ABOUT JAIPUR

Jun 24, 2011

PLANNING A TRIP TO INDIA?

HOW to DECIDE/ TO GO or NOT to GO?
“INDIA is not for Everyone and only for the seasoned Traveller”- you must have heard this phrase a million times and pondered To Go or Not to Go?? Just having an aspiration to travel and explore INDIA will not take you far.

You need to firm up the idea and make a plan - if you don't you'll never leave! Many people will say many things but the fact is that India receives over 5 million annual foreign tourist arrivals and 562 million domestic tourism visits.  Don’t believe me, read the Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_India   

If you really want to visit India then proper planning and pre booking are very crucial. To decide “TO GO or NOT TO GO you must Look into the details like:
  • Read Travel guides on India
  • Check out a few Travel Magazines
  • Go online and research the net. It’s free and has so much information. Go to travel forums/ blogs/ travelogues/ websites and these will really give you the idea- IF INDIA is meant for you or not.
  • Check out photos and interact with travellers who have been to INDIA.

ONCE YOU HAVE MADE UP YOUR MIND & DECIDED THAT YOU ARE GOING TO INDIA, The next big question will be HOW MANY DAYS?

HOW MUCH TIME IS ENOUGH?
To decide on This, You must start with seeing:
  • How long a break can you take? This will completely depend on your commitments back home. You got to really think wisely on this and no can tell you but you yourself. 
 
  • How much budget do you have?  India is no more a second world under developed country. Everything is very expensive even for us locals. Eating out/ shopping and hotels have sky rocketed in the past 5 years. I went to Greece this year and honestly found the prices very similar to what they are in my Country. We went to Spain last year and honestly found it cheaper at places than India. Owing to the prices I prefer going abroad than a vacation in say for example Kerala.  So, if you think INDAI is cheap, Goodmorning!!  Research find out daily expenses for the regeions you want to visit add flight costs and city to city transport costs as well local transport costs to your calculations. Every region has expensive hot spots, save money by doing out of the box/ uncommon places and save money. For example Agra is expensive because of THE TAJMAHAL, but I feel The Tajmahal is overrated- go to Mount Abu and see the Delwara Temple, it will be an experience of it kind and The Delawara temple will blow you away! Trust me!! It will!!! 
 
  • Given the above 2, I personally feel to have a worthwhile break; YOU NEED TO AT-LEAST HAVE 15DAYS IN INDIA. India is a huge country and 2 weeks definitely very little time. That said, before making an itinerary you must know what is it that you are looking from the vacation. Are you more into monuments/ architecture? Are you a beach person? Is it the hills or jungles that appeal to you? You definitely cannot do East, west, north, south together...It too vast a country to do that. Planning an Itinerary will also depend on where you arrive and depart from?

WHAT ALL TO SEE IN INDIA if its your First Time?

SOME OF THE REGIONS (CITIES) YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ UP AND CHOOSE FROM/ SOME PLACES REALLY WORTH VISITING:
KERALA: (Cochin, Kumarakom, Trivandrum)- South India
KARNATAKA: (Hampi, Mysore, Coorg, Bangalore)- South India
GOA- Western India
RAJASTHAN (Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalme, Ranthambore )- North India
NEW DELHI- North India
MADHYA PRADESH- (Khajuraho)- Central India
MEGHALAYA- (Shillong, Cherrapunji) North East India
ARUNACHAL PRADESH- (Tawang) North East India

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