7 Days · Balanced · High-Speed Transit

7 Days in India: The Essential First-Timer Route (Delhi (Old & New Delhi) & Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri))

A streamlined 1-week itinerary pairing Delhi (Old & New Delhi) (Humayun's Tomb (1570 CE — UNESCO) & Sunder Nursery — The red-sandstone-and-marble garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal (₹600 foreign admission / ₹550 online at `asi.payumoney.com`), right next to 90 acres of restored Mughal gardens and cafés at Sunder Nursery.) and Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) (The Taj Mahal at Sunrise (UNESCO — Closed Every Friday!) — Arrive at the East Gate (Shilpgram) 30 minutes before sunrise with a pre-booked online ASI QR ticket (`asi.payumoney.com`, ₹1,100 foreign entry + ₹200 main mausoleum inner chamber = ₹1,300 / $15.50; includes shoe covers & water bottle).), linked via Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express (AC Chair & Executive Class), Gatimaan Express (Delhi–Agra in 1h 40m at 160 km/h) & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ — Code 'FT') with a day trip to Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters).

Route Overview: Delhi (Old & New Delhi) (3 Nights) → Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) Day Excursion → Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) (3 Nights)
Budget Estimate: ₹96600–₹163800 ($1,150–$1,950 USD per person excl. long-haul flights)

Day 1 (Delhi (Old & New Delhi)) — Arrival in Delhi (Old & New Delhi) & Delhi (Old & New Delhi) Historic Center & Old Quarter Walk:

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL — 19m Airport Metro to New Delhi, ₹60), pick up or activate your IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota, check into Delhi (Old & New Delhi) Historic Center & Old Quarter, and enjoy Old Delhi Butter Chicken for dinner.

Day 2 (Delhi (Old & New Delhi)) — Humayun's Tomb (1570 CE — UNESCO) & Sunder Nursery — The red-sandstone-and-marble garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal (₹600 foreign admission / ₹550 online at `asi.payumoney.com`), right next to 90 acres of restored Mughal gardens and cafés at Sunder Nursery. & Qutub Minar Complex (1193 CE — UNESCO) & Mehrauli — Soaring 72.5-meter fluted sandstone victory tower and the rust-free 4th-century Iron Pillar (₹600 / ₹550 online).:

Early timed entry to Humayun's Tomb (1570 CE — UNESCO) & Sunder Nursery — The red-sandstone-and-marble garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal (₹600 foreign admission / ₹550 online at `asi.payumoney.com`), right next to 90 acres of restored Mughal gardens and cafés at Sunder Nursery., lunch at a traditional market, and afternoon exploration of Qutub Minar Complex (1193 CE — UNESCO) & Mehrauli — Soaring 72.5-meter fluted sandstone victory tower and the rust-free 4th-century Iron Pillar (₹600 / ₹550 online). and Delhi (Old & New Delhi) Waterfront & Cultural District.

Day 3 (Delhi (Old & New Delhi)) — Day Trip to Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) (Alleppey (Alappuzha) or Kumarakom Kettuvallam Houseboat Cruise — Glide across tranquil emerald palm canals and Vembanad Lake on a traditional thatched rice barge with a private chef cooking fresh Toddy-shop pearl spot fish (₹9,500–₹18,000 / $115–$215 per night for 2 incl. all meals).):

Take a morning train from Delhi (Old & New Delhi) Central Station to Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) to explore Alleppey (Alappuzha) or Kumarakom Kettuvallam Houseboat Cruise — Glide across tranquil emerald palm canals and Vembanad Lake on a traditional thatched rice barge with a private chef cooking fresh Toddy-shop pearl spot fish (₹9,500–₹18,000 / $115–$215 per night for 2 incl. all meals). and Fort Kochi: Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace & Jew Town — Walk leafy Portuguese/Dutch heritage streets, watch evening Kathakali classical dance-drama makeup sessions, and dine at Kashi Art Cafe., returning to Delhi (Old & New Delhi) by evening.

Day 4 (Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)) — Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express Express to Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri):

Board Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express (AC Chair & Executive Class), Gatimaan Express (Delhi–Agra in 1h 40m at 160 km/h) & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ — Code 'FT') from Delhi (Old & New Delhi) Central Station to Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) Central Station. Drop bags in Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) Historic Center & Old Quarter and stroll The Taj Mahal at Sunrise (UNESCO — Closed Every Friday!) — Arrive at the East Gate (Shilpgram) 30 minutes before sunrise with a pre-booked online ASI QR ticket (`asi.payumoney.com`, ₹1,100 foreign entry + ₹200 main mausoleum inner chamber = ₹1,300 / $15.50; includes shoe covers & water bottle). at sunset.

Day 5 (Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)) — Agra Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site) — Massive 16th-century red-sandstone fortress along the Yamuna River where Shah Jahan spent his final years gazing across at the Taj Mahal from the octagonal Musamman Burj (₹650 / ₹600 online). & Culinary Quarter:

Full day exploring Agra Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site) — Massive 16th-century red-sandstone fortress along the Yamuna River where Shah Jahan spent his final years gazing across at the Taj Mahal from the octagonal Musamman Burj (₹650 / ₹600 online). and Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah ('Baby Taj') & Mehtab Bagh Sunset — Exquisite jewel-box marble tomb across the river (₹310), followed by sunset views of the Taj Mahal from the Moonlight Garden (Mehtab Bagh, ₹300)., followed by an evening tasting of Chole Bhature.

Day 6 (Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)) — Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) Day Excursion & Scenic Views:

Take a half-day excursion (Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO) (45–75 mins by regional transit)) and spend your final evening in Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) Waterfront & Cultural District.

Day 7 (Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)) — Souvenir Markets & Departure:

Pick up regional specialties at the central market before departing via Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL — 19m Airport Metro to New Delhi, ₹60) or returning via Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express.