7 Days in India: Top 5 Recommendations
In a perfect world and with unlimited time at your disposal, you would be able to visit every corner of India, ticking off all the places that interest you. But in reality, that’s likely never going to happen. Yet, with careful planning and a focus on the things you want to see the most, even a short trip of around 7 days in India will allow you to sample a great deal of what this fascinating and diverse land has to offer. To help you uncover and experience the country’s mystery and allure when you only have limited time, here are five exciting itineraries for 6, 7, and 8 days in India, to help inspire your travel.
- Kathryn Luanne Miles
1. Mumbai and Goa: 6 days in India
| Day 1 | Arrive in Mumbai, free time to explore or rest, as you choose |
| Day 2 | Day tour of Mumbai, including Elephanta Caves, Prince of Wales Museum, and more |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Goa by plane, free time in the afternoon to explore |
| Day 4 | Free day to explore or relax, as you prefer |
| Day 5 | More free time in Goa for beaches or cultural visits |
| Day 6 | Transfer to the airport for a flight home |
Mumbai is perhaps India’s most compelling city, a sprawling metropolis of extremes and of contrasts. Mumbai rewards deeper exploration with surprising encounters, cultural gems, and unforgettable memories, and two days there will give you plenty of time for all of these and more. However, after spending time in this intense city, you will feel ready to relax and a trip to Goa is the perfect antidote. You can kick back and unwind on one of the many enticing beaches or you can head out to experience local culture while taking in the remnants of the Portuguese era in one of the country’s most laidback destinations. The combination of the energy of Mumbai and the dreamy languor of Goa makes this an exceptional India itinerary. See tour.
2. The Temple Run: 7 days in India
| Day 1 | Transfer Chennai to Mahabalipuram, sightseeing including UNESCO Shore Temple |
| Day 2 | Day trip to Kanchipuram, including visits to several important Hindu temples |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Pondicherry, visit Hindu temples, Christian churches, and an old French town |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Thanjavur, visit Royal Palace and the unmissable Brihadeeshwara Temple |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Madurai, see Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Chettinad village en route |
| Day 6 | Explore Madurai, take in Flower Market, Meenakshi Amman Temple, and more |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Madurai airport for a flight home |
If temples are your thing, this tour of the most distinctive, the most flamboyant, and the most revered examples in Tamil Nadu could be just the trip you are looking for. Tamil Nadu is particularly rich in religious architecture, and the itinerary will take you to such sites as the UNESCO-listed Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram and the ancient Kailasanathar Temple that dates back to the 7th century CE. Another worthwhile trip takes in the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, arguably the largest Hindu temple complex in the world. This tour is not just about temples, though, and with other stops like Pondicherry, a former French possession, local villages, and the Flower Market in Madurai, you have all the ingredients necessary for a spellbinding and unforgettable 7 days in India. See tour.
3. Golden Triangle and Wildlife: India in 7 days
| Day 1 | Arrive in Delhi, take in the major sights, including Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and more |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Agra by car, free afternoon to explore Agra |
| Day 3 | Day tour of Agra, including the Taj Mahal, transfer to Ranthambore |
| Day 4 | Morning and afternoon safaris to spot wildlife — including tigers if you are lucky |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Jaipur, free afternoon in Jaipur |
| Day 6 | Day tour of Jaipur, including Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and an optional elephant ride |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Delhi Airport for flight back home |
The so-called Golden Triangle covering Delhi, Agra and Jaipur has long been considered the quintessential whirlwind tour of India, and for good reason. If you hope to pack as much into a short trip as possible while seeing the widest range of culture, architecture, and history in just a few days, these three conveniently-located cities are an obvious choice. Throw in the excitement of a day’s safari in the Ranthambore National Park, a place where you have a very good chance of spotting an elusive wild tiger, and you have everything you need for the perfect 7-day India tour. See more Golden Triangle tours.
4: Golden Triangle from Delhi: 1 Week in India
| Day 1 | Arrive in Delhi |
| Day 2 | Go sightseeing in Delhi |
| Day 3 | Travel to Agra and explore the city at night |
| Day 4 | Visit the Taj Mahal |
| Day 5 | Drive to Jaipur |
| Day 6 | Explore Jaipur on a sightseeing tour |
| Day 7 | Return to Delhi |
This Golden Triangle tour offers a chance to explore North India’s most magical and enticing cities, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and visit unmissable landmarks, including India's most famous monument, the Taj Mahal. In just seven days, this tour immerses you deep in the history, culture, and architecture of the country. Discover the story of Rajput warrior kings who ruled over northern India for centuries in Jaipur. Learn more about the powerful Mughal empire that controlled a large swath of the Indian subcontinent for 200 years in Agra. A visual treat for travelers, this trip is filled with visits to magnificent forts and palaces like Hawa Mahal with its intricate latticework and the marble tomb of Salim Chishti. You can also contact our local travel experts for a customized trip to India.
5. Culture Tour in Darjeeling and Sikkim: 8 days in India
| Day 1 | Fly to Bagdogra Airport, and appreciate spectacular scenery during transfer to Darjeeling |
| Day 2 | Day tour of Darjeeling including Dali Gompa monastery and Happy Valley Tea Garden |
| Day 3 | Sunrise trip to Tiger Hill for views of the Himalayas, ride Toy Train, explore Darjeeling |
| Day 4 | Drive to Pelling, visit Pemayangtse Monastery |
| Day 5 | Drive to Yuksom, visit Khecheopalri Lake, and free time in Yuksom in the afternoon |
| Day 6 | Drive through Rabongla en route to Gangtok, visit tea plantations along the way |
| Day 7 | Sightseeing in Gangtok, including Rumtek Monastery and Enchey Monastery |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Bagdogra Airport or NJP Train Station for the journey home |
For travelers intent on discovering a region far removed from the "classic India" tour, a cultural tour in the Himalayan foothills will be a real eye-opener. You will have the chance to visit the lovely town of Darjeeling where you can sample the world-famous tea that grows there. Waking up early, you can also make the journey up to Tiger Hill to watch the sun rise over some of the tallest mountains on the planet, including mighty Everest itself. Other unforgettable highlights include visits to Tibetan monasteries inhabited by monks in exile from their homeland, all the while marveling at some of the country’s most dramatic and sublime scenery. Perhaps the only problem with spending your 8 days in India with this tour is that at the end of your trip, you might not be ready to leave. See tour.
If the above tours for 7 days in India interest you enough, you can easily get on board any one of them. For more packaged trips, check out our tours in India or go through how many days to spend in India guide. However, if you’d like to get a similar tour developed from scratch, get in touch with one of our India travel experts.
