Surat to Kochi: 7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary

1. Day 1: Udaipur, Rajasthan
   35 minutes (15.7 km) from Maharana Pratap Airport

   In the morning, explore the magnificent City Palace complex, followed by a boat ride at Lake Pichola in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a sound and light show at the Palace.

2. Day 2: Jaipur, Rajasthan
   7 hours (400 km) from Udaipur

   Start the day with a visit to the iconic Hawa Mahal, followed by a tour of the Amber Fort in the afternoon. In the evening, visit the colorful bazaars of Jaipur for shopping and street food.

3. Day 3: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
   5 hours (240 km) from Jaipur

   Get up early to catch the stunning sunrise view of the Taj Mahal, then visit the impressive Agra Fort. In the afternoon, take a stroll at the Mehtab Bagh garden for a beautiful view of the Taj.

4. Day 4: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
   13 hours (745 km) from Agra

   Visit the holy Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the morning, followed by a boat ride on the Ganges River to witness the evening Aarti ceremony. End the day with a walk through the colorful alleys of the old city.

5. Day 5: Kolkata, West Bengal
   10 hours (700 km) from Varanasi

   Visit the Victoria Memorial in the morning, followed by a tour of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. In the evening, take a stroll along the banks of the Hooghly River and experience the local street food.

6. Day 6: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
   21 hours (1685 km) from Kolkata

   In the morning, visit the 7th century Kapaleeswarar Temple, followed by a visit to the Government Museum in the afternoon. In the evening, relax at the Marina Beach and enjoy the sunset.

7. Day 7: Kochi, Kerala
   11 hours (680 km) from Chennai

   Visit the Jewish Synagogue in the morning, followed by a tour of the Mattancherry Palace in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali performance at a local theatre.

Recommendations

Don't miss the iconic Hawa Mahal and the beautiful Jal Mahal in Jaipur. Take a side trip to Fatehpur Sikri while in Agra to see the stunning red sandstone buildings. In Kolkata, visit the beautiful St. Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum. In Chennai, take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram.

Time and Costs Estimates

• City Palace complex in Udaipur (2 hours, INR 300)
• Boat ride at Lake Pichola (1 hour, INR 400)
• Sound and light show at City Palace (1 hour, INR 700)
• Amber Fort in Jaipur (3 hours, INR 550)
• Shopping and street food in Jaipur (2 hours, INR 500)
• Entrance fee for Taj Mahal (2 hours, INR 1300)
• Visit to Agra Fort (2 hours, INR 660)
• Visit to Mehtab Bagh garden (1 hour, INR 200)
• Boat ride on Ganges River in Varanasi (2 hours, INR 200)
• Visit to Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata (2 hours, INR 100)
• Stroll along the banks of the Hooghly River (2 hours, INR 200)
• Visit to Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai (1 hour, INR 100)
• Visit to Government Museum in Chennai (2 hours, INR 250)
• Kathakali performance in Kochi (2 hours, INR 500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 5160