10 Days in India - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Rajasthan

This 10-day itinerary includes all the highlights of Rajasthan, from the Golden City of Jaisalmer to the blue houses of Jodhpur. With 10 days to explore, you'll have plenty of time to really get to know Rajasthan's culture and traditions and see everything this beautiful region has to offer. 

Once you arrive in Delhi, spend the first couple of days of your trip touring the city. Then, catch an overnight train to Jaisalmer, a fortified city on the edge of the Thar Desert often referred to as the "Golden City." Visit the city's Havelis (mansions), and then cross the desert to Dechu to ride camels across the dunes at sunset. 

On day five, leave Dechu to travel to Jodhpur, a city that sits under the massive Fort Mehrangarh, perched on a hill above it. Visit the fort and the royal cenotaph Jaswant Thada before heading to the city's market at the foot of the clock tower. Next, drive to Pushkar, a smaller town on the edge of the desert right by a lake, before continuing on to Jaipur the following morning. 

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is often called the Pink City. Once you arrive, go on a hot air balloon ride above the city to see the area's unique landscape from above. Then, tour the Amber Fort outside the city, and then visit Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds) and Jantar Mantar, the solar observatory. 

Finally, jump into the car again to drive to Abhaneri to see the Chand Baori Stepwell on your way to Agra, home of the famous Taj Mahal. Get settled in Agra and then visit the Taj Mahal at dawn the following day to see colorful sunrise against the white marble. In the evening, drive back to Delhi for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: India & Nepal - Delhi, Kathmandu, Agra, Jaipur

This itinerary combines India's Golden Triangle with a visit to Kathmandu to see Nepal's beautiful palaces and stupas. Start off in Delhi before spending a few days in the Himalayas, and then continue to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, before finishing your trip in Jaipur, in the northern state of Rajasthan. 

Start your Indian vacation by touring Old and New Delhi, including stops at the Red Fort, the Raj Ghat, and the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Then, hop on a plane to Kathmandu, the Nepali capital set in a valley in the Himalayas. 

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll have the option to go on a one-hour mountain flying tour in the Himalayas. Then, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several temples and the royal palace. Durbar Square was damaged during the 2015 earthquake, and several temples were destroyed, while others are being restored. 

On day five, visit nearby Patan, one of the three royal cities in Kathmandu Valley known for its beautiful art and architecture. Then, head to Bhaktapur, an ancient city sometimes called the "City of Culture" or "Nepal's Cultural Gem to see its beautiful Durbar Square and 55 Windows Palace. 

Next, fly back to India to visit Agra, where the world-famous Taj Mahal is located. There, tour the Taj Mahal, as well as the Agra Fort and Kachhpura Village. Finally, drive to Jaipur, with a stop at deserted Fatehpur Sikri—a city that Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned 15 years later—on the way. In Jaipur, you'll visit nearby Amber Fort, the City Palace, and the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. Finally, head back to New Delhi for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cultural Tour - Mountains to the Ganges

This 10-day tour includes some of India's most holy sites, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the shores of the Ganges. Enjoy breath-taking scenery, hike to hidden waterfalls, explore temples and monasteries and more on this tour of northern India. 

Start your tour in Delhi, then board a train to Shimla, and enjoy the spectacular scenery on the way. In Shimla, stroll down Mall Road to look at the shops before heading to Jakhoo Temple, dedicated to the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. From Shimla, drive to Manali, a picturesque hill station that's popular with Indian and foreign tourists alike. 

In Manali, visit the Temple of Sage Manu and Goddess Hadimba and the Buddhist Monastery. Then, continue on to Mcleod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamshala known for its large population of Tibetans. There, you can hike to Bhagsu waterfalls and visit the Bhagsu Nag Shiv Temple. Then, visit Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of the 14th Dalai Lama, where you can take in the tranquil atmosphere and visit the grounds. 

Next, catch an overnight train to Haridwar, an ancient city that's an important Hindu pilgrimage site and is located where the Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills. Once you arrive, take a cable car to visit the Chandi Devi Temple and the Mansa Devi Temple. In the evening, watch a Ganga Aarti Haridwar, a religious ceremony on the banks of the Ganges performed in Haridwar. 

Finally, return to Delhi. Here, you'll have the option to tour the city before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Kerala Hiking Adventure

This active itinerary is designed for lovers of the outdoors who want to discover Kerala's beautiful landscapes and hike through the Western Ghats. The tour includes a visit to Periyar National Park, a day cruising the backwaters of Kerala, and lots of medium-difficulty hikes through lush vegetation and rolling hills. 

Being your hiking adventure with a day in Cochin, before driving up to Munnar, a hill station in the Western Ghats. From there, you'll go into the hills and spend the next several nights in the Rhodo Valley, which will serve as your basecamp for several nearby treks. 

On day four, hike to the top of Meesapulimala, the second-highest mountain in South India, and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of Kerala and neighboring Tamil Nadu. On the following day, hike through a shola forest to Yellapatty Village, and from there drive to Top Station. 

Next, trek through the lush green farmlands of Pazhathottam to Vattavada Village, where you can meet local farmers and learn about their culture, before continuing your trek to Koviloor. From there, drive to Thekkady to explore Periyar National Park and see kingfishers, storks, and hornbills. In the evening, board a boat on Periyar Lake to spot otters, wild pigs, and buffaloes. 

On day eight, head to Alleppey to board a houseboat and cruise Kerala's backwaters, made up of narrow canals and enchanting lagoons lined with lush tropical vegetation. Spend the night on the houseboat, and disembark the following morning to return to Cochin. There, spend the last day of your trip touring the city, including Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, and St. Francis Church, before catching your flight home the following morning. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Golden Triangle & Ranthambore

This 10-day tour combines nature and culture, with tours of temples, forts, and palaces, as well as a couple of days in a tiger reserve to see India's spectacular wildlife. Ride a rickshaw in Old Delhi, go on a tour of Jaipur's temples, visit the famous Taj Mahal at sunrise, and more. 

Once you land in New Delhi, start your trip with a sightseeing tour that includes stops at the Red Fort, the Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, and lots more. Then, drive from New Delhi to Agra to see the spectacular Taj Mahal at sunrise and visit Mughal Heritage Kachhpura Village and Humayun’s Mosque. 

Then, drive from Agra to Ranthambore National Park, a protected tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan. Go on a Jeep safari to see tigers and other wildlife, including wild boar, sambar, striped hyena, and sloth bear. From Ranthambore, drive to Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital. Jaipur is often called the Pink City for the color of its walls, which were painted in 1853. 

In Jaipur, tour the nearby Amber Fort, then return to the city to see the Jantar Mantar astronomy observatory and the City Palace. The following day, go on a spiritual tour of Jaipur to see the city's most beautiful temples. On the last afternoon of your trip, you can choose from several tours around Jaipur, including bicycle tours, cooking classes, a hot air balloon ride, and an excursion to a nearby village. Return to New Delhi the following morning for your flight home. Learn more

More Great 10-Day India Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your India trip? Check out these other 10-day India itineraries, or describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.