Away With The Steiners

4 India Itinerary Options for 1-Week, 2-Weeks, 3-Weeks or 4-Weeks in India. 

Sarah Steiner

If you are planning a trip to India, this is a great place to start. There are many different ways to plan your ‘perfect India itinerary’ depending on your interests and how many weeks in India you have. 

In this article, we list four sample itineraries for India. These range from one week to four weeks in India, with suggestions on how to use public transportation and tips for where to stay and which sites to see with a guide. 

Challo! 

Choosing North India or South India?

When choosing between North India and South India, there are key differences to consider with the region’s culture, history, climate, food, and natural beauty.  

South India has its own distinctive identity, languages, and local cultures and is often touted as a gentle introduction to India.  However, North India is known for its rich cultural heritage, including Hindu and Mughal influences, and is home to the Taj Mahal.  

With 1-, 2-, 3- or 4- weeks in India you can get from one side of Uttar Pradesh all the way to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, to the famous Golden Triangle of India and further north to Punjab too.  

Plus, it is straightforward to get a 30-Day Tourist e-Visa for India and so it makes sense to travel for up to one month and make the most of the permitted visa validity.  

Getting to Delhi  

These four itineraries for 1 – 4 weeks in India each begin and end in Delhi. 

Most travellers begin and end their India trip in Delhi because of the large, international airport there.  It is easy to find flights to Delhi from all over the world with connections in the Middle East and South Asia.   

Itinerary for 2 - 4 weeks in India.
Welcome to Delhi. It’s busy but fabulous!

Best time to go 

There are advantages to travel in the different regions of India at different times of the year. 

The summer months can be seriously hot though this time of year is the quietest tourist season to travel.  India has a rainy season in July and August and it can be very wet, even in the north of India. 

Winter is from October to March with a pleasant temperature and little chance of rain.

Unfortunately, Delhi is especially polluted as one of India’s largest cities and smog is heavy during the winter months of November to February.  The burning season for crops is in November in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and additional air pollution in the cities makes for regularly high levels of polluted air.

We have travelled in India at all times of year and the truth is each season has pros and cons to the weather.

Though do be extra careful in the monsoon and rainy season in India! 

Ghanta Ghar Clock Tower in Udaipur and a beautiful crisp winters day in North India.

How to get around on your India itinerary 

The Indian subcontinent is seriously huge.  It’s populous (obviously) and it’s geographically enormous.  But fortunately for travellers, the main cities in North India are well connected by rail.  In fact, India’s extensive railway network moves more than 23 million people around the country every day! 

For these itineraries, the modes of transport change slightly depending on how many weeks in India you have.  

With the shortest itinerary for one week in India transport between the cities is easiest by train.  But with longer, the distances to destination cities mean for some legs of the itinerary you will have the option to fly and for others, you will need to take a bus or taxi with a private driver. 

In the cities it is easiest (and most fun) to get around by auto-rickshaw.  There are loads of taxis too, but the auto-rickshaws are great for a day tour and best with a driver booked to wait at each site for you and stay with you for the day. 

Out on an adventure again in Delhi with driver Sunny. 

ITINERARY #1 – One Week in India 

The Golden Triangle is a popular tourist circuit in north India comprising of the three cities, New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.  It is the most common first destination for travellers to India and a fantastic place to start. 

Summary – 1 Week in India 

See the complete adventure detailed below.  But first, in summary…

DAY 1 – DELHI – Arrival

Arrival and check into your hotel in Delhi for a first evening meal on-site and first taste of Indian cuisine in India! 

DAY 2 – DELHI – Rickshaw tour of Old Delhi

Take a tour by auto-rickshaw for the day to old Delhi.  See the historic Jama Masjid mosque, the busy Chandni Chowk marketplace and Red Fort.  

Enjoy lunch in Chandni Chowk and spend the afternoon visiting Humayun’s Tomb and the beautiful Lodi Gardens. 

Explore the historic sites of Delhi.

DAY 3 – DELHI TO AGRA – Tour of Agra

Take a morning train from Delhi to Agra.  

Check into your accommodation and head out by auto rickshaw to visit the fabulous Agra Fort in the afternoon. 

DAY 4 – AGRA TO JAIPUR – Taj Mahal; Train to Jaipur

Wake up before sunrise to visit the famous Taj Mahal and beat the crowds for a unique tour without rush around this marvellous beauty. 

Return to the homestay for a cooked breakfast and pack your bags ready for the next train adventure this afternoon, departing to Jaipur.  

Go straight to your accommodation – a traditional Haveli-style family hotel – by auto rickshaw. 

You arrive in time for a delicious home-cooked and typical Rajasthani dinner at the Haveli!

Settling in after boarding an Express train to Jaipur. 

DAY 5 – JAIPUR – Rickshaw tour of Jaipur

Book a rickshaw for the day to zip around the amazing sights of Jaipur.  

Start in the morning with Albert Hall Museum first, then see the amazing Jal Mahal (Water Palace), Jaipur City Palace, Observatory, Amber Fort and Stepwell. 

Amer Stepwell not far from the huge Amber Fort. 

DAY 6 – JAIPUR TO DELHI 

Today it’s time to head back to Delhi.  Get the morning Vande Bharat train and arrive in time for a rickshaw tour to south Delhi to see the impressive Kutab Minar tower and the beautiful Lotus Temple.  

To finish the day, end with a shopping stop at Dilli Haat Market to get handicrafts, souvenirs and gifts from your India experience.

DAY 7 – DELHI – Departure

We hope this has given you a great introduction to one week in India.  

Continue for a second, two week itinerary option below. 

The National Gandhi Museum is a peaceful and interesting spot in the city. 

INDIA ITINERARY #2 – Two Weeks in India 

Two weeks in India is stepping it up with the destinations and places that can be covered in the one itinerary.  

Some of the city destinations from Itinerary #1 are the same, though the addition of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur means arriving to Jaipur and Agra from a different direction. 

See the summary itinerary and full details below for how to get between destinations with two weeks in India.

Summary – 2 Week Itinerary

See your complete adventure below. 

Highlights – 2 Week Itinerary 

DAY 1 – 2 – DELHI – Arrival and tour of Old Delhi 

Arrival and check into your hotel in Delhi for a first evening meal on-site.  

On Day 2, take a tour by auto-rickshaw for the day to old Delhi.  See the historic Jama Masjid mosque, the busy Chandni Chowk marketplace and Red Fort.  

Enjoy lunch in Chandni Chowk and spend the afternoon visiting Humayun’s Tomb and the beautiful Lodi Gardens. 

Welcome again (officially) to Delhi and incredible India. 

DAY 3 – JAISALMER – Flight Delhi to Jaisalmer

Taxi to the domestic airport for a midday flight to Jaisalmer.  

Transfer by Jeep to your accommodation in time for a lassi on the rooftop of your guesthouse overlooking Jaisalmer Fort.  

Take a wander into the village for a first look at a quieter, more rural India.  Then walk up inside the Fort or see the sunset at Gadisar Lake before dinner at the guesthouse. 

DAY 4, 5 – JAISALMER – Overnight Camel Safari in the Thar Desert

Trek on camels from the village into the sunset and enjoy dinner cooked over the campfire in the sand dunes and sleep (literally) underneath the stars.  

Approx 1.5 hours from Jaisalmer. 

After sunrise and breakfast in the desert return by camel to the nearby village and back again by Jeep to Jaisalmer.  

Enjoy a relaxed lunch back at your guesthouse (and a shower after the desert).  Take a late afternoon walking tour of Jaisalmer Fort.

Overnight on camel safari in the Thar Desert from Jaisalmer. 

DAY 6 – JODHPUR – Bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur 

Depart mid-late morning from Jaisalmer.  The bus takes around 5 – 6 hours to Jodhpur.  

DAY 7 – JODHPUR

Take a morning tour with Blue City Walks to explore the old city of Jodhpur and see the historic Mehrangarh Fort, the famous stepwell and colourful Hindu temples and shrines dotted around the streets and courtyards of the Blue City. 

In the afternoon visit the colour bazaars of the old city or take a cooking class. 

DAY 8 – UDAIPUR – Car from Jodhpur to Udaipur 

The travel time from Jodhpur to Udaipur is around five hours by car. 

Stop on the way to visit Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest forts in India. 

Domestic, international and every visitor in Udaipur is at the City Palace. 
Entering the City Palace Museum from Manak Chowk.

DAY 9 – UDAIPUR 

Take a walk through the old city and explore the lakefront of Pichola Lake.  

Visit the City Palace and Museum and enjoy a boat trip out to Jagmandir Island before finishing the day with dinner at the waterfront Ambrai Restaurant. 

DAY 10 – JAIPUR – Train Udaipur to Jaipur 

Take the early morning train from Udaipur.  Have some rest time this afternoon if you need it.  Or get a rickshaw out to visit the beautiful Hawa Mahal – the Wind Palace of Jaipur.

DAY 11 – JAIPUR 

Enjoy a day tour of Jaipur today by auto-rickshaw to see the Jal Mahal (Water Palace), Jantar Mantar (Observatory), Albert Hall Museum, City Palace, Amber Fort and Stepwell, Hindu temples and Akbar’s Masjid (Mosque). 

The iconic pink Hawa Mahal Wind Palace in Jaipur.

DAY 12 – AGRA – Train Jaipur to Agra 

Get the morning train from Jaipur to Agra.  

Arrive in Agra and transfer by rickshaw to your homestay in time for a late lunch.  

After some rest, take a rickshaw out to Agra Fort or stay back for a unique Indian cooking class and make your own Indian meal for dinner. 

DAY 13 – AGRA – Sunrise at Taj Mahal and train Agra to Delhi 

Begin today with the most famous wonder of this two weeks in India: the Taj Mahal!  Wake up before sunrise and visit the Taj Mahal.  

Return to the homestay for a cooked breakfast with the option to rest until checkout time or head out again by rickshaw to visit the brilliant Baby Taj and Mehtab Bagh and viewpoint to the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River. 

Take an afternoon train back to Delhi. 

DAY 14 – DELHI – Tour of South and New Delhi 

Make the most of the last day with a day tour of Delhi by rickshaw.  

Visit the Ghandi Museum, Qutab Minar or the Sikh Gurudwara or go further from the old city to the Lotus Temple or Akshardham Hindu temple and museum. 

If you are staying near Connaught Place or Paharganj take the chance to explore Main Bazaar on your doorstep for any last minute shopping and souvenirs.  Otherwise make a stop at Dilli Haat Market for the best souvenir shopping in Delhi! 

Enjoy one last dinner in Delhi in Connaught Place. 

We hope this has given you a fantastic two weeks in India!  

And continue for a third, three week itinerary option below.

Shopping for souvenirs at Dilli Haat Market is one of the essential things to do in Delhi. 

INDIA ITINERARY #3 – Three Weeks in India 

This itinerary for three weeks in India includes some of India’s most famous places to visit as well as some hidden gems.  

There are palaces and forts and colourful flower markets and bazars as well as world famous sights, deserts and camels and train journeys to take.  

See the Golden City of Jaisalmer, sleep underneath the stars on camel safari in the Thar Desert. Walk through the colourful flower markets of Jaipur and see the history of the Maharaja. Visit the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh and the famous River Ganges of Varanasi.  And journey back to the bustle of Delhi on one of India’s most famous trains. 

Here is the outline itinerary.  To see the full details check out our Ultimate 3 Weeks in India Itinerary.

Summary – 3 Week Itinerary

See your complete adventure below. 

The golden hour at Jama Masjid in old Delhi.

Highlights – 3 Week Itinerary

Enjoy the buzz and colours of Old Delhi, the bazars and markets and the iconic sites of the Mughal Empire. 

Sleep underneath the stars on camel safari in the desert of Rajasthan and share in the love story of the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan’s many famous forts. 

DAY 1 – 14 – Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra 

The first 14 days of this itinerary for three weeks in India is almost exactly the same as the itinerary for two weeks above.  

The only difference up to this point is the addition of one extra day in Jaisalmer after the overnight camel safari in the Thar Desert.  This means you have a full day to explore the Golden City and can include a morning tour of Jaisalmer Fort and a lunch in a family home. 

Views over Ake Pol, the main first entrance to the fort. 
Looking down to Suraj Pol and Ganesh Gate from the rooftop balcony of the palace.

DAY 15 – AGRA – Taj Mahal at sunrise 

Wake up early to visit the incredible Taj Mahal at sunrise. 

Return to your homestay for a cooked breakfast and relax for a couple of hours.  In the mid-afternoon take an auto-rickshaw to see the Baby Taj, Metabh Bagh and the sunset from the Taj Mahal viewpoint over the Yamuna River. 

DAY 16 – VARANASI – Flight Agra to Varanasi 

Fly today from Agra to Varanasi.  The city has its own airport with daily flights to and from Agra. 

DAY 17 – 18 – VARANASI

The historic city of Varanasi is a powerful place to experience.  Enjoy a dawn boat ride on the river and witness devotees bathing, meditating and performing ancient rituals as the sun rises.  

Take a walking tour to hear the stories that match the incredible sights, sounds and smells of Varanasi and see the burning Ghats operating day and night with rituals of public cremation.  

With 2 days in Varanasi you have time to take a day trip in the afternoon to visit Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon some 2500 years ago. 

Leaving Assi Ghat heading down with the flow of the river. 
Floating down the river towards Dashashwamedh Ghat.

DAY 19 – DELHI – Fly or train Varanasi to Delhi 

Opt for a morning flight back to Delhi or an afternoon train.  

The Vande Bharat fast train is comfortable and departs in the afternoon from Varanasi Junction (BSB) arriving late at night to New Delhi (NDLS). 

DAY 20 – 21 – DELHI – Tour New Delhi and Delhi Markets

Visit the Ghandi Museum or go further from the old city to see the Lotus Temple or Akshardham Hindu temple. 

Take the chance to explore Main Bazaar or Dilli Haat Market for any last minute shopping and souvenirs and enjoy one last dinner in Connaught Place. 

Fly home from Delhi. 

Cycle rickshaws are the best way to get around Chandni Chowk.

INDIA ITINERARY #4 – Four Weeks in India 

One month or four weeks in India is an amazing amount of time to cover a lot of ground and to experience the varied states.  

I suggest spending the month in North India where distances and modes of transport between the states and cities is more manageable.

This itinerary for four weeks in India is similar to the above three week itinerary, but adds in three more fascinating cities: 

Here are the details below with tips for connecting trains between the additional cities and the highlights of each new place. 

Summary – 4 Weeks in India 

See your complete adventure below. 

DAY 1 – 10 – Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur 

The first 10 days of this four week India itinerary are the same as the above for three weeks in India. 

Blue, more blue and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. 

DAY 11 – PUSHKAR – Train Udaipur to Ajmer

Today take a fast train from Udaipur to Ajmer, also in Rajasthan.  

The final destination for tonight is Pushkar but as there is no railway station you need to connect from Udaipur to Ajmer and then transfer up and over the hills by taxi. 

A taxi from Ajmer to Pushkar only takes around 30 – 40 minutes.

DAY 12 – 13 – PUSHKAR 

Pushkar is small in size and the seemingly lack of tourist-dedicated things to do in Pushkar make it even more attractive. 

Take a couple of days relaxing in Pushkar and exploring this historic smaller city.  

Preparations underway for the evening Aarti ceremony on Pushkar Lake. 
If you haven’t seen Aarti anywhere else this is a smaller, lower-key way to experience it. 

DAY 14 – AJMER TO JAIPUR – Train to Jaipur 

Take the fast train again today, this time from Ajmer to Jaipur.  

First get a taxi back from Pushkar to the railway station in Ajmer.  And, if you take an afternoon train to Jaipur you can have lunch first (recommended) at Mango Masala Restaurant in Ajmer. 

On arrival to Jaipur, arrange a pick-up by auto-rickshaw and transfer to your accommodation – a traditional Haveli – for the next three nights. 

DAY 15 – 16 – JAIPUR 

Enjoy two days in Jaipur exploring by auto-rickshaw.  

See the Jal Mahal (Water Palace), Jantar Mantar (Observatory), Albert Hall Museum, City Palace, Amber Fort and Stepwell, Hindu temples and Akbar’s Masjid (Mosque). 

DAY 17 – 18 – AGRA 

Take a daytime train from Jaipur to Agra arriving in time to check in to your homestay, rest and then take a rickshaw to the amazing Agra Fort before sunset. 

Start early the next morning for sunrise at the wonderous Taj Mahal. 

Return to the homestay for a cooked breakfast and then in the afternoon explore the markets, Baby Taj and Mehtab Bagh Gardens. 

DAY 19 – 24 – VARANASI AND DELHI

The next days are as the itinerary for three weeks in India above.  

Fly from Agra to Varanasi and spend the next two day’s exploring the historic and sacred River Ganges.  

Return by train or flight to Delhi.  Tour South Delhi and New Delhi by auto-rickshaw. 

DAY 25 – DELHI TO AMRITSAR 

Spend the morning at Akshardham Hindu Temple or visit the Gandhi Museum.  (Or take a well-deserved rest morning if you would rather!).  

In the afternoon, take the Vande Bharat fast train from Delhi to Amritsar, arriving late in the evening. 

A visit to the incredible Golden Temple and community kitchen is the highlight of Amritsar. 

DAY 26 – 27 – AMRITSAR 

Tour the fabulously holy city for Sikhism in the north of Punjab.  Visit the beautiful Golden Temple and volunteer in the world’s largest community kitchen at the temple. 

In the afternoon take a taxi to see the strange-but-famous Wagah Border Ceremony between the soldiers of India and Pakistan at the border.

The largest community kitchen in the world in Amritsar, Punjab. 

DAY 28 – AMRITSAR TO DELHI – Train 

Bid an early farewell to Punjab and take the fast train back from Amritsar to Delhi. 

Have more time in India? 

Here are some other itinerary ideas for planning an epic trip in India. 

Accommodation we recommend in Uttar Pradesh

A photo with host Mum – and fabulous cook – Ranjana at Aman Homestay in Agra. 
Outside Hotel Temple on Ganges in Assi Ghat on our first visit to Varanasi. 

Accommodation we recommend in Rajasthan

A small double room at Prince Haveli in Bikaner.

Tips for travel planning to India and beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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