Delhi to Mumbai in April. What to see/do?

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

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I've just booked flights to Delhi, and out of Mumbai for April. I arrive on the 8th, and leave on the 22nd. My rough plan is such:

Delhi (4 or 5 days)
Jaipur (1 day)
Agra (1 day)
Delhi (1 day - to fly to Mumbai)
Mumbai (5 days).

I'll be obviously hitting the main tourist sites, as this is my first time in India but looking for any other suggestions or even reaffirmation of the must dos!

I considered getting the train from Delhi to Mumbai but I've been on cross-country trains in Asia before and after about an hour they are very boring so I think I'll just fly to save time.

Thanks.
 
Seems like too much time in the same place at either end. Why not spend less time in Delhi and Mumbai and more time elsewhere?
 
I spent three weeks in Bangladesh, India and Bhutan and didn't get a dodgy stomach at all. Just stick to cooked hot food only, drink bottled water use anti bac gel after touching anything and use wet wipes to wipe clean plates and cutlery.

I wouldn't spend 5 days in Mumbai, it's an absolute toilet as are most the the large cities like Calcutta etc.
 
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[TW]Fox;29075458 said:
Seems like too much time in the same place at either end. Why not spend less time in Delhi and Mumbai and more time elsewhere?
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Well that's what I'm looking at!

Literally just booked the flights, as I've always wanted to go but that's as far as I've got hence the thread.

If 5 days is too much in Mumbai, and I think that it probably would be - albeit one day is going to be a treat day at a nice hotel/spa if possible, then it would be great to have some suggestions of places to go nearby.

The only thing that is set is that I'm flying into Delhi on the 8th and out of Mumbai on the 22nd. The only must do for me is the Taj Mahal. Everything else still needs to be sorted.
 
I'm not sure how practical it would be to get there, but there are lots of lovely places in Gujarat which is technically on the route between Mumbai and Delhi.

For example:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champaner-Pavagadh_Archaeological_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gir_Forest_National_Park

Based on my experience (have been there several times with work), it is not at all touristy as it is not on the radar of many people outside of India

There are a number of airports (Ahmedabad, Vadodara) with flights to Delhi and Mumbai, so could perhaps be a stopping off point?
 
Bear said:
I spent three weeks in Bangladesh, India and Bhutan and didn't get a dodgy stomach at all. Just stick to cooked hot food only, drink bottled water use anti bac gel after touching anything and use wet wipes to wipe clean plates and cutlery.

I wouldn't spend 5 days in Mumbai, it's an absolute toilet as are most the the large cities like Calcutta etc.
Click to expand...

I did these things, and still ended up in hospital for 4 days with dysentery :p

I feel I should be able to be more helpful with this, we also flew in to Delhi and out of Mumbai, but I'm struggling to remember our exact itinerary (it was 8 years ago, to be fair). I know we went through Delhi, Agra, Rishikesh, Pushkar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad and Diu before Mumbai (not quite in that order), but I feel I'm missing something too. Though we had 6 weeks, so I wouldn't suggest being that ambitious.

Anyway, given the time and the fuzziness, apologies that I can't be more helpful, but I'd agree with the sentiments of cutting down the time in the major cities, they were by far my least favourite places.
 
So after consideration I've decided that I'm going to travel overland and skip the flight from Delhi to Mumbai. People are right, I don't want to concentrate on two massive cities.

So my current plan is thus:

Delhi
Agra
Jaipur
Jodhpur
Udaipur
...
Mumbai

I know that I'm going to have to trim that down, as it's just not possible! But, it's good to have a basis. Any thoughts?
 
I did two weeks in New Delhi (first week was in Gurgaon). Taj Mahal is definitely worth doing - it took me about four hours to get there from Gurgaon which is close to New Delhi so there will be some travel time involved. You could easily spend a day in Agra.
I went on a tour to a local stone masion where they carved the marble etc. for the Taj. The only problem is most people in Agra are just after your money, I went into a rug making factory as part of the tour and they spent about 5 minutes showing me how rugs were made before closing the curtains and then trying to sell them. What ever you buy over there you need to bargain down, even water as they will try to charge you London prices.
 
Travelling overland won't be the most pleasant, trains are incredibly cramped and roads are absolutely appalling.
 
Just looking for any tips on my latest itinerary. It seems quite a lot to me, but there's quite a lot to see! Anyone got any advice?

I've booked two nights in Delhi so far (at Zostel), but that's all the hotel booking I think I'll do (at least for now) bar a night in the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. However, keen to book flights to Mumbai from somewhere! Udaipur seems the most sensible.

So latest itinerary:

8th - Delhi (arrive mid-afternoon). Eat, grab a beer and check into hotel.
8th - Delhi all day. See the sights.
9th - Early train to Agra. See Fatehpur Sikiri, Agra Fort and shop in Kinari Bazaar.
10th - Up early to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Get early afternoon bus to Jaipur.
11th - All day in Jaipur.
12th - All day in Jaipur. Evening train to Jodhpur.
13th - Jodhpur. See the sights.
14th - Camel Trek?
15th - Bus/Taxi to Udaipur
16th - All day in Udaipur
17th - All day in Udaipur
18th - ????
19th - Fly to Mumbai
20th - All day in Mumbai
21st - Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, don't leave for the day. Drink overpriced G&Ts and relax. Pretend I'm a Raj.
22nd - Leave.
 
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If anyone offers a 'help in hand' out of courteousy just straight out refuse (talking about locals there as they are after some pocket change and won't leave your side until you give them some rupees).

Where abouts in Mumbai are you going to be? Check out Phoenix Market City, R-City & Oberoi Mall for some shopping :)

Enjoy your holiday!
 
Sorry nothing to add other than I think you're definitely on the right lines. Doing it the "slow" way (trains) is definitely the right way. You won't be bored as the scenery is great and going by train has so much more character. Definitely worth paying a little extra to get a seat in an air conditioned carriage though, if there's the option (there was last time I did it in the rural north of the country but your routes might be more modern).
 
I did 1 week remand in Tihar Jail, a long time ago...

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