North India Highlights

10 Days | Explore northern India’s highlights from the Pink City to the Taj Mahal

4.9 out of 5 based on 48 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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USD $2,060
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Take an epic adventure of northern India’s highlights, including one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World, street food that will make you salivate and bustling city streets next to spiritual havens. Discover the Pink City of Jaipur, witness the Mughal splendours of Delhi and Agra and soak up the ambience of holy Varanasi. This 10-day trip through captivating and colourful India includes lavish palaces, vibrant bazaars, and of course, the incomparable Taj Mahal. You’ll take a sunrise cruise along the Ganges River, witness a candle flower ceremony in a popular pilgrimage site, wander the Old City of Delhi and eat your fill of spicy curries and filling flatbreads. India is calling your name!

Trip overview

Map of North India Highlights including India
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
India
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
HHKH
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Soak up the unique atmosphere of a candle flower ceremony at dusk on the Ganges River in Varanasi, then wake up early for a sunrise boat ride, where you’ll watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river.
  • Explore the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and learn of its lesser-known poetic history from a local expert among the surrounding gardens.
  • Discover the secret flavours and spices of traditional specialities during a cooking class in a local home, then – arguably the best part – sit down to feast on your creations. Is there anything better than deliciously fresh Indian cuisine?
  • Rub shoulders with the locals, go on a sightseeing adventure in a rickshaw and immerse yourself in the cultural heart of India on guided walking tours of Delhi, Jaipur and Varanasi.
  • Wander the streets of the gorgeous Pink City of Jaipur and maybe even start your morning here with a sunrise hot air balloon ride – this optional activity is well worth the early start!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-management. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Don’t underestimate the weather at any time of year in India. In the summer months, the heat can be extreme. In winter, some travellers have been surprised by the cool evenings. A hat, sunscreen, and clothing that can be layered will serve you well year-round.
  • This trip has some early starts, allowing you to see more of the country in the captivating morning light. Please refer to the Itinerary for more details.
  • Flights and trains can be delayed between December and February due to fog.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 April 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 March 2024

Map of North India Highlights including India

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Auto rickshaw, Boat, Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Plane, Private vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
  • Varanasi - Sunset candle flower ceremony
  • Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
  • Jaipur - Orientation walk with a local guide
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Jaipur - Cooking class in a local home
  • Abhaneri - Chand Baori stepwell
  • Agra - Agra Fort
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Add on activities
  • Varanasi - Sarnath - INR315
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
  • Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
3. This trip includes a domestic flight as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
4. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for transport tickets. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 48 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Rasheed · Traveled February 2024
Having back packed when I was younger and avoided tours for most of my life I was a little nervous about going on this one. How wrong I was! Intrepid travel is awesome. Small groups of like minded people, a local guide who is knowledgeable and keeps everything easy. You see and experience things that would be difficult to do on your own but you never feel like a herd of sheep as you have your own time and options. I’d highly recommend and I’d book another one.
Review submitted 29 Feb 2024

Rita · Traveled February 2024
Had an amazing time on my 9 day trip to North India. Was the first time going solo but had nothing to fear as our group were lovely and our leader Mohsin was brilliant. It is a jam packed itinerary (with little downtime so worth booking a day or two at the end to unwind) but you see and experience so much. Totally recommend it!
Review submitted 27 Feb 2024

vineel vicky · Traveled January 2024
The overall trip in north india was eye-opening which shows the vast knowledge about people places and environments, while considering the monuments its something totally new and unbelievable for me, i recommend people to do visit and explore urself with interpid
Review submitted 14 Jan 2024

Deb · Traveled December 2023
This is the perfect trip if you’re wanting a taste of northern India. There’s so much to see in a short time so be ready for early mornings. Our tour leader Arpana was exceptional and made it an immensely fun and memorable holiday. I look forward to seeing more of India.
Review submitted 05 Jan 2024

Jeanne · Traveled December 2023
This tour was excellent due to our leader, Arpana, who knows the area very well. She gave detailed information in the culture and history and changed the order of events due to the weather to better accommodate our needs. Highly suggest as intro to India.
Review submitted 02 Jan 2024
North India Highlights
From
USD $2,060