How to Plan a Trip to India 2023/2024: 7 Easy Steps for You

Full of variety, uniqueness, and vibrant culture, India is well-known for its incredible cultural heritage and historic sites. From the marvelous and breathtaking Taj Mahal and ornate palaces to the serenity of Mughal-era gardens and mausoleums, India is a fascinating country that is packed full of incredible things to see and do.

India reopen for all international travelers. It is time to get ready for your trip to India. In this post, we'll share our best tips for planning a trip to India.

1. Decide How Many Days to Stay

A 7–10-day tour can cover the essential highlights of India, and it is an ideal tour length for first-time visitors to India. Most of our clients choose to visit the Golden Triangle of India (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur). See our sample 7-Day Golden Triangle India Tour.

To discover more of India, like cultural Rajasthan in the west and charming southern parts Goa and Kerala, you will need a few more weeks. See our sample itinerary for inspiration: 14-Day Classic Rajasthan tour.

For more intinerary siggestion see How Long to Spend in India: Find Itinerary Ideas from 5 Days to 1 Month

Contact a travel specialist to have your requirements, including the length of your holiday, designed into a fulfilling tour uniquely planned for you.

11-Day India and Nepal Tour Delhi - Varanasi - Jaipur - Agra - Kathmandu - Nagarkot

How Many Days for Touring India, Nepal, and Bhutan

It will cost 2 to 3 weeks for a trip to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Get some inspiration from our 14-Day India, Nepal, and Bhutan Tour: Delhi–Agra–Jaipur–Kathmandu–Thimphu–Punakha–Paro.

The above sample itineraries are just for your information. You are welcomed to contact your own experienced 1:1 tour consultant at Asia Highlights for a tailor-made itinerary.

Check out more on How to Plan an India and Nepal Trip.

14-Day India, Nepal, and Bhutan Tour Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Kathmandu - Thimphu - Punakha - Paro

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Great Experience WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More Stephen Hollis, Aug 2023

Alisa has has been great to work with Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More Ana Rausch, Aug 2023

Using Sharon right now to book our… Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More Tracy, Aug 2023

Thailand, Singapore, Bali In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More Cassi Thunker, Jul 2023

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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More Richard, Jul 2023

A pleasure to plan with Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More Chris Williams, Jul 2023

Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More CL, Jul 2023

I never used a travel agent in my life I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More Antione Barry, Jul 2023

Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia! Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More Debi Hinerfeld, Jul 2023

We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand … It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More SIMO el ghobar, Jun 2023

Wonderful Guides and Experience Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More Jessica Bennett, Jun 2023

Guide - Chai We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More Customer, Jun 2023

Our guide Tanni was kind Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More Marissa Manson, Jun 2023

We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip… Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More Diane Creitz, Jun 2023

Tanni for the win! 14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More Megan McGlynn, Jun 2023

This isn't my first trip with Asia… This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More Katie Potesta, Jun 2023

Amazing service Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More Alex, May 2023

I have never hear of this company… I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More orge alvarez, May 2023

Coco Yang worked tirelessly to… From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More Debbie Woods, May 2023

2. Choose Where to Go

India can generally be divided into several parts: the north-central region is centered around the golden triangle (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur), and features historic and religious buildings.

The south India is centered around Mumbai, Goa, and Kochin, and features tropical views, beaches, and ancient temples and caves.

Rajasthan on the west is famous for culture, deserts, and history. The northeast is the Himalayan foothills. The further north is good for learn about Sikhsim culture.

For most first timers to India, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur are their most choice destinations. Many will extend to Rajashtan or Goa.

1). Delhi: History and Culture, Tradition and Modernity

Humayun's Tomb

As the capital of India, Delhi is a must-visit destination for your first trip to India. Being a blend of ancient culture, art, and modern architecture, Delhi is split into two different areas: New Delhi and Old Delhi. The capital attracts travelers with its breathtaking historical buildings, eccentric cuisines, plenty of leisure activities, and vibrant nightlife.>>>How to Plan a Perfect Delhi Itinerary in 2022 (First Timers' Guide)

In Old Delhi, you can walk around the narrow lanes and crowded streets to taste authentic Indian delicacies and experience the traditional life. There are numerous historical sites to explore in Old Delhi, including the Red Fort and one of India's biggest mosques, Jama Masjid.

In New Delhi you can see the modernity and progress of India today with fast-speed metro, wide roads, skyscrapers, and great infrastructure. The impressive Colonial-era government buildings can be found everywhere. Have a rest at the air-conditioned shopping centers, pubs, and restaurants there.

Related reading:

• 2-Week India Itineraries for Couples and Families
• Best (and Worst) Times to Visit India & the Monsoon?

2). Agra: The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, UNESCO Sites

Taj Mahal

Most travelers come to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. As a must-visit attraction in Agra, the Taj is crowded during the tourist season. To get a grander view, you can go to Mehtab Bagh ('Night Garden'), where you can enjoy great sunset views of this iconic structure. More suggestions on best times to visit the Taj.

Besides the Taj, there are numerous great architectural achievements of the Mughal Empire in Agra for you to explore, including Agra Fort and Akbar's Tomb. If you are interested in more UNESCO World Heritage sites, Fatehpur Sikri Old Town, which was built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century should be on your list. Find more details on planning your Agra tour.

20-Day China (including Tibet), Nepal, and India Tour Splendid History and Culture on Both Sides of the Himalayas

3). Jaipur — The Pink City: Forts, Palaces, Museums, Elephant Sanctuary

The Palace of Wind

As the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle, along with Delhi and Agra, and a must-visit destination in India. Jaipur is home to many forts and palaces, where you can spend one or two days exploring. Some of the most famous forts and palaces are Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, and Nahargarh Fort.

Besides the historical sites, Jaipur is home to an elephant sanctuary (Elefantastic) that ethically takes care of elephants. It is great to spend half a day there to learn more about these huge but endearing animals with your kids.

See How to Plan a Jaipur Itinerary and Best and Worst Times to Visit Jaipur>>>

4). Varanasi: Hindu Worship, Ancient City, Ganges River Sights

Ganges River

Located on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is one of the most popular destinations in India. It is regarded as the spiritual capital of India, which attracts numerous travelers and pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year.

As the holy home to many historic Hindu buildings, Varanasi is a great place to see people, who come to cleanse their souls in the Ganges River, performing religious rituals and prayers.

There you can learn more about religions in India. One of the rituals is the Ganga Aarti, which happens every night. It is a fabulous night scene, when prayers are prayed and floating lanterns are placed on the Ganges.

Take a boat ride down the Ganges to observe the local way of life along the banks of the river. See our 9-Day India Golden Triangle with Varanasi

9-Day India Golden Triangle with Varanasi

5). Ranthambore National Park: Wildlife, Tigers, Safaris

As the most famous National Park in India, Ranthambore National Park is one of the must-visit destinations for travelers in India because of its distinct class and charm.

It is the home to a significant number of Royal Bengal tigers. Thousands of tiger lovers from all over the world come to India to visit this national park during the safari season (October to March) to get a chance to glimpse one of these incredible cats. >>>The Best 7 National Parks for Tiger Safaris in India

9-Day India Golden Triangle with Tiger Safari Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Ranthambore National Park

6). Rajasthan: Ancient Palaces & Forts, Camel Safari, Lakes

Rajasthan is one of the most visited states in India due to its incredible arid landscape, multitude of royal palaces and forts, and unique desert culture.

Many famous cities are in Rajasthan, like the "pink city" Jaipur, "blue city" Jodhpur, and "desert city" Jaiselmer.

You can experience a heritage hotel in Jaipur, enjoy a camel safari in Jaiselmer, explore the blue buildings of Jodhpur, and enjoy a boat ride on the romantic Lake Pichola in Udaipur. Check the best time to visit Rajasthan>>>

14-Day Rajasthan Tour Package for Westners Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur

7). Goa: Relaxing Beach Time & Charming Colonial Style

Goa

Goa is one of the smallest states in India. It is prefered by couples and families for its brilliant beaches, delicious seafood, and Portuguese heritage.

There you can walk around the its old town to find the Baroque style, enjoy water sports activities at the beach, enjoy a massage or have fun in some clubs or bars, or just lie on the beach and enjoy the beatiful scenery.

See more on 2 Weeks in India: The Best 4 India Itineraries for You!

11-Day Inida Highlights and Goa Honeymoon Trip Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Mumbai - Goa

3. Best Times to Visit India

India is a very large country with many different climates and weather patterns. In general, the best time to visit India for the most comfortable weather is in winter (from November to March), which is also the high season for tourism. This is when India experiences cooler and drier weather across most of the country, making it a great time for outdoor activities. During the high season, the price of hotels will increase, and historic sites will likely be crowded.

Summer monsoon in India: The whole country gets very hot with daytime temperatures around 41°C (106°F) from April to September. Most regions experience the monsoon in June, July, August, and September. During this period, India receives 70–90% of its annual rainfall, with downpours lasting for days. In some places of northeastern India (around the Ganges), flooding happens during the summer monsoon.

Regardless of the hot weather in summer, certain areas of India can be visited year-round, like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

Find out the detailed suggestions on the best and worst times to visit India, and its monthly weather>>>

9-Day India Highlights and Food Tour Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Varanasi

4. Consider Your Travel Budget

India is a large and diverse destination that offers different costs for traveling. The cost of travel in India depends on where you are going and what kinds of hotels you are going to stay at.

Hotel prices in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore are much higher than in small ones. On the other hand, India's inflation problems can make prices change a lot and rapidly. Book early to fix the hotel price and take advantage of any deals.

The following are some approximate private tour cost brackets:

• For a medium budget, touring India typically costs around 150–200 USD per day per person (including air fares within India, 4-star hotels, attractions, guide, and transfers).
• For a higher budget of US$200–250 per day per person, more comfort can be enjoyed (includes air fares within India, 5-star hotels, attractions, guide, and transfers).

Check out more on our How Much Does a Trip to India Cost?

12-Day Family Holiday in India Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore National Park - Jaipur - Mumbai - Goa

5. India Travel Visa and Travel Restrictions

Entry policy: India has now reopened to travelers. From February 14, 2022, all travelers can enter India without quarantine or nucleic acid testing, as long as you're fully vaccinated.

Visa Policy: The vast majority of visitors from abroad require a visa for India. The electronic visa or e-Visa for India is available for the majority of nationalities, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. It can be obtained by completing a simple online application form. The India e-Visa is processed quickly and delivered to the applicant by email. This permits the holder to visit the country for up to 90 consecutive days for the purpose of tourism.

6. How to Get To and Around India

Getting to India

The best way to get to India is by flight. There are direct flights from the main cities in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other countries to Delhi and Mumbai. It takes about 12–15 hours from America or Australia to India and 8–10 hours from Europe to India by air.

Getting Around in India

There are many ways to get around in India. The popular ways include flights, trains, and buses. See more on India Maps, India Travel Maps

Most international visitors travel from one large city to another by flight. Traveling by train in India can be challenging as the trains can be very crowded and train tickets are sold out quickly. Buses in India are slow as the driver may pick up passengers everywhere, and most of the time they're crowded.

The most comfortable way to travel in India is by hiring a private car and driver (or having private transport included in a tour, like ours). A professional local driver knows the places best and gets you there fastest. If you would like to book private transport or a guided tour of India, contact us.

Connecting to Other Asian Countries

Delhi is the major gateway city for travel to South Asia countries. If you are going to cover more destinations in other South Asia countries, you can book flights from Delhi to other major cities in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

11-Day India and Nepal Tour Delhi - Varanasi - Jaipur - Agra - Kathmandu - Nagarkot

7. Independent Travel or Private Guided Tour?

Should you book a guided tour or travel independently? It really depends on where you are visiting in India, and the time and experience/patience you have to arrange everything yourself.

It is difficult as a backpacker to travel across the whole country independently due to the poor infrastructure, especially in some remote areas. Many roads, public transport provision, and signage are not the standards you would expect from a more developed nation. And you still face language barriers in some remote areas although English is India's official language of commerce.

With a private guided tour organized by a good travel company, you wouldn't need to worry about your flights, accommodation, transportation, entry tickets, or anything else. With us, you only need to turn up, follow our professional tour guides, and enjoy the trip. Contact one of our travel advisors to plan your trip to India now.

Tour India with Us

As one of the leading tour companies in Asia, we have been providing travel services for more than 20 years to thousands of satisfied customers. To fulfill your South Asia travel dreams, let us know your requirements and interests for a tailor-made tour of India.

Here are some popular itineraries for your reference:

• 15-Day India and Sri Lanka Tour
• 9-Day India Golden Triangle with Tiger Safari
• 12-Day India and Bhutan Tour
• 12-Day Family Holiday in India
• 14-Day Classic Rajasthan Tour