How To reach Bageshwar Dham and Khajuraho from Iowa (United States)

How To reach Bageshwar Dham and Khajuraho from Iowa (United States)

To reach Bageshwar Dham and Khajuraho from Iowa (United States), you will need to take a combination of international flights, domestic flights, and possibly road travel. Here’s a detailed guide on how to travel from Iowa to Bageshwar Dham (located in Chhatarpur District, near Khajuraho, India):

Step 1: Fly from Iowa to India (International Flight)

Since there are no direct flights from Iowa (such as from Des Moines International Airport - DSM) to India, you will need to take a flight with one or more layovers to a major international airport in India, such as Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport - DEL) or Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport - BOM).

Options for Flights from Iowa:

• Des Moines to Delhi (DEL):
• Airlines: United Airlines (with a layover in Chicago or Newark), Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, or British Airways (with layovers in European cities like Frankfurt or London).
• Flight duration: Around 14-16 hours for a non-stop flight to Delhi, with layovers it may take longer.
• Des Moines to Mumbai (BOM):
• Airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa (with layovers in cities like Chicago, New York, Dubai, Doha, or Frankfurt).
• Flight duration: Typically around 17-19 hours with layovers.

Step 2: Fly from Delhi or Mumbai to Khajuraho (Domestic Flight)

Once you arrive in Delhi (DEL) or Mumbai (BOM), you will need to take a domestic flight to Khajuraho, which has a small airport, Khajuraho Airport (HJR).

• Delhi to Khajuraho (HJR):
• Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet.
• Flight duration: Around 1.5 to 2 hours.
• There are regular flights from Delhi to Khajuraho.
• Mumbai to Khajuraho (HJR):
• Flights are available, but there may be fewer direct flights compared to Delhi. Often, flights from Mumbai to Khajuraho may involve a layover in Delhi.
• Flight duration: 1.5 to 2 hours (direct flight) or 3-5 hours (via Delhi).

Step 3: Travel from Khajuraho to Bageshwar Dham

Bageshwar Dham is located in Bageshwar district of Madhya Pradesh, which is near Khajuraho. While Khajuraho is the closest major city, Bageshwar is about 25 kilometers away from Khajuraho by road.

• By Taxi or Private Car: You can hire a taxi or private car from Khajuraho to Bageshwar Dham. The drive typically takes 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions.
• By Bus: Local buses and shared transport options are also available, though taxis are more comfortable and convenient.

Step 4: Alternative Route via Varanasi

If flights to Khajuraho are not convenient, you can opt for an alternative route via Varanasi, a major city in Uttar Pradesh with good domestic flight connections.

• Fly to Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport - VNS) from Delhi or Mumbai (around 1-1.5 hours).
• From Varanasi, you can travel to Khajuraho by train (around 10-12 hours) or by taxi (around 6-8 hours).

Step 5: Travel Tips

• Visa: As a U.S. citizen, you will need an Indian Tourist Visa. You can apply for an e-visa online or a regular tourist visa through the nearest Indian consulate.
• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Khajuraho and Bageshwar Dham is between October and March when the weather is cooler and more pleasant.

Sample Itinerary:

1. Iowa to Delhi (14-16 hours, non-stop or via layovers).
2. Delhi to Khajuraho (1.5-2 hours, direct flight).
3. Khajuraho to Bageshwar Dham (30-45 minutes by car/taxi).

Alternatively:

1. Iowa to Varanasi (via connecting flights through Delhi or Mumbai).
2. Varanasi to Khajuraho (by train or taxi, 6-12 hours).
3. Khajuraho to Bageshwar Dham (30-45 minutes by car/taxi).