India

I compiled this trip myself, working with an in-country travel agent, Rajasthan 4WD. This is our complete itinerary, which was finalized only days before leaving.

Photos

Enjoy a slideshow of our entire journey (111 pics).

Trip log

1. Seattle to Amsterdam - november 29

   Northwest flight #34

2. Amsterdam to Mumbai - november 30

   Arrive late.

   Hotel Host-Inn, Mumbai

3. Mumbai - december 1

   Elephanta Island, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus.

   Hotel Host-Inn, Mumbai

4. Aurangabad - december 2

   Fly Mumbai to Aurangabad (7-8am), sightseeing in Aurangabad.

   Hotel Classic, Aurangabad

5. Ajanta & Ellora Caves - december 3

   Hotel Classic, Aurangabad

6. Drive to Dhar - december 4

   Seven hour drive.

   Jheera Bagh Palace, Dhar

7. Mandu - december 5

   Mandu

   Jheera Bagh Palace, Dhar

8. Drive to Bhopal - december 6

   Six hour drive, visit Maheshwar enroute.

   Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal

9. Sanchi, Bhojpur & Bhimbhetka - december 7

   Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal

10. Drive to Kanha National Park- december 8

    Five hour drive.

    Shergarh Tented Camp

11. Kanha National Park - december 9

    Tiger safari.

    Shergarh Tented Camp

12. Kanha National Park - december 10

    Tiger safari.

    Shergarh Tented Camp

13. Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park - december 11

    Tiger's Den

14. Bandhavgarh National Park - december 12

    Tiger safari.

    Tiger's Den

15. Bandhavgarh National Park - december 13

    Tiger safari.

    Tiger's Den

16. Drive to Khajuraho - december 14

    Five hour drive, visit Raneh Falls and Panna temples enroute.

    Hotel Surya, Khajuraho

17. Khajuraho - december 15

    Hotel Surya, Khajuraho

18. Fly to Varanasi - december 16

    Palace on River (Rashmi Guest House), Varanasi

19. Varanasi - december 17

    Palace on River (Rashmi Guest House), Varanasi

20. Varanasi - december 18

    Overnight train to Jhansi

21. Orchha - december 19

    Betwa Cottages, Orchha

22. Gwalior - december 20

    Three hour drive, sightseeing Gwalior.

    Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior

23. Keoladeo National Park - december 21

    Falcon Guesthouse, Bharatpur

24. Drive to Delhi - december 22

    Seven hour drive.

    Cottage Yes Please, Delhi

25. Delhi - december 23

    The Red Fort, Qutub Minar, etc.

    Cottage Yes Please, Delhi

26. Agra - december 24

    Three hour drive, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula, sunset at the Taj Mahal

    Tourist Rest House, Agra

27. Fatehpur Sikri - december 25

    Sunrise at Taj Mahal, five hour drive.

    Sugan Niwas, Jaipur

28. Jaipur - december 26

    Sugan Niwas, Jaipur

29. Nawalgarh - december 27

    Five hour drive.

    Ramesh Jangid Guest House, Nawalgarh

30. Fatehpur, Mandawa & Junagarh Fort - december 28

    Five hour drive.

    Vinayak Guest House, Bikaner

31. Drive to Jaisalmer - december 29

    Seven hour drive, Karni Mata Temple (Deshnok).

    Shahi Palace, Jaisalmer

32. Jaisalmer - december 30

    Shahi Palace, Jaisalmer

33. Camel safari - december 31

    Tent, Thar desert

34. Drive to Jodhpur - january 1

    Six hour drive.

    Durag Niwas, Jodhpur

35. Jodhpur - january 2

    Durag Niwas, Jodhpur

36. Fly to Cochin - january 3

    Casa Linda, Cochin

37. Alleppey - january 4

    Hang out with Chris and Raka.

    Kayaloram Lake Resort, Alleppey

38. Alleppey - january 5

    Hang out with Chris and Raka.

    Kayaloram Lake Resort, Alleppey

39. Fly to Jaipur, drive to Bundi - january 6

    All day travel, arrive late.

    Haveli Katkoun Guest House, Bundi

40. Bundi - january 7

    Haveli Katkoun Guest House, Bundi

41. Drive to Bijaipur - january 8

    Four hour drive to Bijaipur.

    Castle Bijaipur, Bijaipur

42. Chittorgarh Fort - january 9

    Three hour drive to Udaipur.

    Udai Kothi, Udaipur

43. Udaipur - january 10

    City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, Jagdish Temple, Pichola Lake, Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, Eklingji Temple.

    Udai Kothi, Udaipur

44. Kumbhalgarh Fort & Ranakpur Jain Temples - january 11

    Two hour drive to Kumbhalgarh, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranakpur Jain Temple.

    Ghanerao Royal Castle, Ghanerao

45. Drive to Mt. Abu - january 12

    Six hour drive.

    Bikaner House, Mt. Abu

46. Mt. Abu - january 13

    Bikaner House, Mt. Abu

47. Patna, Modhera & Ahmedabad - january 14

    Long drive to Ahmedabad, visit Patna, Modhera and Adalaj Vav enroute.

    Hotel Volga, Ahmedabad

48. Ahmedabad & Lothal - january 15

    Drive to Palitana, visiting Lothal enroute.

    Vijay Vilas, Palitana

49. Palitana & Diu - january 16

    Climb 3000 steps up Shetrunjo (Jain temples) and drive to Diu.

    Hotel Kohinoor, Diu

50. Diu - january 17

    Hotel Kohinoor, Diu

51. Somnath & Gir National Park - january 18

    Three hour drive, visit Somnath temple enroute, afternoon safari in Gir National Park.

    Anil Farmhouse, Sasan Gir

52. Gir National Park - january 19

    Asian lion safari.

    Anil Farmhouse, Sasan Gir

53. Gir National Park - january 20

    Asian lion safari.

    Anil Farmhouse, Sasan Gir

54. Junagadh Fort - january 21

    Three hour drive, climb 5000 steps up Girnar Hill (Jain and Hindu temples).

    Orchard Palace Hotel, Gondal

55. Mumbai - january 22

    Early morning flight. Hang out in Mumbai.

    Hotel Host-Inn, Mumbai

56. Mumbai to Seattle - january 23

    Depart 1:20am for Amsterdam, on to Seattle.

    At home in Seattle.

Souvenir List

1. Marble inlay plate from the Taj Mahal
2. Yellow sandstone ganesha statue, a gift from Mob
3. Woolen scarf from Mehrangarh Fort
4. Music CD from Mehrangarh Fort
5. Miniature elephant painting on white marble plate
6. Miniature paintings (elephants, procession) from Udaipur