Itinerary in India
 

Hello all,

I'm going to India on business in a bit over two weeks, and since this will be my first time over there, I want to take this as a chance to see a bit of the country! I'm very excited about this opportunity.

Below is the itinerary I've put together using various guides, web sites, forums, etc. I have a few questions and I'm interested in any feedback about this itinerary in general. Unfortunately I cant extend my trip so the departure and arrival dates are hard dates. I wouldnt mind staying longer, but that wont be an option :)

DAY 1 - FLIGHT TO FRANKFURT

DAY 2 - FLIGHT TO HYDERABAD

Arriving late at night; staying at the Sheraton KAKATIYA.

DAY 3 - HYDERABAD

This will be my first day in India. I'm planning on touring Hyderabad, and also catching up on sleep / coping with the jet lag if that's needed :)

DAY 4 - CHENNAI

I'm considering going to Chennai for a day. I need to be back in Hyderabad in the evening, since I'm working the following day. Does that sound reasonnable? Is this worth it?

I'm considering booking the following flights:
Flight to MAA 9:50 10:50 HYD/MAA IC 946 Indian Airlines
Flight to HYD 20:50 22:20 MAA/HYD IT 2474 Kingfisher

Kingfisher has a 6am flight, but I'm afraid I'll be too tired. On the way back Indian Airlines has an earlier flight but considering their on-time performance I'm thinking I might was well get two more hours in Chennai and have a reliable flight back.

Is 11 hours in Chennai reasonnable? Is arriving at the airport one hour early okay?

DAYS 5-8 - HYDERABAD

Working.

DAY 9 - HYDERABAD, flight to CALCUTTA

Working, then catching flight to CCU:
19:55 21:55 Jet Airways 512

and staying at the Sheraton ITC Hotel Sonar Bangla Sheraton & Towers.

Dumb question: how do I arrange airport transportation with the hotel? I've put my flight arrival time in my booking, is that enough or should I call/email them?

DAY 10 - CALCUTTA

I'm hoping one day is enough. Is the city walkable at all? I've heard mixed reports. If that's possible, I would rather walk and use the subway, and catch an occasional cab. If that's impossible, are there any suggestions about obtaining a driver for the day? Can I negociate with any cabbie or should I go through the hotel? What's a ballpark figure for the cost?

Then in the evening I wanted to fly to Agra but couldnt find any option. So I'll be flying to Delhi and then taking the train early in the morning.

I'm considering either of these flights:
18:15 20:15 KINGFISHER AIRLINES IT 608
20:45 22:55 Jet Airways 912

How bad is traffic in Calcutta? In the evening I'll have to drop by the Sheraton to pick up my bags and then go to the airport. How long does this take?

The trick is that I need to be at the H NIZAMUDDIN train station early on the next morning. Is the Sheraton ITC Hotel Maurya Sheraton & Towers a good option? Since it's a bit outside the city my understanding is that going from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the station shouldnt be too bad. Is this correct? How long does it take to go from the Sheraton to the station? Any other suggestion?

DAY 11 - AGRA

I'm considering the following trains to Agra:
7:15 10:07 2280 (TAJ EXPRESS) from NZM (H NIZAMUDDIN) To AGRA CANTT (AGC)
or the one that leaves at 6 and arrives at 8.

Two questions:
- How crowded will the Taj be at 10? Is it worth taking the 6am train to beat the crowds?
- I'd like to see the Taj Mahal, the Little Taj, and the Fort. Can I easily get a driver for the day, and what's an approximate reasonnable cost? Should I negociate myself at the Agra train station or book in advance through someone else? Is it reasonnably safe to leave my bag in the car? What other bag storage options are there?

In the evening I'd like to experience a night train -- or at last see how it looks and feels like for a couple hours so I'm considering booking the following train to Jaipur in AC2:
19:55 0:01 2307 (HWH==JU==EXP) from AGRA FORT (AF) to JAIPUR (JP)

I'll be staying at the Sheraton Rajputana Palace in Jaipur.

DAY 12 - JAIPUR

In the evening i need to fly to Delhi and the only option I could find is:
17:55 18:35 JAI/DEL IC 895 Indian Airlines

That brings two questions: is a short day enough for Jaipur (again, will need to go to the hotel to pick up my bags and then go to the airport, probably at 5pm). Also, how likely is Indian Airways to be approximately on time?

Then I'm thinking of staying at Le Meridien New Delhi because it is downtown. But, I'm hearing Delhi isnt walkable at all. How true is this? Would it make sense to stay at the Sheraton to facilitate picking up my bags in the evening and going to the airport? How should I go about moving around Delhi?

DAY 13 - DELHI

Questions are above :)

DAY 14 BACK TO THE US

Flight is at 2:25am. Is there any way to have a shower at the airport (flying first class, any good lounge with showers)? Otherwise I might consider booking an additional night... really cant fly w/o a shower after a day of wandering around...


Well, that's about it and that's a lot of questions. I'd really appreciate it if you would give me a few hints and/or answer a few of my questions. I hope this itinerary isnt too much of a stretch - I'm a bit concerned as to what might happened if I get sick, a flight or train gets significantly delayed, etc. It might be really tiring or cause me to skip a city altogether.

Thanks!

Patrick, excited about his trip ;)

No lounge with showers at the airports there. Instead of booking an additional night see if your hotel's gym has a shower. That's what I do to shower up before a late evening/early morning flight in many countries, including India -- instead of booking another night's room. Good Indian hotels routinely give me 4 to 6 p.m. checkout anyway and that combined with the gym's showers have been plenty useful while not wasting money to pay for another night's room.

Delhi isn't walkable if you are interested in seeing the major sites; and I'd suggest renting a car with a driver. If you are flying back to DEL and then flying out the next night, perhaps the Radisson makes sense despite not being in an attractive area. It should make picking up your bags easiest -- at least out of all the major international brand -- on the way to the airport. I've never used the gym there so I don't know if their gym has showers or not, so it's something you should ask. Alternatively, the Taj Palace and the Maurya Sheraton are amongst the best positioned vis-a-vis just the airport.

I don't think you'd go wrong with LeMeridien either and it's well-positioned for checking out Lutyen's Delhi, Connaught Place and is amongst the most central of the good hotels in Delhi. However, since things are so spread out in/around Delhi, location of the hotel matters less to plenty of people than good planning in terms of sightseeing sequencing.

Seeing the main sights in Jaipur itself within a day is well possible. Start early and move quickly.

In Hyderabad don't miss, the mian museum, Golkonda fort and Charminar. And you must eat Biryani. Chiennai city might be just a waste of time. I would go and see Mahabalipuram and Chanchipuram---some very old temples and great sculpture andstome work. 80Km away from Chennai.

If you ara person of India origin you can negotiate with a cabbie try to use Indian accent while negotiating. However I will suggest using hotel services for a cab becuse that will be safe and reliable. Kolkata is walkale but not the whole city. You will need to use Metro and cabs too. Be careful of pickpockets in Kolkata.

I read thru your trip details and would suggest a few ideas:

1) India is not like Europe or the US...walking is difficult as a tourist since the traffic is a killer.

2) Do not take the local train system unless you are prepared for total madness and feel like going on an adventure...

3) Hire a private AC car for the day (talk to the hotel) and they will take you anywhere you like...it is not too expensive -- apprx 50USD a day...why AC? trust me -- 1/2 day will be spent in traffic in the heat especially in Chennai, Calcutta

4) Since you are going to be out&about -- buy 2 litre water bottles from a store (not the hotel) the day before -- freeze in the room fridge -- and take it the next day..you will need it. Do not refill -- throw and buy new ones...

Eating Suggestion:

1) Hydrebad -- Try the biryani for sure...mutton/chicken will be excellent

2) Chennai -- Try Murgapum Idli -- open early morning...ask the hotel...they are approx 6 rupees per idli, but they are the best...not a high class establishment...but the food is worth every rupee...

3) Calcutta -- if you have a sweettooth, then this is the place...try the Sweet Yougurt, rosgulla, and chum chum...trust me...your sweettooth will be happy...also, eat the Bengali fish and mutton dishes...

Other than that...keep an open mind...and have fun...btw...you will be subjeected to xtreme poverty, filthiness and so forth...remember when in Rome...

But as much as there is filthiness, there is a lot of beautiful stuff you should not miss...

I'd like to thanks everyone who replied for their help and advice.

I am on my way now -- presently in the SFO IFL. I'm very much looking forward to discovering India.

Thanks!

Having lived in India for 30 years, I differ with "anaggie" on few of his/her comments:

1. Traffic in India is not a killer. I agree there is a ton of traffic in major cities and there are hardly any traffic rules except traffic lights (sometimes). But walking and crossing roads is easy becuase speeds are nowhere close to what you see in some of local roads in US / Europe. In US and Europe you will get killed becuase drivers don't expect to see you the road, In India drivers expect anyone to suddenly jump on the road and are alwasy ready to brake. Secondly you can cross the road from wherever you want...generally there are no pre marked intersections or rules for road crossing. So don't be afraid of walking...but be aware of pickpockets on bus sidewalks.

2. Local trains in Mumbai are not for tourists but if you want to have a real experience and ride of your life try that once....just for fun. But the underground Metro in Kolkata and Delhi are excellent. There in nothing about them to be scared of.

3. $50/day for taxi covers only 80-100 Kms. Beyond that you pay per km charge anywhere between $0.15-0.30. If you are driving more than that compare and see if hiring on purely per Km basis is cheaper. Sometimes it is.

On other counts I agree with him but I will still recommend Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram over Chennai. Also "Sarvana Bhavan" in Chennai is very well known for its south India food. Must try it if you are there.

And yes the only thing you can expect in India is Unexpected...so jump in and enjoy...you wouldn't find a more diverse and surprizing place on this earth.