Only 7 days: Starting from Mumbai but want to visit Northern India. Help~

Hello to all experts of India.

I am from Canada and I will be traveling to India from Feb. 14st(2300) to 22nd (0150) with my father.

We will be starting from Mumbai, but my father would like to visit the traditional Golden Triangle region + Bodh Gaya.
He is a Buddhist and it will be very interesting for him to visit Bodh Gaya. But can we visit all these regions within 7 days?

What is our best option for transportation if we can travel to all places?

I've seen domestic flight article with 7 days pass. Another friend suggested hiring a private driver for the whole trip. But manuals suggest, at least take 1 train ride as it will be a memorable part of India.

Please help me figure out a way to work this itinerary

This is my basic idea of itinerary so far.
14th -airport
15th - Mumbai city tour
16th - Take train from Mumbai to Delhi, city tour
17th - Agra
18th - Jaipour
19th - fly at night to Bodh Gaya (Better to fly from Delhi or Jaipour?)
20th - Bodh Gaya
21st - morning plane out to Mumbai, visit rest of Mumbai until enter airport



Thank you

Hi,

Contact any travel and tour operator and furnish your requirements in advance. You will get a clear cut picture then. After getting the itenary from them it would be up to you whether you want there service or plan it on your own. i would suggest to get it done by a operator. As they would plan everything in advance and you would be able to save time here and there.

Happy new year and enjoy your journey.

Take Care.

Why not begin and end your trip in Delhi? That way you can fit in more time at these destinations. In any case, not much to see in Mumbai other than Elephanta caves and Gateway of India unless you would like to soak up the surroundings and or feel the pulse.

Hello,

unfortunately,

my flight is from Mumbai and I will need to fly out from Mumbai again.
I do not have a choice.

But if my best option is with a local tour group, would they have a schedule that is designed for my need?
I do want to watch out for our budget.

I wait for all your responses.


Thank you all!

Your itinerary is not workable. there is no way you can take a train from mumbai to delhi and still take a tour of delhi in one day.

better -
1. reach mumbai
2. fly to jaipur next morning(1 day sight seeing)
3. road trip to agra(1 day sight seeing)
4. road trip to delhi(1 day sight seeing)
5. take a overnight train to bodh gaya
6. Fly from bodh gaya to mumbai

If you are not comfortable using the indian railways online schedules and various Indian flight schedules then contact a travel agent.

Much too rushed, no fun at all.

Mumbai-Jaipur-Delhi, 2 of those need to be dropped.

You can fly Mumbai to Jaipur or Delhi or Patna.

If Jaipur or Delhi, then have a look around, then go to Agra, then an overnight train from Agra Fort (19.52) to Gaya (07.40), then a flight from Patna to Mumbai.

You will regret it if you try to do too much, and remember, delays are common in India.

Use www.ixigo.com for flight search, and www.erail.in for train search.

Thank you nayan and Steven.
I have finally decided that I will unfortunately have to drop the idea of going to Bodh Gaya. It will be have to be another trip and hopefully it will focus on sites where buddhists travellers go to.

But since I will still start from Mumbai, I will tour around there and head up to tour the 'golden triangle region.'

now I must decide whether to go with a tour company or not. What is the usual difference in cost between going with a tour company vs. hiring a driver throughout the trip? I do not particularly care too much about fancy hotels. So I can cut down on accomodation there.
any other advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

My recommendation would be to set up a tour with one of the recommended companies here. There's really not much difference between that and hiring a car and driver, since cars and drivers are usually booked through tour companies. You can book your own hotels or have them book, but be careful, You may get a Rs 600 room for Rs 1500 a night.

As for itinerary I'd suggest a train from Mumbai to Agra. Pick up your driver there then head to Jaipur then Delhi and fly back to Mumbai. You can visit a few interesting places on the way to Jaipur.