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Old 07-17-2008, 03:52 PM   #1
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Default 4 weeks in Indian - itinery

I am going on my first travelling adventure to Indian in November for 4 weeks.

I am trying to come up with some kind of a plan but hell, India's really big! I have bought the Lonely Planet guide to help but that's so big it's made me dizzy.

My biggest concern making my plans is planning too do much in too little time. I would like therefore to run my current sketched plan by you, and put it out there for recommendations and criticism, etc.

I have tried to split the weeks into 4 blocks, with each one containing a main highlight, I am visiting family in Pakistan beforehand so I will be coming in other the border at Kashmir, my itinery then runs like this
week 1 - Delhi and surround, finding my feet and sightseeing (the Taj)
week 2 - Rajasthan region - go on a 3 day camel safari
week 3 -Bhuj (gujarat region) - stay in mud huts and experience village life
week 4 - Goa - a week of quiet reflection before heading to Mumbai to flying back home.

What d'you think?
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Old 07-17-2008, 08:16 PM   #2
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Hi there! You're going to have a great time. India is big fun.

Planning to stay the first week in Delhi and environs is a good idea. India can be incredibly hard on your senses at first and you need a few days to just chill out. The trip to Agra can easily be done in one day if you want, but I recommend staying a night so that you can spend more time at the Taj and see it in varying light. It's wonderful.

What part of Rajasthan are you planning to go to? For one week including fitting in a 3-day camel safari I would say no more than two cities max. Jaisalmer is the most popular camel safari stop although I've heard they can also be done from Bikaner. Bikaner has an advantage over Jaisalmer in that it's not NEARLY as hell-and-gone west, but it's also not as interesting a city. For your second Rajasthan stop I would HIGHLY recommend Udaipur. It's an incredibly beautiful fairytale city. Don't miss it!!

I don't know much about Gujarat other than I want to see the Rann of Kutch sometime. Sweet. Make sure to write about your experience!

If you're looking for quiet reflection at the end of your trip, well, I wouldn't recommend Goa. It's more of a beach party lifestyle there. If you want something a little more chilled out, head to the beaches of Kerala instead. You MUST see the backwaters-- in my opinion the best place to relax and "get away from it all" in the entire Indian Subcontinent. Seriously. The only problem with Kerala is that it's about another 12-ish hours south on the train from Goa, so it'll take longer to get there... but it's SO worth it! Really! go go go there.

I have a bunch of pictures of India (and pertaining to what I've recommended, Delhi/Taj/Udaipur/Kerala as well) located HERE.

Let us know what you decide!
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Old 07-18-2008, 08:35 AM   #3
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Thanks Space Virgin - my itinary will run pretty much as you've suggested. I am only going to Gujarat for the staying with idegenous folk in mud huts, so I may do that for few days then motor on South to Kerela, then I can work my way back to Mumbai for my flight via Goa.

I am so excited!

Another question, accommodation? Do you book all you rooms before you head out there or can you get away with doing it as you go and book a couple of days before you're due to arrive????
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Old 07-18-2008, 11:18 AM   #4
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I've usually booked things a few days in advance, but that does cut into your spontaneity a bit if that's what you're looking for.

Two very important things:

1. At the very least book a hotel for Delhi before you go. MAKE SURE YOU ARRANGE FOR AIRPORT PICKUP WITH THE HOTEL (if they offer it). It may cost you anywhere from Rs 300 to Rs 700 extra (sometimes it's included) but it's worth it. If you take your chances with a rickshaw or taxi you will almost CERTAINLY get "touted". Read up on those scams but understand that most of the time it's really not as awful and horrible as guidebooks would have you believe. Heck, sometimes you end up with a decent deal-- and you're not in danger or anything, but it's a nuisance. The pre-paid taxi stand INSIDE the airport (near the money exchange counter as you leave) is rife with touts; the pre-paid taxi stand just OUTSIDE the door is a better bet.

2. November is the start of peak season, so there will be more travelers. I would recommend booking accommodation a day or two in advance (as opposed to booking everything from home before you go or just wandering around when you get off the train).

3. "India Time" can make you pretty lazy. You've been warned.
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Old 07-23-2008, 08:52 AM   #5
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your point about 'india time' has been noted, I suppose I could go for 5 weeks :D
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Old 07-23-2008, 11:24 PM   #6
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Yeah. In some places people don't even really know how old they are, so the passage of time means a lot less. This is most prominently evidenced by the frequent delays in any kind of transportation. It sorta forces you to adapt whether or not you want to.
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Old 07-23-2008, 11:26 PM   #7
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And one more thing: The prices in that Lonely Planet are already woefully out of date. Yes, it says "published in September 2007", but believe me, just count on everything being at least 10% higher than what's printed in there. Knowing this will make the sticker shock a little easier to take.
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Old 07-25-2008, 03:42 AM   #8
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I will bare that in mind, i have budgeted for about £35 a day (approx 3000 IND Rupees) which I am hoping will be enough
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Old 07-25-2008, 08:19 AM   #9
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Should be good. Have a fantastic time! I'll be there for a couple of weeks starting next week-- more blog updates. w00t!
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Old 07-27-2008, 04:15 AM   #10
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Just wanted to say have a great time in India. Don't stress out too much, take it all as a game. Not too much advice for the places on your list since I've only done Delhi and Agra out of those, but I'm currently sitting and chilling in Varanasi, and it's superbly peaceful here by Assi Ghat compared to the madness of the Old City. I've been living on around 500 rupees a day so I'm pretty sure you're golden if you have 35 quid a day (lots of shopping to be done with that)!
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