When travelling, I believe that it is important to be spontaneous and adventurous, however, I do like to have a general idea of what my every day will look like. Here is a general itinerary of my trip.
DAY 1 & 3
Delhi
We will arrive to our hotel called The Ray Hotel in the capital of India around 9:30pm, which is great because we will be very tired from a whole day of travelling. Day 2 we will be well rested and will hire a car and driver for the day (approximately $15). We will be dropped off and will walk on foot to the ornate gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the president of India lives. Day 3 we will have an orientation walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India's oldest and busiest markets. Later in the afternoon we will get the chance to see the Delhi's most famous monument, the Red Fort. In the evening, we will take an overnight train to Bikaner. Train ride= 8 hours.
DAY 4 & 5
Bikaner and Camel Safari
We will arrive early in the morning to our hotel, where we will be able to freshen up and eat breakfast and begin our desert adventure. Once we arrive to a village called Raiser, we will take our camels and ride into the desert. The camel ride is about 2-3 hours, where we will end the day off with watching the sunset over the dunes. Day 5 will consist of having a free day to explore Bikaner, which is known as the City of Camels.
Delhi
We will arrive to our hotel called The Ray Hotel in the capital of India around 9:30pm, which is great because we will be very tired from a whole day of travelling. Day 2 we will be well rested and will hire a car and driver for the day (approximately $15). We will be dropped off and will walk on foot to the ornate gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the president of India lives. Day 3 we will have an orientation walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India's oldest and busiest markets. Later in the afternoon we will get the chance to see the Delhi's most famous monument, the Red Fort. In the evening, we will take an overnight train to Bikaner. Train ride= 8 hours.
DAY 4 & 5
Bikaner and Camel Safari
We will arrive early in the morning to our hotel, where we will be able to freshen up and eat breakfast and begin our desert adventure. Once we arrive to a village called Raiser, we will take our camels and ride into the desert. The camel ride is about 2-3 hours, where we will end the day off with watching the sunset over the dunes. Day 5 will consist of having a free day to explore Bikaner, which is known as the City of Camels.
Day 6 & 7
Khajuraho
Khajuraho is a place I am excited for because of its breathtaking, erotic sculptures. We will visit the Khajuraho Temples which are known as "poetry in stone", as well as see the Lakshmana Temple. After a full day of touring the small town, we will stop to eat at Raja's Cafe, which has been one of the best cafes in the area for over 30 years. Our hotel that we will be staying at is called Hotel Surya.
Khajuraho
Khajuraho is a place I am excited for because of its breathtaking, erotic sculptures. We will visit the Khajuraho Temples which are known as "poetry in stone", as well as see the Lakshmana Temple. After a full day of touring the small town, we will stop to eat at Raja's Cafe, which has been one of the best cafes in the area for over 30 years. Our hotel that we will be staying at is called Hotel Surya.
Day 8 & 9
Agra
The two days we have in Agra are going to be a very exciting because it is known for India's most famous landmark, the exquisite Taj Mahal. We will be sleeping in the Ray of Maya Hotel and before heading to Taj Mahal early in the morning (best time to go because there won't be a crowd), we will eat at Joney's Place which opens at 6 am and offers a variety of Indian cuisine. In addition to the Taj, we will visit the Agra Fort, one of the finest Mughal forts in India. Train ride to Jaipur= 4 hours.
Day 10 &11
Jaipur
This city is known for its magnificent forts and palaces and it is one of the most important heritage cities in India. After eating breakfast at Anokhi Cafe, an amazing cafe with a fresh organic selection, we will be visiting the Hawa Mahal which is India's second most visited site. We will also visit sites such as the City Palace and Amber Fort, where we will finish off our second day with some shopping because Jaipur is known for its gorgeous Indian handicrafts and jewelry.
Agra
The two days we have in Agra are going to be a very exciting because it is known for India's most famous landmark, the exquisite Taj Mahal. We will be sleeping in the Ray of Maya Hotel and before heading to Taj Mahal early in the morning (best time to go because there won't be a crowd), we will eat at Joney's Place which opens at 6 am and offers a variety of Indian cuisine. In addition to the Taj, we will visit the Agra Fort, one of the finest Mughal forts in India. Train ride to Jaipur= 4 hours.
Day 10 &11
Jaipur
This city is known for its magnificent forts and palaces and it is one of the most important heritage cities in India. After eating breakfast at Anokhi Cafe, an amazing cafe with a fresh organic selection, we will be visiting the Hawa Mahal which is India's second most visited site. We will also visit sites such as the City Palace and Amber Fort, where we will finish off our second day with some shopping because Jaipur is known for its gorgeous Indian handicrafts and jewelry.
Day 12
Varanasi
The culture of this city has much to do with the river Ganges and its religious importance. We will eat lunch at Jaika Restaurant which is known for its very good North Indian dishes. In the early to late afternoon we will have the freedom to shop and roam around the unique city, and at night we will have the option of visiting various monasteries and ruins of the site of the Buddha's first sermon. The overnight train train to our last stop Delhi will be about 12 hours.
Varanasi
The culture of this city has much to do with the river Ganges and its religious importance. We will eat lunch at Jaika Restaurant which is known for its very good North Indian dishes. In the early to late afternoon we will have the freedom to shop and roam around the unique city, and at night we will have the option of visiting various monasteries and ruins of the site of the Buddha's first sermon. The overnight train train to our last stop Delhi will be about 12 hours.
Day 13 & 14
Delhi
Alas, the trip will slowly be coming to an end. We didn't want to plan anything for our last few days in India because since we will be in Delhi at the beginning of the trip, we will know a little more about the city and perhaps have a better idea of what we would like to do then and there. Our hotel that we will be staying at is called Hotel Bloomrooms which is right beside the New Delhi Railway stations. This way, we will not need to pay for a driver to take us to the airport for our return.
And this marks the end of our dream trip to India...I can't wait to one day embark upon this amazing adventure!!!!
Delhi
Alas, the trip will slowly be coming to an end. We didn't want to plan anything for our last few days in India because since we will be in Delhi at the beginning of the trip, we will know a little more about the city and perhaps have a better idea of what we would like to do then and there. Our hotel that we will be staying at is called Hotel Bloomrooms which is right beside the New Delhi Railway stations. This way, we will not need to pay for a driver to take us to the airport for our return.
And this marks the end of our dream trip to India...I can't wait to one day embark upon this amazing adventure!!!!