharamsala? Is there a timetable link, also for Dharamsala to Amritsar

Thanks!

bijapuri

it's kinda tight. You won't see much on your stops with so little time at many of your destinations.
slow down, you'll be on India time!

Which to eliminate? They are all interesting stops, but Varanasi is off-track- if you draw a line tracing your route, you'll see VN is a big spur sideways.

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Shiver me Timbers

I agree with Bij, I think you've got to cut out Varanasi, or if you're determined to go there (and it is special), consider axing one of Jaipur/Jodhpur/Jaisalmer/Udaipur - all nice places, but with the amount of time you have, you won't miss much if you leave one out (I would leave out Jaipur, but that's just me)

But I like that you've included Amritsar.....very special place!

comet

Thanks guys for the fast replies!
Indeed now that it has been suggested it would seem that cutting out Varanasi would seem logical, it would free up a few days to spread around on the other places and it would cut out the travel involved in getting there and back.

comet

ok so trip minus Varanasi looks a bit more manageable, I also have the possibilty of adding another day in there if some place merits it

Day 1 - Fly into Delhi evening
Day 2 - 22:20 overnight train to Kalka
Day 3 - Shimla by toy train arriving at 10:50
Day 4 - Shimla
Day 5 - Bus to Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 6 - Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 7 - Bus to Amritsar
Day 8 - Amritsar
Day 9 - Amritsar, 16:10 night train to Agra
Day 10 - Agra
Day 11 - 05:10 train to Sawai Madhopur arriving 09:25 bus to Ranthambore National Park - afternoon jeep ride
Day 12 - Ranthambore National Park - morning/afternoon jeep ride
Day 13 - Jaipur arriving 12:30
Day 14 - Jaipur ... night train to Udaipur (21:30 - 07:00)
Day 15 - Udaipur
Day 16 - Udaipur (possible day trip to Chittogarh)
Day 17 - Car + Driver from Udaipur to Jodhpur with stops at Ranakpur Temples and Kumbhalgarh Ft
Day 18 - Jodhpur
Day 19 - Jodhpur
Day 20 - Jaisalmer (Jodhpur 06:45 - Jaisalmer 13:30)
Day 21 - Jaisalmer
Day 22 - Jailsamer 16:00 night train to Delhi
Day 23 - arrive 11:10 Delhi
Day 24 - Delhi fly out

bijapuri

you'll be exhausted, but it's doable!

BTW- you can always slow down en route. In fact, I bet it will happen! No worries, because you are going to so many wonderful places, that even half of them would make a trip of a lifetime!
Me, I can't remember the last time I hit everywhere on my itinerary, lolol. it happens

comet

Thanks bijapuri. I know what you mean by saying I can always change plan as I go along although I was thinking of prebooking all my trains to take that bit of stress/hassle out of the holiday. Do you think thats a good idea?

comet

ok I've made further changes to my itinerary and would like comments, holiday is now 5 weeks in India in total

Day 1 - Fly into Delhi
Day 2 - 22:20 overnight train to Kalka
Day 3 - Shimla by toy train arriving at 10:50
Day 4 - Shimla
Day 5 - Bus to Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 6 - Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 7 - Bus to Amritsar
Day 8 - Amritsar
Day 9 - Amritsar, 16:10 night train to Agra
Day 10 - Agra
Day 11 - 05:10 train to Sawai Madhopur arriving 09:25 bus to Ranthambore National Park - afternoon jeep ride
Day 12 - Ranthambore National Park - morning/afternoon jeep ride
Day 13 - Jaipur arriving 12:30
Day 14 - Jaipur ... night train to Udaipur (21:30 - 07:00)
Day 15 - Udaipur
Day 16 - Udaipur (possible day trip to Chittogarh)
Day 17 - Car + Driver from Udaipur to Jodhpur with stops at Ranakpur Temples and Kumbhalgarh Ft
Day 18 - Jodhpur
Day 19 - Jodhpur
Day 20 - Jaisalmer (Jodhpur 06:45 - Jaisalmer 13:30)
Day 21 - Jaisalmer
Day 22 - Jailsamer 16:00 night train to Delhi
Day 23 - arrive 11:10 Delhi
Day 24 - Delhi, fly to Bangalore then night train Bangalore 22:05 - Hospet 07:40
Day 25 - Hampi
Day 26 - Hampi
Day 27 - Hampi
Day 28 - Travel to Goa ... it’s a Saturday so train runs, Hospet 08:50 - Madgaon 18:23
Day 29 - Goa
Day 30 - Goa
Day 31 - Goa
Day 32 - Goa
Day 33 - Goa
Day 34 - fly to Mumbai for onward flight the next day
Day 35 - fly home

thirdreel

When I planned my trip last year, I thought about whether Varanasi was necessary... but then I remembered being a kid in geography class and seeing a picture of Hindu pilgrims at Varanasi (then called Benares), and how that image has always stuck with me and intrigued me. So I decided that I had to see it for myself, and I am so glad I did.

If Varanasi doesn't mean as much to you, then skip it. But if it's in your dreams, and this is your chance to make your dreams come true, then go for it.

comet

Thanks thirdreel, I know what you mean, I guess I can always do Varanasi next time!

comet

I seriously appreciate people taking time out to advise me on my itinerary.

I've tried to slow things down and removed Shimla from my plans and spread the extra days out.

I think its is starting to look a little less manic but maybe it needs to be slowed down further?

The reason I'm trying to fit in Hampi is the history side of things plus the idea that I can cycle around the ruins on a bike away from the hustle and bustle of cities. The only problem is in my plan below it does eat into my time getting there fro Delhi and getting away to Delhi.


Day 1 - Fly into Delhi
Day 2 - Delhi
Day 3 - Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 4 - Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj (Triund, Kareri Lake 1 day trek)
Day 5 - Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj
Day 6 - Amritsar (by bus)
Day 7 - Amritsar
Day 8 - Amritsar, 16:10 night train to Agra
Day 9 - Agra
Day 10 - Ranthambore National Park - afternoon jeep ride (05:10 train from Agra to Sawai Madhopur arriving 09:25 + Bus)
Day 11 - Ranthambore National Park - morning/afternoon jeep ride
Day 12 - Jaipur (arriving 12:30)
Day 13 - Jaipur ... night train to Udaipur (21:30 - 07:00)
Day 14 - Udaipur
Day 15 - Udaipur
Day 16 - Udaipur (possible day trip to Chittogarh)
Day 17 - Car + Driver - Udaipur to Jodhpur (stops at Ranakpur Temples and Kumbhalgarh Ft)
Day 18 - Jodhpur
Day 19 - Jodhpur
Day 20 - Jaisalmer (Jodhpur 06:45 - Jaisalmer 13:30)
Day 21 - Jaisalmer
Day 22 - Jailsamer 16:00 night train to Delhi
Day 23 - Delhi (arrive 11:10)
Day 24 - Delhi, fly to Bangalore then night train Bangalore 22:05 - Hospet 07:40
Day 25 - Hampi
Day 26 - Hampi
Day 27 - Hampi
Day 28 - Train to Goa ... it’s a Saturday so train runs, Hospet 08:50 - Madgaon 18:23
Day 29 - Goa
Day 30 - Goa
Day 31 - Goa
Day 32 - Goa
Day 33 - Goa
Day 34 - fly back to Delhi
Day 35 - fly home

comet

ooops...