Rajasthan, 3 weeks, December - where would you go?

Amalfi

Since it’s your first visit to India , my strong suggestion would be to either push Varanasi to the end of your itinerary or else spend a couple of days at the beginning in Delhi acclimatizing to India before going headlong into Varanasi which is India at it’s naked worst ( India stereotypes of Filth, Squalor , Crumbling Buildings and Beggars )and best (Spirituality and Religiousity that India represents ). Go to Haridwar / Rishikesh at the foothills of Himalayas ,if you want to experience a bit more sanitized Spiritual India with the Ganges gurgling out of the mountains and you can actually take a holy dip in the ice cold waters without falling ill.

I have read a blog of a young British couple on travelblog.org who were on a year long world trip and had a 40 day itinerary in India but after spending one night in a flea pit in Paharganj and one day in Varanasi cancelled all their tickets and dumped India and were holed up in Delhi’s paharganj for 3 days while trying to arrange tickets to fly to Thailand and their only exposure to Delhi was the main Bazaar and a pub called Gem, as they were scared to move out even to explore Delhi. Pity is that they will probably never be back and took back the worst India stereotypes.

While your itinerary in Rajasthan is a comprehensive one and all suggestions good,
I am really surprised that there has been no suggestion yet to you about spending more time in Delhi and your own research has not revealed that Delhi is one of the most archaeologically rich cities of India ( with 3 unesco world heritage sites no less) and your itinerary shows you spending a few hours haphazardly in Delhi while entering and exiting India. Delhi demands atleast 2 days.

Here is how get a soft initiation to India and to enjoy Delhi (please reserve Old Delhi for the end) and thereafter India more. –

1st Day Delhi – Visit Humayun’s Tomb , Lodhi Gardens , India Gate / President’s Palace and spend a few hours in the evening in Connaught Place / Janpath .

2nd Day Delhi – Qutub Minar , Lotus Temple , Akshardham Temple , Old Delhi ( Red Fort and Jama Masjid )

For Red Fort / Jama Masjid – Take metro from R.K Ashram Metro station or Connaught Place Metro station to Chandni Chowk station and walk to these two sites and also see the bustling Chandni Chowk market .

karuna

Although to be fair that isn't a Jaipur-only phenomenon; I've seen such women in Agra and in Delhi (in fact in big packs in Delhi).

After seeing one smack the baby, and another open the car door and shove her hand in my mother's face when she didn't hand over money immediately, and another wearing a full set of bangles on each arm*, I don't give to them anymore.

*there was some discussion here about whether that might be a caste thing rather than a "having a lot of money" thing, but I'm sticking to my guns!

__________________
Indiamike mod squad's odd bod.
Coexist.

[Indian Mona Lisa by Dinesh; can't find original uploader to credit in full.]

Kiwimoo

Amalfi-thanks for your suggestions! We appreciate them!

Karuna: Eek! How sad. Thanks for preparing us.