Where to go in India (short trip from HKG, first-timer)
 

Hello all --

I am trying to plan a short 4 day getaway from Hong Kong next year to escape the Chinese New Year madness. I'm thinking India might be a good place, as my wife and I have never been, and the weather in Indian during late Jan/early Feb is seems more mild.

I have some FF miles that I can use to fly Cathay Pacific non-stop to either Delhi or Chennai. Looking at current availability, I can fly business class round trip to Chennai, while to Delhi it would be economy class on the outbound and business class on the return (its about a 6 hour flight, and the returns are red-eyes, so the lie-flat seats will certainly be appreciated, especially with a short trip planned).

We aren't really into visiting historical sights generally -- just like good food (love indian food!), walking around, and doing some shopping (for clothes, jewelry, art, crafts, and homewares). At first I was thinking Chennai might be a good place to try out India, since I read a few places its a little less "in your face" than Delhi, and it would be warmer (I guess Delhi could be cold in late Jan/early Feb). But I've also come across a few opinions/posts online that Chennai isn't really worth visiting.

So my question is, would we be stupid not to visit Delhi for our first trip to India? Is Chennai not really worth visiting? Any advice is appreciated.

Chennai (MAA) doesn't really have the places & sights with the 'wow' effect (in relation to Delhi). But as you say DEL will be cold and foggy (which can at times throw flight schedules into chaos). MAA is also not home to the food people outside India normally consider 'indian' @:-)

Another option may be KTM on Dragonair @:-)

Hi Oliver -- thanks for your reply. KTM is an interesting option, though I suspect also cold? I like South Indian food (Dosas, etc), so I think the food wouldn't be too much of an issue, though I'd be sad not to have good Masala Chai.

I also noticed KA flies to BLR, so maybe that could be an option? Though the business class isn't as nice for sure.

january is not the best time to visit delhi & 4 days is far too less to do anything in that area....also, there is nothing much to do in maa as well....perhaps 3-4 days in some nearby area might be a better bet....you could fly to trv which would be about an hour or so from maa....lots of nice resorts in the area with good food....

I live in chennai so let me point out - It is laid back, but enough for you to see in 4 days and yet get some rest

Try the crocodile bank and the madras snake park if you don't like temples and forts.

You might also consider driving down to pondicherry, about 140 km from chennai, for the feel of a former french colony where the cops still wear red kepis, and you can find french bistros at odd places .. not to mention some nice resort hotels.

Yep +1 on Pondy and TRV beaches in Kerala. hserus' post says it all about MAA ;)

I have to agree Chennai really doesn't have much for four days. If you are willing to make day trips from Chennai to Mahabalipuram and Tanjore, maybe.

For a first time visitor, Udaipur or Jaipur are more in line with the shopping, walking around, eating goal. Also you are more likely to encounter people who speak English.

odd. The best meal I have ever had in India is the "feast", not sure what it was called in indian, at southern spice in the taj coromandel in MAA. Best meal period. And now I long for some south indian grandmas cooking....