Two weeks in September. Delhi-Agra-Varanasi-Goa

morerum4me

Thanks in advance to all contributors for the wealth of information provided here. After scouring the various threads I have managed to put together a tentative itinerary and would appreciate some feedback on what I may have overlooked, alternative options where possible - just any helpful information you can offer. I plan to travel 1st or 2nd class A/C on trains and stay in budget accommodation (max Rs. 1500/night), except in Goa where I'm allowing myself to splurge a little (like Rs. 3000/night ).

Day 1: London to Delhi
Arrive in Delhi (11:45 pm), transfer to hotel. Night in hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Agra
Half-day tour of Delhi (perhaps just shopping?). Early evening train Delhi - Agra. Transfer to hotel. Visit Taj Mahal at night (yes/no - alternatives?). Night in hotel.
Day 3: Agra
Early before sunrise visit to Taj Mahal, then visit Itimad-ud-Daulah and Agra Fort. Overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 4: Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi, transfer to hotel. Visit Alamgir Mosque, Beni Madhav Ka Darera, Dasaswamedha Ghat, Benares Hindu University and the Bharat Mata Temple (Almost certainly not all, though). Attend an Aarti if possible? Night in hotel.
Day 5: Varanasi - Delhi
Dawn boat ride on River Ganges, then visit Sarnath. Overnight train to Delhi.
Day 6-8: Delhi
Visit Qutab Minar, India Gate, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, Birla Mandir and Humayun's Tomb. Perhaps not all; I'd really like to do a lot of shopping. I'll probably need to hire a driver for the whole time.
Day 8: Flight Delhi - Goa
Flight to Goa. Transfer to hotel (looking at Arpora area resorts).
Day 8-11: Goa
I really just want to relax. I'm only looking at places that have spa-type services in case the weather is not beach-worthy. I don't plan to venture far from the beach, but would love to find a market or other shopping.
Day 11: Flight Goa - Delhi
Transfer to hotel. Night in hotel.
Day 12: Delhi to London

I'm concerned the itinerary might be a bit tight because I don't know how much time to allow for delays and transfers, etc. Thanks again for your thoughtful contributions.

cm2k1

I personally have no experience with this, however from what I can tell Goa is out of the monsoon weather in September, but it's still pretty wet.

Plus since it's very off-season rumor has it in the Goa threads that there's a lot that's not open.

Just mentioning because my itinerary looked a *lot* like yours

Of course, if you don't buy your ticket to Goa in advance you should be safe - if you have time & the weather looks great then ... huzzah !

Kingstonian

Er, cm2k1,

did you catch the date on this post?


After the fair.