In March 2018 we fell in love with India. We heard that people who visit India end up either loving it or hating it, which made us a little reluctant to go. But we are so glad that we did, as it was a marvelous experience. Below is the schedule and logistical info that helped us prepare, along with some things we wish we knew.
Logistics:
E-Visa info: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html - apply 120 prior to arrival. You will need 1 digital picture with white background, passport page photo, and $75/person + 2.5% cc charge.
Train Ticket Booking: www.cleartrip.com- from 1:30am-11:30pm (India time) only.
Driver and Guide Services: We got a recommendation for Mr. Yogi from friends and reserved everything through him. It was a great experience and he was wonderful. Our trip for 3 persons, to include car/driver, English speaking guides for each location we visited, tickets in every city for monuments, Udaipur boat ride and Amber Fort Elephant ride cost app. 75,000 rupees (at that time app. $1,150). You can contact him at driveindiabyyogi0@gmail.com or through www.driveindiabyyogi.com.
Advice:
Hire a driver and have them organize as much as they can: Highly recommend having a driver at all times and someone who can schedule things ahead of time/move things around. We felt much safer having someone wait for us and take us from place to place. Since it was so hot all the time, it felt great to go into a car with an A/C after spending hours touring city palaces.
Bollywood Dance Class: Highlight of our trip- it gives you something unusual to do, more fun than just regular sightseeing.
Walking Tour: In our case it was Jodhpur by Foot Tour- something that takes you to non-touristy parts of the city where you can get a better grasp of the life of ordinary people.
Listen to your guides restaurant recommendations: we always ate where they took us for lunch and never got sick (we were careful though with food selection). Food was always good.
Udaipur and Taj Mahal - if there are only two things you can visit in India, these were our favorites. We loved Jaipur as well, and Jodhpur too, but Udaipur and Taj Mahal are not to be missed.
Train Ride - even if you have a driver take you everywhere, this experience should not be missed.
Leave super, super, super early for Taj Mahal. We left an hour before they opened, and the line was already long.
Don’t expect fast internet service - we were surprised how slow it was in all of our hotels (and restaurants).
No need to stay three days in Jaipur.
If you pressed for time in Udaipur you can skip Monsoon Temple. If you have enough time, it is worth visiting.
Don’t leave sari shopping for the last minute as it will stressful and you will probably overpay. If you insist on wearing sari for Taj Mahal photos, order it beforehand online or don’t go to Agra at the beginning of your trip.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - New Delhi
Arrived in New Delhi after midnight. We stayed at The Park Hotel, 15 Parliament Street, Connaught Place. Since we were three, we asked for a rollaway bed- it was free of charge. Hotel Transport from airport for 2360 rupees (at that time app$37). Our driver/trip organizer Yogi picked us up at 11. That day we visited Jama Jasjid Mosque and the Red Fort. On our to-do list was to purchase Sari before going to Taj Mahal, and Mr. Yogi took us to a store. We bough a lovely red one for app. $50.
Day 2 - New Delhi then train to Agra
We spent almost all day in New Delhi, leaving in the afternoon for Agra. This was our favorite New Delhi day- we first visited the Jantar Mantarright next to our hotel. Then we took a Bollywood Dance Class at Delhi Dance Academy (WhatsApp +91 8377053325). The cost is app. $45 per person with costumes, with video links at the end of the final performance (worth every penny). Next was Emperor Humayun Tomb, and then Hazrat Nizamuddin Train Station to catch Nzm Jbp Superfast Express 22182 train to Agra. Mr. Yogi found us a porter and made sure we boarded the correct train to Agra. In Agra we stayed at ITC Mughal Hotel.
Day 3 - Agra
Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays)- left hotel well before the sunrise, there was a still a long line to get in. Afterwards Agra Fort which was lovely, and then one of the best meals we had in India- Bon Barbecue Agra. For sunset we went to Mahtab Bagh Garden for a view of Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River.
Day 4 - Drive to Jaipur
Left really early for a fun roadtrip. First stop was Fatehpur Sikri (part of it was closed because of a holiday and annual pilgrimage), then Chat Baori (they don’t allow you to go down the famous Stepwell). The highlight was the visit to Royal Gaitor (aka Monkey Temple) where we had an amazing guide who guided us how to safely interact with monkeys. Arrived in the evening at Umaid Bhawan - Heritage Style Hotel.
Day 5 - Jaipur
First stop was the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) for photo opportunity (that is the pink building on all photos of Jaipur), then the beautiful City Palace, followed by the Astronomical Observatory (Jantar Mantar). In the afternoon we visited elephant sanctuary Elephanjoy before heading out to Nahargarh Fort to watch the sunset.
Day 6 - Jaipur
Started early at Amber Fort with an elephant ride to the top, then drove to Patika Gate for a photo shoot. Afterwards visited Gatore Ki Chhatriyan (traditional burial grounds for Jaipur’s royal family- aka Royal Gaitor), and Panna Meena ka Kund (beautiful XVI century Stepwell where the guard let us go down the stairs). On our last night in Jaipur we ate at dinner at the amazing Peacock Restaurant, on the roof top of Pearl Palace Hotel.
Day 7 - Flight to Udaipur
We flew with Spice Jet, the flight was delayed for few hours, but they had ping pong table at the airport which made the wait more fun. The (new) driver picked us up at Udaipur airport and took us to Jagat Niwas Hotel Palace. The hotel has an amazing view of the lake and is great for photos shoots, but it was the most expensive accommodation we paid in India and not worth the price. In the afternoon we went to the Monsoon Palace.
Day 8 - Udaipur
Started super early with photoshoot in the hotel. Then visited Jagdish Temple (beautiful carvings), and then the City Palace, from where we took a boat ride to Jagmandir, a small island near by in the middle of Lake Pichola. The boat ride is lovely, the island not that interesting. For sunset- Ambrai Ghat vista point (wait until City Palace is lit). Dinner at Ambrai Restaurant on the Lake Pichola was a perfect way to say goodbye to Udaipur.
Day 9 - Drive to Jodhpur
Interesting ride where we had encounter with lots of (angry) monkeys and observed trees full of bats who were very active during the day. Stopped along the way at Jain Temple at Ranakpur. In the afternoon arrived at the Almond Tree Hotel, a cute B&B where they made us wonderful dinner at their rooftop with a lovely view of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Day 10 - Jodhpur
Started with a visit to Jaswant Thada (royal cenotaphs), then Mehrangarh Fort ( informative western-style museum , interactive and fun for kids- with a gift shop!). Following the museum we went to the Clock Tower (good to take pictures) and Sadar Bazar (spice shopping).
Day 11 - Jodhpur and Flight to Delhi
In the morning, before our flight, we organized through our hotel Jodhpur by Foot Tour. This great walking tour took us to streets and temples that are not touristy. Flew Air India to Delhi and stayed near the airport (Four Points by Sheraton New Delhi, Airport) for an early flight home.