What not to miss in Rajasthan?? First Timer.

Hi - First time to India for me.....but am well traveled

I will be entering India at Delhi and am eligible for a 30 Day VOA.

I plan to arrive in Delhi on the 8th of Dec and catch a plane that day down to Dabolim and then on to North Goa where I will be attending a Yoga retreat for 2 weeks.
Have a return flight on the 23rd to Delhi and would like to take in Agra, Varanasi and a couple of destinations in Rajasthan before flying out of Delhi on the 6th of Jan.

I have a few questions that I was hoping some of you experts could help me with? :-

1) The VOA has a few prerequisites, the usual Passport conditions plus showing evidence of enough funds for 1 month in India - can I just show them a wad of Cash, my Credit Cards or a letter from my Bank? I have read that this process can be quite a chore.....any Kiwis out there that can comment on how smooth this was for them?

2) Am I being unrealistic with the amount of destinations I would like to cover in 2 weeks? if so what would you suggest. I would love to see The Taj and Varanasi, so if time is limited what is considered a 'not to miss" destination in Rajasthan?

3) Being Xmas time and NY, should I be looking to make all my bookings for accommodation and travel (Trains and Planes) now?

4) Would there be any preferred order or route that I should follow if any?

5) Previous to arrival in Delhi I will have spent 3 months Trekking in Nepal and will have excess baggage not needed for the month - is there anywhere at Delhi Int'l airport that will offer storage that is safe, secure and reliable?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help offered.

Cheers.

There's some good fares for the 23rd from Dabolim to Udaipur, Rs6700 for an early morning flight, Rs7600 for an afternoon flight. (both options require a change of plane in Mumbai)

Search using www.ixigo.com

I suggest leaving Agra as the last place you'll visit before heading home, the fog can play havoc with all forms of transport, and at least Agra is within striking distance of Delhi airport.

Hey, thanks for your post and suggestions - I appreciate it!

I think you can cover Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi for the remaining days, if you go by flight to Udaipur first.

Thanks aarosh.

OK, flight from Dabolim to Udaipur, train to Jaipur....is there a train from Jaipur to Agra?
I know I can Train from Agra to Varanasi and I might consider a flight back to Delhi from Varanasi to enable more time seeing and less time on the train.....Yes??

You can check for train between 2 stations in www.erail.in or www.indiarailinfo.com.

I hope you have read http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...012-a-t165379/ and Solving problems with IRCTC/Cleartrip registration.

Coming back to Delhi by flight from Varanasi does make sense. You will have to assess the situation regarding fog then.

Hey - yes I have read all the info on trying to buy train tickets from abroad
I have tried 3 times now but the sites keep crashing on me, plus I am more than 3 months out from booking so I need to wait a few more days to start securing my seats.

I'll just keep trying.
Thanks for your help!
Cheers.

Can I ask a contact in India to buy my tickets for me?

Booking opens 120 days (4 months) ahead for most trains.

Which browser do you use. Several people ghave had difficulties with Internet Explorer which were solved by switching to Firefox or Chrome.

xx cross posted with Dave xx

Nowadays the tickets can be booked 120 days in advance for most trains.

excuse me, my mistake...my first attempt was more than 4 months out.....it should be OK now as I am looking at the 26th of December for the first train travel.
I am using Mac / Safari

Now a days one can be booked a railways ticket in 120 days in advance through IRCTC.in, or https://www.irctc.co.in/
as far Rajasthan visit if you are interested to sand dune and their beauty it is better to visit Bikaner,because now that days a international Camel festival will be held in mid January 2013,
Junnagarh fort is worth to see most.............