Hawa Mahal Palace of Winds in Jaipur with its intricate facade Grand facade of the National Museum of India in New Delhi Taj Mahal at sunrise reflected in the reflecting pool Red Fort historic monument in Old Delhi

Best 10 Days in India — Without Food & Wine

New Delhi → Agra → Jaipur

10 days · 3 cities · 18 activities · route optimized by distance

A mix of history and art & culture. Mostly low-effort and walkable, mostly at your own pace. Includes 8 must-see landmarks across New Delhi and Agra and Jaipur.

Highlights: Taj Mahal at Sunrise, Amer Fort (Amber Fort), Red Fort (Lal Qila), Qutub Minar Complex, Hawa Mahal — Palace of Winds

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

18+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 3 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Delhi · From $55/night +2 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$562 total · $56/day
See budget →
Top picks
Red Fort (Lal Qila), Qutub Minar Complex, Humayun's Tomb
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

New Delhi

New Delhi 10 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full New Delhi View on map
Morning
Red Fort (Lal Qila)$~3 hrs

Walk the red sandstone citadel where Mughal emperors held court and India's PM speaks each August (2-3h)

$6 Verified Mar 2026 Oct–Mar is ideal; avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat, 40°C+) and Jul–Sep (monsoon humidity). Open year-round except Mondays. 📍 Map
Afternoon
Qutub Minar Complex$~2 hrs

Stand below India's tallest minaret and a 4th-century iron pillar that has never rusted (2h)

$7 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round except Fridays. Oct–Mar best; the open-air complex is very exposed in summer heat. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate New Delhi View on map
Morning
Humayun's Tomb$~2 hrs

Tour the Persian garden-tomb that directly inspired the Taj Mahal — with far fewer crowds (2h)

$7 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round except Fridays. The charbagh gardens are lush during monsoon (Jul–Sep) but summer heat is oppressive; Oct–Mar is optimal. 📍 Map
Afternoon Jama Masjid mosque with its grand courtyard and minarets in Old Delhi
Jama Masjid & Old Delhi Walk$~3 hrs

Explore India's largest mosque then dive into the labyrinthine lanes of Shahjahanabad (2-3h)

Year-round but Oct–Mar is most comfortable for the outdoor courtyard; avoid midday in summer. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Moderate New Delhi View on map
Morning
India Gate & Kartavya Path$~2 hrs

Stroll the redeveloped ceremonial boulevard past India's war memorial and the National War Memorial (1-2h)

Oct–Mar is ideal; pleasant evenings for picnics on the lawns. Avoid peak summer afternoons (May–Jun, 40°C+). 📍 Map
Afternoon Grand facade of the National Museum of India in New Delhi
National Museum of India$~3 hrs

Trace 5,000 years of Indian civilisation from Harappan figurines to Mughal miniatures (2-3h)

$6 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round except Mondays. Good year-round activity; especially valuable as an air-conditioned escape during hot months (Apr–Jun). 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Moderate New Delhi View on map
Morning
Akshardham Temple$~3 hrs

Marvel at one of the world's largest Hindu temples — hand-carved by 11,000 artisans, no steel used (2-3h)

Open year-round except Mondays. Closed on Mondays. The outdoor areas are hot in summer; interior is partially air-conditioned. 📍 Map
Afternoon
Lodhi Garden$~1h 30m

Walk freely among 15th-century Mughal tombs in Delhi's most tranquil urban park — free entry (1.5h)

Open year-round. Oct–Mar is ideal; summer mornings (Apr–Jun) are bearable but afternoons are very hot. Monsoon (Jul–Sep) keeps it green. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Moderate New Delhi View on map
Morning Morning yoga session in a tranquil garden setting in Delhi
Morning Yoga & Meditation Session — Delhi$~2 hrs

Join a guided morning yoga and meditation class in one of Delhi's garden studios or certified institutes (2h)

$7 Verified Mar 2026 📍 Map
Afternoon Flower offerings and devotees at the Nizamuddin Dargah Sufi shrine in Delhi
Nizamuddin Dargah & Qawwali Evening$~2 hrs

Attend Thursday-night qawwali at Delhi's most spiritually alive Sufi shrine — free, deeply moving (1.5-2h)

Open daily year-round; Thursday evenings are the highlight. Qawwali is especially atmospheric in the cooler winter months. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
New Delhi → Agra
2h ~$10 Shatabdi Express from New Delhi to Agra Cantt (~2h)

Agra

Agra 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 6 Mon, Jul 6 Full Agra View on map
Morning Taj Mahal reflected in the long reflecting pool at sunrise, Agra
Taj Mahal at Sunrise$~3 hrs

Watch white marble blush orange at dawn before the crowds at the world's greatest monument (3h)

$13 Verified Mar 2026 October–March is ideal: cool mornings and clear skies. April–June brings fierce heat (40°C+); July–September is humid monsoon season with haze that diffuses views. 📍 Map
Afternoon Agra Fort's imposing red sandstone ramparts and Jahangiri Mahal
Agra Fort$~2 hrs

Explore the UNESCO red sandstone citadel where Shah Jahan was imprisoned with a view of the Taj (2h)

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Best October–March. Avoid May–June (extreme heat, 40°C+); July–September monsoon brings humidity and occasional closures. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Agra

Tajganj / MG Road / Fatehabad Road

wifibreakfastair-conditioningpool
Travelers book: Oberoi Amarvilas $450-800/nightITC Mughal $150-300/nightCrystal Sarovar Premiere $60-120/nightHotel Kamal $15-35/night
Book Hotel in Agra from $45/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 7 Tue, Jul 7 Moderate Agra View on map
Morning The grand Buland Darwaza gateway at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's abandoned Mughal capital
Fatehpur Sikri Day Trip$~4 hrs

Tour the ghost Mughal capital that Emperor Akbar built and abandoned after just 14 years (half-day)

$7 Verified Mar 2026 Best October–March. Summer heat (April–June) makes this exposed site uncomfortable; avoid midday. Monsoon rains (July–September) can make sandstone paths slippery. 📍 Map
Afternoon
Agra Marble Inlay Craft Workshop$~1h 30m

Watch Agra artisans cut semi-precious stones into Taj-style pietra dura inlay and try it yourself (1.5h)

Open year-round; indoor activity unaffected by weather. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Agra

Tajganj / MG Road / Fatehabad Road

wifibreakfastair-conditioningpool
Travelers book: Oberoi Amarvilas $450-800/nightITC Mughal $150-300/nightCrystal Sarovar Premiere $60-120/nightHotel Kamal $15-35/night
Book Hotel in Agra from $45/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Agra → Jaipur
4h ~$8 Train from Agra Fort to Jaipur Junction (~4h)

Jaipur

Jaipur 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 8 Wed, Jul 8 Full Jaipur View on map
Morning Amber Fort's magnificent hilltop ramparts and palace reflected in Maota Lake
Amer Fort (Amber Fort)$~3 hrs

Explore Rajasthan's finest fort-palace, with its Hall of Mirrors and sweeping lake views (3h)

$6 Verified Mar 2026 Oct–Mar ideal; the fort is very exposed and gets very hot in summer (Apr–Jun). Open year-round, light-and-sound show runs evenings. 📍 Map
Afternoon
City Palace Jaipur$~2 hrs

Wander the still-inhabited royal palace and its museum of weapons, costumes and giant silver urns (2h)

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round, 9:30am–5pm. Oct–Mar is most pleasant; partially shaded courtyards make this more manageable in heat than Amber Fort. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Jaipur

Bani Park / C-Scheme / Pink City Old Town

wifibreakfastair-conditioningpool
Travelers book: Rambagh Palace $350-700/nightSamode Haveli $120-250/nightHotel Meghniwas $40-80/nightPearl Palace Heritage $25-55/night
Book Hotel in Jaipur from $50/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 9 Thu, Jul 9 Moderate Jaipur View on map
Morning
Hawa Mahal — Palace of Winds$~1 hr

Photograph Jaipur's iconic pink honeycomb façade of 953 windows then climb inside for old-city views (1h)

$2 Verified Mar 2026 The pink sandstone glows best in soft morning light. Open year-round; Oct–Mar is ideal. Best exterior shots taken in early morning before street crowds gather. 📍 Map
Afternoon
Jantar Mantar Observatory Jaipur$~1h 30m

Read the time on the world's largest stone sundial at this UNESCO astronomical observatory (1.5h)

$2 Verified Mar 2026 Open daily 9am–7pm year-round. The Samrat Yantra reads most accurately at noon. Pair with City Palace next door to make a half-day. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Jaipur

Bani Park / C-Scheme / Pink City Old Town

wifibreakfastair-conditioningpool
Travelers book: Rambagh Palace $350-700/nightSamode Haveli $120-250/nightHotel Meghniwas $40-80/nightPearl Palace Heritage $25-55/night
Book Hotel in Jaipur from $50/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 10 Fri, Jul 10 Jaipur
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Jaipur!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $372–$558

Trip Budget Estimate

$562 estimated total per person
$56 per day
Lodging $465
Activities $79
Transport $18

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for India

$250 – $3,000 per person for 10 days

Budget: $25/day — Guesthouses, dhabas, trains Mid-range: $100/day — Heritage hotels, restaurants, AC trains Luxury: $300/day — Palace hotels, fine dining, private drivers

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to India.

🧳 Practical Info for India

📄 Visa
E-Visa required for US, UK, CA, AU, EU citizens. Apply online at least 4 days before travel.
💵 Tipping
10% at restaurants if service charge not included. Tip drivers, porters, and guides.
💱 Currency
Indian Rupee (₹ INR). Cash essential for street vendors, rickshaws, and smaller shops. Cards accepted at hotels and restaurants in cities.
🔌 Power
230V, Type C/D/M plugs. US/EU travelers need an adapter. Voltage fluctuations common — use a surge protector.
📶 Connectivity
SIM cards at airports (Jio, Airtel, Vi). Requires passport copy and photo. Excellent 4G in cities.
🚨 Emergency
112 (general emergency), 100 (police), 108 (ambulance)

🚄 Getting Around India

🚄 Rail

Indian Railways is vast. Book AC classes (1A, 2A, 3A) on irctc.co.in well in advance. Vande Bharat express trains are modern.

✈️ Flight

IndiGo and SpiceJet offer cheap domestic flights. Delhi to Goa or Kerala takes 2-3 hours.

🚗 Car

Hire a car with driver for day trips — very affordable ($30-50/day) and far less stressful than self-driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a week in India cost?

Budget: $25-50/day. Mid-range: $80-150/day. Luxury: $250+/day. India is incredibly affordable — a thali meal costs $2-4. Luxury heritage hotels offer outstanding value.

What is the best time to visit India?

October-March for most of India. Monsoon season (June-September) brings heavy rain but lush landscapes. Ladakh is best June-September.

Do I need a visa for India?

E-Visa required for US, UK, CA, AU, EU citizens. Apply online at least 4 days before travel.

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