Ten days in India, how to use them?

I'll be in India for ten days, arriving in Mumbai at 2200 on 11/17/12 and departing early AM on 11/28/. My journey to Asia begins on 11/1/12 with a trip up the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, Cambodia, continuing on to Thailand and eventually on to India. I'm interested in experiencing the happenings in Varanasi but I also feel drawn to see the Taj Mahal. I'm weighing, as best I can, the merits of flying to Varanasi, finding a nice place on the Ganges near the center of action and staying until it's time to fly back to Mumbai to head home to Boston; or flying to Delhi from Mumbai, taking a taxi to Agra, staying long enough to see the Taj, then flying to Varanasi to visit. I'm blessed in that I have the funds to fly, in the interest of saving time, and to stay in comfortable and convenient locations. If all goes well I may be able to return another time with more time to spend. I would greatly appreciate any advice from this well informed community of travelers who are so very kind in offering their guidance to the rookies. Many thanks....

Welcome to IndiaMike!

I wouldn't like to see you neglect Mumbai and Delhi altogether. I do applaud your idea of spending the longest possible time in Varanasi. In fact I heartily endorse your approach of staying in one place for enough time to absorb something of the spirit of the place.

I hold the minority opinion that one can do without the Taj, especially if time is limited. You've seen it all on calendars anyway. And it is not true that there is a legal or a moral requirement for all visiting tourists to go to the Taj.

My own suggestion, given what you've told us above, is to spend a couple of days in Mumbai, a couple in Delhi, allow a least a day for transit, and spend the rest at Varanasi. Or dump Delhi and spend several days in Mumbai, the rest in Varanasi.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I've read many of your posts and value your approach to things..... Joe

Impossible without knowing your interests. Are you spiritual, nature, sports, shopping, art/architecture, a foodie(veg, nonveg?), and/or a people person?

Delhi offers some very nice historical monuments, while Mumbai is the commercial capital of India and has a decent nightlife, as also access to a lot of wonderful beaches along the west coast. (not forgetting the fact that its only an hour's flight (ok hour and a half!) away from Goa)

To me, the Taj Mahal is well... interesting, but its really Fatehpur Sikri that is an architectural gem, so maybe Agra is worth a flying visit...

All in all, as Peak said - it depends on your interests finally!

PS : I would (personally) agree with hfot2's suggestion... BUT... thats me - the decision is yours!

Thanks now to Peak as well as hfot2. Re interests, I'm near 73yrs old, have long been interested in India's spiritual traditions. My sense is that Varanasi may one of the best places to experience the essence of that particular aspect of this civilization. That said, the time available to me suggests spending most my time in one place may be more rewarding. I hope to have a chance to return soon and savor the country more thoroughly.

Thanks Sidch my path becomes clearer....

all the very best for your journey and may good fortune smile on you !

just as a little aside - the person whose picture you have as an avatar - Sai Baba was born around Nasik...a place called Shirdi, which is fairly close to Mumbai (just in case you are interested) However, there isnt much spirituality you would find in the mad rush of pilgrims , all jostling in the queues to get a quick peek of the altar inside. Its all pretty commercialised in general!

Another interesting town close to Shirdi is called Shani Shingnapur and its claim to fame is that its the only village in India where the houses do not have any doors! such is their belief in the power of "Shani" who it is believed will punish anyone who steals or commits a crime. However it seems modernity has caught up with it as well, since about a year ago I read for the first time that apparently a successful robbery had been committed. Were the perpetrators caught? Im not quite sure!

Thanks again Sidch for the advise, the history, and the good wishes... I'll make my reservation for Varanasi and see what lies in store.....

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's also a fast and comfortable 2hr train ride from Delhi to Agra, may be a better option than taking the taxi.

Here's a suggestion (making a lot of assumptions since I'm unaware of your interests etc):

Day 1&2 : Delhi : Mughal - Red Fort*, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb*. Pre Mughal: Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Qutab Minar*, Tughlaqabad fort & ruins
Day 3&4: Agra: The Monuments: Taj*, Fort*, Akbar's Tomb and an excursion to Akbar's abandoned city- Fatehpur Sikri*
Day 5: Gwalior: One of India's greatest forts
Day 6: Orchcha: A village with a rich history preserved in its heritage monuments
Day 7: Khajuraho: The magnificent ancient temples of the Chandelas with intricate carvings and remarkable architecture *
Day 8&9:Varanasi: Ghats, the river and more
Day 10: Delhi/Mumbai

This will give you a nice immersion into some of India's history, culture and diversity. Can be done on road (car & driver) upto Varanasi (with ~ 3 hrs travel time between places) and flying back out of Varanasi to Delhi/Mumbai for return. * Indicates Monuments inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you could afford to fly out of Varanasi on day 11, instead of 10, you could extend the excursion to Fatehpur Sikri from Agra upto Bharatpur's Bird Sanctuary (another World Heritage site and an interesting diversion from the monuments).

I do appreciate the effort you've made with this suggested itinerary, this sounds great but I'm inclined to try to seek more by traveling less since the window is so narrow...many thanks to you and the others for your kindness

Roybor, I don't see my reply to you, maybe I failed to post it properly, but thanks looking into trains.....

Chitakoot is half a day form Varanasi if you hire a car.
It is a much more relaxed holy place, see this thread To Chitrakoot In December-2.

For heaven's sake, people, the man has made it clear he wants to steep himself in one place only. All the other suggestions are great (Chitrakoot, which styles itself a Little Varanasi, is a particularly knowing suggestion), but I think we're wasting our time trying to seduce him with other wonderful stuff.

Cy39, it sounds to me like you'd enjoy poking through the posts of IM's resident Varanasi devotee, Darmabum. (The spelling is correct - don't ask.)