A week your family will never forget (for under $3k)

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When to Go

Best time: Now through March

You're reading this at the perfect time. January through March offers ideal weather for the Golden Triangle.

• January-March: Cool and comfortable (50s-70s°F), perfect for sightseeing

• October-November: Post-monsoon, lush scenery, slightly bigger crowds

Book for February or March if you want to go soon. Or plan for October-November if you prefer fall travel.

Summer (April-June): Hot but manageable with early morning activities. Lower prices.

Monsoon (July-September): Rainy, but lowest prices and fewest tourists.

The Visa Situation (It's Straightforward)

India requires a visa, but the process is simple.

US citizens can get an e-Visa entirely online. No embassy visit required.

• Where to apply: Official Indian e-Visa portal

• Cost: $25-$40 depending on duration (30-day or 1-year tourist visa)

• Processing time: Usually 3-5 business days

• Validity options: 30 days or 1 year from date of issue

• When to apply: At least 1-2 weeks before your trip

You'll need a passport photo, your passport info, and your hotel details. The whole application takes about 30 minutes. Once approved, you print it out and bring it with you.

Important: Your passport needs at least 6 months validity from your arrival date and at least 2 blank pages.

Why India Makes Sense Right Now

Your dollar goes about 4x further in India than it does at home. That's not an exaggeration.

• A restaurant dinner that would cost $150 in the US: $25 in Delhi

• Private driver for an entire day: Less than a single Uber ride to the airport

• Incredible street food: Around $1 (and we'll talk about food safety below)

You're not roughing it. You're staying at the same Marriott brand you'd book anywhere in the US, except it costs half as much and it's 10 minutes from the Taj Mahal.

This is the kind of trip where your money stretches, your perspective expands, and your family experiences something completely different from your everyday life.

Getting There: The Flight

Virgin Atlantic via London (LAX > LHR > Delhi)

• Cost: $746 roundtrip for March 4-11 (as of writing)

• Flight time: It's long, but manageable with a connection

• Why this route: Reliable carrier, modern planes, reasonable pricing

Yes, it's a haul. Download some shows, bring a good book, embrace it. The flight is just the bridge to the experience.

Beat the jet lag: I've used Timeshifter for 8 years (not sponsored). It's an app that creates a personalized plan to adjust your body clock before and during your trip. Your first plan is free, then $9.99 per trip or $24.99/year for unlimited. Makes a huge difference on long-haul flights.

How to survive long-haul flights with kids

Adventure outside the ordinary

What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.

It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.

REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.

Find your next adventure

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Where to Stay

Courtyard by Marriott in Delhi and Agra

For your first trip to India, a recognizable international brand gives you peace of mind. You know what you're getting.

• Delhi (South Delhi area): Easy access to major sites and good restaurants

• Agra location: 10 minutes from the Taj Mahal (you can see sunrise and be back for breakfast)

• Cost: $100-$180/night

• What you get: A/C, reliable WiFi, clean pool, breakfast, filtered water

Book Courtyard by Marriott Delhi
Book Courtyard by Marriott Agra

Your 7-Day Trip Overview

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Land at Indira Gandhi International Airport, get to your hotel, rest. Take it easy on day one.

Day 2: Old Delhi
Rickshaw tour through the historic streets, visit Jama Masjid (one of India's largest mosques). Evening exploring Hauz Khas Village for cafes and local shopping.

Day 3: New Delhi
India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, and Qutub Minar. These sites give you incredible context before seeing the Taj. Splurge on dinner (remember, it's $30 for what would cost $150+ at home).

Day 4: Travel to Agra
Take the high-speed Gatimaan Express train or hire a private car (4-5 hours). Visit Agra Fort in the afternoon, then catch sunset views of the Taj from Mehtab Bagh across the river.

Day 5: Taj Mahal at Sunrise
Set your alarm for 5:30am. This is the moment you came for. The Taj at sunrise with fewer crowds is absolutely worth the early wake-up. Return to Delhi by late afternoon.

Day 6: Delhi Flex Day
National Museum, Lotus Temple, shopping at Dilli Haat, or just wander through Lodhi Garden. Build in some breathing room.

Day 7: Head Home
Final breakfast, then to the airport. You'll be processing this trip for weeks.

Safety and Health Tips

Let's address this directly, because it matters:

Water: Stick to bottled water. Your hotel provides it. Don't drink from the tap.

Food: Eat at busy restaurants and street stalls (high turnover = fresh food). Avoid empty places and uncooked items like salads. Stick to hot, freshly cooked meals.

Transportation: Use your hotel to book cars and drivers. Uber works in major cities. Avoid negotiating with random taxis at tourist sites.

Navigation: Yes, Google Maps works great in India. Download offline maps before you go for backup, but you'll have data most places.

Your phone: If you have Verizon like I do, it's $10/day for international service. Your phone works exactly like it does at home. Totally worth it for the convenience and peace of mind.

Health prep: Talk to your doctor about vaccines (Hepatitis A and Typhoid are common recommendations). Bring Imodium, hand sanitizer, and basic meds.

Travel insurance: I've used Allianz Global for years. Their annual plan isn't much more expensive than single-trip coverage, so if you're planning more than one international trip this year, go annual. (Not sponsored, just what works.)

Dress modestly: Especially at religious sites. Covered shoulders and knees show respect and help you blend in better.

India is generally very safe for tourists, especially in the main tourist areas of Delhi and Agra. Use common sense, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your gut.

What This Actually Costs

That's less than many all-inclusive resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean. But instead of a poolside week, you'll have memories and stories that stick with you.

The Question You Need to Ask

In 10 years, will you wish you'd spent a week of your PTO seeing the Taj Mahal?

Or will you wish you'd waited for the "perfect time" that never quite arrived?

Your PTO is sitting there. Your budget can handle this. Your family would love it.

The hardest part is deciding to actually do it.

Start planning your India trip with this official tourism guide

More from The World Unfolding:

• Why Marriott brands are my go-to for international travel

• Americans need to use their PTO and see the world

• What I learned about South Asia from my friend in Sri Lanka

Want these every week? Follow me on LinkedIn for travel insights between Thursdays.

Until next Thursday,
Jeff