Six weeks in Northern India - itinerary feedback please!

Gerb

Hi,

First time traveller in India - planning to spend six weeks there before heaing onto Nepal via Darjeeling area. Please give me some feedback on my itinerary.

I realise that India will be like nowhere I've ever been before and as such I've hopefully allowed for the impact of culture shock, delays and general lack of speedy travel in my timings. I'm going for the places, the people and just the general experience of India.

Delhi - 3 days (to get my bearings, take a few deep breaths etc)
Jaipur - 3 days
Udaipur - 3 days
Jaisalmer - 6 days
Jodphur - 2 days
Delhi - 2 days
Amritsar - 2 days
Delhi - 1 day
Agra - 2 days
Varanasi - 3 days
Calcutta - 3 days
Darjeeling - 5 days

35 days in total, which allows for 7 days for travel and/or some shorter stops between places.

How does this sound - too much or about right? Would you suggest cutting my time in some areas or considering other places on the way?

Personally I think I've found a balance between doing too much and being rushed and making the most of my avaialble time - but then again I've never been to India, so what do I know?!?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated...

SHIMLA

Hello Gerb ! Welcome to indiamike !!

Glad to see that you've done some homework before posting!!

Your itinerary is comfortable; but I suggest you take the following route:

Delhi(4 days)
Jaisalmer(3 days)
Jodhpur(2 days)
Udaipur(3 days)
Jaipur(2 days)
Amritsar(2 days)
Agra(2 days)
Varanasi(3 days)
Kolkata(3 days)
Darjeeling and Gangtok (8 days)

All the best !

__________________
Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

tim_from_oz

Hi,

I too am trying to put together something similar to the route you've mentioned.

Shimla, can you please advise why you made the suggestions above. Less travel time is it?

Tim.

cyberhippie

Yep A well thought out itinery I see no problems achieving this without killing yourself.
Totally agree with Shimla's fine tuning as well, all the destinations in Rajasthan have a similar theme if you like, so surrendering a few days in Jaiselmer and the day in Delhi gives you time to fit in Sikkim, something very different!!
When commenting on other peoples itineries I too try to advise people on a rounded itinery that encapsulates, as many different sides to India as possible. Shimla will in due course explain why he made the changes but I think they are good thoughtfull changes that will really add to you experience of India!!

Happy Traveling

begreen9

While in Rajasthan, I would suggest considering a couple days less at Jaisalmer and instead spend a couple days in Bikaner. For more info checkout:
http://www.realbikaner.com/.
The Shekhwati region is on the way from Delhi and is also interesting.

SHIMLA

Hello Tim !

I suggested the changes in order to minimise backtracking.

Cyberhippie is very right about all the destinations in Rajasthan having a similar theme.

tim_from_oz

Hi Guys

The following itenary..

Delhi(4 days)
Jaisalmer(3 days)
Jodhpur(2 days)
Udaipur(3 days)
Jaipur(2 days)
Amritsar(2 days)
Agra(2 days)
Varanasi(3 days)
Kolkata(3 days)
Darjeeling and Gangtok (8 days)

..... (as suggested above) includes alot of the places I really want to see, just wondering though, I am in Mumbai right now I would like to know the most efficient way (less travel time- backtracking etc) to see these destinations.. should I just go express from mumbai to delhi and start from there? or should i head to udaipur, and move down the list from there.. jaipur.. amritsar etc etc

If someone could list them for me (shimla or cyber hippie you guys sound very knowledgeable) in order, it'd be greatly appreciated

Thanks everyone
Tim
Ps MUMBAI IS AWESOME

SHIMLA

Tim,

You should follow:

Mumbai - Ahmedabad - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jaipur - Amritsar - Varanasi - Agra - Delhi.