India - the best sites to visit?

george_gaz · Mar 26th, 2009, 17:24

Hello,

I am planning a trip to India later this year. I wish to drive from the southern tip into Nepal via the west coast and Goa.

I would very much appreciate your opinion on the best sites (modern or ancient) that India has to offer. I have a particular interest in ancient history and so sites like this or ruins would be perfect.

Hopefully once the trip is over with I can get some photos uploaded for all to see

Ahhh so excited!!!

Thanks

edit: corrected my poor geography

SueJ · Mar 26th, 2009, 17:52

Welcome to IndiaMike.

Can you give us a bit more information about how much time you have, when you intend to start (weather will be a big influence on advice), whether this is your first trip to India, how you intend to travel, etc. You mention 'drive' but not sure exactly what you mean. Hiring a car and driving yourself is not really a realistic option.

Just one other thing, you mention South to North via the East Coast and Goa......but Goa is on the West Coast.

delhiwala · Mar 26th, 2009, 17:53

I didn't get this "I wish to drive from the southern tip into Nepal via the east coast and Goa".

From where exactly do you wish to enter Nepal ?

steven_ber · Mar 26th, 2009, 17:56

Hampi should be number 1 on your list.

You'll need to give more info before members will give suggestions.

How long have you got for this drive?

Are the beaches important?

Any waterfalls?

Chances are, a lot of the ancient sites will be away from the coast and maybe an inland route will be better.

george_gaz · Mar 26th, 2009, 18:39

HAHA!
Never Eat Shredded Wheat. I never was any good at Geography.

Sorry, I meant West

To be honest are route is not really set in stone yet. We are meeting later today to come up with a rough estimate.

We are basically doing the Rickshaw Run so our vehicle of choice will be Rickshaws

This is my first trip to India but my team mates originate from India and have traveled there on numerous occasions.

"Hiring a car and driving yourself is not really a realistic option."

Just out of interest, why would that be? Due to only being allowed to hire a car in a specific state and not allowing to cross into other states? Forgive my ignorance.

"How long have you got for this drive?"
2 - 3 weeks

"Are the beaches important?"
Well we plan to spend a weekend in Goa and so we will be sunning it up then.

"Any waterfalls?"
Would be lovely if possible.

Cheers all

steven_ber · Mar 26th, 2009, 20:19

This 'Rickshaw Run' is too bloody popular, I've resisted giving my opinion on it for this long, so I'll keep my opinions to myself.

However, "This is my first trip to India" tells me that my opinions are correct.

2.5 weeks, a weekend in Goa, AND you want to see some sites?

You're Indian friends are perhaps not telling you everything.

Distance.....

2577 Km for the direct route, not via Goa. (Kaniyakumari to Nautanwa, on border)

996.87 Km (Kaniyakumari to Panjim, Goa) + 1910.83 Km (Panjim to Nautanwa) = 2907.7 kms

996.87 Km (Kaniyakumari to Panjim) + 462.19 Km (Panjim to Panvel, keeping on the road going north from Goa) + 1612.91 Km (Panvel to Nautanwa) = 3071.97 kms.

So allowing for Goa, you've got about 15-17 days remaining, and that's close to 200kms a day, and this doesn't allow for any diversions, illnesses or breakdowns (both the Rickshaw and yourselves).

And what if your Rickshaw is involved in an accident? Have your friends explained that there is a possibility that you could be lynched?

The first 200kms will be fun, then it will slowly get worse, the last 1000kms will be pure hell.

george_gaz · Mar 26th, 2009, 21:31

Hi Steven,

We know that it wont be easy. We don't want it to be. We don't see this as a "holiday" but just an "experience" and we know it will be just that

Since posting this we are talking about starting in Goa because of the distance and stuff. Hopefully that will make it a little more realistic? October is the date that we plan to leave.

Cheers

Mar 26th, 2009, 17:24	#1
george_gaz Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 4	India - the best sites to visit? Hello, I am planning a trip to India later this year. I wish to drive from the southern tip into Nepal via the west coast and Goa. I would very much appreciate your opinion on the best sites (modern or ancient) that India has to offer. I have a particular interest in ancient history and so sites like this or ruins would be perfect. Hopefully once the trip is over with I can get some photos uploaded for all to see Ahhh so excited!!! Thanks edit: corrected my poor geography Last edited by george_gaz : Mar 26th, 2009 at 18:48.

Mar 26th, 2009, 17:53	#3
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	I didn't get this "I wish to drive from the southern tip into Nepal via the east coast and Goa". From where exactly do you wish to enter Nepal ? __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

Mar 26th, 2009, 17:56	#4
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,572	Hampi should be number 1 on your list. You'll need to give more info before members will give suggestions. How long have you got for this drive? Are the beaches important? Any waterfalls? Chances are, a lot of the ancient sites will be away from the coast and maybe an inland route will be better. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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Mar 26th, 2009, 17:52	#2
SueJ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 234	Welcome to IndiaMike. Can you give us a bit more information about how much time you have, when you intend to start (weather will be a big influence on advice), whether this is your first trip to India, how you intend to travel, etc. You mention 'drive' but not sure exactly what you mean. Hiring a car and driving yourself is not really a realistic option. Just one other thing, you mention South to North via the East Coast and Goa......but Goa is on the West Coast.

Mar 26th, 2009, 18:39	#5
george_gaz Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 4	HAHA! Never Eat Shredded Wheat. I never was any good at Geography. Sorry, I meant West To be honest are route is not really set in stone yet. We are meeting later today to come up with a rough estimate. We are basically doing the Rickshaw Run so our vehicle of choice will be Rickshaws This is my first trip to India but my team mates originate from India and have traveled there on numerous occasions. "Hiring a car and driving yourself is not really a realistic option." Just out of interest, why would that be? Due to only being allowed to hire a car in a specific state and not allowing to cross into other states? Forgive my ignorance. "How long have you got for this drive?" 2 - 3 weeks "Are the beaches important?" Well we plan to spend a weekend in Goa and so we will be sunning it up then. "Any waterfalls?" Would be lovely if possible. Cheers all

Mar 26th, 2009, 20:19	#6
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,572	This 'Rickshaw Run' is too bloody popular, I've resisted giving my opinion on it for this long, so I'll keep my opinions to myself. However, "This is my first trip to India" tells me that my opinions are correct. 2.5 weeks, a weekend in Goa, AND you want to see some sites? You're Indian friends are perhaps not telling you everything. Distance..... 2577 Km for the direct route, not via Goa. (Kaniyakumari to Nautanwa, on border) 996.87 Km (Kaniyakumari to Panjim, Goa) + 1910.83 Km (Panjim to Nautanwa) = 2907.7 kms 996.87 Km (Kaniyakumari to Panjim) + 462.19 Km (Panjim to Panvel, keeping on the road going north from Goa) + 1612.91 Km (Panvel to Nautanwa) = 3071.97 kms. So allowing for Goa, you've got about 15-17 days remaining, and that's close to 200kms a day, and this doesn't allow for any diversions, illnesses or breakdowns (both the Rickshaw and yourselves). And what if your Rickshaw is involved in an accident? Have your friends explained that there is a possibility that you could be lynched? The first 200kms will be fun, then it will slowly get worse, the last 1000kms will be pure hell.

Mar 26th, 2009, 21:31	#7
george_gaz Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 4	Hi Steven, We know that it wont be easy. We don't want it to be. We don't see this as a "holiday" but just an "experience" and we know it will be just that Since posting this we are talking about starting in Goa because of the distance and stuff. Hopefully that will make it a little more realistic? October is the date that we plan to leave. Cheers