Rajasthan & Varanasi - 14 Days Over Dec 07/Jan08

saffa_guy

Hi All,

First trip to India for the partner and I. Both in our 20's. Been to other Asian countries - Thailand, Cambodia, (Egypt). Would like to see: Dehli, Agra, Jodphur, Udaipur & Varanasi. Don't mind paying for flights. Flying in and out of Dehli: 22 Dec 07 (late night arrival) - 05 Jan 08 (late night departure). Came up with the below itinerary:

Dehli & Agra
* Sunday 23 Dec 07: Dehli
* Monday 24 Dec 07: Dehli
* Tuesday 25 Dec 07: Day Trip To Agra
* Wednesday 26 Dec 07: Dehli
* Wednesday 26 Dec 07: Overnight train to Varanasi. Train 2562 departs New Delhi daily at 20:40 and gets to Varanasi Jn at 08:45
* Comment: Keen on spending a few days in Dehli in order to fully explore markets

Varanasi
* Thursday 27 Dec 07: Early arrival Varanasi on Train 2565 from Dehli
* Friday 28 Dec 07: Varanasi
* Saturday 29 Dec 07: Travel to Jodphur via Dehli flight
* Comment: Must still determine flight details.

Jodphur
* Saturday 29 Dec 07: Late arrival via flight from Varanasi with Dehli connection
* Sunday 30 Dec 07: Jodphur
* Monday 31 Dec 07: Jodphur
* Tuesday 01 Jan 08: Departure to Udaipur via Ranakphur using Taxi

Udaipur
* Tuesday 01 Jan 08: Late arrival via taxi from Jodphur
* Wednesday 02 Jan 08: Udaipur
* Thursday 03 Jan 08: Udaipur
* Friday 04 Jan 07: Udaipur
* Saturday 05 Jan 07: Flight to Dehli for late night international departure

My questions:
1. Is the above feasible?
2. Are sufficient days allocated to each city?
3. Is the above route between Varanasi and Jodphur the most sensible (i.e flight via Dehli)? Can it be improved in any manner?
4. Do we need to book the Agra Day Trip far in advance or can it be done once in India?

Any comments will be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

karuna

Hmm...first thoughts

Why are you doing Delhi - Agra - Delhi? Why not 3 nights Delhi, overnight Agra, then Agra to Varanasi? If you're flying in from London don't forget to factor in the jet-lag; my first day in Delhi was blurry and exhausting; it took me about 4 days to really settle. 3 days in Delhi with no long journeys would help.

Not long enough in Varanasi to make the journey worth it IMHO.

The amount of time looks OK in each place apart from Varanasi, and Varanasi is a HUGE detour. You'd be better off flying there from Agra/Delhi if poss., so the 26th is not a "wasted" day.

There are a million and one people who'll sell you an Agra day tour in Delhi, but to make sure you're not getting ripped off take some advice from the Cars board here and book in advance with a reputable company/recommended driver. HTH