2 India

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Visa and Entry

Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter India. E-visas are available for citizens of over 150 countries and can be applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Since October 2025, travellers can submit an electronic arrival form online up to 72 hours before travel instead of the traditional paper form. Nepali citizens do not need a visa to enter India.

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SIM Card for Tourists

Get a local SIM card at the airport on arrival. Airtel and Jio are the best networks with wide coverage. A tourist SIM at Delhi Airport costs around INR 800 (about $9.50) and provides 1.5 GB daily data and unlimited local calls for 30 days. You will need your passport and visa documents for identity verification as per Indian regulations.

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Tipping Culture

Check restaurant bills for a service charge (5-10%) before tipping. If no service charge is included, 5-10% is appropriate. For hotel housekeeping, tip INR 50-100 per night. For full-day driver services, INR 400-600 is standard. Digital tipping via Paytm, GPay, and UPI is now widely accepted, and many hotels offer QR codes for staff tips.

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Currency and Payments

The Indian Rupee (INR) is the official currency. UPI-based digital payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) are extremely widespread, even at small street stalls. International credit and debit cards work at most ATMs and larger establishments. Carry some cash for street food vendors, auto-rickshaws, and rural areas.

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Food and Water Safety

Drink only bottled or purified water and check that bottle seals are intact. Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruits, and ice in drinks at street stalls. Ease into street food gradually to let your stomach adjust. Indian food is often very spicy, so ask for 'kam mirch' (less spice) if needed.

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Transport Tips

Use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola for safe, metered transport in cities. Always negotiate auto-rickshaw fares before boarding or insist on the meter. For intercity travel, India's extensive railway network is excellent; book trains via the IRCTC app or website. Overnight sleeper trains save both time and accommodation costs on longer routes.

1

Old and New Delhi

📍 Delhi

Begin at Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, and walk through the chaotic lanes of Chandni Chowk sampling street food like parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali. Rickshaw through Old Delhi past the Red Fort (Lal Qila). After lunch, shift to New Delhi to see India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan from Rajpath, and the towering Qutub Minar. End the day at Humayun's Tomb, the Mughal garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal.

2

Agra and the Taj Mahal

📍 Agra

Take the Gatimaan Express or drive 3-4 hours to Agra. Arrive at the Taj Mahal at sunrise when the marble glows pink and the crowds are thinnest. Spend 2-3 hours exploring the mausoleum, mosque, and gardens. Cross the Yamuna River to Mehtab Bagh for the classic rear-view photograph. After lunch, explore Agra Fort's palatial halls and imagine Shah Jahan gazing at the Taj from his prison chamber. Visit Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) if time permits.

3

Jaipur - The Pink City

📍 Jaipur

Drive 4 hours to Jaipur via the Fatehpur Sikri ghost city (worth a 1-hour stop). In Jaipur, start at Amber Fort and ride or walk up the ramparts for sweeping views. Explore the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) inside. Afternoon visits to the City Palace, Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Browse the colorful bazaars of Johari Bazaar for textiles and gemstones. Try dal baati churma for dinner at a traditional Rajasthani restaurant.

4

Jaipur to Varanasi

📍 Jaipur / Varanasi

Morning visit to Nahargarh Fort for panoramic views over Jaipur, then fly to Varanasi (2-hour flight). Check into a guesthouse near the ghats. In the late afternoon, walk along the 84 ghats starting from Assi Ghat heading north. Watch the preparations for the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Attend the spectacular fire ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat where priests perform synchronized rituals with flaming lamps, incense, and chanting to the Ganges.

5

Varanasi - City of Light

📍 Varanasi

Pre-dawn boat ride on the Ganges to witness the sunrise and morning rituals along the ghats. See the cremation ghats of Manikarnika where funeral pyres burn around the clock. After breakfast, explore the narrow lanes of the old city to find Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple). Visit the serene campus of Banaras Hindu University and its Bharat Kala Bhavan art museum. Evening free to revisit the ghats or explore the silk weaving workshops Varanasi is famous for.

6

Varanasi to Mumbai

📍 Varanasi / Mumbai

Morning excursion to Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. See the Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, and the archaeological museum housing the Lion Capital. Fly to Mumbai in the afternoon. Evening walk along Marine Drive (Queen's Necklace) as the city lights up along the Arabian Sea curve. Dinner at a street stall in Chowpatty Beach sampling bhel puri and pav bhaji.

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Mumbai Highlights

📍 Mumbai

Start at the Gateway of India and take the ferry to Elephanta Island to explore the 6th-century rock-cut cave temples dedicated to Shiva. Return to visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Victoria Terminus), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victorian Gothic architecture. Walk through the Kala Ghoda art district and visit the Prince of Wales Museum (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya). Afternoon visit to the Dhobi Ghat open-air laundry and the bustling Crawford Market. End with sunset at Bandra-Worli Sea Link viewpoint.