3 weeks Mumbai to Bangalore - - North and South, or South Only ?

[srij]

Hi All,

I feel lucky to have stumbled upon such an incredible resource and thank all posters for the huge amount of information i have already absorbed from this forum.

I have never been to India. Me and my wife are booked to go from 12th december 2008-4January 2009 (3 Weeks).

Landing in Mumbai (booked instead of delhi by mistake - BA are very inflexible !) - departing from Bangalore

I want to soak up and see as much as I can, but am conscious that trying to do too much in India will end up being stressful.

I have two proposed itineraries - and nothing booked. time is getting short but I am racked with indecision. I Have placed 2 suggested Itineraries below to start, but am open to suggestions, and will be flexible on days etc as we don't want to be too regimented with our time.


Itinerary A - Mumbai (0 Days) - Jaipur (1 Day) - Agra (1 day) - Delhi (0 Days)- Kochin (2 Days) - Allepy/Backwaters (2 Days) - Varkala (3 days),Gokkarna (3 Days) - Hampi (3 Days including New Years Eve) - bangalore (1 Day)

In this Itinerary we would be flying most places, and trying to see some of the great sights of the North, while leaving ourselves some time to travel around Kerala and Karnattaka. We do not wish to be too rushed and constantly travelling, and this is the main thing that is troubling us.
Shall we just forgo the North and travel at a more leisurley pace around the south ? Although we enjoy the hippy, beach experience, we want a little more out of India, and do not wish to search for the hippy trail which can be found in so many other countries where beach life is more suited.


Itinerary B - Mumbai (2 Days) - Kochin (2 days) - Munnar (2 Days ) - Varkala (3 days) - Allepy/Backwaters (3 days) - Gokkarna (4 Days) - Hampi (4 Days)

In this itinerary we forgo the North and try to travel through Kerala and Karanattaka.
Are we trying to do too much even in this itinerary - or does it seem like a good balance ?


So, My main question is :-

Shall we try and see a little of the North before coming South, or just go South and travel.

Other questions I have are :-

How busy will the places like varkala and gokkarna be around the new year period and will booking be essential everywhere ?

In The North, if we were to go to one other place besides Agra, would you recommend Udaipur or Jaipur ?

Any advice is most appreciated, and any other suggested itineraries would be most welcomed.

Many Thanks


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