7-Day India Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day India tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffIndia travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in North India, incl. Delhi and Jaipur

  Four iconic destinations showcase India's diversity: Delhi's historic sites, Agra's Taj Mahal, Ranthambore's tiger territory, and Jaipur's Amber Fort. Six nights at quality hotels, 2 jungle safaris, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and traditional elephant rides create lasting memories.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Delhi Arrival & Old City

    Start your North India journey in Delhi. Head to Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk market by rickshaw before 11 AM to beat the crowds. A previous visitor shared: "The guide that gave the tour of old Delhi felt like a friend and made this part surprisingly enjoyable." Bring small bills for public restrooms and pack a scarf to cover your shoulders at Jama Masjid mosque.

    
  • Day 2

    Delhi to Agra (3 hours)

    See Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar before driving to Agra on the Yamuna Expressway. Book an afternoon departure to avoid Delhi's morning traffic. You'll have time to check out local markets or rest once you reach Agra.

    
  • Day 3

    Agra to Ranthambore (6 hours)

    Get up early for the Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed Fridays). One visitor noted: "The Taj Mahal lived up to expectations - the sunrise visit was magical." See Agra Fort before the 6-hour drive to Ranthambore. Stop at the fascinating "ghost city" of Fatehpur Sikri on the way. You'll reach your lodge by dinner time.

    
  • Day 4

    Ranthambore Safari Day

    Two safari drives today at 6 AM and 2 PM lasting about 3 hours each. A recent visitor advises: "Bring blankets and warm clothes for morning safaris - the open vehicles get very cold and seats can be wet!" While tigers aren't guaranteed one group got lucky: "saw a female tiger and her 2 cubs and followed them until they moved to a restricted zone."

    
  • Day 5

    Ranthambore to Jaipur (3 hours)

    Drive to Jaipur after breakfast. Visit the Monkey Temple later and watch the evening light show at Amber Fort. A traveler's tip: "Get Nameera as your Jaipur guide - her passion for the pink city really brings the place to life."

    
  • Day 6

    Jaipur Exploration

    Start at Amber Fort for the elephant ride up before the crowds (7-9 AM). Visit the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar observatory. The old city's textile markets are great for shopping. Many visitors recommend getting custom clothes made with same-day delivery.

    
  • Day 7

    Jaipur to Delhi (5 hours)

    Leave early for the 5-hour drive back to Delhi. This flexible day works well for last-minute shopping or handling unexpected delays. Your driver can drop you at the airport or your hotel at no extra cost.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Days in India's Golden Triangle, incl. Delhi and Jaipur

  A 553km path winds through Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Eight UNESCO sites including Humayun's Tomb and Taj Mahal await, complemented by Jhalana leopard safari and stays at 5-star hotels like The Surya Delhi.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Delhi

    Start in India's vibrant capital. "Get to Jama Mosque early - it's much more peaceful before the crowds arrive," one traveler recommends. Visit the UNESCO-listed Qutub Minar complex in the morning when sunlight hits the red sandstone. Next up is Humayun's Tomb but bring a hat and water since shade is limited. In the afternoon, visit Raj Ghat and India Gate. Skip the sunset hours when locals fill the area.

    
  • Day 3

    Agra and Taj Mahal

    Leave early for the 4-hour drive to Agra. "Watching the Taj Mahal at sunrise was humbling - arrive by 6:00 AM to beat both crowds and heat," a visitor suggests. Spend your afternoon at Agra Fort when lighting is perfect for photos. Visit Mehtab Bagh gardens across the river to see the Taj Mahal at dusk.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Jaipur

    The 5-hour journey to Jaipur includes a stop at Fatehpur Sikri's abandoned city. Start your Jaipur visit at Amber Fort. Take a jeep up instead of an elephant ride, which many visitors find concerning. "The City Palace audio guide was excellent - worth the extra cost for detailed historical context," notes one tourist. See Hawa Mahal in the morning before the heat intensifies.

    
  • Day 6

    Jhalana Leopard Safari

    This makes an exciting change from typical Golden Triangle stops. "We got lucky spotting a leopard within the first hour - but bring good binoculars as they're often distant," shares a reviewer. The safari begins around 6:00 AM when animals are most active. Return to Delhi in the afternoon (5-6 hours).

    
  • Day 7

    Delhi Departure

    Use your last morning to shop in Delhi's markets. "Dilli Haat craft market is perfect for authentic souvenirs without aggressive selling," a traveler suggests.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Day Kerala Itinerary, incl. Kochi and Varkala

  Four distinct destinations showcase Kerala's diversity: historic Kochi with its Jewish Quarter, Alleppey's backwaters with homestays, Kollam's fishing harbor, and Varkala's beaches. Traditional Kathakali performances and visits to 400-year-old synagogues highlight the week.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Kochi

    Start your morning in Fort Kochi around 8 AM to see the famous Chinese fishing nets in action. The early morning light makes for excellent photos. "Watching the sunset through the fishing nets of Kochi was magical, but sunrise is even better since you'll beat the crowds." Spend your afternoon checking out the art cafes along Princess Street.

    
  • Day 2

    Kochi to Alleppey

    Take a 90-minute private transfer to Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala's backwaters. Stop for lunch at the Theruvarom Women's Project for traditional Kerala food served on banana leaves. Walk the narrow canals with a local guide in the afternoon. You'll spend the night at a family homestay for a real taste of Kerala hospitality. Pack light clothes since the backwaters stay humid all year.

    
  • Day 3

    Alleppey to Kollam

    Take a public ferry through the backwaters early in the day. It's cheaper than private boats and feels more authentic. The 2-hour trip to Kollam shows you real village life along the water. "The walk through the rice fields and seeing local life along the backwaters was amazing - bring a hat and water as it gets quite hot by mid-morning."

    
  • Days 4-5

    Varkala

    Take a scenic 5-6 hour coastal drive to Varkala. The cliffside setting gives you amazing views of the Arabian Sea. You have two full days to try yoga classes, get Ayurvedic treatments, or just relax on the beach. Visit the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple early when it's quiet. Be careful on the cliff path during monsoon season from June to August.

    
  • Day 6

    Varkala to Kochi

    Take the morning train back to Kochi (3.5-4 hours). Book an AC chair car for comfort. In the evening, watch a traditional Kathakali dance show. Get there 30 minutes early to see the performers put on their makeup. Shows start at 6 PM and run for 2 hours.

    
  • Day 7

    Kochi

    Use your last morning to shop in the Jewish Quarter's antique stores, which open at 10 AM. Most international flights leave in the afternoon or evening. If you're heading to the airport during rush hour (8-10 AM or 5-7 PM), add extra time for traffic.

    

  View itinerary