India 12-Day Tours & Itineraries

Explore 9 trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to India.

Embark on a 12-day tour across India with our range of fun and immersive itineraries. For those attracted to Tamil Nadu and Kerala's beauty and rich history, consider a trip like this Southern India itinerary, where you'll visit ancient cities, explore temple ruins by the Bay of Bengal, and wash elephants in Periyar National Park. Alternatively, if you're more drawn to Delhi and Kolkata, opt for something similar to this Northern India trip, where you can taste delicious street food, watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, and sail down the Ganges River. We've also planned fun adventures for those who enjoy trekking, such as this Kerala hiking tour, where you can walk through the tea plantations of Munnar, visit Hindu temples in Madurai, and sleep on a peaceful houseboat on Lake Vembanad.

See our itineraries below or read our guide to the best 12-day trips in India.

Plan your trip to India
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Explore the Shore Temple complex in Mahabalipuram
Map of Southern India: Tamil Nadu & Kerala - 12 Days
Southern India: Tamil Nadu & Kerala - 12 Days

Indulge your senses on this 12-day tour of southern India, featuring the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Discover Tamil Nadu's cultural wealth as you explore its ornate Hindu temples, sacred cities, and French-colonial towns. Cross over the Western Ghats into biodiverse Kerala and immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of tea and spice plantations, jungle, forests, and lakes, and rivers.

Sunrise over the Taj Mahal in Agra
Highlights of Northern India: Delhi to Kolkata - 12 Days

Immerse yourself in the magic of northern India on this spectacular 12-day cultural tour. Setting out from Delhi, you'll delve into the famed Golden Triangle as you learn to cook with locals in Jaipur, watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal in Agra, and explore the ancient wonders of Orchha and Khajuraho. After floating down the Ganges in Varanasi and walking in the Buddha's footsteps at Sarnath, continue east to end in the West Bengal capital of Kolkata.

Discover Kerala
Map of Kerala Hiking Tour  - 12 Days
Kerala Hiking Tour - 12 Days

India's Kerala state, located in the south of the peninsula, is home to lush vegetation and wild animals, aromatic spices and stunning temples. Indulge your senses and experience Kerala's diversity. Trek through forest and jungle to heights that offer stunning views, take in cultural sights of bustling towns, and relax on a bamboo raft on the winding waters, with nature at your fingertips.

Trek to remote monasteries on this Himalayan adventure
Map of Little Tibet Trek: Delhi to the Himalaya - 12 Days
Little Tibet Trek: Delhi to the Himalaya - 12 Days

Known as "Little Tibet," India's Ladakh region offers all the beauty and history of Tibet without the red tape. This adventurous 12-day tour begins and ends in Delhi, with a week of trekking through Ladakh's magical mountainous landscapes and fertile river valleys in between. Setting out from the remote city of Leh, you'll visit ancient Buddhist monasteries, stay in traditional village homestays, and marvel at the rugged grandeur and rich culture of the Indian Himalaya.

Go in search for the elusive bengal tiger on a sunrise safari
Map of Tiger Lands of Central India: Delhi, Agra, Bandhavgarh, & Kanha - 12 Days
Tiger Lands of Central India: Delhi, Agra, Bandhavgarh, & Kanha - 12 Days

Come face to face with some of India's most amazing wildlife on this 12-day tiger and temple itinerary through the heart of Central India. Start in Delhi, where you'll take a tour through one of the oldest living cities in the world, visit Agra for a sunrise trip to the Taj Mahal, stop by Gwalior to explore the ancient fort and wander through the faded palaces of the Lost City of Orchha. Next, you'll travel into the heart of tiger country on sunrise and sunset wildlife safaris through some of India's biggest and most beautiful national parks.

See ancient wonders like the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
Map of Temple Tour of Southern India: Tamil Nadu & Kerala - 12 Days
Temple Tour of Southern India: Tamil Nadu & Kerala - 12 Days

Explore the rich culture of the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on this epic 12-day tour. Start in Chennai, then wander the charming streets of Pondicherry's French Quarter. Hop between ancient temples on the drive south to Tanjore, and savor Madurai's famous street food before strolling through the spice gardens of Periyar. After an overnight houseboat cruise through the backwaters of Alappuzha, relax on the beaches of Marari and end your adventure with a traditional dance show in Cochin.

The Great Rann of Kutch, a salt marsh in the Thar Desert, Gujarat, India
Map of Diverse Beauty of Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Little Rann, Bhuj & More - 12 Days
Diverse Beauty of Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Little Rann, Bhuj & More - 12 Days

The western state of Gujarat is often overlooked in favor of Rajasthan to the north, but travelers who make the effort find an incredibly beautiful and diverse culture and landscape awaiting them. On this 12-day trip, you'll visit places that showcase the best of Gujarat. From its ancient archaeological sites to vibrant modern cities, open wildlife-filled plains, and deeply religious buildings, Gujarat is colorful, historic and interesting at every turn.

End the trip with two nights in Udaipur, situated on Lake Pichola
Map of India's Golden Triangle & Rajasthan Tour - 12 Days
India's Golden Triangle & Rajasthan Tour - 12 Days

This incredible 12-day tour takes you to the most famous sights of India's "Golden Triangle" as well as the Rajasthan region. Begin in Delhi, where you'll explore the bustling capital on a sightseeing tour. Then head to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and visit Kachhpura village for a heritage walk and high tea. Move on to Jaipur, stopping on the way to see the historic Fatehpur Sikri. Tour the city's forts and palaces, then soak in the scenic atmosphere of Jodhpur and Udaipur to finish the adventure.

Start and end your trek in Leh, a small city surrounded by the Himalayan Range
Map of India's Markha Valley Trek - 12 Days
India's Markha Valley Trek - 12 Days

This 12-day outdoor adventure will take you past stunning peaks and villages in India's Ladakh region. Start in Delhi, the country's bustling capital, then fly north to the city of Leh, where you'll visit palaces and monasteries around the area. From here, begin a guided trek from village to village in the Markha Valley, stopping to take in views of the surrounding mountains along the way. Reward yourself with a free day in Leh and some shopping in Delhi before heading home.

Other durations: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days · 17 days · 18 days