Best route to Varanasi from anywhere, for the spiritual traveller

gødspeed · Apr 18th, 2009, 06:11

Soon, I'm not sure when, but soon (maybe after the monsoon season?), I'm going to go to Varanasi. I won't go into what exactly my motivations are, except to say that I'll be going for spiritual reasons, and on the cheap. I could fly straight into Varanasi, but I think I'd rather see some of the rest of India before staying, possibly for some time (with brief excursions to Nepal to renew my visa), in that city.

I don't want the tourist experience, or indeed even a comfortable one. I am ready to travel long distances by foot, or in meager public transport arrangements, and have good tolerance for heat and traveller's diseases (though I will obviously take all precautions). I would like to experience the timeless India I believe to exist beyond the regions that have become Westernized through the recent surge in tourism and corporate globalization.

I am 20 years old, and have already travelled much of Europe, but this will be my first time in Asia, and my first time alone in a foreign country. I am learning Hindi now, but don't expect to have conversational skills before spending time there.

Given what I have said, what would likeminded travellers reccommend as far as routes to take goes? Considerations would include avoiding tourist hotspots, flying into an airport that would minimize airfare, and seeing a variety of regions; distance from Varanasi isn't a concern really (i.e southern India would be a possibility, or from the Bodhi tree, etc). I'll appreciate any advice

steven_ber · Apr 18th, 2009, 06:16

The cheapest flights are nearly always to Mumbai and Delhi.

kristinm · Apr 18th, 2009, 07:35

The great thing about India - (for travellers such as yourself, maybe not so great for some of the people actually living 'timelessly') is that even in the 'tourist hotspots' the timeless India you seek is ever present..on every street.in every village.... the layering of Indian culture ancient and modern, one on top of the other, one mixed with the other, spiritual and secular co-existing even in the most sacred places... is, to me anyway, one of the main reasons it fascinates and draws me back (soon I hope).. You are as likely to find people living in Delhi as they have lived for centuries as you are to find people in a remote village living traditionally but each with a mobile phone.. Don't try and avoid anything in India and don't form an opinion in advance of what may or may not be 'spiritual' or 'genuine'. Just plunge in and take it all as it comes... any preconceptions you have will be gone within hours!

bruce3404 · Apr 18th, 2009, 07:39

Sometimes you can piggyback a cheap fare from Bangkok and on to Calcutta. You would buy your Calcutta ticket from a BKK agent. It's really just a matter of doing your homework and using as many online sites as possible to root out the lowest fares. You might check some India travel specialists in Portland; Indian agents who typically deal with Indian people. If you can get to India for $1,200 or less from the West Coast, you've done a good job.

camelgirl · Apr 18th, 2009, 10:47

Don't forget you can get a 10 year tourist Visa for India if you are a U.S. citizen. That means you can stay up to 6 months at a time before you have to leave. You can go where ever you want, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka (if the civil war stops, & maybe it will soon) then come back into India with no problem! That should give you a nice long time for your spiritual journey!

Definitely do not get a 6 month tourist visa, you will regret it!! There have been a few recent posts by people having a really hard time getting a new Visa when their 6 month one runs out. Huge hassle. Nepal may not give them easily & Sri Lanka apparently only gives 3 months.

gødspeed · Apr 18th, 2009, 12:00

Thanks for the responses! On the topic of visas, approximately how long does it take for an application to be approved? Is a 10-year application guaranteed to be approved, provided a clean background check and whatnot? I've never had to deal with a visa before as I have dual citizenship with an EU passport. Also, would one need a Nepalese visa to briefly cross the border (more or less only to renew their India visa)?

I think I may fly to Mumbai and travel by foot and train around the country until I feel that the time is right, then head to the Ganges delta and make my way up the river to Varanasi, possibly making a detour to Bodh Gaya or otherwise taking an excursion there after spending some time in the city.

camelgirl · Apr 18th, 2009, 23:32

If you don't have a US passport, I'm pretty sure you cannot get a 10 year Visa.

An India visa is glued directly into the passport.

If you do have a US passport & apply for an India visa, it is usually given. I don't know what kind of checks, if any, they do before you get it. I've never met anyone who was denied a Visa. If you can get a 6 month one you can get a 5 or 10 year one (same price).

The process has been outsourced to: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.c om/homepage

You can do it by mail. I did & no problem. Just be sure to follow the directions carefully.

About Nepal. Everyone here has been reporting that you cannot renew your Visa for India there. I don't know why, you used to be able to do it. If you do go to Nepal, you should stay awhile (I think you can get a visa when you enter). It's an awesome and extremely spiritual place! You would probably love it there and want to stay awhile. It's quieter & easier to deal with than India & you might welcome the change of pace.

I found a link to the India Embassy in Kathmandu and they really do make it difficult to get a Visa there. You can read about it here.

http://www.south-asia.com/Embassy-india/consular.htm

jituyadav · Apr 18th, 2009, 23:55

You can try the Varanasi Bhopal corridor and visit places like Khajuraho Orchha, Ujjain etc. Post a message when you are ready to come and somebody will provide good ideas. But I would like to mention here that be careful in travelling and don’t travel after dark as you will be alone, just a precaution.

gødspeed · Apr 19th, 2009, 11:27

Nepal sounds like a great place, and I think I'll visit at some point. But if not Nepal, which border would one cross to renew their visa when in northern India? When my parents travelled in India they would go to Sri Lanka or the Maldives for their visa and Nepal as well I think. But Sri Lanka sounds a bit sketchy these days, as does Pakistan, and Myanmar, and I'd rather avoid China, so without Nepal that leaves only Bangladesh?

Also, how dangerous would it really be to be alone in India at night? I am 6'5 (196cm) and athletic, and can handle most confrontations, but I really don't know what kind of dangerous situations I might encounter in India?

edit -- oh, and I do have a US passport as well.

jituyadav · Apr 19th, 2009, 11:40

India is absolutely safe, no problems as such. But it is advisable to keep adventure spirit in control a bit as in remote places you may not be able to find usual resources we are used to. You can be alone at night in towns and cities, I was referring to travelling alone at night on less travelled roads as some unexpected problems may turn up any time.

bruce3404 · Apr 19th, 2009, 12:18

I wouldn't rule out Myanmar, though I'm not sure you'd be allowed to make a land crossing from India. I spent a month there a little over a year ago and experienced no problems whatsoever. The people there are very kind, which is more than I can say about their government.

camelgirl · Apr 20th, 2009, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by gødspeed

edit -- oh, and I do have a US passport as well.

OK, so quit worrying about going to another country to renew your VISA!! Just get the 10 yr. tourist visa and you are all set for TEN YEARS without ever needing a new one for India!!! You just have to leave India every 180 days (6 months) for a short time (days, weeks) & turn around and come back in WITHOUT NEEDING TO RENEW IT!!

You keep asking about "RENEWING" your visa. You absolutely DO NOT HAVE TO RENEW IT if you get a 5 or 10 years Tourist Visa since you have a U.S. Passport!

camelgirl · Apr 20th, 2009, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce3404

I wouldn't rule out Myanmar, though I'm not sure you'd be allowed to make a land crossing from India. I spent a month there a little over a year ago and experienced no problems whatsoever. The people there are very kind, which is more than I can say about their government.

Can't go in by land. Burma (I can't bring myself to use the name given by the military dictatorship) is a wonderful country with lovely people & a horrendous government. I also visited & loved it, which makes it all the more horrible to know how the people there have to live.

Passport/Visa Note: All travellers entering Myanmar require a passport and a tourist visa, which is valid for 28 days. Travellers must hold confirmed return or onward tickets. Travellers should also note there is a compulsory currency exchange minimum of US$200 on arrival. Entry into and exit from Myanmar is by sea or air only and certain areas are restricted

gødspeed · Apr 20th, 2009, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgirl

OK, so quit worrying about going to another country to renew your VISA!! Just get the 10 yr. tourist visa and you are all set for TEN YEARS without ever needing a new one for India!!! You just have to leave India every 180 days (6 months) for a short time (days, weeks) & turn around and come back in WITHOUT NEEDING TO RENEW IT!!

You keep asking about "RENEWING" your visa. You absolutely DO NOT HAVE TO RENEW IT if you get a 5 or 10 years Tourist Visa since you have a U.S. Passport!

That is what I meant though; if I have to leave every six months, and would prefer to do so by land, which border to which country should I cross to "renew" my India visa for another six months? Maybe my wording was confusing... Does that mean that crossing into Nepal would get me 180 more days, afterall? Nepal would be my preference.

I'll definitely get a 10-year visa if I can... I'd like to stay for at least a year.

camelgirl · Apr 20th, 2009, 00:51

Yes, I misunderstood you. Yes, going to Nepal would be the easiest! And the most interesting. And YES, that does mean you can stay another 180 days!

Just make sure you leave a few days before the 180 days are up. You cannot stay 181 days (even if that's 6 months on a calendar)! Seriously, they are manic about their Visa rules

You can get to Nepal going overland by train to the border. (No trains in Nepal), then catching a public bus at the border for the trip to Kathmandu. I did that years ago & it was excellent! It took me about 3 days from Delhi to Kathmandu with an overnight at the border town of Birgunj. I don't know how it works now, but it's probably similar to when I did it.

There are also probably tourist oriented buses that will take you all the way from India to Kathmandu. When I say "tourist" I mean travelers like yourself who are spending a long time in India.

Apr 18th, 2009, 06:11	#1
gødspeed Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 7	Best route to Varanasi from anywhere, for the spiritual traveller Soon, I'm not sure when, but soon (maybe after the monsoon season?), I'm going to go to Varanasi. I won't go into what exactly my motivations are, except to say that I'll be going for spiritual reasons, and on the cheap. I could fly straight into Varanasi, but I think I'd rather see some of the rest of India before staying, possibly for some time (with brief excursions to Nepal to renew my visa), in that city. I don't want the tourist experience, or indeed even a comfortable one. I am ready to travel long distances by foot, or in meager public transport arrangements, and have good tolerance for heat and traveller's diseases (though I will obviously take all precautions). I would like to experience the timeless India I believe to exist beyond the regions that have become Westernized through the recent surge in tourism and corporate globalization. I am 20 years old, and have already travelled much of Europe, but this will be my first time in Asia, and my first time alone in a foreign country. I am learning Hindi now, but don't expect to have conversational skills before spending time there. Given what I have said, what would likeminded travellers reccommend as far as routes to take goes? Considerations would include avoiding tourist hotspots, flying into an airport that would minimize airfare, and seeing a variety of regions; distance from Varanasi isn't a concern really (i.e southern India would be a possibility, or from the Bodhi tree, etc). I'll appreciate any advice

Apr 18th, 2009, 06:16	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,573	The cheapest flights are nearly always to Mumbai and Delhi. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Apr 18th, 2009, 10:47	#5
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,048	Don't forget you can get a 10 year tourist Visa for India if you are a U.S. citizen. That means you can stay up to 6 months at a time before you have to leave. You can go where ever you want, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka (if the civil war stops, & maybe it will soon) then come back into India with no problem! That should give you a nice long time for your spiritual journey! Definitely do not get a 6 month tourist visa, you will regret it!! There have been a few recent posts by people having a really hard time getting a new Visa when their 6 month one runs out. Huge hassle. Nepal may not give them easily & Sri Lanka apparently only gives 3 months. __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
best route varanasi to kerala asap!!	TickleMeTommo	India Travel Itinerary Advice	5	Jan 16th, 2009 11:20
delhi, golden triangle, amritsar, wagah, shimla, varanasi - best route?	jammyg	India Travel Itinerary Advice	8	Nov 16th, 2008 04:25
Nicer Agra-Varanasi route by going to Tundla Jct? 13th Nov 2008	12q	Indian Railways	3	Sep 25th, 2008 02:39
Cochin-Varanasi Please help me find a good route!	flozimm	Indian Railways	8	Aug 4th, 2008 02:20
Varanasi to Rishikesh - best route?	Anj in London	Indian Railways	5	Oct 23rd, 2007 06:13

Apr 18th, 2009, 07:35	#3
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,603	The great thing about India - (for travellers such as yourself, maybe not so great for some of the people actually living 'timelessly') is that even in the 'tourist hotspots' the timeless India you seek is ever present..on every street.in every village.... the layering of Indian culture ancient and modern, one on top of the other, one mixed with the other, spiritual and secular co-existing even in the most sacred places... is, to me anyway, one of the main reasons it fascinates and draws me back (soon I hope).. You are as likely to find people living in Delhi as they have lived for centuries as you are to find people in a remote village living traditionally but each with a mobile phone.. Don't try and avoid anything in India and don't form an opinion in advance of what may or may not be 'spiritual' or 'genuine'. Just plunge in and take it all as it comes... any preconceptions you have will be gone within hours!

Apr 18th, 2009, 07:39	#4
bruce3404 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon USA Posts: 352	Sometimes you can piggyback a cheap fare from Bangkok and on to Calcutta. You would buy your Calcutta ticket from a BKK agent. It's really just a matter of doing your homework and using as many online sites as possible to root out the lowest fares. You might check some India travel specialists in Portland; Indian agents who typically deal with Indian people. If you can get to India for $1,200 or less from the West Coast, you've done a good job.

Apr 18th, 2009, 12:00	#6
gødspeed Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 7	Thanks for the responses! On the topic of visas, approximately how long does it take for an application to be approved? Is a 10-year application guaranteed to be approved, provided a clean background check and whatnot? I've never had to deal with a visa before as I have dual citizenship with an EU passport. Also, would one need a Nepalese visa to briefly cross the border (more or less only to renew their India visa)? I think I may fly to Mumbai and travel by foot and train around the country until I feel that the time is right, then head to the Ganges delta and make my way up the river to Varanasi, possibly making a detour to Bodh Gaya or otherwise taking an excursion there after spending some time in the city.

Apr 18th, 2009, 23:32	#7
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,048	If you don't have a US passport, I'm pretty sure you cannot get a 10 year Visa. An India visa is glued directly into the passport. If you do have a US passport & apply for an India visa, it is usually given. I don't know what kind of checks, if any, they do before you get it. I've never met anyone who was denied a Visa. If you can get a 6 month one you can get a 5 or 10 year one (same price). The process has been outsourced to: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.c om/homepage You can do it by mail. I did & no problem. Just be sure to follow the directions carefully. About Nepal. Everyone here has been reporting that you cannot renew your Visa for India there. I don't know why, you used to be able to do it. If you do go to Nepal, you should stay awhile (I think you can get a visa when you enter). It's an awesome and extremely spiritual place! You would probably love it there and want to stay awhile. It's quieter & easier to deal with than India & you might welcome the change of pace. I found a link to the India Embassy in Kathmandu and they really do make it difficult to get a Visa there. You can read about it here. http://www.south-asia.com/Embassy-india/consular.htm

Apr 18th, 2009, 23:55	#8
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	You can try the Varanasi Bhopal corridor and visit places like Khajuraho Orchha, Ujjain etc. Post a message when you are ready to come and somebody will provide good ideas. But I would like to mention here that be careful in travelling and don’t travel after dark as you will be alone, just a precaution.

Apr 19th, 2009, 11:27	#9
gødspeed Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 7	Nepal sounds like a great place, and I think I'll visit at some point. But if not Nepal, which border would one cross to renew their visa when in northern India? When my parents travelled in India they would go to Sri Lanka or the Maldives for their visa and Nepal as well I think. But Sri Lanka sounds a bit sketchy these days, as does Pakistan, and Myanmar, and I'd rather avoid China, so without Nepal that leaves only Bangladesh? Also, how dangerous would it really be to be alone in India at night? I am 6'5 (196cm) and athletic, and can handle most confrontations, but I really don't know what kind of dangerous situations I might encounter in India? edit -- oh, and I do have a US passport as well.

Apr 19th, 2009, 11:40	#10
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	India is absolutely safe, no problems as such. But it is advisable to keep adventure spirit in control a bit as in remote places you may not be able to find usual resources we are used to. You can be alone at night in towns and cities, I was referring to travelling alone at night on less travelled roads as some unexpected problems may turn up any time.

Apr 19th, 2009, 12:18	#11
bruce3404 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon USA Posts: 352	I wouldn't rule out Myanmar, though I'm not sure you'd be allowed to make a land crossing from India. I spent a month there a little over a year ago and experienced no problems whatsoever. The people there are very kind, which is more than I can say about their government.

Apr 20th, 2009, 00:51	#15
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,048	Yes, I misunderstood you. Yes, going to Nepal would be the easiest! And the most interesting. And YES, that does mean you can stay another 180 days! Just make sure you leave a few days before the 180 days are up. You cannot stay 181 days (even if that's 6 months on a calendar)! Seriously, they are manic about their Visa rules You can get to Nepal going overland by train to the border. (No trains in Nepal), then catching a public bus at the border for the trip to Kathmandu. I did that years ago & it was excellent! It took me about 3 days from Delhi to Kathmandu with an overnight at the border town of Birgunj. I don't know how it works now, but it's probably similar to when I did it. There are also probably tourist oriented buses that will take you all the way from India to Kathmandu. When I say "tourist" I mean travelers like yourself who are spending a long time in India.