India -2 week holiday ideas - February !

[Itsbeenalongoldday]

Still looking for an adventure destination for myself and DH in February. India has been on our list for years and Feb seems a good time to visit.
any itinerary ideas or suggestions of where to start with tour operators ? We’re mid 50s and 60 but fit and well with kids that have flown the best and craving relaxation and adventure ! Any ideas welcome 🙏

Look at travelling with Panjab Radio / Pear Travel. They’re UK based, very popular and very safe. My parents have used them multiple times, as have many friends and family. My aunt is on a trip with them right now (Singapore I think).

Happy Travelling!

We did the Golden Triangle with a couple of add-ons in February. Flew to Delhi, then got internal flight to Jaipur. From Jaipur we went out to Ranthambore, then returned to Jaipur before flying to Jaisalmer to experience the desert festival. From Jaisalmer we flew black to Delhi for a few nights, and did Agra on a day trip from there.

We have been to India twice in February. Both times with Riviera Travel (other companies available). The first time we did the Golden Triangle with an add on to Shimla. The second time we travelled across Kerala from Cochin to Chennai. Would love to go again.

I would look up Hampi - it is like a lost Hindu city with different structures (giant Hindu temples, elephant stables) and I completely loved it. It is in the south of India (nearest city - although still a long train journey - is Bangalore). There are tours which include Mumbai and/ or goa and hampi. These sometimes include the ajanta/ Ellora caves near Pune, which I would also recommend. These are fascinating caves where structures/ temple type architecture has been carved in to the cave rocks.

I really enjoyed kerala, it’s not quite as full on as southern India. Went with friends with explore I think. I’m in my 50s and would happily do that again, we tagged on a bit of beach time at the end. There’s lots to see, loved the tea plantations and would have stayed longer there rather than beach if I did it again. Also overnight on a barge.

did northern India with intrepid or someone similar, and it was fascinating but full on! The best bit was staying in an old castle in rajhastan for a few nights and the overnight train to Agra.

you can do it on your own, but it takes some organising.

Thanks everyone @Rocknrollstar did you Include punducherri in your trip - was it wirt a stop ? Were beaches nice in kerala ? Was the house boat worth an overnight stay love the idea of this and experiencing trains !
has anyone been on a safari in India ?
Will check out all your recommendations too. Climate looks good in Feb ?

Yes, Ranthambore was our safari

Perfect time for Rajasthan
Consider:
fly to Delhi- sights there
Agra for Taj - its spectacular
Jodphur
Jaisulmir
leopard safari
Udaipur

you asked about Kerala and being on the boats there. I’ve done that. It was not lovely at all. Dull and dirty with palm trees. The beaches on that stretch of coast can be very nice but also treacherous.

Tadoba park in the centre of India - perfect tiger country. We stayed 4 nights and saw tigers every day. Wonderful place. We also went to Hampi on the same trip as mentioned above - amazing. We booked it all ourselves without a problem. We started in Kerala and went up the centre of India via Ooty, Konoor, Mysore (fantastic palace), Hampi and Tadoba. We spent 3 weeks. Don’t under-estimate distances in India. In the end it depends where your interests lie.

We also over nighted on a beautiful boat in Kerala which was relaxing and gorgeous.

Some great suggestions - I’d also try to fit in Varanasi and the Ganges.

We did Delhi for a wedding then round trip Agra Ranthambhore Jaipur back to Delhi. Then train to Amritsar and flight back to Delhi.
all arranged via Trailfinders with their partners TransIndia. Family out there were insistent that we arranged our itinerary and transfers etc back in the U.K.

Amritsar was excellent (read story of Udam Singh before you go,) partition museum fascinating and Golden Temple wonderful.

We had a really brilliant time.

Ooh so much to consider / feel swamped !
liking the idea of taj and tigers / leopards @curious79 @MrsCat1 if you had just two weeks what would you do ideally not too much flying unless essential train 👍

India is a huge place and there are many wonderful things to see. It all depends what type of person you are I’m a wildlife person so tigers are number one priority. But if you are looking for some relaxing gorgeous- ness head for Kerala and Kochi plus a houseboat. But the palaces, colours and scents of Rajasthan are fabulous and Jaisalmer is one of my all time favourite places from where I did a 4 day desert camel safari. If you have a spirit of adventure I don’t think you can go too far wrong as long as you bear in mind the distances. And there is always a second trip sometime in the future for the places you didn’t get to! We are heading back early next year to Punjab and Assam - we started planning it on our way back from our last India trip.

I would also suggest you think about three weeks rather than two if that is at all possible.

We’re travelling to India for 2 week break in March - it’s the usual tourist trail - Golden triangle, Ranthambore etc. It’s a group tour-lite, with optional paid daily excursions - so we can escape the group and organise our own stuff.

One final thing. If you are tempted by the ‘rare wildlife’ option (eg. Tiger, leopard, rhino) I wouldn’t do it unless you dedicate 2-3 days to it (minimum) I’ve seen too many people on single day safaris who have travelled for miles and seen nothing and go away very disappointed. It’s not like Africa where there are multiple exotic species queuing up to be seen so beware!

The houseboat is definitely worth doing.We had a beautiful boat that was like something out of an Agatha Christie movie, And our own personal shift cook breakfast lunch and dinner.
The wildlife you see en route is incredible. Its so relaxing. We did this in Kerala.

I went to India with my Mum in April for her birthday. I organised it without a tour operator- booked trains using 12go and transfers using Viator or get your guide.

Our route was Delhi—> Jaipur via train—> Ranthambore in a private taxi that our tour guide a few days before organised for us—> Agra via Viator in a private taxi —> train to Delhi

We had the most incredible time- saw tigers, went to an elephant sanctuary, The Taj and incredible sights Jaipur and Delhi.

It was very affordable organising it all ourselves. If you’d like some tour guide phone numbers you can WhatsApp, please feel free to message.

I booked our safaris using a tour guide I found on Reddit! I was a bit apprehensive but it all worked out well.

@Zephyr123 that sounds like a great trip! How long were you away. @ChichesterNona would you be able to tell me how you booked that lovely boat was it through an agent? your whole trip sounds like a good idea - was it 2 weeks?

We did this for 2 days and saw absolutely nothing 😂 zero tigers! It isn't like Africa at all. It was still fun though and we stayed in an amazing old palace.

Have been to Kerala, that takes 10 days on its own easily, there's so much to see and do and yes the houseboat experience was lovely (albeit about 15 years ago).

@Mydadsbirthdaysorry you didn’t manage to see tigers. Where was your safari?

Ranthambore as PP have said. I wasn’t convinced there are actually any tigers there but a friend went last year and saw loads apparently!

Thanks have been in touch with an agent
current idea is golden triangle starting in Delhi then adding ranthambore NP to this then fly jaipur to Goa for final 4 nights
seems like a good mix to me.