travel india in 2 weeks

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• 2 Weeks in India 2024/2025: Top 4 Itineraries

India is a really big country. 2 weeks might not be enough to see all of India, but you can explore a region or two, such as the popular golden triangle with Rajasthan in the west or with a trip to Goa in the south.

Some off-the-beaten-path routes like the northern frontier or southern Kerala are also recommendable for 2 weeks.

Check out the above itinerary ideas and more on this page.

• Best 2-Week India Itinerary for Couples/Families
• Best 2-Week India Itinerary: Golden Triangle + Rajasthan

Best 2-Week North India Itinerary

• Best 2-Week South India Itinerary

How Much Does It Cost to Tour India for 2 Weeks?

The best 2-week india itinerary for couples/families.

For a family trip in India, we recommend the classic golden triangle (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur), a tiger safari tour, and some family beach time .

This itinerary also works well for couples looking for a romantic holiday of awesome sights, exotic adventures, and relaxation together.

It covers India's most classic cities covering culture, history, and nature, at a relaxing and enjoyable pace.

Here is the suggested itinerary:

• Days 1–2: Delhi

Days 3–4: Agra

• Day 5: Tiger safari in Ranthambore
• Day 6–7: Jaipur

Days 8–9: Mumbai

• Days 10–13: Goa beach time
• Day 14: Departure

The capital Delhi is ideal for spending 1 or 2 days. There you can explore its highlights, like the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, and Qutub Minar. These will help you learn about Indian Muslims and India's Islamic past.

Take a auto rickshaw to discover Chandni Chowk, the oldest market in Delhi, where you can catch the vibe of local people's lifestyle in Old Delhi.

The journey between Delhi and Agra is about a 5-hour drive. A point-to-point private transfer is more flexible, easy, and efficient than using a train or bus. Direct flights are not available.

You will need about at one full day to explore Agra's famous Taj Mahal , Agra Fort, and the baby Taj.

During the sunrise, when the morning sunlight gently kisses the pure white Taj, you'll find the best time to take a family photo.

Day 5: Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is the best place to do a tiger safari . You will travel in a jeep for an adventure in the jungle. See Bengal tigers, bears, leopards, jackals, elephants, striped hyenas, bison, monkeys, and several types of deer.

Days 6–7: Jaipur (the Pink City)

Jaipur, the pink city, got its name as its Mughal architecture is mostly painted pink. There you can explore the secret of its most famous palace — 'Palace of the Winds' — and find out how it got its name.

You can walk into Amber Fort and learn about its glorious history, and have an unforgettable dinner at the fort like members of the royal family.

Visit Jaipur's Jantar Mantar, the world's biggest stone sundial, where you can learn about the wisdom of the India's Mughal Dynasty.

Head to Mumbai with a 2-hour flight. Spend 1 or 2 days to explore India's biggest city.

Start with a Bollywood trip in Mumbai, which is especially recommended for kids. You can visit a shooting set, change into Indian clothes, and watch a Bollywood dance show.

There you can also explore many iconic buildings , such as the Gateway of India and Dhobi Ghat, which is a large open-air laundry.

Days 10–13: Goa

A flight from Mumbai to Goa is about 1–1½ hours.

You will be surprised to see the Baroque style of its old town area. Its many churches and monasteries that are on the World Heritage list are well worth visiting, like the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral.

Goa is also famous for its beautiful beaches . You can enjoy beach time with fun water activities.

If you would like a shorter itinerary, you could check out our 11-Day India Highlights and Goa Honeymoon Trip .

Or you can also contact us for an itinerary based on your interests, group size, budget, and other needs. All our tours can be adjusted. With Asia Highlights , you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure ( detail⇒ ).

Best 2-Week India Itinerary for History: Golden Triangle + Rajasthan

The golden triangle captures the essence of what many imagine India to be like — visit the most famous cities and most representative palaces and forts.

Rajasthan is the best choice to experience the splendid history and colorful culture of India. Its four color cities will enable you to feel its charming history and culture in a romantic and colorful atmosphere.

Here is the itinerary for inspiration:

• Days 5–6: Jaipur

Day 7: Bikaner

• Days 8–9: Jaisalmer
• Days 10–11: Jodhpur
• Days 12–13: Udaipur
• Day 14: Fly back to Delhi for departure

Day 1–2: Delhi

The capital Delhi is the start of your India trip. It is recommended to spend at least one day to explore Delhi and see its highlights, including the Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, and Qutub Minar. These will help you learn about India's Muslim heritage.

Go to Chandni Chowk, Delhi's oldest market, where you can discover local people's lifestyle in Old Delhi. A rickshaw ride could make the visit more interesting.

Drive about 5 hours to Agra. It is also accessible by train and bus, but a private point-to-point transfer is more efficient and flexible.

There, learn about the beautiful love story behind the Taj Mahal as you visit it. Don't miss visiting Mehtab Bagh ('Moonlight Garden'). It is the best place to get a stunning sunset view of the Taj Mahal.

At Agra Fort, see what luxurious royal life used to be like, and see the amazing intricate patterns carved in Itmad-ud-Daula (the baby Taj Mahal).

Day 5–6: Jaipur (the Pink City)

Head to Jaipur with another 5-hour drive. Jaipur is full of romantic ambience. Much of its architecture is painted pink.

You can walk through several palaces and forts , learn about their glorious history, and discover why they are pink.

Having a romantic dinner at a fort, like a prince and princess, could be an unforgettable experience. If you want a more local experience, you could take a cooking class at a local's home, and then show off your Indian cuisine skills to your friends when you get back.

Bikaner's recommended stay is 1–2 days. It was one of the three great Desert Kingdoms of Rajasthan.

There you can check into a heritage hotel , visit a fort, go to the Camel Institute, and visit a special temple, where 25,000 rats live and are revered.

Days 8–9: Jaisalmer (the Golden City)

Head to Jaisalmer with a third 5-hour drive. Jaisalmer, a famous desert city, was once a center of trade between Afghanistan and Central/South Asia.

There you can explore a fascinating desert and visit a splendid group of cenotaphs, where you can enjoy a wonderful sunset.

Days 10–11: Jodhpur (the Blue City)

Again, we'd drive about 5 hours to Jodhpur, the blue city, a quiet and tidy city.

Walk through the quiet and narrow alleys among the old town's blue houses, take some beautiful pictures, and explore the fascinating bazaars with their little shops.

Visit an ancient fort perched on a huge cliff and explore the several brilliantly-crafted and decorated palaces in it. Occasionally there is music coming from the castle, which is healing and peaceful.

Days 12–13: Udaipur (the White City)

Udaipur is also a five-hour drive from Jodhpur. The buildings there are mostly white.

Visit Udaipur's City Palace , an exquisite white palace, where you can see the amazing panoramic view of the city on its top.

The most impressive sight is the enchanting blue water of Lake Pichola. A boat tour will take you to the best place to enjoy the romantic lake views.

If you want to take the romance even further, have a candlelit dinner by the lake.

If you are interested in the India-Pakistan border area and want to learn about the history of British India , then you should consider this northern route.

We suggest visiting the golden triangle and two important northern cities: Shimla and Amritsar.

The Golden Triangle: 6–7 Days

Located in the central northern India, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur are the best gateways to learning about India's architecture, history, and culture.

You can visit the most well-known landmarks, like the Taj Mahal and many splendid palaces and forts.

You can also experience a heritage hotel that showcases Old World colonial charm and mansions once owned by India's royal family.

Some more locally-connected activities include having a cooking class with a local chef and taking an auto-rickshaw to a local market. They can be added.

Shimla and Amritsar: 4–6 Days

Amritsar (2–3 days): In the North-West Frontier of India, Amritsar is a good place for visiting the India-Pakistan border for the interesting " lowering of the flags " ceremony.

It is also the holy city of Sikhism, one of the major three religions in India. There you can visit a Sikh temple, listen the chanting of the Sikhs, and visit the place where the Amritsar massacre took place.

Shimla (2–3 days): You can find Victorian-style buildings in Shimla's Mall Road. Those buildings tell the story of Shimla when it was the summer capital of British India .

The Best 2-Week South India Itinerary

If you've been to India's golden triangle and want to experience something different from forts, palaces, and temples, then you should consider South India, which features natural beauty , relaxing countryside life, and beautiful beaches .

For a 2-week trip in South India, you could go to Mumbai and Kerala — India's biggest-and-most-bustling city and the famous tourist state of South India.

There you can experience the main features of the south — beaches, tropical views, tea and spice plantations, wild animals, and South India culture.

Mumbai: 2–3 Days

First, spend two or three days in Mumbai, the biggest city in India. India's past and future can be seen there simultaneously.

There, the skyscrapers of India's rich coexist with Asia's largest slums . The world's leading IT companies sit side-by-side with the huge Municipal Laundry at Dhobi Ghat. After visiting these places, you may be able to understand the unique temperament of Mumbai or even India.

You can also explore Bollywood to discover India's film industry, watch a Bollywood dance show, and admire the colonial-style architecture sets.

Kerala: 9–11 Days

Kerala is the "southern tourism state". You are suggested to spend 9 to 11 days exploring it. Rich natural resources and a harmonious and inclusive religious culture are Kerala's features…

Cochin (1–2 days): You can visit Portuguese, English, European, and Spanish-style old buildings , learn about the relationship between China and India through seeing Chinese fishing nets , and enjoy the traditional dance of Kerala.

Munnar (2–3 days): A famous hill station and the best place for hiking around a tea plantation , in Munnar you can visit a tea museum, go for a picnic by a peaceful lake, and find where the film Life of Pi was shot.

Thekkady (1–2 days): In Thekkady, you can follow the trails of wild animals in Periyar National Park, have a cruise on a lake, and enjoy walking in a spice plantation .

Alleppey (1–2 days): You can experience a traditional houseboat in Alleppey, and enjoy a cruise to explore Kerala's backwaters , the biggest draw of Kerala.

Kovalam (2–3 days): Enjoy some leisurely beach time. Sunbathing, swimming, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, massage, etc. are popular in Kovalam.

Trivandrum : Departure

We are by no means limited to our itinerary recommendations. You can contact us if you have any ideas. We will create an itinerary based on your interests and needs.

India offers luxury trips with palace hotels for hundreds, even thousands of dollars a night. It can also offer many budget options (at 3–4 dollars for a bed but you cannot expect a nice environment).

If you are looking for a comfortable and satisfying holiday in India, then a medium or higher budget should be appropriate.

Below, we provide some for-reference prices based on a private tour. You can also contact us and we will plan your itinerary and recommend hotels according to your interests and needs.

• For a medium budget, touring India typically costs around 150–200 USD per day per person (including air fares within India, 4-star hotels, attractions, guide, and transfers). Thus, it may cost about 2,000–3,000 USD for 2 weeks.
• For a higher budget of US$ 200–250 per day per person, more comfort can be enjoyed (includes air fares within India, 5-star hotels, attractions, guide, and transfers). The cost for 2 weeks would be around 3,000–3,500 USD.

See more on our How Much Does a Trip to India Cost?

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You are warmly welcomed to have us customize your trip based on your group size, interests, budget, and other needs. Sit back and use our Create My Trip service.

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2 Weeks in India: 3 Itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

India is the seventh-largest country by area and is the most populous democratic country. It shares borders with Nepal, China, and Bhutan in the North, Myanmar and Bangladesh to the East, and Pakistan to the West. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the Southwest, the Indian Ocean in the South, and the Bay of Bengal in the Southeast.

It is known for its rich history, flavorful cuisine, Bollywood movies, cultural landmarks, lively celebrations, and much more. It is also famous for yoga retreats and its cuisine, among other reasons.

The Golden Triangle is a famous tourist circuit in India , connecting Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi. It was coined because of the triangular shape the locations form on the map.

This article has 3 travel itineraries for spending 2 weeks in India. Showcasing where to go, how many days to spend, travel tips, and so much more.

ALSO READ: 2 weeks in Nepal and 2 weeks in Sri Lanka , which you love this region of Asia

BASIC TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR INDIA

India is a massive destination to explore. The regions offer different experiences and feature various temperatures. This is why it’s important to research and find basic but vital information. Below are some travel tips to get you started when creating a travel itinerary .

When is the best time to travel to India

The time to travel to India is between October and March when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Many festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Pongal occur during these months, offering a rich cultural experience.

The peak and busiest season is from December to February , especially in popular destinations like Goa, Kerala, and Rajasthan. During this time, you can expect higher prices for accommodations and flights.

The summer months in India, from April to June, which can be scorching hot , with temperatures soaring up to 40°C or more in some areas. However, hill stations like Shimla, Manali, and Ooty provide a cooler retreat.

The monsoon season usually arrives between July and September . While the rains bring respite from the heat and add a lush, green charm to landscapes, it may not be the best time for outdoor activities due to frequent downpours.h

Are 2 weeks enough for India

Maybe. India is huge country with many cultures, traditions, and beautiful attractions. If you plan well, 14 days in India can be an exciting and memorable trip. One of the top things to keep in mind is choosing the mode of transportation to avoid spending too much time in airports, trains, and buses.

How to get around

There are many ways to get around India. For long distances, flying is the quickest way to travel. India has a well-connected network of domestic flights linking major cities. However, it can be pricey and no t give you the “local” experience.

Trains are a cost-effective and quintessentially Indian way to travel . The country has an extensive rail network, and while it may not be the fastest, it’s quite efficient and scenic. Buses are another budget-friendly option, especially for short distances.

Ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber are available in many Indian cities and are a convenient way to get around. They’re generally safe and offer various options, from economical to luxury rides.

In cities, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are common and affordable but negotiate the fare in advance. Many cities also have metro systems, which are clean, fast, and relatively cheap. For the adventurous, renting a motorcycle or scooter can be an exciting way to explore , especially in hilly regions.

Language and currency

The main languages in India are Hindi and English , with Hindi being the first language for about 41% of the population. English is widely used for business, education, and is a subsidiary official language.

India is also home to 21 other officially recognized languages and hundreds of dialects. Tourists can generally get by with English , especially in cities and tourist areas, as it’s understood and spoken to varying degrees across the country . Signage at airports, railway stations, and tourist destinations is often in English .

The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR) , symbolized as ₹. While credit and debit cards are increasingly accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas, cash is generally the preferred mode of payment. Many small vendors, local markets, and rural areas may not have card facilities, so carrying some cash is advisable .

ATMs are widely available in cities and towns, though less so in remote areas. They usually offer a good exchange rate, but foreign cards might incur a transaction fee.

Paying directly with foreign currencies like USD or Euro is generally not accepted, except at some hotels and high-end stores that cater to tourists. Even then, the exchange rate may not be favourable. It’s best to convert your currency to INR for most transactions.

Regarding visas for travelling to India, it’s quite easy. Almost all foreign visitors can enter and travel around India by obtaining an evisa, valid for 3-, 60, 90, 180 days, and even for multiple years. The evisa must be obtained before your flight since the airline you’re using might ask for this.

Cost of 2 weeks in India

A $1,300 budget for 14 days in India per person is a good number . But it can easily be brought down if you plan a backpacking-style trip. Indian is an affordable destination, but there are also ways to make your trip more luxurious and comfortable if you want.

For budget travellers, daily expenses can be as low as $20–$50 per day . This includes staying in hostels, eating at local eateries, and using public transportation. A 2-week trip could thus cost around $280–$700 .

If you prefer three-star hotels, occasional dining in mid-level restaurants, and using more convenient modes of transportation like taxis and domestic flights, plan on spending about $70–$90 per day for a mid-range budget. A 2-week trip would cost approximately $1,000–$1,300 .

For a luxury experience , including 5-star hotels, fine dining, and private tours, expect to spend at least $110–$300 per day or more. A two-week luxury trip can easily cost upwards of $1,500–$4,200 .

Travel arrangement tips

Map of top sites and activities in india.

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN INDIA ITINERARY

I created numerous itinerary options for your 2 weeks in India. The itineraries will vary depending on your preference. If you are a first-time vacationer in this country, if you prefer slow travel, or a vacation with jam-packed activities.

However, these itineraries can be modified if you like; if you want to replace one location with another or remove it to lengthen your stay at the other location, it’s entirely up to you.

Itinerary #1: First-timer (New Delhi, Agra/Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kerala)

This itinerary is perfect for first-timers because it consists of New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, the locations included in the Golden Triangle circuit (where the Taj Mahal is). This circuit is a well-travelled route; you’ll see various landscapes if you traverse this path.

Aside from these locations, you’ll also visit Mumbai and Kerala. Mumbai is well-known as India’s gateway; it’s caves, street food, museums, large open-air laundry, and more, while Kerala is famous for spices, houseboats, Ayurveda, and eco-tourism.

New Delhi for 3 days

New Delhi is the capital of India and part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, where the seat of all three branches of the government can be found. This place is famous for its historical monuments and diversity and is known for its street food scene.

It is a perfect starting place when travelling because of the accessibility of the other places through a major railway station. Some notable places to visit here include Red Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Lodhi Garden, New Delhi National Museum , and more.

Agra/Taj Mahal for 2 days

Agra is a city located on the banks of the Yamuna River. This place is famous for the Taj Mahal , a UNESCO world heritage site, and is one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Aside from that, other UNESCO world heritage sites are found here, as well as majestic gardens. Their Mughlai food is also a must-try.

Other places to visit in Agra are Aram Bagh, Tomb of Akbar, Agra Fort, and Jama Masjid , among others. The distance between New Delhi to Agra is 221.7 km.

To reach Agra from New Delhi, I highly recommend taking the train as it has a travel time of around 1 hour and 50 minutes. Tickets cost anywhere between $5 to $12. Other options include riding a bus, a taxi, or driving.

Jaipur for 3 days

Jaipur is the gateway to the desert state of Rajasthan . It is well-known for its palaces and forts, the most famous at Cheel ka Teela or Hill of Eagles. Other places to visit here include Amber Palace.

When I first saw the facade of the Palace through images, it looked like a setting in one of Wes Anderson’s films, with its aesthetic and unique colours. Aside from this, you could also visit Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal, Mahal, and more.

You can even have a day trip from Jaipur to Shekhawati and stop by the towns of Nawalgahr, Fatepurh, and Mandawa to see the elaborately designed traditional mansions there. To get to Jaipur, if you’re coming from Agra, you could ride the train, which is the most recommended option.

The travel time is 3-4 hours, and tickets cost $4-$5. Other transportation options include riding the bus, train, or taxi, with taxis being the most expensive, with a starting price of $82.

Mumbai for 3 days

Mumbai is the sixth most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is well-known for its culture, iconic landmarks, street food, and rich history and is often referred to as the Bollywood capital.

A couple of must-visit locations here are Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, which is a world-famous hotel, and Marine Drive some of the things to do here include a water park day tour, Picnic at Juhu Beach, Elephant Caves tour, and street food tour or food trip as they say.

Jaipur is far from Mumbai, with a distance of 1,164 km and a travel time of more than 20 hours. That’s why you should ride a plane on your way here, in which the travel time would only last for more than 2 hours.

Tickets cost anywhere between $41 to $147. Other modes of transportation include boarding a train, riding a bus, or driving, with riding a bus as the most time-consuming option.

Kerala for 4 days

Kerala is the 21st largest Indian state by area. It is the land of coconut trees and breathtaking backwaters . It is the cleanest Indian state, and the wealthiest Hindu Temple could be found here. It also pioneered Ayurveda medication and the highest number of celebrated festivals, so this place is perfect for avid festival goers.

The distance between Mumbai and Kerala is 1,812 km, so I recommend you travel by plane. The travel time lasts almost 2 hours, with ticket rates of around $59. Other options include riding the train with a travel time of 19 to 22 hours, depending on the route.

This is the perfect place to end your trip because it offers many serene views and relaxing activities . In fact, National Geographic included it on its list of Paradise in the World.

It is also one of the eight best hotspots in the world because of its numerous forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries that couldn’t be seen anywhere else . Some places to visit here are Alleppey, Wayanad, Cochin, Munnar, Kumarakom, and more.

Itinerary #2: North Only (New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Amritsar, Dharamshala)

This 2 weeks in India itinerary will focus on the Northern part of India , consisting of the Golden Triangle, Ranthambore, Amritsar, and Dharamshala.

This itinerary is perfect for history buffs and those interested in religious places and artefacts . There’s a city filled with Sikhism Temples and another one filled with Tibetan Monasteries; these places are fascinating.

Aside from that, I even included nature-filled locations such as an actual humongous park, a city close to the Himalayas mountain range, beaches, and more. And, of course, various flavorful foods and street markets where you could shop to your heart’s content.

Delhi is the perfect place to start your trip because there are so many beautiful places to see in Rajasthan . It is filled with fortresses and palaces that look like a fairytale. Aside from that, you can explore the rest of the Golden Triangle if you start here.

A couple of must-visit locations include Chandi Chowk, the oldest and the largest market in India, the Akshardham temple, Humayun’s tomb, National Rail Museum, and Gandhi Smriti Museum.

Some things to do here are sampling Delhi’s street food , listening to qawwalis, catching the Ho-Ho bus tour, exploring the sprawling Sunder Nursery, and more.

Agra for 2 days

There’s more to Agra than the world-famous Taj Mahal. This place is filled with the remnants of the Mughal Empire, and everyone will have something to do in this place.

Whether you’re a history buff, nature-lover, or adrenaline junkie, a few things to do here include witnessing dance drama shows, cooking classes, boating, soaking up in the sun, exploring museums, tombs, and other historical sites , and more.

The journey between New Delhi and Agra is over 3 hours via Yamuna expressway. You could opt for a taxi if you prefer private transfers, but buses and trains are way less expensive, costing anywhere between $5-$12. Aside from that, you’ll also reach your destination faster.

Jaipur is one of the perfect holiday destinations for those fond of architectural opulence and imperial grandeur . This city also offers numerous activities for those who want to maximize their immersion experience.

Some notable places to visit here include Alber Hall Museum, Doll Museum, Jaipur Zoo, Galtaji Temple, and more.

The mode of transportation from Agra to Jaipur is by bus, train, and private transfer. Private transfers are the most convenient as they pick you up and take you straight to your hotels, but it is expensive, estimated at $75 per person.

Trains are both comfortable and way cheaper. Buses are the least expensive but have the most travel time of more than 6 hours.

Ranthambore for 3 days

This next place is perfect for nature lovers as Ranthambore is a National Park in Rajasthan . It is bounded to the North by the Banas River and the Chambal River to the South.

The National Park expands to the Kaladevi Sanctuary and Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary . Some activities here include jeep safari, hiking, strolling, birdwatching, hot air ballooning, and more.

The distance between Jaipur and Ranthambore is 165.9 km. The most recommended mode of transportation to reach Ranthambore is by train, with a travel time of almost 3 hours and tickets costing between $6-$15. Other options include riding a taxi or driving, both private transfers.

Amritsar for 2 days

Amritsar is the second largest city in the state of Punjab. It is well-known for being the cultural and spiritual centre of Sikhism. One of Sikhism’s most-visited and most significant gurudwaras can be found here . It is also famous for Amritsari food, wooden chess boards, and chess pieces.

Some must-visit locations include The Golden Temple, Wagah Border, Partition Museum, Jallianwala Bagh, and more.

If you’re coming from Ranthambore, flying is highly advisable because travel time could last between 16 to 21 hours by train. You can first take the train to Jaipur, and from there, you can catch a flight. The trip will still take around 8 hours, but definitely worth it.

Dharamshala for 2 days

Dharamshala is a city located in the district of Kangra and is divided into two parts known as Lower Dharamshala and Upper Dharamshala. It is home to the largest Tibetan Temple outside of Tibet . Aside from that, this place is well-known for its colourful temples, sparkling waterfalls, monasteries, lakes, vintage forts, and overall stunning backdrops.

Some notable places here are Namgyal Monastery, Bhagsunag Temple, Kangra Fort, one of the oldest forts in India, Triund, a trekker’s haven, Tibetan Art Museum, and more. The best option from Amritsar to Dharamshala is to ride the bus.

It has a travel time of more than 4 hours, and tickets cost approximately $9, whereas riding a taxi would be faster but is more expensive, with rates starting from as high as 100. Driving is another option and is moderately priced compared to the two, with rates between $23 – $35.

Dharamshala is the perfect place to end the trip because it is filled with natural wonders and religious locations, as the Dalai Lama himself resides here . It is also very close to the Himalayan range and is the perfect epitome of peace and serenity.

Itinerary #3: South Only (Chennai, Bangalore, Alleppey/Kochi, Kerala)

Last but definitely not the least option for your two weeks in India itinerary is the South-only option. You probably already know the cities that I will feature here. But if you’re looking for less touristy areas, here are more :

Coorg is a nature-lovers haven filled with coffee plantations, waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna.

Pondicherry is another must-visit because it is one of the handful of places reflecting French culture’s contribution to India. I had a limited time there, you can get more insider tips from this Pondicherry travel guide .

Last but not least is Tirupati, among the most significant religious places in South India. Now onto the actual itinerary. The following itinerary will include Chennai, Bangalore, Alleppey/Kochi, and Kerala locations. Read on to see what each of these locations has to offer.

Chennai for 3 days

Chennai, which was formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the Southernmost Indian state. It is famous for its culinary scene, ancient temples, and natural scenery . For instance, Marina Beach can be your sweet escape if you want to feel refreshed and invigorated.

There’s also Guindy National Park and Royapuram Fishing Harbor . Many religious and historical sites are here, including Ashtalakshmi Temple, Thousand Lights Mosque, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, and more.

Chennai is a perfect starting point because it has everything you might want on a vacation. Aside from what I mentioned above, Chennai is also well-known for its colonial buildings and retail therapy . They offer tons of fun weekend getaways as well.

Bangalore for 4 days

Bangalore is the capital and the largest city of Karnataka. It is also known as the Silicon Valley of India . Hearing or reading about Bangalore makes me think of majestic gardens, serene lakes, and age-old trees, basically natural sceneries that look otherworldly.

A couple of things to do here include shopping at Commercial Street, classical dance lessons viewing, live theatre performances, and park and museum hopping, among others.

The distance between Chennai to Bangalore is 346.9km, so you could fly if you’re in a rush. The travel time is 1 hour, and the tickets cost approximately $69. If you prefer a more affordable option, you could ride the bus. It has a travel time of more than 6 hours, but tickets only cost roughly $8.

Alleppey/Kochi for 3 days

Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is a major port city on India’s coast of Malabar. It is also called the “ Queen of the Arabian Sea ” because it perfectly blends vibrant culture and the beauty of its natural sceneries. It has spice estates, tea plantations, lush greenery, serene beaches, ancient temples, and more.

Some must-visit sites here include Veeranpuzha Beach, Gowreeswara Temple Cherai, Greenix Village, Marine Drive, and more.

The distance between Bangalore and Kochi is 547.4 km, which is more than a 10-hour ride by train, so I highly recommend that you fly to your destination. It has a travel time of 1 hr and 5 minutes, and tickets cost roughly $35. Other options include taxis and buses.

The rest of Kerala region for 4 days

2 weeks in India itinerary must definitely include the charming region of Kerala. It is a stunning tropical destination with various sights and sceneries for everyone. Alleppey is located in this state and is among the top tourist destinations.

It is dubbed Venice of the East because of its calm breeze, picture-perfect lagoons, and mirror-still backwaters. Tekkady is another famous spot home to India’s largest tiger reserve. Other locations around Kerala include Thrissur, Munnar, and Thiruvananthapuram, to name a few.

If you want to go surfing, head to Kovalam, Cherary, and Varkala . Those are known surfing areas where you can simply turn up and rent the equipment you need.

If you’re coming from Kochi, I recommend taking the train, as you’ll see tons of scenic routes. The travel time is almost 4 hours, and tickets cost between $1- $11, depending on the season. Other options include bus, taxi, or driving.

This is the perfect place to end your trip because aside from its ethereal views, the people here are deeply rooted in their heritage and culture, so you may get a chance to experience unique things such as eating at a farmer’s domicile or being able to reach villages that aren’t usually reachable.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN INDIA (per city)

There are so many things to do and see in India, and it’s understandable if you feel overwhelmed. Perhaps a list of attractions and activities will give you a little bit place to start. Here are some top sites to visit, categorised by city:

• Akshardham Temple
• Visit the iconic India Gate and Rajpath
• Red Fort and Old Delhi – there’s a walking and Rickshaw tour you can enjoy
• Qutub Minar
• Admire the beautiful Lotus Temple
• Day trip to Taj Mahal – you can book a 4-day Golden Triangle tour
• Humayun’s Tomb
• Walk through Chandni Chowk
• Old Delhi steet food tour
• Taj Mahal and Agra Fort – you can book a sunrise tour that combines these two or an 11-hour tour of Taj Mahal
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Discover the history at Fatehpur Sikri
• Itimad-ud-daulah’s Tomb
• Mehtab Bagh
• Chini ka Rauza
• Shop for marble crafts at the local bazaars
• See the sunset from Mehtab Bagh across the Taj Mahal
• Wind Palace (Hawa Mahal)
• Tour the iconic Amber Fort and Palace
• Enjoy a day tour – that covers all must-see places in Jaipur or book a full-day tuk tuk tour
• Water Palace (Jal Mahal)
• Hawa Mahal’s unique façade
• Visit the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar
• Join the famous Instagram tour – a great tour for photographers
• Nahargarh Fort
• Heritage Water Walk
• Patrika Gate
• Join a food tour
• Enjoy shopping at the vibrant bazaars in the old city
• Explore the opulent City Palace complex
• Explore the iconic Gateway of India
• Sanjay Gandhi National Park
• Book a full-day sighseeing tour
• Red Carpet Wax Museum
• Visit the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
• Elephant Caves – join a half-day trip
• Haji Ala Dargah
• Take a stroll on Marine Drive, especially at sunset
• Watch a Bollywood dance show with tour
• Lohagad Forts
• Mumbai food tour
• Enjoy the street food at Chowpatty Beach
• Discover art at the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct

Ranthambore

Dharamshala, kochi/alleppey.

• Explore the lush tea gardens of Munnar – do a day trip
• Kochi/Cochin – you can book a 2-day Alappuzha backwater boat cruise
• Cruise the serene backwaters on a traditional houseboat
• Athirapphilly Waterfall – book a day tour with lunch
• Watch a Kathakali performance, Kerala’s classical dance-drama
• Visit the ancient temple complex at Sabarimala
• Relax on the pristine beaches of Varkala

LOCAL INDIAN DISHES AND DRINKS TO TRY

We all know that Indian food is one of the best in the world. While you have your favourite Indian restaurant in your city, you have to try your favourite dishes in authentic style by trying out a few local dishes during your visit.

• Biryani : A fragrant rice dish cooked with aromatic spices and meat (chicken, mutton, or fish), often garnished with fried onions and boiled eggs.
• Paneer Tikka : Skewered and grilled chunks of marinated paneer (Indian cottage cheese), served with mint chutney.
• Masala Dosa : A South Indian speciality consisting of fermented rice and lentil crepe filled with spiced potatoes.
• Butter Chicken : Tender chicken pieces cooked in creamy tomato-based gravy flavoured with various spices.
• Chole Bhature : A North Indian dish featuring spiced chickpeas served with deep-fried bread known as ‘bhatura’.
• Rogan Josh : A flavorful Kashmiri curry made with tender pieces of lamb or mutton.
• Aloo Paratha : Whole wheat bread stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes, often served with yoghurt or pickles.
• Pav Bhaji : A mixed vegetable mash served with buttered bread rolls, popular in Mumbai.
• Pani Puri : Hollow, crispy balls filled with tamarind water, spiced potatoes, and chickpeas.
• Malabar Fish Curry : A South Indian fish curry made with coconut milk and an array of spices, often enjoyed with rice.
• Gulab Jamun : Deep-fried milk-based balls soaked in sugar syrup.
• Rasgulla : Spongy, round balls made of chenna (unripened cheese) soaked in sugar syrup.
• Jalebi : A deep-fried, spiral-shaped dessert soaked in sugar syrup, often orange in colour.
• Kaju Katli : A dessert made from cashews and sugar, often adorned with a layer of edible silver leaf.
• Masala Chai : A spiced tea made by brewing black tea with aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Lassi : A refreshing yoghurt-based drink that can be sweet or salty.
• Mango Lassi : A sweet variation of lassi that includes fresh mango pulp.

Each region in India has unique culinary treasures, so this list barely scratches the surface. Spending 2 weeks in India, I’m sure you will have plenty of chances to try various dishes and find out which ones you like the most.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN INDIA (per city)

To make your planning even easier, here’s a list of recommended accommodations in India sorted by city. I also included various options depending on your budget.

• Affordable: Hotel Urban Tree or CASA CENTRAL or Hotel Olivia Inn or Colonel’s Retreat
• Mid-range: AmigosIndia or Moustache Delhi or Avatar Living
• Luxury: The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi or Maidens Hotel or Sheraton New Delhi Hotel
• Affordable: Taj Street Hostel or Max Guest House or Gypsy Nest
• Mid-range: The Coral House Homestay or Aman Homestay or The Hideout Agra
• Luxury: Taj Hotel & Convention Centre or Tajview – IHCL SeleQtions or Trident Agra or The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra
• Affordable: Blue Beds Hostel or Gypsy Monkey or Horn Ok Please Hostel
• Mid-range: Jaipur Haveli or Flute Boutique by Hotel 91 or Jai Niwas Garden Hotel
• Luxury: WelcomHeritage Traditional Haveli or Pearl Palace Heritage Boutique Hotel or Samode Haveli
• Affordable: Locomo Hostel or Krazy Solo Hostel or Forrest Hostels
• Mid-range: Nap Manor Hostels or Backpacker Cowies
• Luxury: Taj Lands End or Taj Santacruz or JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Airport or The Taj Mahal Palace

Ranthambore/Mādhopur

• Affordable to Mid-range: Hotel Tiger Haveli or Omak Tiger Seven or Ranthambore Bagh Palace
• Luxury: Ranthambhore Heritage Haveli or The Earth at Ranthambore or Sawai Madhopur Lodge
• Affordable: Madpackers Amritsar or Om Sai B&B or City View With Garden
• Mid-range: HOTEL AVI INN or SureStay Heritage Walk By Best Western or Malhotra Guest House
• Luxury: Taj Swarna or Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels or Radisson Blu Hotel Amritsar
• Affordable: Green Hotel or The Unmad – Dharamkot or Sakura Guest House
• Mid-range: LA Riqueza Bliss Valley or Junglaat Ecorganic Stays & Experiences or Best Western Plus Revanta Mcleod Ganj
• Luxury: Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala or Prakriti Aalay – Boutique Eco Resort Dharamshala or Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort
• Affordable to Mid-range: FabExpress B Zone or FabHotel Nestlay Rooms Airport or Essentia Premier Hotel
• Luxury: Taj Coromandel or Park Hyatt Chennai or The Raintree
• Affordable: FabHotel Corporate Crown Koramangala or FabHotel Sanctuary Suites or FabHotel Crown Suites or FabHotel Park Inn Indiranagar
• Mid-range: FabHotel Crown Heights or Grand Mercure Bengaluru or bloomrooms
• Luxury: The Oberoi Bengaluru or Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru or The Leela Palace Bengaluru
• Affordable: Treebo Trend Grand Vistara Airport Suites or Zoot Kochi Infopark or Bastian Homestay
• Mid-range: Sea Hut Homestay or Bunk house Fort Kochi or Trident Cochin
• Luxury: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty or Kochi Marriott Hotel or Crowne Plaza Kochi

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN INDIA

I couldn’t believe this was the end of your 14 days in India itinerary. It has been a breeze curating these itineraries as there are so many sights to see and things to experience in each location that you’ll never run out of options.

Exploring this country is perfect for spiritual holidays, romantic vacations, family bonding time, team building, food trips, and historical excursions. Basically, it is suitable for everyone. This is also perfect for those fond of attending events, as there are festivals in different places all year round.

I hope this list of travel itineraries for 2 weeks in India has helped plan and create your own trip.

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Wild Junket

India Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Weeks in India

Last Updated on June 5, 2024

Planning your first trip to India? Here’s my recommended India itinerary for those looking to experience the best of India in 2 weeks.

India is an absolutely fascinating conglomeration of cultures, colors and flavors. They say you either love it or hate it. I fell in love with India a couple years ago, and I still daydream about going back.

As one of the biggest and most diverse countries in the world, India is like a color-changing chameleon, with so many different sides to it. There are chaotic traffic-loaded cities with modern skyscrapers alongside impoverished slums; but there are also lavish ancient palaces and forts as well as amazing tribes and ethnic groups living the way their ancestors do.

Travel in India can be frustrating, confusing and downright exhausting. It sometimes seems as if nothing is easy. But at the same time, t here’s no other place in the world like India . To help you experience India at its best (and worst), here is my recommended 2 week India itinerary for first-time visitors!

Table of Contents

Summary of the Ultimate India Itinerary

India itinerary day 1: mumbai, admire the gateway of india, take a boat to elephanta caves, visit the global vipassana pagoda, take a walking or bicycle tour of old delhi, glimpse into india’s past, india itinerary day 5: new delhi, visit the taj mahal, other places to visit in agra, get lost in amber fort, see the iconic hawa mahal, watch the sunset at jal mahal, wander around the blue houses, shop in the colorful sardar market, explore the mehrangarh fort, hang out at calangute beach, visit the portuguese forts, india itinerary day 15: fly back to mumbai, varanasi, uttar pradesh, rishikesh, uttarakhand, dharamsala, himachal pradesh, alleppey, kerala, tourist visas for india, how to get to india, travel india independently or on a guided tour, best time to travel india, how much does this india itinerary cost, health and vaccinations for india, is it safe to travel india, enjoy your epic india trip, travel resources, the best india itinerary.

India is the 7th biggest country in the world, with each state offering a very different experience to the others. Distances are huge and it takes a while to get from one town to another. You’ll need months or even years to explore all of India!

For the first taste of India, I recommend a minimum of 2 weeks in India . You’ll be able to experience the most famous parts of India in 2 weeks, including the major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, as well as my favorite state, Rajasthan.

In this India itinerary, I have included The Golden Triangle: a route made up of the famous trio Delhi, Agra and Jaipur . These three cities are home to India’s most iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort, and are definitely important stops for first-time visitors.

• Days 1-3: Mumbai
• Day 4: Old Delhi
• Day 5: New Delhi
• Day 6: Agra (Taj Mahal)
• Days 7-9: Jaipur (Pink City)
• Days 10-11: Jodhpur (Blue City)
• Days 12-14: Beaches of Goa
• Day 15: Fly home!

Your journey will most likely begin in Mumbai, as the international airport is the main gateway. Book a private transfer to your hotel to avoid any hassle or delay.

I recommend staying in Colaba, a neighborhood in the southern part of Mumbai that is near many major landmarks and famous restaurants. If you’re on a budget, then check out Bandra west, a northern Mumbai neighborhood packed with boutique hotels and lively restaurants.

After you get settled in your hotel, I suggest walking around to get an idea of your surroundings. The best way to start taking in Indian culture is to take a stroll through the streets and people watch. Mumbai also has some beaches, like Juhu and Girgaum Chowpatty . If you time it right, you can watch the sunset on the beach!

Itinerary Days 2-3: Mumbai

For your first proper day in Mumbai, I suggest booking a sightseeing tour to get your bearings and understand a bit more about the city through an experienced guide.

This tour takes about 10 hours, and you’ll get to see UNESCO sites, neighborhoods and Bollywood studio with a small group. If you’d rather explore on your own, these are some of the must-see spots in Mumbai.

The Gateway of India was built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Now, it’s one of the icons of Mumbai. It’s located on the waterfront at Apollo Bundar.

It’s free to visit, and there are a lot of local restaurants located nearby!

After a visit to the Gateway of India, you can take a 1-hour boat ride to the Elephanta Caves. The Elephanta Caves are a group of 7 caves that are tucked away on a remote island.

The caves are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. They contain different rock sculptures and artwork that can teach you about India’s history and culture. Entrance to the caves is 600 rupees (US$8) per person.

The Global Vipassana Pagoda is absolutely stunning. It’s an enormous golden pagoda where visitors can go to meditate. It was built to express Hindu’s gratitude to Buddha.

It’s free to enter, and you definitely can’t miss out on it!

India Itinerary Day 4: New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital of India. No India itinerary would be complete without a visit here. It’s also part of the popular tourist route, the Golden Triangle, and is a hop away from Agra and Jaipur.

A flight from Mumbai to New Delhi is around 2 hours and costs $100 return. Domestic flights are cheap and save you tons of time.  If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take the 15-hour night train on the previous night to Delhi (skip to ‘ how to get around ‘ section).

Delhi is huge, and you don’t want to waste a bunch of time traveling between destinations. Because you’re here for two days, you can spend a day in Old Delhi and the next in New Delhi.

Old Delhi may be one of the biggest cultural shocks you have while in India. It’s chaotic, energetic and crowded…and so much fun! I took a rickshaw tour through Old Delhi and was completely mesmerized by the chaos. There are a few different tours catered to people with different interests, like  this food tour with a local chef and bazaar walks .

There is no shortage of historical buildings and sites in Old Delhi. If you want to narrow them down to a handful of sights, we recommend visiting these three. Even though Delhi has decent public transportation, your easiest option for getting around is hiring a private car and driver.

• Jama Masjid (India’s largest mosque; 500 rupees)
• Red Fort (Old Delhi’s largest monument; 500 rupees)
• Chandni Chowk (one of the oldest street markets in Delhi; free).

New Delhi and Old Delhi seem like completely different worlds sometimes. That’s why it’s important to explore both during your time here. It’s not all modern skyscrapers in New Delhi.

There are plenty of interesting sights but if you only have one day, I recommend stopping by Swaminarayan Akshardham temple ,  Mahatma Gandhi’s home Gandhi Smitri , and the lush Lodhi Garden . Entrance fees for these attractions are free!

If you’re looking to eat in the best restaurants in town, check out the high-end Indian restaurant Dilli 32 or upscale international restaurant Thyme .

India Itinerary Day 6: Agra

After a good night of sleep, it’s time for an early start. Head to the train station and catch an early train down to the city of Agra. This city is the home of one of India’s most famous landmarks: the Taj Mahal .

Travel between Delhi and Agra is pretty simple, and you can take a bus, train, or car. The fastest morning train from Delhi to Agra takes just 1.5 hours and costs $10 for an air-conditioned seat. It’s a great way to see the “real” India outside of the touristy spots.

Once you arrive in Agra, drop your bags at the hotel and set off to see the most famous site of India.

Of all the landmarks in India, the Taj Mahal is the most famous one. It’s a massive mausoleum and one of the greatest architectural marvels in the world. In fact, UNESCO designated it a world heritage site in 1983.

The Taj Mahal is open everyday until sunset, and it costs 250 rupees to visit. The best time to visit is definitely at sunrise, when the crowds have yet to arrive and the sky is a splendid color. I recommend booking a sunrise tour if you want to get there before anyone else does, and have a guide to point out all the details to you.

After seeing the Taj Mahal, you’ll still have some time to explore the city of Agra in the evening.  I suggest heading to Mehtab Bagh , which translates to Moonlight Garden, for the best view of the Taj Mahal from afar (pictured above). It’s such a spectacular spot and yet I had the whole place to myself during my visit. Also don’t miss the Taj Nature Walk , a bird and nature park just outside the Taj Mahal.

Another impressive monument in Agra is the Agra Fort (you can book guided tickets in advance here ), which in fact was more spectacular than Red Fort in Delhi. This UNESCO Word Heritage site is one of the most robust and important Mughal forts in India. Within the fort, you’ll find mosques, fairy-tale palaces, towers, and courtyards. Be sure to stay for the evening sound and light show that recreates the fort’s history.

India Itinerary Days 7 – 9: Jaipur

Welcome to my favorite state in India: Rajasthan ! All across Rajasthan there are numerous forgotten forts and lovingly restored palaces, and its people adorn the most colorful and dazzling saris and turbans.

From Agra, catch a 4.5-hour  train to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. As the capital of Rajasthan, the city has all the exotic elements of India encapsulated in a single panorama, from lavish palaces and unique architecture to rustic people and noisy bazaars, with camels and elephants thrown in for added measure.

Make your first stop the Amber Fort , Jaipur’s most impressive sight. Steeped in history, the palace is decorated in marble and ivory. It’s easy to spend a whole day here exploring the many museums and lakeside gardens located inside the fort. The Sheesh Mahal (‘Hall of Mirrors’) inside the fort was once the residence of the royal family and is the setting for several Hindi movies to boot.

Across the road from the City Palace lies the iconic Hawa Mahal , an architectural marvel of passages and balconies  overlooking old Jaipur’s main thoroughfare. It was built of pink sandstone primarily as an observation point for processions traveling along the road below, as women from the royal family were not allowed to be seen in public in those times.

The bustling bazaar opposite the Hawa Mahal houses a myriad of shops selling everything from trinkets to glass bangles, home décor pieces to carpets. Definitely worth a visit for the shopaholic in search of unique merchandise.

Located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake is the Jal Mahal , or Water Palace. The tastefully-restored palace looks beautiful in the evenings, with multi-colored lights decorating the entire structure. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed inside the palace at present. A similar structure in Udaipur has been converted into a luxury hotel, which makes this example all the more untouched.

India Itinerary Days 10 & 11: Jodhpur

The next stop on this India itinerary is the blue city of Jodhpur, which is just a 5-hour train ride from Jaipur. Jodhpur is called the “Blue City” thanks to the vibrant egg-blue homes that surround its famous Mehrangarh Fort. The bustling city lies on the edge of the Thar Desert features picturesque lakes, handsome forts, and imposing palaces .

—> Book a one-day sightseeing tour of the Blue City with included transport and guide

You’ve probably seen the blue houses of Jodhpur on the internet. Many people, including myself, assumed they would be everywhere in Jodhpur. But in reality they are harder to find than I expected. Head to the labyrinth-like Sardar market around Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) a nd you’ll find a lot of blue houses hiding in quiet alleyways.   If you’re lost, just ask local shopkeepers for directions.

While you’re in Sardar Market , be sure to check out the dizzying amount of shops. They sell everything from colorful shoes and pottery to spices and teas here. An interesting spot is   The National Handloom Cooperation on   Nai Sarak .   The shop offers a great array of clothes and accessories at fixed prices.   This will also give you an idea of the prices you should actually be paying for things in local markets.

You can’t come to Jodhpur without visiting one of India’s most impressive forts: the Mehrangarh Fort . The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset, when the glow from the golden walls contrasts against the crimson sky. The amalgam of colors is almost unbelievable: glittering blue homes surround the mighty fortress, which still towers 400 feet above ground despite being over five centuries old.

India Itinerary Day 12: Goa

After a good night of sleep, it’s time to head to the next stop on this India itinerary: Goa in southern India! Fly from Jodhpur to Goa via Mumbai. The flight takes at least 7 hours including transit and costs around $250.

India is such a diverse country that southern India feels like a different country from northern India. Goa has a long history as a Portuguese colony and it’s evident from its numerous 17th-century churches and tropical spice plantations. Goa is also known for its beaches, ranging from popular stretches at Baga and Palolem to those in laid-back fishing villages such as Agond .

For your first day in Goa, I suggest relaxing for a bit, especially after the hectic time you’ve had in the past few days. There are a lot of cool little beach shacks in Goa, so grab some food and drinks and chill out for a while.

India Itinerary Days 13 & 14: North Goa

There’s a lot to see and experience in Goa: from the beaches and nightlife in Baga to the temples and cathedrals scattered throughout the region. Goa is a pretty big region and it’s sadly not possible to see it all in just two days. To make the most of your time, I would focus on exploring the northern part.

Calangute Beach is a huge white-sand beach in northern Goa. You can soak up some sun, people watch, make local friends and end the day at a beach party.

Goa used to be a Portuguese settlement, and you can still see the ruins of the Portuguese forts today. The two forts in northern Goa are Fort Aguada and Chapora Fort.

Fort Aguada in Sinquerim offers amazing views of the Arabian Sea. You can also explore the old lighthouse, eerie prison cells, and even the secret passageways.

Chapora Fort dates back to the 1700s, and it’s mostly in ruins now. That adds to its charm though. Like Fort Aguada, you can explore the secret passageways and check out views of Vagator Beach.

Sadly your trip to India has come to an end! It’s time to head back to Mumbai. Once again, I recommend booking a direct flight back to Mumbai from Goa , as it takes only 1hour 15min and costs around $70.

I recommend booking a hotel near the Mumbai airport so you don’t have to bother getting out of the airport.

More India Itinerary Ideas

For those with more time, there are many other parts of India worth visiting. I haven’t visited every part of India, but I have asked local friends from recommendations and here is a list of other interesting areas in India you can consider.

A spiritual heart and holy land, Varanasi is sacred to Hindus and Jains. Perched along the Ganges River, it’s also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Many Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi brings salvation/nirvana and so they make the trip to the city when they are close to death.

For some, the culture shock of the burning corpses in plain view can be a bit overwhelming. However, the scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the Ganges River at sunrise against the backdrop of the centuries-old temples, is one of the most impressive sights in the world.

Known as the world capital of yoga, Rishikesh is a beautiful town scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas. Rishikesh catapulted to international fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram (now closed).

Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas and many people heading into the Himalayas stop by here. The pilgrimage journey, Char Dham Yatra, begins in Rishikesh.

Surrounded by cedar forests on the edge of the Himalayas , this hillside city is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. It was this place that sparked my interest in traveling to Tibet .

Dharamsala came on the world map in 1959 with the arrival of the Dalai Lama. Currently, it is a very popular destination for backpackers.  There is a calm, peaceful energy in the air and the location is an ideal backdrop for this spiritual haven.

Located in southern India, Kerala is a gorgeous state to visit for nature lovers. Kerala is known for its backwaters, mountains, coconuts, spices and traditional art forms.

The best way to see the backwaters of Kerala is by houseboat. Known locally as kettuvallam, these houseboats are made  of ancient principles of traditional carpenters using anjili wood and husks. Traditionally they were used to transport rice and spices, now they have become popular ‘homestays’ for tourists.

India Travel Guide and Tips

Almost everyone needs a visa to travel India, unless you are from Bhutan, the Maldives, or Nepal. But it’s really easy and fast to get an India e-visa. You just need to apply online at Byevisa.com for the India Visa  at least 5 days before your trip. After you submit all your documents, you will receive your visa within 2-5 business days if it’s approved.

The main gateway to India are the Delhi and Mumbai Airports. You can find flights from New York to Delhi (23hours) for about US$700 roundtrip and flights from Los Angeles to Mumbai (23 hours) for $800 return. I flew from the US and had a layover in London, UK.

For those in Europe, you can fly from London to Mumbai via Istanbul (12hours) for around $500 return or direct for around $900 roundtrip. Flights from Paris to Delhi (10 hours) are also cheap at $500 roundtrip.

Search for Flights to India

Traveling India can be overwhelming and downright shocking. There is chaos in many parts, and tourist touts can be very persistent. I traveled India with my husband and we both found it challenging but in an exciting way. We absolutely loved India and definitely enjoyed traveling independently around the country.

If it’s your first time traveling on your own, I recommend booking a tour with like-minded people and flexible schedule. Check out G Adventures’ 15-day Essential India trip that shows you the best of the country through local home-stays and activities. I have traveled with G Adventures many times and can highly recommend them.

India is a big country and it has different climates. Depending on which areas you plan to visit, the best time to travel India may be different. For most of the country, the best time to travel is between the end of September and mid-March . The air is less humid and the temperatures are more moderate.

January and February can be a little cool if you’re visiting northern India. So be prepared for colder weather if you visit during these months! If you’re looking for a cheap deal, the best time to travel India is probably April or May. Humidity is the worst during these months though, and there are also a lot of thunderstorms.

Monsoon season is usually between June and September. Monsoons affect most of the central and southern regions of India. If you plan to visit these areas, be sure and avoid these months.

India is one of the cheapest countries to travel There are some parts of India that are more expensive than the others, such as the touristy parts of Rajasthan and Agra. Still, budget travelers can survive on around $20 – $30 USD per day.

Public transport is cheap. Train fares range from $5 to $25 depending on the distance. For instance, the fastest train from Delhi to Agra costs just $10 for an air-conditioned seat.

Accommodation usually ranges from $10 for a simple guesthouse room to $100 for a 4-star hotel. Indian food is incredibly good and cheap everywhere (but be careful with food hygiene). You can get $1 a meal  if you’re on a tight budget, or  $3-15 per meal in a local restaurant.

How to Get Around India

Because of the vast distances, the fastest way to get around India is by flying. Domestic flights are cheap and regular. The domestic airlines in India are Air India and Indian Airlines.

For instance, a return flight from Mumbai to New Delhi is around 2 hours and costs $100. And a return flight from Delhi to Goa in southern India costs around $117 and takes 2.5 hours.

India is well known for its trains — the country is very well connected by train, though the conditions in some classes can be shocking. The train is often the cheapest (and most interesting) form of travel in India and you definitely have to try the train system at least once during your trip to India.

There are different classes of train: the First Class seats are usually in private air-conditioned booths, while Third Class chair seats can be in daunting conditions. We did attempt Third Class seats once but ended up jumping off the train before it took off  (pee on the floor and hundreds crammed into one carriage). We booked mostly Second Class seats, which were reasonably priced and comfortable enough.

If you’re in a smaller or more rural area, the towns may not have a train station. In this case, your best bet is to travel by bus. The buses are pretty crammed usually and in terrible conditions. We’ve taken buses in the Himachal Pradesh (Himalaya region in northern India) and our bus journeys were definitely memorable in a funny way. Traffic in many major cities can be a nightmare, so be warned!

An important thing you’ll need to consider before planning a trip to India is your health. Unfortunately sanitation and hygiene are lacking in India, and can be the cause of illness for visitors.

You’ve probably heard of the Delhi belly — almost everyone who’s been to India has experienced food poisoning in some form. If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid street food and fresh juices. If you do like street food, monsoon season isn’t the time to indulge as contamination of water and vegetables increases.

Most of India’s tap water is unfit for consumption. When buying bottled water, make sure the seal is intact. People are known to re-use empty water bottles and fill them with tap water. Make sure you bring antibacterial hand-wipes with you. You’ll find that they’re useful in range of situations including cleaning your hands before eating.

Some of the recommended vaccinations for India are:

• Hepatitis A and B

Since 2012, the news of several gang rapes and murders in India sparked concerns over travel safety in India. Many countries have issued travel advisories warning women not to travel alone or to remote areas.

India does present some risks for female travelers – with the staring, unwanted attention, and sexual harassment. There is a significant gender disparity in India, and you do come across some negative and outdated attitudes towards women. It’s wise to be mentally prepared.

I advise female travelers to travel India with a partner or in a group. Dress modestly (with covered legs and arms) as India is generally a traditional society. Try to book hotels and train tickets in advance, and avoid chatting with tourist touts. Stick to the tourist trail and try not to wander dark streets and alleys at night.

This India itinerary has packed in the most Instagrammed sights, cultural experiences and culinary flavors of the country. In designing this India itinerary, I have considered many factors including how easy it is to get from one point to another, how much it costs, etc.

2 weeks in India will give you the bare minimum amount of time to experience the country. I hope this India itinerary will help you make the most out of your little time in India. One things’ for sure, your first trip to India will surely not be your last!

Did we miss out anything on this India itinerary? Let us know in the comments field below if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help you out! Feel free to bookmark this India itinerary and refer to it as you travel!

If you’re planning to travel to other parts of Asia, here are some other articles I’ve written that you might find helpful.

• 15 Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka
• Tibet Travel Guide
• Bhutan Interesting Facts
• 2-Week China Itinerary
• 3 Days in Beijing Itinerary
• Best Things to Do in Xi’An

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to companies I use and trust. I get a small commission when you click on my links, at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. 

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Over the years (and traveling to 140+ countries), I’ve learned a thing or two about travel planning. I’ve put together this list of travel resources that I personally use to find the best deals and book travel! For more details, check out my travel tips resource page .

• Booking Flights : Kayak is brilliant for finding the best dates to fly as it allows you to search for the lowest airfares within a 3-day period. Then I use Skyscanner as they’ve consistently given me the lowest airfares.
• Accommodations:  I always use  Booking.com   to book hotels, mainly because of the flexible cancellation policy and good customer service. You can also find short-term rental apartments there (I prefer not to use Airbnb due to the extra charges).
• Travel Insurance:  It’s important to have travel insurance, regardless of whether you’re traveling for a few days or months. Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers any healthcare expenses I may have worldwide. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.
• Health Advice:  I always refer to the travel guides on the   CDC website  for recommended medications and vaccines. You can get them at your travel doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours:  If you’re looking for all-encompassing tours, I recommend small-group adventure tour outfitter, G Adventures . I’ve traveled with them to Antarctica, Mongolia, Svalbard, and Nepal, and loved every single trip. For day tours, I always book with  Viator  and  GetYourGuide ; they have easy booking systems and free cancellations.
• Car Rental: I always book car rentals on Discover Cars , as they’ve consistently given us the best rates and customer service (with free cancellations). We’ve used them in Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Peru, and Mexico.
• Transportation : Whenever possible, I book local transportation online using  Bookaway and Busbud . They’re more reliable than many local transport websites and cover trains, buses, and car hire.
• Restaurants: TripAdvisor is my go-to resource for restaurant reviews and bookings. I also make restaurant reservations on OpenTable .
• Travel WiFi: I always travel with my Travel WiFi Sapphire 2 device; it’s the most convenient way to get internet data on the go. Instead of getting a local SIM card in every country I travel, I get an internet data package online and the device works immediately when I land.

Chad Emery is a regular contributor to WildJunket and a self-proclaimed language enthusiast. He started Langoly to help people learn and teach languages more effectively, and loves connecting with people from around the world. To join the global language community, you can follow Langoly on Twitter and Facebook .

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The Comments

Kapil Mathur

WOW!! This is a useful blog & the images are really amazing. I’m living in Jodhpur. Thank you for sharing with us keep posting.

Heading to India on the advice of Nellie and can’t wait! We are following the 2 week itinerary (but not heading south) however are staying longer so we can truly immerse ourselves in the country. Our journey is now 3 weeks long so we are anxious to fill in the rest of our stay with other places recommended on this blog. Thank you Nellie for all of the advice and suggestions! It’s been VERY helpful!

Nellie Huang

Aww thank you Stacie! So glad you’ve found my advice and suggestions helpful!

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A varied 2 week India itinerary, perfect for first time visitors

By: Author Sylvia

Posted on Last updated: February 21, 2024

Wondering what to see in India in 2 weeks? You came to the right place.

India is such a large and diverse country and there is so much to see and experience that two weeks gives you only a glimpse of this huge country. We spend a month in India and only saw a few states.

Sometimes, however, you only have 2 weeks’ holiday.

That is why we set up this 2-week India itinerary that takes you from the highlights of the golden triangle to the deep lush South where you feel like you are in another country.

With this India itinerary, you get a first impression of this gigantic country in 2 weeks and if you like it, you can head back later to discover more.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

In a hurry? Here we share an overview of our two weeks in India itinerary 

If you don’t have time to read through the full India travel itinerary, use this overview to get an idea of the things to do on each day and save it for later.

• Day 1 Delhi: Visit Chandni Chowk, Red Fort,  the Jama Masjid mosque, the Lotus Temple, the Akshardham Temple, Humayun’s tomb, and Qutab Minar.
• Day 2-3 Agra: Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah, and Agra Fort.
• Day 4-5 Ranthambore: Do as many tiger safaris as possible.
• Day 6-7 Jaipur:  Visit the city palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, Amer Fort, Panna Meena ka Kund medieval stepwell, Water Palace, Hawa Mahal ( Palace of the wind),  and Galwar Bagh ( Monkey Temple ).
• Day 8-9 Kochi ( Cochin ):  Visit the Chinese Fishing Nets, the Pardesi Synagogue, the St. Francis Church, and The Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace. 
• Day 10-11 Munar: Visit the tea plantations, the Mattupety Dam, Echo Point, and Top Station. Go hiking.
• Day 12-14 Allepey, Kumarakom, Cochin:  Make a cruise on the backwaters, make a Shikara boat tour, relax in a resort in Kumarakom, and take an Ayurveda massage.

Table of Contents

2 weeks in India: our complete India itinerary

Here we share the best places to visit in India in two weeks.

We started our two weeks in India in Delhi to discover the highlights of Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, which is full of beautiful palaces and fortresses, you feel like you are in a fairytale of 1000 and 1 night.

If you are looking for a golden triangle itinerary, take a look here.

Day 1- Delhi 

Things to do in delhi.

You can visit the highlights of Delhi in one day. Below we briefly summarize the sites that you can visit.  We suggest that you also have a look at our  detailed post about Delhi here. 

We visited Chandni Chowk which used to be the largest market in India. Close by you will find the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid mosque.

We also paid a visit to The Lotus temple, a temple of Bahá’í faith. This temple has received numerous awards for its outstanding architecture and design. 

The Akshardham temple, a recently built Hindu temple complex is also quite impressive. Afterward, you can unwind in the Lodhi gardens. 

Our favorite sight in Delhi was Humayun’s tomb and Qutab Minar is also absolutely worth a visit.

Full-day organized tours

Some of the sights like the Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar, and Humayun’s tomb are far outside the city.  

If you have a personal driver you can arrange a tour with him along with these sights. 

If not you could arrange a tour with a taxi or arrange a private tour in advance. 

We selected some of the most recommended tours: 

Where to stay in Delhi

Although Delhi is immense most of the city’s tourist attractions are located within walking distance. 

To the south of the city are some other places that are worthwhile visiting but to visit these you will need to arrange a driver or other means of transportation.

If you have a driver you don’t need to worry that much about where you stay.  If you need to rely on taxis or public transportation you’re better to stay near the old town or to the south of the city near Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

  Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida

As we had a driver we stayed in the Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida and loved this hotel.

We arrived around 7 a.m. at the hotel and they offered us breakfast while they prepared our room. Around 9 o’clock our room was ready.

The rooms are very big and have a comfortable bed.  The rooftop pool is excellent to take a refreshing dive in the evening.

The hotel is located close to the Akshardham temple and it’s just a few minutes to the Yamuna Expressway, the fastest route to Agra.

Read reviews and check prices here:

Booking.com

Day 2-3 Agra

The 165km long Yamuna Expressway is probably the best-maintained road in India.  The route has shortened the travel time from Delhi to Agra to 2 hours since it opened in 2012. 

There’re many toll roads in India but this is one of the few that is not run by the government. 

The exceptional high toll fees ensure that almost only tourist buses use the road. 

Enjoy this peaceful experience because once you arrive at the end of the toll road you will join the normal Indian traffic.

Driving time:  205 km- approximately 4-5 hours.

Things to do in Agra

Visiting The Taj Mahal at sunrise was one of the highlights of our India trip.  The colors of the first sun rays on the white domes of the Taj Mahal are fabulous.

The Taj Mahal is at its best at sunrise

The monument opens at sunrise and people will already be queueing well in advance.  Still, these lines are nothing compared to the masses that visit the Taj during the day.  We managed to take some nice pictures before it got crowded.

It is very easy to buy tickets for the Taj Mahal online.  If you have tickets you no longer have to queue at the ticket office and you can directly join the line at the entrance.

Buy your tickets for the Taj in advance online  (Click the link on the left, scroll down and click on ‘online ticket’).

Picture tip :  Most people stop as soon as they passed the main entrance and get a first sight of the Taj Mahal.  It is indeed tempting to start a complete photoshoot at this point but just hold on a few more minutes and continue straight towards the Taj.

In front of the Taj head to your right and walk to the Eastern Square. 

This offers the best views at sunrise and the square is not crowded at all. Most people will follow the normal guided route and it will take them at least an hour to reach this point.

Once you’re pleased with the pictures you have you can leave the square and do the normal tour.

Want to learn more about this impressive momument? Check out these fun facts about the Taj Mahal.

Tom of Itimad Ud Daulah

We also visited the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah, better known as the Baby Taj, and got a glimpse of the Agra Fort.

Where to stay in Agra

As you have to wake up early to see the Taj Mahal, we recommend this hotel that is relatively close to the entrance.

We loved our stay in the ITC Mughal . Besides, that is only a 10-minute drive to the Taj Mahal we stayed in a very beautiful and comfortable room. The hotel also serves a very tasty breakfast.

The hotel’s pool is an excellent place to relax a few hours after an awe-inspiring morning at the Taj.

We really recommend this hotel. It was like a beautiful oasis in a quite dirty city.

Day 4-5: Ranthambore

We continued our India 2 week India itinerary in Ranthambore.

Rajasthan is not all about temples and fortresses.

These beautiful monuments are unlike anything we have ever seen before but our visit to Ranthambore was another highlight of our trip.   

The national park of Ranthambore is famous for its tigers, but certainly, in October which is shortly after the monsoon season, a safari in the park is worthwhile in itself.

Driving time:  265 km- approximately 6 hours.

Ranthambore national park is open from October 1 to June 30. In July and August, the park is closed to visitors because of the Monsoon season.

If Ranthambore is closed we would suggest staying 3 days in Jaipur.

Driving time Agra-Jaipur:  240 km- approximately 5 hours

On your way from Agra to Ranthambore or to Jaipur, you can make a stop in  Fatehpur Sikri a fortified ancient city that was for a short time the capital of the Mughal empire.

Things to do in Ranthambore

Ranthambore is one of the best national parks to spot tigers in India. Besides tigers, the park is also home to sloth bears, lots of deer, peacocks, and plenty of other colorful birds.

We visited the park early in October shortly after the monsoon season and it was a lovely green oasis.  We found this park’s scenery to be more beautiful than the arid landscape of  Kruger in South Africa.  

Kruger Park is a wide stretched-out dull plain with some bushes and low trees.

The park in itself wouldn’t be worth a detour if it weren’t for the animals that live there.  Ranthambore is something completely different. 

Over the course of our 3 game drives, we visited 3 different regions and saw beautiful lagoons, impressive cliffs, waterfalls, an overgrown palace, and, of course, a fortress.

The downside of this season is that the lush green scenery provides many opportunities for the animals to hide.  The chances to spot tigers in October are a mere 20 percent.

The best time to visit Ranthambore and spot tigers is during summer from April to June.   There is less water in summer and the activity of the animals will be concentrated around the few watering holes that remain.  The greenery will also be less dense.  Both make it easier for the guides to find the animals.

The park can only be explored with an organized safari. These can be booked through the hotel or a tour organization but by far the cheapest option is to buy your tickets yourself online. You can do this on  the official government site.  

The booking process will also allow you to choose the zones where you want to do your safari.

You will need a lot of patience as it took us almost a day to complete our order. Here are the instructions on how to do this.

Don’t wait too long to book the tickets because the tour organizations book large packs of tickets in advance to resell and this limits the number of available seats available to regular clients.

Tickets that you book with your hotel or with a tour organization are significantly more expensive and you will not be able to choose the zones.

The park has been subdivided into 10 zones to spread the number of tourists over the park.  Each zone only allows a limited number of gypsy and canters.  The sightings of tigers are different in the different zones so it is certainly in your advantage to be able to choose your zone yourself.

It seems that over the past years zones 2 to 6 have been the best safari zones but this could change overnight. 

We would advise doing some research on the different zones before you book your safari. 

Going through the many discussions on the  TripAdvisor forums  should give you a good idea about the recent sightings.

The safaris are done in either a gypsy (6 seats) or a canter (20 seats).  A gypsy is an open jeep. 

These have the advantage that they can reach more areas in the park and they can also react very fast when they hear about a tiger sighting somewhere in your zone. 

The drivers will rush to the spot in real Paris-Dakar style.  In addition to what we stated already, we also found that the canters are less comfortable and it goes without saying that you have less contact with the guide.

“ We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open”

We really recommend booking a gypsy whenever you can as we strongly believe that this will increase your chances to see a tiger.

Our tips to spot a tiger

Do as many safaris as you can.  Even if you’re lucky enough to see a tiger on your first safari you still can get a better sighting on your subsequent drives in the park.

Chances to spot tigers are higher on the morning safaris.  It is still cooler and the tigers will be more active. If you need to skip one safari, make it an evening safari

Book a gypsy for your safaris

Do some research on which zones have the most sightings before you book.

If you go on a morning safari bring a warm jacket with gloves and a cap or hat.

Where to stay in Ranthambore

Ranthambhore heritage haveli .

The Ranthambore Heritage Haveli hotel is located very close to one of the Ranthambore park entrances.

The hotel has a very friendly staff that is keen to help with any request.

The location of the hotel is very far from the central area, you will not be able to go outside the hotel without a car.  Not that you will miss something.

When we drove through the city it looked like a long row of hotels and there didn’t seem to be many restaurants or bars.

Good v alue for money.

Day 6-7: Jaipur

We continued our India itinerary for 2 weeks to Jaipur, the pink city.

Driving time:  145 km- approximately 4 hours.

Things to do in Jaipur

We felt like a maharaja in the city palace and learned about astronomy at the nearby Jantar Mantar observatory .

We also wandered through the gigantic Amer fort and almost got lost in the maze of winding narrow corridors. 

From the Amer fort, we head to the nearby Panna Meena ka Kund medieval stepwell.  These medieval step-wells are known for their picturesque symmetrical stairways.

It’s normally not allowed to take your picture on the stairs but you can try to make arrangements with the guards.

From here we made our way back to the city.  Be sure to take a photo stop at Sagar Lake on the way back to Jaipur.

In the center of the lake is the Jal Mahal palace which effectively means Water Palace. 

The palace is a 5-story building but usually, 3 or 4 of the floors remain underwater.

We also made a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, commonly known as the palace of the wind.  

The exterior can best be described as the honeycomb of a beehive.

It contains hundreds of small windows and each of them is meticulously decorated.  These windows, called jharokhas, allowed the royal ladies to follow the festivals that happened on the street without being seen by the public.

The palace is incredibly beautiful from the outside but according to our driver, the inside is not nearly as spectacular.  If you do want to visit the palace you could combine it with the nearby city palace.

Photo tip: You can take great pictures of the palace when the sunlight just hits the beehive-like wall in the morning.

The Galwar Bagh, among tourists known as the Monkey temple , is located slightly outside Jaipur in a narrow gap in the mountain range that borders Jaipur. 

It’s officially called the Sita Ram ji temple and is part of the Galta-ji pilgrimage site.  We visited this temple on the afternoon of our second day in Jaipur.

“ Let’s travel together and get lost in beautiful places”

Pilgrims bathe in the sacred baths that are filled by the river that flows through the temple complex. 

There is, of course, a reason that the temple is called the Monkey temple. 

Nowadays more monkeys than pilgrims wander through the temple complex and they also enjoy the baths.

At the temple entrance, some people may offer their services to protect you from the monkeys.  This is absolutely unnecessary. Nowhere have we met more well-behaved monkeys than here.   🙂 They didn’t bother us at all.

If you go all the way up to the Sun temple you might get a good view of Jaipur if there is not too much haze or smog.

It was a lot of fun to watch them play.

There is no entry fee for the temple but they charge a camera fee of Rs 50.

If you are looking for a detailed Jaipur itinerary, take a look here. 

Where to stay in Jaipur

Itc rajputana.

The ITC Rajputana is a very beautiful hotel with clean and spacious rooms. Friendly and wonderful staff. Excellent buffet breakfast. 

Day 8-9: Kochi (Cochin)

From Jaipur, we took a direct flight to Kochi. Depending on how late you arrive in Kochi we would recommend staying one or two nights.

We arranged a private chauffeur to take us to the various sights in Kerala.  Although the distances that you will cover to visit these Kerala sights are nothing compared to the kilometers traveled in the Northern part of India it is still a much more comfortable way of traveling.

Things to do in Kochi

Kerala cannot be compared with Rajasthan.  It could just as well be another country.  

It’s a very tropical city with lots of water and palm trees and if somebody would have told us that we were no longer in Indian bu in Thailand instead we could have believed him.

If the use of Cochin and Kochi gets you confused you’re not alone.  Both names refer to the same city. 

Kochi is the official name but many people still use the unofficial Cochin which was used by the British occupiers.

Kochi is the economic capital of the state of Kerala.  It is a big city but the highlights are all located in the same part of the city and can be covered in a half-day.

We visited the Chinese Fishing Nets, the Pardesi Synagogue, and the St. Francis Church.  Along the way we walked through Princess street, the place to hunt for souvenirs, snoop around bookstores or relax with a drink and some food.

The Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace, is also worth a visit.  It cannot be compared to any of the palaces we visited in Rajasthan and showcases many differences in the life of the Maharaja between the north and the south of the country.

We also attended a Kathakali dance show.

This is a story play that originated in Kerala and is still unique to this region.

The show kept us amused for the full hour.  Although we lost the storyline somewhere halfway the costumes, make-up and acts alone justify attending the show.

The make-up is done in such a way that you might think that the actors wear a mask.

Depending on your agenda you can attend a Kathakali show in Kochi or Munnar.

Where to stay in Cochin

  le méridien cochin.

We stayed in Le Meridien Cochin and had a wonderful time. We had a very big comfortable room and enjoyed the delicious breakfast.  The staff was so accommodating and even invited us to the miss Kerala election that was held in the hotel. We would definitely stay here again if we would return to Cochin.

Day 10-11: Munnar

From Cochin, we continued our two-week India itinerary towards the hill station of Munnar.

Driving time:  112 km- approximately 4 hours.

Things to do in Munnar

Munnar is a great location to spend 2 days.  Best of all is that the temperature is really enjoyable as it is higher up in the mountains. 

It might even feel a little chilly when you’re acclimatized to the temperatures in  Rajasthan.

Munnar is famous for its many tea plantations.  As you ride between the plantations you have plenty of opportunities to take very Instagram-worthy pictures.  Several tea plantations are open to visitors.  You can see how tea is made in the factories and you can learn more about tea in the tea museum.

For an even more authentic experience, you can book an organized tour that takes you on unpaved routes deep into the fields. 

You will meet some of the tea pickers and see how they still mostly manually pick the leaves. 

Did you know that they collect around 100kg of leaves every single day?

More information and bookings: Tea plantation Jeep safari

We loved the tea plantations so much that we would almost forget the other highlights of Munnar which are the Mattupety Dam, Echo Point, and Top Station. 

Along the way, you will pass several photogenic waterfalls and if you’re lucky you might even spot elephants.

Hiking is another excellent way to witness the beauty of the region.  Several gorgeous hikes can be done ranging from easy to rather difficult but most are unmarked and require a guide.

More information and bookings: Booking.com

In the evening you can attend the Kathakali as well as Kalarippayattu shows.  The latter is a very energetic martial arts show.

More information and bookings: Kathakali Show

Where to stay in Munnar

Fragrant nature munnar.

The Fragrant Nature Munnar hotel  is gorgeous and beautifully situated on the top of the valley amidst the jungle.  It is surrounded by tea and spice plantations.

The hotel has comfortable and well-equipped rooms and helpful and accommodating staff. The view from the room is outstanding.

Day 12-14: Alleppey-Kumarakom-Cochin

These were two fantastic weeks in India with a relatively well-filled agenda. Kumarakom or Alleppey are good places to end your holiday and relax before you head back home. 

We compared both places and opted for some quality time in a resort in Kumarakom.

Below is a short comparison between the two.

Driving time: 175 km- approximately 4-5h

Should you go to Alleppey or Kumarakom?

This depends on what you want to do.

If you want to cruise the backwaters and stay a night on a houseboat you can opt for Alleppey. 

The boats leave from both locations but Alleppey has by far the widest choice.

You won’t find any resorts in Alleppey, these are all located along the lakeside in Kumarakom.

Kumarakom is the most flexible of the two as it allows you to combine a stay in a resort with an overnight cruise on a houseboat.  Some of the resorts have their own houseboats and offer this as a package.

You should know that although an excursion with a houseboat lasts almost a full day the boat will only sail for about 6 hours. 

Local regulations reserve the lake for the fishermen at night, all houseboats need to dock by 5:30 PM. 

The majority of the 6 hours are also spent on the lake.

The small boats called Shikara offer an alternative way to see the backwaters. You can charter these per hour as a couple or family. 

An advantage of these small boats is that they are private and can navigate narrow channels.

Knowing this we opted for a 2-hour Shikara boat ride. 

This cruise was one of the highlights of our trip to Kerala as the backwaters are so peaceful and beautiful. We observed the daily life of the villagers living next to the canals and could see how they were doing their laundry in the river. 

We also saw plenty of colorful birds.

If we would go back we would definitely opt for a Shikara again.

The Shikara boats leave from the Kavanattinkara boat jetty in Kumarakom.  This is close to the entrance of the bird sanctuary and your boat ride will actually take you along part of the edge of the sanctuary. 

 The sanctuary is a nice place to enjoy nature but the dense forest will make it difficult to spot birds. 

You can combine your boat ride with a visit to the sanctuary, just know that you will probably see more birds during the boat ride than during your forest trek in the sanctuary.

This region in Kerala is also famous for its Ayurveda massages.  Ayurveda is a buzzword that’s popping up all over the world.  What you may not know is that it originated in India several thousand years ago. 

It’s a way of life that revolves around creating peace and harmony in the body by aligning different energy channels, called chakras.  The Ayurveda oils that are used have medicinal and detoxing properties. 

You should try an Ayurveda massage if you currently suffer from insomnia or high levels of stress.  We had our massage at an Ayurveda Massage Center but you will see that most hotels offer these massages as well.

You could also combine a backwater tour and an Ayurveda massage with this excursion.

More information and booking: Backwater & massage tour

Where to stay in Alleppey

 angel queen houseboat.

A lovely boat with a top deck for great viewing and a comfortable bedroom and ensuite. The meals that are served are delicious and the scenery divine.

Relaxing and comfortable trip.

Where to stay in Kumarakom? 

Park regis aveda kumarakom.

Classy resort  with beautiful rooms that look out over the pool. Excellent food and service at the restaurant.  Very courteous and friendly staff.

The hotel offers a complimentary sunset cruise.

India travel tips

Best time to visit india.

The best time to visit India depends on which region you want to visit. But in general, for Rajasthan, the best months are from October to March as it is cooler.

Read also: 45 Fun and crazy facts about India

The best time to see tigers in Ranthambore is from March until May. It is hotter and dryer then and there are fewer waterholes, which makes it easier to spot the tigers. An alternative for Ranthambore is Nagarhole national park which is open all year round. However, the best time to make a tiger safari in Nagarhole is from September until May.

For Kerala, the best period to visit is from September to March although it can rain occasionally until December.

We had some daily scattered showers in October.  They usually occurred somewhere during the afternoon but not to that degree that it affected our travel plans.

Cheap flights to India 

If you want to score  cheap flights to India we advise you to have a look at Momondo  and  Skyscanner.   

Both are flight aggregators that compare several hundreds of booking sites and give you an overview of the best flights and the cheapest sites to book them. 

Momondo and Skyscanner are both very good at finding good deals, of the two, Momondo is probably the one with the most intuitive user interface.

Read  our full review about 10 booking sites here. 

I recently joined the club and already saw some incredible deals.

Visa requirements

The odds are low that you will need a visa to visit India.  Only citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives can enter the country without a visa.

Recently the country started offering e-visas.  You can find out if you’re eligible to apply for an e-visa on the government’s e-visa website . 

The website also lists the fees which vary by country. (see point 4 of the instructions)

Note that the Indian government charges the fee regardless of your approval status.  The fee is seen as a processing fee and therefore non-refundable.  It’s always charged, even if your application would be rejected due to an unclear picture or unreadable scan of your passport.

This made us a little uncomfortable and we decided to apply for our e-visa through a visa agency so that our information would be subject to an additional review by the agency before it was finally submitted.

Apply for a travel visa with iVisa: iVisa India

When you want to apply for the e-visa yourself make sure that you use the official government website.

Ignore sites that call themselves official like the one below, they add significant service charges to your application, more than reputable visa agencies like iVisa. 

The official e-visa site run by the government is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ .

Do I need travel insurance for India?

India is a cheap country to travel to and also the costs for healthcare are cheaper compared to many other destinations.  This may have you wonder if taking out travel insurance is really necessary for your trip to India.

It is true that you will gladly pay the costs for small treatments out of your pocket but if anything serious would happen you’re better of with private medical care which is much more expensive than regular public clinics.

Travel insurance also covers more than only medical treatments.  You can turn to your travel insurance if your camera, notebook, or smartphone gets damaged or stolen. Travel insurance will reimburse you if you can’t leave on your trip because of an emergency at home or if you need to end your trip early. 

Drawing up a travel insurance policy may seem expensive at first but it can potentially save you a significant sum, significantly more than the small insurance fee.  Good travel insurance, such as the one from World Nomads, covers the things we mentioned above and even more.

Want to secure your travel expenses? Here you can read  our article about World Nomads and immediately get a free quote.

Take a car and driver

We first considered traveling around the country by train. 

When we were making our planning and looked up the train schedules this brought us different thoughts. 

Many trains departed around 10 or 11 PM to arrive at 5 or 6 AM in the morning.  Not knowing for certain whether we were going to be able to sleep on these trains, we then opted for a car with driver.

Looking back we are glad that we did this. For one, trains are apparently often late (even more so than what we’re used in Belgium).  In one situation we met somebody whose train was 6 hours late…

Moreover, the scams that seem to be common practice in all stations, are scandalous. 

We met several people that had been ripped off, sometimes for significant figures.  We needed to negotiate the price of a taxi or tuk-tuk just a few times and noticed how the initial asking price is often twentyfold of the correct price. 

This makes it very hard to get the price down to fair levels. 

We’re happy that we did not need to negotiate more often, certainly not with a half-sleepy head after a tiring train ride.

That’s why we highly recommend arranging a personal driver.   It will make your trip so much more comfortable because you just need to arrange your plans with him and only in very exceptional cases you will need to negotiate the price for a taxi or tuk-tuk.

 You also don’t have to worry that much about the location of your hotel, your driver will take you wherever you want to go. 

We also found our driver a good and trustworthy source of information to know the local prices for drinks, snacks, and food. 

And he could tell us the correct price for the tuk-tuk the few times that we needed one because the streets in the old city were too narrow for our car.

If you have arranged a personal driver he will be waiting for you at the airport in the arrivals hall. 

The overall India itinerary is arranged in advance as the price not only depends on the number of days but also the kilometers that you will do.

You can choose whether the company arranges the hotels or you can do this yourself.

You do have all the freedom about how you fill in the days once you’re there.  We were well prepared and had a list of things that we wanted to see and do. 

Usually, our driver gave us some extra tips about the places that we were going to visit in a few days so we could have a look in advance to see if we wanted to visit them as well. 

Each evening we made the final arrangements with him for the next day.

It worked out really well and turned out to be a comfortable way to visit the country in October.  

It was still very hot and we were always happy to jump back in the air-conditioned car after we had spent a few hours in the summer heat.

Tourradar is a trustworthy company where you can book a car and driver and plan your own itinerary or you could join one of their organized tours to make it easy on yourself. 

Click here to get a quote for a car and driver: Car and Driver

Click here If you prefer an organized tour: Organized Tours India

or read our full post about  the best India tours.

Tipping in India

There’s something strange about tipping in India and it took some time before we got a hold about when and how much we should tip. 

Tipping, in India known as Baksheesh, is not common and didn’t exist before tourism became popular in India.  You will hardly ever see a local give a tip.

Westerners introduced the custom of tipping, maybe because poverty can be confronting, but our driver was quick to remind us that we didn’t need to be overly generous.

The Baksheesh has already found its way in the culture and staff in restaurants that see a lot of tourists now seem to expect tips from foreigners.

We sometimes noticed how we got treated differently than an Indian couple sitting at the table next to us. 

Mostly regarding the bill because the service was equally good regardless of skin color, language, or origin.

We usually tipped about 10% in restaurants. 

Make sure to check the bill for a service charge before you tip.  Some restaurants will add this automatically, others don’t.  We did try to hand the tip subtly to our waiter because we often noticed how restaurant managers were quick to collect the tips that were left on the table and they just disappeared in their own pockets.

The tipping policy was not any more clear in hotels.  We noticed how luxury hotels seemed to have a no-tipping policy. 

We had some small rupees handy (the guideline is 50 rupees per bag) each time we arrived at a hotel but the porters in most luxury hotels were very fast to leave to the room.

We often didn’t have the chance to hand over the tip.  On the occasions where we did, they were overly grateful.   Less luxurious hotels often showed a completely different picture. 

Hotel porters in these hotels would put on a whole show and acted like our bags weighed at least 50kg each.  They clearly expected a tip and did not make a start to leave the room until we handed them the Baksheesh.  We tipped the first group with pleasure, but the 2nd group gave us a bad feeling.

If you have a car with driver it is also expected that you tip your driver for good service. 

Our driver was always on time and even acted as a guide whenever he could.  He would tell us more about the places that we visited and would always offer suggestions about the places where we could go to.

If you’re happy with the services of your driver the suggested tip is Rs 200. per day per person.  If you’re sharing a driver with a larger group you can lower these amounts, a tip of Rs 800 per day/group is very generous.

Scams in India

We encountered various small scams, mainly in Rajasthan. You will be confronted with them in all public and touristic places, even in temples.

Do not accept any free things that are offered to you.  Once you have accepted the so-called gift they will ask for money in return.  A small piece of advice is to not be annoyed too much by these scams.  If you allow them to influence your mood it will just ruin your experience.

Let it go and move on. It’s not worth ruining your trip over it.

Know how much you need to pay

We experienced how Indians shamelessly dared to ask a twentyfold of the official price for snacks or drinks. 

A coke in an ordinary Indian supermarket was suddenly more expensive than what we would pay in a fancy bistro along the Champs-Elysée. 

Although you clearly know that this cannot be correct it’s hard to negotiate a fair price if you do not know this price. 

After this incident, our driver told us how we could find the official price.

All drinks and snacks should have the price printed on them (see pictures below).  If the package is not showing the price or the price has been barred just move on and find a trustworthy seller.

We visited most sites with our driver and when we did he told us the entry fees we needed to pay. 

Usually, these were also clearly indicated at the ticket offices. 

We were slightly disgusted by the fact that foreigners pay the fifteenfold or twentyfold of locals but this is common in India. 

The government does this for the various sites it manages and the other touristy places have just taken over the same practice.

When paying cash make sure to check your change, short-changing is not uncommon in India.

The chances are smaller that they will try to pull short-changing tricks on you if you mention how much cash you give them.

Other sites, like the Jama Masjid mosque, are free and have no ticket offices.  This doesn’t stop scammers from posing at the entrance pretending to be ticket vendors.  As we had verified that the entrance was free we could move on and this saved us Rs 300.  There is a camera fee of Rs 300.

If you plan on visiting any monuments look up the price online before you go.

See what the locals do when visiting temples

There’re some rules to follow when you visit a temple.  Firstly, you have to remove your shoes. (Funny enough they also demand you to remove your shoes when visiting a church.) Secondly, it is also not allowed to take pictures of the holiest figures in the temple.

Some temples have a very organized shoe storage system comparable to the cloakrooms we know in theaters.  When temples have such a system everybody makes use of it. 

Other temples that have no such thing usually have some people that have rolled out a carpet and pose as ‘shoe guards’ for tourists. 

You will see how they address tourists and impose that they leave their shoes with them despite that all locals just walk inside with their shoes in their hands.  You can safely ignore these people. 

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a scam, if you want to leave your shoes with them and pay for it you can do so,  but there is certainly no rule that you’re not allowed to take your shoes inside.

Some temples have lockers to store your camera.  They’re safe to use if you see that the rules apply to everybody. 

A good example is the Akshardham temple in Delhi that offers free lockers and nobody is allowed to take any cameras inside. 

Unfortunately, there’re also temples where scammers only target tourists.  They will tell you that you cannot take your camera inside and will offer to store it for free. 

Only, once you come back you will have to pay a, sometimes hefty, fee to get your stuff back.

Ignore the lockers if you see that locals are not using them.  We met some people that finally gave in to the scammers because they got really aggressive and really wouldn’t let them in but they lost a lot of money that day.

There’re many temples in India and they all look alike. 

Just skip one temple if you think something is fishy.

Adapter for electrical appliances

India uses a mix of electrical plugs type C (also known as Europlug), D, and M .  The type C plug is similar to what is used in most European countries. 

The Type M plug has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the Type D plug, the only difference being that its pins are much larger.

Type M pins are used for bigger appliances.

Since we are from Belgium, we did not need an adapter.

If you have problems using type C plugs in Type D sockets you should try to insert an object with a fine tip into the top hole while inserting the plug.

Stay healthy

Although it can be really difficult to completely avoid the famous Delhi belly, here are some tips that should limit the damage.

Avoid drinking any tap water or brushing your teeth with it.  Try to steer clear of any food that may have been washed in it like salads and order any sodas without ice.

Indians have the lowest rate of meat consumption in the world.

India has 500 million vegetarians, which are more vegetarians than the rest of the world put together. 

The country offers perhaps the world’s most fabulous choice of vegetarian food so it may be a good choice to go veggie for the duration of your stay in India.  Undercooked or rotten meat can do a lot more harm than a badly prepared vegetarian dish.

When paying cash double-check the amount you hand over to the cashier and double-check the notes you get back.

Shortchanging is, unfortunately, a common practice in India, also by officials at monuments like Humayun tomb.

Also, check the quality of the notes you get back.

It doesn’t matter so much for all notes of 100INR or less but do not accept any notes over 100 that are damaged or have been written on. 

We had one 500 rupee note with some yellow marks on it and it took us a while before somebody wanted to accept it.

Hotels in India

We stayed in both 3, 4 and 5-star hotels. 

The level of service in all of them was excellent but we noticed how the cleanliness was significantly lower in 3-star hotels.  We found dust on the shelves, old worn towels, raffled carpet in the corridors, sticky tables in the restaurant, and pigeon poop all around the pool. 

What we didn’t find was toilet paper in the public toilets. 😊 Not what we would expect from a 3-star hotel but you have to keep in mind that the standards for cleanliness are different in India.

Indian cities are often very hectic and noisy and we were often happy that we could relax in a comfortable hotel after a busy day.

We would recommend taking slightly better hotels then you usually take so that you can unwind and relax after a hectic day.

You may have heard what they say about India, you either love it or you hate it.    Looking back on our trip I conclude that it’s not just as simple.  

On several occasions during our 2 weeks in India, we felt frustrated about the scams and the exorbitant prices for foreigners.

At other times we were completely in awe about the beautiful palaces and tombs. 

We were constantly swinging back and forth in a complex love-hate relationship.

It was an intense trip but in hindsight, I can say that it was really worth it.

The Rajasthan part was the most intense but also the most mesmerizing part of the journey. 

This doesn’t mean that you should skip Kerala though. 

We loved this part of our trip as well but it just reminded us more about earlier trips to Thailand or  Malaysia.

Do not let the scams stop you from visiting India, but know that a warned man is worth two.  Safe travels to India!

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2 Weeks in India: 2 Best India Itinerary for 14 Days

India is a land of diverse destinations, and with two weeks at your disposal, you can explore a plethora of popular places, including the renowned Golden Triangle . The Golden Triangle encompasses Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and spending a week exploring the highlights of these three cities is a fantastic way to start your journey.

In this article, we will recommend 2 classic and beloved 2-week itineraries for your trip to India: the Golden Triangle with Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle with Ranthambore, Mumbai, and Goa . The first itinerary allows you to immerse yourself in the colorful cities of Rajasthan, known for their vibrant culture and rich heritage. This leisurely and comfortable journey is perfect for friends or families traveling with parents, providing an opportunity to experience the romance of one of India's most enchanting states.

The second itinerary takes you on a thrilling adventure to Ranthambore, where you can explore the wilderness and spot magnificent wildlife. Afterward, you'll journey to Mumbai, a bustling metropolis, and finally relax in the tropical charm of Goa, with its stunning beaches and exciting water sports. This itinerary is ideal for couples or families with young children , offering a mix of exciting experiences and a perfect beach getaway.

Get ready to embark on a remarkable journey through India as we guide you through these two-week itineraries. Whether you choose to delve into the cultural tapestry of Rajasthan or indulge in the adventurous spirit of Ranthambore, Mumbai, and Goa, your time in India will be filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories.

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2 Weeks in India for Golden Triangle & Rajasthan: Adventure in Colorful Cities - for Family & Kids

The Golden Triangle is a popular tourist route in India , encompassing the cities of Delhi, the capital; Agra, home to the Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, the pink city and capital of Rajasthan . Exploring the Golden Triangle typically takes around one week , allowing for ample time to visit the key attractions. For a more romantic journey, consider extending your trip from Jaipur to other destinations in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan , India's "Land of Kings," enchants with majestic forts, colorful cities, and a rich cultural heritage.Explore the royal heritage of Rajasthan by visiting cities like Udaipur with its romantic lakes and palaces, Jodhpur with its majestic Mehrangarh Fort, and Jaisalmer with its stunning desert landscapes.

2- Week India Rajasthan Detailed Itinerary

Day 1-2: Delhi

Explore the historical sites of Old Delhi, including:

Red Fort: Marvel at the impressive red sandstone architecture and learn about its historical significance.

Jama Masjid: Visit one of the largest mosques in India and climb its minarets for panoramic views.

Chandni Chowk: Dive into the bustling market streets, try street food, and shop for traditional items.

Visit New Delhi attractions, such as:

India Gate: Pay homage to the soldiers at this iconic war memorial and enjoy a leisurely walk in the surrounding gardens.

Humayun's Tomb: Admire the stunning Mughal architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Qutub Minar: Explore the tallest brick minaret in the world and the surrounding Qutub Complex.

Day 3-4: Agra

Visit the world-famous attractions in Agra:

Taj Mahal: Witness the breathtaking beauty of this white marble mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Agra Fort: Explore the massive fort complex, which served as the seat of Mughal power.

Optional: Take a day trip to Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted city known for its well-preserved Mughal architecture.

Day 5-6: Jaipur

Discover the architectural wonders of Jaipur:

Amber Fort: Experience the opulence of this hilltop fort and enjoy an elephant ride up to the entrance.

City Palace: Explore the grand palace complex, including museums showcasing royal artifacts.

Hawa Mahal: Admire the intricate façade of this "Palace of Winds" famous for its honeycomb-like windows.

Jal Mahal: Take in the serene beauty of this floating palace located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake.

Jantar Mantar: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed observatory with its fascinating astronomical instruments.

Shopping in Jaipur: Explore the vibrant markets like Johri Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar for textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts.

Optional: Take a hot air balloon ride for an aerial view of Jaipur.

Day 6-7: Bikaner

• Visit Junagarh Fort, an imposing fort with beautiful palaces and temples.
• Explore the unique Rat Temple (Karni Mata Temple) and witness the thousands of rats considered sacred.
• Visit the National Research Centre on Camel to learn about Bikaner's camel culture.
• Optional: Enjoy a camel safari in the nearby desert.

Day 8-9: Jaisalmer

• Explore the "Golden City" of Jaisalmer, known for its stunning sandstone architecture.
• Visit Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore its palaces and narrow alleys.
• Discover the intricately carved havelis, such as Patwon Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli.
• Experience a desert safari in the Thar Desert, including a camel ride, cultural performances, and a night in a desert camp.
• Optional: Visit Kuldhara, an abandoned village with a fascinating history.

14 Days India Family Tour: Ultimate Rajasthan Exploration with Desert Camel Riding

Day 10-11: Jodhpur

• Explore the majestic Mehrangarh Fort: Discover the rich history, impressive architecture, and breathtaking views of the Blue City from the fort.
• Jaswant Thada: Visit the intricately carved marble cenotaph and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
• Clock Tower and Sardar Market: Explore the bustling market, known for spices, textiles, handicrafts, and local delicacies.
• Optional: Flying Fox Jodhpur. Experience an exhilarating zipline adventure that offers panoramic views of Mehrangarh Fort and the Blue City. Soar across the scenic landscapes and enjoy an adrenaline-pumping activity while taking in the breathtaking beauty of Jodhpur from a unique perspective.

Day 12-13: Udaipur

• Visit the enchanting City Palace: Explore the palace complex, and museums, and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Pichola.
• Lake Pichola: Take a boat ride and visit the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, and enjoy the serene beauty of the lake.
• Saheliyon-ki-Bari: Wander through the beautiful garden adorned with fountains, kiosks, marble elephants, and lush greenery.
• Bagore Ki Haveli: Attend a cultural performance showcasing Rajasthani folk music and dance.
• Explore the colorful streets of the old city, visit local markets, and try local delicacies.

13 Days North India Tour: Culture, Wildlife, Royal Heritage, Religious Rituals

Day 14: Flight back to Delhi

This itinerary covers the highlights of the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) and includes some popular destinations in Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur). It's advisable to book accommodations and transportation in advance and consider the assistance of a reliable tour operator or guide for a smoother travel experience. Asia Odyssey Travel offers various India 2-week tour packages for you.

Why Choose the Historical 2-week Itinerary

• Iconic destinations : The itinerary covers the Golden Triangle , which includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. These cities are renowned for their historical significance, architectural marvels, and cultural heritage. Visiting these iconic destinations allows you to experience the essence of northern India .
• Rajasthan's charm : Rajasthan is known for its vibrant culture, colorful cities, and majestic forts. By including Pushkar, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, this itinerary provides a glimpse into the diverse cultural landscape of Rajasthan. You'll get to explore holy cities, witness the blue-hued houses of Jodhpur, and experience the romantic ambiance of Udaipur's lakes.
• Varied experiences : The itinerary offers a mix of historical sites, cultural immersion, natural beauty, and adventure. You'll have the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Taj Mahal and the Qutub Minar, explore grand forts and palaces, immerse yourself in local markets, witness traditional ceremonies, and even enjoy an optional zipline adventure.
• Time efficiency: The itinerary is designed to cover the major highlights within a two-week timeframe. It provides a well-rounded experience of the region without feeling too rushed. You'll have enough time to explore each destination, soak in the atmosphere, and create lasting memories.
• Accessibility : The Golden Triangle and Rajasthan are well-connected by road, rail, and air, making it convenient to travel between these destinations. This itinerary takes advantage of the transportation infrastructure, allowing for smooth transitions and minimizing travel time.
• Cultural immersion : By visiting different cities and experiencing their unique offerings, you'll get a deeper understanding of the local culture, traditions, and way of life. From exploring bustling markets to attending evening aartis, you'll have opportunities to interact with locals and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere.

Overall, this itinerary offers a carefully curated selection of destinations and experiences that showcase the best of the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan . It captures the essence of India's rich history, cultural diversity, architectural brilliance, and natural beauty, providing a memorable and enriching travel experience.

2 Weeks in Northern & Southwestern India - for Honeymoon & Family

Northern India , with its scattered ancient castle ruins, represents India's glorious history and past, while the southwest coast, bathed in the Indian Ocean monsoon, represents India's youthful spirit and enthusiasm.

In northern India's Golden Triangle, Delhi , Agra , and Jaipur offer a fascinating glimpse into the country's rich heritage . On the southwest coast, Mumbai and Goa embody India's youthful spirit .

2- Week in India Detailed Itinerary

• Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
• Explore Old Delhi's narrow streets, visit Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque), and experience the bustling Chandni Chowk market.
• Discover New Delhi's architectural marvels, including India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, and Qutub Minar.
• Travel to Agra and visit the iconic Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• Explore the Agra Fort, another UNESCO site, known for its impressive architecture and history.

Day 5-6: Ranthambore

• Journey to Ranthambore National Park, famous for its tiger population and diverse wildlife.
• Embark on thrilling jeep safaris or canter safaris in search of the majestic Bengal tigers and other wildlife species.
• Enjoy the picturesque landscapes, ancient ruins, and serene lakes within the park.

Day 7-8: Jaipur

• Visit the enchanting Amber Fort, located on a hilltop. Enjoy an elephant ride or a jeep ride up to the fort entrance.
• Explore the grandeur of Jaipur's City Palace, which includes museums showcasing royal artifacts and clothing.
• Admire the unique honeycomb-like windows of Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).
• Visit Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory with fascinating instruments.

Day 9-10: Mumbai

• Fly from Jaipur to Mumbai, also known as the "City of Dreams."
• Visit the iconic Gateway of India, a historic landmark overlooking the Arabian Sea.
• Explore Elephanta Caves, accessible by a ferry ride from Mumbai. Marvel at the ancient rock-cut temples and sculptures.
• Experience the energetic nightlife of Mumbai by visiting popular clubs, lounges, and rooftop bars.

Day 11-13: Goa

• Fly to Goa, a tropical paradise renowned for its beautiful beaches.
• Relax on the golden sands of popular beaches like Calangute, Baga, or Palolem, enjoying the warm waters of the Arabian Sea.
• Explore the charming streets of Old Goa, home to stunning churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
• Indulge in Goan cuisine, known for its mouthwatering seafood dishes, and try local specialties like vindaloo curry and Bebinca.
• Engage in water sports activities, such as jet skiing, parasailing, or scuba diving.

Day 14: Back to Delhi

• Return to Delhi for departure.

Please note that this itinerary provides a general outline, and you can customize it according to your preferences and available time. It's important to consider travel times between destinations and plan accordingly to make the most of your two weeks in India .

12 Days India Panorama Tour: Golden Triangle, Mumbai & Goa with Beach Relaxation

Why Choose the 2-week Itinerary

The 2-week itinerary outlined above offers a well-rounded and comprehensive experience of Northern India and the Southwest coast, covering some of the most iconic and captivating destinations in the region.

• Historical and Cultural Delights : This itinerary allows you to immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural heritage of Northern India . From exploring the ancient ruins and historical sites in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur to witnessing the architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort, you'll get a deep understanding of India's glorious past.
• Wildlife Encounters : The inclusion of Ranthambore National Park provides an opportunity to witness the incredible wildlife of India, particularly the majestic Bengal tigers. Going on safaris and exploring the natural beauty of the park adds an exciting and unique dimension to the itinerary.
• Coastal Bliss : The itinerary also takes you to the vibrant coastal destinations of Mumbai and Goa. Mumbai offers a taste of India's modernity and bustling city life, while Goa provides a perfect blend of relaxation, stunning beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere.
• Varied Experiences : From exploring historical monuments and bustling markets to indulging in delicious cuisine and experiencing thrilling wildlife encounters, this itinerary offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to different interests and preferences.
• Efficient Travel : The itinerary is designed in a way that minimizes travel time and maximizes the time spent in each destination. This ensures that you can make the most of your 2-week trip without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Overall, this 2-week India itinerary strikes a balance between history, culture, wildlife, and coastal beauty, providing a captivating and memorable journey through some of India's most iconic destinations.

Extend Your 2-Week India Tour to Nepal & Bhutan

If you have a 2-week holiday, why not travel to India , Nepal , and Bhutan for an amazing multi-place trip? India, Nepal, and Bhutan are three enchanting countries in South Asia that offer a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and spiritual experiences. If you're planning a trip to India , extending your journey to include Nepal and Bhutan will provide an even more immersive and diverse experience.

Recommended Itinerary for 2-week India Nepal Bhutan Tour

Day 1-6: India Golden Triangle Trip

• Start in Delhi, India, and explore the historical sites of Old Delhi and modern attractions of New Delhi.
• Visit Agra to witness the iconic Taj Mahal and explore Agra Fort.
• Travel to Jaipur, known as the "Pink City," and explore its magnificent forts, palaces, and vibrant markets.
• Drive back to Delhi and departure.

Day 7-8: Nepal Kathmandu trip

• Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Explore the capital city of Kathmandu, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), and Boudhanath Stupa.
• Optional: Take a day trip to Bhaktapur, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture.

Day 9-14: Bhutan Paro Thimphu Punakha Tour

• Fly from Kathmandu to Paro, Bhutan.
• Explore Paro and visit the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang), perched on a cliffside.
• Travel to Thimphu, the capital city, and visit attractions like the Buddha Dordenma statue, Tashichho Dzong, and the National Memorial Chorten.
• Continue to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan's most beautiful fortresses, located at the confluence of two rivers.
• Optional: Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for panoramic views of the Punakha Valley.
• Return to Paro for departure.

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13 Days Nepal Bhutan India Tour: South Asia Highlights Tour

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2 Week Travel Itineraries in India

There's so much to see and do in India, travellers may feel like they'll never be able to cover it all! Not to worry: from South India to Golden Triangle train journeys, New Delhi to Kerala , we have the best 2-week India itineraries, and we're ready to help you on your way. 

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Our top itinerary for 2 weeks in India

Day 1 - Delhi - Enjoy Delhi sightseeing by visiting Jama Mosque, where you can explore the interior with a guide. Next, visit Raj Ghat, the place where the father of the nation, Mahatama Gandhi was cremated. After that, Visit Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Qutub Minar is an excellent example of Afghan architecture constructed with marble and red sandstone. After that, stop at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb. Day 2 & 3 - Jaipur -  Start your tour of Jaipur by visiting the Amber Fort, then visit the City Palace in the heart of Jaipur, which is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Enjoy the fine collection of textiles, costumes, and armour at the City Palace. Finally, view the stargazing observatory of Jantar Mantar, built by the renowned astronomer, Maharaja Jai Singh.  Day 4 - Jodhpur - Start the day by visiting Mehrangarh Fort (Majestic Fort), built on a steep hill, boasting latticed windows in residential apartments within. Afterward, you will visit the Jaswant Thada - a royal cenotaph built from white marble. Day 5 & 6 - Udaipur - Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. Start the day with a visit to Sahelion-Ki-Bari. Visit a traditional painting school and see the famous miniature paintings being created. In the evening enjoy a boat ride on the lake Pichola. The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer residence of the former rulers of India. Day 7 & 8 - Pushkar - Pushkar is a holy place, famous for its Cattle Fair held every November. Visit the old temples and ghats of Pushkar. Day 9 & 10 - Ranthambore -  Get ready for a safari drive through Ranthambore National Park. You will have a chance to see hyenas, cheetahs, jungle cats, panthers, and Indian tigers if you are lucky. Day 11 & 12 - Agra - Visit the fascinating Taj Mahal, a symbol of love. Take your time to admire one of the most majestic and beautiful buildings in the world.    Discover the whole itinerary here: Taj Mahal and Wildlife with Royal Stay at Castles Find all the other 2 week itineraries in India  available on TourRadar.   

2 week Southern India itinerary

  Day 1 - Trivandrum - Spend the day wandering and exploring Kerala’s capital city. Admire its British colonial architecture, visit an art gallery, or stroll through the intricate Puthenmalika Palace, which was previously closed to the public for 150 years. Day 2 & 3 - Varkala - Head up the coast to the town of Varkala. Explore the Keralan coast, which is home to some of India’s most beautiful beaches on the Arabian Sea. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. Day 4 & 5 - Kochi - Spread over several islands, Kochi is a fascinating place full of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and English influences. Stretch your legs with an orientation walk around some of the sights of the nearby area, including St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and the famous Chinese fishing nets. In the evening, attend a classic Kathakali dance performance. The next day, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Kochi to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue (the Jewish community here goes back to 1,000 AD), and Dutch Palace (Kochi Palace). Day 6 & 7 - Mysore -   Mysore is an easy-going town with a pleasant climate; it’s well laid out, with wide streets and many gardens, making it perfect for wandering on foot. It’s also one of the best smelling places in India – it’s a major base for incense makers, so you’ll be surrounded by the aromas of sandalwood, jasmine, rose, and musk. A visit to Mysore isn't complete without a look around Mysore Palace. One of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is a riot of colour, mosaics, and mirrors.   Day 8 & 9 - Hampi -  Hampi is an ancient temple town sitting on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Once you’re settled in, head over to the architectural masterpiece of Vittala Temple. This 16th-century temple is the home of mandapas (pillared pavilions), a pool, a palace, and the popular stone chariot, which Hindu mythology says was Lord Vishnu’s pimped out ride.  Day 10 & 11 - Goa -  Brimming with Portuguese influences and famous for the sandy beaches lining its coast, Goa is a fascinating region in India's southwest. Perhaps relax on the beach, sip a cocktail at a local bar or go for a dinner out in town. Discover the full itinerary here: Real South India (13 Days) Check out more 2 week South India itineraries  on TourRadar.   

2 week Northern India Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 - Delhi -  Set off on the city’s modern metro system to explore the sights and sounds of Old Delhi on a guided walking tour. They really don’t make traffic jams like this anywhere else, and you’ll see what it’s like as you inch your way through the streets around Chandni Chowk marketplace in a traditional cycle rickshaw. Perhaps visit the palatial Humayun's Tomb, the towering and intricately carved 12th-century Qutub Minar or the historic Red Fort.  Day 3 & 4 - Jaisalmer -   Take a walking tour of the city and learn the history of the ornate sandstone buildings. Wander among the intricately carved statues of the Jain Temples or visit the Folklore Museum to learn more about Rajasthani culture. With its imposing parapets and towers, the Old Town is full of steep stonewalls that lead to the havelis. These private mansions once homed Jaisalmer’s nobility and resemble small palaces. Day 5 - Jodhpur -  Get your bearings on a walking tour around the Old City and visit Sadar Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India. Stroll through spice and vegetable stalls, past juice sellers and sari peddlers and maybe give your haggling skills a road test.  Day 6 - Nimaj -  A relaxed and quiet place, Nimaj is the opposite of a tourist trap and the perfect place to spend a day unwinding. Take a walking tour of the town with your leader, then spend the afternoon and evening as you please. Perhaps chat with the locals and learn more about their day to day life, take a stroll or relax with a book under the shade of a tree.  Day 7 & 8 - Jaipur -   A city bathed in pink, Jaipur is full of elegant buildings and delightful bazaars. The honeycomb-esque Palace of the Winds, constructed from red and pink sandstone, is a highlight of the guided walk today. Day 9 - Agra -  Rich in Mughal heritage, Agra is a city of gardens, temples and open rooftops. Visit its most famous attraction – the Taj Mahal. See this awesome monument upon arrival, taking in the splendor of the white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz.  Discover the full itinerary here: Rajasthan Adventure    Check out more 2 week North India itineraries on TourRadar.  

2 week India budget itinerariy

Day 1 & 2 - Delhi - First head to Old Delhi – the heart of the city. Inch your way through the streets around the Chandni Chowk marketplace in true local style – by cycle rickshaw! Perhaps visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest (and India’s largest) mosque – and then stop by the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple).  Day 3 - Agra - Arrive by one of India's express air-conditioned trains, then head straight to the most recognisable sight in India. The Taj Mahal may well exceed your expectations as the light shimmers off its white marble surface. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the 17th century Taj is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. Day 4 & 5 - Jaipur - Travel by local bus to Rajasthan’s colourful capital, Jaipur. Settle in, then enjoy a walk through the streets of the ‘Pink City.' visit the hilltop Amber Fort, an excellent example of Rajput architecture, and see the red stone palace of the Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds). Day 6 & 7 - Pushkar - Travel to Pushkar by local bus and private vehicle via the cultural centre of Ajmer. Pushkar is one of India's holiest towns and a market centre for the surrounding villages. Early morning risers may like to hike up the hill to the Savitri Temple for sunrise views over the town. If the chai wallah is there, enjoy a steaming cup of tea at the top! Later in the day, pay a visit to the colourful Brahma Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god-creator Brahma.  Day 8, 9 & 10 - Udaipur -  Known as the ‘Venice of the East’,  take a short boat ride on the famous Lake Pichola and see the palaces of Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas rise out of the water. Take a guided tour of the lakeside City Palace complex, the largest palace in Rajasthan.  Day 11 & 12 - Mumbai -  Discover some of the beautiful old colonial and art deco buildings, treat yourself to a meal in one of the country's best restaurants, or shop ‘til you drop in the bazaars and malls. Later in the day, visit Chowpatty Beach where crowds mill about in the cooler evening air.  Day 13 & 14 - Goa -  There's no shortage of things to do in this unique coastal spot. A bicycle trip into the lush countryside is a great option. For a more spiritual kind of exertion, spend the day seeking a little enlightenment with a touch of yoga. Otherwise, take this opportunity to relax on the beach or sip a cocktail at a local bar Discover the full itinerary here: Delhi to Goa Check out more 2-week budget itineraries in India  on TourRadar.  

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India Itinerary | 2 Amazing Weeks For First Timers

Planning your first trip to India? We have compiled the perfect 2 week India itinerary that makes you visit the best places in the south. At first, we thought a backpacking trip through India is very complicated… a chaotic traffic system, very little  information online about the bus routes and generally a lot of uncertainty about traveling in this huge country. In the end our trip through India was much easier than expected and an unforgettable adventure.

2 Week India Itinerary

You can find our complete India itinerary on google maps .

• India itinerary on Google Maps
• Duration: 16 days
• Itinerary: Cochin to Mumbai
• Price pP: 1100€ (incl. Flight)
• Means of Travel: Bus, Train and Tuk Tuk

Day 1+ 2: Arrival in Cochin (The “Pearl of the South”)

The Pearl of the South… this description is not from us, but from the travel guide we bought before the holiday. This is one of the reasons why I do not like travel guides so much. They can make any lame place sound like a true paradise with their flowery descriptions.

Back to the Pearl of the South: Unfortunately, we can not confirm this description. When we arrived in Cochin in the evening we did not get a real first impression until the next day. Contrary to all the information that there are cows all over India, who walk around freely, in Cochin we have seen mainly goats, sometimes walking freely, sometimes tied to some lanterns. Another thing that immediately struck me is the garbage lying around everywhere. And really everywhere: on the street, in the rivers, in the bushes.

After we bought the first drinks in plastic bottles, we also knew why. In the attempt to dispose the empty bottles we had to realize that there are nowhere trash cans. During our holiday, we always collected our garbage in our backpack and then disposed it in our homestay. They probably just dumped it on the street.

Cochin Fishings Nets

In Cochin we watched the famous fishing nets (which you can see in every guidebook) and walked around the city. Since it was over 40 degrees in March when we were there, we barely could stand the heat. Since Cochin does not really has much to offer in our opinion, we drove straight on to Alappuzha in the afternoon. In the evening we were still there on the beach and there we really stood out in the crowd as we were the only white people on the beach.

Also on your first days you should go and get a Sim Card in India for Tourists . That will help you a lot during your 2 week itinerary.

Day 3: Backwaters Tour (Alappuzha)

One of our India highlights was definitely the sunrise canoe trip through the backwaters. We were picked up very early in the morning with scooters from our hostel and brought to a boat dock. From there we went with small boats on to a place where we changed into canoes. The canoes have the advantage that they are small enough to fit through the small channels of the backwaters.

The atmosphere in the backwaters was magical… haze rising at dawn, the birds in the trees. All this created a very special atmosphere that made this event so amazing. In addition, you get a good insight into the life of the people on the river during the tour. On our tour we saw girls in their school uniforms going to school over bridges made of tree trunks and women washing their laundry in the river. You should definitely do the tour if you can schedule a stop in Alappuzha.

After the backwaters tour we continued with the ferry to Kottayam (about 2.5 hours). This is a very cheap alternative to houseboats. You get the same view for a few cents. From Kottayam we continued by bus to Munnar. Just get to the bus station and ask for the bus to Munnar. After about 4-5 hours you will arrive in beautiful Munnar.

Tips for Alappuzha

• Alappuzha is another name for Allepey. So do not let this confuse you here
• In our opinion, you do not have to do an expensive houseboat tour, because you can see a lot more on small canoes and drive into the cool little canals where the big ships do not get into
• We were able to store our luggage in the escort boat during the tour

Day 4: Hiking in Munnar

Munnar is located inland and is well known for its tea plantations. The climate is also very different here. While it was extremely hot on the coast, it was pleasantly warm in Munnar and even almost cool in the evening (about 25 degrees). In our hotel in Munnar we could directly book a day trip * to the tea plantations for the next morning… and you should definitely do that. The tour was absolutely amazing.

Hiking in Munnar

The day trip started at sunrise and this created a very special atmosphere here as well. Since it is always very loud in the towns and villages, the silence at sunrise is a complete contrast. In the first hours the tour led through the tea plantations and then up to a mountain peak. Here we had a first breakfast. From here you had 2 options. You could go back the same way or you could extend the tour until the late afternoon, making it almost a day trip. We chose the long tour. You should definitely do this too. Because only then you can see the really interesting areas.

If you also intend to do so, it is best to wear comfortable shoes. The long tour (about 20 km) leads partly through the forest, but also along paved paths. The guide showed us different spice plants along the way. So we saw cocoa trees, nutmeg, vanilla and cardamom on the tour. We really liked the tour and it was another recommendable highlight on our trip through india .

The evening we spent in Munnar and wanted to continue our journey the next morning. Here we had to find out that the TukTuks, of which there are always more than enough on the streets, are not around early in the morning. So it happened that we had to walk to the bus station. There we again asked for the right bus and drove on within 6 hours to Coonoor.

Day 5: Bus Journey to Coonoor

Day 5 we had planned as a travel day. 6-7 hours of bus travel sounds a bit daunting… but wasn’t that bad. During the journey, we have continuously enjoyed the view and the great scenery. The evening in Coonoor we spent mainly with finding a suitable accommodation. Andreas needed Wi-Fi and I needed a shower… these were too many requirements for a hotel in Coonoor.

There were actually old mansions from the 19th century with Wi-Fi. But for washing one would have to use a bucket and rag. On the other hand, there was a super chic hotel with a driveway. It had showers and bells and whistles, but no wifi. Really absurd. In the end, our TukTuk took us to an accommodation that had everything but a real charm. But you can not have everything.

We can recommend the  Acres Wild Farmstay Coonoor . That was also a recommendation in our guide book and we decided against it because of the cost only. However, after our odyssey we should have gone there directly. Because it should be really nice there.

Day 6: Coonoor & Toy Train

We spent the day in Coonoor exploring the village, visiting the market and buying a train ticket for the Toytrain. This train is very popular and actually drives all the way from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Unfortunately, we did not manage to book tickets in time and therefore we could just board the train in Coonoor. Although we have missed the most scenic part, we at least had a small journey (~1h) on this train.

The tickets we bought quite easily at the station. All we needed was our passports. The bus to Ooty is a bit cheaper, but thanks to the serpentine streets almost as long and is probably not as scenic.

Day 7: Ooty

In Ooty we stayed in a real hotel and went on a day tour with a TukTuk. So we could visit the most popular sights and our driver just stopped us where we wanted and waited for us while we were out taking pictures.

Day 8 + 9: K. Gudi Wilderness Camp (Safari)

Since there are many national parks in India, we wanted to take the opportunity to do a safari there. While India is a very cheap travel destination, there are real tourist prices here. Per person we paid $ 120 for 2 days. Pretty hard!

How to get to K. Gudi Wilderness Camp

The journey to the K.Gudi Wilderness Camp was quite adventurous. We took the public bus from Ooty to Gundulupete to drive from there to the National Park. Of course, the TukTuk came to mind as a favorable option. We went to the next TukTuk driver, negotiated the price shortly and off we went. After about an 1h drive we were already at the entrance of the park… and that’s where the TukTuk driver stopped and told us that he was not allowed to drive into the park. From the entrance of the park to the camp, however, it was still a few miles and by foot you were of course not allowed to enter the park.

Problems at the Entrance

The people at the entrance of the park told us that in a few hours a bus would arrive that could take us to the camp. Since we were already too late for lunch and should start our booked safari shortly we could not wait so long. We felt like crying! We were sitting right in front of the entrance gate and did not get in.

By telephone we could not reach anyone from the camp, so that our mood was at a low point and we did not know what to do. Fortunately, after some time, a motorcyclist came out of the park and spoke to us. He was from the camp and was able to clear everything, so that we were picked up a short time later at the entrance gate. At the camp, we got quickly  something to eat and then started our first safari. The safari was very nice, but there weren’t many animals. But on the next morning we had another safari and hopefully we would see more.

Although the park is praised as many others as a “Tiger Reserve”, the chances of seeing a real tiger are, of course, negligible.

Safari in the Morning

Day 9 started with another safari, in which we unfortunately did not see many animals. Only a few monkeys, buffalos and birds. But when we got back to the camp, we suddenly saw some elephants there and were really happy. Later, however, it turned out that these were domesticated elephants, some of which were even chained.

If we had known that before, we would not have visited the park. We do not want to support such treatment of animals. After this negative experience, we went out of nature and on to the big city. Within about 2 hours we were in Mysore and were directly shocked by the noise, dirt and stench.

Our experience in the K Gudi Wilderness Camp:

• Although we did not see many animals and it was quite expensive, it was still a nice experience and the staff really took great care of us
• The food was really great!
• Our tent was very comfortable and you can spend great time on tree swings and hammocks.

Day 9 (Afternoon): Journey to Mysore

In the afternoon we were taken by a jeep to the next large city and took a bus to Mysore from there.

After we arrived at the hotel we went to the Maharadja Palace. It is illuminated and music is played in the evening. That was interesting for a few minutes, but then it was quite annoying. We left after 20 minutes. The next day we looked at the palace again in daylight and also from the inside. The palace is definitely worth a visit. You can not officially take pictures, but nobody really controls it and there are really a lot of great photo opportunities.

We spent the rest of the day at the market, but when it got extremely hot at midday (almost 40 degrees), we flew into the mall to enjoy the air con. Here we also saw the first time in over a week a real supermarket and went shopping instantly. We also took a break from Indian food and had a burger at McDonalds.

In the afternoon we got out of the mall again and visited the city a bit until we went to the train station in the evening.

Conclusion Mysore:

We’re not real city people anyway, but we think the city does not have much to offer except for the palace and the market. We would not spend time there again.

Night Train to Hospet

To get from Mysore to Hampi we took the night train (12h). This saved us the cost of another night in a hotel. The train tickets we booked in advance online and chose, in order to be able to sleep well at night, the first class with AC. The ride was very pleasant, so we could sleep a few hours at night and arrived the next morning in Hospet (the entrance gate of Hampi).

Day 10 + 11: Hampi

More than just a stone desert.

From Hospet we went by TukTuk to Hampi. Hampi is a world of its own and has always reminded us strongly of an Indiana Jones movie. The rocky landscape with the temples is simply breathtaking. And it is exactly this great landscape that was responsible for being surrounded completely by tourists.

Hampi is a tourist destination, but worth it anyway. To explore the important and beautiful temples, we took a TukTuk from temple to temple. From the last temple we walked back to our hotel, which turned out to be a very nice evening walk through the rocky landscape and along the river.

Quick Tip : The TukTuk driver promised us that he would drive us for as long as we wanted. But you can only take a very limited route anyway, since no vehicles are allowed from a specific point. Therefore, we have used the tuktuk for about 2 hours only.

Morning Hike on Matanga Hil

We had to get up early for our next day in Hampi. We heard that you can see a beautiful sunrise from  Matanga Hill . So it started in the early morning and went up the hill. We needed about 30-40 minutes for the ascent. Once at the top we could enjoy a magnificent view of Hampi, the surrounding area and the sunrise. The excursion to Matanga Hill is worthwhile and should be on every todo list.

The rest of the day we spent on the other side of the river. Here we rented a scooter (this is only possible on this side of the river) to explore the area. Due to the extremely high temperatures of over 42 degrees (!!), it was partly unbearable. It was worth it anyway, because the area here is again very different than Hampi, although there are not as many temples.

Night Bus to Goa

To get to our next destination, Goa, we bought tickets for the night bus. The comments, which we have read in various online forums, have presented the ride as an absolute horror… but we found it quite ok. The sleeping cabins are always designed for 2 people and are very tight. If you travel alone, it is best to book 2 beds, otherwise you have to sleep very, very close next to a stranger. In addition, the cabins are very short.

For Sabrina with her 1.60m that wasn’t a problem. For me with more than 1.90m it wasn’t that easy to sleep in the cabin. However, apart from the small cabins we slept very well during the night until the driver woke us up at 5 AM with a loud “Palolem, Palolem” (the name of the beach where our hotel was located) …. so we got up, quickly packed our stuff and got out of the bus.

Day 12-14: Goa

After the hectic waking up, we were dropped in the dark somewhere in the middle of Goa. Fortunately, there were a few other tourists who knew the way to the beach. So we walked about 30 minutes until we arrived at our cabins on the beach. Since it was still early morning and dark, we sat on the beach until sunrise, fed the dogs and played with the puppies, which were all around.

In Goa we spent the most relaxing days of our vacation. Most of the time we relaxed on the beach, went for a walk, swim or canoe. If you are culturally interested you can also visit places like the churches of old goa .

In Goa we also experienced another highlight… Canyoning. We didn’t do anything like this before. We book the trip with  Goa Jungle Adventure . It is advisable to book it a few days in advance, as not every day every tour takes place. We were lucky that we could book a beginner’s tour for the next day.

On a canyoning trip you hike through rivers, jump from rocks into the water or do abseiling. The trip was very well organized and was a lot of fun. So if you’re going to Goa, definitely plan a day for canyoning.

From Goa, after 3 relaxing days, we continued by flight to Mumbai.

Day 15 + 16: Mumbai

The last two days of our holiday we spent in Mumbai… and unfortunately we have to say: it was ok, but we would have preferred to spend more time in Hampi or Goa.

Mumbai is a huge city… and so it was loud and dirty again. But it is worth going there for the trip to the slum Dharavi. Do not visit the slum yourself. There are organizations that guide you through the labyrinth in the slum. You are not allowed to take photos out of respect for the inhabitants. For the tour you meet at a train station. Apart from us, all participants have been picked up. However, the journey to the meeting point is not a problem at all. We always felt very safe in Mumbai and generally in India and had no problems with traveling by public transport.

Tips for Backpacking in India

For a trip to India, you must first apply for a visa online. For traveling in India, a visa is sufficient for 30 days. To apply, you must complete the application form, upload a biometric photo and pay about $ 60. Completing the application is more complicated than expected… they really want to know everything about you and your parents. What you do for living, where you travelled so far and so on. Take care of it a few weeks in advance.

Bus driving in India is easier than expected. Just go to the asked station and for the desired bus. However, taking a bus ride in India also means … the buses are old and rickety, often have no windows and the doors are sometimes open during the ride 🙂 There are no real timetables, but buses always go from every big city to any other big city.

In most small villages there are no supermarkets. You can usually buy only small bananas, chips, biscuits and, depending on the region, fried pastries. In the tourist areas there is mostly western food available… for those who do not like Indian food.

India is a very cheap travel destination. We each spend about 1100 € for the holiday… including 600 € for the flight. Especially the trips by bus were super cheap. Sometimes it was only cents. The TukTuk were a little pricier. You usually pay a few Euros for a trip within a city.

Double Room only for married Couples

In Mumbai (and other places) we have read the notice in many hotels that double rooms are only given to married couples. This is often also written in the hotel conditions at booking.com.

The reason for this is that many hotels are run by Muslim owners. We were afraid to take 2 rooms, because we had booked a hotel that had this condition on their website. We arrived at the hotel, and were welcomed by the staff in traditional Muslim costume, but nobody asked for a marriage certificate or anything else.

I think that’s the way it works in most hotels, so you should not worry too much about this.

Booking a train ticket in India

This is not very easy, because as a foreigner, you can not book tickets online. That’s why we have done that via  www.cleartrip.com . On this website you can book any train ticket and it works hassle free.

Being photographed

If you are blond and female then be prepared to be stared at and photographed often, sometimes even secretly. At least Sabrina did experience that. However, in the vast majority of cases the experience was positive. Most of the people asked kindly if they could take a picture of or with Sabrina.

This has happened to us everywhere, even in Mumbai, where you would think the people are used to see tourists. But even there we have not seen many other white tourists.

So be prepared to feel like a Hollywood star!

Do you have any questions about backpacking India or want to share your own travel experience with us? Do not hesitate to drop us a comment or even share this article on your favorite network.

2 thoughts on “ India Itinerary | 2 Amazing Weeks For First Timers ”

Thanks for such a wonderful blog, the article is very informative!

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2 weeks in India: Top 3 Recommendations

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A 2-week holiday in India gives ample time to uncover many of the mysteries and charms of this unique land. Rather than just visit the most-trodden destinations such as the Golden Triangle , a few weeks in India opens doors for you to discover steaming jungles, arid deserts, palm-fringed beaches and even soaring mountains. If you are looking for inspiration to spend 2 weeks in India, here are our 2-week long trips that will give you a taste of the most unmissable of India’s myriad attractions.

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1. Hill Stations, Wildlife and Kerala: 13 Days in India

If you are determined to experience the very best of southern India, this 13-day itinerary in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala is the ideal option. On this tour, you will visit cities like Bangalore and Kochi, and you will see important monuments such as the ISKON temple and the Mysore Maharaja’s Palace. You will also have the chance to marvel at sublime scenery in hill stations like Munnar while checking out tea and spice plantations along the way. Throw in a safari in Bandipur National Park and a trip to the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for your fix of nature and the result is an exciting and varied tour that you will never forget. See more 13-day tours in India .

2. Cities, Temples and Beaches: 14 Days in India

These 2 weeks in India could be just the answer you are looking for if you do not want to miss out on a lot during your trip to India. Start in Delhi and after a tour of the capital, head to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous and iconic building. Later spend two days in Jaipur, then fly to Varanasi, the country’s most holy city. Next, travel to the chaotic but compelling metropolis of Mumbai — after which, you will probably be ready for a few days of relaxation on Goa’s beaches. This is a recommended India 14-day itinerary for those who want to see the sights and then spend some time chilling before heading home. See more 14-day tours in India .

3. Trek the Markha Valley: India in 2 weeks

This guided trek through the Markha Valley is an excellent opportunity to discover Ladakh and experience Tibetan Buddhist culture in India. Hike through one of the remotest, most enigmatic landscapes in the world, amid soaring, snow-covered peaks and hidden valleys. Challenge yourself to traverse high mountain passes and trek through deep gorges. Experience Tibetan culture in monasteries and villages and see breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Take this opportunity if you are looking for a trekking adventure through the mountains in India. Describe your ideal 14-day India tour for a customized itinerary .

For those who just can't spend 2 weeks in India, check out our 7 days in India and 10 days in India  itinerary recommendations, or, our guideline on how many days to spend in India might give a better overview. If you’d like to design your own India trip  you can always  get in touch with one of our Travel Experts .

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7 days in India 10 days in India 14-day tours in India Private tours in India Best time to visit India

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An efficient 2 week India itinerary: North and South India!

Thinking about planning a 2 week India itinerary?  India is huge but this does not mean it is not possible to visit on annual leave. This efficient India itinerary explores the main highlights of both the North and South across 2 weeks in India.

I have always wanted to visit India, it has always drawn me in, I vividly remember staring at photos in books as a child. Bright colours have always been a big part of my life, and India seemed to be bursting with it.

However, through adulthood, I put off visiting thinking I would need to be between jobs or on a sabbatical to see this massive country.

Last November, I proved myself wrong and visited India for two weeks .  During this time I saw a vast amount of beautiful country and at no point felt rushed.

In no way would I say I have ‘done’ India, but I saw major points and got a real taste for India.

Travelling further afield is possible with just annual leave and it is definitely possible to see India in fourteen days.

Top Tips for planning your first trip to India

Apply for a visa:.

However long the duration of your trip you will need a visit to India. You will need to apply for it before you go , ours was checked twice before we even left Heathrow. The visa (60 days) will also start from the day you receive approval, not the day you land in India, so do not apply too early.

For further information on applying for an India E-tourist Visa, you can read my step-by-step guide 

Many females stress about packing for India, but don’t, here is my go-to guide of what to wear in India

Decide on the main points of interest:

India is huge, you have probably figured this one out already. It is impossible to see all of India in two weeks. When we started our planning, we picked 3-4 major places we wanted to visit and worked from there .

Set your location priorities.

We had choices in both the North and South ( mainly as we wanted to contrast between the North and the South of India), so we focused on these and planned our route, it meant skipping some of the must-see places in Goa , however, this was never on our original list.

Having Location priorities will stop you from getting overwhelmed by the sheer size, but also be prepared to make sacrifices if they cause too much of an inconvenience.

Consider internal methods of transport:

There are many ways to travel across the country but remember you only have two weeks in India. I would have loved to have travelled by train from the North to the South, but it would have taken too much time, so instead opted for internal flights , which in turn worked out a lot cheaper.

For our golden triangle tour, we also hired a driver and guide, helping us cover a lot more ground in a shorter amount of time. It also meant we could sleep in the car to combat the early mornings in order to cover so much ground.

However, if train travel is essential for you, do it, I would just advise narrowing down your destinations, and opt for seeing either the South or the North, not both.

International flights:

When booking international flights do not just look at the ‘return’ options, it worked out cheaper for us to book a one-way from London to Heathrow, and then a one-way from Kochi to London.

Spend time looking at various options and routes which may save both time and money. I always recommend using Skyscanner for ease when searching like this.

Be aware the Taj Mahal is closed to the public on Fridays. If you are planning on visiting Agra during your two-week trip, you will need to make sure your days align-right so the Taj Mahal is open.

Read before you go: Six things to expect from your first trip to India

How to spend 2 weeks in India – My actual 2-week India itinerary 

This is the route/itinerary we created and followed during our trip across India, and one that can be easily replicated or adjusted to suit your requirements.

We booked everything individually, rather than through a tour company, but if you prefer a tour company check out the best Golden Triangle itinerary tours .

2 week India itinerary overview

Day 1-2 Delhi

Day 3: Agra

Day 4-5: Jaipur

Day 6: Delhi

Day 7-8 : Munnar Tea Plantations

Day 9-10 : Alleppey – Backwaters House Boat

Day 11-13 : Mararikulam

Day 14: Fort Cochi

How much do 2 weeks in India cost?

To give you a benchmark, for flights, accommodation and tours, we spent around £1000 per person for two weeks (and then around an additional £500 while there on food, tips, entrance fees, etc). This was staying in moderate hotels, drivers and guides, eating in restaurants every day, internal flights etc.

It can be done for a lot cheaper, and it can be a lot more expensive, it depends on your needs and your travel style. We had allocated this amount of money for our trip, so was happy to spend this, and at no point did we feel we were running out of money.

Not sure you want to travel to India on your own? Check out my round-up of the best Golden Triangle Tours here – suitable for every type of traveller. 

Delhi – Two nights

Delhi is seen as the main entry point to India, the majority of people start here. It chucks you in headfirst into the chaos. I am glad we did it in this order, rather than ending in Delhi, as straight away I knew what to expect.

Delhi is the busiest of all the places on this itinerary , it is chaotic and at times stressful, everywhere onwards from here felt more relaxing, especially by the time we got down to Kerala.

In Delhi, we met our private guide for the Golden Triangle, we used Golden Triangle Tours  who I would highly recommend, the arranged accommodation (can be changed according to budget), transported us between locations (air-conditioned car with wifi), gave us a guide where needed, was not part of a group tour and most importantly gave us free time still.

We essentially had our guide on call for when we needed him, which was great as we still did things our way, but could call him if we wanted to get somewhere a bit further away or if we wanted a restaurant recommendation.

I also recommend checking out some of these tours from Get Your Guide. I trust Get Your Guide for all my attraction and tour bookings. I not only find them reliable with a simple booking process, usually, they also offer the most competitive prices: 

Where to stay in Delhi Stay:

Taj Princess

The Taj Princess has a lovely rooftop bar , which is the perfect escape from the hustle and noise of the city below. Spend some time up here and watch the wonderfully graceful Kite birds which soar over the city. Check out the best prices for the Taj Princess and book your stay.

Where to visit in Delhi:

Ensure you both New and Old Delhi to really see the contrasts. Where to visit in New Delhi: Humayun’s Tomb The India Gate Paharganj Main Bazaar The Lotus Temple.

Where to visit in Old Delhi:

Jama Masjid The Red Fort.

Read before you go: A Beginners Guide to Delhi, India 

Agra – one night (travel by car as part of a golden triangle tour).

Home of the Taj Mahal , in my opinion, one of the most beautiful buildings on earth, for me it completely lived up to the hype and a must if you are visiting India.

We visited twice, once at sunset from the opposite side across the River Yamuna and then at sunrise when we went inside, if you can do both, they are completely different experiences.

Read: Find out everything you need to know before visiting the Taj Mahal, including what to wear and what you are allowed to bring in.

To fit with our Two week India itinerary we only spent one night in Agra , I did not feel we really missed out on seeing anything, but if you are looking to spend more time in Agra, I would recommend a backpacker’s guide to Agra by Man Vs Globe .

Where to stay in Agra:

Hotel Parador In close proximity to the Taj Mahal, really nice rooms and a great BBQ style restaurant inside the hotel.

Jaipur – Two nights (Travel by car as part of a Golden Triangle Tour)

In 1876, the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria visited India on a tour. Since pink denotes the colour of hospitality, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur painted the whole city pink in colour to welcome the guests.

The tradition has been sincerely followed by the residents who are now, by law, compelled to maintain the pink colour.

Jaipur was my favourite city in the North of India, it is nothing short of beautiful, and the closest to the India I imagined as a child.

Spend your time in Jaipur visiting the incredible Amber Fort as well as learning the history of the Hawa Mahal . I really enjoyed visiting the City Palace , while in there be sure to find the inner courtyard called Pritam Niwas Chowk,  here you find four intricately painted doorways, each of which represents a different season and Hindu God.

In Jaipur, you can also visit the Jantar Mantar , a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh in 1734. We did not get time to visit here but it is extremely popular with people visiting India.

Where to stay in Jaipur:

Heritage Haveli Hotel We were lucky enough to get upgraded to the princess suite , which was the biggest hotel room I have ever stayed in. There is a small swimming pool and it is centrally located.

Delhi – One night

At this point our Golden Triangle Tour drove us back from Jaipur to Delhi for one night , however, I felt like we did not need this extra night in Delhi.

Personally, I would recommend staying in Jaipur one more night, then flying from Jaipur to Kochi.

If you have more than 2 weeks in India, there are so many other places in the north of India which are worth visiting in including Varanasi and Mumbai, for more inspiration check out this itinerary for a month in North India .

Fly to Kochi airport (Kerala, South India)

The flight time is around 3 hours and there are many domestic flights throughout the day most of which are low cost.

We really wanted to visit Munnar for the Tea Plantations , however, it is quite out of the way, here were opted to hire a driver for the 3-hour drive. If you are happy with more travelling, I would really recommend taking the extra journey out to Munnar.

Munnar – two nights

Munnar Tea is the most widely drunk tea in the entire world, the plantation of Tea was started in India by the British in order to attempt to break the Chinese monopoly on tea.

There are many tea plantations throughout India, however, Munnar is one of the most beautiful with continuous lush green rolling hills.  Arriving here after a week in the North of India will be exactly what you need.

Where to stay in Munnar:

Gruenberg Tea Plantation and Haus –  a beautiful white building perched on the hill inside one of the tea gardens. Surrounded by the lush green plantations, it is probably the last vision you would imagine when thinking of India, the Gruenberg Tea Haus is certainly a place of tranquillity.

A part of your stay, the staff also take you on a 10km hike through the tea plantations and can also provide bikes if you want to do some cycling around the local area.

Read about our unique stay at the Gruenberg Tea Plantation and Haus 

Munnar is really a place to just relax and take in nature around. Munnar is also popular for  Ayurvedic massages – but do not expect it to be the same as the massages you receive in South East Asia.

Ayurvedic massages are based on homoeopathic medicine practices and are slightly more uncomfortable but it actually did wonders for my back pain and for the illness I experienced while I was there.

I did sadly notice in this area a lot of advertisements for elephant riding, I would strongly advise you to avoid any attraction that allows you to ride an elephant.

Alleppey – 2 nights

From Munnar, you can make your way to Alleppey, another part of Kerala.

We did this again by hiring a driver, hiring drivers in India is a real-time and cost-effective way of getting around India if you are time-restricted. It is also a big industry for Indian people, the majority of hotels will be happy to arrange this for you.

Alleppey is the main place I associated with Kerala, this is the place where you see all the houseboats sailing along the backwaters . Aside from exploring the backwaters, there is not too much to do in Alleppey, but I do really recommend going, it is stunning.

Use it as a place to relax.

We spent one night at an adorable hostel called Lemon Dew , It is a really chilled out hostel, it really reminded me of being in Bali here.

The accommodation is individual huts for around £8 per night , with free wifi and bikes. It was a really lovely place to stay with a chilled backpacker atmosphere.

Soma houseboat – one night £84

After our night in Lemon Dew, we spent one night on a houseboat . You do not need to book this in advance, you can just turn up to the dock and book on the day.

However, we choose to book as again we were time-restricted, we had to go on a houseboat that night. Also, we wanted a private boat , not a shared one.

We booked with Soma houseboat for one night, you can choose to do more. The boat was perfect, very traditional with really good facilities, we had our own crew who were brilliant as well. We paid £84 for one night all-inclusive , including all meals and drinks. You can get cheaper than this, and there is more expensive. I was happy with this price and I would have paid more for the quality and experience we had.

Our 24 hours on the boat were spent sailing down the backwaters , you can spot many wild birds and also go on to a canoe at points to reach the smaller canals.

It is a wonderful experience and one I would really recommend if visiting Kerala.

We did need to pay in cash for our houseboat, so make sure you have cash available rather than by card. Other than that Visa card was accepted pretty much everywhere across India.

However do carry small notes on you for tipping, tipping is very much expected from tourists in India.

Ensure you book your Kerala House Boat in advance to ensure you do not miss out on this incredible experience.

I use Booking.com  for all of my accommodation bookings, not only are they reliable, they are competitively priced. 

Also the more you book, you will unlock ‘Genius Discount’ giving you further discounts.

Alcohol is not readily available in the state of Kerala, at present, only hotels of three-star and above are allowed to sell alcohol. The legal drinking age is also 23 years old .

Mararikulam  – 3 nights

After Alleppey head to Mararikulum, this is easily accessible by tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuks will usually be waiting to collect people after you get off the houseboat.

Mararikulum is by the beach, however, do not expect the same type of beaches you get in other places of Asia. You will have sandy beaches, however, we found the sea to be very polluted and a lot of rubbish across the beach, in truth, it was incredibly sad.

Hopefully, you will get a better experience of the beach than we did.

Stay at  Marari Beach Paradise  – We spent one night here, it is a hut along the beachfront. It is basic but all you need, breakfast is also included. The two guys who own the huts cannot do enough to help you, including driving us up the local market and cooking us dinner (fresh fish is a big speciality in Kerala). It is a really nice experience.

Marari Dreamz  – We decided to spend a bit more for two nights of our accommodation so stayed at the Marari Dreamz. It was perfect and I would recommend it to anyone . It is set further back from the beach in a converted house, but it has a swimming pool, which we found quite rare in India.

The rooms have air conditioning and dinner a typical Keralan dinner is served every evening on your patio.  Allwyn and Jency who own the Marari Dreamz are such lovely people and have thought of everything to make their accommodation the perfect place to relax for a few days.

When we got home they even sent us the recipe to some of their dishes.

Looking for a book to read on your trip to India? I read ‘ The Amazing Story of the Man Who Cycled from India to Europe for Love ‘ which set the scene perfectly for where we were. 

Fort Kochi – one night

Our final 36 hours in India was spent in Fort Koch i, a region in the city of Kochi, Kerala. In this area, you will find the large Chinese fishing nets along the water.

You will also find a large number of cultures in Fort Kochi, from Dutch influences to British and Portuguese , due to the various attempts by the western countries to colonise India in the past.

It was undoubtedly the most Western place we visited in India , but I enjoyed it and it showed yet another side to this diverse country.

Aside from the fishing nets, in this area, you can also visit many synagogues and churches. There is also a lot of pop-up art stores and bookshops, making it a great place to do shopping or souvenir buying.

I recommend eating at Dal Roti in Napier Street,  they serve traditional Northern Indian food as opposed to Southern, but the food is fantastic, especially their Thali.

Where to stay in Fort Kochi

Rasa Hotel  – Known as an ‘art hotel’ the Rasa Hotel is centrally located and is everything you need for a one night stay. It is not luxurious and the rooms are basic, but they are clean and they serve a nice breakfast which is included.

From here, you can travel back to Kochi airport to make your flight home.

Two week India Group Tours

If you’d prefer to relax more on your travels or you are a solo traveller looking to make some friends, then a group tour can be a great way to see a lot in a short time. You can travel with like-minded people, have the reassurance of travelling with a group and learn from an informative local guide.

Here are a few India group tours which follow a similar itinerary as above…

Iconic India 

14 days. Starts in Delhi and ends in Fort Cochi.

Discover iconic sights like Delhi’s Jama Mosque, the glorious Taj Mahal, and Rajasthan’s grand forts and palaces. Then head to the luxuriant Malabar coast to explore the fragrant spice plantations and jungle-fringed backwaters of Kerala.

Take a look at this trip here

West Coast India and Rajasthan by Rail 

12 Days. Delhi to Goa. 

Experience the Taj Mahal, visit the colourful Rajasthani streets of Jaipur and Udaipur. Relax on the beach in Goa and indulge in fresh seafood right from the coast – travel across India by train. 

Delhi to Kathmandu Adventure  

15 days. Starts in Delhi, India ends in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

15-day trip contrasts the colourful culture of India with the pristine serenity of Nepal’s Himalayan mountains.

Take a look at this trip here 

Why Choose G Adventures For a group tour?

• A trusted-well known company – G Adventures currently has a  4.6 Trust Pilot Rating.  
• Value for money.
• A sustainable company which follows ABTA Global Welfare Guidelines for Animals in Tourism and puts the needs of the animals first.
• Lifetime deposit scheme -If you cancel or delay your trip for any reason, your deposit remains valid until you’re ready to go. 
• Tours and excursions support locally run initiatives.

How is India for Vegetarians?

A dream is a quick answer. You will be able to find vegetarian food everywhere in India.

In the North, you will find predominately Paneer based dishes along with Thalis, however, if you are Vegan, vegetable-based curries are readily available.

In the South of India, I found there was a lot less paneer and the dishes were a lot more vegan-friendly. Vegetarian options were on every menu and all the staff we spoke to in restaurants understood being vegetarian and were happy to provide suggestions.

Like a lot of Asia, you will have no problems being vegetarian in India.

India is huge, of course, it is impossible to see it all in two weeks but hopefully, this itinerary will help you to see many of its diversities in a way which is possible through annual leave. I loved being able to explore both the craziness of the North and more relaxed atmosphere of the South in Kerala , the route we took meant to were able to sightsee as well as rest, something which is incredibly important when taking a break from work.

Spending 2 weeks in India is intense, it will alarm you as well as take your breath away, but the thing which stuck with me the most was the people, the people are so incredibly kind, they will really ensure that India captures your heart.

If you are looking to travel by train across India, you may find the Indian Train Planner  or Rome2Rio helpful.

You can find all of my India posts here to help you with your 2 week India itinerary planning.

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Best Places To Visit In South India If You Have Two Weeks

Adventure Travel , India , Travel | January 7, 2020

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission if you buy anything mentioned here. It doesn't cost you anything extra.

My fiancé and I recently spent two incredible weeks travelling in India’s beautiful South. It was the best adventure we’ve been on together to date so I wanted to share our complete itinerary for two weeks in South India.

We went to some of the top places to visit in South India starting with five nights in Kerala.

Next, we flew from Kerala to Goa and explored both the North and South. We finished our two weeks in India on a high in crazy Mumbai.

Despite doing very little planning, we both felt like we’d packed in a perfect mix of slow and fast paced destinations.

Neither of us would have changed anything about our trip.

We decided to focus our first trip to India on the south of the country mainly because we’d heard that’s where the best food is, I won’t lie.

Happily, the local fare more than lived up to our expectations – and I’m happy to report that not a hint of Delhi Belly occurred (perhaps because Delhi is in the North?)!

We had a loose travel itinerary for our South India tour but no real plans beyond our Globe Travel Centre tour of Kerala.

Planning a trip to India can be overwhelming because the country is so vast and diverse so I hope this guide to some of the best tourist places and holiday destinations in South India is helpful!

The Kerala portion of this itinerary was arranged and paid for by Globe Travel Centre and Xandari Resorts, who kindly hosted us during our time in Kerala.

Where to go in South India in two weeks

Watch my full India travel video on Youtube

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive guide to South India – we barely scratched the surface of its spicy landscape in the two weeks we had and even two years in South India wouldn’t be enough to call yourself an expert.

But this is our exact, tried-and-tested itinerary which combines a little bit of everything South India is famous for.

I did a lot of research to make sure we spent time in places that allowed us to absorb local culture, kick back on the beach and experience buzzing Indian city life.

A good trip is all about balance for me!

Day 1: Cochin, Kerala

We flew into Cochin International Airport and met our driver and guide from Globe Travel Centre at Arrivals. We were driven directly to Xandari Harbour , which was an excellent base.

Cochin (also known as Kochi) is a great place to start your first trip to India. We felt like it eased us slowly into the whole India experience, if that makes sense!

The port city is the largest city in the state of Kerala and a good place to learn about India’s colonial past.

Interestingly, the caste system in Kerala isn’t as enforced as it is elsewhere in India and education is compulsory for all there.

A local female guide from Globe Travel Centre showed us around the city, starting with the Chinese fishing nets that are still used today in the harbour.

We also visited various religious buildings and did a spot of shopping in Jew Town, which I loved.

One day in Cochin is enough to see its main highlights and it’s definitely worth stopping there if you fly into Cochin to explore Kerala.

Best tours and activities in Cochin

Search for accommodation in cochin, days 2 & 3: kerala’s backwaters.

The main attraction in Kerala for tourists is the backwaters, a network of palm-fringed lagoons and lakes that sprawl inland from Cochin to Quilon.

As part of our Kerala Globe Travel Centre tour, we headed to Lake Vembanad to spend an incredible night onboard one of Xandari Riverscapes ‘ luxurious converted rice barges.

We had the houseboat to ourselves. It had a large bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, plus a roof terrace.

Typically people book a minimum of two nights on the houseboat and enjoy delicious meals cooked onboard by a private chef, while learning about the local area from your guide.

This was an incredible experience and it’s the number one reason people visit Kerala, so you can’t miss it!

Read more about our luxury Kerala cruise

More cruise options on Kerala’s Backwaters

Days 4, 5 & 6: marari, kerala.

When we reluctantly got off the houseboat back in Kottayam we climbed back into the car that had been arranged for us by Globe Travel Centre and were driven the short distance to Xandari Pearl in Mararikulam.

This tranquil luxury beach resort is THE place to relax and unwind. It’s perfect for couples and is super environmentally conscious, which delighted us.

We slept in one of the 27 villas and absolutely loved having our own private plunge pool and an outdoor shower.

The food served at the resort was to die for and for our entire two night stay, it felt like we were walking on air. Pure bliss!

If you’re looking for a laid-back place to stay in Kerala with your partner, I can’t recommend Xandari Pearl enough.

Read my full review of Xandari Pear Resort

Search for accommodation in Marari

Days 7, 8 & 9: calungate, north goa.

As our first week in India drew to a close, we were dropped off back at Cochin airport and that was the end of our fantastic Globe Travel Centre tour of Kerala.

From there, we flew to Goa and got a taxi from the airport to Hotel Goan Heritage in Calungate .

It was perfectly located at the south end of Calungate near quieter Candolim, and a 20 minute walk along the waterfront to rowdier Baga Beach.

We went to North Goa for nightlife, and it certainly delivered!

We spent every night with our feet in the sand, and went to the infamous Titos Lane in Baga Beach for a big night on one occasion.

North Goa is fun but if you don’t have much time to spend in Goa, I’d recommend heading south, which we did next.

Tours and activities in Goa

Search for accommodation in calungate, days 10, 11 & 12: palolem, south goa.

Around three hours from Calungate by taxi, Palolem is a little slice of paradise in South Goa.

It’s an absolute must-visit in Goa and one of the best places to visit in South India if you like picture-perfect beaches.

It’s a popular South India holiday destination among independent travellers but tour companies haven’t really moved in yet, so Palolem has dodged over-tourism and there are no concrete buildings or gaudy hotel developments.

We truly felt like we’d stumbled upon a hidden gem.

We stayed in beach huts at O3 Beach Resort . The entire beach is lined with similar accommodation options. They all serve great food too!

Trying to decide between North or South Goa? I’ve compared the two in a separate blog post.

Search for accommodation in Palolem

Days 13 & 14: mumbai.

We spent 24 hours in Mumbai to end our South India trip on a high.

The flight from Goa to Mumbai, in India’s southwest, was easy and our local friend picked us up at the airport, then kindly showed us around.

One full day in Mumbai should be enough to see the city’s main highlights.

We managed to cram a lot in but traffic can be nuts so it’s best to use a combination of local driver and local trains (outside of peak times to avoid the crowds, of course) to get around.

We weren’t sure if we would enjoy Mumbai and while one full day was enough for me, I’m really glad we decided to end our trip in this heaving city.

Best tours and activities in Mumbai

Search for accommodation in mumbai, useful information for visiting south india.

Travelling to South India

We flew from Manchester to Cochi via Qatar with Qatar Airways. If you’re doing this India itinerary in reverse, you can fly to Mumbai from London direct.

My best money-saving tip for flights is to search for your preferred dates on Skyscanner and compare prices and flight durations on different airlines.

Make sure you apply for a visa online more than 72 hours before check-in opens for your flight! This is the official Indian e-visa website (don’t get caught out with scams).

Be warned that it’s a lengthy process so you’ll need to set aside around 45 minutes to complete your application.

Anyone who watches my Instagram Story will have seen the trouble we had with visas thanks to Tom’s lax attitude to travel plans…

How to get around South India

We didn’t have a super strict budget so we skipped the long train and bus journeys in favour of flights between Kerala and Goa, and Goa and Mumbai. When you’re short on time, it’s easier this way.

I’d heard a lot about how easy it is to get scammed when it comes to taxis in India but we did our research beforehand or asked a local barman or hotel worker what we should expect to pay. People are helpful!

When getting taxis from airports, we simply looked for the pre-paid taxi desks and paid the fixed price.

We’re eternally grateful for having the help of Globe Travel Centre for Kerala. It was our first trip to India so it was reassuring to have a personal guided tour planned for us.

We were picked up at the airport when we arrived in Cochi, accompanied by a guide for the bits when a local person came in useful, and had the same driver throughout our time in Kerala.

Travel insurance and vaccinations

We were a bit naughty and didn’t get vaccinations, but we have had jabs a few years ago so we hope they protected us. Obviously, you should do as I say and not as I do!

Always check whether you’ll need any vaccinations for South India before you go.

I was worried about malaria but we only visited low-risk areas so there was nothing to be nervous about.

It’s best to stay away from animals like dogs and monkeys in India because of the risk of rabies.

One great thing I learned in Mumbai was that a lot of the dogs on the street have clipped ears to indicate they have been treated for rabies. It made me feel safer because I’m nervous around dogs at the best of times!

Health insurance is essential for India trips. World Nomads have an excellent reputation among travellers. You can use the box below to get a quote.

Useful travel guides for your trip to South India

I was sent the Rough Guide to South India & Kerala for my trip and found it insanely useful for finding essential information about the best places to visit in South India.

There’s so much great information online but this book really filters out all the confusing bits and breaks each destination down into easily digestible chunks.

You can follow me on Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  from more updates from the UK and beyond. You can also  subscribe to my newsletter  to make sure you never miss a post.

Melis Living says

January 8, 2020 at 8:52 am

I’ve never fancied India but your post totally makes me want to brave it and go! What amazing pictures. It sounds like a totally unique adventure. Melis x

Vansh Tiwari says

January 30, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Hey, I had visited Goa recently and spent most of the time in North Goa side and especially at Mandrem. I hope when you come next time in Goa, you should definitely explore some quaint beaches and off beat places. Dudhsagsr falls is also present there. It was my first time there. I hope you enjoyed in India 😊.

2 Week South India Itinerary! A Goa & Kerala Itinerary!

Categories Asia , India , Itinerary

Whether you’re visiting India for the first time and want to visit South India to ease yourself in, or you want a beach holiday on the beaches of Goa and you fancy seeing some of the lush green-ness of Kerala whilst you’re there, you can easily put together a 2 week South India itinerary and a Goa and Kerala itinerary !

Goa and Kerala are two separate states in India that run along the West Coast of India, and although they are only 2 of 29 states, they still cover a lot of space in this country so you should plan your itinerary for south India in advance to make sure you can see a lot in both places, and cover the distances to get from one place to another!

I’ll tell you the best places to visit in Goa and the best places to visit in Kerala in this India travel guide.

Based on my experience travelling around South India, I would recommend the perfect Goa itinerary and Kerala itinerary and the best place to travel for 2 weeks in South India as:

Agonda Beach (Goa) – Palolem Beach (Goa) – Kochi (Kerala) – Munnar (Kerala) – Alleppey (Kerala) – Varkala (Kerala)

If you want to see North India in 2 weeks too, check out my Northern India Itinerary here !

2 Week South India Itinerary For Goa & Kerala!

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Best time to visit India

Before we get into this India travel blog, it’s worth thinking about the best time to visit India as the country get’s very hot and wet in the middle of the year. November to March are the best times to visit both North & South India.

South India will be warmer than North India in the winter months of December and January, Delhi and further North actually get cold in these months but are still enjoyable to visit with the right clothing.

Outside these months, you can still visit but you’ll find that the heat and humidity will be much higher, especially as you go further South.

SIM CARD FOR INDIA

I really recommend having a sim card in India as it makes travel in India so much easier! You may have heard that it’s hard to get a sim card in India but you can get a sim card in Delhi Airport, read this post to see how to buy a sim card in Delhi Airport or if you fly in elsewhere 3 ways to buy a sim card in India and you’ll be connected in just a few hours!

WHAT TO WEAR IN INDIA

If you are a woman, here’s what I recommend you pack and wear in India . Technically you can wear what you like in India in most places but to get fewer stares and feel more comfortable, read my post!

DON’T GET SCAMMED IN DELHI

Most people arrive for the first time into Delhi and get scammed within a few hours! Read my Delhi Travel Tips to help you enjoy Delhi, and the best places to stay in Delhi which is so important!

Map of South India Places to Visit

Best Time of Year to visit South India

Please keep in mind whilst planning your 2 Week South India Itinerary that you’ll want to visit South India including Goa & Kerala in the Winter Months like Nov-March .

This is the best period to visit Goa and Kerala because the weather will be dry and places will be open for tourism. In the summer months, especially in Goa tourism shuts because the monsoon rains come.

Day 1 – Land in Goa. Travel to Goa Beach

Goa International Airport is the main airport in India because Goa is such a popular place for people to go on holiday to India from abroad and for domestic Indian tourists.

There will be lots of taxi’s waiting outside the airport so you can take a taxi or pre-arrange transport to your first beach in Goa.

Goa has so many beaches and it really depends on what you want from a holiday in Goa on your 2 Week South India Itinerary. Do you want to party? Do you want to chill? Do you want activities? Here’s my blog post on the best beaches in Goa so you can work out which ones you want to visit, and here’s a post on the best shopping markets in Goa if you like Flea Markets.

For the purpose of this itinerary for India, I’m suggesting you visit Agonda Beach and Palolem Beach in Goa as they are both all-round beaches in Goa and close together meaning less travel time as you don’t want to spend all of your holidays in South India travelling between places!

Goa Airport to Agonda Beach is a 1 hour 45minute to 2 hour drive . If you land late, don’t worry as transport will be available all night.

Day 2 & 3 – Goa Beach Days

Spend the next 2 days on your 2 Week South India Itinerary enjoying the beach. If you decide to stay in Agonda Beach you’ll be treated to a long stretch of beachline with nothing to do apart from chilling.

However, if you want to go out on a boat trip you can, or a popular trip from Agonda beach and a place to visit in Goa is Cabo de Rama Fort which you give you a taste of the culture of Goa. Agonda beach is also good for beginner surfers .

Look for the best flights here!

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different dates and routes to help me find the best flight at the best price! 

Open Skyscanner by clicking here and search for the best flights as you read this post.

Day 4 – Move Beaches

In my opinion, to really experience Goa you need to visit at least 2 beaches in Goa on your Goa Kerala itinerary because each beach is so different. I really recommend spending some time at Palolem Beach , I think this is one of the  best places to visit in Goa because Palolem Beach is super chilled, it’s clean, quiet and has some great cafes!

Agonda Beach to Palolem Beach takes just 15 minutes in a car so I’d suggest leaving early in the morning so you can spend all day in Palolem Beach, and when you arrive at Palolem Beach, head for brunch or lunch at Zest Cafe in Palolem, it’s the best!

Day 5 – Goa Beach Day

Palolem Beach is another beach to chill at however for things to do in Palolem Beach I would recommend going out on a morning boat trip to see Dolphins . If you want to see another beach you can get a tuk-tuk to Patnem Beach which is just around the corner from Palolem Beach.

Here’s my full Guide to Palolem Beach with where to stay, things to do and where to eat!

BOOKING TRAINS IN INDIA

India is best travelled by train because its the quickest, cheapest and best way of getting to know the country. For an EASY option of booking trains in India use 12GO to search and book trains really easily. If you’ll be in India for awhile, you can use the local booking system, it’s a bit tricker but possible, here’s my post on how to book trains in India as a tourist .

BEST ACCOMMODATION IN INDIA

I always use Booking.com to book my hotels in India and Hostelworld to book my hostels . India has a great range of accommodation with brilliant hostel chains like Moustache, Zostel and Backpacker Panda as well as homestays to luxury hotels.

GUIDED TOURS IN INDIA

Many cities in India are best seen with a guide , even if it’s just a half day tour on your first day . Cities in India are chaotic and complex and what better way to taste the food and get to know the city than with a local. I recommend Get Your Guide & Viator for the best tours in India!

Day 6 – Goa Beach Day. Overnight Train to Kochi

Today you have two options on this 2 week South India itinerary, you could get an overnight train from Goa to Kerala , this way you’ll get to spend a full day on the beach and travel overnight experiencing real, India travel. Or you could travel back to Goa Airport and fly from Goa to Kochi in Kerala which takes just 1 hour 20 minutes.

My suggestion would be the overnight train as the trains in India are the best way to see and experience the real India and meet the lovely people of India and it will give you more time on the beach in Goa.

You will need to prebook your train from to Kerala from Goa in advance. The nearest train station to Palolem Beach is Madgaon and the train station for Kochi is Ernakulam Jn. This is the train I recommend booking which you can book on 12Go Asia. I recommend booking 2AC which is Second Class with Air Con.

Book this train here!

Read how to book trains in India here!

Day 7 – Day in Kochi

Kochi, also known as Cochin, is a really interesting city in South India which is why I recommend it as part of your 2 week South India itinerary . It’s a port city full of colonial buildings, nice cafes and a small city feel, especially compared to big cities in India.

Fort Kochi / Fort Cochin is the best area to stay in Kochi because it’s where all of the Kochi tourist attractions are. You can easily spend one day in Kochi and things to do in Kochi include spotting the cool street art, visiting Jew Town, St Francis Church, the Folklore Museum and seeing the sunset on a boat trip.

Kochi isn’t that big so you’ll be able to see a lot during your late morning and afternoon in Kochi after arriving on the overnight train.

To help you once you’re on your 2 week India trip, why not take a Lonely Planet India Travel Guide with you.

Day 8 – Travel to Munnar

If you associate Kerala with Tea Plantations then you need to visit Munnar in Kerala, and it’s one of the top things to do in Kerala!

You can get a public bus from Kochi to Munnar but from my experience, it’s quite a stressful experience as buses in India, especially South India, do not run on a regular schedule, you cannot book them in advance as they’re local buses, you often need to change buses and most of the time they are full and very squished.

If you want to get the bus from Kochi to Munnar, read my Munnar blog post for details on my experience. Your Kochi Hotel should also be able to help you as Munnar from Kochi is a popular route for tourists travelling South India.

Alternatively, especially with just 2 weeks in South India and 1 week in Kerala, I would recommend getting a taxi or hiring a private driver to save you time and make the experience less stressful.

The drive from Kochi to Munnar is 4 hours and this journey alone will give you a taste of why Kerala is called ‘Gods Own Country’.

I’d recommend staying at a homestay in Munnar so you’ll be in the countryside of Munnar as that’s the best way to experience it. Munnar Town isn’t that nice so try not to stay there.

I stayed at The Wayside Cottage in Munnar which I enjoyed and it has brilliant reviews from other travellers. Gruenberg Tea Plantation is another Munnar Homestay I’d recommend.

Day 9 – Munnar Day Trip

A trip to Munnar is all about seeing the tea plantations, hiking and seeing some wild elephants if you’re lucky!

It’s very likely that your accommodation in Munnar will be able to help you plan your day in Munnar so don’t worry about planning and booking this in advance too much.

To see what I got up to on my day trip in Munnar, read My Day hiking in the Tea Plantations of Munnar.

Explore the Serene Beauty of Munnar with Private Day Trip – Book Now!

Day 10 – Travel to Alleppey

From Munnar, you need to travel back to the coast to Alleppey as Alleppey, or Alappuzha, as it’s also known. This is the home of the backwaters of Kerala so it’s a must-visit place in Kerala on your 2 week South India itinerary!

The drive from Munnar to Alleppey is about 5 hours and again I’d recommend hiring a driver or getting a taxi for this journey as it will take a long time trying to do it by public bus.

There’s really not that much to do in Alleppey so you can spend the day travelling. Here you have 2 options, if you’ve always fancied staying on a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala and waking up on the water, you can book this for tonight so as soon as you get to Alleppey you can get on the boat, or you can stay near Alleppey Beach and do a boat trip the next day.

Book this tour and enjoy a Relaxing Canoe Cruise through Alleppey Backwaters!

Day 11 – Backwaters of Kerala. Travel to Varkala

If you’re like me, this is probably what you have always associated with Kerala, South India and even India itself! In fact, I wanted to see the backwaters of Kerala so much I saved it for Christmas Day and it did not disappoint!

There are different boat trips of the Kerala Backwaters, you can Kayak, Canoe, take a Houseboat or a Shikara Boat which is what I suggest. Read my full blog post about  Cruising the Backwaters of Kerala from Alleppey   to see all of the boat options and where I suggest you stay in Alleppey and some places to eat!

The boat tours of the backwaters of Kerala only last a few hours and generally leave in the morning, and seeing as there is nothing else to do in Alleppey I’d recommend leaving Alleppey that afternoon/evening and heading further down the coast to Varkala.

You can get the train from Alleppey to Varkala. You can book this in advance read this post on how to book trains in India (I can’t find the train on 12GO Asia so you’ll need to book it on the official Indian train booking system). However, if you don’t mind sitting in a lower local class train you could turn up and book the train on the day . 

Day 12 & 13 – Days in Varkala

Varkala in Kerala is the perfect place to spend your last few days in India and in Kerala in on your 2 week South India itinerary. Varkala has 2 sides, it has a local town but by the beach, it’s a tourist heaven. Home to Yoga and Ayurveda , good waves for surfers, lots of nice cafes, temples and a few beaches , Varkala is the perfect mix of a local and tourist beach.

Here’s my full guide to Varkala for things to do in Varkala, where to stay and where to eat.

HELP WITH YOUR INDIA ITINERARY

I’ve spent many months travelling India in the last few years visiting over 50 places around the country, here are my recommended itinerary posts for India to help you plan your trip!

2 WEEK INDIA ITINERARY, PERFECT FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP!

2 WEEK SOUTH INDIA ITINERARY – GOA & KERELA

1 MONTH NORTH INDIA ITINERARY IDEAS!

1 MONTH SOUTH INDIA ITINERARY IDEAS!

2 MONTH INDIA ITINERARY IN THE NORTH & SOUTH

MY 4 MONTH INDIA ITINERARY!

24 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA!

Day 14 – Fly to Trivandrum. Fly from Goa.

If you’re staying in India for just 2 weeks it will probably be cheaper to book return flights from Goa , therefore in order to catch your flight from Goa you can get an internal flight from Trivandrum to Goa.  Or you could book a flight out of Bangalore and fly from Trivandrum to Bangalore and then catch your flight home.

Overview of the 2 Week South India itinerary!

To help with booking accommodation, based on the above 2 Week South India itinerary, this is where you’ll spend your 2 weeks in South India:

• Goa Beach 1 – 3 Nights
• Goa Beach 2 – 2 Nights
• Overnight Train
• Kochi – 2 Nights
• Munnar – 2 Nights
• Alleppey – 1 Night
• Varkala – 3 Nights

Have you booked your flight yet??

I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights! I’m a huge fan of Skyscanner because I love how easy it is to compare different dates and routes to help me find the best flight at the best price!  Open Skyscanner by clicking here and search for the best flights as you read this post.

My related blog posts to help you plan this trip are:

• Goa: Best Beaches in Goa for foreigners.
• Palolem Beach:   Full Guide to Palolem Beach, Goa | Things To Do, Where To Stay!
• Munnar:  Hiking in the Tea Plantations of Munnar, Kerala!
• Alleppey:  Cruising the Backwaters of Kerala from Alleppey!
• Varkala: Full Guide to Varkala | Things To Do, Where to Stay!
• Now you’ll be set for your trip to India! Enjoy!
• See ALL My India Posts Here!
• See My India Adventure on YouTube Here!

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Perfect Rajasthan Itinerary For 2 Weeks In India

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Looking for the perfect Rajasthan itinerary? You’re reading it! When it comes to your first India trip, I always tell people to choose Rajasthan. India is such a diverse destination with everything from beaches to backwaters, mountains and more. But there’s something about the colourful, busy streets of Rajasthan that match what the mind conjures up when someone says ‘India!’. The quirk of Rajasthan’s colourful cities is part of what makes the region iconic: blue Jodhpur, white Udaipur, pink Jaipur and golden Jaisalmer. You instinctively what to see how much of the city is suited and booted in its signature hue. However, there’s more to Rajasthan than this, as I’ll cover in this article. Whether you’re travelling solo in India or with friends, you’re about to have a blast!

RAJASTHAN ESSENTIALS India Lonely Planet Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator Getting around: bus / train ( 12Go ) Travel insurance:   True Traveller  (European travellers) /   Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /   Safety Wing  (digital nomads)

I’ve been to Rajasthan 3 times and during my most recent trip, I hosted a tour with my Insta followers & blog readers in tow. So I’m certain I have mapped out the perfect 2 week Rajasthan tour!

Rajasthan map

How to get around during your Rajasthan itinerary

Train is the quickest and most efficient way of moving around Rajasthan. The official booking website is tricky for foreigners to use so I suggest buying tickets on the 12go website . There are several train classes with AC First Class Sleeper being the best, then AC2, AC3 and Sleeper Class being the cheapest. Buses are also an easy option that can be booked on 12go . However, trains generally feel more atmospheric and typical of the India travel experience, so I rarely take buses in India apart from places trains don’t operate like the mountainous regions of Dharamsala and Rishikesh (not in Rajasthan). Flights are cheap in India and often the most convenient way to move large distances, such as between north and south. But for Rajasthan, the journeys are short enough to do it all by train.

Travel insurance for India – although I’ve had 3 trouble-free trips, you’d be mad to travel India without insurance. Getting sick is common and health and safety isn’t always the best. I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you need including valuables and pre-existing health conditions. Last time I claimed, they paid out within 48 hours! Get a quote now . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing .

14 day Rajasthan travel itineraries

The fast-paced 2 week itinerary:

• Day 1 – explore Delhi
• Day 2 – travel to Agra
• Day 3 – early Taj sunrise and travel to Jaipur
• Day 4-5 – Jaipur
• Day 6 – travel to Ranthambore and afternoon safari
• Day 7 – morning safari and travel to Pushkar
• Day 8 – Pushkar
• Day 9-10 – Udaipur
• Days 11-12 – Jodhpur
• Days 13-14 – Jaisalmer.
• Note – this is for those hell-bent on doing & seeing everything in a short holiday! I would personally do this over 3 weeks instead.

The leisurely 2 week itinerary:

• Day 1 – Delhi
• Day 3 – Agra
• Day 4-7 – Jaipur
• Day 8-9 – Pushkar
• Day 11-12 – Udaipur
• Day 13-14 – Jodhpur.
• Note – this 2 week Rajasthan itinerary skips Ranthambore Nat Park and Jaisalmer city. This is because it’s my least favourite of the cities and the furthest away, but if you’re keen to camp in the desert, skip Udaipur instead. This will save you time as it ‘ s quite far south.

Delhi: 1 day

At the risk of starting on a negative note, Delhi is not my favourite city in the world. It’s relentlessly crowded and hectic with bad pollution, intermittent (at best) pavements and little respite from the chaos. Still, this is where your Rajasthan trip itinerary will likely begin and, since you’ll be fresh into your India travels, you should still have energy! Things to do in Delhi:

• Take a rickshaw ride around Old Delhi and stop to see and smell colourful spice markets
• Visit the Red Fort , a 17th-century Mughal fortress with museums inside
• In the evening, visit India Gate , an arch commemorating Indian soldiers killed in WWI. It’s an atmospheric area where locals hang out and will definitely want to snap selfies with you!
• Walk around the upmarket Hauz Khas neighbourhood (South Delhi) known for historic ruins and fashionable cafes
• Visit the Lotus Temple also in South Delhi.

Tours & activities in India – I suggest GetYourGuide and Viator for day tours and activities in India. They’re competitively priced and led by local guides to help you navigate the craziness of Delhi!

How to get around Delhi: one option is DIY-ing it by taking the Delhi Metro which is clean and cheap with a women’s and children’s carriage. Alternatively, hail Uber or Ola taxis around. Another option is getting your accommodation to arrange a taxi tour of the highlights or book a day tour with GetYourGuide .

Where to stay in Delhi

In terms of the best Delhi neighbourhoods to stay , it’s tempting to pick somewhere near Old Delhi but this can be VERY hectic. A better option is to stay in calmer Central New Delhi  (near Connaught Place) or somewhere in residential, leafy South Delhi like Hauz Khas . Just factor in plenty of time to get around the city in traffic! Hostels in Delhi: J House in upscale South Delhi with beds from €8 inc breakfast & dinner | Joey’s Hostel near to the centre with free Wi-Fi, Xbox, TV and rooftop from €4. Hotels in Delhi: great options are Bloomrooms with spacious rooms, a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities and daily breakfast. Prakash Kutir B&B is a lovely hotel in Kaus Hauz with rooftop views.

More peaceful refugees in South Delhi include Bungalow 157 / B Nineteen / Avatar Living @Safdarjung Enclave / The Stay Inn .

Browse all Delhi hotels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld .

Foodie visiting New Delhi? I can personally vouch for a Chef’s Tour who lead the best street food tours around the world! During this 4-hour tour, you’ll try paneer tikka masala, pani puri and much more while experiencing the culture during a Sikh temple visit. Book for just €35 .

Agra – 1 day

Many people would say a Rajasthan itinerary is incomplete without gawping at the famous Taj Mahal! Having seen it with my own eyes, I’m inclined to agree. If you’re on a tight time frame and just want to see the Taj, you can take a guided day tour from Delhi . Alternatively, stay overnight in Agra so you can get up early and see the World Wonder at sunrise. You could head onwards to Jaipur later that day, or tour the other Agra attractions and stay a second night. Although the Taj gets all the attention (and rightly so), there are several other worthwhile things to do in Agra for example visiting Itmad-ud-Daula known as the ‘baby Taj’, plus Agra Fort and other mausoleums.

Tip for visiting the Taj Mahal – bring just your phone and water. Security is high so, if you want to enter in good time before the crowds arrive, you’ll waste time having your bag searched. Items like phone stands and tripods are not allowed.

Getting to & around Agra

Trains from Delhi to Agra take as little as 2 hours. Book your ticket on 12go . To get around, a tuk tuk tour is a good idea to reach all the attractions as Agra is quite spread out. If you’re just visiting the Taj, you may be able to walk there depending where your hotel is located.

Where to stay in Agra

For a splash-out hotel, Taj Hotel & Convention Centre with a rooftop pool is the place to be. On a budget, opt for Thomas Home Stay or Sidhartha .

For hostels, Zigzag Homestay and Friends Guesthouse are the best-rated budget accommodation in Agra with dorms from $3!

Browse all Agra hostels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld .

To save time, buy Taj Mahal tickets in advance, either on the official website or on GetYourGuide with skip-the-line access .

Jaipur: 2-3 days

Our next stop is pretty pink Jaipur. It’s a city that divides the masses and I have to admit after three visits, I’m still undecided! On the one hand, it’s full of spectacularly beautiful palaces and elaborately decorated gates. On the other, there are few pavements and it’s not pedestrian friendly. You generally have to catch transport around and subsequently miss the local life.

Read next: 3 day Jaipur itinerary

Also, many of the entry fees for the Jaipur tourist attractions are unreasonably high so it’s a place that may eat into your India travel budget . Still, iconic Jaipur is a destination you’d regret missing, plus it’s a necessary launching point for your next Rajasthan itinerary stops.

Things to do in Jaipur :

• Amer Fort (Amber Palace) – this majestic fort surrounded by mountaintop walls is worth a visit for the intriguing ‘palace of mirrors’ and pastel wall art created from natural vegetable dyes. Don’t miss the stepwell ! On the downside, the entry fee is high at 500 rupees, and the sad elephant rides outside are heartbreaking to see.
• Nahargarh Fort – this fort isn’t half as impressive but the panoramic views over Jaipur are far superior. Entry is 200 rupees and it’s a 20-minute drive from Jaipur (I paid 500 for the return trip with a tuk-tuk driver).
• Hawa Mahal – this 18th-century pink palace with hundreds of windows was once a residence for wealthy wives to look but not be seen. Snap your photos from outside (or Wind View Cafe across the road) or pay to go inside and learn about the history via an informative headset.
• City Palace – this is another place with a high entry fee (700 rupees plus 3,500 rupees (!) if you wish to go into Chhavi Niwas blue room, one of the most Instagrammable places in Jaipur ). Is it worth it? To see the beautifully painted doors with the regular ticket, yes. I didn’t do Chhavi Niwas, though.
• Jantar Mantar – built for astronomical observations in the 1700s, this is one of the most impressive and accurate premodern observatories in the world! If you’re intrigued by horoscopes, even more reason to visit.

Getting to & around Jaipur

Trains and buses take as little as 4 hours from both Delhi and Agra. Use 12go to reserve your seats. To get around Jaipur , I’d recommend a rickshaw tour or air-conditioned car tour to beat the heat and escape the teaming streets. But make sure you get out to walk around the market area near Hawa Mahal. It’s so atmospheric with colourful handicrafts and spices on offer.

Where to stay in Jaipur

Hostel: the Hosteller is one of the best hostels in Jaipur with dorms, privates and a rooftop restaurant and swimming pool. Book from €5 a night . Hotel: for an upgrade, Khandela Haveli is an amazing hotel with a rooftop restaurant and comfy bespoke rooms. Book from €31 a night .

Browse Jaipur accommodation on  Booking.com  and  Hostelworld .

Where to eat in Jaipur? Don’t miss Kitchen With A Cause , a social enterprise taking people from the streets and training them to work in hospitality. It’s a little more expensive than most local restaurants but the food is divine and it’s all for a good cause! Also, the cocktails are fab.

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore isn’t a classic stop on a Rajasthan backpacking itinerary because it caters more to hotels than hostels and it’s hard to get around on foot. Still, if this isn’t a problem and you like the idea of exploring a land akin to the Jungle Book, I think a trip to see wild tigers in Ranthambore will be a highlight of your India trip! Ethical animal tourism and India rarely go hand-in-hand, but Ranthambore bodes well for the tigers who live freely in the vast national park. Apart from being monitored for conservation, they’re largely undisturbed – apart from by the safaris cars, which they can choose to walk away from into the bush. Often they do so, like any wildlife experience, it’s a gamble whether you’ll see them or not.

How to visit Ranthambore

Step one is to board a train from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur station. Once you’re there, jump in a tuk-tuk to whichever hotel you’ve booked, most of which are set along long, dusty roads. To organise a tiger safari, simply talk to your hotel. If you’re pushed for time, email them in advance. Tiger safaris depart late afternoon and early morning for the best chances of spotting the nocturnal big cats. Safaris cost between 1,500 and 2,000 rupees depending on whether you book a spot in a 6 seater or 22 seater .

Where to stay in Ranthambore

Since there’s little else to do in the area and it’s hard to get around, I suggest you stay somewhere fairly nice so you can relax around your safaris. Ideally, somewhere with a restaurant so you don’t need to go foraging for food all the time. I recommend Hotel Tiger Haveli (€20 a night) and Jungle Cave Resort (€55 a night). If you have the budget, the latter is great with a swimming pool and large luxury tents with beds, air-con and ensuite bathrooms inside.

Pushkar: 1-2 days

Pretty Pushkar is worth visiting , set around a manmade lake. It’s one of India’s most important holy cities due to the legend that creator god, Brahma, dropped sacred lotus petals here. Not only is it a cultural place to visit as part of a 2 week Rajasthan itinerary, but it’s a relaxing respite from the bigger, more hectic cities. It’s also somewhere to take a break from heavy North Indian curries and enjoy lighter cuisine at cute cafes.

Things to do in Pushkar:

• Relax around Pushkar Holy Lake and catch an evening aarti (offering to the gods using fire) at 7pm
• Hike (or ride the cable car) to Savitri Mata Temple
• Take an easier 15-minute hike to Gayatri (Pap Mochani) Temple
• Visit the Brahma Temple , the world’s only temple dedicated to the god of creation
• Go shopping! Pushkar is a shopper’s dream and very affordable. Buy silk clothes, leather bags and silver jewellery.

Read next: Everything to do in Pushkar

Where to eat and drink in Pushkar:

• Sonu Juice for a healthy, fruity breakfast
• Laughing Buddha Cafe for veggie food
• Ganga Laffa & Falafel Restaurant for yummy Israeli food
• Dream Tibetan Kitchen Restaurant for momos – don’t miss the dessert ones with Nutella!
• Coffee Temple @ U Turn Hotel for the best French Press coffee in town.

Read next: the best restaurants, cafes and street food in Pushkar

Tips for visiting Pushkar:

• Pushkar is a vegetarian city so there’s no meat (including no eggs) but there’s still dairy
• It’s a holy city so there’s no alcohol either, but many places will subtly serve you a beer off-menu
• Watch out for scams: especially beggars asking for food products and taking you to shops charging a lot, plus ‘priests’ offering you flowers then demanding money and threatening to curse you if you won’t pay!

Getting to Pushkar

Most travellers will come from Jaipur by way of a 4-hour bus because the closest train station (Ajmer Junction) is a 30-minute drive away. Use 12go to book buses and trains in out of Pushkar. However, if Ranthambore takes your fancy, visit the National Park between Jaipur and Pushkar. You’ll want to board a train from Sawai Madhopur station (super close to Ranthambore) to Ajmer Junction and catch a taxi the rest of the way. To get around Pushkar , it’s easy to explore on foot. You may wish to get a tuk tuk to whiz you to the hike starting points.

Where to stay in Pushkar

Hotel – stay at Hotel Moti Mahal to take advantage of the swimming pool, relaxing grounds and roof terrace restaurant. Book from €25 a night . Hostel – the best-rated hostels are Moustache Hostel with a colourful courtyard, organised activities to meet others, and dorms from €4 a night; Madpackers Hostel with a rooftop cafe and yoga classes, and Zostel with a pool.

For more Pushkar accommodation, browse hotels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld .

Udaipur: 1-2 days

Visually, Udaipur doesn’t resemble the other cities in Rajasthan. This calming city all painted white is characterised by serene lakes and exquisite palaces, dating back to its days as the capital of the Mewar Kingdom. Of course, it’s still India so don’t expect a totally peaceful, horn-free zone! But to add a bit of R&R to your busy Rajasthan trip itinerary, it doesn’t get better than relaxing on a rooftop cafe in Udaipur and looking out over the serene lakes. Things to do in Udaipur:

• Visit City Palace – inside this majestic palace, each room has a different look. The residence offers sublime lake views and, if you want to treat yourself, a highly-rated restaurant and bar
• Relax around Lake Pichola and soak up the essence of Udaipur
• Take a boat trip on the lake and admire Taj Lake Palace , the Maharana’s summer palace 
• Visit the lake palace by staying overnight (€400 – eek!) or having a pricey dinner at the restaurant
• Journey to the hilltop Monsoon Palace 10kms from Udaipur, best known for its amazing sunsets
• Tour Jagdish temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, preserver and protector of the universe.

Getting to & around Udaipur

Trains from Ajmer Junction (near Pushkar) take 5-6 hours to reach Udaipur starting from 400 rupees. This is one of the longest journies of the trip and the reason many travellers skip Udaipur since the journey to Jodhpur after is also a long one. To get around Udaipur , it’s easy to walk. The only place you may wish to hire transport to is the Monsoon Palace on the hilltop.

Where to stay in Udaipur

For a lovely hotel with lakeside views, book Kankarwa Haveli from €50 a night. A better budget option is   Sierra By The Lake or Madri Haveli from €25.

For hostels , you can’t do better than the Hosteller or Hostel Mantra with great staff and rooftop views from €5.

Browse all Udaipur hotels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld .

Jodhpur: 1-2 days

The Blue City is another necessary addition to any 2 week Rajasthan itinerary. Jodhpur’s nickname is no exaggeration. Vast swathes of the city are washed in two different shades of blue: historically, one for Brahma priests (individuals at the top of the complex Indian social caste system) and others for jewellery makers. Why all the blue? The mix of copper sulphate and limestone wards off bugs and gives the city a calming air.

Things to do in Jodhpur:

• Mehrangarh Fort  – set atop a 120m hill, this spectacular palace founded in 1459 by Rajput ruler, Rao Jodha is a wonder, far superior to Jaipur’s Amer Fort. The museum displays unique art and materials used in its construction like gold, tiger eye, indigo and turquoise. Entry is 600 rupees.
• Jaswant Thada – this striking white marble building is the final resting place of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, built in 1899 by his son. As it’s moments from the Fort, it’s well worth visiting.
• Umaid Bhawan Palace – this ancient palace has been converted into a 5-star hotel and celebrity wedding venue. Without splashing out €500 to stay overnight, you can tour the property and visit the museum as a tourist for 100 rupees.
• Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) and surrounding streets including the Stepwell – these historic features of the ancient city give character to the otherwise hectic streets.
• Street art in the Blue Corridor – don’t miss these funky modern murals showing Indian people and culture!

Eat at Stepwell Cafe and Sam’s Art Cafe . Don’t miss the amazing gelato shop beside Sam’s! Somewhere I missed and heard about afterwards was the famous omelette shop of Jodhpur . With rave reviews, cheap prices and lots of filling options, I’ll definitely be checking it out next time!

Getting to & around Jodhpur

Bus is the best way to travel if coming from Udaipur. Journies take around 4 hours and prices start from 300 rupees. To get around Jodhpur , it’s easy to walk in the city centre near the Clock Tower and blue streets. In fact, half the fun is finding atmospheric blue alleys. However, you’ll want to get a taxi up to Mehrangarh Fort.

Where to stay in Jodhpur

Easily the best place I stayed in India was Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli . This heritage property where the owner grew up boasts bespoke rooms with beautiful Indian furniture. The rooftop restaurant views of the Blue City and the Fort are unrivalled! Book from €25 . For hostels for budget backpackers in Rajasthan, try Moustache or the Hosteller which are the best-rated in town.

Browse all Jodhpur hotels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld .

Jaisalmer: 2 days

The Golden City at the heart of the Thar desert is the final colourful city of your Rajasthan itinerary having already visited the Pink, Blue and White cities! Despite the distinctive look created by yellow sandstone architecture, the real appeal of Jaisalmer is not in the city: it’s the chance to camp overnight in the desert ! Many local companies will organise the excursion for you, departing Jasisalmer in the afternoon of day 1 and taking you to a modest desert campsite with open-air beds and a campfire.

Here, you’ll have dinner and beers and stay warm beside the fire while admiring the incredible stars and milky way. Although sleeping outside may seem scary or uncomfortable, I can assure you that’s not the case. It’s such a fun experience and I slept well! Just pack a sleeping mask or you’ll walk up early.

Word of warning – many companies offer desert camping excursions using camelback safari to get there. I HIGHLY recommend avoiding these because the camels are badly treated. Please take a tour by Jeep instead!

Things to do in Jaisalmer (after camping in the desert):

• Jaisalmer Fort – built with golden sandstone and offering views out over the city, this is one of Rajathan’s most impressive forts. Visit Desert Boy’s Cafe in the fort complex for a cool drink and spectacular scenery.
• Gadisar Lake – a peaceful lake with temples and shrines. If you hire a guide, they’ll enlighten you as to the legends surrounding it. Visit at sunset and hire a paddle boat!
• Kothari’s Patwon ki Haveli – these heritage houses with intricate details were built in the 19th century by wealthy merchants. They’re spectacular from the outside but filled with tourist knick-knacks inside.

Getting to & around Jaisalmer

Buses and trains from Jodhpur take around 5 hours and start from 400 rupees. Book on 12go . To get around Jaisalmer , you can walk or jump in a tuk tuk if it’s hot, which it usually is!

How to get back to Delhi if ending your Rajasthan itinerary there?

By the time you’ve travelled to Jaisalmer close to the border with Pakistan, you’re a long, long way from your starting (and probably finishing) point of New Delhi! I recently travelled from Jaisalmer back to Delhi by train and although it was a long 18-hour journey , it wasn’t terrible. We boarded at 11pm and went straight to bed, then woke up and spent the day eating and reading while watching the world slip by before arriving at 5pm. It’s worth noting I did this journey with friends rather than solo. If I had been travelling solo like I often do in India, I feel perfectly safe getting trains alone in the daytime but I’m not sure I’d take a night sleeper by myself.

Use 12go to book train journeys in India. I recommend the AC2 (air conditioning second class) sleeper because it’s comfy and affordable. For an upgrade, get AC1 or, to save money, go for AC3.

Useful info – visas

Don’t forget to get your visa for India because you can’t do it on arrival. For many nationalities, India offer e-visas with 30-day visas costing $25 and 1-year visas (multiple entry) costing $40. If you’re only planning 2 weeks in Rajasthan, obviously the first will suffice. If you’re not sure of your plans, I’d suggest picking the longer one as the price difference isn’t huge and there’s SO much to see and do in India. A trip to Rajasthan is an obvious choice for many people’s first time, especially as many of the safest places for solo travel in India are here, but there’s also Goa, Kerala, the Himalayas, Varanasi and so much more.

Best season for visiting Rajasthan

The winter is January and February while summer is March to May. Then, there’s a few months of monsoon and temperatures return to pleasant levels by October. The best time for backpacking in Rajasthan is November to March. Outside of this season, it’s either very hot or stormy. However, I visited before in August and things weren’t too bad.

Useful tips for backpacking Rajasthan

• Make sure to check with your healthcare professional before the trip about what vaccinations you need.
• Cash is king! But you can only withdraw 10,000 rupees (€120) at a time. ATMs are often out of cash, so don’t wait until you’re totally out.
• Dress-wise , it’s advisable to cover your legs and shoulders (women and men) especially when visiting places of worship. Showing more skin often equates to more attention and stares so is best avoided.
• Get ready for selfies! Locals love to take photos with foreigners. You will get a lot of looks and stares during your trip to India but keep in mind that 95 times out of 100, it’s curiosity rather than anything more sinister. Remember you can always say no to selfie requests if you’re not feeling it.
• Tipping is not mandatory but since things are cheap and local wages are low, I’d recommend doing so. In terms of haggling, start at half what the shop vendor first asks so you can meet in the middle. But again, this is a livelihood for many so maybe don’t fight too hard unless you’re on a real budget!

Wondering what to wear and pack for India? Read my complete India packing list for women

Staying healthy in India

In terms of hygiene and food safety in India, it can be a bit random. You can do everything right and still get sick or go crazy and be fine! If you do get ill, don’t witch hunt which food vendor or dish did it; maybe you didn’t wash your hands properly! However, as a general rule:

• Avoid international food – I’m not sure why but this is always what gets you sick!
• If eating street food , stick to busy places as they’ll have a fast turnover of food. If there’s lots of locals there, it’s a good sign.
• Take probiotics prior to your trip and during. Tablets are your best bet but adding kimchi and kombucha to your diet is a great option prior to travel (but I’ve noticed some boujee Indian cafes starting to serve kombucha these days).
• Use hand sanitiser frequently – I’d suggest taking this one step further and regularly cutting your nails because you get so much dirt down them.
• Carry rehydration sachets (brought cheaply from any pharmacy) in case you get sick. They’re a game-changer!

Thanks for reading my Rajasthan itinerary!

Read more India blogs:

• 3 day Jaipur itinerary
• Things to do in Pushkar
• Where to eat in Pushkar
• Complete India budget break down
• Tips for your first solo India trip
• India female packing list
• Places to travel solo in India
• Top things to do in Amritsar
• Rishikesh travel guide: yoga, nature and the Beatles!
• Rishikesh cafe guide: 16 cute and hippie cafes
• Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala travel guide: visiting Little Tibet!
• Guide to Pondicherry travel
• The best cafes in Pondicherry
• Auroville day trip from Pondicherry
• Where to eat in Palolem, Goa

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

VISITING INDIA?  These are my trusted resources: Getting around by air – it’s easy to get between cities by flight. I use Skyscanner and search by whole month to find the best value dates. Buses – buses are comfy and efficient. Use 12Go to book . Trains – these are a good option for long journeys because you have a bed rather than a seat. Use 12Go to book . For hotels , I use Booking.com – they also have self-catering apartments. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide . I also check Viator and Klook in case they have a better price. For food experiences with passionate local chefs and foodies, check out EatWith . Pack the latest copy of India Lonely Planet . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

4 thoughts on “ Perfect Rajasthan Itinerary For 2 Weeks In India ”

Good to see so much details. Even being an Indian and living just 200 KM from Jaipur (Delhi/Noida), i am still planning to cover Rajasthan by Road trip (as i am in love with Road Trip by Car) . I was just searching some best Itenaries to cover Rajasthan and found your blog. Anyway Thanks for visiting India , your most welcome.

WOW. YOUR BLOGS ARE SO HELPFUL. I plan on visiting India in February. It is now almost October. I’ve been debating doing my first solo trip or going through the travel company Intrepid Travels. . I’m a person that enjoys my personal space and going at my own pace. However, I was concerned that I would not get the full historical education and miss great places if I went alone. But after comparing and contrasting your itinerary to there’s for Rajasthan and your experience solo versus with a group, I honestly think I can visit most of the same places the travel company is visiting, most likely for cheaper. Intrepid does include some meals and all accommodation. But I have to pay extra for my own room. From reading your blog the accommodation doesn’t seem that expensive alone. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE COMPANY. I love how sustainable they are. As most of the content I advocate is for sustainability and ethical practices. You also include two places they don’t include. Just FYI their total cost is $1,444. Would you say you spent more or less than that solo? I’m trying to compare and contrast costs. Thank you!

Hi, I’m interested to see that all itineraries seem to go clockwise – would you recommend anticlockwise? I fancy doing Agra last.

Ye, you can do them either way!

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When is the best time to visit India?

Dec 13, 2023 • 7 min read

Whether you’re looking for the best festivals, to hit the beach, or trek between hill stations, let us help you plan your trip © ferrantraite / Getty Images

India is a country that’s almost a continent. From the sky-high peaks of the Himalayas to the waterlogged jungles of Kerala and the dry-as-a-bone deserts of Gujarat and Rajasthan , this enormous nation covers an astonishing variety of terrain. There’s always somewhere worth visiting no matter what the weather is doing.

The northern hemisphere winter – from December to March – is the optimum time to visit the vibrant cities and historic temples and forts of north India , while the rainy monsoon period from June to September is peak season in the dry mountains of Ladakh .

However, even at the height of the rainy season, there are plenty of good reasons to visit this remarkable nation – not least the festival calendar, which is packed year-round. Here’s our guide to the best times to come to India .

December to March is best for beach days, tiger safaris and temple trips

The peak season for tourism in India coincides with dry skies and warm but not baking temperatures in the plains – in other words, perfect traveling weather. The balmy, sunny days are ideal for visiting India’s teeming cities, and most of the country is ripe for exploration, though it can be frosty in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Even in the steamy south, humidity hovers at manageable levels and temperatures dip overnight, making it easier to sleep, though this is also the time for peak prices almost everywhere. Another hassle is the morning fog, which can disrupt air travel and other forms of transport in the northern plains.

December to March is also the sweet spot for lowland adventures. National parks are drier, there’s less greenery for wildlife to hide behind, and animals are more active for longer thanks to the lower temperatures. For a good chance of tiger sightings, head to Kanha , Bandhavgarh , and other national parks in the central plains.

In the hills, it’s a slightly different story. While there’s an undeniable magic to seeing Shimla dusted with snow, many hotels shut their doors for the winter, and mountain trails and roads over high passes become obstructed, including the main roads to Ladakh (though some hardy travelers still fly in for winter treks). A handful of hill towns in Kashmir , Himachal Pradesh , and Uttarakhand stay open for skiing and other winter sports.

December is a big time for Hindu marriage ceremonies – look out for  baraat (bridegroom’s processions) featuring a white horse, a nervous groom, and an ear-splitting marching band. Christian communities in Goa and parts of Kerala and the Northeast States hang up decorations in the lead-up to Christmas, and Christmas Day is celebrated with feasting and fireworks.

In January, all eyes are on Delhi for the pomp and circumstance of Republic Day on January 26 (don’t miss the army and police motorcycle stunt teams). The Hindu festival of Sankranti is celebrated in different ways across India, from special celebrations to honor cows in South India to mass kite-flying in Gujarat. (If you'd like to participate in kite-flying, you can help to avoid causing harm to birds and other wildlife by choosing a kite with a plain cotton – not synthetic – string and by avoiding early morning and evening when the birds are likely to be flying in great numbers.)

If you come in February, head to Jaipur for the cultured Jaipur Literature Festival , or Agra for Taj Mahotsav , a 10-day carnival of culture, cuisine and crafts featuring 400 artisans from all over India (and enough regional food to induce a curry coma). Alternatively, make for the hills and join Buddhist communities embracing Losar, the Tibetan New Year.

Other red-letter days on the calendar include the Hindu festival of Vasant Panchami in January or February, marking the arrival of spring. In February or March, you can attend Goa’s lively carnival; honor Lord Shiva at celebrations across the country for Maha Shivaratri; or join in the joyful mayhem as mountains of rainbow-colored powder are thrown around for the festival of Holi.

June to November is the best time to hit the Himalayas

India’s shoulder season means different things depending on where you go in the country. The plains are drenched by the monsoon rains from June to September, and Goa’s beach resorts become ghost towns, but backpackers and trekkers flood into the mountains, filling Ladakh’s lodges, tented camps, and yoga retreats.

This is the prime time for treks on India’s high-altitude trails, but roads and paths through the foothills turn into torrents, national park trails close, and views disappear behind swirling clouds. That might give an impression of a country besieged by rain, but it doesn’t rain all day every day; there’s still plenty to see and do, with bargain prices for accommodations and tours.

As the rains clear from September, tourism picks up in the plains and the foothills, but Ladakh closes down for the season, and public buses between Leh and Manali stop running. October and November are great times to visit almost everywhere else in India – prices remain below the peak, skies are clear and the trekking season gets underway in the foothills. This is also a great month to visit desert areas such as Rajasthan, which can be surprisingly green.

In June or July, Rath Yatra sees effigies of Lord Jagannath – Vishnu as Lord of the Universe – hauled through the streets on vast, colorful chariots, most famously in Puri in Odisha (Orissa). Buddhist festivals fill the gompas of Ladakh – Hemis Tsechu is a glorious spectacle, with costumed dances and the unfurling of a giant thangka (Buddhist painting) at Hemis Gompa .

August is jam-packed with festival action. Kerala’s exhilarating boat races take place on the second Sunday of August and there are patriotic flag-hoisting ceremonies and parades in Delhi on August 15 to celebrate India’s independence. Falling in August or September, Ganesh Chaturthi sees the ritual immersion of thousands of colorful idols of the elephant-headed god in Mumbai .

There’s more action in October and November, as Hindus honor Durga, the fearsome form of the mother goddess, most famously at Navratri and Durga Puja (celebrated enthusiastically in Kolkata and West Bengal). Many areas throw lavish celebrations for Dussehra, celebrating the victory of Hindu god Rama over demon-king Ravana and the triumph of good over evil (festivities are particularly colorful in Kullu and Mysuru ).

This is also the season for Diwali (Deepavali) , which brings fireworks and twinkling lights to towns and villages across India, and the Camel Fair in Pushkar , which attracts 200,000 people and 50,000 camels, horses, and cattle. Sikhs celebrate Nanak Jayanti – the birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism – with prayers, kirtan (devotional singing), and processions, especially in Punjab and Haryana .

April to June is the best time to avoid crowds

India’s low season sees temperatures soaring to almost unbearable levels. By May, the lowlands feel like an oven, and locals wait eagerly for the cooling effect of the monsoon. Cities can be uncomfortably hot – sensible travelers head to the hill stations or stay close to the water on the coast. The Northeast is wet, but it’s peak season for visiting Sikkim and highland areas of West Bengal , including Darjeeling .

If you can handle the heat, tourists are thinner on the ground, making visits to popular sights such as Delhi’s Red Fort less hectic, and this is a great time for treks in the cooler foothills of the Himalayas. Accommodation prices are also low, though many beachside hotels in Goa close completely from May to September. If you happen to be in Maharashtra , you’re in for a treat as tasty Alphonso mangoes come into season.

Rain doesn’t halt the festival calendar. Mahavir Jayanti commemorates the birth of Jainism’s 24th and most important tirthankar (teacher and enlightened being), while Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi (the solar new year) in the middle of April. Rama Navami is another big date as Hindus celebrate Rama's birth with processions and enactments of scenes from the Ramayana (one of Hinduism’s most sacred texts).

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan runs from approximately March 10 to April 9 in 2024. Some Muslim-owned businesses close during the day, and people fast from sunrise to sunset. The breaking of the fast at Eid al-Fitr is marked by feasting, and Muslim women adorn their arms with mehndi (henna designs). The birthday of Buddha (Buddha Jayanti) is celebrated with gusto in Bodhgaya and Tibetan Buddhist areas.

Understanding India’s festival calendar

While secular festivals in India follow the Gregorian calendar, most religious festivals follow lunar calendars, so the dates change every year. Muslim celebrations move forward by 11 days every year relative to the Gregorian calendar, and Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain festivals can fall in different months from year to year. Always check the dates of festivals before planning a trip – the Indian government has a calendar of the year's gazetted government holidays .

This article was first published Apr 8, 2021 and updated Dec 13, 2023.

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It is often said that India is not a country, but a continent. Stretching from the frozen summits of the Himalayas to the tropical greenery of Kerala, India encompass an incomparable range of landscapes, cultures and people. Travelling in India allows you to meet people of several from the world’s great faiths, encounter temple rituals performed since the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs, and see ancient buildings erected centuries before the Taj Mahal .

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India travel itineraries, culture in india, travel visa requirements for india, the media in india, indian food, indian railways, india’s sacred geography.

To visit India as a foreigner is easier than ever before. A growing number of cities boast gleaming new metro systems and are linked by faster highways and speedier, more comfortable trains. Affordable but extravagant hotels and thriving restaurants in modern cities like Mumbai , make India an attractive place to visit. Entering the country is simple, too, if you apply for your Indian e-visa online .

However, more than twenty percent of India’s inhabitants remain below the poverty line. No other nation on earth has slum settlements on the scale of those in Delhi , Mumbai and Kolkata , nor so many malnourished children, uneducated women and homes without access to clean water and waste disposal.

But for all its jarring juxtapositions, paradoxes and frustrations, India remains an utterly compelling destination. For those asking why travel to India, trust us when we say its distinctive patina casts a spell that few forget from the moment they step off the plane. Love it or hate it, India travel will shift the way you see the world.

• Spoken language: India has 22 official languages, but the most widely spoken is Hindi
• Official unit of currency: Indian rupee
• Population in India: 1.3 billion
• The capital city is Delhi
• Tourist numbers to India: 10 million in 2017; 8.89 million in 2016, a growth of 15.6%
• India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic in which the President of India is the head of state and the Prime Minister of India is the head of government.
• India is the seventh largest country in the world, covering more than three million square kilometres
• India has 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Agra Fort , Jaipur City and the Western Ghats
• 23 official languages are spoken, along with more than a thousand minor languages and dialects. Hindi is the language of more than 40% of the population; English is also widely spoken.
• Indian Railways is India’s largest employer, with around 1.4 million workers
• Producing 1,900 movies each year and turning over US$4 billion, India’s film industry is the largest in the world.

India has 29 states, with major Mughal Empire landmarks and mountain ranges in the north, and palm-lined beaches and jungles in the south.

It’s unlikely that you will travel to India and cover the whole country in your first visit. It’s better to focus on a couple of regions and do them justice, in order to make the most of your time. You can decide what sort of pace you want and go to particular areas accordingly.

Indian cities like Mumbai , Delhi , Jaipur , Hyderabad and Chennai are undoubtedly adrenaline-fuelled, upbeat places. But it is possible to travel around India for a long time without setting foot in one, instead meandering through the more relaxing, rural areas.

The Golden Triangle is the most travelled circuit in the country, taking you from impressive monuments to serene landscapes. Here you’ll cover Delhi , the Pink City of Jaipur and Agra , home of the Taj Mahal .

The state of Rajasthan is often the most popular with travellers, thanks to its mix of mesmerising desert landscape and unique cities, but there are plenty of other areas of India to discover for the second- or third-timer or travellers with more time on their hands.

On the other side of the country, the palm-fringed coast lines of Goa draw crowds of international and domestic tourists to their lively beach resorts. Just down the coast, the quieter Kerala offers some of India’s best tropical beaches , tea and spice plantations and national parks housing elephants, tigers and monkeys.

Discover more places in India

• Bihar, India
• Delhi, India
• Gujarat, India
• Haryana and Punjab Travel Guide
• Himachal Pradesh, India
• Karnataka, India
• Kerala, India
• Kolkata (Calcutta), India
• Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Travel Guide
• Maharashtra, India
• The Northeast Travel Guide
• Odisha Travel Guide
• Rajasthan, India
• Sikkim, India
• Tamil Nadu, India
• Uttarakhand, India
• Uttar Pradesh Travel Guide
• West Bengal
• India history and timeline

Deciding when to travel to India can be complicated, due to its extremely varied weather. India’s seasons are split into the wet, humid monsoon season, and the dry, cool season.

The monsoon season takes place from May until September. It has a huge influence over travelling in India as it works its way northeast through the country, from the Keralan coast. During this time the south still has a couple of months of cloud, rain and humidity.

Therefore, the best time to visit India is November to March, when the majority of the country is at a comfortable temperature with good weather. Delhi , Agra , Rajasthan and Varanasi are perfect for a visit to India in this period, while Goa and the centre of the country is a little cooler but still comfortable.

The south can get very hot and while it’s always intense, the months of May and June are unbearable, so it’s best to avoid them during this time of year - Kerala or Tamil Nadu are the best places to be January to March.

If you’re looking to experience the Himalayas, the best time to go is from March onwards, with peak hiking season in August and September - the rest of the country at this time is very wet. Find more detailed information on when to go to India .

Most travellers visiting India fly into the country and it’s not difficult to find good flights: there are multiple direct services from the UK, a few from the US and Canada, and two from Australia. There are many airlines that fly to India, and these flights usually arrive into Delhi or Mumbai . From the UK you can also reach Chennai , Hyderabad and Bengaluru without any stops.

As with any destination, fares vary with the seasons. For travel in India fares are highest from November to March, typically when it’s the best time to visit most of the country.

The shoulder seasons of April to May and August to early October are cheaper, and you’ll get the best flight deals during the low season of June and July. Bear in mind that air fares are higher during India’s main festivals and events, such as Diwali in October/November time. For more detail, visit our page on getting to India .

How to travel around India

Once in India, getting around is another thing to wrap your head around and requires some forward planning. Intercity transport in India isn’t considered the most comfortable, quick or efficient, but it is affordable. Wherever you need to go, there’s most likely a route there. The main options are train or bus, but also occasionally plane or boat, and within cities, there are also rickshaws and metro systems.

For longer distances, make use of the cheap long-distance trains, on which journeys are an experience in themselves. If you’re willing to pay a little more for the higher classes of carriage, you can expect to have a reasonably hassle-free and comfortable journey.

Cheap short-haul flights are another good option for India travellers. For more information about travelling in India, visit our getting around page.

Jaisalmer is the quintessential desert town, located in the western Rajasthan . Amid the Thar desert, the golden sandstone architecture towers over the landscape, explaining the nickname of the “Golden City”. While commercialism has increased in recent years, it remains one of India’s most popular and worthwhile destinations to visit, with its bazaar still lively and engaging and unique location.

North of Mangaluru , Gokarna is a town between beautiful beaches and the foothills of the Western Ghats . It’s always been a pilgrimage destination for Hindus, with sacred sites like Mahabaleshwar Temple, but since the 1990s has attracted visitors for its charm and beaches and as an alternative to nearby Goa .

The site recognised world-over, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s greatest buildings and the ultimate symbol of love. Emperor Shah Jahan was the mind behind the grand design in order to enshrine his favourite wife, Arjumand Bann Begum, also known as Mumtaz Mahul, “Chosen One of the Palace”. The best time to see the Taj Mahal is in the early morning with relatively few crowds while the palace is drenched in a soft red glow.

Varanasi is known as the City of Light and is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Its history is steeped in Hinduism and it remains a place of holy significance - in its location alongside the Ganges river, thousands of pilgrims and residents come for their daily ablutions to the large stone ghats.

The Sikh holy city, Amritsar contains the Golden Temple, a spectacle to behold and the biggest attraction. It’s the largest city in Punjab , so can get noisy and congested, but the old town is lively and a must-see.

• Hampi/Vijayanagar

Once the capital of the Hindu empire, Vijayanagar was devastated in the 16th century and now all that remains is the ruined “City of Victory”, a surreal landscape of golden boulders, ancient sculptures and banana fields. It’s now better known as Hampi, the name of the main local village.

The best place to visit if you’re looking for some sun and relaxation, Palolem is the closest thing to paradise in peninsular India. South of Margao, the crecsent-shaped bay is lined with palms and famous for its dolphins and local alcoholic spirit, feni.

• Manali-Leh Highway

This route to Ladakh is also one of the most spectacular drives. Taking you through the Himalayas, the Manali-Leh Highway crosses some of the highest mountain passes in the world.

Dharamsala is famous for being the home of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile. It’s also a great jumping off point for exhilarating hikes around the Himalayas. Actually two separate towns, Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj , the latter has had an influx of Tibetan refugees, resulting in many temples, monasteries, meditation centres and more.

• Boating the backwaters of Kerala

Kerala is divided between the mountains of the Western Ghats and lush plains of rice paddies, rivers, canals and lagoons. It’s these backwaters that make Kerala such a beautiful place to travel in India, on tranquil boat rides through the tropical surroundings.

For more highlights of India travel, see our things not to miss page .

Because of its sheer size, there are many different ways of seeing India. Covering vast distances can be a challenge for those short on time, so it is worth researching different India travel itineraries and picking one that suits you.

Travel ideas for India, created by local experts

13 days  / from 1800 USD

A Trek Through Ladakh's Markha Valley

Trek through the Markha Valley, taking in the jaw-dropping Himalayan landscape, camp in traditional mountain villages, and discover hilltop monasteries. This unique journey combines the culture of the Buddhist faith with the natural beauty of the mountains and the hustle and bustle of Delhi.

15 days  / from 2745 USD

Rajasthan: The Land of Kings

Experience the Land of Kings in luxury.This trip around Rajasthan takes you to Jaipur's palaces, sacred pilgrimage sites and deep into the desert hills. Breathe in the excitement of Delhi and visit the Taj Mahal. Then come nightfall, lay your head to rest in former royal palaces and magical forts.

6 days  / from 785 USD

The Holy City of Varanasi

The flat, sunburnt plains of the Ganges River are India's breadbasket: a densely populated area, it is home to many of the country's greatest sights. See Delhi and all its treasures, then fly to Varanasi, the most sacred stretch of the Ganges and one of India's most intense and atmospheric places.

15 days  / from 3430 USD

Indian Wildlife Safari

Meet Bengals, birds, monkeys, leopards and more on an amazing wildlife extravaganza visiting India's famous national parks. Experience the countryside by rail, soak up some culture at the Taj Mahal and Rantahnbore Fort and finish with some shopping and sightseeing in the bustling capital, Dehli.

10 days  / from 1900 USD

India: from the Ganges to the Golden Triangle

From Dehli's bustling dusty streets to 'the pink city' of Jaipur and Agra's Taj Mahal, this trip ensures you experience all of India's Golden Triangle highlights. You'll visit sacred Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges and Khajuraho's famous temples too.

7 days  / from 880 USD

Magical Kerala

The intense greens of the Kerala backwaters, overhung by innumerable coconut palms, encapsulate tropical India like nowehere else. Enjoy a lazy cruise on a converted rice barge; visit fragrant spice plantations, explore Cochi and spot local wildlife.

India, being a place of diverse culture and landscapes, is a complex country to fit in your travels with one trip. When planning a trip to India, it is important to create a checklist of exactly what you want to see to ensure you do not miss your main spots of interest.

For those visiting India for the first time, we've created a simple itinerary for inspiration. If you’ve visited India before or are looking for an alternate itinerary, you can find more here .

Days 1 -2: New Delhi

New Delhi , India's busy, crowded, and polluted capital. Although it might not be as appealing as other destinations in India, for an authentic experience New Delhi is not to be missed. Indulge in Indian Cuisine, explore the museums and dive into the heart of India.

Days 2 - 4: Agra and the Taj Mahal

Make your way to Agra and take a boat trip along the Yamuna River in the early hours of the morning to see the grand Taj Mahal in all its glory at sunrise. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to the iconic monument. Finish off in Agra by visiting the Mughal hotspots that litter the area.

Days 4 - 6: Keoladeo National Park

After spending time in the hustle and bustle of the cities, head to Keoladeo National Park for a bicycle safari in the best bird-reserve of India. Keep your eyes peeled for rare sightings and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Days 6 - 8: Jaipur

Once you've refreshed and become one with nature again, it is back to city life with Jaipur , also known as the pink city due to its coloured architecture. The Rajasthani capital is home to the Amber Fort and famous textile gemstone bazaars.

Days 8 - 10: Mahe Beach

Catch a flight to Calicut International Airport, or take the local route with the night train and make your way to Mahe Beach. Picture white sands, turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees - relax and enjoy the Indian sun in this idealistic fishing village before heading home or to your next stop.

Plan your India trip with local experts and create a bespoke itinerary with our tailor-made experts.

India, a culturally rich country made up of varied ethnic, cultural, linguistic, historical and religious backgrounds, is a land of diversity and historical masterpieces. Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism were born here although several other major religions happily live in harmony with one another. Often labelled as an amalgamation of several cultures, India has an abundance of culture, each region with its own distinct traditions.

Food and drink in India

The cuisine in India is popular worldwide and is as varied as the country's culture, dubbed the land of spices, strong flavours, aromatic curries and a range of meats and vegetables, the dishes change region to region. For obvious reasons, coastal towns boast delicious fish curries while mainland areas are well known for their veggie curries. Beef is almost non-existent in Indian cuisine, as cows are considered sacred under Hindu law. Must try curries include mutton Rogan Josh, macher jhol , vada curry and paneer tikka masala.

Travel advice for India

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to India

• Mumbai, India
• Culture and Etiquette in India
• How to get a visa to India
• Eating and drinking in India
• Getting around India: Transportation Tips
• Travel Health India
• Shopping tips for India
• Travel Tips India for planning and on the go
• Sports and Outdoor activities in India
• Best time to visit India

Before you visit India, make sure you have up to date travel information. From money to local customs, traveller safety to insurance, our India travel guide will give you all the tips you need to know.

Costs and money

India’s unit of currency is the rupee, divided into paper notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Coins are 1, 2, 5 and 10. One of the most important things to note about the Indian rupee is that it’s technically illegal to take them in and out of the country. ATMs can be found throughout India’s main banks in all major cities, towns and tourist areas.

Travel safety in India

Travel in India is, generally speaking, safe for visitors. As expected anywhere, a tourist may be more susceptible to petty thefts and scams, but common sense and a few precautions go a long way. Crowded places - including public transport - is first and foremost where you should keep your awareness sharp, as this is where pickpockets are most likely to operate.

When staying in dorm rooms, make sure to lock up your luggage with a padlock, and keep an eye on any of your luggage you store on top of a bus and ensure it’s well secured. If you go swimming, do not leave your belongings unattended. It’s also worth mentioning that not all crimes are committed by humans: monkeys in India have been known to steal belongings not only on the street but even from hotel rooms with open windows or straight from your shoulder.

Always remember that destinations and routes popular with tourists are also popular with thieves. Although it’s not common, refuse food and drink from strangers and fellow passengers, as it can be an attempt to drug and steal, too. In saying this, you shouldn’t be paranoid when travelling in India; crime rates are below many western countries and staying relaxed is the best way to experience the country. As with anywhere, just keep your wits about you.

LGBT issues in India

The LGBTQ movement in India had a big win in 2018 when homosexuality was made legal again, having been made illegal by the conservative Modi government in 2013. However, homosexuality is not hugely open or widely accepted in India and prejudice is still ingrained, especially in conservative areas such as Rajasthan .

Female travellers in India

Whilst things are changing, India still has a long way to go in its treatment of women. Travelling India is relatively easy for women on their own and has been happening regularly for years, but female travellers should still expect to be hassled to some extent during your trip.

Women travelling on their own should exercise caution when visiting rural areas and remain alert when out and about at night time. Read more India travelling tips for women.

Travellers with special needs

Because disabilities are fairly common in India (sadly due to lack of treatment available), travellers with special needs are not looked upon unfavourably or inciting an embarrassed expression. However, you’d still be unlikely to find state of the art wheelchair or disabled facilities in the country, and streets are hard to navigate.

Most tourists require a visa in order to travel to India. Luckily, over the years the process for getting a standard tourist visa has been streamlined. Nowadays, online applications are the main way to obtain a visa for a shorter visit. For people who plan to study or work in India, it’s necessary to apply for a special visa.

As mentioned, online visa applications are the most common and efficient way to gain entry into India, and this produces an e-Tourist visa. Citizens of the UK, Ireland, US, Canada Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and many more countries are eligible for an e-Tourist visa through the Indian government’s official online portal . They’re valid for one year from the date of issue for a stay of 90 days during each visit (multiple visits are allowed). Just make sure you secure it at least four days - and no more than 30 - before you travel. For the application, you’ll need your travel details, a photo of yourself to upload and pay the online fee. Make sure you print out the eTV and take it with you to India; upon showing this, you’ll be issued your visa on arrival.

If you own a passport from a country not included on the eTV list, you’ll need to apply for a standard tourist visa. Like the eTV, it’s valid for one year from the date of issue, but you can stay for up to 180 days on one visit. Fees vary greatly across nationalities and you’ll need to check on the respective website.

With well over a billion people and a literacy rate approaching 75 percent, India produces in excess of a staggering 5000 daily papers in more than three hundred languages, plus another 40,000 journals and weeklies. There are a large number of English-language daily newspapers, both national and regional.

Newspapers and magazines

India’s press is the freest in Asia and attacks on the government are often quite outspoken. However, as in the West, most papers can be seen as part of the political establishment, and are unlikely to print anything that might upset the “national consensus”.

The most prominent of the nationals are the Times of India, The Hindu, The Deccan Chronicle, The Hindustan Times, The Economic Times and the New Indian Express, usually the most critical of the government. All are pretty dry and sober, concentrating on Indian news, although Kolkata’s The Telegraph tends to have better coverage of world news than the rest. The Asian Age, published simultaneously in Delhi , Mumbai , Kolkata and London is a conservative tabloid that sports a motley collection of the world’s more colourful stories.

Film fanzines and gossip mags are very popular – Filmfare and the online-only Screen are the best, though you’d have to be reasonably au fait with Indian movies to follow a lot of it. Other magazines and periodicals in English cover all sorts of popular and minority interests, so it’s worth having a look through what’s available.

Foreign publications such as the International Herald Tribune, Time and The Economist are all avail­able in the main cities, though it’s easier (and cheaper) to read the day’s edition for free online. For a read through the British press, try the British Council in Delhi , Mumbai , Kolkata , Chennai and six other cities; the USIS is the American equivalent. The UK’s Guardian website is one of the best online news resources, with an extensive archive of articles and an excellent dossier on Kashmir. Access is free.

Radio and TV

BBC World Service radio can be picked up at 94.3FM in most major cities, on short wave on frequencies ranging from 5790–15310kHz, and on more sporadically medium wave (AM) at 1413KHz (212m) between about 8.30am and 10.30pm (Indian time). It also broadcasts online.

The Voice of America can be found on 15.75MHz (19) and (75.75MHz (39.5m), among other frequencies. Radio Canada broadcasts in English on 6165 and 7255KHz (48.6 and 41.3m) at 6.30–7.30am and on 9635 and 11,975 KHz (31 and 25m) at 8.30–9.30pm.

The government-run TV company, Doordarshan, has tried to compete with the onslaught of mass access to satellite TV. The main broadcaster in English is Rupert Murdoch’s Star TV network, which incorporates the BBC World Service and Zee TV, a progressive blend of Hindi-oriented chat, film, news and music programmes.

Star Sports, ESPN and Ten Sports churn out a mind-boggling amount of cricket, extensive coverage of English Premier League football, plenty of tennis and a few other sports.

Other channels include CNN, the Discovery Channel, the immensely popular Channel V, hosted by scantily clad Mumbai models and DJs, and a couple of American soap and chat stations. There are now numerous local-language channels as well, many of them showing magnificently colourful religious and devotional programmes.

Indian cooking is as varied as the country itself, with dozens of distinctive regional culinary traditions ranging from the classic Mughlai cuisine of the north to the feisty coconut- and chilli-infused flavours of the south; these are often a revelation to first-time visitors, whose only contact with Indian food will probably have been through the stereotypical Anglo-Indian dishes served up in the majority of restaurants overseas. Best known is the cuisine of north India, with its signature biriyanis, tandooris and rich cream- and yogurt-based sauces accompanied with thick naan breads, evidence of the region’s long contact with Central Asia. The food of south India is light years away, exemplified by the ubiquitous vegetarian “meal” – a huge mound of rice served on a banana leaf and accompanied with fiery pickles – or by the classic masala dosa, a crisp rice pancake wrapped around a spicy potato filling. There’s also a host of regional cuisines to explore – Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Goan, Keralan and Kashmiri, to name just a few of the most distinctive – each of which has its own special dishes, spices and cooking techniques.

India’s railways , which daily transport millions of commuters, pilgrims, animals and hessian-wrapped packages between the four corners of the Subcontinent, are often cited as the best thing the British Raj bequeathed to its former colony. And yet, with its hierarchical legion of clerks, cooks, coolies, bearers, ticket inspectors, station managers and ministers, the network has become a quintessentially Indian institution.

Travelling across India by rail – whether you rough it in dirt-cheap second-class, or pamper yourself with starched cotton sheets and hot meals in an a/c carriage – is likely to yield some of the most memorable moments of your trip. Open around the clock, the stations in themselves are often great places to watch the world go by, with hundreds of people from all walks of life eating, sleeping, buying and selling, regardless of the hour. This is also where you’ll grow familiar with one of the unforgettable sounds of the Subcontinent: the robotic drone of the chai-wallah, dispensing cups of hot, sweet tea.

It’s hard to think of a more visibly religious country than India. The very landscape of the Subcontinent – its rivers, waterfalls, trees, hilltops, mountains and rocks – comprises a vast sacred geography for adherents of the dozen or more faiths rooted here. Connecting the country’s countless holy places is a network of pilgrimage routes along which tens of thousands of worshippers may be moving at any one time – on regular trains, specially decorated buses, tinsel-covered bicycles, barefoot, alone or in noisy family groups. For the visitor, joining devotees in the teeming temple precincts of the south, on the ghats at Varanasi, at the Sufi shrines of Ajmer and Delhi, before the naked Jain colossi of Sravanabelagola, or at any one of the innumerable religious festivals that punctuate the astrological calendar is to experience India at its most intense.

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updated 26.03.2024

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US NSA to visit India on June 18 for iCET review

N EW DELHI: US NSA Jake Sullivan is likely to visit India next week for a meeting with his counterpart Ajit Doval in which they will undertake a comprehensive review of cooperation under the initiative on critical and emerging technology (iCET). The meeting was supposed to take place early this year but had to be postponed twice because of Sullivan's preoccupation with the conflict in Gaza.

Sullivan is likely to meet Indian officials on June 18 in what will be the first high-level engagement between the 2 governments after the return of the NDA government under PM Narendra Modi. Indian officials are waiting for the US to formally announce the visit in a few days.

This will also be the first meeting between the NSAs since the US indicted an Indian national for planning a hit on a Khalistan separatist - a US national - claiming he did so at the behest of an Indian government official. The Washington Post revealed the identity of the official in a report last month.

Biden and Modi had launched iCET in May 2022 to expand strategic technology partnership, with focus on co-production and co-development, and defence industrial cooperation between the 2 countries. The meeting will see talks on plans under the same initiative to address regulatory barriers and develop a new defence industrial roadmap for joint development and production, including of jet engines. Talks are also expected on the progress in implementing the GE-HAL jet engine technology deal which is expected to see unprecedented transfer of technology from the US to India. The deal was announced during Modi’s state visit to the US last year.

However, Sullivan’s meetings here will also be closely followed for what he has to say on Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun foiled murder-for-hire plot which can potentially turn into a major irritant in the relationship. The US is pressing India for action against the Indian official who allegedly masterminded the plot to eliminate Pannun, a US and Canadian national.

The 2 sides are expected to discuss progress in the probe that India is carrying out into the case since November last year, after having received information from the US. The Indian government maintains that it is investigating the leads shared by the US because these have a bearing on India’s own security. The US has also been pushing India to join the Canadian probe into the killing of another Sikh separatist last year near Vancouver.

A White House readout of President Joe Biden's call with Modi last week had said they also discussed Sullivan’s upcoming travel to New Delhi to engage the new government on "shared US-India priorities, including the trusted, strategic technology partnership".

For more news like this visit TOI . Get all the Latest News , City News , India News , Business News , and Sports News . For Entertainment News , TV News , and Lifestyle Tips visit Etimes

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Global Measles

• Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles.
• Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.
• The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated U.S. residents who become infected during international travel.
• All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
• Travelers should seek medical care if they develop a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. Measles is highly contagious. Travelers with suspected measles should notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent spread within the facility.

Measles is  a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing .

The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace or on a surface after an infected person leaves an area. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash.

Signs and symptoms of measles include maculopapular rash, high fever, and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.

Measles can be severe in all age groups and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and death. Several groups are more likely to suffer from measles complications, including children younger than five years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (infection of the brain).

What is the current situation?

Measles is an ongoing risk around the world. Health officials in the countries listed below have reported large measles outbreaks. 

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Measles spreads rapidly and may become a risk to travelers in places not included on the list above. CDC recommends all travelers are fully vaccinated against measles when traveling to any international destination.

What can travelers do to protect themselves and others from measles?

Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated two weeks prior to departure and travel internationally.

Vaccination with a measles-containing vaccine is the best way to make sure that you are protected. Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants who had one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should follow the recommended schedule and get another dose at 12–15 months and a final dose at 4–6 years. Children 12 months of age and older, teenagers, and adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days. If the child received a first dose with measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), they should wait 3 months before their second dose. 

If you are not sure if you or your travel companions are fully protected against measles, schedule an appointment to see your clinician at least 6 weeks before traveling so that you have enough time to get vaccinated.

Some people should not get a measles-containing vaccine or should wait. If you don’t think you can safely receive a measles-containing vaccine, talk to your clinician and consider making alternative travel plans.

What can clinicians do?

A self-report of measles vaccination or self-reported history of measles infection is not adequate evidence of protection. Clinicians should vaccinate anyone 6 months or older traveling overseas who does not have written documentation of vaccination or other evidence of measles immunity . Infants aged 6–11 months should be vaccinated with one dose before travel*. For international travelers 12 months or older, 2 doses at least 28 days apart are recommended.

*Infants who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should be revaccinated according to the routine ACIP schedule (one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and a final dose at 4–6 years).

Traveler Information

• CDC Measles Homepage
• Travelers’ Health Measles Website
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• Measles: Plan for Travel
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Information Statement
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (MMRV) Vaccine Information Statement

Clinician Information

• Measles (Rubeola)  in the CDC Yellow Book (Health Information for International Travel)
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations for  MMR  Vaccine and  MMRV  Vaccine
• Measles Information for Healthcare Professionals
• Guidance on Measles during the Summer Travel Season

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In Europe's Schengen area , your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. At present, the Schengen area includes most European Union (EU) countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland.

If you are transiting through Canada or the United Kingdom (UK) enroute to the Schengen area : your passport must be valid for at least six months, even though Canada and the UK do not themselves have the six-month rule. If your passport will expire within six months, airlines may not let you board your onward flight to Europe.

Traveling in Europe

If you plan to travel in Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Borders Agreement, which allows you to move freely within a number of countries without border checks. Tourists, exchange students, and people visiting for business from certain countries, like the United States, can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The Schengen area includes most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. It also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Before you travel to the Schengen area, we recommend you do the following:

• Check the expiration date on your passport book carefully before traveling to Europe. Ensure your passport book is valid for at least six months when you enter the Schengen area. This is especially important for minors under age 16 as their passports are only valid for five years. In contrast, U.S. citizen adults aged 16 and older receive passports that are valid for 10 years.
• Always carry your passport book with you when traveling to another country in the Schengen area. Even if there is no border check at that time, officials may reinstate border controls without notice.
• Be prepared to explain your purpose of travel.
• Be prepared to provide proof of sufficient financial resources for the visit.
• Comply with other entry requirements for each country you will visit or transit.

On our Country Information pages , you can find passport validity requirements and other important information for your destination country. If your passport does not meet the Schengen requirements, you may be:

• Refused boarding by the airline at your point of origin or while transferring planes.
• Denied entry when you arrive in the Schengen area, regardless of how long you will stay.

An immigration official will determine if you qualify for visa-free entry to the Schengen area when you first cross any external Schengen border. You will have to present your passport at that time. The officer may deny your entry if you do not qualify.

You should also check passport validity requirements if traveling onward from the Schengen area to a country outside the Schengen area. You can find this information in our Country Information pages.

HOW LONG CAN I REMAIN?

• With a valid U.S. passport book, you can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism or business during any 180-day period. You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area.
• If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time and apply for a visa.

Countries in the Schengen area may reinstate temporary internal or external border control without notice. U.S. citizens should carry their U.S. passport book at all times when entering or leaving the Schengen area. They should also bring it when traveling between Schengen countries.

How can the U.S. government help me if border officials do not let me enter?

• We can give you the contact information of foreign embassies of the countries you wish to visit.
• We can provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney overseas if you choose to do so.
• Note: We cannot influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter. We cannot intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?

Click on the country name for more information.

Bulgaria (entering in March 2024)

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

Romania (entering in March 2024)

Switzerland

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