North to South India: Delhi, Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Kerala — 21 Days
From Delhi's markets and Agra's monuments through Rajasthan to Goa's beaches and Kerala's backwaters, a 21-day journey across six states.
This three-week route traverses northern India's principal heritage sites and coastal regions, beginning in Delhi and concluding in Kerala. The itinerary moves through Agra's Taj Mahal and associated Mughal architecture, Jaipur and its surrounding Rajasthan countryside, the pilgrimage town of Pushkar, the lake city of Udaipur, Mumbai's port and urban centre, the beach state of Goa, and the backwater systems and colonial port towns of Kerala's southern coast. Accommodation varies between guesthouses and hotels on a twin-share basis, with one night aboard an overnight train and one night in a family homestay in Alleppey. English-speaking local guides lead the tour throughout. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are partially included; vegetarian options are available at all meals. Travel between regions is by intercity train, long-distance bus, and domestic flight, with local orientation walks and optional activities available in most towns.
Highlights
- Taj Mahal in Agra: a Mughal mausoleum built in the 17th century with guided architectural and historical context
- Amber Fort near Jaipur: a hilltop UNESCO World Heritage Site with sandstone walls overlooking Maota Lake, explored on foot through interior courtyards and palaces
- Savitri Temple in Pushkar: a hilltop ascent before dawn for views of the Thar Desert and surrounding terrain at sunrise
- Udaipur's lake system and palace architecture: boat rides on Lake Pichola and walking tours through the city's lanes and historic quarters
- Mumbai's Chowpatty Beach, Crawford Market, and evening maritime views from the Taj Hotel
- Goa's beaches and local dining: a full day of beach time, market visits, and Goan cuisine
- Alleppey homestay and backwater ferry: overnight accommodation with a local family and morning-journey transit by small ferry through lagoons, rivers, and waterways
- Fort Kochi's colonial architecture: St. Francis Church (16th century), the Dutch cemetery, the Jewish Quarter with a 400-year-old synagogue, and optional Kathakali dance performances
- Varkala's coastal cliffs and temple: Janardhana Swamy Temple and dramatic shoreline on the Arabian Sea
Day by day
1Arrival in Delhi & Karol Bagh MarketKarol Bagh market
Arrive in Delhi at any time and settle into your accommodation. This evening, visit Karol Bagh market in the heart of the city. Select a restaurant, dine, and meet fellow travellers. An optional half-day culinary tour of Delhi is available if you are arriving early.
2Delhi to Agra: The Taj MahalDelhi to Agra · Taj Mahal · Baby Taj (Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah) · Agra Fort
A morning train departs Delhi for Agra, traveling through arid terrain and passing small towns along the route. Arrival in Agra allows time for a guided visit to the Taj Mahal, a 17th-century Mughal mausoleum. The guide provides historical context and architectural detail. Optional additional visits include Baby Taj (Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah) and Agra Fort, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation is in a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
3Agra to Jaipur: The Pink CityAgra to Jaipur · Jaipur · Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) · City Palace · Jantar Mantar
An overland bus journey from Agra to Jaipur takes most of the day. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is known as the Pink City due to its sandstone buildings painted in pink stucco, a convention dating to the 19th century. An orientation walk includes a cycle-rickshaw ride through the markets. The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) is visible from the market area; it is India's second-most visited monument. Free time in the afternoon permits visits to the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar (an 18th-century astronomical observation site), or independent exploration. Accommodation is in a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
4Jaipur: Amber Fort & City ExplorationJaipur · Amber Fort
A guided tour of Amber Fort, approximately 11 kilometers north of Jaipur, occupies the morning. The fort sits on a hilltop and is constructed of sandstone; its walls descend the slope and reflect in Maota Lake below. The interior includes courtyards, palaces, and chambers with detailed stone carving and inlay work. The return to Jaipur allows free afternoon time for independent exploration. An optional hot-air balloon ride over the city can be pre-booked. Accommodation remains in Jaipur. Breakfast is included.
5Jaipur to Tordi Sagar: Rural RajasthanJaipur · Tordi Sagar · nearby sand dunes
The group travels to Tordi Sagar, a rural settlement in Rajasthan. A guided walk through the village includes visits to potters' workshops, cobblers' shops, and local markets. An optional cricket match with local players may be arranged. A traditional rural lunch is included. Free time in the afternoon permits a jeep safari or camel cart ride to nearby sand dunes for sunset, a village hike, or a henna application with local women. An optional morning cycle tour can be pre-booked for a return-day view of Jaipur before departure. Accommodation is a simple guesthouse or hotel. Lunch and dinner are included.
6Tordi Sagar to PushkarPushkar
The group travels to Pushkar, passing through Ajmer. Pushkar is a pilgrimage town in Rajasthan known for the Brahma Temple, one of the few temples in India dedicated to the Hindu god of creation. The town sits beside a sacred lake ringed by ghats and temples. An evening orientation walk around the town occurs after arrival. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
7Pushkar: Sunrise at Savitri Temple & Desert ViewsPushkar · Savitri Temple
A pre-dawn ascent of Savitri Temple, a hilltop shrine, occurs to coincide with sunrise over the surrounding terrain. The Thar Desert landscape extends to the north and east. After the hike, café time is available in town. Optional activities include a yoga session and meditation, market visits, or an evening desert dinner arranged by local camel herders, complete with live music. Accommodation remains in Pushkar. Breakfast and dinner (if the desert dinner is selected) are included.
8Pushkar to Udaipur: Lakes & PalacesPushkar to Udaipur · Udaipur · Lake Pichola
A journey southward leads to Udaipur, a city built around a system of lakes in southern Rajasthan. The city is known for its palaces, including the City Palace and Lake Palace, and its narrow lanes and historical quarters. An evening orientation walk occurs upon arrival. An optional boat ride on Lake Pichola can be arranged. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
9Udaipur: Free Day for ExplorationUdaipur
A full free day in Udaipur permits independent exploration of the city's lakes, palaces, narrow lanes, and markets. Solo exploration or group activities can be arranged among fellow travellers. Optional pre-bookable activities include a sunrise cycle tour of the city or a cooking school class. Accommodation remains in Udaipur. No meals are included.
10Udaipur: Second Free DayUdaipur
Another full free day in Udaipur allows continued exploration. Further visits to palaces, boat rides, or shopping and dining in local restaurants are options. Additional cycle tours or cooking classes can be arranged. Accommodation remains in Udaipur. No meals are included.
11Udaipur to Ahmedabad: Gandhi AshramAhmedabad · Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati
A local bus departs for Ahmedabad, approximately 400 kilometers north. On arrival, a guided visit to the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati provides historical context on the site's significance during India's independence movement. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
12Ahmedabad to Mumbai: Train & Urban ExplorationAhmedabad to Mumbai · Mumbai · Taj Hotel · Chowpatty Beach · Crawford Market · local restaurants
An early-morning train departs Ahmedabad for Mumbai, arriving in the afternoon. Mumbai is India's largest city and principal port. Optional activities include tea at the Taj Hotel, observation from Chowpatty Beach, visits to Crawford Market (a 19th-century covered market in South Mumbai), or exploration of the city's neighbourhoods. Evening dining at local restaurants occurs with fellow travellers. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
13Mumbai: Urban Day & Overnight Train to Goaovernight train · Elephanta Caves · Gateway of India
A day for independent exploration of Mumbai or optional visits to Elephanta Caves, accessible by ferry from the Gateway of India. In the evening, the group boards an overnight train bound for Goa. Accommodation is an overnight train berth. No meals are included.
14Goa: Beach & Coastal LeisureGoa
Arrival in Goa in the morning. A full day of free time allows beach relaxation, market visits, and local Goan cuisine and seafood dining. Beach bars, shops, and independent exploration form the day's activities. An evening group gathering occurs for dinner. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse on the beach or near a central town area. Dinner is included.
15Goa to Kochi: Port City & Optional Cultural PerformancesGoa to Kochi · Kochi · the port area · Fort Kochi
A domestic flight from Goa to Kochi takes travellers to southern India. Kochi (also Cochin), a major port city on Kerala's Arabian Sea coast, features distinct neighbourhoods with colonial-era buildings and local markets. Afternoon activities include exploration of the port area or optional visits to Fort Kochi. An optional Kathakali dance performance, a classical form of dance-theatre indigenous to Kerala, can be attended in the evening. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
16Kochi to Alleppey: Colonial Architecture & HomestayKochi to Alleppey · Alleppey · Fort Kochi · St. Francis Church · the Jewish Quarter · family homestay
A morning orientation walk through Fort Kochi includes St. Francis Church (built in the 16th century by Portuguese traders), the Dutch cemetery, and the Jewish Quarter, which contains shops and a synagogue more than 400 years old. The group then travels by bus south to Alleppey, a town at the edge of Kerala's backwater system—a network of lagoons, rivers, and canals. A local guide leads an afternoon exploration of the immediate area, discussing local livelihoods and settlement patterns. The group settles into a family homestay for the night, sharing meals and accommodation with resident hosts. Lunch and dinner are included.
17Alleppey Backwaters & Kollam Port CityKollam · Alleppey's backwater lagoons and canals · Thangassery Light House · Kollam waterfront
A morning ferry cruise through Alleppey's backwater lagoons and canals reveals fishing nets, coconut palms, and local settlement patterns. Afterward, travel south by bus to the port city of Kollam. Afternoon free time permits beach walks, visits to the Thangassery Light House, or exploration of the waterfront.
18Kollam Fishing Harbour & Varkala Coastal DriveVarkala · Kollam Harbour · Janardhana Swamy Temple · Kollam to Varkala
A morning visit to Kollam Harbour provides observation of the town's fishing industry and port operations. A private vehicle then travels south along the coast to Varkala, a town overlooking the Arabian Sea. The route passes through coconut plantations and small towns. Extensive free time in Varkala allows for beach walks, visits to the Janardhana Swamy Temple (a historic shrine on the clifftop), or consultation with local Ayurvedic practitioners. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Breakfast is included. (Note: Kollam Harbour is closed to visitors from May through June.)
19Varkala: Clifftop Exploration & Temple Groundsclifftop gardens and grounds of the Janardhana Swamy Temple · local tea shops · beach
A full free day in Varkala permits independent or group exploration. Walks through the clifftop gardens and grounds of the Janardhana Swamy Temple, visits to local tea shops, relaxation on the beach, or consultation with local healers are options. Accommodation remains in Varkala. No meals are included.
20Varkala to Kochi: Return & Evening ActivitiesVarkala to Kochi · Kochi
A train departs Varkala for Kochi, arriving in the late afternoon. Free time allows continued exploration of Kochi's streets and neighbourhoods. An optional Kathakali dance performance can be attended if not seen during the earlier Kochi visit. An evening group gathering occurs for dinner. Accommodation is a simple hotel or guesthouse. Dinner is included.
21Departure from Kochi
Departure day. The group separates, with flights or trains departing at various times throughout the day. No meals are included. No accommodation is provided.
Where you go
- 1Taj Mahal
- 2Agra Fort
- 3Jaipur
- 4City Palace
- 5Jantar Mantar
- 6Jaipur
- 7Amber Fort
- 8Jaipur
- 9Pushkar
- 10Savitri Temple
- 11Udaipur
- 12Lake Pichola
- 13Udaipur
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Simple hotels or guesthouse (twin-share) (18 nts), overnight train (1 nt), homestay (1 nt).
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 2, Lunches: 2, Dinners: 2
- Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
- Vegetarian options available
- Local Guide
- Guided
- This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
- Wifi
- Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.