Comprehensive 11-Day North India Trip: Kottayam to Jammu, Vijaypur, Delhi & Taj Mahal Sightseeing

Day 1: Departure Journey

Kottayam, India on June 27, 2025

7:00PM

Board Himsagar Express

Start your journey on the Himsagar Express from Kottayam Railway Station towards Jammu, an overnight train journey lasting approximately 50 hours.
INR6000 (round trip sleeper class for 2), 50h0m

Day 2: Arrival & Rest

Jammu, India on June 29, 2025

9:00PM

Arrive Jammu Tawi Railway Station

Reach Jammu Tawi and proceed to check in at a budget-friendly hotel or OYO near the station. Rest overnight to recover from the long journey.
INR1000 (approx.), Overnight

Day 3: Jammu Sightseeing

Jammu, India on June 30, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Hari Om Restaurant

Enjoy traditional North Indian breakfast dishes like aloo paratha and chai at this popular local eatery, open by 7:30 AM.
INR300 for 2, 1h0m

9:30AM

Visit Raghunath Temple

Explore one of the largest temple complexes in Jammu, renowned for its beautiful architecture and religious significance.
Free entry, 2h0m

12:00PM

Lunch at Vaishno Dhaba

Have hearty vegetarian North Indian thali meals here, well-liked by locals and tourists alike.
INR400 for 2, 1h0m

2:00PM

Stroll at Bagh-e-Bahu

Visit the historic Bahu Fort gardens with views over the Tawi River, perfect to relax and enjoy scenic beauty. It is open till sunset around 7 PM.
INR20 per person, 2h0m

5:00PM

Evening walk or local market browsing

Explore local markets for handicrafts or Kashmiri shawls and souvenirs.
Free, 2h0m

7:30PM

Dinner at Bahar Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Jammu-style cuisines including rajma and tandoori items.
INR500 for 2, 1h30m

9:00PM

Rest at hotel

Return to the hotel for overnight stay and prepare for next day travel.
Included with accommodation, Overnight

Day 4: Travel to Vijaypur

Jammu to Vijaypur, India on July 1, 2025

6:00AM

Early checkout and departure

Leave the Jammu hotel early morning to catch local cab or bus to Vijaypur, approximately 30 km away, around 1 hour travel time.
INR500 by cab, 1h0m

8:00AM

Check-in to hotel near AIIMS Vijaypur

Settle in a guesthouse or budget hotel close to the AIIMS campus for convenience during interview days.
INR1000 per night, Rest of day

9:30AM

Local area familiarization & document preparation

Spend the day preparing documents for the interview and getting comfortable with the environs.
Free, Whole day

1:00PM

Lunch at hotel or local eatery

Try simple north Indian lunch options or hotel food to stay energized.
INR300 for 2, 1h0m

7:30PM

Dinner at local restaurant

Enjoy a quiet dinner to relax before interview day.
INR400 for 2, 1h0m

Day 5: Interview Day

Vijaypur, Jammu, India on July 2, 2025

7:30AM

Light Breakfast at hotel

Have a nutritious light breakfast to stay focused and energized for the interview.
INR250 for 2, 0h30m

9:00AM

Interview at AIIMS Vijaypur Academic Block

Attend the interview punctually at the AIIMS Vijaypur campus. Duration may vary depending on panel.
Free, 3h0m

12:30PM

Post Interview Light Meal

Have some light food and rest at the nearby café or hotel to recuperate from interview stress.
INR300 for 2, 1h0m

4:00PM

Travel back to Jammu Tawi Railway Station

Take local transport back to Jammu station to catch an overnight train to Delhi, approximately 1 hour journey.
INR500 by cab/bus, 1h0m

9:00PM

Board overnight train to New Delhi

Board Shalimar Express or Vaishno Devi Express heading for Delhi for early next day arrival; journey overnight (~10-12 hrs).
INR1000 approx. sleeper class, 10-12h

Day 6: Delhi Arrival & Sightseeing

Delhi, India on July 3, 2025

7:00AM

Arrive in Delhi

Reach Delhi Railway Station early morning and proceed to check-in at budget hotel in Paharganj, Connaught Place, or Karol Bagh area.
INR1500 per night, Check-in & freshen up

9:30AM

Breakfast at Wenger's Deli, Connaught Place

Enjoy popular bakery delights and hot chai at one of Delhi’s oldest bakeries.
INR400 for 2, 1h0m

11:00AM

Sightseeing: India Gate and Rajpath

Visit iconic India Gate war memorial and walk along Rajpath to experience Delhi’s colonial architecture.
Free, 2h0m

1:30PM

Lunch at Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Place

Relish South Indian vegetarian dishes in a clean and popular venue.
INR500 for 2, 1h0m

3:00PM

Visit Rashtrapati Bhavan (外观)

View the official residence of the President of India from outside as interior visit requires advance permission.
Free, 1h0m

4:30PM

Rest at hotel

Return and relax at hotel before dinner.
Included, Evening

7:30PM

Dinner at Karim's, Jama Masjid area

Taste authentic Mughlai cuisines like kebabs and biryani at this legendary Delhi restaurant.
INR600 for 2, 1h30m

Day 7: Agra Day Trip & Taj Mahal Visit

Delhi - Agra, India on July 4, 2025

6:00AM

Option 2: Private Cab to Agra (Recommended due to Friday closure of Taj inside)

Start early by private cab to Agra for a flexible full-day trip including Taj Mahal gardens, Agra Fort, and Mehtab Bagh which offers sunset Taj views.
INR5000 round trip for 2, 3h each way

8:00AM

Breakfast en route or packed

Eat light breakfast before departure or carry snacks for comfort during travel.
INR300, On the go

10:00AM

Visit Taj Mahal gardens and surroundings

Since the Taj Mahal mausoleum is closed on Friday, tour the beautiful gardens and nearby areas such as Mehtab Bagh in the afternoon for iconic views.
INR50 garden entry, 3h0m

1:00PM

Lunch at Pinch of Spice or local restaurant

Enjoy Mughlai or North Indian cuisine in Agra city center.
INR600 for 2, 1h0m

3:00PM

Visit Agra Fort

Tour the historic Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing Mughal architecture and rich history.
INR50 per person, 2h0m

5:30PM

Drive back to Delhi

Return journey to Delhi by cab, aiming to reach by evening for overnight rest.
Included in cab fare, 3h0m

8:30PM

Dinner near hotel in Delhi

Light dinner at hotel or nearby restaurant to relax after a full day of sightseeing.
INR400 for 2, 1h0m

Day 8: Delhi Leisure & Shopping

Delhi, India on July 5, 2025

9:00AM

Breakfast at hotel

Start the day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel.
Included, 1h0m

10:30AM

Sightseeing or shopping

Optional light sightseeing at Lotus Temple or Qutub Minar (both open from 9 AM to 5 PM) or shopping at Sarojini Nagar and Palika Bazaar for souvenirs and apparel.
INR200 for transport and entry, 3h0m

1:30PM

Lunch at Sitaram Diwan Chand, Chandni Chowk

Try famous chaat and street food delicacies such as aloo tikki and chole bhature in Old Delhi.
INR400 for 2, 1h0m

3:00PM

Relax at hotel or explore nearby markets

Spend an easy afternoon preparing for the return journey or enjoy more local delicacies.
Free, Until evening

11:25PM

Board Kerala Express to Kottayam

Catch the Kerala Express train from New Delhi Railway Station to Kottayam, starting late night.
Included in initial ticket, Approx. 44h journey

Day 9: Return Journey

On Train on July 6, 2025

All Day

Train journey from Delhi to Kottayam

Enjoy the scenic lengthy train ride back through India’s landscape, resting and refueling on board.
Included, 44h approx.

Day 10: Arrival at Kottayam

Kottayam, India on July 7, 2025

Evening

Return to home city

Arrive at Kottayam Railway Station late evening or night, concluding your 11-day trip full of interviews and sightseeing.
End of trip, N/A