First Timers India Tour – 35 Days

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

• 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 Langar community kitchen.
• Overnight: Amritsar (Night 2)

• Morning: Visit Jallianwala Bagh memorial and the Partition Museum.
• Late Afternoon: Drive to the Attari-Wagah Border (30 km) for the patriotic Beating Retreat ceremony.
• Overnight: Amritsar (Night 3)

• Drive: Scenic drive into the Dhauladhar mountains to Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and stroll through local Tibetan craft markets.
• 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, and the HPCA Cricket Stadium.
• Overnight: Dharamshala (Night 5)

• Drive: Scenic drive downhill from the Himalayas to the planned city of Chandigarh (approx. 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Tour the famous Rock Garden created by Nek Chand and relax around Sukhna Lake.
• Overnight: Chandigarh (Night 6)

• Morning: Drive back to Delhi
• Afternoon: Excursion to Old Delhi featuring Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Overnight: Delhi (Night 7)

• Drive: Proceed to the “Pink City” of Jaipur via express highway (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and visit the serene Birla Mandir in the evening.
• Overnight: Jaipur (Night 8)

• Morning: 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 markets famous for gems and block prints.
• Overnight: Jaipur (Night 9)

• Drive: Travel west into the Thar Desert region to Bikaner (approx. 5.5 to 6 hours).
• Afternoon: Tour the grand Junagarh Fort and visit the unique Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) in Deshnoke.
• Overnight: Bikaner (Night 10)

• Drive: Drive deeper into the desert to the “Golden City” of Jaisalmer (approx. 5.5 hours).
• Evening: Witness the sunset over the desert landscape and stroll through local markets.
• Overnight: Jaisalmer (Night 11)
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• Morning: Tour 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 across the desert dunes followed by cultural Rajasthani folk music.
• Overnight: Jaisalmer (Night 12)

• Drive: Travel east across Rajasthan to the “Blue City” of Jodhpur (approx. 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Arrive, check in, and explore the vibrant clock tower market (Sardar Market).
• Overnight: Jodhpur (Night 13)

• Morning: Tour Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada royal cenotaphs.
• Afternoon: Walk through the blue-painted lanes of the old city and visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum.
• Overnight: Jodhpur (Night 14)

• 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 15)

• Morning: Tour the magnificent City Palace complex and Jagdish Temple.
• Afternoon: Visit Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Courtyard of the Maidens) and Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal.
• Overnight: Udaipur (Night 16)

• Drive: Drive north-east to the holy lake town of Pushkar (approx. 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Visit the Lord Brahma Temple, perform a ceremonial offering at Pushkar Lake Ghats, and explore local markets.
• Overnight: Pushkar (Night 17)

• Drive to Sawai Madhopur / Ranthambore (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
• Afternoon: Arrive, check into your wildlife resort, and relax.
• Overnight: Ranthambore (Night 18)

• Morning & Afternoon Safaris: Morning and afternoon open-top Canter/Gypsy safaris into Ranthambore National Park to spot Bengal tigers, leopards, and wild ungulates.
• Mid-Day: Visit the hilltop Ranthambore Fort within the tiger reserve.

• Drive: Travel east to Agra (approx. 5 hours).
• En Route: Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid).
• Evening: Sunset view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh across the river.
• Overnight: Agra (Night 20)

• Sunrise: Experience the Taj Mahal at dawn, followed by Agra Fort.
• Evening Local Market
• Overnight: Agra

• Morning: Arrive in Varanasi, check into your hotel, and rest.
• Evening: Watch the grand Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat by boat.
• Overnight: Varanasi (Night 22)

• Morning: Early morning boat ride along the Ganges riverfront to observe morning rituals.
• Afternoon: Excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon; visit Dhamek Stupa and the museum.
• Overnight: Varanasi (Night 23)

• Flight: 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 24)

• Morning: Stroll through 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 25)

• 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 26)

• 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 27)

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

  • Overnight: Munnar (Night 28)

• Drive: Scenic drive down to the Kerala backwaters at Alappuzha (approx. 4.5 hours).
• Houseboat Cruise: Board a traditional houseboat for an afternoon cruise along palm-fringed canals and lagoons.
• Overnight: Alappuzha (Night 29)

• 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 Mumbai, transfer to hotel

• Morning Sightseeing: Drive to South Mumbai to visit the Gateway of India and take a drive along Marine Drive (Queen’s Necklace).
• Afternoon: Depart Mumbai and drive to Aurangabad via the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway (approx. 330 km, 6 to 7 hours driving time).
• Evening: Arrive in Aurangabad, check in to your hotel, and relax for the night.
• Overnight: Aurangabad

• Full-Day Excursion: Drive 100 km north (approx. 2 hours) from Aurangabad to the world-famous Ajanta Caves.
• Sightseeing: Spend 3–4 hours exploring the 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating from the 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE, renowned for their ancient murals and sculptures.
• Evening: Return drive to Aurangabad. Explore local markets or try traditional Maharashtrian cuisine like Naan Qalia.
• Important Note: Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays.
• Overnight: Aurangabad

• Morning: Drive 30 km west to visit the Ellora Caves complex. Focus on Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple), the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
• Afternoon: En route back to Aurangabad city, stop at Daulatabad Fort, a hilltop medieval fortress known for its complex maze-like defense structures.
• Late Afternoon: Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad city, a 17th-century marble mausoleum built by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother.
• Important Note: Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays.
• Overnight: Aurangabad

• Morning: Enjoy breakfast and start the return drive back to Mumbai via the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway.
• Afternoon: Stop for lunch and refreshments at express route food plazas.
• Evening: Check in to your hotel in Mumbai. Take an evening walk around Marine Drive or Bandra West waterfront.
• Overnight: Mumbai

• Morning: Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), drive past the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, or visit Mani Bhavan (Gandhi Museum).
• Afternoon: Complete last-minute shopping around Colaba Causeway or Palladium Mall.
• Evening: Transfer back to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for your onward departure flight.