Culture guide
India
India Travel Guide
The India guide: the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala and the seasons.
9 min read · 7 days · Updated September 20, 2026
- india
- travel guide
- Destination
- Delhi, India
- Duration
- 7 days
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
India is many trips wearing one visa: the Golden Triangle's forts and the Taj, Rajasthan's desert cities, Kerala's backwaters, Goa's beaches, the Himalayan hill stations. Planning figures: $50–80/day at the mid tier with drivers included.
The first trip: the Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur, 7 days). The second: Rajasthan's full loop or Kerala's south.
What this guide covers
The Golden Triangle
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur in a week.
Day 1
Delhi — arrival
Old Delhi's rickshaw maze.
Day 2
Delhi — monuments
Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.
Day 3
Agra
The drive; Agra Fort.
Day 4
The Taj at dawn
Sunrise; on to Jaipur.
Day 5
Jaipur — Amber
The fort and the mirror palace.
Day 6
Jaipur — city
The palace, the sundials, the bazaars.
Day 7
Departure
The last thali; JAI or DEL.
Where to Go
The Golden Triangle is the classic — Delhi, Agra, Jaipur. Rajasthan adds Udaipur's lakes and Jodhpur's blue city. Kerala adds the backwater houseboats and the tea hills of Munnar. Goa and the Himalayas are their own trips.
- First: the Golden Triangle, 7 days.
- Rajasthan: + Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer (10–14).
- South: Kerala 5 → Goa 3.
The Food Regions
Delhi's Mughlai kebabs, Rajasthan's thalis, Goa's vindaloo, Kerala's coconut curries, Mumbai's street canon — order regionally and the food never repeats.
What to know before you go
Money
- $50–80/day at the mid tier with drivers included.
- The Taj's sunrise slot books online.
When
- October–March is the pleasant season.
- April–June bakes the plains; the monsoon greens July–September.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Delhi — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Related destinations
More guides
Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Is India safe for first-timers?
Yes with normal city care — book drivers through hotels, dress modestly at temples, and drink bottled water.
Golden Triangle or Kerala?
The Triangle for the icons and the first visit; Kerala for the slow second trip.
How many days for India?
A week for the Triangle; two weeks adds Rajasthan or Kerala.