1

Most people go to Agra, and most prefer Varansi over Jaipur. Further a field in monsoon seems inutile in your time frame.

2

I've just spent a week in Udaipur and really enjoyed it. Train to Agra tonight, one night there, then Delhi - I've been here a while but that would be a 3 stop trip that might work for you, with a couple of overnight trains so you can sleep. I'm no expert but that's my 2 cents. cheerio

3

Amritsar - Golden Temple - Amritsar is a MUCH nicer city than Agra, and the Golden Temple is more stunning than the Taj in my honest opinion. A better experience.

4

Delhi Agra Rishikesh,

5

I definitely second the suggestion to go to Amritsar over Agra. Amritsar is fantastic. If you're desperate to see the Taj you can visit on a day trip from Delhi, not ideal but fine. Agra Fort is very similar to the Red Fort in Delhi and the rest of Agra is just a congested, grey city with rather pushy salesmen. The best photos from my trip are from the Golden Temple, the Punjabi people there are warm and kind and you will be welcomed in a way that you won't be in Jaipur or Agra because they see so many thousands of tourists. Whilst you're up there, you can also go to Wagah to the border ceremony which is fun. Personally, I'd combine Delhi-Amritsar and somewhere north of Delhi like Haridwar or Rishekesh where you can get the religious vibe/ghats. (I haven't been to either place but they sound like they offer some similar attractions to Varanasi). If you have the budget to fly then domestic flights are really cheap so take advantage of that.

I don't really 'get' the 'Golden Triangle' thing (Delhi/Agra/Jaipur)- much as I loved all of those places or what they have to offer, it's a golden triangle of Mughal architecture and big cities, not any kind of microcosm of northern India.

Varanasi is also amazing, but only go if you're sure you want an earthy experience and you love street life, getting lost in alleyways and the religious angle- I was amazed how many people just didn't love it the way I did. I knew instinctively that I'd love it and I did, so read up lots beforehand.

6

thanks on yours replays....
for now I am considering Udaipur and Amritsar...
so I must choose between...

7

I never been to Udaipur. Amritsar is a great place. If you visit Amritsar, make sure you stay at Golden temple. There is a free accommodation for traveler (you only need to give donation). Golden temple is one of my favorite place in India

8

Delhi 3 nights
/Amritsar 1-2 nights
Deeg .( day trip from Delhi)

9

"Agra Fort is very similar to the Red Fort in Delhi and the rest of Agra is just a congested, grey city with rather pushy salesmen. The best photos "

Really, Agra Fort is far superior to the Red Fort and there are several other things to see in and around the city.

I strangely didn't find the sales pitch too bad in Agra though I was expecting the worst maybe I'm getting immune though.

Edited by: cyberhippie

10

if you find you HAVE to go to Agra then you can always get the express train early in the morning (6am-ish) from New Delhi, have a look around then get the express train back in the evening, rest the night, then get the train the next day, or you can continue straight on to Amritsar overnight. Its a damn busy day but you'll sleep well on the overnight train.

Dave K

Edited by: David_K

11

I spent last night in Agra, found a nice cycle rickshaw guy (Salim), and managed to pack quite a bit of stuff in without wearing myself out (baby taj, the garden where you can watch the sunset over the Taj, then the Taj in the morning, then the Fort). I really enjoyed it and there are almost no western tourists at the moment, for those who care about that sort of thing - you know those pics you always see of the Taj with a few thousand people walking along the promenade? For loooong periods of time there wasn't a single person walking there. So, as long as you don't mind million degree heat this seems like a good time to go. I'm glad I did, my aunt told me I couldn't go to India twice and still not have seen the Taj, and she was right. And I didn't find the touts etc any more aggressive than anywhere else. Stayed at the Sheela, which was nice enough and had a lovely garden which is always a plus for me.

12

Cyberhippie, you're right, I was being a bit flippant and Agra Fort is indeed better than the Red Fort but it's a similar style so either would be a good taster for Mughal architecture. IThe OP can always go back one day. I can't even say I explored Agra properly, but I did find the touts not neccesarily more aggressive but they weren't as much fun to barter with, took themselves far more seriously and were sneakier.

But my point is that someone could schedule 2 or 3 or even 4 full days in Agra (first time planners to India always suggest this then get told not to), and with only 7 days in India, it's just not where I'd choose to spend such limited time. Also, I'm a fan of variety, especially on a first trip to a country- I don't think Delhi + Agra equals much variety, that's all.

13

if you can fly you could spend 3 nights in Delhi and then say 2 nights in Ahmedabad ,Hyderabad or Kochi.