India and Pakistan plans

[srij]

Hello

After 5 long years I am going back to India. I have been twice before (4 months, then another trip 6 months), but spent literally months in the same areas (Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Goa), appreciating local culture and not enduring long journeys too much. This time I want to get out there more. I have 2 and a half months minimum with an extendable ticket, so I could stay for 5 if I want to, I might get fired from work though!

I am 30, female and travelling alone. I like train travel and have a couple of business meetings in Delhi and Mumbai (Publishing) so will do them first... I am trying to pre-book the first 2 weeks of my train travel as there's a lot of it, using a general ticket agent here in London.

The only irrational concern I have, and there is always one isn't there? Is that I have a Pakistan visa in my passport next to my India one, I got both in London thinking it would be easier to get the Pak one here, and I suspect I may get grilled on arrival to Mumbai as to why I am going to Pakistan (qawali music mainly!). Hope not, I am always hopelessly disorientated after a flight. I had an actual nightmare about immigration not letting me in and having to book a flight straight to Karachi!

So...

Fly to Mumbai 28th. Arrive 29th.
Meeting and explore city. Pre-booked hotel, 2 nights, West End Hotel, Mumbai seems very pricey, not been before.
31st- Radhjani Express to Delhi.
4th of November - train to Varanasi
9th of November - train to Calcutta
3 nights in Calcutta
Train to New Jalpaijuri, toy train up to Darjeeling.

For the above I am trying to get a AC2 21 day pass for £125.

2 weeks or so in Sikkim
Up to Nepal, 2 weeks.
Train back to Delhi.
Delhi - Lahore, probably by bus.
Stay at the Regale Internet Inn for 4 nights minimum for Qawali music!! See how I am coping with Pakistan and either head into the country more, or go back to Delhi and head down south.

about 5th-December - head south. Would like to see Ooty, Mysore, Kerala. For about 4 weeks.

This does seem like a lot of covering the country, but I am keen to get up to Sikkim and Nepal asap before it freezes!

Any comments, or recommends? I can't wait to get back.


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