Saturday, July 30, 2011

Trip Start-up


Hindu Temple from our trip to Singapore
 We have always had mixed feelings about going to India.  While we are drawn to the exotic culture, we have also heard horror stories about the poverty and lack of sanitation.  Since we are not getting any younger, we decided to go for it!

We will spend about a month seeing major sites like the Taj Mahal, but also visiting smaller towns in an attempt to learn what life is like in this strange and fascinating place.  People have told us that nothing can prepare you for India, so we are ready for the unexpected!

For this trip, we have arranged a private tour with a car and driver.  Don't worry, we are still as independent as ever and planned the whole trip ourselves.  But this arrangement will make our traveling much easier and give us the special opportunity to get to know our drivers.


Here is a snapshot of our itinerary:

Delhi (3 nights) -- city tour with rickshaw ride and chance to pay our respects to Gandhi

Varanasi (3 nights) -- arrive by overnight train to experience this sacred city where public cremations line the Ganges River

Khajuraho (2 nights) -- temples with erotic religious sculptures, some of the finest temple art in the world

Orchha (3 nights) -- breather in a small town full of charm

Agra (2 nights) -- Taj Mahal!

Jaipur (3 nights) -- "Pink City" of historical sites and phenomenal shopping

Bundi (3 nights) -- small picturesque city with surrounding villages to explore

Bhainsrorgarh (2 nights) -- play maharajah at a fort hotel surrounded by a crocodile-infested lake

Udaipur (4 nights) -- one of the most romantic cities in India (where the James Bond movie "Octopussy" was filmed)

Narlai (2 nights) -- small village stay in a heritage property

Jojawar (2 nights) -- another small village, includes a train and jeep tour into the Aravali Hills

Jodhpur (2 nights) -- "Blue City" and home of the amazing Mehrangarh Fort

Delhi (1 night)

We will post trip reports (and photos) as often as we can.  As always thanks for traveling with us!

Namaste,

Anne & Frank