Hello one and all. I hope you're all well.
Without boring you all (too much!), I hope to go to India next month for three weeks, but have left everything so last-minute I would love and welcome any help or advice on the following please.
1 - Jabs, how long before do I need to get them? Trying to book into my doctors but no appointments for a week😞
2 - I hope to do the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra before heading to Varanasi, and then Mumbai and Goa)
Is this do-able in three weeks? If not I am tempted to the the Golden Triangle and then Katmandu before heading to Mumbai and Goa.
Also is travelling between these places easy, without pre-booking transport in advance, and any idea of times the journeys take?
I also hope to go to Ranthambore National Park but am unsure how easy this is to get to from Varanasi?
If not are there others you'd recommend for Tigers. Maybe Jim Corbett? But again not sure how far this is from Delhi, without going out of my way too much.
I'mopen to advice on places to go, that's what I have come up with so far but am sure I could be convinced otherwise😊
Sorry to ask questions that I no doubt have been asked before but I have failed to locate them; and for going on but I'm so excited by the prospect of India!.
I just hope I've not left it too late.
Take care
James
In return I can offer advice on beer😉
Reply to this Hello James 😊
1 - Jabs, how long before do I need to get them? Trying to book into my doctors but no appointments for a week😞
It is best to get them a few weeks before going, to get over side effects such as sore arm etc, but I read it is still OK to get them shortly before going.
2 - I hope to do the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra before heading to Varanasi, and then Mumbai and Goa)
Is this do-able in three weeks? If not I am tempted to the the Golden Triangle and then Katmandu before heading to Mumbai and Goa.
If you are flying into Delhi and only have 3 weeks, I would skip Mumbai and Goa.
Also is travelling between these places easy, without pre-booking transport in advance, and any idea of times the journeys take?
Yeah, it is easy enough. Try to buy the train tickets on the internet in advance, because doing it in Delhi train station is quite complicated and time consuming. Also, there are a lot of touts and scammers about trying to lead foreigners to being cheated.
Here is the website for booking the train tickets.
irctc.co.in
India is a confusing and overwhelming place to travel. I recommend that you get a Lonely Planet Guide to India and read all the health and safety instructions in it, before you arrive in India.
Here is a photo of us in that part of India, last December. More photos in the blog if you want.
Mel
Reply to this Hi Mel
Thanks ever so much for your helpful and detailed response.
I really appreciate it. In fact you're so helpful to everyone on here I feel you deserve an award! Quite what I'm not sure, but truely, thankyou. You're so kind😊
You've allayed my fears about the jabs, which was worrying me.
I really want to go to Goa as a way to wind down after the madness od Delhi and co, but do you think it's asking too much in that timescale?
Also do you know how easy it is to get to Ranthambore from Agra?
Not sure I'll be able to buy tickets in advance because of not knowing exactly when I'll be going from place to place, but thanks for the warning, I will try.
Sorry for more questions, but there's so much I want to know and I'm trying to find out, but hearing from others who've been is so much more calming and interesting.
Cheers
James
Ps sorry about the duplicate thread, I wanted it in the india messageboard but did it wrong.
Is there any chance this oculd be moved to the India forum? No worries if not.
Reply to this Thank you for your compliments. 😊
I really want to go to Goa as a way to wind down after the madness od Delhi and co, but do you think it's asking too much in that timescale?
We spent 2.5 weeks in India last Winter. We only went to Delhi, Agra, Kurukshetra and Haridwar. More than that would have been wearing.
If you really want to go to Goa, you could just hit maybe 2 places in N. India and then fly to Goa and spend a week there and then back to Delhi and maybe one or two max more place in N. India. Some people love to rush around, but I certainly wouldnt do more than this.
Also do you know how easy it is to get to Ranthambore from Agra?
I dont know because I didnt go to Ranthambore, but there is probably a bus that goes.
Sorry for more questions,
No problem. That is what the forums are for. 😊
Is there any chance this oculd be moved to the India forum?
Yeah, I will move it now. 😊
Reply to this Hi James,
If you only have 3 weeks in India and are keen to travel to these destinations, I would suggest you complete you site seeing in Delhi. From Delhi the overnight train to Haridwar takes about 5 hours. Visit Haridwar and Rishikesh - Rishikesh is about 2 hours by bus/cab from Haridwar - and travel back to Delhi. This way you could skip Varanasi, which would be out of the way. Also, Haridwar n Rishikesh is much cleaner than the Ganges in Varanasi.
If you want to go to Corbett, you can travel from Haridwar to Corbett and from Corbett back to Delhi. Do look up the map, so youd get a better idea of the location.
Else you could return back to Delhi and take the train to Agra which takes about 4 hours. Visit Taj Mahal, Fathepur Sikri, Agra Fort. From Agra you can take a bus/train to Jaipur. Jaipur to Ranthambore is about 5 hours by bus/cab.
Come back to Jaipur and fly to Mumbai. If you book tickets in advance, the air-fare would cost you abt 3000 INR. You can visit Mumbai, take a train or fly to Goa.
As Goa has an international airport, you can book your departure from Goa, saving you time to travel back to Delhi.
If you dont want to book train tickets, all these places are connected by bus. The bus is cheaper however takes longer to reach. Would advise you to always book AC bus tickets and carry bottled water and food with you on the bus. Pick up bus/train tickets only from the ticket counter and not touts on the road, the tickets might be fake.
Have a good trip while in India!
Reply to this Thanks for your responses Mel and Tanya and sorry for the lateness of mine - my 'silly' computer has been playing up.
I like your idea of seeing Haridwar and Rishikesh instead of Varanasi as that would save a lot of time.
I guess I want to see everywhere in three weeks...mission impossible! I'm just torn of where to choose.
But that's small fry compared to my concerns over finding accomodation and booking trains when I arrive in places.
I'll be going there blind and just wonder how easy...hard it is to find somewhere to stay and book on trains to get from place to place without pre-booking?
I'd sooner use the train than bus because of the time difference, you mention Tanya.
I would just hate to have all these plans then be thwarted by transport!
I'm trying to do more research but your help and advice is always welcome😊
Thanks
James
Reply to this I guess I want to see everywhere in three weeks...mission impossible! I'm just torn of where to choose.
You can always go back again. 😊
But that's small fry compared to my concerns over finding accomodation and booking trains when I arrive in places.
I have never prebooked accomodation in India and always been able to find something. If you are staying in budget places, try to choose ones that are listed in the Lonely Planet. Those are usually at least safe enough.
And buying train tickets at the station in Delhi is more than possible. It just takes a lot of patience, and enough stubborness to get past the touts and scammers on the way into the station. What I did, when I was in Delhi is buy all the train tickets I needed for the 2.5 weeks in one go. It saves time.
I would just hate to have all these plans then be thwarted by transport!
You wont be thwarted by transport. Despite the chaos of India, there is always plenty of transport, especially going to the destinations you are going to. They are all quite popular. 😊
Anyway, planning always makes travelling seem more difficult than it actually will be when you are doing it.
Reply to this True, and hopefully I'll go back again and again😊
This will be my first-time out of Europe, so should be an eye opener!
Thanks for allaying my fears over accomodation and train tickets. THat's one less thing to worry about.
I've just read so many worry stories, it's started to rub off on me, especially all the health risk dangers.
Can you remember what jabs you had? And how long before you went you had them?
I've been advised about getting something to cover diptheria, typhoid and polio and hepatitis, but told I can risk going without the rabies jab as it entails three jabs.
I promise...well ok, not promise, but will try not to ask anymore questions after this...well, not many:P
Thanks so much for all your help though so far Mel. If you were born in the UK you'd be Dame Mel!
Reply to this I've just read so many worry stories, it's started to rub off on me, especially all the health risk dangers.
Can you remember what jabs you had? And how long before you went you had them?
Yeah, try to eat at busy places, so the food is more likely to have been freshly made and buy bottled water. Most people get sick in India, but mostly the illnesses are more an inconvenience than deadly. If you are not a vegetarian, it might be an idea to be one while in India. There is great vegetarian food there, and not eating meat does reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Can you remember what jabs you had? And how long before you went you had them?
Hepatitis A. But Hepatitis A and B combination might be an idea, because it is convenient. Typhoid. If you havent had childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, you can get a vaccination against them. A polio booster. I think that was it. I cant remember if I got a diptheria shot or not, but I got mine at a tropical medical clinic, so I presume they know what they are doing there.
You can risk going without the rabies shot, but in the unlikely event that you get bitten then get home as soon as you can or to someplace like Thailand, where there is a rabies emergency post bite treatment available. As far as I know it is still not available in India.
As soon as you get to India buy a good mosquito repellant and use it night and day. There are disease transmitting mosquitos that bite during the day. Effective mosquito repellant is available widely in India. You could buy one before you go to India, but if you do make sure it contains at least 15%!D(MISSING)EET. A citronella one is good too, but make sure you put it all over exposed skin and reapply every 5 hours if you use it, to prevent bites.
I promise...well ok, not promise, but will try not to ask anymore questions after this...well, not many:P
No problem! Ask as many as you want. Others are on the receiving end of all my questions about Brazil and Syria, so it goes both ways. 😊
Reply to this I concur with Mel, only eat in busy places, as the faster turnover of food will ensure it is fresher. Furthermore, try to target places frequented by locals, if a place is only filled with foreigners, then their custom is likely to be made through transient people and the quality is unlikely to be a good as those whose clientele is local people and thus is reliant on repeat business.
I spent three months in India over two visits and never had the rabies shot - the thought of three needles was a bit too much. Apart from the medicaiton Mel mentioned, there is one new medication you should consider. It is a two dose oral medication called Dukoral - not only does it provide protection against Cholera for two years, but it also provides 3 months protection from the number one cause of travellers’ diarrhoea - that of enterotoxic Escherichia coli (ETEC). I believe that ETEC is found in between 20-75% of travellers' diarrhoea cases.
One other health aspect to consider is to take with you antiseptic gel and/or wipes and always use it before you eat anything. On my second trip to India (and Bangladesh) for 7 weeks I never became sick, which was a slight improvement on my first trip where I only succumbed to Delhi Belly on day 49 of my 50 day holiday. I put my success to keeping tummy troubles at bay to choice of eating venue and antiseptic gel.
Just in case you have a problem, bring the 'stoppers' (i.e. Imodium) in case you do get the runs (2 in the first loose movement and 1 per loose movement their after - though use your discretion if you think it is mild), and then an antibiotic (such as Norfloxacin) if you still have a problem 48 hours later. Of course, see your doctor about this stuff before you go.
Reply to this Hi:
For really good tips about travelling in India check this site out:
Enjoy your trip. Reply to this James:
DO NOT MISS OUT on Kerala - God's own country! The best part of India.
Reply to this Thanks everyone for your tips and advice😊 You're all far too kind.
I've had a couple of jabs, DPT and hep a/b. Just not sure about whether or not to get rabies as it's £120!
I know you get monkeys wondering about the place but I presume as long as they don't bite you're ok even if you come into contact with them or any other animal. Or am I being naive..?
Will definately try Dukoral - can you get that over the counter?
And good thinking with the busy food places and wipes...so simple yet so genius.
Would love to try Kerala to, but can you fly into there and how long is it from there to Goa?
Really need to nail down an itinary but can't do all I want in three weeks...grrr haha.
Oh well, planning is the hard part!
Reply to this I know you get monkeys wondering about the place but I presume as long as they don't bite you're ok even if you come into contact with them or any other animal. Or am I being naive..?
I was bitten by a monkey in Thailand. But, I think you can take precautions against being bitten. Keep plastic bags, water bottles and food out of sight and the monkeys will have no interest in you. Dont buy food, where there are monkeys nearby watching.
Also, watch out for dogs. Give them plenty of space. If you ever feed those starving mongrels then make sure you are on a high wall, or can retreat immedicately into a building and slam the door. The only thing on offer may be some chicken bones, but that wont stop them trying to bite off your hand anyway.
Reply to this Well, in the worst case scenario, if you do get bitten by a dog/monkey in India, simply go to the nearest Hospital/clinic and get it cleaned at the earliest.
The Doc would give you a shot of tetanus and 3 Rabies injections on the arm or butt. Makes the muscle stiff for a day or two, but as Mell mentioned, if you do keep a safe distance, you'd probably never been attacked.
Reply to this The Doc would give you a shot of tetanus and 3 Rabies injections on the arm or butt.
So, the rabies injections are now available in India. That is good news. Thanks Tanya, for letting us know. 😊
Reply to this Yes! I've been bitten on three different occasions by street dogs and once by a monkey!
Reply to this Thanks again Mell and Tanya😊
Good news about India now offering rabies injections, though hopefully I won't be needing any!
Think I'm ok with injections now, I've had five in total...with one more to come!
I apologise if its been asked before but I had a quick look and couldn't see, does anyone know how long it takes to get from Delhi to Agra, and Agra to Jaipur.
And also whether it's possible to go from Agra to Sawai Madhopur - time wise, and from there go Jaipur?
Also would buses or trains be better between these places, or does it not really matter?
Thanks😊
Reply to this 
