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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

India - but where?

18 replies

mummy1973 · 28/12/2013 21:21

Just starting to save in 2014 for a trip to India in 2015. Children would be 11 and 8. Very open minded about where to go and what to see. Any recommendations? Never been before. Hope you can give some ideas. Thanks

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jugglejugglejuggle · 28/12/2013 21:27

How long are you going for?

India is hard-going but amazing. I backpacked there for 3 months a few years ago and loved it but my god there were days when we said "why didn't we just go to Spain?!"

In terms of recommendations, the Taj Mahal at sunrise is a must, we loved Jaisalmer and Varanasi, the Kerala backwaters and of course chilling in Goa but it really depends what you like doing and how much time you'll have.

Enjoy though, it's great! I'm jealous!!

Meglet · 28/12/2013 21:32

Well, it's 12yrs since I went, and I was only there for a week. But try and go to Jaipur, it's beautiful.

TBH everything was pretty impressive. I only did Delhi, Jaipur and Agra (standard tourist triangle) and there was no where near enough time to do it all. Nothing in India is dull or boring Smile.

Selks · 28/12/2013 21:34

Kerala. Beaches, elephants, markets, mountains, wildlife, spice plantations, amazing food and people and not as daunting as much of India is.

mummy1973 · 28/12/2013 22:05

Thank you. We could probably do 3 weeks and want to see some sights but not be constantly on the go.

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jugglejugglejuggle · 28/12/2013 22:19

In that case, I'd spend about 7-9 days doing the golden triangle (delhi - agra - jaipur you'll only need 1 or 2 days in agra for the Taj) then fly (or long train journey) down south and do 10 days in a couple of places in Kerala and/or Goa.

The problem you'll have is distance in India, it is HUGE! The trains are fab but if traveling at a busy time you'll need to book in advance.

I'll look forward to hearing your final itinerary when you've decided!

homework · 30/12/2013 13:13

Been to india three times now always different areas , the first time we did the golden triangle route when my son was seven , yes it amazing , the sounds , constant movement of people , he was a blond haired little boy at the time and everywhere we went someone would want to touch him , have him in there photos , it found it a bit much towards the end ,was good to start with but he never got a break when we went anywhere.
Our second visit we did ourselves to goa on the beach , it was good mostly chilling at the hotel pool , with occasional trip out too see few bits , he was eight at time , was lot less of the previous .
Our third visit we went up into the Indian side of the Himalayas , was small group , son was eleven , we had fantastic trip the whole group gel really well , adults and kids , the sights , sounds , visiting few school , villages in remote areas , yes very long journeys , used trains as group but as we booked very last minute weren't with rest on train trip , we meet a load of young lads who where changing base as in there army , whose English wasn't bad , family on train giving us food as we where on our own . My son showing them how to play computer games on ds , which was a novelty too them . Lot less touching once he was older , also helped that was a very pretty fourteen blond haired girl in our group , who was the magnet for this.
We always gone in October time , and have had some wonderful experiences , India not always easy to get around by yourself , tour guide are useful to help with trains / buses and the like , making trip with children easier to manage getting around, and getting rid of some of worse of the beggars etc .

MillyMollyMama · 06/01/2014 23:49

We did "Golden Triangle" with the children at age about 13 and 11. We then went to Bandhavgagh Tiger Reserve which was a 14 hour train journey from Agra. Amazing experience. We had a sleeper cabin and guard gets you up about 1 hour from arrival. Trains very late so you never know when your station will appear! 16 hour train journey back to Delhi! However, tigers outstanding (and we saw at least 5) and way better here than Ranthambhore now. Pench and Khanha Reserves are also worth exploring. We have also been up to Corbett Tiger reserve prior to DCs arriving. Also a journey and a half.

Personally I think India is more about culture, sights, sounds, wildlife and temples. We are touring southern India for 2 weeks plus next month. I think beaches can be found anywhere but India has so many special places that I prefer to see them rather than a stretch of sand. In particular I am looking forward to going to Ooty, Chennai, the western Ghats and Kerala, plus all the places in between.

India has fabulous heritage hotels which have been created from Palaces and large houses. We stayed at the Samode Havelli in Jaipur and there are plenty more to choose from. "Indian Heritage Hotels" by Anuradha Kapoor will give you an idea of what is possible. Do not stay anywhere less than 3/4 stars. We have stayed in "tourist bungalows" in the past and they were unpleasant government owned guest houses. Indian accommodation has changed beyond belief in the last 20 years. Also, do not hire a car. Utterly unsafe to drive. Can be iffy even with a driver as other drivers very unpredictable and lots of animals and people on the roads. But this is India. Book a relaxing spa before you come home or when you get home. India wears you out but it is stunning and utterly worthwhile.

mummy1973 · 07/01/2014 12:00

Wow thank you. So many top places for me to get googling. I really want to think long and hard about how best to spend the money and have a mixture of experiences without it being all frenetic.

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mummy1973 · 07/01/2014 12:04

Milly - sounds great. Hope you have a wonderful time. Please do let me know how it goes.

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DirtyThree · 07/01/2014 12:08

Milly has it spot on! It's tiring and difficult, but totally amazing.

We backpacked there but my parents had stayed in 3 places which were overpriced and shoddy. We loved the personal side of the small B&Bs and guesthouses (or the amazing 5 places but you can do them anywhere) and they were cheap as chips and full of character.

Milly is also right about the beaches. They are nice in India but not like Thailand or other parts of SE Asia. Some you would feel positively uncomfortably in a cozzie/bikini. Would recommend Palolem for a chill out though!

mercibucket · 07/01/2014 19:31

have you been to similar places with your kids before? if not, I would have a long think before going. mine would totally and utterly freak out unless we stuck to somewhere like goa.

Potol · 07/01/2014 19:40

I am Indian so obviously my experience of India is different. Would second the idea that beaches are not the same as South East Asia etc. I would start with Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Go to Mt Abu if you can. Then go South to Kerala or the amazing temples in Tamil Nadu. You could stop in Goa for a beach break. For temples I would also recommend Orissa- really historic temples and not that many tourists. Finally I would go to the Himalayas and the British hill stations. On a clear day the view in North Bengal of the Kanchenjunga is stunning.

In terms of travel don't bother with the train unless necessary, use planes. I would recommend flying Jet Airways. Spend a bit on accommodation- you want clean toilets and drinking water. Do not use ice in anything. Be careful of what you eat. Drink loads of water as the heat can be more dehydrating than you think. Also for your safety (I hate saying this but I am being honest), dress modestly. Delhi is particularly hellish in terms of safety. And please don't mind if people ask you what may seem like personal questions about how much you earn etc. Indians are very nosey! I hope you enjoy yourselves.

HamletsSister · 07/01/2014 19:44

We used a fantastic company called Indian Panorama who tailor made an itinerary once we had booked flights. We travelled round Kerala for 2 weeks with 2 children (9 and 7) and had a great time. Kerala is "India light" as there is no grinding poverty which, at 8 would have made my DD very upset but which they WILL see on our next trip. Whatever your itinerary I really recommend the agency. Someone called Smitha (female - lovely) arranged everything for us. It was only a little more expensive than booking it ourselves and we were met at the airport, had our own driver, hotels and tours booked etc. Enjoy! I can't wait to go back.

HamletsSister · 07/01/2014 19:45

Also, take hand sanitizer and use before every time you eat / after toilet / every hour or so. Not a single problem with bad tummies. 2 years before, in Sri Lanka, bad tummies before I learned this trick.

Selks · 07/01/2014 20:43

Take some probiotics before you go too, helps build up resistance in your tum.

MillyMollyMama · 07/01/2014 22:41

Merci....I think some parents know their children are made of sterner stuff. If everyone is wrapped in cotton wool, the world would never be explored and our children would never have an understanding about other cultures and how the rest of the world ticks. Children learn a lot from more adventurous holidays but if other children just want a beach, that is ok too.

mercibucket · 08/01/2014 20:26

i know milly, but if the parents havent been there, they themselves might under estimate the effect on their kids of beggers with elephantitis, or begging children with missing limbs, or even just the smells of city life and the pushing and shoving. it would affect which parts of india i went to, personally.

Eminybob · 08/01/2014 20:38

I love goa but stay away from the tourist traps like calungute and baga. Palolem, arambol and anjuna are all beautiful beaches more popular with travellers rather than holiday makers and so much less commercial. Saying that though it was 10 years ago that I went so things may have changed.

Also you must go to Hampi, it's filled with temples and stone statues and is beautiful and fascinating.

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