Itinerary advice needed!

chris0304

Hi, i'm trying to gather together all the last bits and bobs of my trip to India before I go in August/September. This is my plan for what I intend to do in Rajasthan, please tell me what you think! I need help!

Tuesday 28th August:
Arrive in Jaipur @ 13.50 - visit Jaipur tourist attractions. Overnight in Jaipur

Wednesday 29th August:
Day trip to Amber and Jaigarh
Overnight train to Udaipur

Thursday 30th August:
Arrive in Udaipur - visit Udaipur attractions
Overnight in Udaipur

Friday 31st August:
Day in Udiapur
*Unsure how to get to Jodhpur - I dont know whether to fly to Jodhpur, there is an Indian airlines flight in late afternoon, which is quite cheap or get a bus/taxi. If I get a car will I have time to finish off attractions in udaipur and visit ranakpur/kumbalgarh on the way to Udiapur?!*

Saturday 1st September:
Day in Jodhpur - visit Jodhpur attractions
Overnight in Jodhpur

Sunday 2nd September:
Day in Jodhpur - visit Jodhpur attractions
Overnight train to Jaisalmer

Monday 3rd September:
Day in Jaisalmer - afternoon/evening camel safari and jaisalmer attractions
Overnight in Jaisalmer

Tuesday 4th
Day in Jaisalmer - visit Jaisalmer attractions
Overnight train to Jaipur

Wednesday 5th
arrive in jaipur fly out.

Please please tell me what you think! is it do-able? your thought especially about udaipur-jodhpur would be great!

Thanks

chris0304

also any suggestions for accomodation or things to do would be fantastic!! ive done my reading but theres so much to choose from!! my budget is fairly small basic and time period fixed!
thanks again!

rangss

Try the Arya Niwas at Jaipur for acomodation. I would prefer their properties in other destinations as well.

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camelgirl

Looks like you have one week, if I've read your itinerary right. It would be possible to do all that you've planned in one week if everything goes according to your pretty tight schedule. And whenever your arrive you hit the ground running! Most things in India don't go that smoothly. If you find that you are running behind for any reason, you can always skip someplace if you haven't paid in advance.

We tend to not try to do so many things but you have at least limited yourself to a good route. I can't tell if you've allowed for the actual travel time. Trains often run late (up to 4 hours). Though many do leave right on time.

I admit to being a slow traveler! Lot's of people like to cram more into their schedules. My recourse is to just come back again to see what I missed by being so slow!

hfot2

I agree with camelgirl.

I think you may be trying to see too much in too little time. You will spend a fair amount of your time in transit and the rest of the time you may be rushing it. When you return home you will be exhausted and not know where you were when or what you saw where. I would prioritize and, perhaps, eliminate one city to spend more time on the ground so to speak.

We, too, tend to travel too fast and regret it afterwards; that said, your planned itinerary still leaves me somewhat breathless.

distaff half of hfot2

chris0304

Thanks for your input, I thought that might be a response to my plans. I can see where you're coming from, and where as I've never been to rajasthan I realise that trains don't often run on time. I have allowed time for travel and extra in the case of the trains, and as u said If worse comes to worse and I get way behind I can always miss out a city. I know i've given myself a tight time schedule, but i dont have that much time and i'm determined 2 c as much as possible in that time!! hehe! Thanks though, do you have any advice about the udaipur-jodhpur section and accomodation in the 4 cities?

Mickey S

Personally, I think one day in Udaipur is enough - there really isn't a great deal to see there. There are frequent deluxe buses from there to Jodhpur, bookable at any travel agent in town; I think the journey is about 6 hours. So plan on spending Thursday in Udaipur and most of Friday in transit to Jodhpur.

chris0304

oh right ok, do you know how much it is? what are the buses like?

Mickey S

You don't have to worry about bus fares in India - they're pennies! I think the deluxe bus from Udaipur to Jodhpur cost me about 150 Rupees (less than £2).

Even the deluxe bus was uncomfortable and overcrowded, and the driver drove like a maniac. But that's India.

Don't forget to book your trains well in advance at IRCTC.

chris0304

yeah thanks 4 that. you book your seat at a travel agent then?

machadinha

You normally just enquire as soon as you can (certainly on a tight schedule) with any of a number of travel agents on the ground yes. I guess normally one day ahead for bus travel will be fine, or you may well find a ticket on the spot. So traveling fast, just make enquiries once you're settled in, then explore town.

Alternatively, check at the bus station for public buses. The way I recall ticket selling here doesn't normally commence until a few hours (2 or so) before departure, but it doesn't hurt to enquire beforehand of course, if only to ease your mind. You may also be able to get some driver or ticket seller to notice and remember you, being a poor lonesome whitey after all (or a couple of them).

You might see if there's something for you here: Online bus ticket reservation sites, but keep in mind many companies and routes just won't be online, so you'll just have to work it out there, which isn't hard.

For trains and as noted, check
http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
http://www.trainenquiry.com/
http://www.indiagroove.com/ ,
check the latter two's results with the offical (first) one. Apparently reservations here are advised yes, I never (or rarely) really had trouble with it if you booked a day ahead or so, but it looks like the railways are getting busier all the time and I was in no hurry.

I was thinking your itinerary doesn't look all that undoable to me (and part of a wider trip I think? So I assume you may have some time to unwind before or after it), but it's always a rough estimate right. If you have the flexibility to skip what gets too much you should be alright I guess.

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incitatus

Going by car and taking in Ranakpur is a great idea.
Ranakpur is far more impressive than anything Udaipur has to offer.
Unfortunately I can't offer advice about taxi costs as I haven't used that facility in India for a few years.

hfot2

Can you give us a clue as to what type of accomodation you are looking for or what your budget is?

chris0304

well as i said my budget is low, so only looking for hostels/cheap hotels! I don't mind spending a little extra if it's something special.

Mickey S

Please don't take this the wrong way, as I'm genuinely offering this as advice rather than criticism, but why not do what everyone else does and get a copy of Lonely Planet or Rough Guide and see what accommodation they recommend? I use them every time and have not been let down yet.