Hello,
We’ve already traveled to India twice before, but only for two-week stretches (2013, a loop from Mumbai including Hampi, and in 2019, Tamil Nadu). This time, we’re leaving at the end of October for nearly three months of travel—something completely new for us! We’ll arrive in Delhi and depart from Bangalore. Our goal is to explore Northern India and then head down to Kerala, taking a maximum of one flight and prioritizing trains.
Traveling for this long should let us plan longer stops to slow down the pace and fully enjoy our trip...
What are the places you’ve loved with this in mind?
I’ve already thought of Gokarna... Do you have any other suggestions, especially in Northern India?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
hi Arielle,
what a wonderful project!
I imagine you’ll get lots of replies…
After spending three months in northern India a few years back (2014) doing helpx and backpacking—buses and trains—I have to say I loved everything… even the chaos at train departures and arrivals!!
When I arrived in Delhi, I took another flight to Jaipur, where I stayed for a month. Then by bus and train, I went to Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Manali—my main destinations and places to "chill."
But it was in Manali where I could really relax, hiking in the mountains…
And especially in the temples, where no street noise manages to get in…
Hello,
We’ve already traveled to India twice before, but only for two-week periods (2013, a loop from Mumbai including Hampi, and in 2019, Tamil Nadu) ... This time, we’re leaving at the end of October for nearly three months of travel, which is a first for us! We’ll arrive in Delhi and depart from Bangalore. Our goal is to explore Northern India and then head down to Kerala, taking a flight at most once and prioritizing trains.
Traveling for so long should allow us to plan longer stops to slow down the pace and fully enjoy our trip...
What are the places you’ve enjoyed with this in mind?
I’ve already thought of Gokarna... Do you have any other suggestions, especially in Northern India?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Good evening Arielle,
It’s a wonderful project that requires good preparation! It’s always tricky to suggest ideas without knowing your personal tastes. To start, I recommend reading some travel journals: they’re a fantastic source of inspiration and might make you want to discover a state you wouldn’t have thought of spontaneously.
Not yet mentioned and further north: Chandigarh, Le Corbusier's city; Shimla, the British capital accessible by the mountain train KSR; Dharamsala with its Tibetan vibe; and Amritsar with its Golden Temple and the Sikhs.
Hi there,
In Uttarakhand, a region steeped in spirituality where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers flow—Haridwar, Rishikesh... Mussoorie. You can even go as far as Badrinath if it’s not too cold yet in mid-October. It’s usually very sunny in October after the monsoon, but you’ll need warm clothes for Badrinath!
Also in Himachal Pradesh: Manali, Manikaran, Shimla. It might be a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings, but it’s so relaxing.
P.S.: I didn’t realize you were leaving at the END of October. So in November, in the foothills of the Himalayas, it’ll be a bit chilly except in Haridwar and Rishikesh, which are at lower altitudes.
To slow down a bit in the North, there’s Rishikesh or Dharamshala (great for setting down your bags for a few weeks at the foot of the Himalayas with hikes and contemplative serenity), Varanasi, and Shekhawati (Mandawa/Nawalgarh).
On the way south, you can check out Udaipur (the "Venice of the East," perfect for leisurely strolls by the lakes), Hampi (you already know it, but spending a full week there lets you explore the megalithic ruins), and Gokarna (your idea, which is a solid choice for catching your breath for a few weeks on the coast before reaching Kerala).
For the final stretch, in Kerala, consider a week in Fort Kochi to live at the pace of fishermen, colonial history, and local arts (Kathakali), and in the Backwaters (Alleppey or Munroe Island), opting for a homestay on a peaceful island rather than just a day cruise.
To slow down a bit in the North, there’s Rishikesh or Dharamshala (great spots to set your bags down for a few weeks at the foot of the Himalayas—hiking and contemplative serenity), Varanasi, and Shekhawati (Mandawa/Nawalgarh).
On the way south, you can mention Udaipur (the "Venice of the East," perfect for wandering by the lakes), Hampi (you already know it, but spending a full week there lets you explore the megalithic ruins), Gokarna (your idea, which is a good choice to catch your breath for a few weeks on the coast before reaching Kerala).
At the end of the trip, in Kerala, consider a week in Fort Kochi to live at the pace of fishermen, colonial history, and local arts (Kathakali), and in the Backwaters (Alleppey or Munroe Island), opting for a stay in a homestay on a peaceful island rather than just a day cruise.
The catalog for the average tourist, with no real originality. Is that all AI has to offer? How sad!
There’s Rishikesh or Dharamshala (great spots to set your bags down for a few weeks at the foot of the Himalayas—hiking and contemplative serenity), Varanasi, and Shekhawati
Unbelievable!
Do you know these places well? Do you have any idea of the distance between Rishikesh and Varanasi?
Everything’s thrown together haphazardly. The AI tied itself in knots!😏
Hello,
Thank you all for your replies... they’ll really help me plan our itinerary, even though this time we don’t want to travel with a strict schedule, unlike our other trips where I’d planned day by day. Of course, I’m still thinking about a coherent route, considering travel logistics, weather constraints, and balancing sightseeing with downtime!
To help you understand what we’re looking for, here’s a bit about our travel style...
We love discovering historical sites—Hampi, for example, was a highlight for us—as well as places off the beaten tourist trail, like Bidar or Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu. Chettinad was another wonderful discovery. Traveling in India also means trying to connect with the spirituality of its people, so we enjoy visiting temples and pilgrimage sites: Rameswaram gave us that experience, and this time we’d like to include Varanasi in our journey. During our first trip, we flew into and out of Mumbai, and while the idea of exploring this megacity initially intimidated us (especially with our two teenage daughters), we all ended up loving it. The only place that didn’t quite click for us was Goa—we spent a short 2-night stay in Benaulim.
All this has made us want to return to India, but since it can be tiring or even overwhelming, we’re planning to build in some rest stops. These could include beaches (like Gokarna and maybe others), hill stations (we’re already considering some in Kerala, but there might be options elsewhere too), and the mountains north of Delhi—though we’re not going for long hikes; a 3- to 4-hour walk would be plenty. While exploring Rajasthan, I’d also like to include some quieter, rural stops between the must-see spots...
Hopefully, this gives you a better sense of what we’re after, and of course, I’ve been checking out the **travel journals** posted by some of you for a while now! !
When I read your first post, I held back from replying since I’ve only seen a tiny part of India (Rajasthan in January 2024 and Tamil Nadu / Kerala in January 2025).
But you mentioned a few places we’ve been, like Chettinad. That region was one of our absolute favorites, but sadly we didn’t stay long enough. Now I could see it as a perfect stop to catch my breath.
Rajasthan was anything but restful! But we slowed down in the village of Salawas, 20 km from Jodhpur, at Chottaram’s guesthouse. Our second break was in Jaisalmer, with timeless moments in the Thar Desert.
Good evening,
Actually, Chettinad, where we spent two days in 2019, is the kind of place where you can quietly explore the heritage and find establishments of a certain standard where you can recharge... It's exactly the kind of spot I'd like to discover elsewhere.
In the northern regions where havelis are found, there must be villages or towns quieter than the rest, right?
Otherwise, I’ll keep your recommendations around Jodhpur in mind, and as for Jaisalmer, I’m not sure yet if we’ll include it in our itinerary (since we’ll have to make some choices)!
I’ve already had the chance to read your travel journals with interest...
Good evening,
Indeed, Chettinad, where we spent two days in 2019, is the kind of place where you can quietly explore the heritage and find establishments of a certain standard, where you can recharge... It's exactly the kind of place I'd like to discover elsewhere.
In the northern regions where havelis are found, there must be villages/towns quieter than others, right?
Otherwise, I’m noting your recommendations around Jodhpur, and as for Jaisalmer, I’m not sure yet if we’ll include it in our itinerary (since we’ll have to make choices)!
And I’ve already had the chance to read your travel journals with interest...
If you're looking for places similar to Chettinad, Shekhawati is a definite must—I’ve talked about it a lot in one of my travel journals.
Madhya Pradesh isn’t very touristy, and you can find nice villages where you can stay for several days.... I think in every Indian state, you can find peaceful villages—it’s up to you to choose.
(Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu... and many more.)
Thanks for the info!
I’ll add Shekhawati to our itinerary.
I’ve started reading your travel journals... so I’m also adding Bundi in Rajasthan, and as for Madhya Pradesh, I really loved Chanderi and everything you discovered from that little town...
Now we’ll have to make some choices!
Rajasthan is full of places to settle in. I recommend Jawai Bandh, a sanctuary where leopards roam freely among stunning rock formations around a lake. Having been to Rajasthan six times, I can tell you it's a spot that’s still off the radar for most international tourists.
I could list dozens and dozens of other places to relax in India—every state has its gems: the foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, some of Goa’s lesser-known beaches, Gokarna in Karnataka, Shekhawati, and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu... But since you’ve got time, maybe you’ll stumble upon them yourself as you wander.
Hello,
I'm thrilled to see so many of you "India specialists" on this forum responding to me... since I've already planned two trips in 2013 and 2019, I've been following you for a long time! Pagaljabab, for example, reading your trip report on Tamil Nadu convinced me to include Chettinad in our 14-day itinerary...
This time, we're embarking on a new experience; we've never had the chance to travel for more than a month before, and planning a nearly 3-month trip is quite dizzying (for me)! Usually, I tend to plan all our stops, even though in India we only booked a few accommodations in advance, easily finding hotels on the spot... but with more time ahead, I hope we can actually spend more time in places where we feel good and include stops off the beaten tourist track.
That doesn’t mean we want to skip the must-sees... On that note, do you think it’s worth including the Pushkar Fair in our itinerary, taking place from November 17 to 24, 2026?
Diwali will be from November 6 to 10, 2026: where do you think is the best place to experience this festival?
Given that we arrive in Delhi on October 30 and plan to spend 4 nights there upon arrival...
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I’m glad my 2018 Tamil Nadu travel journal was useful to you.
we’ve never had the chance to travel for more than a month before, and planning a trip for nearly 3 months is quite dizzying (for me)!
My longest stay in India was two and a half months, and I actually found it much more enjoyable to move from place to place without over-planning and to stay as long as I wanted somewhere. If I had the chance again, I’d travel like that all the time.
On that note, do you think it’s worth including the Pushkar Fair in our itinerary? It’ll take place from November 17 to 24, 2026.
I’ve never been, but it’s probably fun to see. Since you’re not planning to buy a camel, a short visit should be enough. Just keep in mind that this fair is super popular with Indian visitors, and accommodations are reportedly fully booked in advance...
Diwali will take place from November 6 to 10, 2026: where do you think it’s best to experience this festival?
It’s the most popular festival in North India, celebrated absolutely everywhere—from the biggest cities to the smallest villages. So it’ll definitely be interesting. I’ve never experienced it myself due to the timing, but my Indian friends often say it’s mostly a home and temple celebration. The best thing is to ask around locally to find out where you can see outdoor festivities. To be sure you’ll get to see some, I’d suggest choosing a religious city or a major one—or even both. Since it’ll be early in your trip, why not in Rajasthan, like Udaipur, where there’s always something special happening during festivals by the lake or at the Jagdish Temple? Or somewhere else...
Hello
If you want to see a festival that's less touristy than Pushkar, there's the Chandrabagha Fair in Jhalawar Jalarpathan from November 23rd to 25th, followed by the festival in Bundi from the 27th to 29th.
My longest stay in India was two and a half months, and I actually found it much more enjoyable to move from place to place without too much planning and to stay as long as I wanted somewhere. If I had the chance again, I’d travel like this all the time.
Taking the time to travel has been a long-time dream of mine... but I want to leave with enough information to make choices that match our tastes. We also want to spend enough time in Kerala, where we should feel more in vacation mode to come back refreshed... because as far as I’m concerned, I go back to work on January 28th!
If you want to see a festival that's less touristy than Pushkar, from Nov 23 to 25 there's the Chandrabagha fair in Jhalawar Jalarpathan, and right after, the festival in Bundi from Nov 27 to 29.
Thanks for this info... After reading one of your travel journals (I'm taking notes...), I'd jotted down the Chandrabagha fair in Jhalawar Jalarpathan and looked up the dates! I think this matches what we're looking for better than Pushkar...
The most off-the-beaten-path places I’ve visited in India (outside of local spots) are Gujarat and the western part of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
Gujarat was pretty relaxing in the sense that the accommodations were pleasant.
Western Madhya Pradesh, not so much... (Accommodations were pretty rough).
The peak of non-touristy was a trip from Hyderabad to Hampi. For relaxation, it wasn’t really the best...
Udaipur is a decent option for rest, even if it’s very touristy. It’s a good place to recharge.
Maheshwar and Orchha offer a more rustic vibe.
A lesser-known wildlife park could also be a good way to unwind a bit.
The Delhi-Bhopal train line passes through lots of interesting places, so you don’t have to exhaust yourself with transportation (Agra, Gwalior, Orchha, Sanchi, Bhopal).
I’m planning a Kerala/Tamil Nadu trip and can’t decide between these two spots.
We’ll be coming from Madurai by taxi.
Munnar seemed perfect for some hiking and great views.
But I’ve heard about Idukki, which is less touristy...
So I’d love to hear your experiences to help me choose.
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for 23 days in January 2027—there are four of us—and we’ll wrap up the trip with 5 days in Mumbai. Our itinerary is coming together, but what do you think? (We can’t change the dates since our flights are already booked.)
We still have one night to slot in, and I’ve tentatively planned it in Tangalle, though it was a bit random. Would it make more sense to place it at a different stop? Or is there an intermediate stop I might be missing?
I’ve got accommodations sorted everywhere except Mumbai—it’s a nightmare (either way too expensive or really dodgy). By default, we’ve spotted the Residency Hotel Fort, but 70 € a night (with a discount) for a hotel that doesn’t offer anything special in India?!
Hey everyone,
Just a quick note to clear up a few things you see all over the web about SIM cards when you arrive in Bhutan. Between outdated info and people just making stuff up, it gets confusing fast.
Basically, once you’ve picked up your luggage at Paro Airport, TashiCell and Bhutan Telecom have their counters side by side. Prices are the same, but watch out for the detail that trips everyone up:
If you want an eSIM, the airport only sells it with unlimited plans (the pricier ones, around $13–20).
If you want a smaller classic plan with 3 or 5 GB, at the airport it’ll only be a physical SIM.
No need to splurge on international eSIMs before takeoff—the local SIM takes 2 minutes to buy on the spot with your passport.
If you want to check the real rates and see photos of the signs at the counter to plan ahead, I found this super clear recap: https://sogdiaroam.com/fr/blog/carte-sim-esim-touriste-bhoutan-aeroport-paro-2026
Just pick the shortest line between the two operators—no need to compare.
Hello!
We're a family of 4—3 adults and a 14-year-old. We're seasoned travelers with a passion for science, culture, and history. In short, we love discovering and learning.
We'll be in India for 3 weeks, from December 11, 2026 (in Goa) to January 3, 2027 (in Thiruvananthapuram).
We're looking for one or more drivers to handle the journey and guides who speak clear, fluent English, French, or Spanish. We'd love guides who are knowledgeable, passionate about their region, and able to answer our countless questions while giving us in-depth insights into the places, rituals, culture, and more.
Do you know of such guides or drivers, or have any tips on how to find people who can help us create unforgettable memories?
Thank you so much in advance!
Cat
Hi everyone,
The "Rometorio" app is super handy—you just enter a departure city and a destination, and it suggests train, bus, and flight routes. For trains, you get the name and number of each one along with the schedules. Plus, it gives you an idea of how long bus and train trips take.
Happy travels to all!
Hello,
We are two couples of friends aged between 65 and 70. Do you have a local agency or a local French-speaking driver-guide to recommend for a trip around Sri Lanka between February 14 and March 14, 2027? We’re open to any tips for our trip. The reviews and advice for agencies found on the forum are several years old. Thanks for your help.
Hi everyone,
I’d like to visit Mahe with the goal of seeing the 5 former French trading posts. Is it worth it? I get the feeling that northern Kerala is overlooked by tourists—am I wrong? And why?
If you’ve got any great tips for guesthouses or hotels in Mahe, I’m all ears.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Hello,
Planning a cruise on the Brahmaputra in January—should we worry about being bothered by those little critters? One of us has allergies.
Thanks for your replies
Hi there,
Our trip to India, starting at the end of October, is taking shape.
I’d like to book a hotel in Delhi for our first three nights and another in Amritsar, where we’ll be staying during Diwali.
I’ve realized it’s really hard to trust the reviews on Booking. Have any of you stayed at and can recommend mid-range hotels in these two cities?
Your feedback could help us decide!
Thanks in advance.
Hi there, we're planning to go to Haridwar and Rishikesh in February, either from Delhi or from Amritsar where we'll be beforehand. What's the best way to get there? Driver, private car, train? Your tips would be much appreciated... thanks
Hi, I'm thinking of attending the Nagaur Fair in Rajasthan, which takes place from February 12 to 15, 2027.
Has anyone been to this fair? Is it just a livestock market or a real festival with music and dancing? Since it’s quite a detour for me, I wanted to know if it’s worth it. Thanks!
I'm also considering a trip to Sri Lanka.
I'm surprised to find so few references to Jaffna in the comments.
Does that mean this destination isn't worth it?
Thanks for your thoughts!
I’m planning a short visit to Pokhara around mid-February 2027 (it’ll be my 4th time in Nepal 😊, over 40 years!). I’d like to book a room in advance rather than looking when I arrive. I’ve checked a bit on Bxxking.com and see lots of options. I’m used to scoping out the surroundings of places listed, just to avoid ending up in areas that are either unappealing or far from everything.
So, I see quite a few offers around the lake (Lakeside?), but every time I check what it looks like, the streets seem really uninviting. It’s kind of like a construction site with buildings everywhere… Nothing like Bhaktapur (for example) or even Thamel, where the streets seem way more pleasant.
Could anyone give me some advice?
Also, I don’t really get the impression that Pokhara is worth a visit of several days. The lake, sure, but once you’ve seen it—what else is there?
I’m interested in the 10-day/8-night "Discover Nepal" tour offered by Capitales Tours, among others.
For Day 4, it lists Kathmandu-Mugling-Pokhara as 200 km and 8/9 hours of travel.
Is this duration due to the road conditions? I assume the stop in Mugling for lunch is included in the travel time.
For Pokhara-Chitwan, only the distance is mentioned: 160 km. Should I expect a long bus ride there as well?
The proposed flights would be with AIR-INDIA via DELHI. We had issues with AIR-INDIA before—they denied us boarding for Paris even though we arrived at the airport more than 3 hours early. There was no specific counter for PARIS; the counters were for all destinations, and we waited in line for over 2.5 hours only to be told "too late"...
Thanks for your advice: Mum49
Is it still like this?
Yeah, VF, which used to be so responsive, still doesn’t even have a thread about this devastating mudslide that’s ravaged a region of Nepal where hundreds have died and hundreds more are missing (provisional toll). But from the images, we know the number of victims is going to be terrifying.
Thoughts to everyone affected, including, according to early reports, many travelers..
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Bangladesh for tourism during All Saints' Day 25. The government website is pretty discouraging! I’d love to hear from people living there or who’ve been recently before I buy my tickets.
How’s the security level and feasibility of a circuit (boat, train, bus around the country)? We’re used to basic conditions :)
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Cécile
I’ll be landing in Srinagar on October 23rd. I’ve decided to visit this region of India that I haven’t explored yet to discover new landscapes and, especially, their crafts.
I don’t have anything planned so far. I’ll be staying for about two weeks before heading back to Pushkar.
I’d love any tips you can share—small towns or villages to visit, ideas for affordable and authentic accommodations, workshops to check out, and so on. I’m open to all your suggestions!
I might head toward Jammu, where a host has offered to put me up for a few days.
Thanks in advance, and take care!
Hi,
I’m looking for an organized tour in Northern India that goes through Agra (of course!) over about twenty days, prioritizing 2-day stops given the long distances or flights.
So far, my search has led me to these tours:
Intimate Rajasthan + Ganges Valley
Intimate Rajasthan and Goa
Confidential Rajasthan + Goa circuit
The number of kilometers is still pretty overwhelming and a bit scary.
Thanks for your feedback!
bcricri14
Practical tips from my 105 days of erratic wandering in India
Day 1 (10/10/2006): arrived in Mumbai around noon. Bus No. 338 5 Rs + 5 Rs (bag) 20' to Andheri station. Train 6 Rs to Dadar. Train 41 Rs to Lonavla 2h30 Hotel Chandralok 500 Rs **
Day 2: bike rental 7 Rs/h (too expensive, normal price 2-3 Rs/h) visit to the caves of Bhaja and Karla.
Day 3: train 28 Rs to Pune 1h20 Hotel National 416 Rs *
Day 4: train 141 Rs (with reservation) to Satara 2h45 Hotel Sagar 364 Rs **
Day 5: bus 110 Rs to Pandharpur 4h Hotel Aishwarya 450 Rs ***
Day 6: bike rental 2 Rs/h
Day 7: bus 125 Rs to Ahmadnagar 4h20 Hotel Parijat 250 Rs *
Day 8: train 151 Rs (!ticket for a mini 600 km trip!) to Jalgaon 5h30 Hotel Plaza 200 Rs **
Day 9: round-trip bus 38 Rs to Ajanta 1h30 + shuttle 6 Rs 5' Site entrance 250 Rs
Day 10: train 47 Rs to Khandwa 3h + bus 40 Rs to Omkareshwar 2h Ganesh G.H. 150 Rs *
Day 11 to 13: Omkareshwar
Day 14: bus 35 Rs to Maheshwar 2h45 Akashdeep Rest House 200 Rs **
Day 15: bus 8 Rs to Dhamnod 20' bus 20 Rs to crossroads 14 km from Mandu 1h40 bus 9 Rs to Mandu 20' Ram Mandir Dharamshala 100 Rs + 5 Rs for hot water *
Day 16: bike rental 3 Rs/h
Day 17: bus 50 Rs to Indore 4h Hotel Neelam 209 Rs
Day 18 to 20: Indore + round-trip bus 30 Rs to Ujjain 1h45
Day 21: train 82 Rs to Bhopal 5h30 Hotel Ranjeet 358 Rs *
Day 22: train 10 Rs to Sanchi 1h20 Jaiswal Lodge 200 Rs + 15 Rs for hot water! *
Day 23 and 24: visit to Sanchi + bike rental to visit the caves of Udayagiri
Day 25: train 69 Rs to Jhansi 5h + tempo 5 Rs to bus station + tempo 10 Rs + 5 Rs (bag) to Orccha 25' Sri Mahant G.H. 200 Rs **
Day 26 and 27: bike rental + train 20 Rs to Datia 30' + bemo 6 Rs to city center. Return bus 15 Rs 1h15
Day 28: bus 100 Rs to Khajuraho 4h Yogi Lodge 150 Rs **
Day 29: bike rental 30 Rs/day to visit the temples
Day 30: bus 70 Rs to Satna 4h + train 56 Rs to Jabalpur 3h Hotel Banjara 350 Rs **
Day 31: bike rental 2 Rs/h and visit to the Marble Rocks (50 km round trip)
Day 32: bus 50 Rs to Mandla 3h Hotel Satyam 250 Rs ** Round-trip bus 15 Rs to Ramnagar 1h15
Day 33: bus 60 Rs to Dindori 4h + bus 45 Rs to Amarkantak 3h (hellish road) Sarvodya Lodge 250 Rs °
Day 34: Amarkantak
Day 35: bus 25 Rs to Pendra Road 1h30 + train 120 Rs + 109 Rs (reservation) to Nagpur 8h Hotel Grand 257 Rs **
Day 36 and 37: bike rental + round-trip 25 Rs to Ramtek 1h40
Day 38: train 141 Rs + 125 Rs to Hyderabad 10h Hotel 3 Castles 200 Rs ° + Hotel Suhail 200 Rs °
Day 39 to 41: stay in Hyderabad
Day 42: train 48 Rs to Warangal 3h30 Hotel Surya 410 Rs **
Day 43: 60 Rs to Vijayawada 4h15 Hotel Sindhuri 275 Rs **
Day 44: round-trip bus 21 Rs to Amaravati 2h
Day 45: train 98 Rs to Visakhapatnam 7h30! (normally 6h) Hotel Sri Sampath Residency 250 Rs **
Day 46: train 111 Rs + 95 Rs to Puri 11h30 Travellers Inn 100 Rs ° + Hotel Z 300 Rs ***
Day 47 to 52: Puri + round-trip to Konarak
Day 53: train 38 Rs to Bhubaneshwar 1h15 Hotel Upasana 275 Rs *
Day 54: train 70 Rs to Balasore 4h bus 26 Rs to Baripada 1h40 Hotel Ambika 225 Rs °
Day 55: bus 25 Rs to Balasore 1h40 train 66 Rs + 68 Rs to Calcutta 6h30 Hotel Paragon 270 Rs * Hotel Crystal 350 Rs **
Day 56 to 62: Calcutta
Day 63: 60 Rs to Bishnupur 5h Hotel Monalisa 200 Rs *
Day 64: stay in Bishnupur no bike rental!
Day 65: bus 20 Rs to Bankura 1h30 bus 20 Rs to Durgapur 1h15 bus 28 Rs to Bolpur 2h15 Hotel Nisa 150 Rs *
Day 66 and 67: visit to Bolpur/Shantiniketan. Refused bike rental at ... 100 Rs/day!!! (Communist state of Bengal!!!)
Day 68: bus 20 Rs to Sainthia bus 35 Rs to Baharampur 4h30 bus 7 Rs to Murshidabad 40' Hotel Manjusha 350 Rs **
Day 69: bike lent by the friendly hotel owner and visit to Murshidabad
Day 70: bus 8 Rs to Baharampur 35' bus 60 Rs to Malda 6h (hellish road) Hotel Pratapaditya 231 Rs **
Day 71: train 66 Rs + 70 Rs to New Jalpaiguri 4h Hotel Holydon 250 Rs °
Day 72: train 52 Rs to Darjeeling 9h30! (normally 7h) Hotel Pineridge 500 Rs **
Day 73 to 75: Darjeeling
Day 76: train to New Jalpaiguri 9h30 + overnight train 271 Rs
Day 77: Patna Hotel President 482 Rs **
Day 78: stay in Patna
Day 79: train 18 Rs to Gaya 3h10 tempo 10 Rs to Bodhgaya 30' Deep G.H. 400 Rs!! °°
Day 80: return to Patna
Day 81: round-trip train 36 Rs to Rajgir 4h! (normally 3h)
Day 82: train 75 Rs to Varanasi 5h! (normally 4h) Yogi Lodge 150 Rs *
Day 83 to 87: Varanasi
Day 88: overnight train 310 Rs to Jaipur Evergreen G.H. 250 Rs **
Day 89: bike rental 30 Rs/day round-trip to Amber
Day 90: bus 59 Rs to Sikar 2h30 bus 23 Rs to Fatehpur 1h30 Rajshri Rest House 300 Rs *
Day 91: round-trip bus 12 Rs to Mandawa 30'
Day 92: round-trip bus 17 Rs to Churu 1h30
Day 93: bus 80 Rs to Jaipur 3h30 Evergreen G.H.
Day 94: bus 105 Rs to Bundi 5h30 Shivam G.H. 200 Rs **
Day 95: bike rental 3 Rs/h
Day 96: auto-rickshaw to station 45 Rs 25' train 44 Rs + 50 Rs to Chittorgarh train 21 Rs to Udaipur (total trip 8h) Badi Haveli 330 Rs **
Day 97 to 99: Udaipur + round-trip bus 45 Rs to Ranakpur 3h30
Day 100: bus 143 Rs to Ahmedabad 5h30 Hotel Manila 300 Rs **
Day 101: Ahmedabad
Day 102: bus 99 Rs to Bhavnagar 4h30 Hotel Vrindavan 200 Rs *
Day 103: round-trip bus 22 Rs to Palitana 1h10
Day 104: bus 85 Rs! to Ahmedabad 5h30 + overnight train ? Rs (feels like the end of the trip!)
Day 105 (January 22, 2007): train 6 Rs from Dadar to Andheri 20' + bus 5 Rs + 5 Rs (bag) to International Airport 20'
More figures
British Airways flight price Brussels-London-Mumbai-London-Brussels 576 €
Exchange rate from 55 Rs to 58.6 Rs per euro
Average room price 272 Rs/night
Daily budget 11 €
Chai from 1 Rs (Calcutta-Bengal) to 6/7 Rs (Rajasthan)
Bottle of water from 6 Rs (Udaipur), 8 Rs (Varanasi) to 12/13 Rs
Internet from 8 Rs (Warangal), 10 Rs (Calcutta, Indore, Hyderabad), 20 Rs (often) to 40/60 Rs!! (Rajasthan)
Beer in a restaurant from 85/100 Rs (often) to 150/165 Rs (Varanasi/Udaipur)
More details on request
Hello everyone,
we got back from our trip to Kashmir and Ladakh three weeks ago.
We spent 4 weeks there, including one in Kashmir.
We’re really happy with our stay in Srinagar and Sonamarg. The Kashmiris gave us a very warm welcome and seemed pleased to see tourists who weren’t Indian. In fact, over the 4 days we spent in Srinagar, we only saw 4 people who looked European... Srinagar is stunning with its lakes and the lively Mughal gardens. No trouble getting around, whether by shikara, rickshaw, taxi, or on foot. The houseboats are gorgeous, unfortunately controlled by consortiums. We took a taxi to Sonamarg (20 €).
Sonamarg (two nights) and its glacier are easy to explore, either on horseback or on foot, but it’s becoming a leisure spot for Indians.
To get to Ladakh afterward, we opted for a private taxi (quite expensive at 100 €, but the road is long). Since we’re a couple, it allowed us to stop whenever we wanted... and the route is beautiful all the way to Lamayuru, with our first snow-covered pass under snow when we crossed around May 21st. Then we stopped in Mulbek and Kargil before arriving in Lamayuru (three nights). We took another taxi to Alchi (26 €), spent one night there, and took the local bus at around 8 AM to Leh (3 €, a comfortable one-hour ride). We arrived in Leh around 9:30 AM, and Gyatsel from Tsarap Guesthouse came to pick us up with our backpacks. His guesthouse is located 500 meters from the market square in Leh, in a quiet little alley with no traffic. We highly recommend it because Gyatsel is invaluable for arranging taxis and organizing off-agency circuits...
His accommodation is super comfortable, and he cooks with vegetables from his garden. His wife also helps out... It’s Gyatsel’s mother who tends the garden. Through him, we arranged permits for the Nubra Valley up to Turtuk, then the Pangong and Tso Moriri lakes (we didn’t do the latter due to snow overnight!). We also crossed the Changtang (magnificent) to reach Thiksey, Stakna, Hemis, and returned to Leh. Six days in a private taxi (400 €). Since the roads were clear, we headed to Zanskar for 5 days in a shared taxi (28 € round trip for both of us). The route from Leh to Zangla follows the Zanskar gorges (impressive!).
We discovered Padum, Pibiting, Karsha, and Puktal, which you can reach via a small 7 km road and a 45-minute walk to finish, plus the sacred summit on the way to Manali.
Back in Leh, we extended our permit to visit the Aryan Valley by taxi (round trip, two days, 90 €).
We spent our last two days resting in Leh—the altitude is really tiring...
I’m sharing these taxi prices as a guide for a couple.
Accommodation ranged from 12 € in Leh to 30 € at Pangong Lake (the most expensive), but averaged around 15-17 € per night.
We’re not trekkers, but we love walks, discovery, and meeting people along the way. It was an amazing trip, and we even discovered a very old monastery a few kilometers before Lamayuru, where a monk took us—timeless...
I’m sharing these details because it’s hard to find precise information about Kashmir.
I’m heading to Sri Lanka for 3 weeks in July with my two 11-year-old kids, and I’m wondering about how to organize the trip. We’re used to traveling on the go, staying 1 to 2 or 3 nights per place depending on how we feel.
Do you recommend planning the itinerary and booking accommodations in advance to save time once we’re there?
Or is it pretty easy to organize everything as we go without any issues?
Same question for activities: Should we book safaris and tours ahead of time, or can we arrange them easily on the spot? Is there a risk of not getting a spot, for example, to visit a park since we’ll be there in July?
We’ll be using local transport (train, VTC via PickMe, tuk-tuk) to get from one place to another.
In short: Are there any must-book things we should reserve now?
So far, I only have the flight tickets!
Hi there, I think you're on the right track—you plan the itinerary and book the rooms in advance, and that’s it.
Not only do you save time, but you also know where you’ll be staying each night. Choosing well on Booking (or elsewhere) is actually a pleasure!
For safaris, given the number of jeeps with drivers available, it’s unlikely you’ll be turned away... the real issue is more about the concentration of jeeps around the animals.
I travel like you do—train, bus, tuk-tuk, and sometimes taxi. Ride-hailing apps like PickMe and other VTCs are mostly in big cities.
For the mountain train, due to severe flooding, service was interrupted on the line between Kandy and Ella. Check ahead, because reservations for this train are very complicated, if not impossible.
For the Colombo/Kandy train, you reserve your seats by buying the ticket before boarding. In the south, no need to book in advance for trains.
In Sri Lanka, there’s always a solution for getting around—just ask your hosts. They have trusted contacts at their fingertips. But still, compare prices—😏 smart move!
I stick to booking my nights and keep pre-planned activities to a minimum.
For reservations you can’t skip, it’s the beach stays you’ll want to secure.
I’m trying to find out if it’s still possible to travel from Mumbai to Goa by ferry or any other sea route. My search results aren’t very clear, and if it *is* possible, I can’t figure out where to book...
If anyone has any info, I’d really appreciate it—thanks in advance!
It seems there’s a ferry from Nagapattinam to Jaffna in India. Has anyone here taken this ferry before? My main question is how to get to Nagapattinam—by train, bus? And from which town further south, of course.
Thanks, friends!
