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North India Highlights

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

4.8 out of 5 based on 40 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CAD $1,994
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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 directly support 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.

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 2023 - 31 December 2023

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 Airport 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 - INR250
  • 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

4.8 out of 5 based on 40 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.

Filter by rating

Maria Teresa · Traveled November 2023
As a first time visitor to India and a first time Intrepid customer, I only have very high marks for my experience. I am looking forward to future tours with the same caliber as this one.
Review submitted 10 Nov 2023

Luzviminda · Traveled November 2023
My trip was very useful to me. I've learned the impt history of India. Knowing the beauty of its culture. Also the beauty of diff Palaces. Also the diff products like Pashmina ( how to distinguished the genuine one), the best carpet that you have, the best gemstone you have and especially goodness of the people.
Review submitted 10 Nov 2023

Vicki · Traveled October 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed our India experience. Intrepid was very well organised & professional. Awesome tour leader. I would highly recommend travelling with Intrepid.
Review submitted 27 Oct 2023

Lynsey · Traveled October 2023
The itinerary of the North India Highlights tour was excellent, with amazing excursions planned every day, great transport arrangements and very nice hotels. North India is so much more than the Taj Mahal (which is incredible to see in real life!), with every day having at least one amazing experience, often several! We packed in so much to the trip, with the final days in Varanasi a highlight. Our guide Kushal was excellent, and made the trip far exceed my (very high!) expectations, I would highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 29 Oct 2023

Yann · Traveled October 2023
The trip was amazing and our leader went beyond our expectations. We learned a lot and it was such an eye opener.
Review submitted 27 Oct 2023
North India Highlights
From
CAD $1,994