From the USA
Long-haul, once-in-a-decade trips work best built around one or two regions. Start from the 6–9 day signature itineraries, then check the best-time window on each state page before you fix dates.
For visitors from abroad
Visiting India from abroad?
Dedicated planning for travellers arriving from the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand, the Middle East — and first-time visitors from anywhere. Built around planning intent: how long you need, when to come, what to eat, and the official links that matter.
Where are you travelling from?
Pick your country or region — your guide covers visas, flights, money and arrival, written for travellers from home.
From Canada
Chase India's winter sun — October to March suits most regions — or take the Himalaya in summer. Every state page carries its own best-time note, so the call is easy, region by region.
From the UK
Beyond the classic circuits lies the offbeat layer: 154 lesser-known places, each with its own page. Pair a headline route with one slow detour and the trip becomes yours.
From Europe
Culture-first travel: festival and culture pages for every state, heritage circuits, temple trails and food walks — with guides written in plain English throughout.
From Australia & New Zealand
India's October–March peak is your summer escape window. The long itineraries (7–9 days) and the island pages — Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep — reward the longer flight.
From the Middle East
Short-haul and family-friendly: Kerala, Kashmir and the Golden Triangle circuits, with state food guides that flag vegetarian, vegan, Jain and non-vegetarian options.
First-time visitors, worldwide
New to India? Begin with a classic circuit below, then let each state page answer the practical questions — how many days you need, when to come, where to stay and what to eat.
Visa & official information
Visa, e-Visa and entry requirements change. One rule is explicit: the official Government of India visa portal is the verification source — always confirm there before you book.
Apply & verify only on the official portal
The only Government of India website for e-Visa applications is indianvisaonline.gov.in — Indian embassies warn that look-alike sites are fraudulent. Dynamic facts on this site (access, permits, prices, opening times, festival dates) follow the same rule: check the official source and the last-verified date on each guide.
Handy converters
Two international-traveller essentials — temperature and distance, in the units you think in.
Temperature
India's plains are warm most of the year; hill stations and the high Himalaya are the cool exceptions — each state page gives its best-time window.
Distance
First-timer essentials, in short
The five things every first trip to India gets right — the first-time visitor's guide goes deeper on each.
- Visa first, and only on the official portal. Most visitors apply for an e-Visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in; your country guide above covers the specifics for your passport.
- Pick the season before the places. October–March suits most of India, summer belongs to the high Himalaya, and the monsoon crowns the green country — every state guide carries its own best-time note.
- Start with one classic circuit. The Golden Triangle, Kerala, or the Triangle with Varanasi — the routes below are the ones first-timers ask for most.
- Plan the food, not just the sights. State guides flag vegetarian, vegan, Jain and non-vegetarian options, and the Food Atlas gives all 213 signature dishes a page of their own.
- Give the trip room. India rewards depth over distance: one or two regions properly done beat a whistle-stop lap of the whole map.
First trip? Start with a classic circuit
The ready-made routes first-time visitors ask for most — open one to see the full state guide behind it.
Rajasthan · North5 Days Golden Triangle extension
Forts, desert light and cities painted in colour. Places include Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Uttar Pradesh · North5 Days Golden Triangle + Varanasi
The Taj, the Ganga at dawn and Awadhi tables. Places include Agra, Varanasi, Lucknow, Ayodhya.
Kerala · South7 Days Kerala Highlights
Backwaters, tea hills and a table built on coconut & spice. Places include Kochi, Alappuzha, Munnar, Wayanad.
Ladakh · North7 Days Ladakh Highlights
High desert, blue lakes and monasteries in thin air. Places include Leh, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Khardung La region.
International planning guides, by state
Every state page carries the same six international planning topics: how to reach it from major Indian gateway cities · airports, rail, road & local transport · how many days you need · best time for international travellers · where to stay (luxury, mid-range, budget, local stays) · and a food guide covering vegetarian, vegan, Jain and non-vegetarian options. Pick a state to read its set:
Andhra PradeshArunachal PradeshAssamBiharChhattisgarhGoaGujaratHaryanaHimachal PradeshJharkhandKarnatakaKeralaMadhya PradeshMaharashtraManipurMeghalayaMizoramNagalandOdishaPunjabRajasthanSikkimTamil NaduTelanganaTripuraUttar PradeshUttarakhandWest BengalAndaman & Nicobar IslandsChandigarhDadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and DiuDelhiJammu & KashmirLadakhLakshadweepPuducherry