Advice needed for a first Indian trip

My partner and I are planning to travel to India for 3 weeks from May into June, the plan we have so far is;
New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa and Kerala with a combination of trains and internal flights. My main question is roughly how long to spend in each place, we'd ideally like to spend the most time on the backwaters of Kerala. Does this trip seem too ambitious? Any tips for budget accommodation in any of these places? Advice appreciated!

Hi! Glad to know you're traveling to India. May June may be quite hot in the north of India. Kerala and Goa may be relatively better as the monsoon rains would have started there by then. If you're traveling to all the locations listed above, then I would say New Delhi - 2, Agra - 1, Jaipur - 2, Mumbai - 2, Goa - 1, Kerala - 7-10 days (Kerala includes Alleppey, Munnar, Cochin, Varkala, Thekkady). For Hostels you may search on AAO Hostels for most of these locations.

@kspoelma

My main question is roughly how long to spend in each place

Roughly, three nights everywhere.

we'd ideally like to spend the most time on the backwaters of Kerala

What does this mean, exactly? Do you mean, on a boat on the backwaters; or just in and around the backwaters? If you mean on a boat, that is not compatible with your request for "budget accommodation". If you want to spend extra time in Kerala, then you should probably drop Goa.

India for 3 weeks from May into June

So, those places on the northern plains will be blisteringly hot. You should anticipate daytime temperatures in excess of 40 degrees celsius every day. (New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur).

Mumbai, Goa and Kerala will all be in the 30s and very (very) humid.

You should also be aware that Goa will be 'out of season' - so depending on what is in your head about Goa - it probably won't be there. Very few visitors (by comparison); not much nightlife; very few parties.

Any tips for budget accommodation in any of these places?

You are well away from high season, so there will be lower prices on most accommodation. That said, you'll almost certainly need to stay in air-conditioned accommodation.

New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa and Kerala with a combination of trains and internal flights

So, Delhi-Agra-Jaipur by train. Fly Jaipur to Mumbai. Train Mumbai to Goa. There's no direct flight Goa-Kerala, so you'll take the train, but most options are between 13 and 15 hours - that's a long time on a train.

Does this trip seem too ambitious?

It's 'do-able'. Whether you 'should' is another matter. Even if the weather was on your side; six stops inside 21 days is a pretty solid pace. The sheer act of travelling in India can be quite draining.

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The South West Monsoon arrives in Kerala in the first week of June, give or take a few days. Its a breathtaking time to be in the state (or horrible, depending on how you view intense rains!).

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