India Travel Answers

Best time to travel in India is between October and March. If you are interested in the 'Raj' era= Kolkata has many monuments that were erected during the Raj period. You will, however, find much in Delhi also. Rajasthan is in my opinion the most interesting state regarding Maharajahs- many amazing palaces and forts. And I have seen a lot of India , visiting almost every year. For more info on India, click on my name for my HOMEPAGE. On the homepage there are LINKS for many cities and towns in India. Most have recommendations for accomodation, things to see and so etc etc. Just click on any, and scroll down page for tips. If you are thinking of visiting Kashmir- go March or later- it will be cold there. Rajasthan the weather will be perfect Oct-March, but Delhi can be a bit chilly - warmer after Feb/March.

I think you should consider Rajahstan with such wonderful places as Jaiselmir with the desert fortress, Udaipur with its palaces and lake, Jaiphur and Jodphur for same reasons and the holy town of Pushkar (camel festival in November. Three days in each should be fine. Then Amritser is another interesting place with the Sikh Temple. Kullu valley is interesting but no trains. Shimla, the old brit hill station. Perhaps another area would be Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho and over to NJP and up on the toy train to Darjeeling. hope this is of help to you, For sure Rajahstan is a must!!!

Yep - I'd suggest Rajahstan too - Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur were brilliant and we missed out Jaisalmar bu tthat sounds great for a camel trek in the desert.

If you travel from mid-October to mid-November, it would be ideal as the worst of summer would be over and the chill of winter would not have set in. So, perhaps, your itinerary could be like this: 1. Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Udaipur - Delhi (Palaces, Royalty) = by train and by road. [10 days] 2. Delhi - Srinagar - Gulmurg - Srinagar - Delhi (Jammu & Kashmir) = plane and by road. [5 days] 3. Delhi - Shimla - Dalhousie - Mussoorie (Raj era) = by road [10 days] OR 3. Delhi - Kolkata (Raj era) = by plane [5 days] 4. Delhi - Chennai - Delhi (South India) = by plane [5 days] My maths is not very good, so perhaps, the total may be more than a month!

If you like to see tigers Bandhavgarh national park that was an old Raj hunting ground might be something. Khajuraho is very nice too if you like to see temples. ;-) Enjoy

In India in my opinion you should make planning to visit Goa, Mussoorie, Manali, Darjeeling, Shimla, Kerala and more beautiful and luxurious places.

I've found a train itinerary that meets most of our criteria. This begins in Delhi and embraces Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Simla and Delhi.Spread over 3 weeks or so,I reckon this should give us some latitude for side trips etc. My concern is about being able to make train reservations on the fly without having a set timetable. Are trains crowded to the point where we may not be able to get AC1 or AC2 berths? Your replies so far have been of great value and I thank you all so much. David

David we have done many many train trips in India. I have never had to pre book, especially 1AC or 2AC. At all the main stations, there is a 'foreigners booth" which has a quota for foreigners. We usually go there and are able to purchase onwards tickets to wherever. If you feel safer pre-booking, then do so. But personally, I don't believe its absolutely necessary. Enquire at main station in Delhi.

"Book your train from home if you can." - India Transportation Tip by TheView If you can do pre-book ...just my two cent ;-)

I think Goa is the best suitable place specially you take more fun at beaches, resorts and also see the best monument places over there.

OK - we're ready to rock and roll. Tickets to New Delhi, leaving Oz on Boxing Day, paid for yesterday. I realise that this is on-season and wonder about the need to book hotels now. I've done some googling and find that some sites tell me that there are no rooms available for the dates I select in early January. Maybe because it's too far ahead - I don't know. But I'd appreciate input as to whether or not pre-booking accomomdation is essential

I think booking will probably not be necessary. I have been there during the busy season and never had a problem but i might point out that i was staying in the cheaper places. Roll on boxing day!

David I would book asap......especially if you want decent clean and comfortable accommodation. Of course, you will ALWAYS find a place to stay- but the hotels in India are very different if compared to Australian standerds. Often there are problems with plumbing, you will wake up to find that you have no hot water etc etc. B&B are good in Delhi ( stay in Nizamuddin East- a beautifully green area near to most historical monuments) So- look at the reviews. I have some in most of my India pages. I have 3 in Delhi, and of course- Udaipur (at Jaiwana). For Jaiwana I would recommend that you definitely book. It is very popular.

B&Bs are coming up in a big way in India now. Even in the remote North-East of India, it is the preferred choice. You can try out airbnb.com for B&Bs. Some VT members had endorsed it.

Thanks, Lynne - helpful as ever! I've booked Jaiwana and Amaaya and have requested Fairlawn in Kolkata. Responses have all been so helpful, offering car, driver, rail and plane bookings - and we got a really good price on SIA through an agent in Sydney, And on the 18th we're off to Vanuatu for a month and will be reporting on the Tara Beach Resort. David

Good David! I'm sure that you are going to have a great time in India. And Vanuatu! It wull surely be a bit warmer there.......I am SO looking forward to a bit of Italian sunshine. We leave on 20th July. Best regards.

Lynne=You'll get enough of it (sunshine), let me assure you of that!

@Anil Sunshine is needed. Its sooooooo cold here in Sydney! How is your trip going?

@Lynne Great, good, trip! Heavy with gelatto and yearning for more! Put on 5 kegs, I think! VTers' advice was truly great! Thank You!

In Rome, an old tortoise named Myrtle Was in prison for stealing a girdle. Then the Vatican City Agreed to have pity And the headlines read: "Pope Springs a Turtle!" David

I shall have to seek out Myrtle!

I shall have to seek out Myrtle!