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Yes, you can 'do' India in two weeks
India virgin? Focus on these 8 essential stops and you'll be an old hand within a fortnight
Don't get overwhelmed by India's transportation. We're taking you by train, plane and chauffeur-driven car only. Packing the vertiginous experience that is India into two weeks might sound like a foolish proposition. But it's utterly possible if you're smart about it -- and quick on your feet.
Traditional wisdom has been to limit yourself to a single experience or region -- beaches or temples, north or south.
But with increased air connectivity and cheap flights, virgin India visitors can take in a proper pan Indian sampler and even slow down in places long enough to enjoy it.
Days 1-4: New Delhi and Agra
New Delhi's magnificent monuments, like Humayun's Tomb, appear out of the blue around nondescript corners.
There's nothing like a late-night drive around Connaught Place, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and neighboring buildings to get an initial feel for the capital and the eminent monuments of the British empire.
Stay somewhere central and close to the Lodi Gardens, which you should tour early morning or evening, chasing this with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, and finishing off with some live qawwali music in Nizammuddin (if it's Thursday) and an opulent meat meal at Karim's.
Wake up early on day two (you're jet lagged, after all, so this should be easy) and tour old Dilli, breakfasting in Parathewalle Gulli before a Red Fort visit and Chandni Chawk trawl.
Shop at Janpath or the more upmarket Khan Market, then enjoy dinner at one of New Delhi's many hip eateries. Details below.
More on CNNGo: Ultimate guide: Best of New Delhi
On day three, stroll through Hauz Khas Village, full of boutique shops and restaurants, have lunch there and then visit the Qutub Minar in Mehrauli -- ending the day with a meal at one of the nearby establishments (here's a list), most with a view of the monument.
More on CNNGo: Definitive guide to New Delhi's Hauz Khas Village
On day four, load your gear into an air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven car and drive to Agra for the day visit to the Taj Mahal and old Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Day 5-6: Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan
Udaipur's Lake Pichola -- a favorite big fat Indian wedding destination, by the way.
An afternoon at the Hawa Mahal, lunch at Spice Court or LMB, shopping at Johri Bazaar with a break for delicious kachoris at Rawat, followed by a visit to the Amber Fort covers your basic ground.
About 10 years ago I had to take a sleeper bus to your next stop, but today a swift, reasonable flight will get you there.
Fly to Udaipur in an hour for a day in the city of the Lake Palace, which is what you're here to see.
Day 7-10: Mumbai and Goa
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is Mumbai's main train station. Locals call it VT after its former name, Victoria Terminus.
On your first day in Mumbai, spend a few hours cruising Colaba and the historic facade of Taj Mahal Palace hotel.
See the main train station, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, and check out art galleries and boutiques on Arthur Bunder Road as well as eclectic fashion boutique Bombay Electric.
Eat local, whether it's seafood at Trishna, Indian fusion food at Indigo or Bademiya kebabs on the street -- all in Colaba -- and end the day with a sunset view of the Gateway of India, a drink overlooking Marine Drive at Dome.
For dinner and after pick from one of Mumbai's best new restaurants and clubs.
More on CNNGo: Mumbai's 10 best new restaurants
More on CNNGo: 7 best Mumbai clubs
Focus your second day on the other side of that heart-lifting sea link drive to Bandra; walk around this hipster suburb and later, visit local club Blue Frog. Check their schedule to see what's on.
More on CNNGo: The ultimate guide to Mumbai's Bandra (West) neighborhood
A lunch here at La Plage on Ashwem beach, is a must. Best French food in Goa.
You’ll need at least two days on the halcyon northern beaches of Morjim and Mandrem, with breaks for the old churches in old Goa, Siolim and Panjim.
Head to Bomra’s in Candolim for a more fancy dinner or Goan family-style dining at Souza Lobo in mainstream Calangute; or head to Sublime for proper fusion food. In fact Goa has more than enough restaurants and we made a guide.
More on CNNGo: Hungry beach bum's guide to 25 of north Goa's best restaurants
Day 11-14: South to Kerala
A relaxing two-day Kerala backwater trip is the perfect end to your very first Indian odyssey.
A day in Kochi strolling around heritage home Fort Cochin, full of fishing nets and Portuguese houses, will prepare you for the last leg of this journey.
A two-day backwater package to Kumarakom, preferably to Coconut Lagoon, is a beautiful end to your Indian odyssey.
Back in Cochin at the end of two weeks of travel, you’ll have only one last short flight back to New Delhi.
All of the internal flights you’ll take will range from roughly Rs 2,500 to 4,500 and most are an hour or two long, saving the first-time India visitor time and energy.
More on CNNGo: 4 questions you should be asking Indian travel websites
Yes, you’ve left out Amritsar’s Golden Temple and Khajuraho’s erotic sculptures, beautifully crumbling Kolkata, the hill station of Darjeeling, the southern foodie cities of Bangalore and Chennai, Puducherry’s French colonial atmosphere, skiing in scenic Kashmir, trekking in the starkly beautiful Himalayan landscape of Ladakh and much more -- but that’s what your second, third and fourth visits are for.
Consider this, ambitious traveler, simply a taste of the delights that await your next trip.
