Please comment on Itinerary Delhi Udiapur Jaipur and around

moggymog

Hi,

Wonder if anyone would mind commenting on our itinerary we are early 30's travelling for the first time independantly to India in early-mid Nov (2nd-17th). We are on a reasonable budget not huge but plan to stay in some nice hotels as well as some reasonable ones we are not likely to want to stay in hostals.
Anyway on to the Itinerary:

2 Nights Delhi(one on night of arrival)
Fly to Udiapur
Udiapur + around including Chittaurghar and some R&R (6 nights)
Please comment if there is something that is interesting to see do in the area.
Fly or Train to Jaipur (please comment)
Jaipur (3 nights)
Train to Rathamboure
Rathamboure NP (2 nights)
Train to Agra
Agra (1 or 2 nights)
Train to Delhi
Delhi and fly home.

It would be really helpful if there were any comment or things not to miss around the areas we are looking at so we make the most of our trip.

Look forward to any comments.

Thanks. Chris and Sarah.

timbotron

Hi folks

I'm no expert but I've been to most of the places you mention. It's a reasonable itinerary for two weeks.

I spent a week in Udaipur and surrounding areas and I felt it too long a time. Once I saw the various palaces and walked the bazaars I didn't find much to hold my interest. The surrounding area has lost a lot of its beauty through intensive deforestation, although the lake (if it's there at all) is spectacular. If I were you I might consider spending less time in Udaipur and more time in Ranthambore which would increase your chances of seeing a wild tiger - which is a magical experience. Chittor is definitely worth a visit, though.

I would also take the trains where possible because many of my best memories of India are railway-related.

In Jaipur I can recommend the hotel Athithi which was very welcoming, clean, convenient and reasonable. And I still salivate when I think of the lassis from Lassiwalla down by the Pink City.

Aside from the Taj and the Fort, Agra is a bit of a dive and I didn't spend longer there than I needed to.

In terms of making the best of your trip - you've probably heard all this already - but learn to haggle with a smile and don't be concerned about being 'ripped off' - everything's so cheap anyway that it's ludicrous to get upset about an extra Rs20 or 50. Do eat roadside and train food, exercising good judgement of course, because it's delicious. I wouldn't eat any meat, though.

In any case you're going to have a ball and I envy you! Have a safe trip.

Tim

moggymog

Thanks for the tips.

Di you have any other advice on staying longer anywhere else other than Rathamboure? Any other areas between Jaipur and Rathambour that are worth a visit?

If you or anyone else have any tips I'd really appreciate them so we can make the most of the trip. Out of interest are there any horse treks from anywhere on my itinerary that anyone kow of (especially if the animals are kept well?)

Thanks again,

Chris & Sair

timbotron

Well, Jodhpur's worth a visit just for the fort, which is amazing. But it's a bit out of your way.

incitatus

Your itinerary looks easily doable.You've lots of time.
Taking the overnight train is the best way of going from Udaipur to Jaipur. You could even arrange to catch the train at Chittaurgarh since the train arrives there a few hours after leaving Udaipur.

It is also possible to take an overnight train from New Delhi to Udaipur rather than flying.
Alternatively, if you take Timbotron's advice to spend less time in Udaipur you could consider travelling to Mt.Abu where there are superb Jain temples then bus to Udaipur.
You can also travel Delhi-train or fly-Udaipur-bus to Mt Abu- overnight train to Jaipur.
Note that the railway station for Mt.Abu is Abu Road.
There's a lot of top quality attractions in Rajasthan and the travelling arrangements are good and frequent.