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Our 7 Best India Itineraries for First-Timers

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Colorful Patrika Gate in Jaipur, India

Patrika Gate in Jaipur, India

Wild tigers, dramatic fortresses, breathtaking colors, and vibrant culture sweeping from grand urban boulevards to secluded rural villages become welcoming destinations as you explore our seven itineraries to India for a first-timer, offering the perfect place to start your journey.

Whether interested in a luxury safari experience in search of signs of sensational wildlife or eager to view the bejeweled walls of the Taj Mahal, thrilled at the idea of drifting down the canals of Kerala or excited to witness the colorful cities of Rajhastan, India brims with tradition, heritage, and unmatched beauty.

No matter your travel interests, you can find compelling ideas and enticing possibilities in this timeless country as you uncover the right itinerary for your first visit to India.

Overview
  1. 1. Immersive India Exploration Tour: Cultural and Natural Marvels
  2. 2. 9-Day Culinary and Cultural Heritage Tour
  3. 3. 15-Day Golden Triangle with Vineyard Tour
  4. 4. Tour of Indian Palaces & Tiger Safari: Agra, Jaipur, Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks
  5. 5. Best of Northern India Tour: Jaipur to Varanasi
  6. 6. Immersive Seniors Tour to India in 10 Days
  7. 7. Spiritual Journey to India
  8. Plan Your India Itinerary for First-Timers with a Travel Specialist

1. Immersive India Exploration Tour: Cultural and Natural Marvels

Jaswant Thada memorial with the Mehrangarh fort in the background, Jodhpur, india

Jaswant Thada memorial with the Mehrangarh fort in the background, Jodhpur, india

Length: 11 days

Places Visited: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mihirgarh, Rohet, Rawal, Udaipur, Ranthambore National Park

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

India is a country of wonders, from the dynamic landscape to impressive cityscapes, and our Immersive India Exploration Tour: Cultural and Natural Marvels connects charm and authenticity with grandeur and opulence. Discover the emotive markets where jewelry and colorful spices mix with incredible history and a focus on daily life. From the shimmering marble facade of the Taj Mahal to the majestic Jain temples of Ranakpur, the secluded heritage mansions of Rajasthan to the luster of Bengal tigers, you can uncover beauty in impressive design and unforgettable wilderness.

Learn more: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur Itineraries

2. 9-Day Culinary and Cultural Heritage Tour

Traditional Chicken Tikka Masala dish

Traditional Chicken Tikka Masala dish

Length: 9 days

Places Visited: New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

9-Day Culinary and Cultural Heritage Tour of India gives you the sensory experience of heritage through food and preserved Unesco sites, delving deep into iconic flavors and unmatched passion.

Discover the abandoned marvel of Fatehpur Sikri and sample culinary delights with a private cooking class, embrace the art of henna and sail the Ganges River at sunset as the famous ghats linking the banks flicker with light. With ancient temples and innovative, colorful designs, it’s easy to be enchanted by the heritage and gastronomy of India.

Learn more: 1 Week India Itineraries

3. 15-Day Golden Triangle with Vineyard Tour

Vineyards of Nashik in India

Vineyards of Nashik in India

Length: 15 days

Places Visited: New Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Indulge in the new discoveries as you blend dreamy architecture with mouthwatering culinary culture during your 15-Day Golden Triangle with Vineyard Tour.

Delight in the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the renowned Pink City of Jaipur, the markets of Delhi and the alluring vineyards of the Nashik hills.

Enter ancient caves and discover statues and personal stories of triumph as you enjoy a new perspective of India on a guided, personal experience.

Learn more: 2 Week India Itineraries

4. Tour of Indian Palaces & Tiger Safari: Agra, Jaipur, Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks

Hawa Mahal Palace in Jaipur, India

Hawa Mahal Palace in Jaipur, India

Length: 11 days

Places Visited: Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Tour of Indian Palaces & Tiger Safari: Agra, Jaipur, Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks is an immersion into luxury as you explore India’s history. Search protected landscapes for signs of elephants or solitary tigers. Wander elegant Mughal architecture exemplifying design as art.

Embrace first-class accommodations during scenic train rides for a panoramic view of the landscape and witness the splendor of the Taj Mahal to crown your opulent experience. Blend nature, history, and culture with tangible experiences customized to your tastes, down to the most intricate detail.

Learn more: 10 Day India Itineraries

5. Best of Northern India Tour: Jaipur to Varanasi

Famous Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Famous Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Length: 9 days

Places Visited: Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Agra, Varanasi

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Cities brim with monuments and historic marketplaces fill with enticing aromas as you embrace the Best of Northern India Tour: Jaipur to Varanasi. With mysticism and intricate details, you can find the spice of life while experiencing India’s exceptional heritage.

Enjoy a cruise along the Ganges River for a unique perspective of renowned Varanasi, peer through the famous lattice veils of the Hawa Mahal palace in Jaipur, drape fine silks across your arms, or inhale the rich aromatics of spices in the bustling lanes of Chhatta Chow bazaar.

Northern India is rich, with complex and compelling opportunities you can enjoy to the fullest while inching toward the colorful facade of the Taj Mahal.

Learn more: Northern India Itineraries

6. Immersive Seniors Tour to India in 10 Days

Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi, India

Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi, India

Length: 10 days

Places Visited: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Udaipur

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Immersive Seniors Tour to India in 10 Days can be as vigorous or relaxing as you prefer when customizing your tour with an India travel specialist. Charm becomes the focus as the country’s decadent past comes to life.

Topped with the marvels of the Taj Mahal’s jewels, marble, and manicured gardens, the wonder of the world only accentuates the ambiance. Discover the majesty of more than 400 temples in Pushkar, embrace the historic markets of Jaipur and the weaving alleyways displaying glittering jewelry, wander red sandstone halls, and witness the drama of the Jain Temple of Ranakpur’s 1,444 hand-carved pillars.

From Udaipur’s luxury to Mumbai’s juxtapositions, you can enjoy an impressive and immersive exploration of India.

Learn more: India Tours for Seniors

7. Spiritual Journey to India

Shiva statue on the riverbank of Ganga in Rishikesh, India

Shiva statue on the riverbank of Ganga in Rishikesh, India

Length: 12 days

Places Visited: Delhi,  Varanasi,  Dharamsala,  Amritsar,  Rishikesh,  Dehradun

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

The remarkable temples and stunning cuisine help create India’s culture, while equally important are the details that shape daily life and history, from vibrant saris to a city’s traditional ceremonies. You can experience it all on this Spiritual Journey to India.

With many centers connected to the gods, goddesses, and customs, you can visit the Himalayas, home to the Dalai Lama, explore the treasures of Amritsar’s Golden Temple, and take part in the exciting changing of the guard ceremony at Attari.

Delight in the unique heritage by enjoying the traditions around India’s famous mystical destinations.

Learn more: Luxury India Tours

Plan Your India Itinerary for First-Timers with a Travel Specialist

Agra Fort, also known as Red Fort in Agra, India

Agra Fort in Agra, India

Find opulence and natural beauty, indelible heritage and surprising perspectives when exploring India’s diversity. From the ghats of Varanasi to the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the tropical greenery of the south to the snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the north, India is a united country with regions possessing their own unique characteristics and wonders.

Enjoy new inspiration that can introduce you to the cuisine or traditions sampled according to your preferences with more of our India tours and vacations or when exploring our India travel guide.

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