A complete guide to domestic travel in India — from a day trip to Delhi to Ladakh and Kerala bucket lists

The most affordable trip during expatriate life is a day trip that departs in the morning and returns in the evening. You can experience the essence of India, from the legacy of the Mughal Empire to Hindu sacred sites, just by choosing the right suburbs, which are within a 2-4 hour drive from Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida.

Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, a symbol of travel in India, so it is the perfect first day trip, and Neemrana is a great place to enjoy lunch and a cup of tea inside the historic fortress structure. In Mathura and Vrindavan, known as the sacred place where the Hindu god Krishna was born, you can experience the deep spiritual culture of India up close through numerous temples and religious ceremonies.

If you are planning a 3-day, 2-night trip that departs on Friday evening or Saturday morning and returns on Sunday, your options will be much wider. We recommend three proven places in Delhi NCR depending on your tastes, including activities, summer vacations, and historical tours.

Scheduling Tips

• Rishikesh— Called the ‘World Yoga Capital’, it is a place where the clean water and mountainous landscape of the upper Ganges River come together. Enjoy a rafting or yoga class on Saturday morning, or a walk around the Beatles Ashram on Sunday.
• Mussoorie— Located 2,000 meters above sea level, it is ideal for escaping Delhi’s heat. It is also a great idea to take a drive to the nearby quiet village of Dhanaulti on one day of your 3 days and 2 nights stay.
• Jaipur— If you are interested in history and architecture, Jaipur, one of the axis of the ‘Golden Triangle’, is the place to go. On Saturday evening, end your day with traditional Rajasthani food and performances at Chokhi Dhani Cultural Village.

If you have more than three days of annual leave, try these five places that Indian residents unanimously recommend. Since the best times to travel are different for each region, the trick is to make your annual plan based on the recommended times.

1. Ladakh - Leh | Recommended period: June to September

An alpine region called ‘the moon on Earth.’ Located in the northernmost Himalayas of India, it presents a completely different landscape from the India we know. Key attractions include Pangong Tso Lake, the setting for the movie '3 Idiots', Khardung La, the world's highest motorable road, and a mysterious Tibetan Buddhist temple (Gompa), as well as an area where marmots can be seen.Because the altitude is very high above sea level, you should spend at least a day doing nothing after arrival to acclimate to altitude sickness.

2. Varanasi | Recommended period: October to March

There is a saying, “If you want to see India, go to Varanasi.” It is a city where life and death coexist, where you can meet India’s spiritual roots. Take an early morning boat tour of the Ganges River to see the sunrise and bathing pilgrims, witness the colorful nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony, and explore the maze of alleys. Due to the city's unique energy and bustle, it is recommended to find quiet accommodation overlooking the river.

3. Jaisalmer | Recommended period: mid-October to early March

Deep in the middle of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, the entire city is built of golden sandstone and is called the 'Golden City'. Representative experiences include camel safaris, desert camping, Jaisalmer Fort and Haveli visits. Because it is a desert area, it is very hot in midsummer, so be sure to plan accordingly.

4. Hampi | Recommended period: November to February

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in Karnataka, South India. Elaborate stone temples harmonize with the terrain scattered with huge rocks, creating an unrealistic landscape that feels like you are on another planet. The view of the ruins from Hemakuta Hill at sunset and the leisure time at ‘Hippie Island’ across the river are the highlights. Since the area is very large, it is efficient to rent a bicycle or motorcycle to explore.

5. Kerala | Recommended period: September - March

Backwaters village on the southwestern coast of India, called 'God's Land'. Stay overnight on a houseboat (Kettuvallam), a converted traditional boat, cruise the waterways between palm trees, and experience Ayurvedic massage, a traditional Indian medicine. We also recommend a visit to the endless green tea fields of Munnar.

On weekends when long-distance travel is burdensome, there are many places to spend quality time with children in Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon. Choose indoors during the hot season and outdoors during the cooler months.

Especially during the summer, air-conditioned indoor facilities such as KidZania, National Science Museum, Optical Illusion Museum, and Heritage Transportation Museum are great. Conversely, between October and March, picnics at Sunder Nursery or Lodhi Garden are a great pleasure of Delhi life.

The success or failure of a domestic trip to India depends on the preparation stage. Just taking care of three things - transportation, timing of visits, and health care - can greatly reduce your chances of failure.

Choose your transportation

• vehicle movement— The improved highway network, including the Yamuna Expressway (Delhi-Agra) and the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, makes it convenient to travel by car in nearby areas. Locally, it is common to use a vehicle with a driver.
• train moving— Representative examples include the Gatimaan Express to Agra, which takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the Shatabdi Express to Dehradun (Mussoorie). It is safe to reserve train tickets in advance through the Indian Railways official reservation site IRCTC.

Recommended times by region at a glance

Final inspection before departure

1. The Taj MahalClosed every Friday— Check from the day of your visit.
2. Hindu temples such as Mathura and Vrindavan are mostlyClosed between noon and 4pm.Plan for early morning or late afternoon.
3. The first day of arrival in LadakhRest without schedule to acclimate to altitude sicknessThe principle is to do so.
4. In a crowded city like Varanasi, the location of your accommodation (a quiet place near the river) determines your travel satisfaction.
5. In places like Hampi, where the historical area is large, check in advance about bicycle and motorcycle rentals.

If you are having a hard time planning your itinerary or are on a long-distance trip as a family, it is a good idea to use a local travel agency run by Koreans. You can get a car, hotel, flight ticket, and guide all in one place without any language barriers.

SOLE MONO POLE

• Domestic travel services throughout India — overall travel support, including vehicle, hotel, airline ticket, and guide reservations
• Operating overseas travel products to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Mauritius, Europe, China, etc.
• Customized itinerary design for families, golf trip flight tickets and hotel reservations
• Support for the operation of group events such as Indian travel to Korea, MICE (meetings, incentive tours, conventions, exhibitions) between India and Korea, academic conferences, fairs, and corporate visits.
• Homepage www.solemonopole.co.kr / Instagram @sole_monopole / Kakao Talk SUZYCHOI74
• Korea number +82-10-7312-2340 / India number +91-98-113-62130 / Email SUZY@SOLEMONOPOLE.COM

Relieve fatigue after travel here — Gurgaon Recharge Spot

You can relieve fatigue from long distance travel at Gurgaon's Japanese public bathhouses and Korean spas.

• Dia Park— 353-357 Near Huda City Centre, Sector 29, Gurugram. The hotel features a public Japanese-style public bath (Ofuro) and a sauna, providing an atmosphere where you can enjoy a quiet hot bath. Phone +91 124 460 4600, Instagram @diaparkpremier
• Sakura Town— 2nd Floor, The Room, Central Park II, Sector 48, Gurgaon. You can use it even if you are not an apartment resident. Phone +91 95995 58948, Instagram @sakuratown2026
• Hera Hair & Spa— Room 217, 2nd floor, South Point Mall, Gurgaon. Hair services such as Korean-style layered cut, volume magic, dyeing, and digital perm, as well as foot, tie, oil, and facial massages, and even eyelash extensions are available. You can also order wreaths for business openings, relocations, promotions, and inaugurations. Phone +91 98114 42302 / +91 99713 32573, Instagram @herahairgurgaon