*A, 1W, or AS Award to India & Comments on Trip
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
*A, 1W, or AS Award to India & Comments on Trip
My wife and I are planning a trip to India in February of 2013 for 12 days.
I'm looking for advice on the following:
1. How do we get there?
We're based in D.C. and want to visit at least one other country besides India on our trip (I know India deserves more time but my wife and I have a goal of visiting over 100 countries together in our lives so multiple country trips are a must for us).
Unfortunately, EY won't start IAD-AUH until 3/31/2013 and it will be too hot in April-May to go to India for us.
EK will start service in 9/2012 but I'm not sure if when/ if we'll be able to redeem AS miles on EK F.
Our miles/ points:
AA: 500K
US: 600K
AS: 40K (working on more apps/ churning to get us to 200K)
Marriott: 400K
UA: working on several chase cards to get us to 200K
My tentative thought:
DCA-JFK-AUH-CMB (EY F) using AA miles for one-way awards
DEL-ZRH-IAD (on LX and UA F) using UA miles for one-way awards
OR
IAD-ZRH-DEL roundtrip in F using US miles
2. What cities should we go to?
Delhi and Agra are must sees for us but what else?
My thoughts are Jaipur, Varanasi, or Amristar but given our short time frame this may be difficult.
3. Which neighboring country should we see?
Our initial thought was to fly to CMB first and explore Colombo and spend 3-4 days at a beach resort then fly to DEL for an adventure.
The other thought we have is to explore a bit of Nepal (we're not trekkers though) and then travel India.
One additional thought is to visit Amristar and cross the Pakistan border into Lahore (not sure on this one given safety concerns).
I'm looking for advice on the following:
1. How do we get there?
We're based in D.C. and want to visit at least one other country besides India on our trip (I know India deserves more time but my wife and I have a goal of visiting over 100 countries together in our lives so multiple country trips are a must for us).
Unfortunately, EY won't start IAD-AUH until 3/31/2013 and it will be too hot in April-May to go to India for us.
EK will start service in 9/2012 but I'm not sure if when/ if we'll be able to redeem AS miles on EK F.
Our miles/ points:
AA: 500K
US: 600K
AS: 40K (working on more apps/ churning to get us to 200K)
Marriott: 400K
UA: working on several chase cards to get us to 200K
My tentative thought:
DCA-JFK-AUH-CMB (EY F) using AA miles for one-way awards
DEL-ZRH-IAD (on LX and UA F) using UA miles for one-way awards
OR
IAD-ZRH-DEL roundtrip in F using US miles
2. What cities should we go to?
Delhi and Agra are must sees for us but what else?
My thoughts are Jaipur, Varanasi, or Amristar but given our short time frame this may be difficult.
3. Which neighboring country should we see?
Our initial thought was to fly to CMB first and explore Colombo and spend 3-4 days at a beach resort then fly to DEL for an adventure.
The other thought we have is to explore a bit of Nepal (we're not trekkers though) and then travel India.
One additional thought is to visit Amristar and cross the Pakistan border into Lahore (not sure on this one given safety concerns).
#2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: PC Plat RA, SPG Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 811
imho - Jaipur is cool, Delhi is ok. Agra (Taj Mahal is stunning) and Amritsar is a must see.. the golden temple is ridiculous.. you won't regret seeing it.
Another country in 12 days is a challenge. I was based in Asia and went for 10 days and covered Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Amritsar.. but you lose 1 more day from flight..
Day 1/2 - Travel to Delhi
Day 3 - Delhi
Day 4 - Delhi
Day 5 - Delhi - Agra
Day 6 - Agra (Taj)
Day 7 - Agra - Jaipur
Day 8 - Jaipur
Day 9 - Jaipur - Amritsar
Day 10 - Amritsar
Day 11 - Amritsar - Delhi
Day 12 - Flight home
Since you are checklisting countries.. probably good to ask where you have not been? No way you can cover Nepal in that time frame.
Can you add a few days? go to Maldives?
Another country in 12 days is a challenge. I was based in Asia and went for 10 days and covered Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Amritsar.. but you lose 1 more day from flight..
Day 1/2 - Travel to Delhi
Day 3 - Delhi
Day 4 - Delhi
Day 5 - Delhi - Agra
Day 6 - Agra (Taj)
Day 7 - Agra - Jaipur
Day 8 - Jaipur
Day 9 - Jaipur - Amritsar
Day 10 - Amritsar
Day 11 - Amritsar - Delhi
Day 12 - Flight home
Since you are checklisting countries.. probably good to ask where you have not been? No way you can cover Nepal in that time frame.
Can you add a few days? go to Maldives?
#3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 25
If you are only going to Agra to see the Taj Mahal like we were, then you could save a few days on the above itenarary. Agra is really not that far from Delhi and Jaipur. So you could leave Delhi early in the morning for Agra and then get back to Delhi by evening. Or even head forward towards Jaipur and get there by night.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LNK
Programs: US,PC
Posts: 743
How are you intending to move around? Taxi, Train, Flights or Bus :P
Also what are your interests? like spiritual places? hill stations? city buzz?
Dracs
Also what are your interests? like spiritual places? hill stations? city buzz?
Dracs
Last edited by dracs; Apr 27, 2012 at 8:48 pm Reason: infomation
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
As a US Chairmans, the choice is easy - use US miles for LH C
Go to DEL - first
see DEL- Agra- Jaipur - Amritsar - Varanasi -DEL
You can go DEL -BKK or SIN
Then fly back via NRT/ICN -WAS
Based in WAS as a US CP, this is fairly simple to do.
Personally rather than check off countries /cities in a mad race,
I think it is better to see one place for a few days well.
Since the trip allows stops of less than 24 hrs in each place, you could do
1 WAS-MUC-late flight 23 hrs stop
2 MUC-ZRH - 23 hrs stop
3 ZRH-BKK-23 hrs stop
4 BKK-DEL - stopover > 24 hrs
5-6 DEL-SIN- CMB Destination
7 CMB-SIN - 23 hrs
8 SIN-LAX
and then just use the AA miles to get back to WAS
I have had some success getting up to 10 segments on US,
but often the limit is 8 sectors.
This trip will allow you to "see" 6 countries, but I think it would be a waste of time (unless you are Lucky blogging about all of it).
April - May is hot in the South of India, but in the North (DEL Agra etc) will be bearable in April and warm in May and really hot in JULY-AUG
Go to DEL - first
see DEL- Agra- Jaipur - Amritsar - Varanasi -DEL
You can go DEL -BKK or SIN
Then fly back via NRT/ICN -WAS
Based in WAS as a US CP, this is fairly simple to do.
Personally rather than check off countries /cities in a mad race,
I think it is better to see one place for a few days well.
Since the trip allows stops of less than 24 hrs in each place, you could do
1 WAS-MUC-late flight 23 hrs stop
2 MUC-ZRH - 23 hrs stop
3 ZRH-BKK-23 hrs stop
4 BKK-DEL - stopover > 24 hrs
5-6 DEL-SIN- CMB Destination
7 CMB-SIN - 23 hrs
8 SIN-LAX
and then just use the AA miles to get back to WAS
I have had some success getting up to 10 segments on US,
but often the limit is 8 sectors.
This trip will allow you to "see" 6 countries, but I think it would be a waste of time (unless you are Lucky blogging about all of it).
April - May is hot in the South of India, but in the North (DEL Agra etc) will be bearable in April and warm in May and really hot in JULY-AUG
Last edited by ffI; Apr 27, 2012 at 10:12 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
Both my wife and I love architecture and impressive buildings that's why the Taj is a must for us. Spiritual places are certainly interesting though.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
imho - Jaipur is cool, Delhi is ok. Agra (Taj Mahal is stunning) and Amritsar is a must see.. the golden temple is ridiculous.. you won't regret seeing it.
Another country in 12 days is a challenge. I was based in Asia and went for 10 days and covered Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Amritsar.. but you lose 1 more day from flight..
Day 1/2 - Travel to Delhi
Day 3 - Delhi
Day 4 - Delhi
Day 5 - Delhi - Agra
Day 6 - Agra (Taj)
Day 7 - Agra - Jaipur
Day 8 - Jaipur
Day 9 - Jaipur - Amritsar
Day 10 - Amritsar
Day 11 - Amritsar - Delhi
Day 12 - Flight home
Since you are checklisting countries.. probably good to ask where you have not been? No way you can cover Nepal in that time frame.
Can you add a few days? go to Maldives?
Another country in 12 days is a challenge. I was based in Asia and went for 10 days and covered Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Amritsar.. but you lose 1 more day from flight..
Day 1/2 - Travel to Delhi
Day 3 - Delhi
Day 4 - Delhi
Day 5 - Delhi - Agra
Day 6 - Agra (Taj)
Day 7 - Agra - Jaipur
Day 8 - Jaipur
Day 9 - Jaipur - Amritsar
Day 10 - Amritsar
Day 11 - Amritsar - Delhi
Day 12 - Flight home
Since you are checklisting countries.. probably good to ask where you have not been? No way you can cover Nepal in that time frame.
Can you add a few days? go to Maldives?
Amristar sounds awesome. I'll have to think through that one more. Did you go to the Pakistan/ India border when you were in Amristar? Any thoughts on how safe it is?
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
If you are only going to Agra to see the Taj Mahal like we were, then you could save a few days on the above itenarary. Agra is really not that far from Delhi and Jaipur. So you could leave Delhi early in the morning for Agra and then get back to Delhi by evening. Or even head forward towards Jaipur and get there by night.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
As a US Chairmans, the choice is easy - use US miles for LH C
Go to DEL - first
see DEL- Agra- Jaipur - Amritsar - Varanasi -DEL
You can go DEL -BKK or SIN
Then fly back via NRT/ICN -WAS
Based in WAS as a US CP, this is fairly simple to do.
Personally rather than check off countries /cities in a mad race,
I think it is better to see one place for a few days well.
Since the trip allows stops of less than 24 hrs in each place, you could do
1 WAS-MUC-late flight 23 hrs stop
2 MUC-ZRH - 23 hrs stop
3 ZRH-BKK-23 hrs stop
4 BKK-DEL - stopover > 24 hrs
5-6 DEL-SIN- CMB Destination
7 CMB-SIN - 23 hrs
8 SIN-LAX
and then just use the AA miles to get back to WAS
I have had some success getting up to 10 segments on US,
but often the limit is 8 sectors.
This trip will allow you to "see" 6 countries, but I think it would be a waste of time (unless you are Lucky blogging about all of it).
April - May is hot in the South of India, but in the North (DEL Agra etc) will be bearable in April and warm in May and really hot in JULY-AUG
Go to DEL - first
see DEL- Agra- Jaipur - Amritsar - Varanasi -DEL
You can go DEL -BKK or SIN
Then fly back via NRT/ICN -WAS
Based in WAS as a US CP, this is fairly simple to do.
Personally rather than check off countries /cities in a mad race,
I think it is better to see one place for a few days well.
Since the trip allows stops of less than 24 hrs in each place, you could do
1 WAS-MUC-late flight 23 hrs stop
2 MUC-ZRH - 23 hrs stop
3 ZRH-BKK-23 hrs stop
4 BKK-DEL - stopover > 24 hrs
5-6 DEL-SIN- CMB Destination
7 CMB-SIN - 23 hrs
8 SIN-LAX
and then just use the AA miles to get back to WAS
I have had some success getting up to 10 segments on US,
but often the limit is 8 sectors.
This trip will allow you to "see" 6 countries, but I think it would be a waste of time (unless you are Lucky blogging about all of it).
April - May is hot in the South of India, but in the North (DEL Agra etc) will be bearable in April and warm in May and really hot in JULY-AUG
By way of the other stops you have listed there, we've traveled and visited SIN, BKK, MUC, NRT and ZRH before and although we love those cities, they won't help us on our country count.
From what I've read Delhi is very hot in April and unbearable in May. Maybe I'm wrong on this.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: Many
Posts: 335
And I'll commend you on your goal. While the round number isn't that important, the idea of getting to as many places as possible in the short time we have is very valid. When people question me, saying "X days in Y place just isn't enough to do it justice, " my reply is, "You're right, but who's saying I'll never go back?" For people who play this game well, and you obviously do, the phrase "Trip of a lifetime" is simply not part of your vocabulary.
I agree with poster who suggested the 23-hour stopover idea. This just came onto my radar recently and it's a golden opportunity in some situations to build in more places visited without adding to mileage needed. You can sample a place and decide if one you want to visit more in depth later. I've booked a trip to Cyprus with free "23-hour" stops in Zurich, Skopje, Vienna, Istanbul and Frankfurt on the way there or back. (It isn't literally 23 hours, as usually there are not that many flights a day to choose from with mileage award availability.) I'd like to see a thread on the whole topic of maximizing these types of stops across alliances. What are all the ins and outs, advantages and disadvantages of of the various programs?
Best wishes on your India planning. It's a place I definitely hope to visit too before long.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
The seasons are not the same as in the west. Delhi is very very hot in April and May (although this year it is somewhat cooler because of unexpected rains). Once the monsoons hit, in July, it gets somewhat cooler although very humid.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: HYD/CHI
Posts: 793
There are a lot of threads on the India forum about what to see in India, when to go, etc.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india-478/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india-478/
#13
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LNK
Programs: US,PC
Posts: 743
Day 1: arrive Delhi
Day 2: Take a Shatabdi train to Chandigarh and I think it is from Old Delhi Railway Station (3 hours,Chair car and can book 1st AC) or fly to Chandigarh(1 hour or less),Check in ( Stay at Taj in 17 sector) and go for some shopping in 17 sector or just walk around. Chandigarh is first planned/best planed city in India, Bureaucratic hub and city of students.Visit Rock Garden( Created by Nek Chand and all structures were made of recycled material and Visit 17 sector for shopping in evening.
Day 3: Take a Volvo bus to Amritsar( Should be comfortable) or try to Reach Ambala(30 miles from Chandigarh) by train/Taxi and catch Shatabdi to Amritsar. I don't think there is a direct train line from Chandigarh to Amritsar. See if you can get combined ticket from Chandigarh all the way till Amritsar.
Try to visit border flag lowering ceremony at Wagah border in evening that day.Don't Laugh in ceremony otherwise bullets will fly.
Day 4: Visit Harmandir Saheb(golden temple), Make sure you cover your heads properly when you pay visit, Explore city if you have time or Catch flight to Varansi through Del.
Day 5: See Varanasi again.
Day 6: Fly to Delhi, See Lotus temple,Qutub Minar, Humayun tomb,Red fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, AksharDham temple, Some shopping hubs like Chandni Chowk, Connaught place
Day 7: Delhi,
Day 8: Delhi
Day 9: Agra Side trip ( Shatabdi train or Taxi )
Day 10: Amer fort, birla temple, govind dev ji temple, hawa mahal,
Day 11: Jaipur
Day 12: Jaipur, Leave for Delhi in evening by flight, train and catch overnight International flight.
Hopefully, it is not too crammed.
Dracs
Day 2: Take a Shatabdi train to Chandigarh and I think it is from Old Delhi Railway Station (3 hours,Chair car and can book 1st AC) or fly to Chandigarh(1 hour or less),Check in ( Stay at Taj in 17 sector) and go for some shopping in 17 sector or just walk around. Chandigarh is first planned/best planed city in India, Bureaucratic hub and city of students.Visit Rock Garden( Created by Nek Chand and all structures were made of recycled material and Visit 17 sector for shopping in evening.
Day 3: Take a Volvo bus to Amritsar( Should be comfortable) or try to Reach Ambala(30 miles from Chandigarh) by train/Taxi and catch Shatabdi to Amritsar. I don't think there is a direct train line from Chandigarh to Amritsar. See if you can get combined ticket from Chandigarh all the way till Amritsar.
Try to visit border flag lowering ceremony at Wagah border in evening that day.Don't Laugh in ceremony otherwise bullets will fly.
Day 4: Visit Harmandir Saheb(golden temple), Make sure you cover your heads properly when you pay visit, Explore city if you have time or Catch flight to Varansi through Del.
Day 5: See Varanasi again.
Day 6: Fly to Delhi, See Lotus temple,Qutub Minar, Humayun tomb,Red fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, AksharDham temple, Some shopping hubs like Chandni Chowk, Connaught place
Day 7: Delhi,
Day 8: Delhi
Day 9: Agra Side trip ( Shatabdi train or Taxi )
Day 10: Amer fort, birla temple, govind dev ji temple, hawa mahal,
Day 11: Jaipur
Day 12: Jaipur, Leave for Delhi in evening by flight, train and catch overnight International flight.
Hopefully, it is not too crammed.
Dracs
#14
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: PC Plat RA, SPG Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 811
To save time you could do Agra on a day trip, but i would advise against it.
What you want is to stay over night at Agra, and go to the Taj at 6am (before sunrise).. be one of thhe first in there.. the grounds are tranquil, and serene.. photos with very few people in it... and once you make your way into the structure, you hear wind howling, it's quite an experience.. Once the boatload of tourist go in, you lose all tranquility
You also get to see the sun rise..and colors on the Taj change from a light grey, to pink, or rose, to orange, etc.. it's gorgeous as the sun rises)
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
There are a lot of threads on the India forum about what to see in India, when to go, etc.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india-478/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india-478/