Two weeks is the classic length for a first India trip: the Golden Triangle up north — Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — for the monuments everyone pictures, then a flight south to Kerala to slow down and unwind. It is an honest split: the northern leg is editorial here, since Roampedia does not yet cover Delhi, Agra or Jaipur in depth, while the Kerala leg is where we go deep and every stop links to real coverage.
The 2-week route, at a glance
| Day | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Delhi | Arrive, Old & New Delhi |
| 3 | Agra | Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort |
| 4–6 | Jaipur | Amber Fort, City Palace, bazaars |
| 7 | Travel | Domestic flight Delhi/Jaipur → Kochi |
| 8–9 | Fort Kochi | Heritage lanes, fishing nets |
| 10–11 | Munnar | Tea hills |
| 12 | Alleppey | Houseboat overnight |
| 13 | Beach | Varkala or Kovalam |
| 14 | Depart | Fly out from Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi |
Days 1–6: the Golden Triangle
Spend two days in Delhi settling in and covering both Old and New Delhi, then take a day trip or overnight to Agra for the Taj Mahal — go at sunrise, before the heat and crowds build, and pair it with Agra Fort. From there, spend two to three days in Jaipur, the "Pink City," for the Amber Fort, City Palace and bazaars. This leg is editorial: we are naming the classic stops, but verify opening hours, entry fees and current visa requirements locally — see our India visa guide before you travel, and book the Taj Mahal and any long-distance trains well ahead, using our guide to booking Indian trains.
Day 7: fly south
A domestic flight from Delhi or Jaipur to Kochi is the practical way to bridge north and south — the alternative, an overland train journey, would eat several days you do not have on a two-week trip. See our guide to getting around India for booking domestic flights.
Days 8–14: Kerala, compressed
The second half runs a compressed version of Roampedia's Kerala loop, where our coverage is genuinely deep: two days in Fort Kochi for heritage lanes and the Chinese fishing nets, two days in Munnar for the tea hills, an overnight houseboat through the Alleppey backwaters, and a final beach day at Varkala or Kovalam before flying out. For timing the whole trip, see the best time to visit India — winter suits the north, and works for Kerala too.
- Fly between north and south rather than taking an overland train — it saves several days you need for Kerala.
- October to March suits both halves of this trip.
- Book the Taj Mahal, long-distance trains and your domestic flight well ahead — see our train booking and visa guides.
- The northern leg is editorial here — verify entry fees, timings and local logistics yourself; Kerala is where Roampedia's coverage is deep.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 weeks enough for a first India trip?
Yes, for north highlights (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) plus a Kerala loop — but do not try to add more regions. This pace is already full.
Should I do north or south first?
North first, since the Golden Triangle suits the cooler winter months, then fly south to Kerala to slow down for the second half.
How do I get from the Golden Triangle to Kerala?
A domestic flight from Delhi or Jaipur to Kochi — see our [guide to getting around India](guide:getting-around-india) for booking it.
Do I need a visa for this trip?
Most visitors do — see our [India visa and e-Visa guide](guide:india-visa-and-e-visa) for the e-Tourist Visa options and how to apply.