3 Weeks in India Itinerary: Delhi, Kerala, Goa and Mumbai
I went to India in April – a place I’d dreamed of visiting for years. As you’ll know if you followed along I had a few issues, but with the benefit of hindsight my 3 weeks in India were brilliant.
Every day was something different, the people were lovely, the trains were an adventure and I was lucky enough to sample India in style with some awesome hotel.
This 3 week India itinerary is a great introduction to a country that will seem even bigger once you’re in it. There’s a lot to see in India!
I wanted to write this post to show you my route from start to finish, with recommendations of what I did or didn’t do along the way. I’ve covered transport, hotels, food recommendations and things to do.
If you’ve got three weeks in India, I’d definitely recommend Delhi, Kerala, Goa and Mumbai. Here’s why…
India 3 week itinerary: the route
Delhi > Golden Triangle > Kochi > Alleppey > Goa > Mumbai
WEEK ONE: Delhi and the Golden Triangle
1. Arrival in Delhi
I arrived in Delhi and got a taxi from the front of the airport to my hotel. Whatever a taxi driver states as the price in India, you need to half it to get somewhere near a fair price. I knew that already yet I fault like my offer of 500 rupees (£5) was still far too generous as he jumped at the chance.
My taxi journey was so sketchy. I’d arrived in Delhi late and already booked into the Airport Hotel Metro Tower, apparently 10 minutes away but I didn’t have the exact address. The taxi driver told me he knew where it was, turned out he didn’t, and neither did his mate who’d jumped in the taxi with us. It was so scary, and the hotel wasn’t much better either. I barely slept.
India tip #1: If you’re gonna be spending any amount of time in India, let alone backpacking India for 3 weeks, quickly learn that a head wobble means yes even though it looks like a maybe, not sure, kinda. It’s super confusing and can easily lead to situations like this.
2. Highlights of Delhi tour
I pretty much ran out the hotel and into my Tripzuki driver’s arms when he came to pick me up for my tour. We went straight to the Rose Hotel in Haus Khaz (now shut down!). It was a dream and I loved Haus Khaz as soon as I saw it.
It was the cricket final so my driver took me out for some Choley for breakfast (a spicy chickpea mix) in front of the TV – a definite when you’re in Delhi. The guide arrived an hour later and off we went for a full day of exploration to see a few of the must see sights of Delhi.
- Qutub Minar
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Indian Gate and Parliament
- Lotus Temple
- Purani Delhi
- Red Fort
- Jama Masjid
The taxi driver added a few extras on the bill when I arrived back at my hotel, which I soon found to be standard in India. I was too polite (and scared) to challenge so paid the £45 just to get back to that hotel room. It’d been a long day, after a long night, and I fell on the bed exhausted.
For dinner I went for a Rothi roll from the street food market up the road, and oh my days it was delicious.
India tip #2: I know you always hear about Delhi belly – and that a potential prime place to pick it up may be from a street food cart, but I think that’s where you get some of the best food. Always opt for the place with a few locals eating there too, go veggie if you’re really worried about dodgy meat, and stay clear of sauces that may have been made with tap water.
3. Exploring Haus Khaz
After an incredible breakfast at The Rose Hotel, which included eggs, granola, yogurt and fruits, I walked round Haus Khaz. I soon found out it’s one of the coolest districts in Delhi. I’m so grateful to Tripzuki for introducing me to this place. I wandered round the shops, explored the ruins, bought presents for my family and drank tea and coffee at as many places as possible. I love Haus Khaz.
India tip #3: Kick off your time in Haus Khaz with a coffee at Kunzum Travel Café. Not only will it give you a coffee fix, but they often have tours, loads of guidebooks and travellers who know the area hanging out (often writing their own India travel blog). You can tap them up for their expertise, plan whether you want to simply wander, discuss whether it’s worth visiting the Delhi Art Gallery or join one of the tours.
READ MORE: Unfortunately The Rose Hotel has since shut down, I know, sad times. If you’re looking for recommendations for hotels in Delhi from a travel blog India, check out this guide on chasingtheunexpected.com.
Read more: 52 Coolest Things to Do in Delhi
and check out the Best Books About India