First Timers India Tour – 40 Days
Package Highlights
- Duration: 40 Days / 39 Nights
- Language: Hindi, English, Spanish, German, Italian, French
- Tour Attraction: Delhi – Amritsar - Dharmshala - Chandighar – Rishikesh - Delhi - Jaipur – Bikaner - Jaisalmer -Jodhpur- Udaipur - Pushkar - Ranthambhore - Agra - Varanasi - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Puducherry -Thanjavur - Madurai -Munnar - Alappuzha (Alleppey) -Kochi -Wayanad - Mysuru - Bengaluru -Mumbai – Aurangabad - Mumbai departure
Tour Details
Overview
Experience the ultimate first-time India journey over 40 days, combining spiritual traditions, Himalayan landscapes, royal heritage, wildlife, ancient temples and Kerala’s natural beauty. Discover the Golden Temple, Dharamshala, Rishikesh, Rajasthan’s forts and desert dunes, Ranthambore’s tiger safari, the Taj Mahal and Varanasi’s sacred Ganges. Continue through Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Munnar, Alappuzha and Wayanad, before exploring Mysuru, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
Tour Itinerary
- Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, transfer to your hotel, and relax after international travel.
- Evening walk around Connaught Place or drive past India Gate.
- Overnight: Delhi (Night 1)
- Morning high-speed Vande Bharat Express train or short domestic flight to Amritsar.
- Evening visit to the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) to witness the illuminated sanctuary and the Langar community kitchen.
- Overnight: Amritsar (Night 2)
- Morning visit to Jallianwala Bagh memorial and the Partition Museum.
- Late afternoon drive to Attari-Wagah Border (30 km) to observe the Beating Retreat ceremony between India and Pakistan.
- Overnight: Amritsar (Night 3)
- Scenic drive into the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas to Dharamshala / McLeod Ganj (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
- Afternoon stroll through local Tibetan artisan markets and craft shops.
- Overnight: Dharamshala (Night 4)
- Visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex (residence of H.H. Dalai Lama), Namgyal Monastery, and Bhagsunag Waterfall.
- Afternoon visits to St. John in the Wilderness Church and the Norbulingka Institute.
- Overnight: Dharamshala (Night 5)
- Drive downhill from the Himalayas to Chandigarh (approx. 5 hours).
- Afternoon tour of the Rock Garden created by Nek Chand and leisure time around Sukhna Lake.
- Overnight: Chandigarh (Night 6)
- Scenic road drive southeast along the Himalayan foothills to the holy town of Rishikesh (approx. 5.5 to 6 hours).
- Evening attendance at the Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan.
- Overnight: Rishikesh (Night 7)
- Walk across the iconic suspension bridges Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula.
- Visit the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) and experience a traditional yoga or meditation session along the Ganges.
- Overnight: Rishikesh (Night 8)
- Drive back south to Delhi (approx. 5 to 6 hours) or take an express train from Haridwar.
- Afternoon drive past Old Delhi landmarks including Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.
- Overnight: Delhi (Night 9)
- Drive southwest to the “Pink City” of Jaipur via express highway (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
- Evening visit to Birla Mandir or walk through the historic pink-walled city markets.
- Overnight: Jaipur (Night 10)
- Morning excursion to Amber Fort with a photo stop at Jal Mahal.
- Afternoon tour of the City Palace complex, Jantar Mantar observatory, and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).
- Overnight: Jaipur (Night 11)
- Drive west into the desert region to Bikaner (approx. 5.5 to 6 hours).
- Tour Junagarh Fort and visit the unique Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) in Deshnoke.
- Overnight: Bikaner (Night 12)
- Drive deeper into the Thar Desert to the “Golden City” of Jaisalmer (approx. 5.5 hours).
- Evening stroll through the ancient stone alleys and local markets.
- Overnight: Jaisalmer (Night 13)
- Morning tour of the living Jaisalmer Fort (Sonhar Fort), Patwon ki Haveli, and Nathmal ki Haveli.
- Late afternoon drive to Sam Sand Dunes for a camel/jeep safari followed by Rajasthani folk cultural performances.
- Overnight: Jaisalmer (Night 14)
- Travel east across Rajasthan to the “Blue City” of Jodhpur (approx. 5 hours).
- Afternoon check-in and stroll around the Sardar Market near the historic Clock Tower.
- Overnight: Jodhpur (Night 15)
- Morning tour of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada royal cenotaphs.
- Afternoon walk through the blue-painted old city lanes and visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum.
- Overnight: Jodhpur (Night 16)
- Drive towards Udaipur through the Aravalli Hills (approx. 5 hours).
- Enroute stop to explore the 15th-century Ranakpur Jain Temple, famous for its 1,444 marble pillars.
- Evening sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola in Udaipur.
- Overnight: Udaipur (Night 17)
- Tour the expansive City Palace complex and Jagdish Temple.
- Afternoon visit to Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Courtyard of the Maidens) and the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal.
- Overnight: Udaipur (Night 18)
- Drive northeast to the sacred lake town of Pushkar (approx. 5 hours).
- Visit the holy Lord Brahma Temple, participate in a ceremonial prayer at Pushkar Lake Ghats, and explore local markets.
- Overnight: Pushkar (Night 19)
- Drive east to Sawai Madhopur / Ranthambore (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
- Check in to your safari lodge and spend the evening at leisure.
- Overnight: Ranthambore (Night 20)
- Morning and afternoon open-top game drives (canter/gypsy) in search of Royal Bengal tigers and wildlife.
- Mid-day visit to the hilltop Ranthambore Fort inside the reserve.
- Overnight: Ranthambore (Night 21)
- Drive east toward Agra (approx. 5 hours).
- Stop enroute at the red sandstone deserted Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid).
- Evening view of the Taj Mahal at sunset from Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna River.
- Overnight: Agra (Night 22)
- Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal followed by a tour of Agra Fort.
- Overnight: Agra
- Morning transfer to railway station, reach Varanasi, check in to your hotel, and rest.
- Evening wooden boat ride on the sacred Ganges River to witness the grand Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Overnight: Varanasi (Night 24)
- Dawn sunrise boat ride along the Ganges riverfront to observe morning spiritual rituals.
- Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon; explore Dhamek Stupa and the Archaeological Museum.
- Overnight: Varanasi (Night 25)
- Morning flight from Varanasi to Chennai.
- Drive along the East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram to view the UNESCO Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, and Arjuna’s Penance.
- Continue drive to Puducherry and check into your hotel.
- Overnight: Puducherry (Night 26)
- Morning stroll through the French Quarter, Promenade Beach, and Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
- Drive south to Thanjavur (approx. 4 hours).
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple), showcasing Chola architectural perfection.
- Overnight: Thanjavur (Night 27)
- Visit the Thanjavur Maratha Palace and Art Gallery, then drive southwest to Madurai (approx. 3 hours).
- Afternoon tour of Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace.
- Evening visit to Meenakshi Amman Temple to witness the night procession ceremony.
- Overnight: Madurai (Night 28)
- Drive into the Western Ghats to the hill station of Munnar in Kerala (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
- Arrive and check into your resort surrounded by tea plantations.
- Overnight: Munnar (Night 29)
- Excursion to Eravikulam National Park (habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr), Tata Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, and Echo Point.
- Overnight: Munnar (Night 30)
- Drive down from the hills to the Kerala backwaters at Alappuzha (approx. 4.5 hours).
- Board a traditional Kerala houseboat for an afternoon cruise along palm-fringed canals, lakes, and paddy fields.
- Overnight: Houseboat in Alappuzha (Night 31)
- Morning disembarkation and drive to Kochi (approx. 1.5 hours).
- Enroute tour of Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry Palace.
- Afternoon drive north to the hill and forest district of Wayanad (approx. 6 hours).
- Overnight: Wayanad (Night 32)
- Morning visit to Edakkal Caves to view ancient prehistoric rock carvings.
- Afternoon visits to Banasura Sagar Dam (largest earthen dam in India) and tea/spice plantation tours.
- Overnight: Wayanad (Night 33)
- Drive across state borders from Kerala to Karnataka through Bandipur National Park to Mysuru (approx. 3.5 to 4 hours).
- Afternoon visit to the grand Mysore Palace and evening walk through Devaraja Fruit and Spice Market.
- Overnight: Mysuru (Night 34)
- Drive up Chamundi Hill to visit Chamundeshwari Temple and view the colossal Nandi monolith.
- Afternoon excursion to St. Philomena’s Church and the historic island town of Srirangapatna (Tippu Sultan’s summer palace).
- Overnight: Mysuru (Night 35)
- Drive from Mysuru to Bengaluru via the express highway (approx. 3 hours).
- Afternoon tour of Bengaluru highlights including Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, and Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
- Overnight: Bengaluru (Night 36)
- Transfer to Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru for a flight to Mumbai.
- Afternoon arrival in Mumbai and walk along Marine Drive (Queen’s Necklace) or Colaba.
- Overnight: Mumbai (Night 37)
- Morning departure by road from Mumbai to Aurangabad via the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway (approx. 330 km, 6 to 7 hours).
- Evening arrival in Aurangabad and hotel check-in.
- Overnight: Aurangabad (Night 38)
- Full-day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Ajanta Caves (100 km, approx. 2 hours each way).
- Explore the ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves known for their paintings and sculptures.
- Return to Aurangabad for the night.
- (Note: Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays; Ellora Caves can be visited if date falls on a Monday).
- Overnight: Aurangabad (Night 39)
- Morning visit to the Ellora Caves complex, featuring Cave 16 (the monolithic Kailasa Temple), and drive past Daulatabad Fort or Bibi Ka Maqbara.
- Afternoon drive back to Mumbai via Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway (approx. 6 to 7 hours).
- Drop off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai for your late-night international departure flight.
What's included
- Hotel accommodation for 39 nights as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast during the tour.
- Private AC vehicle for sightseeing and road transfers.
- Domestic travel by flight/train as specified in the itinerary.
- Sightseeing and excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
- Ranthambore morning and afternoon safaris by Canter/Gypsy as specified.
- Airport, railway station transfers and sightseeing with assistance.
What isn't included
- International flights, visa fees and travel insurance.
- Monument, museum and attraction entrance fees.
- Personal expenses, shopping, laundry and beverages.
- Optional activities such as sound and light shows or additional boat rides.
- Tips, gratuities and services not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
