Discussion thread approved

Please see changes in red above...

If you are planning to transport your bike, than it is better to transport it all the way to Rajasthan, as the hassles that you and your bike will go through transporting will be the same regardless of the destination.
You have an option of transporting your bike to Jaipur via train.
Also be prepared for the weather because this year it is horrible..drops and rise in temperature up to 12-13 degrees is the norm of the year

Udaipur not worth visiting,Spend more time in Jodhpur and jaisalmer.

Cheers
Biru

Shashi - Since you're riding a P220, you can do Pune - Udaipur in one day; otherwise, ride from BLR to Mumbai, take rest & ride the next day from Mumbai to Udaipur.

To me Udaipur is one of the best places to visit, if you're interested in history, architecture & food; check for yourself from my experience - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/tourer/1...re-ride-5.html

Stay at any RTDC hotels in RJ, they're bang VFM; suggestions...Udaipur - Kadri, Jaisalmer - Moomal. PM or let me know if you visit Jaisalmer & if you plan to stay at Moomal in advance.

And again, if you're visiting Mt Abu, then plan to stay there, otherwise, its not that worthy to simply climb up the hill & ride back.

Spend atleast a day to two at Jaisalmer, its bang worth & don't miss the ride from Jaisalmer - Pokhran - Bikaner - Jaipur (I know it is not in your list, but still, or may be upto Bikaner & then ride back to Jodhpur though its long route)

Thanks Noor for Approving & thank you all for your time

Deejay - I was trying to look for options to transport bike, but the train option will force me to travel along for almost 40+ hrs to Jodhpur even if i ignore the fact that I will need to take Fri off too...hence being forced to drop it...

I indent to drive during day/evening time only in Rajasthan. Will the cold be too much of a problem or will it be manageable

Beruoist - I have read good reviews about Udaipur contrary to your view..especially the sunset at Lake ....but more importantly i am forced to stay as I will need a day rest after driving 1800+ km...

Aargee - I have read through your trip log almost thrice . Very good one. My initial plan was to drive from Udaipur > Ajmer > Bikaner on 27th & then to Jaisalmer the next day...but this will be possible only if i extend my return by a day or two. I havent factored any time for backup also...

Will keep you posted on stay...thank you

As for Mt. Abu, I havent read any great reviews apart from the climate there, as its winter I might as well skip it...unless you guys feel its a must see..

Do you guys think it makes sense to take 2 planned sick leaves after new year ??

100% no...make it 3

Never hurry up while in RJ, probably the mistake I did...may be; RJ roads are excellent & make use of the opportunity. Visit the Forts around Udaipur & Jodhpur (Chittorgarh etc) + try a dinner at Sam sand dunes, that should be one of an experience; Mt Abu...I leave the discretion to you. Let me know if you need any route details.

Just book yourself a sleeper ticket in the same train that you want to transport the bike, skip traveling by train. Take a flight to Jaipur or Jodhpur.
It will be a bargain..go through the hassles of transporting your bike and have a relaxed ride or have a hurried ride all the way. The best option would be to take three days sick leave.

Don't travel while the sun is down, the weather will kill you and if any thing goes wrong you would hardly find any soul to help you out.

Mt. Abu is a typical hill station, and specially at this time of the year it would be jam packed. You will have to book your room in advance if you plan to stay there. Go there if you wish to see a frozen lake..literally!

+1

Indias LARGEST state. 9 Days. Tssk Tssk!

Sadly its a no as of now...but it will very much depend on the degree of sickness RJ induces ..never lose hope...right!!!

I dont want to just cover the places for the sake of..hence dropped jaipur side...want to enjoy the place has to offer & take loads of pics

Deejay - Thanks for warning..will keep that in mind .

Few of my friends are suggesting not to use train unless you are there personally to see while loading/unloading else there might be damages. So ....Other transporters are charging a bomb & loads of paper work..but will try to find more on this train thing..it will save loads of time for sure

Looks like Udaipur is not a favorite..lets see if I can change around with train gods helping me out

If I were you, I'd trust Deejay blindly!!!

Satyen & Beruoist - Help me understand why do you guys think Udaipur isn't worth visiting?

Udaipur is surely worth it..!!

Hi everyone, im nt a habitual tourer but i had visited udaipur with my family in 2010 january. I fanyone would ask me tht is udaipur worth the effort , my spontaneous answer would be yes yes yes. It is a totally different scenario and i bet u wont feel tht u are in rajasthan. If possible will upload some pics soon. The fort's are not just a sign of dry patches of rock, its all surrounded with the clean dark blue water. It feels nirvana once we are in the middle of the lake, as whole of our vision has forts and palaces. Now some places to visit

1.Visit the lake and u can go to all the palaces from there only.
2.Take the boat ride at the lake for sure
3.The White palace(i dont remember the name) has a cafateria, so u can enjoy food in the middle of a water body, tht too in both A/C or Fresh air.
4.There is a five star at the end of the lake, it looks a beauty once its evening. U can see the light show there
5.While coming back from the palace, there is a Superb resaurant which has only 1 thing in its menu i.e Special thali (its a total VFM). Once u come out of the restaurant,u have the view of antique cars and motorcycles set for exhibition. The charge is 150 rs per head (with a complementary drink)
6.If u are in a mood to do some good cornering on ur 220 and visit lord krishna's temple, u can take the route to nathdwara.(around 40 kms frm udaipur, time taken to reach by car was 1.5 hrs)
7. Nd If u want smiling faces at ur home when u reach back u can have a visit to haldighati. And on the roads to haldighati u get 100% original sharbats,Gulkands,Gulab jal etc at low prices. (NOTE-visit the shop in front of the park if u want a good deal)


Thts all about the place, now some things to keep in mind.

1.Once u enter the lake area, u will be getting stopped every now and then by guides, trust me dont hire them coz there is no such very interesting history behind the lake and most of the story they tell is fake.
2.Take the Bigger boat , as it take the whole trip of the lake..others tend to use shortcuts. Or better if u can take ur own private jet type boat.
3.If u go in the city palace, instead of taking a human guide, take the electronic guide device.(i felt its better)
4.Most importantly dont do any shopping at the shops near the lake, they tend to sell the things at 60% percent extra profit than those in the city.



Thts all i could tell, ""AAGE AAPKI ICCHA""

just back from jodhpur to my place bikaner...my advice dont ride in night.so plan such a way that you travel during daytime.

Frozen? You mean frozen as ice frozen????

Thank you for your kind words sir!!

YES!! the top layer of the lake is freezes almost every year during peak winters...