Top 10 safe areas in India (or even elsewhere in the world!) - Link provided

[coles525]

Off to India next year as part of our OneWorld booking. Spending 10 nights in India, but wanting to break it up into different areas.

I've come across a site which lists the Top10 (I've also google mapped all 10):

Top 10 Safest Cities in India - ListCrux

What's every ones thoughts or favourite areas to spend a few days here and there?

 

[SeatBackForward]

Looks like they've just listed the top ten cities for anything..

I always feel safest, not to mention the BBC healthiest, well away from there big cities, so none of those highlighted.

If you want to break into different areas, start with some nights up in northern India, and the rest in southern India. There is quite a contrast between the two.

 

[Pushka]

Try Pondicherry - fascinating place on east coast south of Chennai. It is where all the Ashrams are. Wonderful French influenced cuisine.

 

[dajop]

Spent a long weekend in Udaipur famous for its lake palace (and filming of Octopussy). Really enjoyed it. Also in that part of India, Jaipur is also quite interesting.

 

[Pushka]

MrP loved Rajasthan, Udaipur, and Jaipur as well. Camel trecked for a couple of nights. He and my son did not eat meat for 4 weeks and did not get sick which for India, must be a record.

 

[TomVexille]

I spent a month in Kochi and never once felt unsafe. People were incredibly friendly and helpful. It's a beautiful part of the world. I preferred it to the Golden Triangle.

 

[Buzzard]

I have never been to India but want to go one day.
Never really ever considered any part of it unsafe.

 

[Pushka]

I wouldn't let a daughter travel on her own to India. That really isn't safe.

 

[zainman]

I don't believe Ahmedabad and Surat are particularly safe, that is where they had the Gujarat riots.

 

[burmans]

Agree with the suggestions but India is a big country and Kochi/Pondicherry are at opposite end of the country to Rajasthan, Udaipur, and Jaipur! You wont get all these in so will need to choose North or South in my opinion.

 

[Pushka]

Agree with the suggestions but India is a big country and Kochi/Pondicherry are at opposite end of the country to Rajasthan, Udaipur, and Jaipur! You wont get all these in so will need to choose North or South in my opinion.

Indeed. We were on two separate trips. Southern (right down to Trivandrum - then across to the Maldives) and Eastern India, then another trip, Central and northern India. Which could then include Mumbai and Goa.

 

[coles525]

I've only ever been to India one other time: Bangalore over 10+ years ago.

Our port of call (arrival/departure) is Delhi.

 

[TomVexille]

Agree with the suggestions but India is a big country and Kochi/Pondicherry are at opposite end of the country to Rajasthan, Udaipur, and Jaipur! You wont get all these in so will need to choose North or South in my opinion.

And a long way apart. People don't really realize quite how big India is. It's 3,214km North to South.

 

[RB]

In Feb we are going back to India for our 3rd trip and will still have only covered a very small part of the country. I think it has helped massively that we have had good drivers.
Just as a note we have had to change our planned travel. We were planning a trip roughly Delhi to Bhubaneshwar but smartraveller "upgraded" some warnings.

For the Op I did a trip report on Nthn India here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ip-photos/our-driver-said-you-need-55835.html

Current smartravel map is here Travel Advice for India - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

 

[coles525]

Update: trying to finalise the Indian part of our trip later in the year.

Does this 10 night trip in Nth India make sense? Info provided by lonely planet website.

Could there be any hotels in Delhi where you can book half days? (Ie: airport transit, allowing visits into town).

 

[Pushka]

Does to me. Just book your train early as they can book out. Also check weather (rainfall especially) in those places.

 

[RB]

Update: trying to finalise the Indian part of our trip later in the year.

Does this 10 night trip in Nth India make sense? Info provided by lonely planet website.

Could there be any hotels in Delhi where you can book half days? (Ie: airport transit, allowing visits into town).

It makes sense but would not be the way I would be doing it. I strongly believe that hiring a car & driver gives you the opportunity to see "extras". I am happy to provide details of a very experienced driver who will provide you some itinerary options/costings if you were to contemplate a road trip

 

[Mal]

Overnight trains, even in 1AC or 2AC (1AC is much better as a couple, but then you could still be sharing with a couple of strangers if you don't get allocated a 2 person cabin) is an interesting experience. Between delays, the occasional coughroach, toilets which are quite interesting it can be a bit of a mental challenge. But they are reasonably comfy and if you read up about it and know what you're getting into then it can be bearable.

 

[Foreigner]

Agree with the suggestions but India is a big country and Kochi/Pondicherry are at opposite end of the country to Rajasthan, Udaipur, and Jaipur! You wont get all these in so will need to choose North or South in my opinion.

I came across this tour. Click on itinerary tab and you'll see possibilities. I agree you wouldn't be able to cover length and breadth in single trip.

http://travelshop.telegraph.co.uk/c...itorial &utm_campaign=india william dalrymple

 

[Foreigner]

The name Oberoi is synonymous with luxury hotels. The article in link appears in today's NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/t...on&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0