Rajasthan/Kerala in 16 days??

SoCalGrl

So like countless others I am looking for advice for the big India trip in March! Unfortunately the trip is not as big as others on IM…16 days to be exact. I wish it could be longer but work doesn’t allow it. Also since this is most likely going to be the only trip to India in the foreseeable future we are (of course) trying to fit in as much as humanly possible without ruining the entire experience.

Background: The trip is for me (29 yrs) and my husband (39 yrs). We have both traveled a bit in Europe, Israel, Egypt and most recently in Vietnam. We will be using a travel company to arrange transport, hotels, guide, car and driver ect. in an attempt to cut down on coordination headaches

We love nature, history and good food on the other side of things we don’t like being herded by tourist pigs to the slaughter although we completely realize that we are in fact tourists just without the fanny packs and visors

Here is what I have so far…

Day1 – Arrival in Delhi
2 – Agra – Taj Mahal
3- Fathepur Sikri –Ranthambhore Bagh (6.5 hrs drive)
4 – Ranthambhore Park
5 – Jaipur (4 hrs)
6-Jaipur – Amber Fort/City
7 –Pushkar (3.5 hrs)
8 -Deogarh – Raghosagar lake (3.5)
9 –Udaipur – Fate Garh (3.0)
10-Udaipur
11-Kochi
12-Kumarakom
13-Kovalam
14-Kovalam
15-Mumbai
16-Depart Mumbai

There is a lot of drive time in the first 8 days, but sometimes the scenery can be amazing… Is it worth it? Should a city get cut or should we spend less time in kerala?

Also has any one been to Deogarh? It was a city the travel agent added.

Any thoughts on Ranthambhor Park vs Periyar Tiger Trails? I am not counting on seeing tigers at either location just wildlife.

Has anyone used Odyssey Tours and Travel or India Travelite?

Any suggestions, ways to cut down or revise is appreciated! Thanks!!

SitaParityaga

Hiya SoCalGrl....just my opinion, but I'd slow it way down. Hey, you're traveling with your husband to some of the most romantic places on earth, do you really want to be running around all day, day after day?

My advice would be to take a few days around Delhi, see the Taj, then go directly south. Do 2 nights on the backwaters, its a fascinating way to spend time, on a variety of levels.

Save Rajasthan for another time, unless you have compelling reasons to see it now.

SoCalGrl

Thanks for your comments Sita

I think my compelling reason is that I don't know if I'll be able to come back. Not that I'm dying or anything horrible is going to happen other than lack of time and funding. I'm in a familiar situation to many travelers when they read about India...There are so many amazing things to do/see/eat that its hard to narrow it down. What can you live with not seeing?

From your comment it sounds like getting the full kerala experience requires some time. We were planning on staying at PhilipKuttys. Do you think 2 nights do the backwaters justice?

machadinha

For sixteen days, I´d bring it back to either area.

Will be over before you know it anyway. Yes, of course you want to see it all, but that won´t make the country open up any more to you

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steven_ber

I agree with the above, there's a serious danger that you'll get to Kerala and think "this is so beautiful, why didn't we listen".

However, Kerala in March is going to be very humid, and perhaps unbearable later in the month, this should be considered.

If North & South, reduce north to only 2 places (most likely Agra & Udaipur) then relax in the south.

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SoCalGrl

Thank you for you reply! The humidity issue is great to know about. We were thinking of going the first week in March so your tip will lock that idea down.

machadinha: You are far too right, every trip is over you know it!

machadinha

Ouch, I'd not thought of that yes. Was there last late March/early April, it wasn't very hot as such (32C or so), but I could barely move for the humidity. I seriously felt if I'd stayed much longer there'd have been a real risk of heat exhaustion.

Maybe early March will be bearable still... There are some hilly areas to hide away in if it gets too much.

SoCalGrl

So here is the updated version

3/5/2010 Arrive in Dehli at 0130 am . o/n dehli
3/6/2010 TourDehli. o/n Dehli.
3/7/2010 Arga. Taj Mahal o/n agra
3/8/2010 Agra-Fatehpur sikiri-Jaipur. o/n jaipur
3/9/2010 Amber fort. o/n jaipur
3/10/2010 Jaipur-Bundi. Garh palace. o/n bundi.
3/11/2010 Bundi-Udaipur. City tour. o/n udaipur
3/12/2010 Ranapur temple/kumbhaljarh fort. o/n udaipur
3/13/2010 udaipur-cochin. o/n cochin?
3/14/2010 cochin-munnar o/n munnar
3/15/2010 munnar -periyar/kumily? o/n periayr
3/16/2010 periyar o/n periyar
3/17/2010 periyar-backwater o/n backwater
3/18/2010 backwater o/n backwater
3/19/2010 backwater o/n backwater
3/20/2010 backwater-cochin o/n cochin
3/21/2010 Depart Cochin 0420 am flight

I have heard some negative reviews of Jaipur...I was thinking of staying bharatpur for a night to cut down in the time in Jaipur or ???. From guidebooks its a "must see" for the first time india traveler. Any thoughts??


I am trying to remind myslef that the trip will be amazing either way but planning it can be overwhelming....So many places, So little time!!!

SoCalGrl

I forgot to mention that except for the train to agra and the flight from Udaiput to cochin all travel will be by car. Don't worry I won't be behind the wheel

vandy

Hi there,

Can't comment on the north part,but your Kerala itinery looks
great.The order you are doing Kerala is Perfect.



vandy

SoCalGrl

Thanks Vandy!

machadinha

In keeping with the above comments on climate though, this puts you in Kerala in mid- to late March...

Hey, I don't know, it will probably vary per year. Did I mention I found Cochin truly unbearable around the same time earlier this year? (Except perhaps just slightly so at night. Note most everything in both Cochin and its mainland side of Ernakulam closes up by 10 or 11 PM though. Not a lot of time to do anything when you can only get reasonably moving at say 6 PM. There are a few clubs, I don't think they go on later than say 01:00 either, if even that. [Moreover btw, transport between the two becomes somewhat problematic somewhere later in the evening, save for pricy taxis which may not even be all that easy to get a hold of "on the fly," and which arguably do have to take quite a roundabout way.] Of course, sitting right on the water and so catching a sea breeze may help some -- but not everything is right on the water. Literally one street down you may be sweating like an ox again.)

I suppose Munnar will be cooler & hence more pleasant. The rest, I either don't know about (Periyar) or don't think so (Cochin & backwaters. Note the latter are *not* on the sea, btw. That's what makes them backwaters. Muggy lagoons and marshes rather I'd say. Maybe the Florida Everglades means something to you.) But then again what do I know, maybe I'm painting it too bleakly & you'll find it quite alright.

SoCalGrl

machadinha: Thanks for the reply!!This is a topic for debate in our home at the moment. He (husband) can't imagine a couple weeks either way will make a significant difference...Maybe the everglades comparision or sweating like an ox (btw this brings back vivid memories from vietnam) will change his mind

As for the departing flight we are sucking it up and getting a hotel room for the "night" so we won't be wandering the streets with luggage at 1am

federica

He is right. Kerala is always hot and humid, that's why it is so green Doesn't matter too much when you're going. And of course every year is a little bit different.

Personally I'd go only to North or to South, not both. For Kerala, plan sufficient time for relaxing. The climate doesn't allow you to rush around. It's just a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the tropics, combined with some sightseeing.

machadinha

Hmm... My previous visit to Kerala (years ago) had been in what must have been November/December'ish. Could be I had the better stamina myself back then, but I certainly found the weather less oppressive then. Difference between just and simply bearably hot, and again scarcely being able to move then (and again, not so much because of the hotness -- it being tropical, temps are pretty even and in fact not that insanely high year-round indeed -- but because of the humidity, which I think does increase in the months leading up to the monsoon).

I've never been but imagine much of Vietnam may not be so different no, so maybe you'll just find it alright indeed.