How to Plan a 2-Week India Trip
Two weeks — 14 days — is the sweet spot for a first India trip. Long enough to move beyond surface impressions, short enough to stay energised. North India (Delhi, the Golden Triangle, Varanasi, Rishikesh, the Himalayas) is the classic starting point: world heritage sites, spiritual depth, adventure, and extraordinary landscapes — all within a 700 km radius.
This itinerary is designed for first-time international visitors who want to experience India at its most iconic without spending two weeks on a bus. We use short domestic flights where they save significant time, and private vehicles with drivers throughout.
Day-by-Day 14-Day North India Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
International flight arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Transfer to hotel. Jet-lag recovery — short walk in Lodhi Garden (most pleasant park in Delhi). Dinner in Connaught Place.
Day 2: Delhi — Old City
Old Delhi: Jama Masjid, cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, Spice Market, Red Fort exterior. Afternoon: Raj Ghat (Gandhi memorial). Evening: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) at sunset.
Day 3: Delhi — New City
Qutub Minar (UNESCO), Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO). Lunch at Hauz Khas Village. Afternoon: National Museum or Crafts Museum. Evening flight to Varanasi (1.5 hours — saves a full travel day).
Days 4–5: Varanasi
Day 4: Dawn boat ride at sunrise (5:30 AM). Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Explore narrow lanes behind the ghats. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh (arrive 30 min early). Day 5: Sarnath (Buddhist site, 11 km, 2–3 hours). Banaras Hindu University campus. Afternoon shopping — silk, brassware. Evening flight to Delhi or direct flight to Dehradun.
Day 6: Haridwar and Rishikesh
Fly Varanasi to Dehradun (1.5 hours) or overnight train from Varanasi to Haridwar. Haridwar: Har Ki Pauri ghat, evening Ganga Aarti. Drive to Rishikesh (25 km, 45 min). Hotel check-in on the Lakshman Jhula side.
Days 7–8: Rishikesh
Day 7: Morning yoga (2 hours). White water rafting on Shivpuri stretch (16 km, 3 hours). Evening: Beatles Ashram, Lakshman Jhula bridge, Ram Jhula Ganga Aarti. Day 8: Bungee jumping at Mohan Chatti (83m). Afternoon: cliff jumping at Shivpuri or kayaking. Beachside camping on Ganges.
Days 9–11: Kedarnath Yatra
Day 9: Drive Rishikesh to Sonprayag (220 km, 7 hours). Night at Guptkashi. Day 10: Sonprayag to Gaurikund by shared jeep. Trek 14 km to Kedarnath (5–7 hours) OR helicopter from Phata (7 minutes). Evening aarti at Kedarnath temple. Night at Kedarnath. Day 11: Early morning darshan (4:30 AM). Descend to Gaurikund (4 hours). Drive to Haridwar.
Days 12–13: Golden Triangle (Agra + Jaipur)
Day 12: Haridwar to Delhi (4.5 hours). Transfer to Agra by road (200 km, 3 hours). Taj Mahal sunset visit (4 PM). Agra Fort. Night Agra. Day 13: Taj Mahal sunrise (6 AM). Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (5 hours). Amber Fort. City Palace. Johari Bazaar. Night Jaipur.
Day 14: Jaipur to Delhi, Departure
Hawa Mahal photo stop. Drive to Delhi airport (5 hours). International departure. End of an extraordinary journey.
Budget for This Itinerary
- Package cost: ₹65,000–85,000 per person (USD 780–1,020) all-inclusive from Delhi: hotels, private transport, guides, entrance fees, all transfers.
- Domestic flights: ₹8,000–15,000 per person for Delhi–Varanasi–Dehradun legs.
- Personal expenses: ₹8,000–12,000 per person for meals not in package, shopping, tips, personal purchases.
- Total India trip budget: USD 1,100–1,500 per person (land only, excluding international flights).