17 days in India, Maldives & Colombo Itinerary

Designed by notable English architects and proclaimed India's capital in 1931, New Delhi sits in the middle of a sprawling metropolitan area with a population of over 25 million.

On the 17th (Sun), step into the grandiose world of Red Fort (Lal Quila), tour the pleasant surroundings at Akshardham, then take in nature's colorful creations at Humayun's Tomb, and finally make a trip to India Gate.

For photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our New Delhi tour itinerary maker app .

San Francisco, USA to New Delhi is an approximately 19.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time to India Standard Time, which is usually a 13 hour difference. When traveling from San Francisco in November, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in New Delhi: temperatures range from 83°F by day to 55°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sun) so you can travel to Jaipur.

Known as the "Pink City" because of the color of the stone used for many of its notable structures, Jaipur draws visitors with its chaotic street life and a slew of colorful bazaars selling everything from handmade pottery to tie-dye scarves.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Amber Palace and Jaigarh Fort. Get some cultural insight at City Palace of Jaipur and Nahargarh Fort. The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at EleSafari, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, take in the spiritual surroundings of Akbari Masjid, and explore the historical opulence of Jal Mahal.

To find more things to do, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Jaipur day trip tool .

You can fly from New Delhi to Jaipur in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 86°F in November, and nighttime lows around 58°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Agra.

Tourism in Agra revolves around two words: Taj Mahal.

On the 21st (Thu), explore the historical opulence of Agra Fort, admire the landmark architecture of Taj Mahal, then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and finally take in the history at Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. On your second day here, view the masterpieces at Taj Gallery, tour the old-fashioned way with a train tour, and then make a trip to Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah.

For more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, read Agra road trip planning site .

Traveling by car from Jaipur to Agra takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In November, plan for daily highs up to 84°F, and evening lows to 54°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Lucknow.

A traditionally cultural city with peculiar architecture and a blend of civilizations, Lucknow offers popular sightseeing of a number of historic monuments.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Sat): look for all kinds of wild species at Kukrail Forest Reserve, take a stroll through Hazratganj, appreciate the history behind Bara Imambara, then steep yourself in history at Rumi Darwaza, and finally see the interesting displays at The Residency.

For reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Lucknow online trip itinerary builder .

Traveling by car from Agra to Lucknow takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 84°F in November, and nighttime lows around 53°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) so you can travel to Mumbai.

Only one word accurately describes India's commercial capital Mumbai: big.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sun): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shree Siddhivinayak, kick back and relax at Chowpatty Beach, then admire the striking features of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and finally cruise along Marine Drive.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read Mumbai day trip app .

Traveling by flight from Lucknow to Mumbai takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. In November, Mumbai is a bit warmer than Lucknow - with highs of 94°F and lows of 69°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Male.

The tiny but densely populated city of Male represents a contrast to the laid-back beach resorts found in much of the rest of the Maldives.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Mon): enjoy the sand and surf at Hulhumale Beach, admire the striking features of Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque), indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then steep yourself in history at Mulee Aage, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Grand Friday Mosque. On your second day here, kick back and relax at Artificial Beach, then see the interesting displays at National Museum, and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Male trip itinerary planning tool .

Getting from Mumbai to Male by combination of flight and ferry takes about 8 hours. When traveling from Mumbai in November, plan for a bit cooler days and somewhat warmer nights in Male: temperatures range from 87°F by day to 78°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can travel to Colombo.

The commercial capital of the country, Colombo has added modern touches to its colonial-era core, creating an exciting and eclectic coastal city.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Wed): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, take an in-depth tour of Colombo National Museum, and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities. Here are some ideas for day two: get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Anne's Church.

To see ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Colombo tour builder tool .

Getting from Male to Colombo by combination of ferry and flight takes about 5 hours. In November, daily temperatures in Colombo can reach 88°F, while at night they dip to 75°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) so you can travel to Goa.

On India's western coastline, the former Portuguese colony of Goa tells a visibly different story than the rest of India.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Fri): identify plant and animal life at Animal Shelter Agonda, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Agonda Beach, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilica of Bom Jesus. On the next day, enjoy the sand and surf at Calangute Beach and then kick back and relax at Baga Beach.

For photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Goa trip site .

Fly from Colombo to Goa in 6 hours. In November, plan for daily highs up to 84°F, and evening lows to 77°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sat) so you can travel back home.