A Check Off My Bucket List
As some of you may know, I will be travelling to India for the first time this year. I am beyond ecstatic as India has been one of the top 3 places in my travel bucket list for a long time. For a while, I did put India on the back burner due to the shocking rape case in 2012 which sparked international attention and news of subsequent cases involving female tourists. Not to say that we’re in the all-clear now, but I try not to let everything I hear in the media dictate my travel plans. On a brighter note, I’m pleased to hear that Will and Kate will be making a royal tour of India this spring!
My tentative 8 Day India itinerary is completely customized and is a super ambitious one (cuz that’s how I roll!), taking me to Delhi, Varanasi, Agra and Jaipur with a local tour. If you have been to the Golden Triangle, I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Is there anything I’ve missed? Is there anything I should leave out?
8 Day India Travel Itinerary
Day 1 & 2 Delhi
Upon arriving in Delhi, the driver will meet us at the airport. The rest of the evening is for us to relax and get settled into our Delhi hotel.
We start Day 2 with a tour of New Delhi and will visit ancient monuments including Humayun’s Tomb and the 72 meter high Qutub Minar. The tour will continue with a drive through the Embassy area, the Government buildings and Connaught Place – the heart of the capital city.
Later, we will cross the city and into the walled gates of Old Delhi to visit Jamma Mosque. We’ll hone our bargaining skills as we walk through the oldest shopping area of Chandni Chowk and the Spice Market. The highlight of the old city will be a ride on a cycle rickshaw as we explore the hustle and bustle of people in the market.
After a day in boisterous Delhi, we’ll conclude the day with a calming visit to Raj Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Day 3 Delhi – Varanasi
Time for our inner India flight! We will board our flight to Varanasi where many devout worshippers in India will make a pilgrimage in their lifetime than to any other place. After a short rest in our hotel, we will take a short trip to the Buddhist city of Sarnath, known as the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
In the evening, we will visit the ghats (series of steps) of Varanasi to observe the performance of the Ganga Aarti Hindu religious ritual. We’ll get to witness Hindu devotees perform the mesmerizing Puja, where lighted lamps is offered their deities. Leaving the ghats, we will then take an evening cruise on the Ganges to soak in this awesome sight from a distance.
Day 4 Varanasi
At dawn, we will take a boat cruise on the Ganges to witness the hundreds of worshippers who visit the sacred waters every morning at dawn. It is a common belief in India that anyone who dies in the Ganges River is freed from the cycle of birth and death. Travelling downstream, we’ll dock at the Cremation Ghat.
Later in the day, we’ll explore Varanasi on foot, following the dizzying maze of narrow alleys, filled with shrines and shops. We will also visit Hindu University at Benares, the New Vishwanatha Temple, the Bharat Mata Temple and the Durga Temple. The highlight of the Bharat Mata Temple is that it was inaugurated by Gandhi and features a large marble map of India on the ground floor.
Day 5 Varanasi – Agra
This day begins with an inner India flight from Varanasi to Agra. The rest of the day will unfold at a leisurely pace, as we fully expect delays from the airlines and airports! If we arrive in Agra in good time, we hope to visit the Itmad-ud-daula Tomb, also known as Baby Taj. Agra is most famous for the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Since this is a custom tour, I requested that we visit this spectacular white marble monument twice: once at sunset and again at sunrise.
Day 6 Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Abhaneri – Jaipur
This will be a super jam-packed day! At sunrise, we will visit the Taj Mahal. Then, it’s off to see the massive Agra Fort, which reflects both Hindu and Central Asia architectural styles in its courtyards, mosques and private chambers.
Next up is the start of our 6 hour drive to Jaipur, with a few pitstops along the way. First, is a stop at the deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri. Once the capital city of the Mughals, the city later divided into religious and secular parts and the remaining structure is a perfectly preserved city.
The next pitstop is a small town called Abhaneri, known for its fascinating Step Wells. Step wells originated in India and were used as large vessels for cooling and as a large water reservoir. From here, we will continue our drive to Jaipur.
Day 7 Jaipur
The morning will begin at Amber Fort, where we will ride up on painted elephants to this hilltop fortress. The architecture is said to be a masterpiece and I can’t wait to photograph its latticed walls, mirror-studded alcoves, mosaics and its main gate where the Maharajas have entered for 400 years.
Jaipur is known as the ‘Pink City’ because of the pink colour of its buildings. One such structure we’ll visit is the Hawa Mahal, a 5-storied building of pink sandstone with delicate honeycombed windows overlooking the main street. In the afternoon, we’ll tour the City Palace.
Finally, we’ll visit the Temple of Govind Dev Ji, known to be one of the most sacred destination in India. By the time I visit this temple, I’m sure I’ll be fully accustomed to leaving my shoes at the front door!
Day 8 Jaipur – Delhi
This is really the only day that we’ll have free time to roam about the markets and Jaipur on our own. I hear Jaipur is the best place in India to shop for crafts, custom-made clothes and gems – hopefully one morning is enough for me to pack this all in.
In the afternoon, we will make the 5 hour drive back to Delhi for the flight out of Delhi. Hopefully on the drive back to Delhi, we can also make a quick photo stop at the Lotus Temple in Delhi.
Packing my Suitcase says
WOW, what an awesome itinerary for only 8 days! I hope you can make it 😀 If not, you can always return!
I can’t help you much on the tips, as I’ve never been there, but I wish you an amazing trip and congrats for ticking off an item on the top of your bucket list 😀
Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes 😀
Deb Che says
Thanks Allane! Just got back from the trip and it was amazing! 8 days was a bit rushed to see India, but it could definitely be done 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Clare Thomson says
Sounds like a really packed trip! I’ve been to most of the places mentioned although I was backpacking so had the luxury of covering them over a much longer period of time. India’s an extraordinary country. Of the places you mention, Varanasi had the biggest impression on me. #MondayEscapes
Deb Che says
Ooh, I would love to backpack India if I had more time. 8 days definitely went by very quickly. I just got back and I’m still reeling from the whirlwind vacay. I have to agree with you that Varanasi was the most special of all the places visited. Thanks for reading, Clare 🙂
Sarah says
This itinerary sound great and definitely like a lot of fun! I haven’t been to India either and would totally enjoy a tour like you are planning, I think my favorite would be seeing the Ganges River, it must be super stunning. Visiting from #MondayEscapes
Deb Che says
Hi Sarah, I just got back from the trip and have to say that India is amazing! If you’re visiting for the first time, joining a tour would be the way to go. Out of all the cities and places I visited, the Ganges River was definitely the most surreal. Thanks for reading!
Kana says
Hi there! Wow what a great itinerary and lovely photos! I’ve always wanted to visit India, now I’m especially inspired! #MondayEscapes
Deb Che says
Hi Kana, I hope you get a chance to visit India one day 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Tanja says
I’d like to do this one day!:) #monday escapes
Deb Che says
Hi Tanja, you should consider visiting one day 🙂 Thanks for reading!