Inspiration For An Easy Kid-Friendly Travel Itinerary Around India

I traveled with my 18-month old toddler for 22 days to 9 different cities and towns in India which included travel by air and road. So after my epic holiday adventure I wanted to share inspiration for an easy kid-friendly travel itinerary; I truly believe India has so much to offer but as outsiders we’re scared because we don’t know what to expect. But you don’t have to be and I hope you’re inspired to visit India after reading this post!

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Visit the capital city of Delhi for 3 nights

Delhi is the capital city of India. It has so much to offer in terms of sightseeing, food and shopping. With a toddler or young child in tow, I think the best and easiest places to visit are places with large open spaces so strollers can move freely and kids have enough space to walk around. Of course, it is absolutely necessary to have an adult accompanying children at all times.

Delhi is a big city and being stuck in traffic with a toddler is just asking for trouble. So I recommend staying at a hotel in the city centre near Connaught Place and all the attractions listed below are located approximately 20-30 minutes by car. I would also highly recommend to take a stroller if you have a toddler — it just makes things much easier when you’re out and about in Delhi.

Red Fort
The Red Fort is a stunning piece of architecture dating back to 1639 when the Mughals ruled India. It was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who also had the famous Taj Mahal located in Agra (located about 3 hours by car from Delhi) built in honour of his wife. Today Red Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a major tourist attraction with several museums inside as well as a sound and light show in the evenings depicting its Mughal history.

Humayun’s Tomb
Another impressive delight for the eyes, Humayun’s Tomb is a grand monument and architectural wonder with lots of explore and discover. The lawns surrounding the complex are also lovely to take a stroll or relax in.

Lodi Gardens

Located in the centre of the city, Lodi Gardens is a beautiful public park dotted with historical tombs and structures dating back to the 15th century. It’s the perfect place to take a leisurely post-lunch stroll with young ones and offers a lot of spots for amazing photos. Easily while away an afternoon with a tasty brunch/lunch at the Lodi The Garden Restaurant, which is located inside Lodi Gardens.

 

Hauz Khas Village

Hauz Khas Village — a historic village located at the edge of a reservoir which today is a trendy and creative neighborhood — houses many restaurants, bars, cafes as well as designer boutiques, concept stores, and the Delhi Art Gallery with modern 20th century Indian art. It is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon enjoying tasty treats, window shopping and people watching. Weekends can get crowded so if possible try to visit on a weekday.

National Rail Museum 

The National Rail Museum features historic trains, carriages and locomotives dating all the way back to the 1920s. There is also a mini train taking visitors around the museum.Over all, the National Rail Museum is a great hit with kids.

Stay at a historical palace fort which has been converted into a hotel near Delhi for 2 nights. 

Neemrana Hotels is a hospitality brand dedicated to restoring and preserving heritage properties such as forts and palaces in India and running them as hotels. Most of the hotels include modern facilities such as a pool, spa and international cuisine. Neemrana has several properties located near Delhi in Rajasthan and I highly recommend staying in one of the heritage properties to experience a special piece of India’s history in person.

I stayed at the Hill Fort Kesroli located in Alwar, Rajasthan (which is a 3 hour drive from Delhi) for two nights with extended family. It’s a smaller-sized fort standing tall amidst hills and fields dating back to the 14th century with stunning views. Preserving the original structure and rooms, also known as “mahals”, each guest room at the Hill Fort Kesroli is different with stunning decor and perfect for up to 3 adults or a family of 4.

The property has a large garden courtyard and plenty of open space for kids to run around. There is also a common room with lots of games and books, making it ideal for older kids or larger groups top hangout in.

 

One important thing to note is the hotels are located in remote areas so it’s not easy to go out exploring so I recommend coming in a larger group and enjoying the property itself.

Continue on to Jaipur for 2 nights to experience more of India’s history and historical palaces and forts

I haven’t been to Jaipur myself and it’s been on my bucket list for a very long time. From talking to friends and family who have visited the city and reading lots of travel blogs about Jaipur, I believe 2 nights is enough time to explore the city’s more popular sites.

City Palace

A large palace complex dating back to the 17th century with a royal residence, gardens, courtyards and buildings, there is lots to explore at the City Palace, Jaipur. It is recommended to keep half a day to properly explore the site. The City Palace is noted for its architectural complexity and modern sensibility for its era.

Hawa Mahal (Pink Palace)

The famous icon for Jaipur, Hawa Mahal sits at the end of the City Palace. With its unique exterior built from pink sandstone (which is why it is also known as the pink palace) and housing an impressive 953 windows, Hawa Mahal was originally designed for women to observe festivals and processions on the road without having to leave the palace property. The word “hawa” means wind and corresponds to the special way the palace is designed to let cool air through. A hot travel tip: skip touring the interiors and instead sit a cafe with a view of the Hawa Mahal front facade.

Amer Fort

Located in the town of Amer approximately 11km from Jaipur, Amer fort is another grand structure built on four levels, each with its own courtyard. Made of sandstone and marble, it has a soft yellow exterior which is breathtaking. Both the exteriors and interiors of the palace are worth taking the time to explore. Keep an eye out for Sheesh Mahal or “hall of mirrors”

From Jaipur take a domestic flight to the vibrant city of Mumbai and stay for 2 or 3 nights

Mumbai is another one of India’s largest cities and commercial centres. Located on the west coast of the country and right by the sea. I highly recommend staying at a hotel in the Juhu or Bandra area for easy and quick access to the city’s main attractions. I stayed at the Sofitel at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and I found it to be a great place to stay because the rooms are spacious and within the BKC area there are lots of cafes, bars and restaurants at walking distance from the Sofitel, making it easier with kids or toddlers in strollers.

Similar to Delhi, traffic and traveling across the city can be cumbersome so I would recommend planning activities and meals in the same area as an effective way to spend time.

Gateway of India

I would recommend having lunch at a restaurant or cafe (try The Clearing House — food and ambiance are both incredible!) in or near the Fort area and then hopping in a cab or car and getting dropped off close to the Gateway of India. For this journey be sure to take the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge, which is a cable-stayed bridge built over the ocean — kids will love the views and experience. Gateway of India is located right by the water’s edge so kids will enjoy the view of the boats docked in the harbour area as well as all the sea gulls and pigeons flocking the area. It is a crowded area so definitely be careful while navigating the roads.

Juhu Beach 

Spend a lazy afternoon or evening walking on Juhu Beach and enjoy incredible sunset views. It gets crowded on weekends so weekdays are a better option. Juhu Beach is bustling with activity all the time, kids will enjoy taking in all the sights and sounds. I recommend having lunch at one of the hotels or restaurants located close to or on Juhu Beach and sticking around for the sunset.

 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Vastu Sangrahalaya (Art and History Museum) 

Formerly the Prince of Wales Museum, this is Mumbai’s primary art and history museum. The building itself is beautiful to look at from the outside and inside there are lots of interesting exhibits to explore. Kids will enjoy the exhibit featuring animals and birds native to India.

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