The Plan at a Glance
- Days 1–2: Delhi (Old Delhi + New Delhi)
- Days 3–4: Agra (Taj Mahal sunrise + Agra Fort)
- Days 5–6: Jaipur (Amer Fort + City Palace)
- Days 7–8: Udaipur (lake palaces + boat ride)
- Day 9: Fly Udaipur → Cochin
- Days 10–11: Munnar (tea plantations)
- Day 12: Periyar (spice gardens, wildlife)
- Day 13: Houseboat night on Kerala backwaters
- Day 14: Marari beach + fly Cochin → Europe
Day-by-Day
Days 1–2 — Delhi
Arrive into Delhi (most European flights land at midnight or early morning). Day 2: Old Delhi rickshaw tour through Chandni Chowk + Jama Masjid; New Delhi sights — Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Qutub Minar. Stay at The Imperial or The Oberoi.
Days 3–4 — Agra
Drive Delhi to Agra (3.5h). Afternoon Agra Fort. Day 4: Sunrise Taj Mahal — the unmissable moment. Optional Mehtab Bagh sunset across the river. Stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas (every room faces the Taj).
Days 5–6 — Jaipur
Drive Agra to Jaipur (4.5h) via Fatehpur Sikri. Day 6: Amer Fort by Jeep, City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, Hawa Mahal photo stop. Stay at Rambagh Palace or Samode Haveli.
Days 7–8 — Udaipur
Fly Jaipur to Udaipur (1h). City Palace, sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, Jagmandir island dinner. Day 8: Free morning — wander the old city, visit Crystal Gallery and Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens. Stay at Taj Lake Palace or Leela Palace.
Day 9 — Fly to South
Udaipur → Cochin via Mumbai (4–5h total). Arrive Fort Kochi for Chinese fishing nets sunset and Kathakali performance.
Days 10–11 — Munnar
Drive Cochin to Munnar (4h up). Tea plantation walks, Eravikulam National Park (rare Nilgiri Tahr), tea museum. Stay at Windermere Estate.
Day 12 — Periyar
Drive Munnar to Thekkady (4h). Spice plantation tour, evening lake boat in Periyar Tiger Reserve. Stay at Spice Village.
Day 13 — Houseboat
Drive Periyar to Alleppey (4h). Board your private chartered houseboat with chef and crew. Drift through palm-shaded canals; sunset dinner on board.
Day 14 — Beach Finale
Disembark, drive to Marari Beach (1h). Beach morning, lunch, transfer to Cochin airport for evening flight home.
Why This Itinerary Works
- Two completely different Indias — colour and culture (North) + green calm (South)
- The Taj Mahal, palaces, tea plantations and backwaters all in one trip
- One internal flight transition (Udaipur–Cochin) avoids exhausting drives
- Ends on a beach — perfect decompression before the long flight home
Variations
- Swap Kerala for Rajasthan extension (Jodhpur + Jaisalmer) for a desert + palaces theme
- Add Ranthambore tiger safari instead of beach finale
- Add Varanasi (sacred Ganges) for a spiritual dimension