Planning 1st trip to India

Hello everybody,
The first of many issues, since it is the first time we travel to India.
It is possible in 23 days, landing and taking-off in Delhi, meet Gomukh, Varanasi and Pondicherry (Auroville)?
We welcome suggestions for transport, accommodation and necessary documentation.
Thank you all.

Rui e Ana

I forgot to mention ...
Arrival October 1, 2011
Thank you very much

Gomukh - Varanasi : 5~7 Days Maximum.
Pondicherry (Auroville) : 7 ~ 10 days
Other places : Mahabalipuram : Hampi : Goa ? : 5 Days ?

this is just a suggestion, please be more precise as to what all you want to see ..

Hi engroyfarm , try to visit calcutta during 1st week of your stay, enjoy puja in kolkata, it would be an amazing experience of you life..a bit change of your initial plan is required.

thanks for the comments and suggestions.
we hope to reach New Delhi on the morning of 2 October.
For this first trip we want to be and feel three specific sites in the following order:
1) Himalayas (Rishikesh, Gangotri, trek Gomukh)
2) Varanasi
3) Pondicherry (Aurobindo ashram) and Auroville

The best way to optimize this circuit is the question.
In short:
Delhi to Rishikesh (train)
Rishikesh-Gangotri (hire a cab, rent a car, bus)??
Gangotri-Gomukh (trek)
back to Rishikesh
train to Varanasi (???)
Varanasi-Chennai (internal flight??)
Chennai-Pondicherry (cab, car, bus??)
Chennai-Delhi (internal flight??) And return home.

Is it possible? Or something silly? alternatives?
Once again thank you all.
peace

Rui and Ana

I would suggest you the circle: Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – jaipur – Delhi. There should be time also for Himlaya, because India is: Delhi, Rajashan, Khajuraho, Varansi (or other Sacred City) and Himalaya.

You can do that, and focus on the places you really want to see--places like Varanasi really grow on you over time, so it's best not to try to squeeze it in the shortest possible time to make sure you see all of the places people tell you are "must-sees." The Gangotri leg will take up some time, but you'll enjoy it.

If the timing for a Delhi-Rishikesh train works for your plan, then great, but there are more trains from Delhi to Haridwar, and you can get a shared taxi or bus to Rishikesh from there. There are a few good trains from Haridwar to Varanasi, but it might make more sense to add a quick stop in there somewhere in between. And you'll definitely want a flight from Varanasi to Chennai, considering the short time you have.

Thank you so much Thirdreel...

Varanasi to Chennai will be an indirect flight (via Delhi).
If costs are an issue, you can certainly take an overnight train from Varanasi to Delhi and catch a morning flight to Chennai.

If you decide to come to Jaipur, given your time-frame, it would be a shame to miss deepawali - starting 24th, the five day fest will peak on 26th October and end on 28th ... the entire city of Jaipur (walled city) will be lit and very pretty.