India Two Week Travel Itinerary

India is a behemoth of a country. Two weeks are ideal to get to the tip of the iceberg. It is a huge country and there can be multiple two-week itineraries dedicated to different parts of the country. This two-week itinerary will cover the more popular places in India like the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Thar Desert Safari etc.

How to obtain travel e-visa for India within 3 days

When to go?

In general Indian winters are the best time to travel in the north and even rest of the country. Indian winters run from November to February. If you planning to visit India in November, do look out for the date of Diwali. Diwali is the biggest festival in India and it is a true sight to behold with firecrackers lighting up the night sky amidst a cacophony of music and celebration. It is better to avoid traveling in the north (New Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan) from April to June, Indian summers are unforgiving.

 

Where to fly into?

New Delhi is the capital of India. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IATA: DEL) serves New Delhi and has direct flights to and from Canada, the US, Europe and other major regions of the world. New Delhi is the ideal place to start your two-week travel in India.

 

Two Week India Travel Itinerary

Week One – New Delhi, Taj Mahal, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, and Jaipur

Day 1 – Land in Delhi

Land in Delhi in check into your hotel. Most travelers choose to stay in Central Delhi, locally known as Paharganj area, due to its close proximity to the major tourist attractions. Relax on the first day as you will need all the energy for the next two days to explore New Delhi
How to get to Central Delhi from Indira Gandhi International Airport

How to get to Central Delhi from Indira Gandhi International Airport

Day 2 and 3 – Exploring New Delhi

Two days are by no means sufficient to explore New Delhi. One can dedicate a week to see all the major attractions that this historic city beholds. New Delhi is an architectural gem of a city. It is a living breathing museum of architectural styles of the past 1000 years. And, it is not just the historical buildings that will keep you in the capital, New Delhi is the place to try culinary dishes belonging to different parts of India. The nightlife and microbreweries give glitz and glamor to the city.

 

Day 2 – Qutub Minar, India Gate, Red Fort, and street food at Chandni Chowk

Start early on by taking a taxi or metro from Central Delhi to Qutub Minar (Open all days from 7 AM to 5 PM). Qutub Minar is 73 meters, 5 stories tall minaret built by the founder of the Delhi Sultanate in 1192. The first three stories are built of red sandstone while the top two of white marble, giving it a picturesque contrast. Since its construction, many disasters wrecked havoc on the minaret. But, this acted as a blessing as different rulers of Delhi added a touch of its own architectural style via the restoration projects.
How to take an Uber or Ola Ridesharing Cabs in India
After Qutub Minar, take an Uber or Ola cab to India Gate (Open 24 hours). India Gate commemorates the 13,000 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Afghan War. Built entirely of red sandstone, India Gate is a truly iconic structure.

From India Gate, you can travel to one of the finest architectural gems of Mughal Empire, Red Fort (Open 930am to 430pm. Closed on Mondays). Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal. It took 9 years (1639-1648) to build the fort. The red sandstone fort runs for 2.41 km (1.50 mi) and has an area of 254.67 acres (103.06 ha). The highlights within the fort are Rang Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, and Diwan-i-Am.

If you are energy levels are still up there and thereabouts and you are feeling adventurous then head to Chandni Chowk to try local Indian delicacies like parathas, gol-gappas, chaats etc. Chandni Chowk is a collection of mazy narrow alleys housing traditional food joints serving authentic Indian fare. It is best visited after sunset. Be careful of the spiciness of the food, ask the food joint to make it less spicy if you can’t handle the heat. Chandni Chowk is truly a local and authentic experience that one must try.

Day 3 – Lotus Temple, Akshardham, and Connaught Place

Start your day with a trip to Lotus Temple. Built in the shape of Lotus with 27 white marble-clad petals. Each petal emits a sense of awe and peace at the same time. One is moved by the beauty and spirituality of the place. The temple belongs to Baha’i faith and is a great place to meditate.

After the Lotus Temple, it is time to visit one of the modern wonders of New Delhi – Akshardham Temple (Open 930 am to 630 pm). A trip to India, let alone Delhi, would be incomplete without a visit to the Akshardham Temple. It is a temple unlike any other. Akshardham takes you on a journey into the past of India, as far back as 10,000 years ago. The exhibits potently describe the highlights of ancient Hindu Vedas (ancient scriptures) and granthas that are the pillars of Hinduism. Cultural Boat Ride is a passage through 10,000 years of culture, philosophy, science, and mathematics. Make sure to be there during the evening musical fountain show (last entry 630 pm). Through a show of water, light, and laser, Hindu philosophies of life, reincarnation, and nirvana are explained.

After Akshardham Temple, you can visit the hip district of Connaught Place. Connaught Place is a peek into modern India with its chic cafes, rooftop bars, swanky restaurants, and high-end designer stores. Enjoy a cold beer and watch the metropolitan crowd chat over hookah and drinks. Eat at one of the fine-dine restaurants.

Day 4 – Travel to Agra and share a sunset with … Mahal

This is the day you have been waiting for ever since you learned about The Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Yes, today is your date with the monument of love. Agra is about 4 hours away from New Delhi. There are several transportation options to get you to Agra, comfortable air-conditioned trains, buses, and taxis plying the route frequently. Plan to get to Agra by lunch time. Check into your hotel before heading to …

Taj Mahal, the marble mausoleum of undying love that time itself has been retelling since the last 400 years is best experienced around sunset when the setting sun lends its softest light to the marble turning it into a poet. Plan to enter the Taj Mahal complex 2 hours before sunset. Take your time to explore and understand the history and story of the Taj then head to the platform to get mesmerized by the poem of the setting sun and white marble. Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Rest of the days it is open from sunrise to sunset.

Day 5 – Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri was declared the capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Akbar the Great. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri was modeled on Persian city principles amalgamated with Gujarati, Bengali, and Rajasthani architectural styles. Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri is the highest gateway in the world. The tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chisti is also a must visit site.

Fatehpur Sikri is an hour away from Agra. You have two options after visiting Fatehpur Sikri, either you head back to spend the night in Agra and leave for Jaipur next morning or head to Jaipur from Fatehpur Sikri. Jaipur is 238 km (4-5 hours) from Agra and 206 km (3.5 hours) from Fatehpur Sikri. You can hire a taxi to take you to Fatehpur Sikri and later drop you off to Jaipur.

Day 6 to Day 13 – State of Rajasthan

Welcome to the land of Golden Sands and Golden Thrones. The state of Rajasthan is known as the land of kings and palaces. You will start your princely endeavors in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state.

Day 6 and 7 – Exploring Jaipur

Jaipur is more popularly known as “The Pink City” due to soulful pink sandstone that the old city is clad in. Jaipur is home to grand forts, palaces amidst water, science observatories, and the old pink city. Attractions in Jaipur should be seen in two parts.

Day 6 –  Jaipur City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal

On the first day in Jaipur visit the attractions that are situated in the old city namely The City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Tripolia Gate, and the Old City itself. You can take a tuk-tuk or a taxi to Hawa Mahal. City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Tripolia Gate are all within walking distance from Hawa Mahal. The aforementioned attractions close at 430 pm.

Day 7 – Amer Fort, Jal Mahal, Man Sagar Lake, and Jaigarh Fort

On the second day, you can hire a taxi to take you to the monuments situated outside Jaipur namely Amer Fort, Jal Mahal, Man Sagar Lake, and Jaigarh Fort. The sightseeing taxis come at a fixed price and take you to the aforementioned attractions from 9 am to 6 pm.

Week Two – Jaisalmer, Thar Desert, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh Fortress, and Ranakpur Jain Temple

Day 7 Night or Day 8 early morning – Travel from Jaipur to Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is the gateway to the golden sands and camel safaris of Thar Desert. Jaisalmer lies 560 km from Jaipur. Overnight buses and trains ply this route. You can also choose to hire a private taxi to take you to Jaisalmer. It is best to do an overnight journey or start really early to get in time to visit the Thar Desert at sunset. There are camel safaris and jeep safaris that take you to the sunset point amidst the golden sand dunes of Thar. The sight of the setting sun and the golden sands will surely take your breath away. Spend the night at one of the luxurious desert camp resorts where you will get to see traditional Rajasthani dance performances under a star-lit sky.

Day 9 – Travel from Jaisalmer to Udaipur

Udaipur is 500 km from Jaisalmer. Comfortable AC buses take 12 to 13 hours. While the journey can be done in under 9 hours in a privately hired vehicle with a driver

Day 10 and 11 – Udaipur

Udaipur is also known as the “the City of Lakes” played host to the 1983 James Bond movie “Octopussy” after a notable English colonel described it as ‘the most romantic place in all of India’. Udaipur is both a city to see and a city to be in. It walks at a slower pace compared to other cities, has less of a crowd, and the Lake Pichola in the heart of the city permeates calm and peace.

Day 10 – Relax and explore Udaipur

Spend the first day relaxing those well-traveled bones at one of the several ghats (banks) of Lake Pichola. Or take a sunset boat ride to see the Jagniwas Island in Lake Pichola which houses the former royal residence turned 5-star hotel where the majority of Octopussy was shot. Later in the evening head to one of the numerous roof-top bars or cafes for relaxing vibes.

Day 11 – Udaipur City Palace, Bagore Ki Haveli, Jagdish Temple, and Sajjangarh Castle

On day two explore the gems of Udaipur namely the City Palace, Bagore Ki Haveli, Jagdish Temple, and a Transylvaniesque castle of Sajjangarh perched atop a forgotten hill.

Day 12 – Day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fortress and Ranakpur Jain Temple

Kumbhalgarh, a UNESCO World Heritage Fortress, has the second largest wall (38 km long) in the world after the Great Wall of China. Kumbhalgarh is a truly magnificent fortress hidden amongst the mountains despite its grand size. It only comes to light whence you reach the foot of the fortress. The walls that run for 38 km are a sight to behold. The structures within the walls are incredible as well. Kumbhalgarh can be visited on a day trip from Udaipur combined with Ranakpur Jain Temple.

Ranakpur Jain Temple is a 15th-century Jain temple built entirely of white marble. Comprising of 1444 white marble pillars support the temple and each pillar has a unique carving, no two pillars are alike. One feels a sense of calm and peace when in the temple.
Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur can be visited on a day trip from Udaipur hiring a private taxi.

Day 13 – Travel from Udaipur to New Delhi

New Delhi is 650 km from Udaipur. Udaipur has direct flights to Delhi. Or you can take a train, bus, or taxi to travel to New Delhi. Road and rail transportation options take about 10 to 12 hours. While the flights take 1 hour.

Day 14 – Fly from New Delhi to your next destination