Culture guide
India
South Asia Travel Guide
The South Asia guide: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
9 min read · 7 days · Updated September 20, 2026
- south asia
- travel guide
- Destination
- Delhi, India
- Duration
- 7 days
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
South Asia is the intensity arc: India's Golden Triangle and food regions, Nepal's Himalayas, Sri Lanka's teardrop and the Maldives' atolls — chained by cheap flights, with per-day figures from $45 to $350 depending on which tier you land in.
The classic arc: India's Golden Triangle (7) → Nepal's Kathmandu and Pokhara (7) → Sri Lanka (7) → the Maldives (4). Each leg stands alone.
What this guide covers
The Four-Tier Arc
Intensity to immersion to serenity.
Day 1
India — the Triangle
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur over a week.
Day 2
Nepal — the valley
The stupas and the squares.
Day 3
Nepal — Pokhara
The Annapurna sunrise.
Day 4
Sri Lanka — the triangle
Sigiriya and Kandy.
Day 5
Sri Lanka — the tea train
Ella and the Nine Arch.
Day 6
The Maldives — the atoll
The villa, the reef, the sandbank.
Day 7
The departure
Four countries, one arc.
The Four Tiers
India is the intensity ($50–80/day), Nepal the altitude ($45), Sri Lanka the teardrop ($50) and the Maldives the splurge ($350+ resort tier). The flights between them run $80–200 — the arc's connective tissue.
- Classic: India 7 → Nepal 7 → Sri Lanka 7 → Maldives 4.
- Himalaya-first: Nepal 10 → India's north 7.
- Beach-first: Sri Lanka 7 → the Maldives 4.
The Season Windows
October–March suits India's plains, Nepal's mountains and Sri Lanka's west. April–June escapes to the Himalayan hill stations. The Maldives is dry December–April. The monsoon rewrites June–September.
What to know before you go
Money
- India $50–80, Nepal $45, Sri Lanka $50, the Maldives $350+ resort tier.
- The inter-country flights $80–200.
When
- October–March suits the whole arc.
- The Maldives flips dry opposite the monsoon — route carefully.
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
- India Travel GuideThe India guide: the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala and the seasons.Delhi · 9 min read
- Nepal Travel GuideThe Nepal guide: stupas, lakes, treks and the season windows.Kathmandu · 8 min read
- Sri Lanka Travel GuideThe Sri Lanka guide: the rock fortresses, the tea train and the beaches.Colombo · 8 min read
- Maldives Travel GuideThe Maldives guide: villas, reefs, seaplanes and the local-island alternative.Maldives · 7 min read
Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start in South Asia?
India's Golden Triangle — the infrastructure and the icons. Nepal and Sri Lanka follow on cheap flights.
Is South Asia safe for solo travelers?
Yes with normal care — India rewards planning, Nepal and Sri Lanka are among the easiest.
How long for the arc?
Four weeks minimum for all four tiers; each country deserves its own week minimum.