photos by Yan ChanRemember this post about my trip to India? Well its almost here, only 3 weeks away in fact! I'll be gone close to a month. I'm scheduling a bunch of posts for when I'm gone. And if I get a chance, Ill stop in at an Internet cafe and give you all a little update.
I have most of my itinerary sorted, will be flying into Delhi then straight to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Then to Jodphur >> fly to Mumbai >> train to Goa >> then another train to Kerala (which will be a 15 hour train! eek) then flying back to Delhi.
So my question is what should I do for my last week in the North of India? Ive looked into tours a bit but they are SO expensive, I thought if I booked them once I'm already over there it might be alot cheaper. I'm also still thinking Homestays might be a good option. My bestfriend is from Punjab and has suggested I go stay with her family there.....well its getting close, so I guess I have to make a decision soon. Aaah planning a trip can be so stressful. I much prefer travel where I can just decide once I'm there. I've heard India isnt the sort of country where I can do that though.
Which would you choose?
You should definitely try to get to Amritsar. The golden temple is just incredible, especially at sunset or sunrise. I stayed in a homestay/B&B there I wished I remember the name of it but it's been so long. The Sikhs are such generous and hospitable people. I'm sure you will have a fabulous time whatever you decide. It's one of my most memorable trips. I must dig out my photos, it's been too long.
@Belinda ~ ive heard alot about The Golden Temple. Im sure if I stayed with my friends family in Punjab I could go visit it.
That is an awesome photo. Why not stay with your friend's family?
Hey, I live in Bombay ..
and you can actually come to India and pretty much just do whatever. you don't have to have everything planned.. its fun to just wander.
While you are in delhi .. go to Janpath. Its a tourist shopping area.. you will find some really cute stuff... But you have to bargain.
You are going to agra, so I don't even have to suggest that. I just hope its not too misty/foggy the day you go. North Indian winters are messy, a little. Try going to the Taj in the morning if you can. I reckon there will be less people.
Feel free to email me if you wanna know more, or if you just need suggestions.
I just went to Goa last month too ..
- Karishma.
(my email is on my page)
So jealous you are going to India, the Taj Mahal has always been one of my top places to visit but I haven't been yet.
I'm not familiar with India, so I'm afraid I'm no help to you. But just wanted to say that I hope you have a fantastic trip (3 weeks away - very exciting!), which I'm sure you will. India is such a fascinating place to me, so you'll have to post all about it when you return home. :D
i am so jealous of your trip! it's sounds like it is going to be phenomenal, despite the 15 hour train ride :D i would stay with your friend's family, that would be such a once in a lifetime experience, go for it! India is beautiful, take thousands of pictures!
have fun <3
this trip sounds wonderful! india is pretty high on my list of places to visit. i've always heard really great things about homestays...they really give you a feel for how locals live. best of luck with the rest of your planning! xox
It's so great that your going to India. Staying with your friends family sounds great, that way you really get to peek inside an Indian family and see even more of "the real India". Good luck with planning and packing! I'm looking forward to hear how you're doing over there.
I'm so jealous! I've always wanted to go to india!
Sounds like you're going to have a great journey! I don't know much about traveling in india, but if you get the opportunity to do a homestay, I think that sounds very exciting!
WOW, how exciting liss!!!! traveling is always lovely and i've been to calcutta, it was really eye opening for me.
I hope you have a wonderful trip!
xo. danni
ps: if you need an extra person for a guest post: i would love to submit one ;) xo.
I think when travel abroad it's always best to schedule tours once you've gotten there. I'm sort of a travel-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of person but a lot of the time there are tons of tour guides and such that don't advertise online.
did you know that you will be in India during the http://www.kumbhamela.net/ it happens once every 12 years.
Maybe you should watch a bunch of Bollywood movies in preparation. Plus, you would get a look at some of the sites. :o) You definitely have my envy; India is on my list of places that I intend to visit one fine day.
i've never been to india so i dont have any tips sorry. your trip sounds amazing though. from previous experience of travelling, i would say staying with your friend family would be good - you'll get to see places you would never have seen other wise, none-touristy places and things xx
Ahhh you're going to have so much fun!
@ ~L~ Im the same. I really would rather figure it out once Im there, but people keep telling me you cant do that with India, you will get scammed etc. Ahhh. I think I will just wing it. Its only one week right? i have the rest planned at least!!
Hello - I love your blog and noticed your post about India and couldn't resist commenting for the first time.
We spent nearly three weeks in India this summer (husband, mother and two children - 12 and 9) and had a fabulous time - quite life-changing. We went to Delhi and then travelled by train to Amritsar. We then travelled into Himachel Pradesh and stayed in a yoga retreat near the Pong Dam. But the highlight of the trip would be our stay in McCleod Ganj - up in the Himalayas and home now to the De Lai Lama. If you get the chance you must go - it has a really lovely vibe and the most amazing shawls and silver jewellery for sale by the Tibetans who have fled their country into India.
Also, we stayed in a Homestay in Delhi - and I would thoroughly recommend it. The lady who owned it was like a big sister and her help was so valuable as we were clueless. it was so much nicer than staying in a faceless hotel. If you would like her details then please email me and I will give you the website - I know it was number one on Trip Advisor when we went. And no Delhi Belly for any of us.
I hope you enjoy it - I'm sure you will!
@The Little Things ~ thank you, I'm hearing so many good things about homestays. They just feel way less scamy then the hotels.
Have a great trip! Never been to India, so I am no help.
Definitely go to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and stay there overnight (you can sleep in the foreigners dorm)! It's like living in faerie tale, at night it's all lit up and there are people everywhere wandering and praying and Sikh men dressed in blue and orange with silver stars and swords and you can fashion yourself with a lovely head scarf. They'll feed you for free in this brilliant dining hall too, quite an experience, and everyone is very very generous. It's probably too cold to go up to Ladakh this time of year, but that's another absolutely incredible place (you can fly there from Delhi, the flight alone is worth it, to see the Himalayas emerge from the clouds).
Love you blog, I think this is the first time I've posted - have a wonderful trip! xx
oh my! India!
You are so lucky to be able to travel there - its going to be so eye opening. I would love to go someday.
Pearl xo
I think one of the bests things on travelling, is preparing to do it. I hope you have a good time.
wow!!!its a stuning photo! I like india and I can speak Tamil n Hindi a bit although I'm Malaysian (^.^)..
There's a lot of things u can see in Asia. I never been in India but how about spending another trip to my country: Malaysia > Borneo!!!
sigh. that sounds absolutely wonderful! are you traveling for work? or for leisure? either way, i hope you enjoy it! though, i will admit, i am very jealous!
Staying at your friend's place is an awesome idea.
It'll be a good experience for sure.Regular tourist destinations are just too commercialized and fake to give you a clear picture of Indian culture. Go visit some nearby village too if you have time !!
This blog might help you out a bit..
http://www.madnessandbeauty.com/2009/06/india-hit-me-and-it-felt-like-kiss.html
Hope you have a pleasant time and an amazing experience here. :)
I just got back from some rogue travel. I wouldn't worry about too much planning. If you want to make travel plans on the fly once you are there, it will be really easy if you find the backpackers. They usually know where, what, and when. I would definitely stay with your friend's family to avoid said backpackers haha
Hope you have a great time : )
No worries I am here to help....You can go to Haridwar(a holy city) and Dehradun(on the foothills of Himalayas. Or you can go to Himachal Pradesh...Shimla...Kullu...and there are other places too to trek nearby.Or you can go to Kashmir....Jammu/Leh/Dal Lake....there are so many things to do....well i would prefer that you have atleast 4 people so that ur safe and take the most out of the trip. :) Hope it helps!!
the homestay would be amazing! it would give you a chance to see what they see and to do something different.
Hi! Been a big follower of your posts.
And now omgad, India. I die! I had to comment :)
It's only just a dream for now to visit India. Lucky you!
Considering you are on a budget, a homestay would be most advisable. Make it your India-in-the-details partion of your hols. Living with locals helps much with finding little treasures like hole in the wall food places, markets, quaint temples and such.
And then on the day before your flight, might I suggest a proper Ayurvedic massage?
Cannot wait to see the photos!
Have fun!
I were in India 1 month ago. It´s an amazing and fascinating country (:
I went to south India for three weeks and spent time in Kerala, and I loved it so much! You'll have a brilliant time there.
It's such an exciting country, I hope you have a wonderful and unforgettable trip :)
I lived in new delhi for 4 years.
There are a lot of nice things to see! (lots of awful stuff too) but don't worry about not taking expensive trips, they are not necessary at all.
Like your blog!
Pretty please write about all your adventures.
So jealous that you get to travel to India.
Have a most wonderful time. =]
wow, Have fun, Lily! I live in Mumbai. And I have myself not visited Amritsar yet. You should totally visit The Golden Temple. If you have more time, you can check out Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh. there are tons of other places, but cant explain in one comment.