Hi Everyone, I am planning a two week trip in India, I am still trying to shave things down to a do-able amount of sites in that amount of time.
Priority places - Delhi (mostly due to the airport), Varanasi, Agra
other places of interest - Rishikesh, Ellora & Ajanta Caves, Jaipur, Hampi, Kolkata, Bodhgaya
I know I will have to get rid of a lot, any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks
Delhi to Calcutta, taking in Agra, Varanasi, and Bodhgaya along the way would be possible, though rather rushed. You'd probably want to fly out of Calcutta that way.
Forget about the Ellora and Ajanta caves, and also Hampi, which are much too far away. Another alternative would be to do a loop from Delhi, taking in Jaipur, Agra, and Varanasi. That would give you 3-4 days in each city, say. All four have enough to occupy you for weeks, if you wanted.
Do note that you'll spend a lot of time on transport, with either option. Though riding the trains in India is an experience in itself, and not necessarily less interesting than exploring the cities.
I think a really good 2 week trip would be
Delhi
Agra
Orccha
Khajurajo
Varanasi
You might add on other stops along the way like Gwailor or Allahabad depending on the time and your interests. Gwailor has a fantasticaslly high fort, and Allahabad is an important Hindu pilgrimage place where 3 different rivers meet.
And then fly back to Delhi from Varanasi.
That allows you a good combination of places all along an easy west to east route. With Orccha and Khajuraho you get the chance to experience a more rural India, as well as the cities. And Khajurajo has all of the temples with erotic carvings.
There are only 2 rivers which meet in Allahabad...
I personally found Orccha rather overrated, and wouldn't recommend it to someone with limited time in India. It is a lot smaller than the cities though.
@robinfoneill.420366
two week trip in India, Priority places - Delhi (mostly due to the airport), Varanasi, Agra
Well, I think Delhi should be a priority not because of its airport but because of its visitor appeal.
other places of interest - Rishikesh, Ellora & Ajanta Caves, Jaipur, Hampi, Kolkata, Bodhgaya
Assuming Delhi, Varanasi and Agra, you can put a line through everywhere else except Rishikesh and Jaipur - and you can have one of those.
What sort of experience do you want? What appeals to you about India, and about the places you have nominated?
For mine:
Days 1-3 Delhi
Day 4 - car+driver to Jaipur
Days 5-7 Jaipur
Day 8 car+driver to Agra via https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/uttar-pradesh/fatehpur-sikri
Day 9+10 Agra In the evening of day 10 take the MARUDHAR EXPRESS to Varanasi (this train will actually go to Mughal Sarai, about 45 minutes from Varanasi)
Day 11-13 Varanasi
Daay 14 - Plane to Delhi for your connecting onward fligh.
There are only 2 rivers which meet in Allahabad...
Well, not according to Hindus. They can feel the Saraswati.
After landing at Delhi, spend a day or two at Delhi itself, Delhi has much to offer! Then go to Rishikesh by overnight train or Bus, train is comfortable and cheap. Haridwar and Rishikesh are great places explore. From there you can come to Varanasi and then to Agra. Depending on time you can add Jaipur also before returning to Delhi. Reserve more days for Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi.
Then go to Rishikesh by overnight train or Bus, train is comfortable and cheap.
Better that that, take a one hour flight from DEL. The plane is comfortable and cheap.
But the reality is that Rishikesh is not a good logistic fit with Jaipur / Agra / Varanasi. The most efficient and effective means of including Rishikesh would be a return flight DEL-DED. Anything else would be a waste of time in a trip of just 14 days.
ok, first of all- if you have only two weeks, book at least the 1st ride in advance, because trains can be overbooked for two weeks...second, yes, leave off some of the destinations.
first of all- delhi sucks, you can just move onto a domestic flight at the delhi airport. seriously.
i did not find rishikesh as amazing, unless you are really into yoga. haridwar does not have much to offer.
jaipur is beautiful. varanasi really depends on your personal taste. you either hate it or love it. hope i helped :)
tamar aviva baras
Hi Everyone, thank you very much for the input, I really appreciate it.
Question - how necessary is the Taj Mahal?
My main interest is history and religion (more the history of religion and not the practice of religion)
I am sad to have to miss out on Ajanta/Ellora caves but i understand its just not logistically possible in only 2 weeks.
thank you everyone.