India Calls
Namaste,
I'm a 64 yr old male, good health, very experienced traveler but have never been to India. Because of other travel plans, I'm considering the last 2 weeks of September and the first week of October 2010. Looking for ideas based upon what I would like to do/experience in India.
1. Meet people (I only speak English and Spanish).
2. Eat dishes from various parts of India.
3. Visit a Hindu Temple
4. Visit a Mosque
5. Visit, help prepare and eat food at a Jain Temple.
6. Visit 2 very different sates (regions) for 10 days each.
7. In each of the 2 regions, spend at least 2 days in a town of no more than 50,000 population.
8. Visits markets to observe everyday life and not to buy souveneers.
9. Visit a couple of small villages.
10. Visit a couple of old Forts
11. Stay away from the mega tourist areas (e.g. Agra, etc.)
I was originally thinking Rajasthan but really don't want to "do the same old circuit" . However, I find places like Jalore intriguing.
Any ideas to get me started with further research?
Namaste and thank you,
E3
pilotalok I feel Rajasthan shall be one of the options.....try Jaisalmer this time....u can find forts and life of villagers in desert areas....can even explore what are the impacts of lifestyle transition of region from pure desert to a green area over the years due to Indira Canal project.
e3brown Thank you,. Pilotalok,
After lots of research, I have come up with a schedule. For the first 17 days, I will hire a car and driver. I know Namaste India Tours will be one company I'll price but will also price 2 others. Here is my schedule. It's a little busy but I've added Bundi for a break. Delhi (2 nights), Jhunjhunu (1 night), Bikaner (2 nights), Jaisalmer (3 nights), Jodhpur (1 night), Udaipur (2 nights), Bundi (3 nights), Jaipur (2 nights), Delhi (2 nights). This is where I no longer will use a driver but will take an over night train to Varanasi for 4 days and take a train to Rampur ( 2 nights), back to Delhi (1 night), fly home.
exploreteam E3, congrats on your resolve to "just do it" and see what India has to offer - or at least how it will change you. If you really are interested in getting a bit more off the beaten path, and perhaps seeing some of the great work that nonprofits are doing in the places you plan to visit, check out the India section of our website: http://explore.org/explore/india. You will find video profiles of several small NGOs in Varanasi and Jaipur that may be worth visiting while you are there. Just a suggestion for a different angle on India...
mahendratiger Dear friend,
The route decided by you is ok. try to stay at mewar inn in udaipur where lovely room with own private bahroom hot showers will cost you rs 200 only. visit www.hotelmewarinn.com
mahendra