India in 6 Months: A Journey Through the Diverse Landscapes and Cultures of All States and Union Territories

India is a diverse and vast country, with 28 states and 8 union territories that offer unique experiences, cultures, and cuisines. Exploring all these regions in one trip (India in 6 Months) would be an incredible adventure, but it requires careful planning and a significant amount of time. In this itinerary, we will cover all the major cities and capitals of Indian states and union territories, offering a comprehensive and exciting way to explore India’s diversity.

India in 6 Months: A Journey Through the Diverse Landscapes and Cultures of All States and Union Territories

Month 1: Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh

Delhi

Day 1-5: Delhi Arrive in Delhi and spend the first few days exploring the city’s famous landmarks, such as the Red Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple, and the Jama Masjid. You can also visit the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Akshardham Temple. Don’t forget to sample the famous street food of Old Delhi!

Haryana – Capital Chandigarh

Day 6-8: Haryana Head to Haryana and explore the city of Gurugram, which is known for its modern infrastructure and shopping malls. You can also visit the kingdom of Kurukshetra, which is considered one of the holiest places in Hinduism. Explore the Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre, the Brahma Sarovar, and the Jyotisar birthplace of Bhagavad Gita.

Punjab – Capital Chandigarh

Day 9-12: Punjab Next, head to Punjab and visit Amritsar, the home of the Golden Temple, which is one of the most sacred places for Sikhs. You can also witness the Wagah Border ceremony, where the Indian and Pakistani forces perform an elaborate ceremony of military drill and lowering of the flags. Other places to explore in Punjab include Jallianwala Bagh and the Partition Museum in Amritsar and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum in Ludhiana.

Jammu & Kashmir – Union Territory, Capital Srinagar (summers) and Jammu (winters)

Day 13-17: Jammu & Kashmir From Punjab, travel to the beautiful state of Jammu & Kashmir, starting with the city Jammu, Visit the Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, and the Amar Mahal Palace Museum. From Jammu, head to Srinagar, which is known for its beautiful Mughal gardens, Dal Lake, and houseboats. Take a shikara ride on the Dal Lake and visit the Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. Don’t forget to try the famous Kashmiri cuisine.

Ladakh – Union Territory, Capital Leh

Day 18-22: Your trip takes you to the beautiful region of Ladakh. Start with Leh, which is the capital city of Ladakh. Visit the Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, and the Hall of Fame Museum. From Leh, take a day trip to the beautiful Pangong Tso Lake, which is a famous tourist attraction known for its stunning scenery. Visit the ancient monasteries of Hemis, Thiksey, and Shey, which are some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. You can also take a road trip to the Nubra Valley, which is known for its beautiful sand dunes, hot springs, and the famous Khardung La Pass, which is the highest motorable road in the world.

Himachal Pradesh – Capital Shimla

Day 23-27: Himachal starts by exploring the beautiful city Manali, which is another popular hill station in the state. Visit the Hadimba Temple, Vashisht Temple, and the Solang Valley, where you can enjoy adventure sports like paragliding and zorbing. After Manali, head to the capital city, Shimla. Take a stroll down the Mall Road, visit the Christ Church, and explore the Ridge. From Shimla, you can take a day trip to Kufri, which is a popular hill station known for its stunning views and adventure activities.

Chandigarh – Union Territory, Capital Chandigarh

Day 28-30: Chandigarh Finally, visit Chandigarh, which is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. The city was designed by the famous French architect Le Corbusier and is known for its modern architecture and urban planning. Visit the Capitol Complex, which houses the High Court, Legislative Assembly, and the Secretariat. You can also explore the Rock Garden, which is made entirely of recycled material, and the Sukhna Lake, where you can enjoy boating and other water activities.

This concludes Month 1 of the itinerary, covering the major cities and capitals of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh

Month 2: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Assam

Uttarakhand – Capital Dehradun

Day 1-5: Uttarakhand Start your month in the state of Uttarakhand by exploring the capital city of Dehradun. Visit the Clock Tower, Robber’s Cave, and the Forest Research Institute. From Dehradun, head to Mussoorie, which is a popular hill station known for its stunning views and colonial-era architecture. Visit the Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, and the Christ Church. You can also take a cable car ride to the Snow View Point.

Uttar Pradesh – Capital Lucknow

Day 6-10: Uttar Pradesh From Uttarakhand, travel to the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, which is famous for the Taj Mahal. Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise or sunset to see it in all its glory. You can also visit the Agra Fort and the Fatehpur Sikri, which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From Agra, head to the capital city of Lucknow, which is known for its rich history and culture. Visit the Bara Imambara, the Chota Imambara, and the Rumi Darwaza.

Bihar – Capital Patna

Day 11-15: Bihar From Uttar Pradesh, starting with the capital city of Patna. Visit the Mahavir Mandir, the Patna Museum, and the Golghar. From Patna, head to Bodh Gaya, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Buddhism. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple, which is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. You can also visit the Bodhi Tree, where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. From Bodh Gaya, head to Nalanda, which is an ancient university town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

West Bengal – Capital Kolkata

Day 16-20: West Bengal from Bihar, starting by exploring the capital city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Visit the Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum, and the Howrah Bridge. Take a walk through the busy streets of New Market and try some of Kolkata’s famous street food. You can also take a ferry ride on the Hooghly River to see the city from a different perspective. From Kolkata, head to the seaside town of Digha and relax on the beach.

Sikkim – Capital Gangtok

Day 21-25: Sikkim From West Bengal, travel to the mountain state of Sikkim and start with the capital city of Gangtok. Visit the Rumtek Monastery, the Tsomgo Lake, and the Hanuman Tok. You can also take a cable car ride to the Tashiling Secretariat for stunning views of the city. From Gangtok, head to Pelling and enjoy the natural beauty of the Kanchenjunga Mountain range. Visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, the Khecheopalri Lake, and the Rabdentse Ruins.

Assam – Capital Dispur

Day 26-30: Assam The last leg of your trip takes you to the state of Assam, starting with the capital city of Dispur. Visit the Assam State Museum, the Assam State Zoo, and the Shrimanta Shankardeva Kalakshetra. From Dispur, head to the city of Guwahati and take a boat ride on the Brahmaputra River. You can also visit the Kamakhya Temple, the Umananda Temple, and the Assam State Museum.

This concludes Month 2 of the itinerary, covering the major cities and capitals of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Assam.

Month 3: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya

Arunachal Pradesh – Capital Itanagar

Day 1-5: Arunachal Pradesh Start your month in the state of Arunachal Pradesh by exploring the capital city of Itanagar. Visit the Ita Fort, the Ganga Lake, and the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum. From Itanagar, head to the city of Tawang and visit the Tawang Monastery, the Sela Pass, and the Bumla Pass.

Nagaland – Capital Kohima

Day 6-10: Nagaland From Arunachal Pradesh, travel to the state of Nagaland and start with the capital city of Kohima. Visit the Kohima War Cemetery, the Naga Heritage Village, and the Dzukou Valley. You can also attend the Hornbill Festival, which is a cultural festival held in December.

Manipur – Capital Imphal

Day 11-15: Manipur, starting with the capital city of Imphal. Visit the Kangla Fort, the Manipur State Museum, and the Loktak Lake. You can also visit the Keibul Lamjao National Park, which is the only floating national park in the world. From Imphal, head to the city of Moirang and visit the INA Memorial, which is dedicated to the Indian National Army.

Mizoram – Capital Aizawl

Day 16-20: Mizoram Start by exploring the capital city of Aizawl. Visit the Bara Bazar, the Solomon’s Temple, and the Mizoram State Museum. From Aizawl, head to the village of Reiek and visit the Reiek Tlang, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills.

Tripura – Capital Agartala

Day 21-25: Tripura From Mizoram, travel to the state of Tripura and start with the capital city of Agartala. Visit the Ujjayanta Palace, the Neermahal Water Palace, and the Tripura State Museum. From Agartala, head to the city of Udaipur and visit the Tripura Sundari Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Tripura Sundari.

Meghalaya – Capital Shillong

Day 26-30: Meghalaya The last leg of your trip takes you to the state of Meghalaya, starting with the capital city of Shillong. Visit the Ward’s Lake, the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, and the Shillong Peak. From Shillong, head to Cherrapunji, which is known for being the wettest place on Earth. Visit the Nohkalikai Falls, the Mawsmai Cave, and the Living Root Bridges.

This concludes Month 3 of the itinerary, covering the major cities and capitals of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya.

Month 4: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat

Jharkhand – Capital Ranchi

Day 1-5: Jharkhand Start your month in the state of Jharkhand by exploring the city of Ranchi. Visit the Ranchi Lake, the Hundru Falls, and the Rock Garden. From Ranchi, head to the city of Dhanbad and visit the Panchet Dam, which offers a scenic view of the Damodar River.

Odisha – Capital Bhubaneswar

Day 6-10: Odisha From Jharkhand, travel to the state of Odisha and start with the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Visit the Lingaraj Temple, the Rajarani Temple, and the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves. From Bhubaneswar, head to the city of Puri and visit the Jagannath Temple, the Puri Beach, and the Chilika Lake.

Chhattisgarh – Capital Raipur

Day 11-15: Chhattisgarh, starting with the capital city of Raipur. Visit the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, the Swami Vivekananda Sarovar, and the Purkhouti Muktangan. From Raipur, head to the city of Jagdalpur and visit the Chitrakoot Falls, the Tirathgarh Falls, and the Kanger Valley National Park.

Madhya Pradesh – Capital Bhopal

Day 16-20: Madhya Pradesh Start your month in the state of Madhya Pradesh by exploring the city of Bhopal. Visit the Upper Lake, the Van Vihar National Park, and the Taj-ul-Masjid mosque. From Bhopal, head to the city of Indore and visit the Lal Bagh Palace, the Kanch Mandir, and the Patalpani Waterfall.

Rajasthan – Capital Jaipur

Day 21-25: Rajasthan From Madhya Pradesh, travel to the state of Rajasthan and start with the capital city of Jaipur. Visit the Amer Fort, the Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar. From Jaipur, head to the city of Udaipur and visit the City Palace, the Lake Pichola, and the Jagdish Temple.

Gujarat – Capital Gandhinagar

Day 26-30: Gujarat The last leg of your trip takes you to the state of Gujarat, starting with the capital city of Gandhinagar. Visit the Akshardham Temple, the Adalaj Stepwell, and the Sarita Udyan. From Gandhinagar, head to the city of Dwarka and visit the Dwarkadhish Temple, the Dwarka Beach, and the Rukmini Devi Temple.

This concludes Month 4 of the itinerary, covering the major cities and capitals of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Month 5: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu – Union Territory, Capital Daman

Day 1-3: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Begin your trip in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. Explore the city of Daman and visit the Fort of Moti Daman, the Nani Daman Fort, and the St. Jerome Fort. You can also enjoy the beaches of Jampore, Devka, and Nani Daman.

Maharashtra – Capital Mumbai

Day 4-10: Mumbai From Daman, head to Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. Visit the Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. You can also take a boat ride to the nearby Elephanta Island and explore the historic caves.

Pune, known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra, and visit the iconic Shaniwar Wada, a palace fortification built in the 18th century. Take a trip to Lonavala, a hill station famous for its beautiful waterfalls, caves, and forts.

Visit the city of Nashik, located on the banks of the Godavari River, known for its ancient temples, vineyards, and picturesque landscapes. Explore the city of Aurangabad, known for its historical significance and monuments such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Goa – Capital Panaji

Day 11-15: Goa From Mumbai, travel south to the state of Goa. Start in the capital city of Panaji and explore the Fontainhas Heritage Quarter, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. From there, head to the beaches of Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna and enjoy the sea, sand, and sun.

Karnataka – Capital Bengaluru

Day 16-20: Karnataka Begin your month in the state of Karnataka, with the capital city of Bengaluru. Visit the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the Bangalore Palace, and the Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. From Bengaluru, head to the city of Mysuru and visit the Mysore Palace, the Brindavan Gardens, and the Chamundi Hills.

Kerala – Capital Thiruvananthapuram

Day 21-25: Kerala From Karnataka, travel to the state of Kerala and start with the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Kuthira Malika Palace, and the Napier Museum. From Thiruvananthapuram, head to the city of Kochi and visit the Mattancherry Palace, the Chinese Fishing Nets, and the St. Francis Church.

Lakshadweep – Union Territory, Capital Kavaratti

Day 26-30: Lakshadweep The last leg of your trip takes you to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, starting with the capital city of Kavaratti. Visit the Kavaratti Island Marine Aquarium, the Ujra Mosque, and the Dolphin Dive Center. From Kavaratti, head to the Bangaram Island and indulge in water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.

This concludes Month 5 of the itinerary, covering the major cities and capitals of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

Month 6: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Tamil Nadu – Capital Chennai

Day 1-7: Travel to the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the Thiruvalluvar Statue, and the Kanyakumari Beach.

Madurai and Rameshwaram From Kanyakumari, head to the city of Madurai and visit the Meenakshi Temple, the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, and the Gandhi Memorial Museum. From Madurai, travel to Rameshwaram, a holy town on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. Visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, the Pamban Bridge, and the Dhanushkodi Beach.

It’s time to visit the capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the Fort St. George, and the Marina Beach.

Puducherry – Union Territory, Capital Puducherry

Day 8-10: Puducherry From Tamil Nadu, travel to the Union Territory of Puducherry and start with the city of Puducherry. Visit the Aurobindo Ashram, the Auroville township, and the French War Memorial. From Puducherry, head to the Auroville Beach and indulge in water sports such as surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Union Territory, Capital Port Blair

Day 11-15: Andaman and Nicobar Islands The last leg of your trip takes you to the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, starting with the capital city of Port Blair. Visit the Cellular Jail National Memorial, the Ross Island, and the Chatham Saw Mill. From Port Blair, head to the Havelock Island and indulge in water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Andhra Pradesh – Capital Amaravati

Day 16-22: Head to the city of Tirupati. Visit the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, the Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, and the Chandragiri Fort. The next Destination is coastal city of Visakhapatnam. Visit the Simhachalam Temple, the Kailasagiri Hill, and the Ramakrishna Beach. Indulge in some seafood delicacies like the famous Andhra fish curry. It’s time to visit Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Visit the Amaravati Buddhist Site, the Undavalli Caves, and the Kondapalli Fort. Don’t forget to try some local delicacies like the Andhra biryani and gongura pickle.

Telangana – Capital Hyderabad

Day 23-30: Hyderabad From Amaravati, travel to the capital city of Telangana, Hyderabad. Visit the Charminar, the Golconda Fort, and the Chowmahalla Palace. Don’t forget to try the famous Hyderabadi biryani, haleem, and kebabs. Warangal From Hyderabad, head to the city of Warangal. Visit the Warangal Fort, the Thousand Pillar Temple, and the Bhadrakali Temple. Don’t miss the famous Warangal street food, including the crispy vada pav and hot samosas.

This concludes Month 6 of the itinerary, covering the major cities and capitals of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Conclusion – India in 6 Months

Travelling to all the states and union territories of India in a single trip can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. From the snow-capped mountains of Jammu and Kashmir to the sunny beaches of Goa, the diverse culture and landscapes of India offer a unique adventure to any traveler.

It’s important to plan well and allocate sufficient time for each destination to truly immerse yourself in the local culture and explore all that each state has to offer. With this itinerary, you’ll be able to cover all the major cities and capitals of each state and union territory in the span of six months. Happy travels!