hi
such a thoughtfully written post. Being from India i could immediately connect on a different more personal level with this post. Truly India is too vast to handle for a single visit or even three weeks an you rightly said . It is like a place that will make you definitely come back again no matter what

Interesting to hear of the differences between the weather and the food from the different ends of India, it is not something I had considered having never travelled there, however those who I know who have say it is a country like no other and you need a decent amount of time there to really immerse yourself in the culture. Thanks for sharing your insight.

Very nicely written post for foreign travelers who are curious about India and rightly feel that india is a cultural hotbed! While aggregating homestays and interacting with many travelers, I have tried tried answer the question that how many days in india are enough and frankly, I never had an answer because India is so vast to see. However the highlight of this blog post is that it makes it easier for a traveler to understand how to plan a trip with starting point as south India and why.

I can so much relate with your thoughts as I too have actually faced very similar situations and had conversations when traveling abroad to Europe and other countries. Since I am if the friendly kind I land up communicating quite a lot and keep advising them when they enquire. This is such great plan for a 3 week holiday in India.

India is a country I also want to visit someday with my boyfriend, and we will consider 3 weeks of stay, to explore the most of India. But I reckon 3 weeks still not enough coz I love slow travel. I like to immerse in each places, my way of remembering things that helps me on my writings.

Great itinerary for India! I think it is important to focu on the whole country and exploring different parts other than the main tourist attractions. It gives you so much more of a sense of the contry than just staying in one spot will. India sounds very diverse. I haven't had the chance to visit yet, but hope to one day.

The question should be how many years in India :D I spend few months and didn't have time to visit a lot of places I wanted to, like eastern Rajastan and Kashmir. I hope to come back there one day. About your itinerary, I think you covered a great part of the places for someone who has limited time for India. It's a very diverse and huge country so communication between places takes a lot of time.

It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.

Even in these many days, people will be overwhelmed ;-) India has so much to offer that no matter how many days you plan, you are going to fall short. Why we people, staying in India, too, feel that way? Don 't we? But for a first timer, you have given a well balanced itinerary. A little nature, a little heritage and opportunity to see different styles of it.

India is so vast and all states are like countries itself! India has so much to oofer from himalayas,western ghats, holy cities, great architecture to eastern India's tribal areas! Wherever you go, you will love it! As a first timer, It is always good to start with Places as you described with Golden triangle and Places of South India. Great Post! I have visited 20 states still I am not done with many Places of it!

India is such a big country it's always a battle where to go! As for my first time, I went to Rishikesh and then my second time in Jaipur. I think the trick in traveling India is to do it by state and do it little by little. I once computed how many years I will need to see all India and I ended up calculating 10 years. HAHAHAHA! Thanks for the great guide and advice for first-time travelers. Xx

I think India is like Brazil or China or USA or any other big country. It needs 6 month to get to know the country outside the main attractions. But I agree bare minimum is 3 weeks.

Love this guide from a local! Much more insightful since you know the country more in depth. I can't wait to visit one day soon! and am bookmarking this guide!

We've been thinking about visiting India for years, but it's such a big country that it's a daunting prospect. Not only to come to terms with what to expect, but also which destinations need to be on the list of places to visit. I had no idea that there were so many languages - thanks for sharing these newbie tips.

You have definitely given a nice picture of India, the way we are, diverse, real, too wide, and culture-rich to the highest. India is too difficult in few days or weeks but yeah one has to pick places as per choice. THe Northern states have their own beauty, the Southern are impeccable, the eastern is quaint and the western parts are heart-warming. India is a beauty indeed!

I liked that you've recommended the Southern States to visit first in order to avoid touristy traps of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. India is a pretty little chaos and has its own charm that you can't find anywhere in the whole world.