Our 15-day North India and Kerala itinerary brings together the unmissable sights of the Golden Triangle with the slower, greener pace of Kerala's backwaters and hill country. Spend the first week exploring Delhi, Agra and Jaipur's forts, palaces and bazaars, including a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, before flying south to cruise Kerala's backwaters by traditional houseboat, wander tea plantations in Munnar and watch a Kathakali performance in Cochin. Charter Travel has been creating tailor-made India itineraries for UK travellers since 1988, and every flight, transfer, hotel, guide and entrance fee in this two-week package is arranged for you. All holidays are fully ABTA and ATOL protected.
Duration: 15 Nights
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A 15-day "Indian must" holiday combining North India's Golden Triangle with Kerala. Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, explore Mughal forts and palaces in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, then head south to cruise the backwaters by traditional houseboat, wander tea and spice plantations in Munnar and Periyar, and watch a Kathakali dance performance in Cochin. This is a holiday that pairs India's most iconic monuments with Kerala's slower, greener pace of life.
Including flights:
All offers and prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and our terms and conditions. Selected travel dates apply. Offers are based on maximum occupancy for accommodation and a per-person price unless stated otherwise. Resort fees/entrance fees are not included unless specified.
Arrive in Delhi and enjoy a full-day tour of India's capital, visiting Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Chandni Chowk, the Red Fort and India Gate. Stay for 2 nights at The Park New Delhi, Connaught Place.
Travel to Agra to explore the impressive Agra Fort and enjoy sunset views of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh. Stay for 1 night at the Mercure Agra.
Witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise before continuing to Jaipur via the UNESCO-listed Fatehpur Sikri. Discover Amer Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and the iconic Hawa Mahal. Stay for 2 nights at the Ramada, Jaipur.
Return to Delhi and overnight at an airport hotel ahead of your flight south to Kerala.
Fly to Cochin and transfer to the tranquil Kerala Backwaters for two nights at Eastend Lakesong Resort, with ample time to relax amidst palm-fringed waterways and peaceful surroundings.
Days 9–10: Munnar
Journey to the beautiful hill station of Munnar and stay at Tall Trees Munnar while exploring Eravikulam National Park, Echo Point, Mattupetty Dam, and tea and spice plantations, with a traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.
Travel to Periyar for a spice plantation visit and overnight stay at Poetree Sarovar Portico.
Day 12: Alleppey Houseboat
Enjoy an early morning wildlife boat ride on Periyar Lake before transferring to Alleppey to board a traditional houseboat. Spend the afternoon and evening cruising Kerala's scenic backwaters before your houseboat moors for the night.
Disembark and travel to Cochin, staying at Abad Dutch Bungalow. Enjoy a traditional Kathakali performance and explore the city's highlights, including the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Dutch Palace and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Add two nights in Ranthambore in search of Bengal tigers, unwind on the beaches of Mararikulam, continue on to Sri Lanka, or end your holiday with a relaxing escape to the Maldives.
The hotels featured in this itinerary have been selected for their comfort, location and value. A range of alternative accommodation, including boutique, luxury and premium properties, is available on request.
All our holidays are tailor-made and can be adapted by changing hotels durations and destinations to suit the individuals tastes and requirements – please do get in touch so we can start planning.
The best time to visit North India and Kerala together is between October and March, when Delhi, Agra and Jaipur enjoy cool, dry weather and Kerala's monsoon season has passed, leaving clear skies for backwater cruises and hill-country walks. Avoid April to June, when North India turns very hot, and June to September, Kerala's main monsoon period.
Around 14–15 days works well, as in this itinerary — roughly a week covering the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) and a week in Kerala (backwaters, Munnar, Periyar and Cochin). It can be shortened to 10–12 days by trimming a stop, or extended with add-ons such as Ranthambore or a beach stay.
Yes — the two regions offer a striking contrast within a single country. North India delivers iconic monuments, forts and palaces, while Kerala offers backwaters, tea plantations, wildlife and a more relaxed pace. Combining them gives a fuller picture of India's diversity in one well-paced two-week holiday.
You fly. There's no practical overland route given the distance, but direct flights from Delhi to Kochi take around 3 hours 10 minutes, making it a simple, single connection between the two halves of your holiday.
Yes. British passport holders need an e-Tourist Visa for India, applied for online before travel. Processing typically takes a few days, so we recommend applying at least a week before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
Most visitors find sunrise the best time to see the Taj Mahal, when the crowds are thinner and the light is softest on the white marble. This itinerary includes an early visit timed for sunrise, alongside sunset views from Mehtab Bagh across the river the evening before.
A Kerala houseboat (or "kettuvallam") is a traditional, thatched-roof boat that cruises the backwaters at a gentle pace, mooring for the night on the water. Most houseboats include a private cabin, an onboard cook serving Kerala specialities, and a sun deck for watching village life along the canals drift by.
Yes, Kerala is consistently rated one of India's safest and most relaxed states for tourists, including families. It's well used to international visitors, has good healthcare and infrastructure, and the slower pace of backwater and hill-country stays suits children as well as couples.
