The short answer
- First visit
- 10 to 14 days
- Golden Triangle only
- 5 to 7 days
- Rajasthan loop
- 12 to 16 days
- North and Kerala
- 18 to 21 days
India is huge, and travel between regions takes time. The most common mistake is trying to see too much: it is far better to see one or two regions properly than to spend half the trip in transit.
Quick guide by trip length
| Length | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 7 days | Delhi, Agra and Jaipur | A first taste of India |
| 8 to 10 days | Golden Triangle plus Ranthambore, Varanasi or Udaipur | Culture or wildlife on a first visit |
| 12 to 14 days | Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Udaipur | Forts, palaces and desert |
| 14 days | Golden Triangle plus Kerala by air | Contrasts of north and south |
| 18 to 21 days | Rajasthan loop plus Varanasi and Kerala, or plus Ladakh in summer | A deep first visit |
7 days: the Golden Triangle
Best for: A first visit when time is short
One week is the right length for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur at a comfortable pace, with two nights in each city or one night in Agra and an extra night in Delhi. It is the most popular India tour for good reason: three very different cities, the Taj Mahal and the forts of Jaipur, with short drives in between.
Trying to add more in seven days usually means a day lost to travel for every place you add. See our Golden Triangle guide for three day by day versions.
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10 days: add one extra place
Best for: Most first time visitors
Ten days lets you keep the Golden Triangle and add one extra highlight without rushing. Choose the one that matches your interests.
| Add | Extra nights | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ranthambore | 2 | Tiger safaris between Jaipur and Agra |
| Varanasi | 2 to 3 | The ghats of the Ganges, a short flight from Delhi |
| Udaipur | 2 to 3 | Lakes and palaces, the most romantic city in Rajasthan |
| Amritsar | 2 | The Golden Temple and the Wagah border ceremony |
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14 days: Rajasthan, or north and south
Best for: Travellers who want more than the highlights
Two weeks opens up two very different trips. The first is a loop through Rajasthan: Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, the desert at Jaisalmer and Udaipur, with Agra at the start. See our Rajasthan itinerary.
The second pairs a week in the north with a week in Kerala: houseboats, tea hills and beaches. Fly from Delhi to Kochi (about three hours) to make it work. See our Kerala guide.
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A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 14 days, built around your dates.
3 weeks: a deep first visit
Best for: Long holidays and returning visitors
Three weeks lets you combine the Golden Triangle, part of Rajasthan, Varanasi and Kerala, with rest days built in. From June to September, swap Kerala for Ladakh, when the high mountain roads are open and the rest of India is wet.
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A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 21 days, built around your dates.
Mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating travel times. Roads are slow, and a 250 kilometre drive can take five hours.
- One night stands. Changing hotels every night is tiring; aim for at least two nights in most places.
- Skipping the buffer day. Fog delays flights and trains in the north in December and January, so don't plan the Taj Mahal for your last morning before an international flight.
- Forgetting closures. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays and the Red Fort on Mondays.
Tip: Use domestic flights for long hops such as Delhi to Varanasi, Udaipur to Mumbai or anywhere to Kerala. They save a full day each time.
Compare tours by length
- 5 day India tours: short Golden Triangle trips.
- 7 day India tours: mostly the Golden Triangle, many with Ranthambore.
- 10 day India tours: Golden Triangle with Varanasi, Ranthambore or Udaipur.
- 14 day India tours: Rajasthan loops and north plus south combinations.
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Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for India?
Yes, for a first visit. Ten days covers the Golden Triangle plus one extra place such as Ranthambore, Varanasi or Udaipur.
Is 3 weeks in India too long?
No. Three weeks lets you see the north and the south at a relaxed pace. Plan a few rest days, as travel in India can be tiring.
Is one week enough for India?
One week is enough for one region: the Golden Triangle in the north, or Kerala in the south.
Is two weeks in India enough?
Two weeks is a good length for a first visit. It covers the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan, or the Golden Triangle and Kerala.
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