Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel in central Delhi for check-in and a short rest; if time allows, take a brief orientation walk around Connaught Place to get your bearings and enjoy a coffee at a colonial-era cafe. Use this gentle first morning to exchange currency, pick up a local SIM or map, and acclimatize to the city’s pace before heading out to explore.
Head into Old Delhi for an immersive afternoon: start at the monumental Jama Masjid and climb its southern tower for sweeping views of the bustling lanes below, then wander through Chandni Chowk’s narrow bazaars — sampling street treats like jalebi, chaat and paratha at the famous Paranthe Wali Gali. Don’t miss a quick rickshaw ride past the spice markets to the historic Red Fort, where the Mughal architecture offers a striking introduction to Delhi’s layered history.
As evening falls, enjoy a heritage walk or a guided food tour around Kinari Bazaar to taste local Mughlai specialties and learn about Old Delhi’s living traditions; alternatively, book a relaxed dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Hauz Khas Village for modern Indian cuisine with skyline views. If jetlag permits, return to your hotel for a short night stroll in the neighborhood or an early night to prepare for a full day of New Delhi sightseeing tomorrow.
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before heading out to the majestic India Gate and the manicured lawns of Rajpath, where you can soak in the capital’s grand colonial-era planning. Continue to the nearby Rashtrapati Bhavan viewpoint and then visit the serene Humayun’s Tomb, an elegant precursor to the Taj Mahal, taking time to wander the terraced gardens and photograph the intricate Mughal stonework.
After lunch, dive into Delhi’s rich history at the National Museum (or the crafts-rich Crafts Museum if you prefer hands-on displays), then stroll through the nearby Lodi Gardens to view ancient tombs nestled among banyan trees and locals practicing yoga. Next, explore the striking Qutub Minar complex to admire its towering minaret and Indo-Islamic inscriptions, linking the day’s Mughal and Sultanate-era sites for a coherent historical thread.
As dusk falls, head to the vibrant Khan Market for boutique shopping and a relaxed coffee or early dinner at one of its popular bistros, sampling contemporary Indian small plates. If you’d like a cultural encore, book tickets for a classical music or dance performance at the India Habitat Centre or attend an evening light-and-sound show at the Red Fort (season permitting), then return to your hotel to rest before tomorrow’s journey to Agra.
Depart early from Delhi by car on the Yamuna Expressway or board a pre-booked Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi train to arrive in Agra before dawn; transfer straight to the Taj Mahal to witness sunrise as the marble glow shifts from soft pink to brilliant white. Stroll the raised marble platform, linger at the reflecting pool for classic photos, and listen to your guide explain the romantic Mughal story and the intricate pietra dura inlay work up close.
After a leisurely breakfast at your Agra hotel, visit the imposing Agra Fort — explore the royal apartments, Jahangir’s Palace and the Musamman Burj with its views back toward the Taj. Break for a street-food-style lunch or a well-regarded local restaurant to sample Agra specialties like petha and dal-moth, then pop into the Marble Workshop or local bazaars to see craftsmen at work and pick up souvenirs.
Return to the Taj viewpoint on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River for a final silhouette shot at sunset if time and energy permit, or enjoy a relaxed sunset tea at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the monument. Finish the day with a quiet dinner at the hotel sampling Mughlai cuisine or a recommended restaurant, resting up for tomorrow’s onward journey to Kolkata.
After breakfast in Agra, check out and transfer to Agra Cantonment station or the airport for your onward journey to Kolkata; if traveling by air you’ll land at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and take a short hotel transfer to central Kolkata. Use the morning to settle into your hotel in Park Street or Esplanade, freshen up, and enjoy a late-morning stroll past the colonial facades toward the Indian Museum to get an early taste of the city’s scholarly charm.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring key downtown highlights: lunch at a classic Park Street restaurant sampling Bengali fish curry or kosha mangsho, followed by a visit to the marble-clad St. Paul's Cathedral and the nearby Victoria Memorial gardens for a gentle walk and photographs. If time allows, pop into College Street to see the famed bookstalls and the historic Coffee House where intellectuals gathered — a perfect spot for people-watching and absorbing Kolkata’s literary vibe.
As dusk falls, take a riverside stroll along the Hooghly near the iconic Howrah Bridge, watching ferry traffic and local life on the ghats, then wander through the bustling New Market or the atmospheric paths of Park Street to enjoy evening lights. Finish the day with dinner at a well-known Bengali restaurant such as 6 Ballygunge Place or Peter Cat for chelo kebab, soaking up Kolkata’s cosmopolitan yet nostalgic nightlife before turning in for an early night ahead of tomorrow’s deeper city explorations.
Start the day at the iconic Victoria Memorial, arriving early to wander the marble galleries and tranquil lawns while your guide highlights the colonial-era exhibits and Bengal’s role in Indian history; don’t miss the portrait room and the terrace views over the gardens. From there, stroll or take a short taxi ride to the nearby Birla Planetarium and the Indian Museum if you prefer artifacts and natural history—both offer a complementary look at Kolkata’s scholarly and cultural side.
After a Bengali-style lunch—try macher jhol (fish curry) or kosha mangsho at a beloved local eatery such as 6 Ballygunge Place—head to College Street to browse the bookstalls and sip coffee at the historic Indian Coffee House, soaking up the city’s literary energy. Continue to Kumartuli, the potters’ quarter, to watch artisans shaping clay gods and idols, an immersive craft experience that connects Kolkata’s living traditions with its artistic communities.
As dusk falls, take a leisurely Hooghly river cruise from Prinsep Ghat to see the Howrah Bridge and riverside life lit up, or simply linger at the ghat for people-watching and street snacks like kathi rolls from a well-known stall. Finish with dinner on Park Street—perhaps chelo kebab at Peter Cat or contemporary Bengali fare—enjoying lively nightlife and a sense of continuity from yesterday’s colonial walks into the city’s modern cultural heart.
After an early breakfast in Kolkata, depart for Godkhali (about 3-4 hours by road) where you’ll board a private launch or motorboat; enjoy riverine scenery as you pass through tidal creeks and villages, and keep an eye out for kingfishers and cormorants along the mangrove-lined banks. Upon arrival at your Sunderbans lodge or forest camp, settle in briefly and meet your guide for a safety briefing and an introduction to the fragile mangrove ecosystem and local Sundari and Gewa tree species.
After lunch at the camp, embark on your first guided boat cruise into the core waterways—glide past narrow tidal channels toward the creeks near Dobanki or Sajnekhali depending on your route, scanning mudflats for estuarine crocodiles and the telltale paw prints or pugmarks of the elusive Bengal tiger. Visit a watchtower if time permits (Sajnekhali has a notable bird sanctuary and interpretive center) to learn about local conservation efforts and to spot herons, egrets and migratory birds up close.
As dusk approaches, return to your camp for a relaxed tea and a short nature walk along raised trails to observe mangrove roots and local fishing life, while your guide shares folklore about the Sundarbans’ tidal rhythms and the Royal Bengal tiger. Finish the day with a riverside dinner at the lodge, listening to the distant sounds of the forest and a briefing about tomorrow’s deeper wildlife cruises and village visits so you’re prepared for an early start.
Rise before dawn and set out on a quiet early-morning boat cruise through the tidal channels toward Dobanki and the lesser-traveled creeks, scanning mudflats for fishing eagles, river otters and the telltale pugmarks of the Royal Bengal tiger while your naturalist explains tidal rhythms and mangrove ecology. Pause at a raised watchtower or sandbar for binocular viewing and a light breakfast on board as the low sun gilds the Sundari trees and the waterways come alive with bird calls.
After returning to camp for lunch, take a guided mangrove trail walk near Sajnekhali or the local interpretation centre to learn about nipa palms, Gewa and the adaptions that let life thrive in brackish water; follow this with a motorboat excursion into narrower creeks where you may spot estuarine crocodiles basking on the banks and flocks of herons and kingfishers hunting for fish. Visit a nearby riverside village if possible to meet local fishermen, see traditional crab-collection techniques, and hear stories about living with the tides and tigers.
As the light softens, glide back along the main channels for a peaceful sunset cruise—perfect for silhouette photos of mangrove canopies and returning fishing boats—then enjoy a riverside tea and a short interpretive talk about conservation efforts and the Sundarbans mangrove restoration projects. Cap the day with a relaxed meal at your lodge featuring fresh, locally inspired fare and a gentle briefing from your guide about tomorrow’s early departure, leaving you connected to the landscape and ready for more exploration.
Rise early at your Sunderbans camp for a final riverside breakfast and a short guided walk to savor one last mangrove sunrise before the road transfer back to Godkhali. From Godkhali, drive to Kolkata airport (or connect via your arranged transfer) and board your midday flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair; use the flight time to rest and enjoy views as the mainland recedes.
On arrival in Port Blair, clear immigration and transfer to your hotel for check-in and a refreshing shower, then stretch your legs with a stroll around the historic Aberdeen Bazaar to browse local handicrafts and sample a light Andamanese snack. If time permits, visit the Cellular Jail complex and its museum for a poignant, history-rich introduction to the islands—reserve tickets for the evening light-and-sound show if you plan to attend.
As dusk falls, head to the Cellular Jail grounds for the evocative light-and-sound show (timings permitting) that brings India’s freedom struggle to life, or choose a relaxed seaside dinner at the jetty road area, sampling fresh seafood and coconut-infused dishes while listening to the gentle waves. Return to your hotel early to rest or to finalize arrangements for tomorrow’s morning ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), ensuring ferry bookings and permits are at hand for a smooth island transfer.
Take the early passenger ferry from Port Blair to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), arriving at the lively Havelock jetty in time to drop bags at your beachfront hotel and grab a quick coconut water. Head straight to Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) for a morning walk on powdery sand and a swim in clear turquoise water, enjoying the wide west-facing shoreline before it gets busy.
After a relaxed beachside lunch, join a guided snorkeling or glass-bottom boat trip from Govind Nagar or Elephant Beach — explore coral gardens, spot reef fish and, if conditions allow, vibrant sea anemones and small reef sharks under the supervision of certified guides. Return to Havelock village to browse local shops for seashell handicrafts or visit Kalapathar Beach for quieter shores and dramatic coastal photos as the light softens.
As the sun sets, unwind at a seaside café near the jetty or your resort with fresh seafood and Malabar-style curries, savoring the island’s laid-back vibe and the sound of waves. If you’re not too tired, join a beach bonfire or a stargazing walk organized by many resorts, or simply relax on your room balcony planning tomorrow’s early visit to more dive sites or Radhanagar’s sunset vista.
Wake to a gentle island sunrise and take one last early-morning stroll along Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7), savoring the powdery sand and the famous west-facing sunset vista in quieter dawn light; enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your beachfront resort or a café near the jetty with fresh fruits and coconut water. Pack and check out mid-morning, then visit Kalapathar Beach for a short photo stop among black boulders and clear shallows before transferring to Havelock jetty for your scheduled ferry to Port Blair.
Arrive back in Port Blair and store luggage at your hotel or the airport counter if needed, then explore Aberdeen Bazaar for last-minute shopping—look for lacquerware, seashell crafts and Andaman honey as souvenirs—and grab a relaxed lunch of coconut fish curry or prawn malai curry at a recommended seaside restaurant. If time permits before your flight, visit the Cellular Jail museum grounds for a brief walk-through and reflective photos, or stroll along the Marina Park promenade to stretch your legs and watch local ferry traffic.
Board your evening flight from Veer Savarkar International Airport with plenty of time for check-in, carrying warm memories of island beaches and mangrove cruises; if your schedule includes the Cellular Jail light-and-sound show, enjoy it as a poignant capstone before departure, otherwise relax with a final seafood meal near the airport or hotel. As you fly onward, reflect on the contrasting highlights of your trip—from Delhi’s monuments and the Taj’s marble romance to Kolkata’s culture, the Sundarbans’ wild waterways, and Havelock’s serene beaches—leaving with a vivid mosaic of North and East India.