Planning a Trip to India From the USA

How Long Should Your India Trip Be?

For a first trip from the US, 10–14 days is the sweet spot. The long-haul flight (14–18 hours) means a week feels rushed; two weeks gives breathing room and allows India to unfold properly.

Where to Go: The Best Itinerary for Americans

The Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur) is the ideal base for first-time American visitors. It covers India's three essential experiences — Mughal grandeur at the Taj Mahal, Rajput palace heritage in Jaipur, and the colonial/Old City contrast of Delhi — in a manageable self-contained circuit.

Popular extensions include Amritsar (the Golden Temple, Punjab border ceremony), Varanasi (the Ganges, deeply spiritual, unlike anywhere else in India), and Rajasthan (desert forts, camel country, Udaipur lakes). Each adds at least 3 days.

Visas: What Americans Need to Know

US citizens need an e-Visa (Indian eVisa). Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Cost is approximately $25–$80 depending on duration. Processing takes 3–5 business days — apply at least 2 weeks before travel. Single entry (30 days) and multiple entry (1 year) options are available.

Flights From the USA to India

Major routes: JFK/EWR → Delhi (14–16 hrs, often 1 stop), LAX → Delhi (15–17 hrs), Chicago O'Hare → Delhi (approx. 15 hrs). The main nonstop option is Air India JFK–Delhi.

Book 3–6 months ahead for October–March travel. Average round trip from the East Coast: $900–$1,500.

You arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport — Terminal 3 for international flights, Terminal 2 for domestic connections. Anwar arranges airport pickup directly.

What Does a 10-Day India Trip Cost for Americans?

Guide fees for the full circuit run $80–$150/day for a private licensed guide — directly booked. Agency markup adds 30–40% on top.

Should You Use a Tour Agency or Book Direct?

This is the honest answer: US travel agencies selling India packages (Kensington Tours, Artisans of Leisure, and similar) charge $8,000–$15,000 per person for comparable itineraries. They add comfort and coordination, but 40–60% of that price is agency margin.

Booking direct with a guide like Anwar means the same quality of guiding, the same hotels if you choose them, 30–40% lower cost, and you're speaking directly to the person who will be with you on the ground.

Practical Tips for First-Time American Visitors

• Get travel insurance that covers medical evacuation — India's private hospitals are good, but costs are high without insurance

• Download Google Maps offline for your route before leaving the US

• Carry USD cash to exchange on arrival — ATMs work but have daily limits

• SIM cards: buy a local SIM at Delhi airport (Airtel or Jio) for cheap data

• Dress modestly for temples and mosques — shoulders and knees covered; carry a light scarf

• Negotiate before getting in auto-rickshaws if meter is "not working" — or use Uber/Ola

• Eat street food selectively — trusted local recommendations from your guide are key

• Jet lag: India is 9.5–10.5 hours ahead of US Eastern. Plan a low-key first day.

Why American Travellers Choose Anwar

“Most of my American clients arrive a little overwhelmed and leave wishing they'd planned longer. The US and India are genuinely different worlds — the noise, the colour, the scale, the history. My job is to help you take it all in without being exhausted by it. I've guided travellers from New York, Los Angeles, Texas, Chicago — from retirees on bucket list trips to families with young children to solo women travellers. Every group gets the same thing: honest advice, no commissions, and a guide who's been doing this for 15 years.”

Frequently Asked Questions