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Backpacking through India

Replies: 9 - Last Post: Jul 30, 2012 3:51 AM Last Post By: ssegaert

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ssegaert

ssegaert avatar

Jul 28, 2012 9:24 PM
Posts:  5

Backpacking through India

Hi There,

I am in the process of planning a trip to India and wanted some advice on where I should go & what i should do etc. I was thinking to backpack with a friend or alternatively just do tours - I want to weigh up the price difference. I am planning to be there for 4-6 weeks and want to visit all the main sites - Delhi, Goa, Mumbay, Backwaters etc plus the surrounding cities etc. I also want to go to teh national parks to do some tiger safari's. As this is my first real overseas trip, can anyone give me an indication as to how much I should budget per day for the trip? I am happy to stay in hostels etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks! :)

ssegaert

ssegaert avatar

Jul 28, 2012 11:47 PM
Posts:  5

1

Well timing really depends on money I guess... I was hoping to go next oct/nov as I also am planning to include base camp (separate to my time in India). At minimum I want to do Amritsar, Delhi, mumbai, goa & the backwaters. ...

I'm totally new to the travel scene so need as much advice as I can get! Lol...

So please, any advice you have would be wonderful...

ansh_jain_97

ansh_jain_97 avatar

Jul 29, 2012 12:53 AM
Posts:  2,134

2

Oct/Nov is a fine time to visit. I wouldn't visit any earlier.

jazzmanblues

jazzmanblues avatar

Jul 29, 2012 3:46 PM
Posts:  681

3

4-6 weeks?..I would try to settle on either north or south India.Go do Delhi-Taj-Amritsar...Or..go to Mumbai-Goa-Kerala.You only have 6 weeks,which is very little time to cover all that you mentioned.Your wish to see all the sites is great,but do not forget the people you will meet,the sights and sounds you will experience,or the joy and sorrow you will feel...The food,the daily life,the Smells,don't forget the intense,overwhelming,suble,sickening,beautiful smells of India!.Good luck.Slow down and enjoy......late Oct/Nov is fine..

jazzmanblues

jazzmanblues avatar

Jul 29, 2012 3:56 PM
Posts:  681

4

Also,you might consider a suitcase and a day pack.when you get off the plane there will be someone to carry your bags anywhere.Taxi drivers,hotel clerks...I carry only the bag I cherish.Just a thought.

ssegaert

ssegaert avatar

Jul 29, 2012 4:17 PM
Posts:  5

5

Thanks sooo much for this advice. How long do you think I would need to do what I have suggested?
Also how much do you think I would need to budget for per day?

I'm still not set on my trim frame... I could extend it... Depending on how much $ :))

I have no idea even how much to budget for the trip?

As you can see I'm still in early stages of planning...

As for bags.. I was hoping to get away with just a big backpack? But if you think I could take a suitcase as well as a smaller backpack... Even better! How safe is it? Also, can I take things like my iPad or will it get nicked?

jazzmanblues

jazzmanblues avatar

Jul 29, 2012 11:06 PM
Posts:  681

6

When I first decided to come to India,Of course,I started to load my backpack....Damn,I am not climbing mountains and such...Safe?..It is so much easier to cut/steal into a backpack than a suitcase...iPad/camera/$/family jewels?..keep them in a carry on that you carry and guard...Budget=$30-$45/day.Yes you can do it cheaper,but you do not know anyone or have friends in India to help.....How long to complete your stated goal?....Some would say a life time and a package tourist would say 3 weeks....India is different....Some people love it here and some people hate it.....And some folks love it and hate it at the same time........Let me borrow a line from a movie."You can read all the books you want ,but you are going to have to come here."

ssegaert

ssegaert avatar

Jul 30, 2012 12:08 AM
Posts:  5

7

$45 a day! Is that all? That's great news!! That means I can maybe extend to 3 months in India. Would that be enough time to see the things I initially mentioned?

jazzmanblues

jazzmanblues avatar

Jul 30, 2012 12:22 AM
Posts:  681

8

Yes,it depends on your comfort level...Do you want AC/cable TV/lots of beer,,it will be more.Delhi and Mumbai will cost $20-$50/nite..Goa/Kerala,buy the month will be $200.ssegaert,on this site,$45/day is consider a lot by our long term travelers.

ssegaert

ssegaert avatar

Jul 30, 2012 3:51 AM
Posts:  5

9

hmm you have given me a lot to think about! :) i think i need to figure where and what i want to see... just from speaking with you ive decided to increase the trip to 3 months (if not longer)

can you shed any light on the rail system?
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