Discuss which canonical list of 18 Shakti Peethas you'd like to follow, your start city, travel budget, pace (fast: 18 days vs. leisurely: 4+ weeks), and border-crossing comfort. This determines the exact route and permits needed.
Decide on transport mix (flights for long hops + car for local travel, or all-train/road). I’ll propose an optimized sequence and give estimated travel times and costs once chosen.
Confirm the exact list (many traditions differ — e.g., inclusion of Hinglaj in Pakistan, Nainativu in Sri Lanka, or Jwala Mukhi in Himachal). I’ll map them and produce a day-by-day plan with opening times and travel windows.
Review visas/permits for cross-border sites, festival dates that affect temple timings, and accommodation style (pilgrim dharamshalas vs. hotels). I’ll also check current temple hours and local closures before finalizing.
I’ll draft the full 18-day (or multi-week) itinerary including daily breakfast/lunch/dinner options (with opening hours), travel times, estimated costs, and alternate plans for closed temples or heavy crowds.