14 Days · In-Depth · 5 Regional Bases

14 Days in India: The Grand Panorama (Delhi (Old & New Delhi) to Varanasi (Kashi / Benares) & Mumbai & Goa Coast)

A two-week grand tour spanning Delhi (Old & New Delhi), Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters), Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri), Mumbai & Goa Coast, Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan), and Varanasi (Kashi / Benares).

Route Overview: Delhi (Old & New Delhi) (3N) → Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) (1N) → Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) (3N) → Mumbai & Goa Coast (2N) → Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan) (2N) → Varanasi (Kashi / Benares) (2N)
Budget Estimate: ₹193200–₹327600 ($2,300–$3,900 USD per person)

Day 1 (Delhi (Old & New Delhi)) — Arrival in Delhi (Old & New Delhi):

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL — 19m Airport Metro to New Delhi, ₹60) and explore Delhi (Old & New Delhi) Historic Center & Old Quarter.

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).:

Full day in historic Delhi (Old & New Delhi).

Day 3 (Delhi (Old & New Delhi)) — Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad): Jama Masjid, Red Fort & Khari Baoli Spice Market — Ride the Delhi Metro Violet Line to Jama Masjid or Chandni Chowk to explore India's largest mosque (₹300 camera ticket) and Asia's largest wholesale spice market. & Local Markets:

Market tasting tour featuring Old Delhi Butter Chicken and Agra Petha.

Day 4 (Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters)) — Overnight in Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters):

Short hop to Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) to experience 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). after day-trippers leave.

Day 5 (Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)) — Rail to Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri):

Ride 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') to Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) Central Station and settle into Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri) Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 6 (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). & 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).:

Explore Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)'s signature monuments and museums.

Day 7 (Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri)) — Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO) (45–75 mins by regional transit):

Scenic day excursion from Agra (Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri).

Day 8 (Mumbai & Goa Coast) — Transfer to Mumbai & Goa Coast:

Head to Mumbai & Goa Coast (4–6 days · ₹5,500–₹15,500 ($65–$185) / day) and explore South Mumbai Heritage Walk: Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Palace (1903) & Kala Ghoda — Stroll from the waterfront arch through the Kala Ghoda arts district to the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Victoria Terminus) and Marine Drive's Art Deco promenade..

Day 9 (Mumbai & Goa Coast) — Elephanta Caves UNESCO Island Ferry (From Gateway of India) — 1-hour harbor boat ride (₹260 return) to 6th-century rock-cut basalt cave temples of Lord Shiva (₹600 foreign entry; closed Mondays). & South Goa (Palolem, Agonda & Cabo de Rama) vs. North Goa (Assagao, Anjuna & Morjim) — Relax in crescent palm bays in South Goa or dine at stylish Portuguese-villa restaurants in Assagao and Fontainhas (Panjim's colorful Latin Quarter).:

Full day in Mumbai & Goa Coast with regional dining (Rajasthani Dal Baati Churma).

Day 10 (Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan)) — Onward to Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan):

Arrive in Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan) and check into Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan) Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 11 (Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan)) — Amber Fort (Amer Fort) & Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) — Arrive at 08:00 to see thousands of convex Belgian mirrors glittering inside the royal chambers, plus the stepwell of Panna Meena ka Kund right below (Buy the ₹1,000 Rajasthan Composite Ticket covering 8 monuments!). & Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds, 1799) & Jantar Mantar UNESCO Observatory — 953 honeycomb sandstone windows allowing royal women to observe street processions unseen, next to the world's largest stone sundial.:

Signature day in Jaipur & Udaipur (Rajasthan).

Day 12 (Varanasi (Kashi / Benares)) — Continue to Varanasi (Kashi / Benares):

Travel to Varanasi (Kashi / Benares) (2–3 days · ₹4,500–₹11,500 ($54–$137) / day) via Varanasi (VNS — 8h Vande Bharat from Delhi), Amritsar (ATQ) & Dehradun (DED) or Varanasi (Kashi / Benares) Central Station.

Day 13 (Varanasi (Kashi / Benares)) — Sunrise Rowboat or Motorboat Ride Along the 84 Ghats (Assi Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat) — Board a boat at 05:30 before dawn to watch morning prayers (Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat) and golden sunlight illuminating centuries-old riverside palaces. & Evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat (18:30 / 19:00 Daily) — Seven priests in saffron silk perform synchronized fire-lamp rituals to conch shells and chimes (watch from a moored boat for ₹200–₹400 or arrive 60m early for balcony seats).:

Explore Sunrise Rowboat or Motorboat Ride Along the 84 Ghats (Assi Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat) — Board a boat at 05:30 before dawn to watch morning prayers (Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat) and golden sunlight illuminating centuries-old riverside palaces. and celebrate your final night with Laal Maas (Fiery Mathania Chili Lamb).

Day 14 (Varanasi (Kashi / Benares)) — Departure:

Fly home from Varanasi (VNS — 8h Vande Bharat from Delhi), Amritsar (ATQ) & Dehradun (DED) or connect back to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL — 19m Airport Metro to New Delhi, ₹60).