Rajasthan and Karnataka for 3 weeks

firsttimeinindia · Oct 29th, 2007, 12:50

Hello,

I am trying to put together an itinerary for about 3 weeks for this December/January. I haven't been to India before and want to make sure I'm on the right track.

We chose Rajasthan because it just seems fascinating and beautiful, and Karnataka because we want to a)visit a friend living in Bangalore and b)visit Mysore, where my boyfriend lived about 10 years ago.

We chose Gokarna over Goa, as a beach destination, because it is it closer to Bangalore and Mysore and seems to be a little less touristed/crazy party scene.

I think we will be doing mostly train/bus within each State and fly in between the two, but if (for 2 people traveling) it is going to be similar price and much more comfortable to get a car/driver instead of all the public transport, we'd consider that.

Part of the timing consideration is based on the fact that we'll be traveling over xmas/new years and want to be in some of the most 'special' places at that time, but if it messes up the itinerary, that's not a must.

Below is the tentative itinerary. I'd love to hear any comments on if it needs to be changed, if there are some places that we should skip to spend more time in others or add different destinations.

As you will see, I have left a few empty days between Gokarna and Mysore, to either add a destination, or extend a couple of worthwhile places.

Thank you for any and all advice!!

12/20/2007 Arrive Delhi
12/21/2007 Delhi
12/22/2007 Delhi
12/23/2007 Train to Jaisalmer
12/24/2007 Jaisalmer
12/25/2007 Jaisalmer
12/26/2007 Jaisalmer to Jodhpur Train
12/27/2007 Jodhpur
12/28/2007 Jodhpur
12/29/2007 Jodhpur to Udaipur Bus
12/30/2007 Udaipur
12/31/2007 Ranthambhore - transport?
1/1/2008 Ranthambhore
1/2/2008 Ranthambhore to Jaipur - transport?
1/3/2008 Jaipur, Fly to Mangalore
1/4/2008 Gokarna
1/5/2008 Gokarna
1/6/2008
1/7/2008
1/8/2008 Mysore
1/9/2008 Mysore
1/10/2008 Bangalore
1/11/2008 Bangalore
1/12/2008 Depart from Bangalore

Also, if it makes sense to fly btw more places instead of bus/train or renting a car, that'd be good to know too - Thanks!

Budget is above backpacker, but way below 4/5* hotel type budget.

Thanks!!

jyotirmoy · Oct 29th, 2007, 13:04

Flying to Mangalore from Jaipur?
Book your safari at Ranthambore as early as possible.

firsttimeinindia · Oct 29th, 2007, 13:10

I thought that flight might be the easiest way to get from Raj to Gokarna - is there a better way? Also, is it better to go the opposite direction in Rajasthan rather than the way we are going? And - I didn't put the Taj Mahal on there. We have heard that it's not really worth it - beautiful, yes, but not as special as exploring around the other places. If I'm wrong and it's a 'must do' I'll add it in.
Thanks!!

jyotirmoy · Oct 29th, 2007, 13:23

1. The direction you have chosen is ok.
2. There are some who think that the Taj is too touristy and they don't like touristy thingies. If you belong to that group skip Taj. Millions have visited Taj and appreciated its beauty and that is a fact. So you can decide yourself.
3. Book your hotel in Ranthambore as you are visiting in peak season. The number of safaris per day has been curtailed. So it is wise to book yours. The hotel you book can book it for you. Keep two days in Ranthambore to maximise your chance of spotting tigers.
Good luck.

firsttimeinindia · Oct 29th, 2007, 13:27

Thank you for your advice! I just emailed Ranthambhore to try to secure at least 2 safari excursions.

We are definitely in the group of preferring to stay away from the super-touristy type things. For now, we'll keep in the 'give it a miss' category.

Thanks again!

Oct 29th, 2007, 12:50	#1
firsttimeinindia Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 3	Rajasthan and Karnataka for 3 weeks Hello, I am trying to put together an itinerary for about 3 weeks for this December/January. I haven't been to India before and want to make sure I'm on the right track. We chose Rajasthan because it just seems fascinating and beautiful, and Karnataka because we want to a)visit a friend living in Bangalore and b)visit Mysore, where my boyfriend lived about 10 years ago. We chose Gokarna over Goa, as a beach destination, because it is it closer to Bangalore and Mysore and seems to be a little less touristed/crazy party scene. I think we will be doing mostly train/bus within each State and fly in between the two, but if (for 2 people traveling) it is going to be similar price and much more comfortable to get a car/driver instead of all the public transport, we'd consider that. Part of the timing consideration is based on the fact that we'll be traveling over xmas/new years and want to be in some of the most 'special' places at that time, but if it messes up the itinerary, that's not a must. Below is the tentative itinerary. I'd love to hear any comments on if it needs to be changed, if there are some places that we should skip to spend more time in others or add different destinations. As you will see, I have left a few empty days between Gokarna and Mysore, to either add a destination, or extend a couple of worthwhile places. Thank you for any and all advice!! 12/20/2007 Arrive Delhi 12/21/2007 Delhi 12/22/2007 Delhi 12/23/2007 Train to Jaisalmer 12/24/2007 Jaisalmer 12/25/2007 Jaisalmer 12/26/2007 Jaisalmer to Jodhpur Train 12/27/2007 Jodhpur 12/28/2007 Jodhpur 12/29/2007 Jodhpur to Udaipur Bus 12/30/2007 Udaipur 12/31/2007 Ranthambhore - transport? 1/1/2008 Ranthambhore 1/2/2008 Ranthambhore to Jaipur - transport? 1/3/2008 Jaipur, Fly to Mangalore 1/4/2008 Gokarna 1/5/2008 Gokarna 1/6/2008 1/7/2008 1/8/2008 Mysore 1/9/2008 Mysore 1/10/2008 Bangalore 1/11/2008 Bangalore 1/12/2008 Depart from Bangalore Also, if it makes sense to fly btw more places instead of bus/train or renting a car, that'd be good to know too - Thanks! Budget is above backpacker, but way below 4/5* hotel type budget. Thanks!!

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Oct 29th, 2007, 13:04	#2
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 5,223	Flying to Mangalore from Jaipur? Book your safari at Ranthambore as early as possible.

Oct 29th, 2007, 13:10	#3
firsttimeinindia Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 3	I thought that flight might be the easiest way to get from Raj to Gokarna - is there a better way? Also, is it better to go the opposite direction in Rajasthan rather than the way we are going? And - I didn't put the Taj Mahal on there. We have heard that it's not really worth it - beautiful, yes, but not as special as exploring around the other places. If I'm wrong and it's a 'must do' I'll add it in. Thanks!!

Oct 29th, 2007, 13:23	#4
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 5,223	1. The direction you have chosen is ok. 2. There are some who think that the Taj is too touristy and they don't like touristy thingies. If you belong to that group skip Taj. Millions have visited Taj and appreciated its beauty and that is a fact. So you can decide yourself. 3. Book your hotel in Ranthambore as you are visiting in peak season. The number of safaris per day has been curtailed. So it is wise to book yours. The hotel you book can book it for you. Keep two days in Ranthambore to maximise your chance of spotting tigers. Good luck.

Oct 29th, 2007, 13:27	#5
firsttimeinindia Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 3	Thank you for your advice! I just emailed Ranthambhore to try to secure at least 2 safari excursions. We are definitely in the group of preferring to stay away from the super-touristy type things. For now, we'll keep in the 'give it a miss' category. Thanks again!