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
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.
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My husband and I are planning a 3 week…
Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More
, Mar 2024
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Very great experience our driver D was…
Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More
Rylan Coache, Feb 2024
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Excellent guide in Siem Reap
Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More
Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024
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Asia Highlights trip to Thailand
Our first tour guide in Bangkok, Marie, was great to tour around with. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. Our next stop in Chang Mai we were greeted by our new tour guide, Rafael. He too was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. He made it feel as if we were traveling around with a long time friend. Every time we arrived at a new destination, we were greeted at the airport by someone with a sign with our name making our travels easy. I would definitely recommend Asia Highlights to anyone looking for a well planned trip of a lifetime! More
Tricia, Feb 2024
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Amazing Thailand experience
The tour guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating, especially Mayuree in Bangkok- absolutely wonderful. We felt taken care of and every step of the way was catered to our needs. More
Ashley White, Feb 2024
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Private tour perfect for our times
Asia highlights organized a private tour with our requests. Everything was perfect ?? the driver Tom and the guide Ying were always on time with a smile in their face. Always willing to help and make our trip perfect. Bangkok is a very hot city so we minimized the time outside. The driver always had cold towels for us in the van and cold beverages. More
Virginia, Feb 2024
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Thailand
We loved Chiang Mai and Susie did a great job showing us several temples, taking many pictures of us with the elephants at the sanctuary (a definite highlight of the entire trip!), and making sure we were well fed, which became a running joke between us.We had a very relaxing few days in Phuket enjoying the beautiful beaches. Kai was great, answering all of our questions and giving us a nice tour of the old town. The all-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi islands started off a little shaky as the sea was quite rough so if you’re at all uncomfortable bouncing around in a speedboat, you might want to skip that tour. Things did calm down as the day went on and some of the areas they took us to for swimming, snorkeling, etc were really beautiful. A couple of the islands were too crowded with people. More
Andrea Roberts, Feb 2024
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What a Wonderful Trip
What a Wonderful Trip! We booked with Sharon and our trip was great - guides were waiting for us at each stop, and they were all very nice and helpful. I cannot stress how amazing the guides were - they made the trip. More
Rachel, Feb 2024
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Ask for Victor!
If you are traveling to Bangkhok you need to request Victor. He made our trip amazing! My family completed bucket list items with his guidance. He knew exactly how to get us places, kept us on time, made us feel safe, educated us on history, spoke excellent English and was genuinely a nice man! Everyone we encountered was awesome- but Victor is the reason for my 5 star review! More
Sandy, Jan 2024
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Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a…
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Thailand. We had a great time. The tour guides were wonderful as were the hotels you booked for us. We will definitely contact you to plan our next trip More
Carol Yeung, Jan 2024
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Ying was the best
Ying was the best. She was really knowledgeable and kind. Thank you Ying for wonderful experience in Thailand! More
Sylvester Yeung, Jan 2024
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Very well organized
Very well organized. Our tour guide, Ying, was amazing! She had full knowledge of every location we visited and made sure our itinerary was fulfilled as expected. She was extremely helpful for our airport experiences, and made sure we arrived at an appropriate time. More
David M. Kang, Jan 2024
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Family trip to Thailand
We were lucky to be greeted by Marie and her driver.In Marie, we have made a friend for life. She is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about her home country. From the vast number of temples to safely traversing Chinatown.She helped give us tips on our free days, locate left behind lost clothing and arrange for pickup. She even helped check us in for our flight to Chiang Mai.She prepared us ahead of time for every event we had scheduled and bonded with our kids, 3x 13 year olds. More
Justin Levenbrook, Jan 2024
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Thailand with and amazing tour guide Ying
I highly recommend Ying as a tour guide in Thailand. Her expertise in Thai culture, combined with her passion for food and genuine love for her country, made the tour an exceptional experience. If you're looking for a guide who will not only show you the sights but also immerse you in the local culture and help you discover delicious Thai cuisine, Ying is the perfect choice. More
Diana Irizarry, Jan 2024
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Asia Highlights Thailand trip
Asia Highlights provided us with a great travel trip. They made it very easy to navigate through Thailand with everything going very smoothly. From the easy transportation to the great day itinerary everything was awesome. Will definitely look to use this agency again in the future. More
Taylor Jones, Jan 2024
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Perfect 2 WK Thailand Trip for a Solo Female Traveler
Bank was our guide in Bangkok and he showed us around the city with ease and we were able to see and try things I never would have planned on my own. After Bangkok, our small group flew to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng lantern festival and that was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget! Pop was our guide in this city and she was knowledgeable, kind and caring which made our experience even more memorable. More
Tia, Dec 2023
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We recently have just returned from Thailand
We recently have just returned one from a 5 week trip to Thailand through Asia Highlights. We had a wonderful time and Asia Highlights went beyond our expectations. They truly tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly and we were taken care of! Everyone was amazing and we would definitely use them in the future!! Many thanks to everyone that helped to make this an incredible once in a lifetime experience!! More
Karen Rocque, Dec 2023
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Indochina Experience
On our 5th day of our trip with Asiahighlights. We felt well taken care of before and it hasn’t changed since we started from Bangkok to Hanoi (guide Kim was verrry knowledgeable!) to Halong Bay (spectacular scenery) to Hoi An (guide Nhieu Tran, giving great local (shopping) tips and insights). More
Stefan Eisenhut, Dec 2023
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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
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
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
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:
Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)
- Save Your Time:
- Less research, more enjoyment!
- Real-time 1V1 expert planning
- Maximize Your Flexibility:
- Personal local guide and ride
- Explore at your own pace
- Celebrate Your Journeys:
- Specially-crafted family adventures
- Celebrate milestones with style!
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- India Itineraries 2024: from 5 Days to 1 Month
- 2 Weeks in India 2024/2025: Top 4 Itineraries
- How to Plan a Trip to India 2024/2025: 7 Easy Steps for You
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- Is India Safe to Travel? Women & Kids (Tips for 2024/2025)
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- Best Times to Visit the Taj Mahal?Expert Tips in 2024
- Weather and Where to Go in India in Janurary 2024/2025
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Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.
moreOur guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!
moreOur China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.
moreShe was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,
moreOur tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.
moreHe picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreOur day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.
moreXian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.
moreGet Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.