December 2023

To-date (31/12)

Trip duration: 127 days

Countries visited (exc UK): 8

Locations Visited: 31

Distance Travelled: 18,985KM

Steps Walked: 1,688,658

This month

Countries Visited: 1 (India)

Locations Visited: (Ranthambore, Bundi, Vadodara, Bhuj, Mumbai, Goa, Fort Kochi)

Distance Travelled: 4,166KM

Days moving: 7

Longest stay: Goa (8 days)

Steps walked: 339,086

In December we are wrapping up in Rajasthan before spending a few days in  western Gujarat. From here we start the long trip south via Mumbai, towards Goa for Christmas, and Kerala for the new year.

1st December

Our last day in Sawai Madhopur, but no tiger sightings today. Straight on a train for the trip to Kota, and then a taxi on to Bundi.

2nd to 5th

With 4 nights in the small-ish city of Bundi, we had a decent rest after the early starts of Ranthambore, and enjoyed our last few days in Rajasthan. Bundi is relatively small, but boasts a magnificent palace, multiple step-wells (in various states of maintenance) and some interesting links to Kipling, including a palace he stayed at for a time. We enjoyed the slower pace here for a while before catching a long train south to Vadodara.

6th to 8th

Three nights in the modern city of Vadodara! a norther tech hub much like Ahmedabad, Vadodara was both a stepping stone to our destinations further west, and provided an opportunity to see its own sights as well, including the magnificent Laxmi Palace.

9th to 14th

A long schlep out to western Gujurat to vist Bhuj, which although mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 2001, has a lot going for it, at a slightly slower pace.

15th to 19th

Mumbai! India's financial centre is a glistening metropolis that feels like a completely different country. With fabulous sights and great food, it's a shame to have to go - but we are at least going to the beach!

20th to 27th

The holiday in the middle of our trip, we're spending just over a week on the beautiful beaches of Palolem in south Goa.

27th to 31st

The southern state of Kerala is hot and humid, but lush and green to go with it. We're starting our southern Indian exploration with a few days in the charming city of Fort Kochi, and conincidentally joining their new year's eve party, the Cochin Carnival!