I am trying to plan a RTW trip, just getting started though. I would love to visit India, what city should i stay in i say i could have only one stopover. I would think it'd be out of Calcutta, Delhi, and Bombay, or maybe some rural town of interest? COuld someone let me know reasons for each place. Thanks!

I grew up in BOM and quite honestly believe that it is the center of the universe! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Seriously though, it is the best Indian city to base a trip out of by a long way. The climate is a lot more forgiving than Delhi and it is much more cosmopolitan than Calcutta or Madras. Bangalore might be another option, but it is not particularly well connected internationally.

Both Indian Airlines (IC) and Jet Airways (9W) have unlimited flight packages for tourists.

IC offers a 21-day package for $750, 15-day for $500 and 7-day (regional packages) for $300.
http://indian-airlines.nic.in/vsindian-airlines/fares/foreign.htm

9W offers a 21-day package for $800, 15-day for $550 and 7-day systemwide for $300.
http://asp.jetairways.com/offers/fares.htm

Hi,

I have a base in India, thus I write. I would suggest going to New Delhi. It offers a blend of modern and old. You can also visit the world famous Taj Mahal, which is close by to Delhi (either by Train or Car).
Delhi offers several sightseeing options, e.g. The Red Fort, The Qutab Minar, The India Gate, The Lotus Temple. It also provides good accomodation, e.g. Sheraton, Hyatts, as well as leading Indian Hotels.

Finally, you could also visit the desert state of Rajasthan, which is close to Delhi.
Rajasthan has several sights to see as well, and is a very cultural/beautiful place.

As for Bombay, it is like New York, a cosmopolitan city. It has a few sightseeing options, and several hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, shops.

It all depends on how many days you want to spend in India, and what you are looking for. Overall, I recommend Delhi, since it offers sightseeing, culture, nightclubs,great food,proxmity to other locations,and shopping.

Let me know if I can help you any more.
Best of Luck,
AK

I've been to India only once, but I would suggest New Delhi.

Bruce

Definitely Delhi, you can visit Jaipur from there which is close by and definitely worth seeing.

having just returned from a fabulous 6 week adventure in India I would say Bombay is great for transfering and Delhi is even better for touring Agra (Taj Mahal) and Jaipur and surrounding areas. If you do go to Bombay..be sure and visit Goa. I recommend both cities for the trip of your life. I spent 1 year in India 25 yrs ago and I wanted to go back and do it again...feel free to e-mail me for places to stay and current info. You will never be the same after your trip and that is in a very good sense.

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MRKEY

thanks alot guys! this is why i love FT! I have been deciding on 2 cities in India in conjunction with Kathmandu, Nepal to stop over in this part of the world in my RTW... so far it looks like BOM & DEL are the way to go! Thanks!

Wrong question ! - wrong answer !

India is a subcontinent. Would visiting SFO
represent the flavor of US ? or visting NYC ?
or CHI ? .....

If you have few days (< week), then pick the
city that your RTW allows ya to land in, and
do the touristy thing -- All of us ex-pats http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
be ****ed. Honestly !

Last month while visiting BOM, I had in seat
next to me someone who was gonna do 5 cities
in a week (Bombay,Delhi,Agra,Calcutta,Madras,Bangalore)
and fly back from Bombay to FRA-JFK. Polite as always I am :-) I asked him who planned his sched. -- Guess what, his boss's sec. :-)

Moral of the story - Pick a few guidebooks,
get a feel of what you really want and do a
reality check here (Each one of us here are
biased towards something or the other.)

I spent eight months travelling in India, and
barely scratched the surface (that was ~25 years ago). Too little time -too many places to go.

I would definitely choose Delhi over Bombay if you have only one stop. However, it will be HOT in May. Both places. Be sure to have Mogul food at the Sheraton in New Delhi. It is different from anything else you will try. If you can, stay the overnight at Agra so you can see the Taj Mahal at night and dawn.

Bangalore (India's Silicon Valley) is only for techies on business, is quite small and has few attractions for tourists. I would not even consider it - though it is near Mysore.

I recommend the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu. It is nice enough (5 star in Kathmandu is equal to 3 anywhere else, inc India), and is well located. Avoid the Annapurna like the plague. The streets are cleaner in Kathmandu than in cities in India but the hotels are less deluxe. You will find this city quite interesting and exotic. You will not think you are in Kansas anymore!