How long should I stay in India? Where should I book my flights to fly into and fly out of? This will be my final destination of a 12 month tour, which i currently intend to end at the end of November 2009.
Hi all. I've almost finalised my plans for a 12 month world tour, but I need to make some decisions on my final destination, India. How long do you reccomend I stay in India (possibly with a visit to Nepal too if you reccomend it)? I would like to see the variety that India has to offer, so I presume that this would mean going both North and South. Where is a good place to fly into and out of to give myself a good chance of visiting some great and varied places? I'm aware that India may be too hot before October, so I'm currently thinking of ending my tour at the end of November - so is all of October and November too long or too short? Thanks 😊
Reply to this It's never too long for India! Two months at least is a good amount of time as there is so much to see and it gets better the longer you're there. There's lots of different options - but I would recommend maybe flying into Bangalore, which is in Karnataka in the south - as it's your first time in India, and it can be pretty full on, Bangalore is a good place to start as it's quite a modern city and a bit more organised than the rest of India. Karnataka is also a great state, with Hampi and Mysore both good places to visit. From Karnataka you can travel into Kerala, maybe to Cochin, the capital of Kerala and a lovely place, down through Kerala to the backwaters, on to Kanyakumari at the very southern tip of India, and into Tamil Nadu, where there are some good places, Ooty, a hill station being one of them. If you make your way to Chennai, you can then head north up to Uttar Pradesh, to Varanasi, which is an absolute MUST SEE, an amazing city, then take the well-travelled route to Agra (taj-mahal) and on into Rajasthan. Depending on time left, how long you want to spend in each place, you might head on to Delhi from there, or if you have time, head up into the Punjab, where Amritsar is a great place to visit (home of the Golden Temple) on to the Himalayas to Dharamsala, and head to Delhi from there. I think Delhi's a good place to end your trip as you'll get the most out of it - a lot of people who fly into Delhi as their first introduction to India, hate it and can't wait to leave. Personally, I really liked Delhi, but i'd been in India 6 months by the time I got there. that was my route up north anyway! - but there are different things you can do - I never went to Nepal, but if you want to go, you could go there first, then take a bus into Varanasi, visit northern India first, and then head to Mumbai and explore south India from there.
But there are lots of other great places I never got to see, so bear those in mind too! I'd love to have seen Calcutta, in north-eastern India, and also the Gujurat (north west).
If you had longer than two months, that'd be even better, but you'll have a great time anyway!
Reply to this Hello Andrew
I am happy to hear from Ms.Cooper the correct estimation of how much would be enough for travelling in India. You will be amazed when you hear how much India has to offer to its tourists and travellers. I am very confident when I say that nothing beats India when it comes to the variety that India has. Whether your interests are in natural beauty or architectural wonders, places of archaelogical importance or wildlife, our land has lots and lots to explore.
Since you plan on a world tour consider keeping about 45 - 60 days on the minimum for covering India (just the important places). Would advise you flying into India through Trivandrum. Bangalore is also a good option but you got to travel further south and travel backwards again (select your option). From Trivandrum you could cover Madurai, Rameswaram and Kovalam(great beaches). Keep heading north from here onwards. Cover the backwaters and a houseboat stay in Alleppey and Kumarakom, enjoy a stay at the hillstation and wildlife at Munnar and thekkady. Dont miss the paradise on earth - Wayanad(limit less things on offer here both in terms of activities and places).
Heading westward cover the hillstation of Ooty. Then cover the destinations of Bangalore( base) and Hampi, Coorg, Mysore, Jog falls. Moving northwards head for Mumbai, Pune and maharashtra. Then Ujjain and madhya pradesh. You should not miss Rajasthan - Jaipur and Udaipur, Jaisalmer. Move towards Delhi and then into UP - Agra, Varanasi. Natural beauty of Uttaranchal - Nainital, Mussorie. Head for Himachal Pradesh - Kullu and Manali. Move to Punjab and close it at Amritsar.
Although we have completely missed out on Northeast still. but I guess considering the time you have these should more than suffice.
Hope this helps and please feel free to contact for more help.
Reply to this This just reminds me of all the places I didn't get to see - and I was there for 6 months! You're right about Trivandrum too - it would be a better airport in terms of travelling from south to north, and also it's such a quiet airport - nice and small. Are you from India, Amit?
Reply to this Hello Ms. Cooper
Yes, I belong to India and more specifically in bangalore currently. I am an enthusiastic traveler and have traveled extensively in India. It is really good to hear that all over the world people are realising what our wonderful country, "India" has in store for travelers.
For the other places like Delhi, it is best to go for seperate hotels and taxis and with some bargaining. Check out some state tourism hotels in Karnataka like KTDC website and hotels. For MP (Madhya Pradesh ) too the state Government website will provide good options. Reply to this hi andrew,
when i traveled for the first time to india i started in delhi, it was hot , noisy and most of all charming, it was a love from first sight.
i recommend you to start in delhi, it is very interesting and there are many things to do(markets, india gate, taj mahal in agra - 4 hours by train....).
if you are coming in october, you should come to manali, in the north (14 hours by bus from delhi).
manali is in himachal paradesh and it is heaven on earth, himalayan mountains, evre green forests, beautiful tempels, waterfalls, great for trekking.
you can continue to dharmsala, 9 hours away from manali, by bus.
then you can take a train from patankot to rishikesh.
and than back to delhi and from there to rajhstan - pushkar.
for more information -
have a great time,
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