India

[Fooney]

hi all,

will be backpacking to northern india after my trip in Sri Lanka. Generally, itinerary will be starting in Varanasi for the Dev Deepawali festival -> Agra (Taj Mahal) -> Jaipur -> Jaisalmer -> heading up north towards Himacha Pradesh region (Manali) - > Uttarakhand region such as Chopta/Chomali.

Duration of trip will est 45 days. Is there anything i missed or any recommendations?

 

[beanstalk6]

Looks like you have sufficient time to indulge in India.

 

[Fooney]

India waaay too big man, too many interesting places to go

 

[butterbarter]

How about the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, and the Wagah border with Pakistan. After Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple is probably the 2nd most famous building in India.

hi all,

will be backpacking to northern india after my trip in Sri Lanka. Generally, itinerary will be starting in Varanasi for the Dev Deepawali festival -> Agra (Taj Mahal) -> Jaipur -> Jaisalmer -> heading up north towards Himacha Pradesh region (Manali) - > Uttarakhand region such as Chopta/Chomali.

Duration of trip will est 45 days. Is there anything i missed or any recommendations?

 

[Fooney]

How about the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, and the Wagah border with Pakistan. After Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple is probably the 2nd most famous building in India.

Yeap, i just added Amitsar and Wagah border into my itinery. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

 

[artemov]

If you are interested in Tibetan stuff, can try Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, where the Dalai Lama resides (tho he is frequently not there).

Uttarakhand is an amazing place, you can go to Gangotri and trek to Gaumukh, source of the Ganges, and see naked sadhus doing yoga there. The 4 holy towns are all there -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chota_Char_Dham
All vegetarian food tho

 

[butterbarter]

If you are going Wagah border, please bring your passport, as foreigners have a special queue that is much faster. They'll ask to see your passport to prove you are a foreigner.

And don't bring your powerbank. There are 2 security checkpoints with metal detectors. Powerbanks are banned and will be confiscated if you find it on you.

Golden Temple requires wearing a headcover. You can use the ones they provide (a small piece of cloth tied around your head), but if you don't want to wear the cloth that thousands of people have worn before you, please bring your own. Any thing made of fabric that covers your head is OK, but not hats or caps. I used my own buff (multi-function tube scarf). You can buy one in Sg for just a few bucks.

Also be sure to try the local fresh lassi sold in small shops from large pots. Damn delicious, better than any you'll find in Sg. Most temples will offer free vegetarian meals, which are quite tasty and filling. You should go try one. It's quite an experience to partake in one of these meals. Ask your hotel staff for tips.

Yeap, i just added Amitsar and Wagah border into my itinery. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

 

[kitkat2]

it is getting cold now and much of the northern indian plains, especially the cities, will be beginning to be enveloped by thick smoke. yes, smoke. as the temperature drops, many of the homeless and poor will start to gather rubbish to burn at night to stay warm.

many locals will blame vehicle exhaust fumes and firecrackers during diwali. but the moment you smell it, you will know it's from burning garbage.

so, be prepared.

 

[Fooney]

it is getting cold now and much of the northern indian plains, especially the cities, will be beginning to be enveloped by thick smoke. yes, smoke. as the temperature drops, many of the homeless and poor will start to gather rubbish to burn at night to stay warm.

many locals will blame vehicle exhaust fumes and firecrackers during diwali. but the moment you smell it, you will know it's from burning garbage.

so, be prepared.

lol, thats interesting, but suck thumb loh

If you are interested in Tibetan stuff, can try Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, where the Dalai Lama resides (tho he is frequently not there).

Uttarakhand is an amazing place, you can go to Gangotri and trek to Gaumukh, source of the Ganges, and see naked sadhus doing yoga there. The 4 holy towns are all there -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chota_Char_Dham
All vegetarian food tho

Sadly, Dalai Lama wont be there during my travel. Will definitely travel to those 4 town if i have the time

If you are going Wagah border, please bring your passport, as foreigners have a special queue that is much faster. They'll ask to see your passport to prove you are a foreigner.

And don't bring your powerbank. There are 2 security checkpoints with metal detectors. Powerbanks are banned and will be confiscated if you find it on you.

Golden Temple requires wearing a headcover. You can use the ones they provide (a small piece of cloth tied around your head), but if you don't want to wear the cloth that thousands of people have worn before you, please bring your own. Any thing made of fabric that covers your head is OK, but not hats or caps. I used my own buff (multi-function tube scarf). You can buy one in Sg for just a few bucks.

Also be sure to try the local fresh lassi sold in small shops from large pots. Damn delicious, better than any you'll find in Sg. Most temples will offer free vegetarian meals, which are quite tasty and filling. You should go try one. It's quite an experience to partake in one of these meals. Ask your hotel staff for tips.

Wow, didnt know about the power bank and headcover. Thank you so much! Also looking forward to spending a night in golden temple. Yea just bought my buff from decathlon for just 3.50

 

[freewilly5000]

I’m going to Colombo in Sei Lanka over new ear - any recommendations plz?

 

[butterbarter]

Yes, don't spend too much time in Colombo. The most interesting places are outside Colombo. Take your pick : Sigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliyah, the Southern beaches, Galle, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, etc etc.

I’m going to Colombo in Sei Lanka over new ear - any recommendations plz?

 

[Fooney]

Yea i am spending just one night in colombo, moving to cultural triangle then kandy- ella is a must. 1 beach and 1 national park for 2 weeks

 

[mrashford86]

Going Colombo too / yikes.... only booked to stay there

 

[Fooney]

Do take note, sri lanka currently have political unrest. Still gonna head there anw

 

[basicbrenda]

Oh no! Hopefully be okay by Xmas

 

[freewilly5000]

Any update on the political situation? Checked news and nothing new I can see

 

[basicbrenda]

My fren said okay if you stay in resort lol