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rajasthan 2 weeks , 4 kids, ideas

Replies: 8 - Last Post: Oct 11, 2012 9:02 PM Last Post By: rkmilne

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rkmilne

rkmilne avatar

Sep 29, 2012 8:47 AM
Posts:  45

rajasthan 2 weeks , 4 kids, ideas

Hi there helpful people!

I have survived 5 and a half months of travel now with husband and 4 kids through Tahiti, Anaheim US, Guatemala, Mexico, Paris, London, Jordan, Israel/West bank, Egypt and very briefly Dubai! Now we are in India for a month and are going to Manali for 2 weeks and want to spend 2 weeks seeing Rajasthan. Any advice on a Rajasthan must-see? (I have read other posts but have a few specific questions):
We are on a tight budget and plan to take sleeper class trains much of the time. The Taj Mahal is a must see and so is doing an elephant ride (Amber fort 10 mins near Jaipur seems possible-might forgo the actual fort though due to high cost x6 people). I am a visual person (ie like visually interesting places), my husband has been to India 20 years ago for a year or so and has seen Rajasthan but can't remember much except Udaipur. We're not that fussed on crowds but realise this is India! Our kids are active but reasonably accommodating. We need to start and end in Delhi. Ideas are Agra, Jaipur, Jodphur,Udaipur, Bundi, possibly Ranthambore maybe not (isn't it just like seeing tigers in a bigger slightly more naturl looking zoo?)and back to Delhi.Jaisalmer sounds great but we have just come from the Middle East and have seen great desert/ridden camel etc already and the Jaisalmer looks a long way. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Cheers!

zoltan

zoltan avatar

Sep 29, 2012 6:19 PM
Posts:  800

1

Jaisalmer is one of my favourite locations in Rajasthan. There's a lot more there than just camel safaris. There are many havellis; colourfully dressed locals (turbans are everywhere); the fort; the markets can be a bit of a pain, as can the gypsy people just inside the fort gates, who sell cheap imitation silver trinkets.

Jodhpur has a great fort and a new palace, but aside from that, there's not a lot to see /do there.

Jaipur is one of my least favourite locations in Raj. It's polluted; too many touts; it's a bustling city with not a lot going for it (imho).

Slightly off topic for your original question, if you want to see tigers, there's an amazing tiger sanctuary about 20 minutes from River Kwai in Thailand. To get there, it's easiest to get a guided tour. Once there, you can actually walk up to; pet and have photos taken with tigers. If you pay the extra fee, you can have a photo taken with a tiger putting its head in your lap (US$30 from memory).

There's no guarantee when going to Ranthambore, that you'll see tigers in the wild. I believe the best time is during the hot season, when they are most likely to be found near the watering holes.

cowantimmy12

cowantimmy12 avatar

Sep 29, 2012 10:45 PM
Posts:  799

2

not sure why you would subject your children to a pointless spectacle of elephant torture at the Amber Fort and then not even bother to go inside
the paint is very bad for the elephants skin
the roads and concrete are too hard for their feet
rethink your priorities

Pirate_at_50

Pirate_at_50 avatar

Sep 30, 2012 6:44 AM
Posts:  3,908

3

like visually interesting places

Then you`ll want to skip Jaipur. The Amber fort is particularly stupid, as is the cost to get there and back by rickshaw.

jannochka

jannochka avatar

Sep 30, 2012 10:09 AM
Posts:  11

4

Hello friends,

I want to visit some best places of Rajasthan and I have 7 days. I am very confused about places to visit. I think I can visit 3 or 4 places in 7 days. Please help me selecting cities to be seen.
Anyone who want to travel with us, please feel free to write us

jannochka

jannochka avatar

Sep 30, 2012 10:21 AM
Posts:  11

5

I want to visit some best places of Rajasthan and I have 7 days. I am very confused about places to visit. I think I can visit 3 or 4 places in 7 days. Please help me selecting cities to be seen.
if u want to travel with me send me a reply, my dates 1st january till 8

rkmilne

rkmilne avatar

Oct 2, 2012 10:04 PM
Posts:  45

6

Hmm. An interesting range of replies. It seems a general consensus to skip Jaipur, as I was thinking this way too. Ok thanks for the comments everybody.

premsubramaniam

premsubramaniam avatar

Oct 3, 2012 7:14 AM
Posts:  300

7

Your trip seems to overlap with the Dussehra celebrations Oct 17/24. This is also a holiday period for schools and colleges. In Kulu,Delhi there are large community celebrations, in Rajasthan more of a family affair.
From a visual perspective Jaisalmer would probably be the interesting place in Rajasthan.
In the Manali area you may like to consider a quieter place like Shoja.

rkmilne

rkmilne avatar

Oct 11, 2012 9:02 PM
Posts:  45

8

Thanks for that info. Have just got back from Vashisht, Losar, Kaza, Nako, Kalpa (?) and Shimla. Go to Rajasthan soon. Thanks.
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