2 weeks in India

Hi, currently planning a 6 week trip to Asia this summer/september. I'm a young fit but experienced traveller and am aware India is huge and overwhelming but am prepared to exhaust myself and fit as much as I can whilst enjoying it.

Because of other commitments I only really have 2 weeks in India either in the 2nd half of september or the 2nd half of august.

I'm thinking of focusing on Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Rajasthan with this rough itinerary - Delhi, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Varanasi. I'm aware of Jaipur Jaisalmer etc. but have discounted these because they're either quite far or a bit overdeveloped I don't think I'm interested in Jaipur. How much time do you think each of these stops warrants?

Because of other commitments I only really have 2 weeks in India either in the 2nd half of september or the 2nd half of august.

September, and the later the better.

I don't think I'm interested in Jaipur.

Depends what kind of traveller you are. Jaipur has more to see and do than any city in Rajasthan.

Delhi, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Varanasi. How much time do you think each of these stops warrants?

How long is a piece of string? Minimum requirements: 1 day for each of Udaipur, Agra, and Jodhpur will allow you to visit the major sights in those cities. Three days in each of Delhi and Varanasi. If you have just 14 days, I wouldn't try to add any other destinations.

This is a good 2 week itinerary. I mean, it's hard to properly do more than 5 places in India in 2 weeks time, and you've listed exactly 5 places. Most likely you'll want to fly in and out of Varanasi.

How much time do you think each of these stops warrants?

Delhi and Varanasi deserve more days than the places you listed in Rajasthan. You can do the main sights in Jodhpur in one day, even including Mandore Gardens if you use taxi transport.

I don't think I'm interested in Jaipur

Jaipur has wonderful sights, even more than most cities in Rajasthan. But it is intensely urban, definitely not the most relaxing way to visit Rajasthan.

Are you flying in and out of Delhi? Overnight Sleeper Trains or Sleeper Buses would be a good way to save time moving between destinations so you don't lose days travelling. You could look at a route of Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Udaipur - Agra - Varanasi. Here are some thoughts on the places you mention;

Delhi - We (my wife & I) weren't keen on Delhi. I would have less time here to free up time elsewhere.

Jaipur - Loved it. There's a walled city element, lots of sites and a day trip to Amer Fort.

Jaisalmer - I wouldn't discount this place either. We got to stay inside the walls of the fort which is very different. You can also do an overnight trip to the surrounding desert.

Udaipur - Very nice. There's the palace and the lake etc. It was boiling hot when we were there so we had a couple of great pool days up on a rooftop overlooking the lake.

Agra - Didn't like Agra much but worth going to for Taj Mahal, and a day trip out to Fatehpur Sikri.

Varanasi - Loved it. Not perhaps a huge amount of sites but it was our second stop in India and I'd never been anywhere like it.

Jodhpur - Did not visit so can't say.

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Hi, we've just returned from a couple of weeks in India over Christmas. We didn't much like Agra apart from the essential Taj Mahal and fort. We loved Jaipur - the Pink City might appear hectic but is actually a great and relatively hassle-free place to shop. Jodhpur is nice - you should try to do the Flying Fox zipwire from the fort, which is sensational (go as early as you can for best views). Would also strongly suggest Jaisalmer - very, very different, a real desert feel to the place. Overnight camel safari was also superb, organised by Shahi Palace hotel, which is also recommended.

Well, be careful with air pollution in Delhi. For Udaipur, I can tell you that 2 days is good enough. Be aware of scams though.

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