First Timers India Tour – 25 Days

Arrive in the national capital, check in to your hotel, and relax after your journey.

• Highlights: Welcome briefing, evening walk around Connaught Place or India Gate.
• Overnight: Delhi (Night 1)

• Travel: Take an early Vande Bharat Express or Shatabdi Express train (or short flight) to Amritsar.
• Evening: Visit the iconic Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) beautifully illuminated at night and experience the Community Kitchen (Langar).
• Overnight: Amritsar (Night 2)

• Morning: Pay respects at Jallianwala Bagh historical memorial and visit the Partition Museum.
• Late Afternoon: Drive to the Attari-Wagah Border (30 km) to witness the Beating Retreat ceremony between India and Pakistan.
• Overnight: Amritsar (Night 3)

• Drive: Scenic drive into the Dhauladhar Himalayas to Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and explore the Tibetan local markets and serene mountain atmosphere.
• Overnight: Dharamshala (Night 4)

• Morning: Visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex (the official residence of H.H. Dalai Lama), Namgyal Monastery, and Bhagsunag Waterfall.
• Afternoon: Explore St. John in the Wilderness Church, Norbulingka Institute (Tibetan arts preservation center), and the HPCA Cricket Stadium.
• Overnight: Dharamshala (Night 5)

• Morning Drive: Depart Dharamshala for Chandigarh (approx. 5 hours).
• En Route Sightseeing: Brief tour of Chandigarh including the famous Rock Garden by Nek Chand and Sukhna Lake.
• Overnight: Chandigarh (Night 6)

• Morning drive : Quick tour of Old Delhi featuring Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Overnight: Delhi

Full-Day Tour of Jaipur

• Morning: drive to Jaipur Excursion to Amber Fort with a photo stop at Jal Mahal.
• Afternoon: Tour the City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).
• Evening: Explore local craft bazaars famous for block-print textiles and jewelry.
• Overnight: Jaipur (Night 8)

• Drive: Travel west to the “Blue City” of Jodhpur (approx. 5.5 to 6 hours).
• Afternoon/Evening: Tour the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and stroll through the vibrant Sardar Market near the Clock Tower.
• Overnight: Jodhpur (Night 9)

• Drive: Depart for Udaipur through the Aravalli hills (approx. 5 hours).
• En Route: Visit the 15th-century Ranakpur Jain Temple, famous for its 1,444 uniquely carved marble pillars.
• Evening: Enjoy a scenic sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola.
• Overnight: Udaipur (Night 10)

• Morning: Tour the magnificent City Palace complex and Jagdish Temple.
• Afternoon: Visit Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Courtyard of the Maidens) and the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal.
• Overnight: Udaipur (Night 11)

• Drive: Drive to the holy lake town of Pushkar (approx. 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Visit the famous Brahma Temple, sacred Pushkar Lake Ghats, and explore the artisan market lanes.
• Overnight: Pushkar (Night 12)

• Drive: Travel east to Agra (approx. 6 hours).
• En Route: Stop at the deserted red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid).
• Evening: Sunset view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh.
• Overnight: Agra (Night 13)

• Sunrise: Experience the Taj Mahal at dawn, followed by Agra Fort.
• Overnight: Agra (Night 14)

• Morning: Arrive in Varanasi and check into your hotel to rest.
• Evening: Witness the grand Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat by boat.
• Overnight: Varanasi (Night 15)

• Morning: Early morning sunrise boat ride along the Ganges riverfront to observe morning rituals.
• Afternoon: Excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon; visit Dhamek Stupa and Archaeological Museum.
• Overnight: Varanasi (Night 16)

Fly from Varanasi to Chennai in the morning.

• En Route Sightseeing: Drive down the East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram to view the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, and Five Rathas.
• Drive to Puducherry: Continue to Puducherry and check into your hotel.
• Overnight: Puducherry (Night 17)

• Morning: Explore the French Quarter, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and Promenade Beach.
• Drive: Depart for Thanjavur (approx. 4 hours).
• Sightseeing: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple).
• Overnight: Thanjavur (Night 18)

• Morning: Tour the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Art Gallery, then drive to Madurai (approx. 3 hours).
• Afternoon: Visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace.
• Evening: Witness the late evening night ceremony at Meenakshi Amman Temple.
• Overnight: Madurai (Night 19)

• Drive: Ascend into the Western Ghats to the hill station of Munnar in Kerala (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and enjoy leisure time surrounded by rolling tea gardens.
• Overnight: Munnar (Night 20)

• Sightseeing: Visit Eravikulam National Park (home to Nilgiri Tahr), Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, and Echo Point.
• Overnight: Munnar (Night 21)

• Drive: Scenic drive down to the Kerala backwaters at Alappuzha (approx. 4.5 hours).
• Houseboat Cruise: Check into a traditional houseboat for an afternoon cruise along palm-fringed canals and lagoons.
• Overnight: Alappuzha (Night 22)

• Morning: Drive to Kochi (approx. 1.5 hours) and explore Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry Palace.
• Flight: Transfer to Cochin International Airport for your flight to Mumbai.
• Overnight: Mumbai (Night 23)

• Full Day: Tour the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, and Mani Bhavan.
• Overnight: Mumbai (Night 24)

Check out from your hotel and transfer to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for your onward international flight.