16 days in India Itinerary
Created using Inspirock India itinerary planner
Start: Washington
Fly
1
Chennai
— 3 nights
Fly
2
Madurai
— 2 nights
Fly
3
Mumbai
— 1 night
Drive
4
Lonavala
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Mahabaleshwar
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Pune
— 3 nights
Fly
End: Washington
Wed, May 12 - Thu, May 27
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View full calendar
Chennai — 3 nights
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Detroit of South Asia
Chennai, a city hailed for its vibrant atmosphere and historic attractions, remains one of the most visited places in India.Bring the kids along to Marina Beach and Monuments at Mahabalipuram. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Shore Temple and Arulmigu Aadhi Vyadhi Hara Bhaktha Anjaneyar Temple. Venture out of the city with trips to Mahabalipuram (Mahishasuramardini Cave, The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, &more). Next up on the itinerary: find something for the whole family at VGP Snow Kingdom, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ananthaa Padmanabha Swaamy Temple, don't miss a visit to New Life Assembly of God, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at San Thome Church.
Plan my trip to Chennai with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.
Washington, USA to Chennai is an approximately 25-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Washington to Chennai is 10.5 hours. In May, Chennai is much hotter than Washington - with highs of 99°F and lows of 81°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Madurai.
Side Trip
Find places to stay May 13 — 16:
Highlights from your trip
Madurai — 2 nights
©
Athens of the East
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai sits on the banks of the River Vaigai and serves as a center of Tamil culture.On the 17th (Mon), take in the spiritual surroundings of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, then contemplate the long history of Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Pazhamudhir Solai.
To see reviews, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Madurai trip planning app.
You can fly from Chennai to Madurai in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. When traveling from Chennai in May, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Madurai: temperatures range from 93°F by day to 78°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to fly to Mumbai.
Find places to stay May 16 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Mumbai — 1 night
©
Gateway to India
Only one word accurately describes India's commercial capital Mumbai: big.Start off your visit on the 18th (Tue): cruise along Marine Drive, steep yourself in history at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, then make a trip to Dhobi Ghat, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shree Siddhivinayak, and finally take in the views from Bandra-Worli Sea Link. On the 19th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get engrossed in the history at Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, wander the streets of Nariman Point, then take an in-depth tour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, then don't miss a visit to Gateway of India, and finally admire the striking features of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building.
To see traveler tips, reviews, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Mumbai day trip planning site.
Traveling by flight from Madurai to Mumbai takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 93°F in May, and nighttime lows around 80°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Lonavala.
Find places to stay May 18 — 19:
Highlights from your trip
Lonavala — 2 nights
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The hill station of Lonavala has developed into a resort town popular with Mumbai and Pune residents.On the 20th (Thu), take in the spiritual surroundings of Mahad Ganpati Temple and then find something for the whole family at Imagicaa. Keep things going the next day: Head underground at Karla Caves, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ekvira Devi Temple, then contemplate the long history of Lohagad Fort, and finally examine the collection at Wax museum.
To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Lonavala road trip site.
Drive from Mumbai to Lonavala in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Lonavala can reach 93°F, while at night they dip to 80°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Mahabaleshwar.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 19 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Mahabaleshwar — 2 nights
©
Located high up in the Western Ghats, the hill station of Mahabaleshwar sits above one of the only evergreen forests in the country.Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Atibaleshwar madir, get great views at Arthur's Seat, make a trip to Shri Panchganga Mandir, then explore the activities along Venna Lake, and finally steep yourself in history at Mahabaleshwar Hill Station. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: delve into the distant past at Krishnabai Temple, steep yourself in history at Mahabaleshwar Temple, then admire the masterpieces at Hollywood Wax Museum, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Table Land, and finally take some stellar pictures from Parsi Point.
For photos, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, read Mahabaleshwar online road trip planner.
Drive from Lonavala to Mahabaleshwar in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Pune.
Side Trip
Find places to stay May 21 — 23:
Highlights from your trip
Pune — 3 nights
©
Oxford of the East
Pune has long enjoyed a reputation as a center of culture and commerce, with many dynastic rulers making the town central to their regional plans in the centuries before the British Raj.Bring the kids along to Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple and Darshan Museum. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and Sri Balaji Mandir. The adventure continues: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at ISKCON NVCC Temple, admire the striking features of Shaniwar Wada, step into the grandiose world of Aga Khan Palace, and make a trip to Laxmi Road.
To find more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Pune trip itinerary planning tool.
Traveling by car from Mahabaleshwar to Pune takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.
Find places to stay May 23 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
India travel guide
It may very well be fair to call India "incredible," given its mind-boggling diversity of landscapes, climates, cultures, and languages. The world's largest democracy, and second only to China in terms of population, India contains majestic peaks dusted with glistening snow, sun-drenched beaches, ancient hand-carved temples, and sprawling cities jam-packed with people, vehicles, and animals. Many tour India during the country's devotional festivals, which range from immense parades that convert cities into giant performance stages, to simple farming fairs dedicated to relatively obscure local deities. Whenever you choose to vacation in India, make sure you see some of the country's World Heritage Sites, which include the legendary Taj Mahal and Chilika Lake, the planet's second-largest lagoon.
Maharashtra travel guide
Packed with some of India's top attractions, Maharashtra stretches from the country's western coast to its central section, encompassing equally varied landscapes and climates. Home to the most industrialized region in India, this sprawling state also boasts thriving agricultural and tourism sectors. Begin your tour of Maharashtra in Mumbai, India's commercial capital and hub of the successful Bollywood film and TV industries. Beyond this immense, cosmopolitan city, you can explore Buddhist caves, ancient temple complexes, modern beach resorts, national parks, and pleasant hill stations that the European colonists used as summer retreats.
