Overview
Why India belongs on every Asia bucket list
India is unlike anywhere else on earth. It's not a country you visit so much as a country that visits you — a place of dazzling colour, ancient temples, sacred rivers and cities that hum with life from dawn to well past midnight. Two weeks barely scratches the surface, but they can be some of the most vivid you'll ever spend.
Few countries pack in this much diversity. In fourteen days you'll go from the Mughal grandeur of the Taj Mahal to the pink sandstone palaces of Rajasthan, from the white marble lakeside city of Udaipur to the burning ghats of Varanasi and the yoga capital of Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills.
This route is designed for first-time visitors. It follows India's classic tourist trail — the Golden Triangle plus Udaipur and Varanasi — where transport is easiest, the sights are the country's most iconic, and where you'll find comfortable hotels, English-speaking guides and reliable food at every stop.
And then there's the food. Butter chicken and biryani in Delhi, masala dosa and filter coffee in the south, thalis in Rajasthan, sweets in Varanasi — Indian cuisine is one of the great pleasures of travel, and every state has its own version.
Getting around is easier than you'd expect. Indian Railways is the world's fourth-largest network, domestic flights are cheap and abundant, and Uber and Ola work in every major city. This itinerary balances all three so you get the atmosphere without spending a week on trains.
Quick Overview
Duration
14 Days
Start
Delhi
Finish
Delhi
Best For
First-time visitors, couples, solo travellers & backpackers
Budget
Budget, Mid-range & Luxury
Transport
Domestic flights, trains, taxis, tuk-tuks & private drivers
Best Time
October – March (cool & dry)
Highlights
Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Lake Pichola, Ganga Aarti & Rishikesh
The Route
Your 14-day India route
The classic first-time India loop — Golden Triangle plus Udaipur, Varanasi and Rishikesh, finishing back in Delhi for your onward flight.
Days 1–2 · Delhi
- • India Gate
- • Humayun's Tomb
- • Jama Masjid
- • Chandni Chowk & Red Fort
Days 3–4 · Agra
- • Agra Fort
- • Mehtab Bagh sunset
- • Taj Mahal sunrise
- • Fatehpur Sikri en route
Days 5–6 · Jaipur
- • Amber Fort
- • Hawa Mahal
- • City Palace
- • Patrika Gate & bazaars
Days 7–8 · Udaipur
- • Lake Pichola boat ride
- • City Palace
- • Jagdish Temple
- • Monsoon Palace sunset
Days 9–10 · Varanasi
- • Ganga Aarti
- • Sunrise Ganges boat
- • Kashi Vishwanath
- • Sarnath (optional)
Days 11–14 · Delhi & Rishikesh
- • Khan Market & Lodhi Art District
- • Rishikesh day trip
- • Akshardham & Hauz Khas
- • Depart from DEL
Day 1
New Delhi
Arrive, adjust to the intensity and start with the calmer, greener face of the capital — the leafy avenues, imperial monuments and elegant gardens of Lutyens' Delhi.
How to get there
Fly into Indira Gandhi International (DEL). Take a prepaid taxi from the airport counter or an Uber into the city (~45 min). Get an Indian SIM (Airtel/Jio) on arrival.
Where to stay
Budget
- Zostel Delhi — India's flagship backpacker chain, sociable and central
Mid-Range
- The Lodhi Colonnade — modern boutique in South Delhi
- Bloomrooms @ Janpath — great-value near Connaught Place
Luxury
- The Imperial New Delhi — art-deco heritage grande dame
- The Leela Palace New Delhi — five-star ultra-luxury
Best areas: Connaught Place (central, transport), Aerocity (near airport for late arrivals) or South Delhi (leafy, foodie).
Day 1
Monuments, gardens & Connaught Place
Morning
- India Gate war memorial
- Rajpath boulevard walk
- Late breakfast at Khan Market
Afternoon
- Humayun's Tomb — Mughal masterpiece
- Lodhi Gardens — ruined tombs among joggers
- Lodhi Art District street murals (optional)
Evening
- Explore Connaught Place
- Sunset drinks at United Coffee House
- Dinner at Saravana Bhavan or Karim's
Food recommendations
- Butter chicken at Gulati or Moti Mahal
- Chole bhature at Sitaram Diwan Chand
- Kulfi from Kuremal Mohan Lal
- Masala chai at any street stall
Approx daily budget: £30 backpacker · £110 mid · £350 luxury
Day 2
Old Delhi
Dive into the chaotic heart of the capital — Mughal mosques, spice alleys, tangled electricity wires and some of the best street food in Asia.
How to get there
Delhi Metro Yellow Line to Chandni Chowk or Jama Masjid. A guided food or heritage walk is the easiest way to navigate.
Day 2
Old Delhi deep dive
Morning
- Jama Masjid — India's largest mosque
- Climb the minaret for city views
- Karim's for a mutton korma breakfast
Afternoon
- Chandni Chowk market walk
- Khari Baoli spice market
- Paranthe Wali Gali — stuffed fried breads
- Optional cycle-rickshaw ride
Evening
- Red Fort — Mughal citadel
- Optional sound-and-light show
- Dinner back in Central Delhi
Food recommendations
- Chole kulche from Lotan Chole Wale
- Jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala
- Dahi bhalla at Natraj
- Rabri-faluda at Giani's
Approx daily budget: £28 backpacker · £100 mid · £320 luxury
Day 3
Travel to Agra
Ride India's fastest train down to the city that gave the world the Taj Mahal — with a red-sandstone fort and a sunset over the Yamuna to warm up first.
How to get there
Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin (~1h40, book on IRCTC/12Go). Or a private car (~3.5 hrs). Book train reservations 30+ days in advance.
Where to stay
Budget
- Zostel Agra — clean, well-located hostel
Mid-Range
- The Coral Court Homestay — charming boutique guesthouse
- Trident Agra — reliable mid-range with pool
Luxury
- The Oberoi Amarvilas — every room faces the Taj Mahal
- ITC Mughal — a five-star palace hotel of its own
Best area: Taj Ganj — walk to the Taj Mahal in ten minutes, rooftop restaurants with monument views.
Day 3
Agra Fort & Taj sunset
Morning
- Gatimaan Express to Agra
- Check into Taj Ganj hotel
Afternoon
- Agra Fort — a UNESCO Mughal fortress
- Views of the Taj from the fort walls
Evening
- Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna
- Sunset silhouette of the Taj Mahal
- Rooftop dinner at Saniya Palace or Esphahan
Approx daily budget: £40 backpacker · £130 mid · £480 luxury
Day 4
Taj Mahal Sunrise → Jaipur
Arrive at the Taj Mahal before dawn, watch the marble glow pink at sunrise, then head west into Rajasthan.
Day 4
Sunrise, stepwells & Rajasthan
Morning
- Enter the Taj Mahal at sunrise (~6am)
- Spend 90 minutes wandering the gardens
- Return to hotel for breakfast
Afternoon
- Drive Agra → Jaipur (~5 hrs)
- Optional stop at Fatehpur Sikri (Mughal ghost city)
- Or Chand Baori — Rajasthan's iconic stepwell
Evening
- Arrive Jaipur, check in
- Traditional Rajasthani thali at Chokhi Dhani or Handi
Food recommendations
- Dal baati churma — Rajasthan's signature dish
- Laal maas — fiery red lamb curry
- Ghewar (honeycomb sweet)
- Masala chai in a kulhad clay cup
Approx daily budget: £50 backpacker · £160 mid · £520 luxury
Day 5
Jaipur — Amber Fort
Rajasthan's showstopper day — hilltop palaces, floating water pavilions and an astronomical observatory in the world's most photogenic pink city.
Where to stay
Budget
- Zostel Jaipur — social hostel with rooftop views
Mid-Range
- Pearl Palace Heritage — beautifully themed boutique
- Umaid Bhawan — heritage haveli near the airport
Luxury
- Rambagh Palace — Taj Group's royal palace hotel
- Samode Haveli — 200-year-old aristocratic mansion
Best areas: Pink City (historic core), Bani Park (mid-range), Civil Lines (leafy, upscale).
Day 5
Forts, palaces & observatories
Morning
- Amber Fort — arrive at opening
- Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace)
- Photo stop at Jal Mahal (water palace)
Afternoon
- City Palace complex
- Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory
- Lunch at LMB or Peshawari
Evening
- Nahargarh Fort for sunset over Jaipur
- Live folk-music Rajasthani dinner
Approx daily budget: £38 backpacker · £150 mid · £520 luxury
Day 6
Jaipur — Pink City
A slower Jaipur day for the classic Hawa Mahal photo, block-printed textile shopping and (optional) a hands-on cooking class.
Day 6
Hawa Mahal, bazaars & rooftops
Morning
- Hawa Mahal early for the golden façade
- Rooftop chai at Tattoo Café or Wind View
- Patrika Gate photo stop
Afternoon
- Bapu Bazaar & Johri Bazaar for textiles and jewels
- Block-printing demonstration
- Optional cooking class
Evening
- Sunset at Panna Meena ka Kund
- Farewell dinner at Bar Palladio
Approx daily budget: £35 backpacker · £140 mid · £480 luxury
Day 7
Travel to Udaipur
Fly (or take an overnight train) to India's most romantic city — a Rajput capital of lakes, whitewashed havelis and marble palaces floating on the water.
How to get there
Fly Jaipur → Udaipur (~1 hr, £40–£70) — recommended. Alternatively an overnight train (11 hrs) or a private car (~7 hrs with stops).
Where to stay
Budget
- Zostel Udaipur — lakeside hostel with a stunning terrace
Mid-Range
- Jagat Niwas Palace — heritage haveli on Lake Pichola
- Amet Haveli — lake-facing boutique
Luxury
- Taj Lake Palace — the marble palace on the lake itself
- The Oberoi Udaivilas — the most photographed luxury hotel in India
Best area: Lal Ghat or the Lake Pichola shoreline — walk everywhere, sunset from your window.
Day 7
Arrival & lakes
Morning
- Fly Jaipur → Udaipur
- Check in and lunch by the lake
Afternoon
- Gangaur Ghat walk
- Bagore Ki Haveli
- Rooftop chai stops
Evening
- Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola
- Jag Mandir island stop
- Cultural dance at Bagore Ki Haveli
Approx daily budget: £45 backpacker · £160 mid · £700 luxury
Day 8
Udaipur — Palaces & Temples
Explore Udaipur's magnificent city palace, the whitewashed old town's Jagdish Temple, and finish with a sunset at the Monsoon Palace high above the lakes.
Day 8
City Palace to Monsoon Palace
Morning
- City Palace museum
- Crystal Gallery
- Vintage & Classic Car Museum (optional)
Afternoon
- Jagdish Temple in the old town
- Old-town wandering & boutique shops
- Lakeside café lunch at Ambrai
Evening
- Drive up to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) for sunset
- Panoramic view over Udaipur and lakes
- Farewell dinner on a lake-view rooftop
Food recommendations
- Dal baati churma at Natraj
- Gatte ki sabzi (Rajasthani chickpea dumplings)
- Ker sangri (desert bean & berry curry)
- Kulfi & rabri at Jagdish Chowk
Approx daily budget: £42 backpacker · £150 mid · £680 luxury
Day 9
Fly to Varanasi
Cross the country to one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth — a place of pilgrimage, cremation ghats and firelit river ceremonies.
How to get there
Fly Udaipur → Varanasi (usually via Delhi, ~4–5 hrs total). Book with IndiGo, Air India or Vistara 4+ weeks ahead.
Where to stay
Budget
- Zostel Varanasi — riverside hostel above the ghats
Mid-Range
- Guleria Kothi at the Ghats — boutique on the Ganges
- Hotel Ganges View — historic riverside guesthouse
Luxury
- Taj Ganges — five-star with beautiful grounds
- BrijRama Palace — heritage palace right on Darbhanga Ghat
Best areas: Assi Ghat (quieter, southern end) or Dashashwamedh Ghat (thick of the action).
Day 9
Arrival & Ganga Aarti
Morning
- Fly Udaipur → Varanasi
- Check into a Ghat-side hotel
Afternoon
- Rest — Varanasi is intense
- Slow riverside chai
- Explore the alleys around Assi Ghat
Evening
- Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat — arrive early
- Best viewed from a boat on the river
- Simple thali dinner
Approx daily budget: £40 backpacker · £120 mid · £360 luxury
Day 10
Varanasi — Sunrise on the Ganges
The most memorable morning of the trip — a rowboat down the ghats at first light, then a slow morning through the tangled old-city alleys.
Day 10
Sunrise boat & sacred alleys
Morning
- Pre-dawn rowboat along the ghats
- Watch morning ceremonies from the river
- Chai on Assi Ghat afterwards
Afternoon
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple (dress modestly)
- Wander the labyrinthine old alleys
- Local markets and BHU campus (optional)
Evening
- Optional day trip to Sarnath (Buddha's first sermon)
- Second Ganga Aarti — this time on foot
- Final riverside dinner
Food recommendations
- Kachori sabzi for breakfast
- Malaiyo (winter foam sweet) if in season
- Banarasi paan after dinner
- Lassi at Blue Lassi Shop
Approx daily budget: £35 backpacker · £110 mid · £350 luxury
Day 11
Return to Delhi
Fly back to Delhi and slow down — designer shopping in Khan Market, handicrafts at Dilli Haat and street art in the Lodhi Colony murals.
How to get there
Fly Varanasi → Delhi (~1h30). Best done as a morning flight to save the afternoon.
Day 11
Modern Delhi
Morning
- Fly Varanasi → Delhi
- Check in, coffee at Blue Tokai
Afternoon
- Khan Market — Delhi's best boutique-shopping street
- Dilli Haat handicrafts village
- Lodhi Art District street murals
Evening
- Dinner at Indian Accent or Bukhara (splurge)
- Or Andhra Bhavan for a legendary £4 thali
Approx daily budget: £35 backpacker · £140 mid · £520 luxury
Day 12
Day Trip to Rishikesh
Escape the plains for the Himalayan foothills — the yoga capital of the world, where the Ganges pours out of the mountains and every rooftop café has a river view.
How to get there
Take an early train or private car to Haridwar (~4–5 hrs), then a tuk-tuk to Rishikesh. Or fly to Dehradun and drive down.
Day 12
Bridges, temples & river cafés
Morning
- Cross Laxman Jhula suspension bridge
- Trimbakeshwar Temple
- Riverside café breakfast
Afternoon
- Ram Jhula bridge & Beatles Ashram
- Optional yoga or meditation class
- Cool off with a Ganges dip
Evening
- Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan (softer than Varanasi)
- Return to Delhi late, or overnight in Rishikesh
Approx daily budget: £40 backpacker · £130 mid · £360 luxury
Day 13
Final Day in Delhi
A last Delhi day tying up loose ends — one more temple, one more museum and one more foodie neighbourhood.
Day 13
Akshardham, museum & Hauz Khas
Morning
- Akshardham Temple (closed Mondays)
- Water & light show if staying for evening
Afternoon
- National Museum
- Or Gandhi Smriti (Gandhi's last residence)
- Late lunch at Bukhara or Karim's
Evening
- Sunset at Hauz Khas Village ruins
- Cocktails and dinner in Hauz Khas
- Farewell walk around the reservoir
Approx daily budget: £32 backpacker · £120 mid · £400 luxury
Day 14
Departure Day
One last chai, one last thali, one last dose of the noise before your flight home.
Day 14
Final morning & DEL airport
Morning
- Souvenir shopping at Central Cottage Industries Emporium
- Or Fabindia for textiles
- Final masala chai
Afternoon
- Traditional South Indian breakfast at Saravana Bhavan
- Coffee stop at Blue Tokai
- Head to Aerocity or airport
Evening
- Uber to Indira Gandhi International (DEL)
- Fly home — or start planning your return
Approx daily budget: £30 backpacker · £110 mid · £360 luxury
Where to Stay
Best areas across India
Delhi — Connaught Place
Central, well-connected by metro, easy access to Old and New Delhi alike. Great mix of hotel prices.
Delhi — Aerocity
Right by the airport — perfect for late arrivals or early departures. Modern five-star cluster.
Delhi — South Delhi
Leafy, upscale and foodie — Hauz Khas, Khan Market, Defence Colony. The nicest area to relax.
Agra — Taj Ganj
Walk to the Taj Mahal in ten minutes. Rooftop restaurants with monument views.
Jaipur — Pink City
Historic core inside the walls — bazaars, palaces and heritage havelis.
Jaipur — Civil Lines / Bani Park
Leafy, quieter residential areas with great-value heritage guesthouses.
Udaipur — Lal Ghat
The romantic heart of the old town, right by Lake Pichola. Rooftop dinners everywhere.
Udaipur — Lake Pichola shoreline
Higher-end heritage hotels facing the water — some of India's most photogenic stays.
Varanasi — Assi Ghat
Quieter southern end of the ghats — better for first-time visitors, still walkable to everything.
Varanasi — Dashashwamedh
Loud, intense and thick of the action — steps from the main Ganga Aarti ceremony.
Getting around
India transport guide
Domestic flights
IndiGo, Air India and Vistara run cheap, frequent flights between all major cities. Ideal for the Jaipur–Udaipur and Udaipur–Varanasi legs — book on Skyscanner 4+ weeks ahead.
Indian Railways
The world's fourth-largest rail network. Reserved seats sell out fast — book via IRCTC or 12Go 30+ days ahead. Chair Car (CC) or AC 2-tier is the sweet spot for tourists.
Delhi Metro
Clean, fast, air-conditioned and cheap — buy a metro card and use it for every trip inside the capital. Yellow Line for Old Delhi.
Uber & Ola
India's Uber/Lyft equivalents — work in every major city. Fixed metered fares. Add your international card and let the app handle everything.
Tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaws)
Cheap and everywhere. Agree the fare before you get in, or use Ola Auto / Uber Auto for metered rates.
Private drivers
The most efficient way to do the Golden Triangle. Expect £30–£70/day including fuel. Books via your hotel or a specialist India agent.
Cycle rickshaws
Slow, atmospheric and perfect for short hops through Chandni Chowk or Jaipur's Pink City. £1–£3.
Booking apps to install
IRCTC Rail Connect for trains, Uber & Ola for cars, Zomato & Swiggy for food delivery, Google Pay/PhonePe for local payments.
Food to Try
10 Indian dishes you can't miss
Butter Chicken
Delhi's greatest export — tandoor-grilled chicken in a creamy tomato-butter gravy. Try it at Moti Mahal, the birthplace of the dish.
Chicken Tikka
Marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled in a clay tandoor. The classic pre-dinner starter.
Biryani
Layered spiced rice with meat or vegetables — Hyderabadi, Lucknowi and Awadhi versions all differ. A meal in itself.
Masala Dosa
Crispy fermented rice-and-lentil crepe filled with spiced potato — South India's most famous breakfast.
Chole Bhature
Fluffy fried bread with spiced chickpeas — a Punjabi/Delhi favourite for late breakfast.
Paneer Tikka
Cubed cottage cheese marinated and grilled — the vegetarian version of chicken tikka.
Rogan Josh
Kashmiri lamb curry with red chillies, yogurt and aromatic spices. Rich, deep, unforgettable.
Samosas
Triangular pastries stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas — the ultimate Indian street snack.
Jalebi
Deep-fried batter spirals soaked in saffron sugar syrup — sticky, hot and totally addictive.
Mango Lassi
Blended yogurt-and-mango drink — the essential cooler on hot afternoons.
Costs
India budget breakdown
All-in estimates per person for 14 days — accommodation, food, local transport and activities. International flights excluded.
| Travel Style | Estimated Cost for 14 Days | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | £300 – £500 | Hostels & guesthouses, street food and dhabas, trains and tuk-tuks, walking tours and free temples. |
| Mid-Range | £1,000 – £1,800 | Boutique hotels, mix of local and international dining, domestic flights, private drivers for the Golden Triangle. |
| Luxury | £3,500+ | Heritage palace hotels (Taj, Oberoi, Leela), private cars throughout, guided tours, business-class trains and fine dining. |
Accommodation (per night)
Hostel £5–12 · Budget hotel £15–40 · Mid-range £45–90 · Luxury £150+
Food
Street food £1–3 · Restaurant £4–12 · Fine dining £20+ · Coffee £2–4
Transport
Metro under £1 · Domestic flights £30–80 · Train £2–20 · Tuk-tuk £1–5
Money-saving tips
How to travel India for less (and easier)
- • Book trains and domestic flights well in advance
- • Use Uber or Ola where available
- • Carry small cash for markets and tuk-tuks
- • Stay hydrated and avoid tap water
- • Visit major attractions early in the morning
- • Dress respectfully at temples and religious sites
- • Negotiate politely in local markets
- • Build flexibility into travel plans — journeys can take longer than expected
FAQ
Common questions about 14 days in India
Keep planning
Related India & Asia guides
India destination guide
Overview, weather, visas and FAQs.
Sri Lanka itinerary
Two weeks across Sri Lanka's classic loop.
Thailand itinerary
Three weeks from Bangkok to the islands.
Vietnam itinerary
One month north to south.
Asia travel costs
Per-day breakdowns for every travel style.
Asia travel guides
Deep-dive guides across the continent.
More Asia itineraries
Day-by-day routes across the region.
All destinations
Every country guide on The Asia Guide.