India in 14 Days: The Friends Edition from Melbourne

Whenever we plan India for a group of friends, we look for a route that covers the places everyone wants to see without turning the holiday into a race. This itinerary moves through Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Goa and Mumbai, with enough variety to keep every part of the trip feeling different.

Delhi brings the history and street life, Agra delivers the Taj Mahal, Jaipur adds palaces and traditional craft, Goa provides a few relaxed beach days, and Mumbai finishes the trip with food, architecture and big-city energy.

Where to Stay for Easy Access

For the easiest access to the main attractions, stay in Connaught Place while in Delhi; our preferred hotel is The Connaught, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions, with The Imperial New Delhi as a more luxurious alternative.

In Agra, Tajganj is the most convenient area for an early visit to the Taj Mahal, with DoubleTree by Hilton Agra as our main recommendation and Taj Hotel & Convention Centre as another good option.

For Jaipur, Bani Park offers a quieter heritage setting within easy reach of the Pink City; Alsisar Haveli is our first choice, while Shahpura House is a suitable alternative.

In Goa, Candolim provides a good balance of beach access, restaurants and convenient travel to Fort Aguada and Panjim, with Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa as our recommended stay and Taj Holiday Village or Novotel Goa Candolim as alternatives.

Finish the trip in Mumbai by staying around Colaba or Cuffe Parade, which places the group close to the Gateway of India, Kala Ghoda and Marine Drive; President, Mumbai – IHCL SeleQtions is our preferred hotel, with Abode Bombay or Trident Nariman Point as other well-positioned choices.

Suggested flights

The best option is to book a multi-city ticket from Melbourne to Delhi and Mumbai to Melbourne. This avoids returning to Delhi simply to catch the flight home.

Air India operates a nonstop Melbourne–Delhi service, with the direct flight taking approximately 12½ hours. For the return, Singapore Airlines offers Mumbai–Melbourne connections through Singapore, generally taking around 16–18 hours depending on the layover. Flight schedules can change, so the exact November 2026 timings should be reconfirmed before booking.

Day 1 – Melbourne to Delhi

Depart Melbourne on the nonstop Air India flight to Delhi and arrive later the same day. With four adults and luggage, we would pre-book a larger private vehicle for the 45–75-minute journey from Delhi Airport to The Connaught in Connaught Place. After checking in, keep the first evening uncomplicated with a short walk around Connaught Place followed by dinner at The Hub in the hotel, ordering a selection of kebabs, curry, dal, rice and naan for the table.

Day 2 – Old Delhi

Begin in Old Delhi with a guided heritage walk and cycle-rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, passing Jama Masjid, the spice market and the surrounding lanes before stopping at Karim’s for mutton burra, chicken Jahangiri, kebabs and fresh naan. Continue by private car to the Red Fort, Raj Ghat and India Gate, then return to Connaught Place. Reserve dinner at Daryaganj well in advance and share its butter chicken, dal makhani and tandoori dishes.

Day 3 – New Delhi’s monuments and markets

Start at Qutub Minar before continuing to Humayun’s Tomb, using a private car for the day to reduce travel time between the monuments. Stop at Café Lota for regional Indian dishes such as palak patta chaat, millet-based plates and seasonal curries, although Monday opening hours should be confirmed before visiting. Continue to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, then spend some time browsing Janpath Market and Connaught Place before dinner at Gulati on Pandara Road, where the group can share butter chicken, dal makhani, kebabs and Indian breads.

Day 4 – Delhi to Agra

Check out and transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin station for the Gatimaan Express to Agra, a comfortable train journey of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. From Agra Cantt station, travel by car to DoubleTree by Hilton Agra in Tajganj, leave the luggage and continue to Agra Fort. Have lunch at Pinch of Spice, ordering a tandoori platter, paneer lababdar, dal and garlic naan, then check in and rest before visiting Mehtab Bagh for sunset views across the Yamuna towards the Taj Mahal. Finish with an early dinner at the hotel ahead of the next day’s sunrise visit.

Day 5 – Taj Mahal and the road to Jaipur

Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise, when the temperature is cooler and the monument grounds are generally quieter, then return to the hotel for breakfast and check out. Meet a private driver for the journey to Jaipur, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri for a guided visit and a simple North Indian lunch near the site. Continue to Jaipur and check in at Alsisar Haveli in Bani Park. After a long travel day, dinner at Bar Palladio provides a relaxed change of pace, with shared appetisers, Mediterranean-inspired plates and cocktails in one of Jaipur’s most distinctive settings.

Day 6 – Jaipur’s forts and palaces

Travel by car to Amber Palace and nearby Panna Meena ka Kund before having lunch at 1135 AD, where the group can try laal maas, paneer dishes, rice and breads. Return to the Pink City to visit City Palace and Jantar Mantar, followed by time in the surrounding bazaars. Stop at a rooftop café opposite Hawa Mahal for tea and the evening view, then have dinner at Handi, ordering laal maas, kebabs, dal and naan for the table.

Day 7 – Bagru block printing

Drive outside Jaipur for a full-day artisan-led block-printing workshop at Studio Bagru, where the group can learn about traditional printing, natural dyes and the work involved in producing Rajasthan’s distinctive textiles. Each person can print a textile piece to take home, and lunch is usually included with the full-day programme, although this should be confirmed while booking. On the return to Jaipur, stop at Nahargarh Fort for views across the city before dinner at The Forresta Kitchen & Bar, a comfortable outdoor venue for kebabs, North Indian dishes and drinks.

Day 8 – Jaipur to Goa

Check out and transfer to Jaipur Airport for a flight to Goa, usually with one connection through Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad. Allow approximately 4½–6 hours for the complete journey and avoid choosing a very short connection. After landing in Goa, take a pre-booked vehicle to Hyatt Centric Candolim, with the road transfer generally taking 45–60 minutes from Goa International Airport. Settle in, walk along Candolim Beach around sunset and have dinner at Calamari Bathe & Binge, ordering prawn rawa fry, calamari, Goan fish curry and rice.

Day 9 – Candolim and Fort Aguada

Spend the first part of the day at Candolim Beach, where parasailing, jet skiing and other water activities are normally available in November when sea conditions permit. Have a casual seafood lunch at Calamari or one of the busier beachfront restaurants, then take a taxi to Fort Aguada and continue to Sinquerim Beach. Reserve dinner at Gunpowder in Assagao and share appam, Kerala-style curries, prawn or pork dishes and some of its well-known vegetable plates. As Assagao is away from Candolim, arrange the return vehicle before dinner.

Day 10 – Old Goa, Fontainhas and Panjim

Hire a car and driver for a full day beginning with the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Sé Cathedral in Old Goa. Continue into Panjim for lunch at Kokni Kanteen, where the fish thali, prawn curry and rawa-fried fish are good choices for the group. Walk through the colourful streets of Fontainhas, ideally with a local guide who can explain the neighbourhood’s history without making the visit too long, then take an evening cruise on the Mandovi River. End the day at Viva Panjim with chicken cafreal, pork vindaloo, fish curry and sannas.

Day 11 – Goa to Mumbai

Check out and travel to Goa Airport for a direct flight to Mumbai, with the flight itself taking approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. From Mumbai Airport, take a pre-booked car to President, Mumbai – IHCL SeleQtions in Cuffe Parade, allowing 60–90 minutes for the transfer depending on traffic. Have a late lunch at the hotel’s Konkan Café, trying the seafood, coastal curries, thalis and sol kadhi, then visit the Gateway of India and browse Colaba Causeway. Finish with dinner at Khyber, sharing kebabs, paneer, slow-cooked meat dishes and dal.

Day 12 – Elephanta Island and South Mumbai

Walk or drive to the Gateway of India and take the ferry to Elephanta Island, allowing several hours for the crossing, steps and cave visit. Return to the city for lunch at Trishna, where butter-garlic crab, prawn koliwada and fresh fish are the dishes worth ordering. Continue to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum and spend some time around Kala Ghoda before heading to Marine Drive for sunset. Dinner at The Bombay Canteen is best enjoyed by ordering several seasonal small plates for everyone to share.

Day 13 – Mumbai and the flight home

Check out and leave the luggage at the hotel before browsing the independent shops, galleries and bookshops around Kala Ghoda and Colaba. Have lunch at Britannia & Co, ordering berry pulao, chicken or mutton dhansak and salli boti, then join a guided architecture walk through the Fort district to see Mumbai’s grand railway buildings, colonial streets and Art Deco details. Return to the hotel for the luggage and leave for Mumbai Airport at least four hours before departure, allowing extra time for traffic and international check-in. Fly to Melbourne through Singapore, with dinner at the airport or in the lounge before boarding.

Day 14 – Arrival in Melbourne

Continue the flight through Singapore and arrive in Melbourne during the evening, depending on the chosen connection. Pre-book an airport transfer or request a larger rideshare vehicle, as four adults and two weeks of luggage may not fit comfortably into a standard car.

Travey Club Insights

The open-jaw route is what makes this itinerary work: fly into Delhi, continue south and west, and return home from Mumbai. It removes unnecessary backtracking and allows the trip to move naturally from historic cities to the coast.

For the easiest daily access, our preferred bases are Connaught Place in Delhi, Tajganj in Agra, Bani Park in Jaipur, Candolim in Goa and Colaba or Cuffe Parade in Mumbai. Book the international flights, Gatimaan Express, Taj Mahal tickets, Bagru workshop and domestic flights first. Restaurant reservations are most important for Diwali night, Bar Palladio, Gunpowder, Trishna and The Bombay Canteen.

The schedule covers plenty, but it still leaves room for a longer lunch, an unplanned market stop or a quiet drink back at the hotel—which is often exactly what a group needs after a full day in India.

Travey Club is a private travel design studio specializing in bespoke, self-guided journeys tailored to your individual tastes, lifestyle, budget, and schedule. We craft refined, highly personalized travel blueprints that combine curated experiences, seamless routing, insider knowledge, and meticulous day-by-day structure — empowering you to explore independently with confidence and ease. Rather than booking hotels or tours, we design each element of your journey with precision and intention, allowing you to reserve directly while experiencing a thoughtfully orchestrated, self-guided adventure created exclusively around you.

Look at our 14-Day India Itinerary : Travey Club