India for the first time travel, recommended routes, blog about India

Recommended routes for sightseeing India

I will include the list of the routes and places which shouldn’t be missed for the first time India journey. Personally, my first journey to India wasn’t so well prepared due to lack of proper organisation and credible information about the country or just negative opinions which I’d came across online before coming to this extremely interesting country. 

I came first time to India for 2 weeks starting with Delhi(the capital) and Agra (Taj Mahal) and then went to the famous seaside state Goa for a long relax and state exploration. It was really pleasant holidays, nevertheless after arriving in my country I felt I had missed real India. Goa is said to be the least Indian state in India. My second time was 2, 5 weeks - Delhi, Rajasthan (the state famous for amazing forts and Maharaja palaces) and Goa. That was a good choice and made me feel the spirit of real India. My third time was just a decision to stay and live in India which was connected with moving out from my country and starting my life in Delhi. I’ve been living in India for more than 5 years now working in a travel agency so the information I am going to share with is my experience from my long travelling around the country.

Here is the list of the recommended top routes in India during I guess 2 or 3 week journey for the first time India travellers.

There are so many interesting places in this country, however probably everyone starts from Delhi due to the landing point. I will place below the routes which I think could be called Quintessence of North India as well as the other routes which is also really exciting and can by done during 2 or 3 weeks of travelling, taking into account Delhi as an arrival port. I took into account travelling by a car with a driver in most of the places because thanks to it you save a lot of time, see many places in quite a short time, avoid lots of problems connected with organization focusing your attention on exploring India, save time and nerves. In some places the easiest travel mode would be a plane or alternatively a train. There are also specified recommended minimum number of days you can stay in each place.

1st route, which is called Essence of India, is a perfect choice for these travellers who would like to see the most significant places for Indian culture as well as admire the beauty of architecture and find out something more about Indian traditions and customs.  The route includes sightseeing of the cities and towns like the capital of India – Delhi, Agra – the place of Taj Mahal, “pink” city of Rajasthan Jaipur and many other interesting places such as typical Hindu town Orcchha and the town of Kamasutra temples Khajuraho. At the end you may want to see the other extremely interesting and cosmopolitan city called Mumbai or you can just finish your journey in Delhi. 

Delhi (2 days) - Jaipur(2 days) Agra (1 day)– Orchha  and Gwalior (1 day)– Khajuraho (2 days) Varanasi (2 days) -  Mumbai (2 days)  - Delhi (1)

The route can by covered by car with a driver and a domestic plane. From Khajuraho to Varanasi one can travel by train, if you want to avoid long time car travel from Varanasi to Mumbai, and Mumbai to Delhi by plane.

2nd route, the route is a route for lovers of forts and Maharaja palaces in the most colorful state in India - Rajasthan. It combines visiting the city of the Golden Triangle, the aforementioned Varanasi and tiger safari in the National Park, as well as visiting the popular Rat Temple in Bikaner.

Delhi (2 days) Mandawa (1 day) Bikaner (1) Jaisalmer (2) Jodhpur (1) Udaipur (2) Pushkar (1) Jaipur (2) Ranthambore (1) Agra (1) Orchha and Gwalior (1) Khajuraho ( 2) Varanasi (2) Delhi (1)

This most convenient and the fastest way of moving in Rajasthan is by car with a driver, and from Varanasi to Delhi by plane.You can add one train trip between Khajuraho and Varanasi.

The 3rd route,it is a route for people who want to combine both sightseeing of Rajasthan - pearls of this state with seeing of the cities in the golden triangle and Varanasi.

Delhi (2 days) Pushkar (2) Udaipur (2) Jaipur (2) Ranthambore (1) Agra (1) Orchha and Gwalior (1) Khajuraho (2) Varanasi (2) Delhi (1)

It is recommended to travel by private car with driver and  go by plane from Varanasi  to Delhi. You can add one train trip between Khajuraho and Varanasi.


4th route, it can be combined with sightseeing of Nepal. The route is recommended for mountain lovers.

During this route you will have an opportunity to see the most significant places and cities in both India and Nepal. You will admire the beauty of north India as well as you will see a lot of interesting towns and cities in Nepal. This route includes sightseeing of Taj mahal, Varanasi city at Ganges river, Kathmandu city with its unique architecture and many other wonderful places.

 Delhi (2 days) - Jaipur (2) - Agra (1) - Orchha (1) - Khajuraho (2) - Varanasi (2) - Lumbini (1) - Chitawan (1) - Pokhara (2) - Kathmandu (3) - Delhi (1)


The entire route can be covered by car with a driver except one international flight from Kathmandu to Delhi. You can travel by train between Khajuraho and Varanasi.

Film from the India and Nepal route:

5 th, the next route that I recommend here is combined with a stay and relaxation in the smallest state in India, i.e. Goa

This is the option of choice for those who want not only to feel the atmosphere of real India, but also rest and relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Delhi (2 days) - Agra (1) - Jaipur (2) - Pushkar (1) - Udaipur (2) - Goa (5 days or more) - Delhi

All the route can be covered by car with a driver, two domestic flights from Udaipur to Goa (stopover in Mumbai), and Goa- Delhi.

6th route, the special route organized by our Paylesstoursindia travel agency
www.paylesstoursindia.pl with a stay with an Indian family in the state of Himachal Pradesh

An extremely interesting option for those travelers who love the mountains and in addition to sightseeing, they also want to learn more about the culture and life of the local people spending a few days at home of the Indian family participating and observing the life and traditions of the family members in the house.

This option combines visiting the Golden Triangle spots, the Dalai Lama town called Dharamshala located at the feet of the Himalayas, a town called the international capital of yoga Rishikesh, as well as visiting two unusual towns in the state of Himachal Pradesh - Shimla, Manali. At the end you will be able to savor the beauty of the only Sikh golden temple in the city of Amritsar, and see the closing ceremony of the Indian Pakistani border of Wagah border ceremony. Details of such stay with pictures in the link

Delhi (2 days) - Jaipur (2 days) - Agra (1) - Rishikesh (3) Shimla (2) - Manali (2) - Dharamshala (5) and visiting the area - Amritsar (2) - Delhi

Now I am going to explain briefly why these places are worth including in first time India itinerary:

Delhi – because

•   The capital of the country
•   Numerous and really beautiful temples and  monument  also on UNESCO site (Akshardham temple, Gurudwara, Birla Mandir, Whisky temple, Humajun tomb, Qutub minar, Red fort, Jaama Masjid, Lotus temple)
•   Exciting rickshaw ride in Old Delhi – absolutely must be connected with spice market visit
•   Shopping and eating in local restaurant and fast food stalls
•    Sightseeing of New and Old Delhi districts for their contrasts
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Agra

•    Taj Mahal and Agra fort

Orchha

•          A town with unique ambiance and interesting palace complex as well as temples
•          Typical Hindu small town

Gwalior

• Really outstanding and impressive Fort full of mysteries
  

Khajuraho

•     Sightseeing of numerous Unesco  Kamasutra temples
•          Shopping

Varanasi

•          Morning boat ride on Ganges 
•          Evening ceremony Aarti
•          Food stalls
•          Bustle and hustle atmosphere
•          Hanging out on the ghats
•         Sarnath 10 km from      Varanasi - the Buddhist place

Mandawa

•          Havelis
•          Good stopver on the way to Bikaner

Bikaner, more about the town and Rat temple in Deshnok
https://www.paylesstoursindiablog.com/2020/05/one-of-its-kind-rat-temple-in-deshnok.html

•          Rat temple and the Bikaner fort 

Jaipur

•          A town of numerous beautiful sights
•          Stunning forts and breath-taking view points
•          Gaitor tombs
•          Monkey temple – Galta Gi
•          Shopping
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Pushkar

•          Spirituality due to 500 temples
•          There is  unique Brahma temple
•          Lake view point 
•          Shopping 
•          You can spend one night on the desert 

Udaipur

•          The city of lakes like Venice in Italy
•          Romantic and artistic ambience
•          Shopping
•          Amazing roof top view points
•          Beautiful fort and havelis

Jaisalmer

•          Stunning sand colour fort
•          Hanging out and visiting havelis
•          Spend one night on the desert

Jodhpur

•          Fort and palaces sightseeing
•          Interesting market

Ranthmabore 

•         Safari, tiger spotting
•         You can finally rest in a quiet nature resort 

Mumbai 
https://www.paylesstoursindiablog.com/2020/05/mumbai-incredible-city-of-many-faces-in.html