WEST TO EAST
3 Weeks
NEW DELHI -- JAIPUR -- JAISALMER (& BIKANER) -- JODHPUR -- UDAIPUR -- AJMER -- PUSHKAR -- DELHI -- RISHIKESH -- VARANASI -- BODHGAYA -- KOLKATA -- DARJEELING -- MIRIK -- SIKKIM -- DELHI * Apply for the Sikkim permit online, or you will have to stop at the border and get one |
Day 1: Land in New Delhi. Night at Pahar Gunj (for budget travellers).
Day 2: Check out Red Fort and Qutub Minar. Night Party at Hauz Kauz Village Day 3: Depart for Jaipur (prefrable 6:45 am Shatabdi Train; arrive in Jaipur by 11 am). Accomodation around MI Road area. In the evening walk down MI Road and drink the Lassi at Lassiwalla Read: THINGS TO DO IN JAIPUR: Real experience Day 4: Start your morning with a coffee at Indian Coffee House at MI Road, followed with a trip of the monuments, forts & palaces of Jaipur. End the evening at Nahargarh, drinks at Padao Day 5: Spend the day with your camera, go for a stroll into the old (walled, pink city) if you dare. Just watch life happening, eat samosas/pakodas, and drink chai at a street side stall. Window shop at Hawa Mahal. Overnight train to Jaisalmer Day 6: Arrive at Jaisalmer. Stay at one of the many permanent tents at the sand dunes in the Thar Desert. Sunset camel safari, followed by drinks in the desert. Catch the passing Banjara Nomad musicians and have yourself a folk music in desert evening Day 7: Travel to Jodhpur. Spend a night at one of the Palace Hotels/ Haveli _home stays Day 8: Explore Jodhpur. Visit the Blue City and Jodhpur Fort Day 9: Travel to Udaipur. Enjoy the lakes - Pichola, Fathesagar, City markets Day 10: Read: UDAPUR Day 11: Leave for Ajmer. Check out the Durgah before heading to Pushkar, 11 km away. Over night at Pushkar |
PALACES, MUSEUMS OF UDAIPURTHE LAKE PALACE IN UDAIPURLAKES OF UDAIPUR |
Day 12: Early morning trek (45 min) to temple of Savitri Devi on the hill, the wife of Brahma, who sits gazing down upon her husband's temple in a rage that has lasted centuries; Check out the various Ghats of Pushkar during the day. Visit the temple of Brahma. Try the Falafel at Doctor's Cafe. Avoid Bhag Lassi. Overnight at at the Peacock House Guest house. Read: Pushkar unveiled for the Backpacker Day 11: Travel to Delhi. This is the mid point of your journey. The West India trip ends here, and the East begins. Do a back to back Delhi - Rishikesh bus if you can manage it Day 12: Arrive at Rishikesh. Head to Ram Jhula. Stay at the Bombay House. Explore Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, meet the painted gods, cross the bridges on River Ganga, meet a baba, let life happen Day 13: Stay at Rishikesh (because you will want to). Check out the many small river beaches of Rishikesh. There is a tap outside the Bombay House that runs Ganga Jal. Enquire around, but this is safe to drink. Ganga Jal is infused with minerals, and is very good for health Day 14: Train to Varanasi (Benaras). Arrive at Benaras, go to Assi Ghat, stay at the Om Guest House Day 15: Visit the Shiv temple, hang out at Assi Ghat. Dinner at the Pizzeria @ Assi Ghat. Overnight train to Bodhgaya (Gaya) |
PUSHKARrishikesh |
Day 16: Arrive at Bodhgaya. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple at the famous site of the Bodhi Tree where Buddha allegedly attained enlightenment or moksha. Overnight to Kolkata
Day 17: Arrive at Kolkata (Calcutta). Overnight at one of the over priced, insanely shabby guest houses at Sudder Street. Morning coffee at the Indian Coffee House. Overnight train to New Jal Paiguri (NJP)
Day 18: Shared Jeep from NJP to Darjeeling (2 hours, Rs 200). Arrive at Darjeeling, find a guest house at the market road, visit monasteries around, and the town square. Eat mandarin oranges here. Overnight at Darjeelng
Day 19: Shared Jeep to Mirik. Arrive at Mirik. Overnight at Mirik
Day 20: Shared Jeep to Gangtok (in Sikkim). Obtain permit enroute, if not applied before. At Gangtok, check out the mall road. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 21: Back to destination
Day 17: Arrive at Kolkata (Calcutta). Overnight at one of the over priced, insanely shabby guest houses at Sudder Street. Morning coffee at the Indian Coffee House. Overnight train to New Jal Paiguri (NJP)
Day 18: Shared Jeep from NJP to Darjeeling (2 hours, Rs 200). Arrive at Darjeeling, find a guest house at the market road, visit monasteries around, and the town square. Eat mandarin oranges here. Overnight at Darjeelng
Day 19: Shared Jeep to Mirik. Arrive at Mirik. Overnight at Mirik
Day 20: Shared Jeep to Gangtok (in Sikkim). Obtain permit enroute, if not applied before. At Gangtok, check out the mall road. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 21: Back to destination