India is one of the three remaining countries that I have on my "bucket list". Since I was completely satisfied with Intrepid Travel's SE Asia trip (35 days) in 2010, I looked at the various India tours that they (http://www.intrepidtravel.com/) offered....57 trips of various lengths and comfort classes. With such a wide selection, I spent a little time picking trips that would allow me to visit both the northern and southern parts of the country plus the holy Hindu city of Varanasi. I will depart the USA on February 28 and arrive in Mumbai, India 26 hours later in early hours of March 1. I will return to the USA on April 10. My next entry will outline the itinerary of the 2 trips that I selected from Intrepid's tours.
Preparation
I obtained a 90 day tourist visa from the India embassy...cost $105 including the return of the visa via FedEx. Checked the US Gov't CDC site and found out what immunization shots and medicines that I needed. Visited my doctor to ensure that I had all of my shots....all were up to date (Hep A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, etc)...obtained prescriptions for malaria and an antibiotic in the event of serious diarrhea. I will start taking over-the-counter Acidophilus active cultures one month before I leave to fend off stomach problems.
I obtained my air reservations from Washington Dulles to Mumbai...I was fortunate to discover that I had 110,000 frequent flyer miles in my Continental Airlines account ...was able to obtain a round-trip business class ticket between DC and Mumbai...lucky!! I will be traveling by air within India from Mumbai ---> Choci---> Varanasi ---> Delhi ---> Mumbai...air travel cost is estimated to be approximately $700. Since I was going to do Varanasi on my own, I booked a room at a guest house located right on the Ganges River. The guest house location will give me ready access to various Hindu religious ceremonies that occur on the river's ghats (steps).
I have begun reading various books and travel journals about India, Kipling's Kim, Thrity Umrigar's The Space Between Us, and Frommer's India. Prior to any of my travels, I use Trip Advisor's excellent travel forums to gain an understanding of what to see, tours, accommodations and dining opportunities....India has alot to offer!!
I will begin packing for India after Ann Marie and I return from a 12 day Caribbean cruise on January 28. I will provide you with costs of my trip so that you can see that you can travel safely and in comfort without spending a fortune. What I like about Intrepid Travel is that they allow you to do tours within the group or venture out on your own as you visit the various venues.
Preparation
I obtained a 90 day tourist visa from the India embassy...cost $105 including the return of the visa via FedEx. Checked the US Gov't CDC site and found out what immunization shots and medicines that I needed. Visited my doctor to ensure that I had all of my shots....all were up to date (Hep A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, etc)...obtained prescriptions for malaria and an antibiotic in the event of serious diarrhea. I will start taking over-the-counter Acidophilus active cultures one month before I leave to fend off stomach problems.
I obtained my air reservations from Washington Dulles to Mumbai...I was fortunate to discover that I had 110,000 frequent flyer miles in my Continental Airlines account ...was able to obtain a round-trip business class ticket between DC and Mumbai...lucky!! I will be traveling by air within India from Mumbai ---> Choci---> Varanasi ---> Delhi ---> Mumbai...air travel cost is estimated to be approximately $700. Since I was going to do Varanasi on my own, I booked a room at a guest house located right on the Ganges River. The guest house location will give me ready access to various Hindu religious ceremonies that occur on the river's ghats (steps).
I have begun reading various books and travel journals about India, Kipling's Kim, Thrity Umrigar's The Space Between Us, and Frommer's India. Prior to any of my travels, I use Trip Advisor's excellent travel forums to gain an understanding of what to see, tours, accommodations and dining opportunities....India has alot to offer!!
I will begin packing for India after Ann Marie and I return from a 12 day Caribbean cruise on January 28. I will provide you with costs of my trip so that you can see that you can travel safely and in comfort without spending a fortune. What I like about Intrepid Travel is that they allow you to do tours within the group or venture out on your own as you visit the various venues.
