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2 Week India Itinerary Perfect For Your First Trip To India!

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You want to visit India, you only have 2 weeks to visit, you’re wondering ‘can I see India in 2 weeks?’ and ‘where to go in India with 2 weeks?’.

Well, I’m here to help you with this India Travel Guide and 2 Week India itinerary based on my extensive travels in India.

India is HUGE, and you’ll never see all of this crazy and colourful country in one trip, especially in 2 weeks but with 2 weeks in India you can get a good taste of what India has to offer (quite literally with all the delicious food) and you can do a second trip to India another time to see more!

As a first-time traveller to India, I’m sure there are certain places you really want to visit, and there are certain places you really should visit too!

The Golden Triangle itinerary of India comprising of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur is famous and popular to visit on first trips to India for a good reason. It’s full of icons, it’s easy to travel, and set up for international tourism. But with 2 weeks in India, you can also visit a few more places than just the Golden Triangle!

For your first trip to India to see all the highlights, I suggest visiting: Delhi – Varanasi – Agra – Jaipur – Pushkar – Delhi

Does this not look like the itinerary you want? If you’d rather go to South India and see the beaches of Goa and the Backwaters of Kerala, see my 2 week South India itinerary here!

2 Week India Itinerary

2 Week India Itinerary
Keep Reading for the perfect 2 Week India Itinerary!

Best time to visit India

Before we get into this India travel blog, it’s worth thinking about the best time to visit India as the country get’s very hot and wet in the middle of the year. November to March are the best times to visit both North & South India.

South India will be warmer than North India in the winter months of December and January, Delhi and further North actually get cold in these months but are still enjoyable to visit with the right clothing.

Outside these months, you can still visit but you’ll find that the heat and humidity will be much higher, especially as you go further South.

SIM CARD FOR INDIA

I really recommend having a sim card in India as it makes travel in India so much easier! You may have heard that it’s hard to get a sim card in India but you can get a sim card in Delhi Airport, read this post to see how to buy a sim card in Delhi Airport or if you fly in elsewhere 3 ways to buy a sim card in India and you’ll be connected in just a few hours!

WHAT TO WEAR IN INDIA

If you are a woman, here’s what I recommend you pack and wear in India. Technically you can wear what you like in India in most places but to get fewer stares and feel more comfortable, read my post!

DON’T GET SCAMMED IN DELHI

Most people arrive for the first time into Delhi and get scammed within a few hours! Read my Delhi Travel Tips to help you enjoy Delhi, and the best places to stay in Delhi which is so important!

Map of the Best Places to Visit in India in 2 Weeks

Day 1 – Arrive in Delhi

Fly into New Delhi Aiport to start your 2 week India itinerary. Get a sim card. Don’t pressure yourself to do too much today if it’s been a long day. Going for Dinner in Delhi and trying authentic Indian Food for the first time is a big enough activity for your first day in India!

Day 2 – Explore Delhi

Things To Do in Delhi

Spend this full day in Delhi on a tour seeing the best of Delhi. Sure you can see Delhi yourself using a mix of rickshaws, the metro, uber’s and foot, but to take the stress off you and ensure you don’t find yourself in a cultural overload, going out to see Delhi’s best sights with a local guide will be best and will help you ease into this itinerary for India.

2 week India itinerary, red fort in Delhi with crowds of people
The Red Fort in Old Delhi.

Day 3 – Explore Delhi & Overnight Train to Varanasi

Today you can explore the parts of Delhi that you didn’t get to see yesterday. There are so many things to do in Delhi and Delhi’s metro system is really easy to use and very cheap so be sure to make the most of using this and travel the local way as I think it’s the best way to get around Delhi.

Delhi to Varanasi Overnight Train

Pre-Book an overnight train to Varanasi before arriving in India. I recommend using 12GO Asia to book & pre-book your trains in India in an easy way. Trains are the best way to see India which I’m sure you know, and an overnight train is a must-do experience when travelling India to save time, especially on your 2 week India itinerary, and to see India the real way.

Train Suggestion: I recommend getting the below train at 20:40 from New Delhi Train Station getting to Varanasi Junction at 8:35 am. It’s the perfect overnight train from Delhi to Varanasi and runs every day. My recommendation is to get the 2AC Class so you have more space.

TRAINS IN INDIA BOOK UP VERY QUICKLY DUE TO HOW MANY DOMESTIC TOURISTS TRAVEL AROUND, ESPECIALLY THE HIGHER CLASS TRAINS LIKE 2AC, I SUGGEST BOOKING YOUR TRAINS AS SOON AS YOU HAVE YOUR DATES CONFIRMED! BOOK THIS TRAIN HERE.

2 week India itinerary, overnight train from delhi to varanasi time on 12Go

Day 4 – Explore Varanasi

Things To Do in Varanasi

Varanasi is such an interesting city to visit. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world, people seem to love it or hate it so I think you have to visit Varanasi on your first trip to India to see what you think for yourself as it’s so iconic and a culture shock, in a good way!

The best things to do in Varanasi are to spend the day exploring the ghats that line the famous River Ganges, explore the ancient streets of the city, and get a lassi from the famous Varanasi lassi shop – Blue Lassi.

Come evening head back to the ghats to watch the evening Aarti ceremony, your first ceremony in India!

To help you once you’re on your 2 week India trip, why not take a Lonely Planet India Travel Guide with you.

2 week India itinerary, evening aarti ceremony in Varanasi
The Aarti Ritual

BOOKING TRAINS IN INDIA

India is best travelled by train because its the quickest, cheapest and best way of getting to know the country. For an EASY option of booking trains in India use 12GO to search and book trains really easily. If you’ll be in India for awhile, you can use the local booking system, it’s a bit tricker but possible, here’s my post on how to book trains in India as a tourist.

BEST ACCOMMODATION IN INDIA

I always use Booking.com to book my hotels in India and Hostelworld to book my hostels. India has a great range of accommodation with brilliant hostel chains like Moustache, Zostel and Backpacker Panda as well as homestays to luxury hotels.

GUIDED TOURS IN INDIA

Many cities in India are best seen with a guide, even if it’s just a half day tour on your first day. Cities in India are chaotic and complex and what better way to taste the food and get to know the city than with a local. I recommend Get Your Guide & Viator for the best tours in India!

Day 5 – Explore Varanasi & Overnight Train to Agra

Jetlag or no jetlag you need to get up early on your first and only morning in Varanasi to go out on a sunrise boat trip on the River Ganges and this will make you realise that Varanasi is one of the best places to visit in India in two weeks! This was one of the most magical things I did in India. As you head to the River, the morning ceremonies will be starting, the sun will be rising and the city will be waking up and you can view it all from the River.

boat on the river ganges at sunrise in varanasi | 2 week India itinerary
Sunrise on the River Ganges

Varanasi to Agra Overnight Train

Pre-Book another overnight train from Varanasi to Agra before you arrive in India for this 2 week India itinerary. This is a long journey and one that you really don’t want to do during the day with only 2 weeks in North India.

Train Suggestion: The timings are a bit annoying because the best overnight train to get from Varanasi to Agra leaves Varanasi at 17:20 and arrive in Agra bright and early at 6:20 am however this train is known for its delays so you might arrive in Agra later which let’s be honest, is ok! BOOK THIS TRAIN HERE!

If you want to book your train directly on the Indian Train System, read this step by step guide of mine on how to book trains in India!

2 week India itinerary, best overnight train to get from Varanasi to Agra 12go

Day 6 – Explore Agra

Things To Do in Agra

Most people go to Agra just to see the Taj Mahal but there’s actually a lot more to Agra and as you have 2 weeks in India I’d recommend going for longer. The best way to see Agra is with a guide or at least a rickshaw driver who will take you to all the places you’ll want to see and all the things to do in Agra including Agra Fort, the Baby Taj, the Taj Mahal Nature Park and Mehtab Bagh which is a great place to see the Taj Mahal from at sunset.

Enjoy your trip to Agra by visiting these places

Day 7 – See Taj Mahal in Agra & Train to Jaipur

Taj Mahal at Sunrise

The best time of day to see the Taj Mahal is sunrise so get up before sunrise to get first in the queue at the ticket office and be (one of) the first to go in! This is an early morning you will not regret and it must be on your India itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT INFO: The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday so if your 2 week India itinerary means you’ll spend day 7 in India on a Friday, go on Day 6. Flexibility is key on this Northern India itinerary.

Once you start getting hungry, head out of the Taj Mahal and get breakfast in one of the restaurants with a rooftop overlooking the Taj before going back to your hotel to check out (maybe ask for a late check out on this day) and head to Jaipur that afternoon.

Related Post: Do you want to mix it up and visit some different places to what I suggest in this India itinerary? Have a look at these 24 places in India perfect for your first trip!

taj mahal in the morning with blue sky | 2 week India itinerary
The perfect blue sky morning

Agra to Jaipur Train

Train Suggestion: There’s only one daytime train from Agra to Jaipur which leaves Agra at 14:50 and gets to Jaipur at 18:55 and for this, I would recommend AC Chair Class so you have a comfy experience watching the Indian Countryside go by! BOOK THIS TRAIN HERE.

best train from agra to jaipur 12go

Day 8 & 9 – Explore Jaipur

Things To Do in Jaipur

Jaipur is included in all of the Rajasthan itineraries because Jaipur is full of things to do and full of sights to see from Palaces, Forts, Temples, Markets and Iconic buildings. Once again I’d recommend going on a tour in Jaipur with a guide or at least getting a rickshaw driver to take you around as Jaipur is not pedestrian-friendly.

Jaipur is pretty much where you see a lot of India Instagram photos, and there’s even a Jaipur Instagram spot tour now!

One of the best things to do in Jaipur which I did was an evening Street Food tour with Nomadic Tours.

Spend another full day in Jaipur today. Along with Jaipur having so much to see, the best places to visit in Jaipur are not that close together so 2 days in Jaipur is needed.

I’d recommend spending your evening on day 2 going to the Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur, it was one of the best things I did in India because the crowd laugh so loudly at the film and it’s like nothing I’ve experienced before!

2 Day Itinerary for Varanasi, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur with Blue Sky
The Hawa Mahal is a must-visit in Jaipur

Day 10 – Train to Pushkar & Explore Pushkar

Pushkar is a must-visit place in Rajasthan in my opinion because it shows you a totally different side to India from what you have seen so far. Pushkar is a town, not a city and this will give you some time to relax in a holy place which has a backpacker and traveller vibe as well as being an important place for Hindu’s to visit.

Jaipur to Pushkar Train

Train Suggestion: It’s a breezy 2-hour train journey from Jaipur to Ajmer which is the city closest to Pushkar with a train station, from Ajmer you can get a taxi outside the station for 1 hour to Pushkar. I recommend leaving Jaipur at 10:45 am so you have all afternoon to spend in Pushkar. BOOK THIS TRAIN HERE.

best day train from jaipur to ajmer 12go

Day 11 & 12 – Explore Pushkar

Things To Do in Pushkar

Pushkar is the place to take it slow in India and should be on any itinerary for India. Walk around the Holy Lake to witness the Hindu ceremonies that are happening, get some healthy veggie food and a smoothie (Pushkar is all vegetarian with no egg or alcohol), watch the sunset and check out the shops along the main street as Pushkar has some of the best shopping in India I think.

2 week india itinerary, pushkar
Breathtaking view of Pushkar

HELP WITH YOUR INDIA ITINERARY

I’ve spent many months travelling India in the last few years visiting over 50 places around the country, here are my recommended itinerary posts for India to help you plan your trip!

2 WEEK INDIA ITINERARY, PERFECT FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP!

2 WEEK SOUTH INDIA ITINERARY – GOA & KERELA

1 MONTH NORTH INDIA ITINERARY IDEAS!

1 MONTH SOUTH INDIA ITINERARY IDEAS!

2 MONTH INDIA ITINERARY IN THE NORTH & SOUTH

MY 4 MONTH INDIA ITINERARY!

24 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN INDIA!

Day 13 – Train to Delhi

It’s a fairly long train to get back to Delhi but Pushkar is worth it which is why I had to include it in this 2 week India itinerary, so day 13 in India will be a full travel day.

It would be a good idea to stay in a different area of Delhi than where you stayed at the start of the trip to get a better feel for the city.

Pushkar to Delhi Train

Train Suggestion: I again, recommend booking this train in advance and a good train to get from Ajmer to Delhi is the 12:10 pm because remember that you need to spend an hour getting from Pushkar to Ajmer before your train. BOOK THIS TRAIN HERE BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET ON.

best train from ajmer to delhi 12go

Day 14 – Leave Delhi

Today you can leave Delhi at any time after your adventure-filled 2 week trip to India on this 2 week India itinerary!

Remember you may get asked for proof of onward travel before you fly to India so it’s a good idea to book a flight out of India before you arrive just in case! 

Related Post: Do you want to mix it up and visit some different places to what I suggest in this India itinerary? Have a look at these 24 places in India perfect for your first trip!

Overview of the 2 Week India itinerary!

To help with booking accommodation, based on the above itinerary for India (which is the best 2 week India itinerary!) this is where you’ll spend the 13 nights on your 2 week trip around North India:

  • Delhi – 2 nights accommodation.
  • Overnight train.
  • Varanasi – 1 nights accommodation.
  • Overnight train.
  • Agra – 1 nights accommodation.
  • Jaipur – 3 nights accommodation.
  • Pushkar – 3 nights accommodation.
  • Delhi – 1 nights accommodation.

Accommodation Recommendations

Based on my extensive time in India, here’s where I recommend you stay in each city I have mentioned in this 2 week India itinerary:

Delhi: Bloom Rooms in Janpath / Haveli Hauz Khas / Moustache Hostel South Delhi

Varanasi: Kedareswar B&B Moustache Hostel Varanasi

Agra: Safarnama Homestay 

Jaipur: Shahpura House in Jaipur / Hotel Meghniwas / Moustache Hotel Jaipur

Pushkar: Inn Seventh Heaven in Pushkar

King bed at Bloom Rooms Hotel Janpath
Bloom Rooms Janpath offers everything you need for a good base in Delhi!

Does this not look like the itinerary you want? If you’d rather go to South India and see the beaches and Goa and Backwaters of Kerala, see my 2 week South India itinerary!

Billy

Sunday 22nd of May 2022

How much would you say the whole 2 weeks in India would cost for a low maintenance couple both 28 year old with backpacks? Thanks ?

TheWanderingQuinn

Monday 23rd of May 2022

Hello, I'd say about £600-£1000. Accommodation will be the main cost. Say you spend £30.00-$40.00 per night between you, and then after that meals are just a few £ each per meal, trains can be about £10-15 each depending on the length of the journey and then entry tickets into attractions like palaces :)

Georgia Ireson

Monday 7th of March 2022

What time of year do you recommend to do this please?

TheWanderingQuinn

Friday 11th of March 2022

The months from November to March are good. Basically avoid summer as it's very very hot and humid.

Vansh Tiwari

Sunday 21st of July 2019

Well organised Itinary for India ??.

TheWanderingQuinn

Sunday 21st of July 2019

Thank you!