A solo female traveller first time in India - tips needed

Hey!

I am a solo female traveller who is going to spend 13 days in India in the end of this month. This will be my first visit to India and I%26#39;m not quite sure where to go. So, I would love to get the advices of any of the local experts here.

I am planning to do either

Delhi (2) - Mandawa (1) - Jodhpur (2) (- Jaisalmer (1)) - Udaipur (2) - Jaipur (2) - Agra (1)

or:

Delhi (2) - Udaipur (2) - Jaipur (2) - Agra (2) - Khajuraho (1) - Varanasi (2)

Which one do you prefer? What is the best order to do these places in? Am I trying to fit too much in, should I add/delete something? Also, is a trip to Ranthambore worth it or would you bypass?

I know this 13 days is not long enough so I want to make the most of my time and plan wisely. Lastly, do you recommend a private tour or travelling on my own?

Cheers, Anna

A solo female traveller first time in India - tips needed

I prefer the second option, mainly because you will get more variety in terms of culture. Varanasi and Khajuraho are both distinctly different from Rajasthan.

Does your itinerary have any flights in it? Khajuraho has an airport.

I would actually do Delhi (0 or overnight) - Udaipur (2) - Jodhpur (2) - Jaipur (2) - Agra (1) - Delhi (1) - Khajuraho (1) - Varanasi (2)

OR

Delhi (0 or overnight) - Udaipur (2) - Jaipur (2) - Ranthambore (2) - Agra (1) - Delhi (1) - Khajuraho (1) - Varanasi (2)

If budget is not an issue, get a private tour, you will really understand more of what you are seeing. In my view, most tourists experience the colour and vareity, but don%26#39;t understand or even see the complex layers in the culture. In Rajasthan, as well as Delhi and Agra, it is easy to get ';forted out'; and ';palaced out'; unless you have a story-teller with you who can tell you what%26#39;s going on. Have you been to the Tower of London? Imagine walking into it without the Beefeater tours. Bo-ring.

- Deepa

A solo female traveller first time in India - tips needed

yes deepa i agree with ur suggestion.her second option is gud i m from allahabad its 135 kms.from varanasi and i m working in a travel agency as a trip planner and looking only holiday packages.

So if u dont mind u can contact me amiq100@rediffmail.com

Hi Anna

Is this going to be your only trip to North India? If not, go for option 1 and do Rajasthan in detail. I beg to differ from Deepa about being ';forted-out'; or ';palaced-out'; (innovative and really interesting terms!!). Each Rajasthan city does have its own character and even though we dont have the cocky Beefeaters, there are competent guides available if book in advance, who could make the difference as Deepa rightly says. If you do this programme, youll have to go Delhi(0 - this means driving straight from the airport)-Mandawa(1)-Bikaner(1)-Jaisalmer(2)-Jodhpur(1)-

Udaipur(2)-Jaipur(2)-Agra(1)-Delhi(1) by car.

However if this is the only trip you will ever make to North India, then Id suggest a variation to Deepa%26#39;s suggestion No 1. Again, I feel reducing Delhi to 0 nights is a bit harsh. A city that has a history as rich as Delhi does deserve attention even though it may be difficult to negotiate. Id suggest -

Delhi (0 - this means taking a connecting flight)) - Udaipur (2) - Jodhpur (2) - Jaipur (2) - Agra (1) - Khajuraho(1 - Take train to Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho) - Varanasi (2) - Delhi (1)

Also do pls read up all the advice available for single women travelers on this site and on Thorntree.

Many thanks for great advices!

I%26#39;m afraid this is going to be my first and last trip to North India (I%26#39;m planning to go to South next year), so I decided to do Varanasi and Khajuraho too. I%26#39;m planning to fly from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Khajuraho but I%26#39;m not sure whether it%26#39;s better to hire a car with a driver (is it expensive?) or take a public transport from Khajuraho to Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur. Also, is it possible to book a guide/tour (eg. sightseeing in Delhi, boat trip in Varanasi etc) while I%26#39;m in India or should I book in advance?

Thanks!

Boat trip in Varanasi can by arranged by your hotel once you get there, but I would suggest you arrange car and driver in advance through a local India travel agent. We used Castle and King and thought they were excellent and reasonably priced:

info@castleandking.com

npjai can give you other suggestions.

I would reccommend you 2nd options because it has variety where you can se more places...and want to include Bodhgaya in this tour just next to Varanasi.Can take direct train,cab or group tour buses. This is supreme place for lover of Budha and Hinduism.Lord Budha got enlightement here under the bodhi tree that is still there and many temples and monastries made by different countries.

Thanks