The best India 2 weeks itinerary – Golden Triangle & Jodhpur
Here’s everything you need to see on an amazing India 2 weeks itinerary. India is a blur of spices, chaos, cows, incredible architecture and wonderful sights. Not to mention the food. There’s so much to see and do, you will be wondering how your trip went so quickly!
Everything you need to know about visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (the Golden Triangle), plus Ranthambore + Jodhpur in Northern India, here’s your India 2 weeks itinerary.
India 2 weeks itinerary
Here’s my chosen spots for your (and my) India 2 weeks itinerary. I loved it here, and I chose to visit Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Ranthambore safari, Jaipur and Jodhpur in the state of Rajasthan; the Pink City and the Blue City. There’s so much to see and do, from tigers, to market stalls to incredible forts.
Delhi – 2 days minimum
Have a look at my full New Delhi guide. We were very lucky to be shown around Delhi by our friends and locals to the area, Jas and Nitish. Make sure you check out Lodhi Gardens.
Agra & The Taj Mahal – 2 days minimum
Funnily enough, hotel staff told us they thought Agra was like the ‘Wild Wild West’ of India, especially when compared to Delhi. Sometimes it’s hard to get cash out of the ATM, and you won’t find as many international stores. But of course, the great attraction in Agra is the Taj Mahal. Obviously a must on your India 2 weeks itinerary!
Have a look at my full comprehensive guide to the Taj Mahal, including best photo spots.
Ranthambore – 1 day
If you want to experience an incredible tiger safari, check out Ranthambore on your India 2 weeks itinerary. We checked other Safaris in the vicinity and found that this one had the most tigers (between 75-92 tigers depending on the population at the time of year). It’s worth noting that each tiger needs around 15 square kilometres of space for their territory, so they are still few and far between.
The park is separated into over 10 different zones, and each zone will have between 5-10 tigers. I’ve heard that you should book onto at least 4 safari trips (each one is 3-4 hours) to make it more likely to see one, and you’re (almost) guaranteed to see one after 6.
We also stopped at Ranthambore fort, and it feels wonderfully peaceful walking through old ruins, listening to the birdsong and admiring the wild flowers growing everywhere. It’s incredible, don’t miss this off your India 2 weeks itinerary!
Jaipur – 4 days
I’ve been dreaming of Jaipur for many years, I had seen photos on the Internet and thought it looked like the most beautiful city ever. I honestly never thought I’d make it here… but here we are! I loved City Palace, the market places, Hawa Mahal, Amber Palace, Nahargarh Fort… the list goes on.
There’s so much to do so in the pink city; here’s your 2 day itinerary Jaipur. The city is famous for its beautiful red and pink sandstone, the palaces, forts, food and of course the rich culture. It is definitely one of the most, if not the most beautiful city in India.
Jaipur has the most incredible historical places, stunning landmarks and attractions, covering everything you need to see whether you’ve been plenty of times or touring with some first-time visitors. Well, look no further for some of the best places to visit when you are in Jaipur if you’re on a 2 day itinerary.
Read the full guide on Jaipur so you know what to do and enjoy one of the absolute gems of your India 2 weeks itinerary.
Jodhpur – 4 days minimum
Have a look at my full Jodhpur guide here.
Jodhpur, the Blue City. Jodhpur gets my vote for most underrated city in India. All the walls are covered in blue paint and locals cover it in blue artwork everywhere. A stunning sight. Meander through narrow alleyways covered in spectacular artworks, wave to local children as they play on their bikes.
Sadly, some areas of the old city did not have a full waste management system, meaning areas had piles of trash building up. I hope this improves for both the local residents, and the animals that live nearby. Seeing cows and dogs eat plastic bags is saddening, but I understand that this is a work in progress and look forward to seeing how it improves in future.
Why is Jodhpur called The Blue City?
Jodhpur is called the Blue City because most of the buildings in the heart of Jodhpur are painted the same hues of blue – copper sulphate lime – making for an awe inspiring walk and stunning photography.
Why is Jodhpur painted Blue?
There are many theories why Jodhpur is painted blue; some people say it’s because the blue colour, copper sulphate lime, deters termites which historically destroyed many buildings. Others say that blue paint keeps the buildings cool in summer.
Additionally, legend has it that the priests and town elders lived in the old city and were the only ones able to afford the blue paint; the blue paint reinforced their connection to royalty. Whatever the truth is, it makes for a stunning city.
Travelling in India – taxis, buses, trains and planes
I didn’t know how to travel India safely, and after visiting I felt very comfortable. Here’s everything you need to know!
Can you use Uber in India?
Yes, totally, and it’s very cheap! I liked using Uber because you don’t have the hassle of haggling for a taxi fare, and you can often see your drivers’ reviews: if they have hundreds of 5 star reviews, you’re in for a good ride. There’s also the added safety feature where you’re being tracked with GPS, which I liked.
10 minute rides often cost 40MVR or 40p! Very cheap, tip if you can afford it!
Can you use Intercity Uber in India?
Yes, and it’s an excellent way to travel in between cities. A 4 hour journey between Delhi to Agra was around £32. I get a bit carsick though, so I generally preferred train rides.
Taxis and Auto Rickshaws (tuk-tuks)
You’ll have to haggle and barter, but these are a good way of getting around. I also like supporting the local population to earn money without giving commission to coorporate taxi companies. I used this during the day only, preferring to use known taxi companies at night for that added layer of safety. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch a pink Rickshaw.
Trains
I was worried about getting trains in India due to some of the safety concerns I had heard historically. I was recommended to buy 1st class train tickets. Whilst I can’t speak for all of Indian train connections, I found this to be perfectly comfortable and fine. You do get stared a lot on the platform if you look obviously foreign, but other than that, it was fine.
Planes
Flying in India internally is usually easy and fairly cheap. It’s a great way to travel huge distances. Have a look at Skyscanner for the best deals.
Safety in India
Before coming to India, I had a LOT of messages warning me that it was dangerous. I genuinely was concerned about stepping foot in the country, but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it might be.
Top tips for staying safe in India
- Don’t wander around late at night on your own, or even if there are two of you.
- Get a local guide
- If travelling at night, use taxi services like Uber or prebooked cars
- Always let someone know where you are
- Avoid showing public displays of affection
- If you can afford it, buy 1st or 2nd class train tickets
- If you can afford it, stay in 4 and 5 star hotels
- Book onto a tour so you don’t have to worry about any of this
Food safety in India
I have 2 degrees in Nutrition and my final research paper was on food poisoning whilst travelling (or traveller’s gasteroenteritis). I think I’ve learnt a thing of two. Even if food is cooked well, you can still get food poisoning, because your gut bacteria doesn’t ‘match’ the local bacteria and our body ‘rejects’ it. This is why Indians can eat at beautiful restaurants and not get sick, whilst foreigners get sick.
Whilst I did actually get food poisoning once, I think I’ve cracked how to not get food poisoning in India. I mostly ate at my hotel, and then occasional street food that I know locals went to.
Top tips for avoiding food poisoning in India:
- Start by eating ONLY at your chosen hotel, as they are usually used to catering to foreigners
- If you can afford it, stay at 4 and 5 star hotels (they start from £10-40 per night)
- Start with veggie options – fresh fruit and cooked veg
- Start gently – don’t smash as much food as you can on the first day. Try a few things here and there, and gently introduce local foods into your diet.
- NEVER eat at empty restaurants/street stalls (sorry) – I often look for restaurants that have a high guest turnover, meaning the food is delivered daily, and therefore, fresh
- Avoid eating milk and dairy to start with, if you’re concerned about the restaurant. Fruit and veg is cheap, but food like cheese is more expensive, so they’re more likely to hold onto this for longer, giving more bacteria a chance to grow.
Can I drink Tap Water in India?
No. Don’t do it. I’ve been told by locals that you shouldn’t don’t drink it.
Can I brush my teeth with tap water in India?
No – even locals that I know use bottled water.
Solo female travel in India
I would totally travel India as a solo female traveller, but I would only do it if I booked onto a group tour. Have a look at the amazing India group tours with Viator, whom I trust. There are lots of options for you to choose from and you can choose how many days you want to travel.
What time of year is best to visit North India?
The best time to visit North India (Rajasthan) is during the winter months from October to March. We travelled in March and it was pretty hot hiking around the forts. Going in the summer months can be extremely hot and draining, but you might find it is a bit cheaper.
In October to March, the weather in Rajasthan tends to be cooler, meaning its preferable and usually considered the high season. The weather is hotter between April-September, but means is less busy and prices tend to be cheaper.
Rajasthan Weather in January
- Average Temperature: 18°C (64°F)
- Rainy Days: 1
- Daylight Hours: ~10 hours
Rajasthan Weather in February
- Average Temperature: 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy Days: 0
- Daylight Hours: ~11 hours
Rajasthan Weather in March
- Average Temperature: 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy Days: 1
- Daylight Hours: ~12 hours
Rajasthan Weather in April
- Average Temperature: 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: ~13 hours
Rajasthan Weather in May
- Average Temperature: 36°C (97°F)
- Rainy Days: 7
- Daylight Hours: ~13.5 hours
Rajasthan Weather in June
- Average Temperature: 35°C (95°F)
- Rainy Days: 5
- Daylight Hours: ~13.5 hours
Rajasthan Weather in July
- Average Temperature: 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy Days: 6
- Daylight Hours: ~13.5 hours
Rajasthan Weather in August
- Average Temperature: 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy Days: 6
- Daylight Hours: ~13 hours
Rajasthan Weather in September
- Average Temperature: 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: ~12.5 hours
Rajasthan Weather in October
- Average Temperature: 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy Days: 0
- Daylight Hours: ~11.5 hours
Rajasthan Weather in November
- Average Temperature: 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy Days: 0
- Daylight Hours: ~10.5 hours
Rajasthan Weather in December
- Average Temperature: 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy Days: 0
- Daylight Hours: ~10 hours
I hope you found this useful, it’s an incredible trip and you won’t regret visiting on your India 2 weeks itinerary.
You might also find my other articles in India useful:
Jodhpur Jaisalmer Tour Package
The Taj Maha: Best photography spots
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
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