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How to Plan a Trip to India 2024/2025: 7 Easy Steps for You

By Mike HoUpdated Feb. 21, 2024

Full of variety, uniqueness, and vibrant culture, India is well-known for its incredible cultural heritage and historic sites. From the marvelous and breathtaking Taj Mahal and ornate palaces to the serenity of Mughal-era gardens and mausoleums, India is a fascinating country that is packed full of incredible things to see and do.

In this post, we'll share our best tips for planning a trip to India.

1. Decide How Many Days to Stay

India Travel Map

A 7–10-day tour can cover the essential highlights of India, and it is an ideal tour length for first-time visitors to India. Most of our clients choose to visit the Golden Triangle of India (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur). See 7-Day Golden Triangle India Tour.

To discover more of India, like cultural Rajasthan in the west and charming southern parts Goa and Kerala, you will need a few more weeks. See 14-Day Classic Rajasthan tour.

For more intinerary siggestion see How Long to Spend in India: Find Itinerary Ideas from 5 Days to 1 Month

How Many Days for Touring India, Nepal, and Bhutan

It will cost 2 to 3 weeks for a trip to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Get some inspiration from our 14-Day India, Nepal, and Bhutan Tour: Delhi–Agra–Jaipur–Kathmandu–Thimphu–Punakha–Paro.

The above itineraries are just for your inspiration. You are welcomed to contact your own experienced 1:1 tour consultant at Asia Highlights for a tailor-made itinerary.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

2. Choose Where to Go

India can generally be divided into several parts: the north-central region is centered around the golden triangle (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur), and features historic and religious buildings.

The south India is centered around Mumbai, Goa, and Kochin, and features tropical views, beaches, and ancient temples and caves.

Rajasthan on the west is famous for culture, deserts, and history. The northeast is the Himalayan foothills. The further north is good for learn about Sikhsim culture.

For most first timers to India, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur are their most choice destinations. Many will extend to Rajashtan or Goa.

1). Delhi: History and Culture, Tradition and Modernity

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi Humayun's Tomb

As the capital of India, Delhi is a must-visit destination for your first trip to India. Being a blend of ancient culture, art, and modern architecture, Delhi is split into two different areas: New Delhi and Old Delhi. The capital attracts travelers with its breathtaking historical buildings, eccentric cuisines, plenty of leisure activities, and vibrant nightlife.

In Old Delhi, you can walk around the narrow lanes and crowded streets to taste authentic Indian delicacies and experience the traditional life. There are numerous historical sites to explore in Old Delhi, including the Red Fort and one of India's biggest mosques, Jama Masjid.

In New Delhi you can see the modernity and progress of India today with fast-speed metro, wide roads, skyscrapers, and great infrastructure. The impressive Colonial-era government buildings can be found everywhere. Have a rest at the air-conditioned shopping centers, pubs, and restaurants there.

Suggested reading: 2 Weeks in India: Top 4 Itineraries

2). Agra: The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, UNESCO Sites

Taj Mahal, Agra Taj Mahal

Most travelers come to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. As a must-visit attraction in Agra, the Taj is crowded during the tourist season. To get a grander view, you can go to Mehtab Bagh ('Night Garden'), where you can enjoy great sunset views of this iconic structure. More suggestions on best times to visit the Taj.

Besides the Taj, there are numerous great architectural achievements of the Mughal Empire in Agra for you to explore, including Agra Fort and Akbar's Tomb. If you are interested in more UNESCO World Heritage sites, Fatehpur Sikri Old Town, which was built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century should be on your list.

3). Jaipur — The Pink City: Forts, Palaces, Museums, Elephant Sanctuary

As the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle, along with Delhi and Agra, and a must-visit destination in India. Jaipur is home to many forts and palaces, where you can spend one or two days exploring. Some of the most famous forts and palaces are Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, and Nahargarh Fort.

Besides the historical sites, Jaipur is home to an elephant sanctuary (Elefantastic) that ethically takes care of elephants. It is great to spend half a day there to learn more about these huge but endearing animals with your kids.

4). Varanasi: Hindu Worship, Ancient City, Ganges River Sights

Ganges River, Varanasi Ganges River

Located on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is one of the most popular destinations in India. It is regarded as the spiritual capital of India, which attracts numerous travelers and pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year.

As the holy home to many historic Hindu buildings, Varanasi is a great place to see people, who come to cleanse their souls in the Ganges River, performing religious rituals and prayers.

There you can learn more about religions in India. One of the rituals is the Ganga Aarti, which happens every night. It is a fabulous night scene, when prayers are prayed and floating lanterns are placed on the Ganges.

Take a boat ride down the Ganges to observe the local way of life along the banks of the river.

5). Ranthambore National Park: Wildlife, Tigers, Safaris

As the most famous National Park in India, Ranthambore National Park is one of the must-visit destinations for travelers in India because of its distinct class and charm.

It is the home to a significant number of Royal Bengal tigers. Thousands of tiger lovers from all over the world come to India to visit this national park during the safari season (October to March) to get a chance to glimpse one of these incredible cats. 

6). Rajasthan: Ancient Palaces & Forts, Camel Safari, Lakes

Rajasthan is one of the most visited states in India due to its incredible arid landscape, multitude of royal palaces and forts, and unique desert culture.

Many famous cities are in Rajasthan, like the "pink city" Jaipur, "blue city" Jodhpur, and "desert city" Jaiselmer.

You can experience a heritage hotel in Jaipur, enjoy a camel safari in Jaiselmer, explore the blue buildings of Jodhpur, and enjoy a boat ride on the romantic Lake Pichola in Udaipur. 

7). Goa: Relaxing Beach Time & Charming Colonial Style

Goa is one of the smallest states in India. It is prefered by couples and families for its brilliant beaches, delicious seafood, and Portuguese heritage.

There you can walk around the its old town to find the Baroque style, enjoy water sports activities at the beach, enjoy a massage or have fun in some clubs or bars, or just lie on the beach and enjoy the beatiful scenery.

See more on 2 Weeks in India: The Best 4 India Itineraries for You!

3. Best Times to Visit India

India is a very large country with many different climates and weather patterns. In general, the best time to visit India for the most comfortable weather is in winter (from November to March), which is also the high season for tourism. This is when India experiences cooler and drier weather across most of the country, making it a great time for outdoor activities. During the high season, the price of hotels will increase, and historic sites will likely be crowded.

Summer monsoon in India: The whole country gets very hot with daytime temperatures around 41°C (106°F) from April to September. Most regions experience the monsoon in June, July, August, and September. During this period, India receives 70–90% of its annual rainfall, with downpours lasting for days. In some places of northeastern India (around the Ganges), flooding happens during the summer monsoon.

Regardless of the hot weather in summer, certain areas of India can be visited year-round, like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

4. Consider Your Travel Budget

India is a large and diverse destination that offers different costs for traveling. The cost of travel in India depends on where you are going and what kinds of hotels you are going to stay at.

Hotel prices in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore are much higher than in small ones. On the other hand, India's inflation problems can make prices change a lot and rapidly. Book early to fix the hotel price and take advantage of any deals.

The following are some approximate private tour cost brackets:

  • For a medium budget, touring India typically costs around 150–200 USD per day per person (including air fares within India, 4-star hotels, attractions, guide, and transfers).
  • For a higher budget of US$200–250 per day per person, more comfort can be enjoyed (includes air fares within India, 5-star hotels, attractions, guide, and transfers).

Check out more on our How Much Does a Trip to India Cost?

5. India Travel Visa and Travel Restrictions

Entry policy: India has now reopened to travelers. From February 14, 2022, all travelers can enter India without quarantine or nucleic acid testing, as long as you're fully vaccinated.

Visa Policy: The vast majority of visitors from abroad require a visa for India. The electronic visa or e-Visa for India is available for the majority of nationalities, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. It can be obtained by completing a simple online application form. The India e-Visa is processed quickly and delivered to the applicant by email. This permits the holder to visit the country for up to 90 consecutive days for the purpose of tourism.

6. How to Get To and Around India

Getting to India

The best way to get to India is by flight. There are direct flights from the main cities in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other countries to Delhi and Mumbai. It takes about 12–15 hours from America or Australia to India and 8–10 hours from Europe to India by air.

Getting Around in India

There are many ways to get around in India. The popular ways include flights, trains, and buses. See more on India Maps, India Travel Maps

Most international visitors travel from one large city to another by flight. Traveling by train in India can be challenging as the trains can be very crowded and train tickets are sold out quickly. Buses in India are slow as the driver may pick up passengers everywhere, and most of the time they're crowded.

The most comfortable way to travel in India is by hiring a private car and driver (or having private transport included in a tour, like ours). A professional local driver knows the places best and gets you there fastest. If you would like to book private transport or a guided tour of India, contact us.

Connecting to Other Asian Countries

Delhi is the major gateway city for travel to South Asia countries. If you are going to cover more destinations in other South Asia countries, you can book flights from Delhi to other major cities in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

7. Independent Travel or Private Guided Tour?

Should you book a guided tour or travel independently? It really depends on where you are visiting in India, and the time and experience/patience you have to arrange everything yourself.

It is difficult as a backpacker to travel across the whole country independently due to the poor infrastructure, especially in some remote areas. Many roads, public transport provision, and signage are not the standards you would expect from a more developed nation. And you still face language barriers in some remote areas although English is India's official language of commerce.

With a private guided tour organized by a good travel company, you wouldn't need to worry about your flights, accommodation, transportation, entry tickets, or anything else. With us, you only need to turn up, follow our professional tour guides, and enjoy the trip. Contact one of our travel advisors to plan your trip to India now.

Tour India with Us

As one of the leading tour companies in Asia, we have been providing travel services for more than 20 years to thousands of satisfied customers. To fulfill your South Asia travel dreams, let us know your requirements and interests for a tailor-made tour of India.

Here are some popular itineraries for your reference:

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