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Suggested Itinerary
Days 1-3: India is of course, a massive country and it is very difficult to be able to see everything in just fourteen short days. Still the popular route known as the Golden Triangle should not be missed. Fly into Delhi first and check in. When you feel you're ready to face the world, take in a few New Delhi sights like India Gate. Walk from Rajpath to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the president of India lives. After you cover the 12th-century Qutb Minar complex in South Delhi, browse the shops in Hauz Khas. After lunch, visit the garden tombs of Humayun and of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (the saint Sheikh Nizamuddin Aulia), one of the holiest Muslim sites in India. Stop off at Rajghat, where Gandhi was cremated in 1948.
Prepare yourself for the chaos of the crowded streets of 17th-century Shahjahanabad, or Old Delhi. Start with the imposing Lal Qila and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. If the crowds haven't left you exhausted, visit Gauri Shankar Temple, Sisganj Gurudwara, Sunehri and Fatehpuri masjids.
Days 4-5: Get an early start and drive to the Shekhawati region, the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan. Today there are some 30 "painted towns" in the region, but the most essential to include in a first-time itinerary are Ramgarh, Nawalgarh, Fatehpur and Mandawa – a quaint town with a number of beautifully painted buildings. It also has the advantage of boasting the best accommodations in the area.
Days 6-7: Drive to the "Pink City" of Jaipur, where you can book in somewhere to base from. Explore the City Palace and include a visit to Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar. Other, further away sites farther afield include Amber Fort – the first royal residence of the Maharajas of Kachchwaha and also the Samode Palace. Jaipur is known for its fine gems, jewellery, enamel, brassware, blue pottery, amongst numerous other things and is a shopper's paradise. You could spend days bargain-hunting through the region's wonderful crafts, so be prepared to extend your stay by at least a day. If not, set off on the evening of Day 7 to Ranthambhore National Park, and overnight at Aman-i-Khás, for the finest "tenting" experience in India.
Day 8: Catch an early-morning or afternoon game drive into the park. Set aside a few hours to visit Ranthambhore Fort, whose high, jagged escarpment has towered over the park's forests for nearly a thousand years. Go tiger tracking; the highlight of a trip here is spotting a tiger. Even if you don't see a tiger (and do be prepared for this eventuality), the physical beauty of the park is worth experiencing. You will find many unique creatures here and you might even fancy staying for a few tales around a campfire with other exuberant travelers you’re sure to find here.
Day 9: Head to the tiny, off-the-beaten-track town of Bundi, through a gorge, the town is embraced by the hills of the Aravalli Range, topped by Taragarh Fort. Explore Bundi's narrow streets and you’ll find photo opportunities everywhere. Besides wandering the streets, visit Garh Palace and Raniji-ki-Baori, the state's most impressive step well. Bundi is also a great place to pick up miniature paintings.
Days 10-11: Visit Udaipur's lovely bazaars, towering City Palace and Museum. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola and try and get some of the accommodations with a lake view. If the lake is dry, tarry no longer than a day, moving on the next day to one of the excursions outside Udaipur. Begin with temples at Nathdwara, Nagda, and Eklingji; then move on to the awesome Jain temples at Ranakpur. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is definitely worth a visit as is a full-day trip to Chittaurgarh, site of the most legendary Mewar battles.
Day 12: Drive to "the Blue City" of Jodhpur and explore the fabulous Mehrangarh Fort and Museum. Don't miss Umaid Bhawan Palace, once the largest private residence in the world and a vivid reminder of the decadence the Rajput rulers enjoyed during the British Raj. Catch a flight to Delhi, where you can relax after a rather long day.
Days 13-14: From Delhi, drive to Agra to visit the jewel of India, the Taj Mahal and stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri. Visit Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb and Agra Fort. If you have the time, see beautiful Jama Masjid. Ideally, you can visit the Taj at dawn on Day 14 and spend as much time as you like there before you head back to Delhi for your flight out. If you get into Delhi before nightfall, you'll still have time to do last-minute shopping, as most shops are open till at least 7pm.
