From North To South - Travel Across India In 21 Days

Planning a trip to India? This itinerary has everything you need to know about travelling across the subcontinent. 

There is so much to explore in India; one visit is simply not enough to cover the diverse cultures and terrains. 

You can choose the places you want to visit depending on your timelines and interests. For instance, if you want a relaxing vacation, we suggest you travel to Kerala or Tamil Nadu. If you want to explore the rich culture of India, you could visit Rajasthan, Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh.

If you’re visiting India for the first time, you can follow our simple yet jam-packed itinerary that takes you through India's most popular tourist destinations in 21 days! You can contact Skyway Tour, one of the best tourism companies in India, to help you plan your trip to India.

We have also included a list of places you can visit apart from the usual tourist destinations at the end of the article. 

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1 & 2 - Delhi 

Day 3 & 4 - Agra

Day 5 & 7 - Jaipur

Day 8 & 10 - Udaipur 

Day 11 & 13 - Mumbai 

Day 14 & 16 - Goa

Day 17 & 18 - Hampi

Day 18 & 19 - Kochi

Day 19 & 20 - Alleppey

Day 20 & 21 - Chennai 

Day 1 & 2 – Delhi

The first destination on your journey is the capital city of India. The international airport of Delhi is the second busiest airport in the world, connecting major cities from across the globe. 

Delhi is steeped in history as the former capital of the Mughal Empire. You can see the Mughal influence spread across the city with the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, PuranaQila, and QutubMinar.

If you want to shop and dine, we suggest heading to Connaught Place, where you can purchase intricate jewellery and embroidered bags and eat from famous food chains. 

However, you should stroll through Old Delhi markets like Chandni Chowk Bazaar or Old Delhi Spice Markets to feel the pulse of the vibrant and chaotic city!

While in Delhi, you should definitely try finger-licking street food, starting with the Butter Chicken, Chaats, Samosa and a steaming cup of Chai!

Day 3 & 4 – Agra

The major tourist attraction in Agra is the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. A view you shouldn’t miss is the sun rising behind the Taj Mahal, revealing glorious colours on the white marble. We promise it is worth waking up early for! 

Another sight at Agra is MehtagBagh, the gardens from the Mughal Era that overlook the Taj Mahal and the Yamuna River. 

You can also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, Agra Fort and the Tomb of Akbar! 

You can choose to stay in Agra for two days or drive down from Delhi to Agra for one day before you head to Jaipur.

Book your trip across North India with our personalized North India Tour Packages so that you can sit back and enjoy your vacation.

Day 5 & 7 – Jaipur

Home to numerous temples and palaces, the Pink City, is truly one of the most vibrant cities in India. 

One of the main tourist attractions in Jaipur is the Jaipur City Palace, with its elegant buildings, gardens and courtyards. The Palace served as the administrative and ceremonial centre for the Maharaja. 

A blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, HawaMahal or the Palace of Winds, is another historical site you should visit. Despite the hot weather, the pink sandstone palace remains cool with its latticed windows.

Outside the city, in Amer, is the Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its stunning architecture, we assure you it is worth the drive! You can also see the Great Wall of Jaipur opposite the fort, which served as the first wall of defence against invaders. 

You can also visit the Nahargarh Fort, which stands on the edge of the Aravalli Range giving you magnificent views of the entire city of Jaipur. 

Day 8 & 10 – Udaipur

Once you have explored Jaipur, you can head to Udaipur to relax by Lake Pichola. 

Udaipur is often called the Venice of the East, owing to its narrow streets and lakes. 

One must-see place is the Udaipur City Palace, Rajasthan’s largest palace. A blend of European, Medieval and Chinese architecture, the exteriors are made of granite and marble, while the interiors are lined with intricate marble-work, mirrors, wall paintings, and coloured glass. The palace itself gives you the feel of a city with its temples, halls, art galleries, villas and intricate gateways. 

You can catch the cultural shows and shop for souvenirs at the bustling bazaars. Make sure to catch a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola at least once during your stay!

Day 11 & 13 – Mumbai

The next stop on our itinerary is the bustling city of Mumbai. The colonial architecture mixed with modern malls and bazaars, there is so much to explore in Mumbai.

While the Gateway of India is one of the main tourist attractions, we suggest you also visit Chor Bazaar and Elco Markets for souvenirs and authentic Mumbai street food. 

Located on the island of Elephanta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephanta Caves. The rock-cut temples are a sight to see, along with the Hindu caves and Buddhist Stupa.

Other tourist attractions in Mumbai include Shivaji Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, and the infamous Leopold Cafe. 

You can also head to Marine Drive during sunset or sunrise for the quintessential Mumbai experience. 

Skyway Tour offers customized Central India Tours which take care of your accommodation, transportation and much more! 

Day 14 & 16 – Goa

A party destination and chill hub, Goa is the next stop on our list! If you choose to relax during this jam-packed itinerary, you can laze around the mesmeric beaches in South Goa. 

If you want to party and explore the nightlife, you can head to the beaches in North Goa or the floating casinos in Panaji. 

Don’t forget to try out the local Goan food like Pork Vindaloo, Chicken Cafreal, Chicken Xacuti and Sannas!

Book your trip to Goa with Skyway’s South India Tour Packages, and let us help you make your travel a breeze!

Day 17 & 18 – Hampi

The heritage site of the South is our next destination! The boulder-strewn lands of Hampi are a UNESCO World Heritage site in Karnataka.

Once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi boasts heritage, culture and royalty with its monuments, shrines, temples, and royal enclosures.

The Ancient ruins of Hampi are an all-day tourist destination! It hosts the Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stable, MahanavamiDibba platform, and Vijay Vittala Temple. 

Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple, which draws countless worshippers of Lord Shiva annually. 

You can also take a Coracle ride down the Tungabhadra River for some added adventure! However, the ride is not available during the monsoon season.

Day 18 & 19 – Kochi

Heading down to God’s own country, Kerala is the perfect place to unwind after touring the rest of the country. 

Once the centre of world trade, Kochi boasts of natural beauty and modern architecture.

You can visit the Chinese fishing nets at the Kochi Harbour. While they are no longer in use, the fishermen at the site can show you how the mechanism works for a small fee. 

Fort Kochi is a must-see with its colonial architecture, heritage hotels, hip cafes, and art scenes. You can also visit the Paradesi Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, and Kerala Folklore Museum.

Make sure you try the cuisine of Kerala, like PuttuKadala, Pazhamozhi and Beef Curry, Kappa Boti and the infamous KulukkiSarbath!

Day 19 & 20 – Alleppey

For our next picturesque destination, drive down further to the beautiful backwaters of Alleppey! 

We recommend that you stay the night on a houseboat to look over lush paddy fields while you devour freshly cooked seafood in the local flavours. 

You can also travel around the Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom.

Get in touch with Skyway Tour, and we can help you book South India tours that cover every nook and corner of the beautiful subcontinent!

Day 20 & 21 - Chennai 

The final leg of the trip is the vibrant city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras! 

A mix of Tamil culture and colonial influence, Chennai is filled with age-old temples, British-era museums, and the iconic Marina Beach. 

A few places you should visit to explore the history and cultures of Chennai are the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George and Ripon Building.

You can return home from the Chennai international airport with memories of a lifetime and a suitcase filled with souvenirs! 

Skyway Tour is the best travel agency in India that offers comprehensive packages to help you travel across India. Whether you are staying for a week or 5, we customize your travel plans based on what you want to see and where you want to go! 

Extending your trip? Here are a few more places to visit in India!

1. Darjeeling, West Bengal
2. Amritsar, Punjab
3. Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh 
4. Gangtok, Sikkim 
5. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

A few things to keep in mind while you travel to India:

• Keep bottled water with you at all times! The heat can get to you at any time. 
• Make sure your travel insurance is valid for the entire duration of your stay.
• Don’t eat spicy food right away if you’re not used to it. Take care of your stomach, especially if you’re binging on street food!
• Dress appropriately for heritage and holy places.
• Respect the rules and regulations at monuments and historical sites.
• Don’t tip unnecessarily. 
• Take care of your belongings.