India for 10 Days - Comments, Suggestions, Slaps in the Face
 

Hello! I am about to embark on what is my most wild Journey yet. I have traveled in OZ for a year on my own, and in BKK for 1 week, but this trip to India will prove exciting.

Jan 24 Departing, Feb 5 Returning

LAX-BKK-HYD on TG.
HYD-DEL on Low Cost Indian Operator (Spice or Deccan)
DEL-BKK (1 Day Layover) LAX on TG

Airfare cost: $1500
Visa cost: $65
Immunizations: Tetanus, Polio?, Typhoid?. I have HepA and HepB
Travel Insurance: (Should I get it? $100)

I will arrive in Hyderabad on Republic Day Jan 26, and meet my friend who will have his corporate driver pick me up. I will be under his wing, to get accustomed to the Indian ways, and see this capital. I know nothing of Hyderabad (except I talk to tech support there daily.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderab...Andhra_Pradesh

On Jan 31, I will depart off on my own connecting to Delhi. I am attempting to organize a private tour (As I can't find and group ones for my time frame)

This private tour will include a personal driver for 5-6 days, 4-5 nights accommodation, breakfast, and my entry to cultural centers. ~$400-500

Things I wish to see in the region: (My interest is Architectural)

Day 1 and 5: Delhi - On Arrival Day and Departure Day
Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Red Fort, Humanyuns Tomb, Qutab Minar, Birla Temple, and Sikh Temple along with other attractions like President House, India Gate etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi
Bahá'í House of Worship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%...use_of_Worship

Day 2: Drive and Jaipur (Pink City) w/ Elephant ride at Nahaar Garh Fort
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipur

Day 3 and 4: Drive to Agra and see Fatehpur Sikri And Taj Mahal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatehpur_Sikri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal

Day 4: Leave Agra afternoon for Delhi

Day 5: More of the locations from Day 1. at 9pm go to the Airport.

Option 1: Go to Delhi 1 day early and take a Train to Mussoorie I have a friend who works for an architect / mission
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussoorie

Option 2: Go to Delhi 1 day early and take a Train to Chandigarh (Le Corbusier's Planned City)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandigarh

Want to do: Get a tailored Suit, wear a turbin (Yes I am that cheesy), and buy some trinkets.

Do not want to do: Get Typhoid Fever, Get mugged, die, go shopping all the time.

On my return through Bangkok I have a 12 hour layover where I will meet up with a friend of mine from Australia (He is Thai).

More to edit and come, but this is the plan.

I was in India in June for business, and loved it even more than I expected. You've already got a great list of must-see places... just do it!

Hint: at the Taj Mahal, tip a wizened local a couple of bucks to show you the smaller entrance gate which is around to the right of the mobbed main entrance, and save up to an hour.

Of course get travel insurance. There's nothing wrong with the best of Indian healthcare (look at all the Europeans who go for cut-rate procedures) but I think you'd want fly-out options in an emergency..

And think twice about street food, when you're in a place where awesome restaurant food is so cheap and accessible...

I just did your Delhi-Jaipur-Agra itinerary earlier this month. I think that you should have an enjoyable time. Know that your drive time between Delhi-Jaipur is about 5 1/2 hours, Jaipur-Agra about 4 1/2-5, and Agra to Delhi about 4 - 4 1/2.

Your tour guide at each of the cities will end up taking you to an overpriced store to try to get you to buy carpets, jewelry, marble, precious stones. You don't have to buy anything (although you will have to endure a guilt trip---ignore it.) Focus on the scenery and architecture and have a great time. Ask your guides anything. My experience was that their English is often not too good, but they know everything about the sites they are explaining. Every site in those places has a fascinating history behind it.

One thing, the guides will not do anything to prevent or chase off beggars. Walk fast and be steadfast. Get used to getting the soundtrack 'No' going. Be advised that some of them get quite nasty if you don't give them anything. Some even throw things (rocks, elephant dung). If you do give to them, however, prepare to be swarmed by others who appear out of the woodwork. Best advice is to ignore them and give to an Indian charity of your choosing, and not encourage that habit.

Sounds fine and not particularly crazy. What is crazy is the number of sites you've crammed in, I doubt you'll make them all. Enjoy

Wow that's intense. I've been over India a bit and didn't experience that. I take it's happent to you?

Ouch.

First, I can't help but suggest that you might find better travel advice in Wikitravel than in Wikipedia :p

Second, you've got a long list of attractions for Delhi, but I find it more of an "experience" than "attraction" kinda place, so be sure to leave some time for a nice wander or two in the Old City (Chandni Chowk). One attraction missing from your list and very much worth a visit is Akshardham, a gigantic temple just across the river and completed only in 2005 -- imagine being in a red sandstone Angkor Wat before it fell apart into ruins, and you'll have some idea of what to expect. :eek:

And third, it's going to be a pretty long daytrip to go to Jaipur and back. Many people favor the trains for Jaipur and Agra, they're faster, more predictable and rather less nerve-wracking than long drives on Indian roads, even if you're in the passenger seat.

My guide in Agra warned me that some of the street beggars around the Taj Mahal have been known to throw rocks at people and then run away into the alleys if they don't get handouts. Thankfully that didn't happen to me.

In Jaipur, at Amber Fort, I think someone hit me with something, either dirt or elephant droppings. I was walking past a slew of beggars, and didn't give any money, and upon getting to my car, there was a small piece of greenish stuff on one of my pants pockets (mind you, no one touched me). I got it off, and it didn't stink (my pants, that is). It did leave a stain that washed out in the first washing.

I agree. I saw it last year and it was really incredible.

Dr. PITUK

Thanks for the recommendations. I will definatley go here. With regards to taking trains and traveling on my own. Will I be safe moving around on my own in these cities?

As for my extensive list, it is more of a wish list. I will tone it down as I plan it out a bit more. At the same time, I will allow for my travels to happen organically, I just want to know a little bit about where I should go and what I should see.

On another note, how are things in Bangkok (I am assuming your are the user on the 2bkk forums.) I hope everyone was safe after the despicable attack this new year.

You will be safe in terms of physical violence and such, but you'll need to keep an eye on your belongings. Solo travel in India can be kind of intense in the beginning, but once you learn the ropes it's OK.

"the ropes" = completely ignore them. No talking. No eyecontact. Nothing. They'll move on to the next target quite quickly.

well I survived, having picked up "the ropes" rather quickly.

1500 images at www.flickr.com/photos/amrivlin/sets