Tusk Travel
India · Private Tour

15 Days Best of India Tour

14 Nights / 15 Days
Delhi · Jaipur · Agra · Varanasi · Kochi · Periyar · Alleppey
Included:
Accommodation
Private Vehicle
Sightseeing
Daily Breakfast
North India Heritage to Kerala Backwaters

Tour Overview

This 15-day India itinerary is designed for first-time international travellers who want to experience the country’s historical, spiritual and natural diversity in one carefully planned journey. It combines Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi in North India with Kochi, Periyar, Alleppey and Cherai in Kerala.

The first part of the tour explores Old Delhi’s historic neighbourhoods, Jaipur’s forts and palaces, the Taj Mahal in Agra and the riverfront rituals of Varanasi. A domestic flight then connects North India with Kerala, where the experience becomes slower and greener through colonial Kochi, the forests of Periyar, an Alleppey houseboat and the coast at Cherai.

This is a moderately paced private tour with several road journeys, two early-morning experiences and one domestic flight sector. Private transport makes the overland sections more comfortable, while guided sightseeing can help travellers understand the history and local customs behind the places they visit.

Who Is This India Tour Best Suited For?

This itinerary works particularly well for couples, families and small private groups making their first extended visit to India. It is suitable for travellers who want more than the Golden Triangle but do not want to arrange separate hotels, transfers, flights and local sightseeing in each destination.

The programme includes busy cities, religious areas, heritage monuments, forest surroundings, waterways and a beach stay. Travellers should be comfortable with changing hotels, walking through crowded places and spending several hours on the road on transfer days.

How the Journey Is Planned

Delhi provides the introduction to India, with time for both the old city and the planned avenues of New Delhi. The route then continues to Jaipur for Rajput architecture and onward to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Returning through Delhi makes the onward journey to Varanasi more practical.

Two nights in Varanasi allow time for both the evening Ganga Aarti and an early-morning boat ride. These experiences reveal different sides of the riverfront: the evening is ceremonial and energetic, while the morning is quieter and better for observing daily life along the ghats.

After flying south, Kochi introduces Kerala’s maritime history and multicultural heritage. Periyar adds a cooler forest setting, Alleppey offers an overnight backwater experience, and Cherai provides a relaxed coastal finish before departure from Kochi Airport.

Practical Points to Consider

  • Delhi–Jaipur, Jaipur–Agra and Agra–Delhi are substantial road journeys, and actual travel time depends on traffic.
  • The Varanasi–Kochi flight may be direct or require a connection, depending on the travel date and airline schedule.
  • The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday, so the Agra sightseeing order may need to be adjusted.
  • Wildlife sightings in Periyar cannot be guaranteed; the lake cruise and forest walk should be viewed as nature experiences.
  • Houseboat facilities vary by category, so travellers should confirm cabin type, air-conditioning hours and meal arrangements before booking.
  • Comfortable footwear and modest clothing are recommended for monuments, temples, mosques and the Varanasi ghats.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the contrasting neighbourhoods of Old and New Delhi.
  • Visit Jaipur’s Amber Fort, City Palace and other heritage landmarks.
  • See the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with time to understand their Mughal history.
  • Attend the evening Ganga Aarti on the riverfront in Varanasi.
  • Take an early-morning boat ride along the Ganges and Varanasi ghats.
  • Discover Kochi’s historic waterfront and multicultural neighbourhoods.
  • Join a guided forest experience and lake cruise in Periyar.
  • Spend a night aboard a traditional Kerala houseboat in Alleppey.
  • Finish the journey with a relaxed stay near Cherai Beach.

Detailed Itinerary

Upon arrival at the airport, our representative will greet you and assist you to your hotel.

Once you have settled in, you can relax and adjust to the new time zone on your own.

Delhi Arrival

In your India tour, don't miss the chaotic Old Delhi. It is the oldest part of the city, filled with people and a wide range of shops. The Jama Masjid's minaret offers a breathtaking view of Old Delhi, and you can then take a rickshaw through the bustling alleyways of Chandni Chowk.

Upon entering New Delhi, you can see UNESCO-listed Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, the first garden-tomb on the subcontinent built in 1570, and the peaceful Hindu Temple of Laxmi Narayan.

Delhi Sightseeing

In the morning, you will drive five hours to Jaipur, where you can check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.

The next day, you can explore some of India's majestic palaces and atmospheric relics around this pink city.

Delhi to Jaipur

In the morning, take a jeep up to the hillside Amber Fort. This magnificent fort made up of several elaborate imperial buildings will be an excellent example for you to get a glimpse of the Rajput lifestyle and art of Rajasthan. The Sheesh Mahal, a glittering mirror palace, should be included in your tour guide.

Take a photo stop at the famous Hawa Mahal, followed by a trip to the City Palace Museum and Jantar Mantar, the world's largest stone observatory that is still operational.

Jaipur Sightseeing

Drive to Agra (about 5 hours) from the pink city. Fatehpur Sikri, a former royal city between these two cities, is the highlight of today's tour.

Upon approaching the red sandstone palace, the grand entrance doors, and the Mughal courtyard, you will fall in love with its intricate carvings.

Jaipur to Agra

Early morning light coats the Taj Mahal's dome in a soft, golden hue, making it one of the most beautiful Taj Mahals. Discover Shah Jahan's love story with his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and wander around this wonder, admiring its tiles, arches, and white dome. After that, visit Agra Fort and get a taste of the royal Mughal lifestyle.

After lunch, take the four-hour drive to Delhi for the night.

Taj Mahal & Agra Fort

Take a flight to Varanasi, often referred to as the spiritual capital of India or the city of Lord Shiva. After you land, take private transport to your hotel so you can rest after your flight.

As the night falls, sit back by the Ganges and witness the thousand-year-old Aarti Ceremony. Feel the peace as young priests in elaborate ceremonial dress pray using fire, incense, bells, and body postures as well as movements.

Varanasi Aarti Ceremony

The scene along the Ganges River, where countless Hindu devotees bathe in the river and offer worship can be breathtaking. Take a boat ride along the river before sunrise to see the scene of countless devotees bathing and offering worship along the river. After breakfast, you can take a brief walking tour of the old city.

The afternoon will be spent exploring Sarnath. Sarnath is a Buddhist pilgrimage site situated about 10 km from Varanasi that is one of the four most important pilgrimage sites in the world. It is in the Deer Park of Sarnath that Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and where the Buddhist Sangha was founded by Kondanna's enlightenment. A visit to the Sarnath Museum is also included in the tour.

Varanasi Sunrise Boat Ride

There is free time to relax before boarding your flight to Kochi with a stopover at Mumbai on the way.

Upon arrival in the evening, you will be transferred to your hotel for the night.

Kochi has been a natural harbor for centuries and is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". There are many churches and colorful cottages in the old town of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry which have a distinctly European feel to them. You can stroll through the narrow lanes in search of the Dutch Palace, the Paradesi Synagogue, and Saint Francis Church, and end your day by visiting the harbor where you will be able to see intricate contraptions of Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront.

Enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance in the evening by opting to attend.

Kochi City Tour

It takes about three hours to drive from Kochi to reach Periyar Tiger Reserve, a paradise for nature lovers in the south of India. A major spice plantation also exists here in Kerala.

When you reach the area, you can stroll through one of the spice plantations in the area and learn about how spices have been used as medicine and food for centuries.

In the morning, you will be able to explore the reserve with your guide, taking in the beauty of the forest as you trek through forest trails, cross grassy swamps, and observe birds and flowers along the way.

This will take between one and three hours, depending on your fitness level and interest. In the early morning, you can embark on a boat ride along the picturesque Periyar Lake in the heart of the reserve after trekking.

Take advantage of the afternoon and enjoy it to the fullest.

Periyar Forest Trek & Lake Cruise

A 3-hour drive away from Periyar is Alleppey, where rural village life surrounded by serene backwaters appeals to travelers throughout the world.

It is not uncommon to get on a houseboat with thatched roofs cruising along the palm-fringed Kerala canals.

You can simply sit back and enjoy Kerala's rural lifestyle while soaking in the lush greenery in the surrounding area.

Alleppey Houseboat

After a wonderful breakfast in an open-air houseboat, disembark at Alleppey Drive towards Cherai.

Cherai Beach: There is nothing better than lying on the beautiful golden beaches of soft sand in the midst of the cool breeze and watching the waves as they break against the sandy shores facing the Arabian Sea. Take the time to relax, soak in the relaxation, and let the waves sweep you off your feet as you lay on the beach watching the waves.

Check into your Cherai beach resort. Relax for a while. In the afternoon, go on a stroll on the beach to enjoy the golden sunset. Stay at the Cherai Beach Resort for the night.

Cherai Beach

After spending a couple of days with your loved ones, today you will return to Cochin airport, where you will catch your flight home.

However, we are confident that you will be back soon because Incredible India country is not simply going to leave you with fond memories.

It also offers you a lifetime of adventures ahead of you.

What's Included

Clear details of what is covered in your private tour.

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Included

  • Hotel accommodation on double/twin sharing.
  • Daily breakfast at all hotels.
  • Private vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary.
  • Domestic flight tickets (as per itinerary).
  • Train tickets (as per itinerary).
  • Professional driver with fuel, tolls, parking & allowance.
  • All applicable taxes.
  • Assistance on arrival & departure.
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Not Included

  • International airfare.
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Personal expenses: shopping, laundry, tips, etc.
  • Entry tickets, activity fees & guide charges.
  • Camera/permit charges wherever applicable.
  • Travel insurance.
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Planning Your India Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour is ideal for first-time international visitors who want to experience India’s heritage, spirituality, wildlife, backwaters and beaches in one journey. It suits couples, families and private groups comfortable with regular hotel changes and several road transfers.

The itinerary covers Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Kochi, Periyar, Alleppey and Cherai. It combines the Golden Triangle and Varanasi in North India with Kerala’s heritage, forests, backwaters and coastline.

Fifteen days is enough for a well-organised introduction to both regions. The itinerary focuses on major experiences rather than covering every attraction. Travellers wanting a slower pace can add extra nights in Jaipur, Varanasi, Periyar or Cherai.

October to March generally offers the most comfortable weather. December and January can bring cold mornings and occasional fog in North India. April and May are hotter, while Kerala receives substantial rainfall during the monsoon months.

Several transfers take approximately four to six hours, including Delhi to Jaipur, Jaipur to Agra and Kochi to Periyar. Driving times vary with traffic, weather and road conditions. A private vehicle allows comfort stops during longer journeys.

The domestic flight is included only when specified in the final quotation. Depending on the travel date and airline schedule, the journey may be direct or require a connection. Flight timings, baggage allowance and fare conditions will be confirmed before booking.

The Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors every Friday. If the planned visit falls on a Friday, the sightseeing order or travel dates will be adjusted before the hotels and flights are confirmed.

The evening Ganga Aarti normally takes place daily, but arrangements may change during festivals, high river levels or local restrictions. The sunrise boat ride is also subject to safe weather and river conditions.

No. Periyar is a natural forest, so sightings depend on the season, weather and animal movement. Visitors may see birds, deer, gaur, monkeys, wild boar or elephants, but no particular species can be guaranteed.

The houseboat offers a relaxed cruise through Kerala’s canals, lakes and village landscapes. Cabin size, air-conditioning hours, meals and cruising routes vary by category, so these details should be confirmed before booking.

Packages generally include accommodation, specified meals, private transportation and arrival and departure assistance. Domestic flights, train tickets, guides, monument fees and activities are included only when mentioned in the confirmed itinerary and quotation.

Yes. The hotel category, room type, sightseeing pace, guides, activities and number of nights can be changed. Additional nights can also be added in Jaipur, Varanasi, Periyar, Alleppey or Cherai for a more relaxed journey.
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