Trip Ideas?

I'm planning to travel around India from Feb 2003 for maybe 6 months. No definite plans or travel partners yet, but would love to make some contacts. Is it easy to meet up with other backpackers en-route? Don't know where to start what with the weather and the sheer vastness of the country, so any feedback would be great.....

if you are starting in feb I would suggest beginning your trip in the south and then heading north as it warms up. head for the himalayas when it getsd too hot.

also, you can think where to go according to free places you can stay at.
have a look at:
http://www.place2stay.net
you might find free accommodation in a certain city in a country and decide to include that in your plan (assuming you don't have an unlimited budget).
You might even get some local to show you around town (the best way to see a place).

Anyway,
Good luck,
John

6 months is a long time and you can probably fit in everything you want. Definitely get down south if you can - it's a lot more relaxed than up north. But a lot of must-sees up north too. You've got plenty of time to look through a guidebook and sort out what's good for you. Just remember that the actual travelling in India can be long and tedious so don't try and do too much.... when you find a place you like then just stop and hang out a while. Whatever you decide you'll have an amazing experience. Have fun.

This all sounds so exciting. I am however a bit hesitant about being a female traveller on my own. Is it easy to link up with other travellers? Does anyone know of any associations/clubs or groups that I could join out there? (I live in UK). I would really like to have a base to start off from - any ideas?

If you go to some of the more popular places and stay in a place recommended by the Lonely Planet then you are bound to meet people... like Vishnu Lodge in Varanasi - some place with a large common area and a restaurant attached. It can be fun travelling with people you've just met and you can always go off again on your own if it doesn't work out (sometimes first impressions can be pretty wrong - a friend and I met a guy on a train in Bulgaria once and he decided to join us - he seemed a bit of a laugh but it only took a day before we realised what a pain in the ass he really was.... and on the other hand I ended up travelling with 2 Brits and 2 Australians for about 7 weeks in South America last year and never had a bad time with them - luck of the draw I guess).

Don't worry too much though.... after my friend left last year I had 3 weeks to go and travelled by myself - found it strangely liberating. If you go for second class sleeper on the train ask for a berth in the "ladies" section - you'll meet lovely woman who will look after you.

I'm doing GoechaLa trek in Sikkim early March then to Varanasi.
I need some ideas for what to see or places to stop between Varanasi and Agra.
Any ideas appreciated. Thanks.

Try Kerala to start with. It is definitely different from the rest of India.

The places worth visiting are Thiruvanathapuram (old name Trivandrum)- Kovalam beach, the temple architecture etc. Kumarakom - resort, Alleppey - houseboats, Cochin (Kochi) a lot to see and experience, Thrissur (the cultural capital of Kerala) etc
And do not miss Munnar. I strongly recommend the trekking from Munnar across the Western Ghats.

the north of the country is excellent in summer months - lovely and cool and green. and the mountains are just beautiful.

I'd recommend starting in the South (Kerala, Goa) and heading to the North, up to Leh/Ladakh via Dharamsala, Manali, Kullu & Spiti valleys, and then going further North into the beautiful Nubra valley. Its my favorite part of India so far!

forgot to say ....

I was a lone female traveller (young) and had no troubles at all, either meeting others, or even the feared harassment from 'local' Indian men. feel free to pm me if you need any advice/reassurance ...

as others mentioned, you meet tons of other people in the same situation as yourself. being a lone traveller you get the best of both worlds - freedom to travel alone and freedom to travel with others.

This thread has served its purpose. Hence it is closed.