1 Week in India - 5 Regional Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: India's Golden Triangle (New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur)

This seven-day itinerary is the perfect way to discover India's Golden Triangle, from the streets of Old Delhi to the majestic Taj Mahal to Jaipur's Amber Fort. This tour includes visits to several temples and palaces and is perfect for visitors who want to learn more about northern India's rich history and beautiful culture. 

Start your week in India in Delhi, where your guide will meet you at the airport and take you on a guided tour. Visit Old Delhi's Red Fort, then continue on to the Raj Ghat, a black marble memorial with an eternal flame that honors the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Then, visit Chandni Chowk, one of South Asia's largest markets, before heading to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Hindu Temple in the evening to see a light show. 

On day three, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to 133 miles (215 km) south to Agra, home of the world-famous Taj Mahal. Tour the city and visit the village of Kachhpura and the Humayun Mosque, before watching the sunset at the Taj Mahal. 

The following morning, get up bright and early to tour the Taj Mahal at sunrise, the best time to visit. Then, visit the Agra Fort—a beautiful example of Mughal architecture—in the afternoon.

Finally, your driver will take you to the last stop on your Golden Triangle tour: Jaipur. Jaipur is 149 miles (240 km) west of Agra. On the way there, stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri—a city built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and then abandoned 15 years later. Once you reach Jaipur, tour the nearby Amber Fort, part of the ancient Rajput capital of Amer, before heading back to the city to see the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar Observatory, and the pink walls of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). In the morning, your driver will take you back to Delhi for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights of Rajasthan (Northwestern India)

This seven-day tour includes all of Rajasthan's most beautiful attractions, including the blue houses of Jodhpur, Jaipur's Amber Fort, Jaisalmer, India's "Golden City," and lots more. Ride camels in the desert, catch a rickshaw in Chandni Chowk—one of Delhi's oldest markets—and visit Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, one of the largest mosques in the country. 

Before heading to Rajasthan, spend the first couple of days of your tour in Delhi, where you'll be able to tour Old Delhi, shop in the enormous Chandni Chowk market, and drive down the Rajpath in New Delhi to see the India Gate and the Presidential Palace. At the end of the day, catch an overnight train to Jaisalmer. 

Once you arrive in Jaisalmer in the morning, a guide will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Jaisalmer, India's "Golden City," which is located on the edge of the Thar Desert. Visit the intricately-carved Jain temples and some of the city's magnificent Havelis. In the evening, your guide will take you out into the desert to watch the sunset over the sand dunes. 

On day four, drive to Jodhpur, often called the Blue City for the many blue houses there. Once you arrive, visit the market to shop for spices, tea, and saris, then walk around town to see some of Jodphur's famous blue houses. The following day, visit nearby Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a rocky peak above Jodhpur, before driving to Ajmer in the evening. There, visit the Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti, the tomb of a Sufi saint that was constructed during the Mughal period. 

Finally, drive to Jaipur to see the famous Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) before returning to Delhi for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Relaxing Kerala Vacation

This relaxing itinerary gives visitors a chance to explore Kerala at an easy pace, including a day touring Cochin, hiking through the tea plantations around Munnar Hill Station, spending a night on a houseboat in the Kerala backwaters, and soaking in the sun at Marari Beach. 

Start your tour of Kerala in Cochin, where you'll tour Fort Kochi and ride a tuk-tuk through the streets of Mattancherry, before joining a local family in the evening for a traditional cooking class. The following morning drive to Munnar, a hill station located in the Western Ghats. There, you'll go on a hike through the coffee and tea plantations up into the Seven Malai Hills, before returning to town to visit the Tea Museum in the afternoon. 

On day four, drive to Alleppey to board a kettuvallam houseboat. Spend the rest of the day and night on the Kerala backwaters, a network of canals and lagoons where you'll see small fishing villages and spice plantations. The following morning, disembark in Alleppey and drive to Marari Beach, an hour away. 

Finally, spend the last couple of days of your trip enjoying the beach. You can take a bike ride to nearby villages, get a relaxing Ayurvedic massage, or try some fresh spicy fish at a beachside eatery. On day seven, your guide will pick you up and take you back to Cochin Airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of the Mountainous Ladakh Region

This seven-day tour focuses on Ladakh's unique Himalayan scenery and beautiful temples. Visit Thiksey Gompa, one of the largest and most architecturally impressive temples in the area, ride camels through the Nubra Valley, see the long, narrow blue expanse of Pangong Tso, and lots more on this seven-day trip designed for travelers who want to make the most of their trip to this remote region of India. 

Your tour of Ladakh starts with a flight from New Delhi to Leh, which offers spectacular views over the mountains. Once you land, your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Make sure to take it easy at first, since Leh is at a much higher altitude than New Delhi. If you feel up for it, head to the market to start exploring the city. 

On day two, visit the monasteries around Leh. Start by driving up the Indus Valley to Shey Palace and Gompa, then continue on to Thiksey Gompa, one of the largest temples in the area. Finally, visit Hemis Gompa, the biggest and wealthiest temple in Ladakh, 25 miles (40 km) from Leh. Once you return to Leh, visit Shanti Stupa to see panoramic views of Leh and the Indus Valley. 

Next, drive to the Nubra Valley over the world's highest motorable road, the Khardungla Pass (18,379 feet/5602 m). Visit Deskit, the valley's main village, and its small market and ancient gompa. Then, go on a two-hour camel safari. The following day, visit Panamik's famous hot springs before driving to Pangong Tso, the largest brackish lake in Asia. Finally, drive over the Chang La Pass back to Leh, and from there catch your flight to New Delhi. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Cycle Across Karnataka's National Parks

This seven-day bike tour is perfect for avid bikers keen to explore southern India: you'll take the back roads through some of Karnataka's most beautiful national parks and lush green hillsides. Your itinerary includes touring the Srirangapatna Ruins, going on a safari in Bandipur National Park, cycling up the hill to Ooty, pedaling through the tea plantations of the Western Ghats, and lots more. 

Once you land in Bangalore, drive to Mysore to start your bike tour. Visit the Maharaja's Palace, which was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century, before hopping on your bike to cycle to the Srirangapatna Ruins, Tipu Sultan’s capital city which the British destroyed in 1799. Then, bike to Chamundi Hill to see Nandi, Shiva’s 16-foot-high (5 meters) statue. 

On day three, bike from Mysore to the forested foothills of the Western Ghats and into Bandipur National Park (56 miles / 90 km), a protected tiger reserve. There, go on a safari to see gaur (Indian bison), wild elephants, and sambar deer, before continuing your bike ride to neighboring Mudumalai National Park, where you can relax in your bungalow and enjoy fantastic views of the Nilgiri Mountains on one side and the Mudumalai jungles on the other. 

On one of the trip's most challenging bike days, ride up to the hill station of Ootacamund, which is more commonly called Ooty (7350 feet / 2240 m altitude). You can also ride in the support vehicle part of the way. Ooty is known for its colorful houses and cool climate. Once you reach the top, make sure to sample some of Ooty's famous cardamom tea. 

On day six, ride down through the tea plantations that cover the Nilgiri Hills until you reach Gudalur. From near there, a car will pick you up and take you to Guruvayur to avoid the area's busier roads. Finally, ride to Chavakkad Beach before boarding a train to Cochin in the afternoon, and from there your flight home. Learn more

More Great 7-Day India Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your India trip? Check out these other 7-day India itineraries, or describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.