India's Golden Triangle & Southern Highlights

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Delhi – India’s thriving capital city – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with hours (or days) to spare, consider heading out on your own, maybe to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb. If you’ve got the time, explore some Delhi sights and join in on an Urban Adventure. After the welcome meeting, maybe head out for an optional meal with your group at a local restaurant.

Join your local leader on an excursion through Old Delhi. Ride the city’s metro system, then hop in a rickshaw to the busy marketplaces of Chandni Chowk. See the Jama Masjid, Delhi’s oldest mosque, before learning about the history of the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara. Ask your trip leader for their recommendation on where to go for dinner.

Drive into Rajasthan and on to its capital, Jaipur, known as the ‘Pink City’. Take your time to explore this busy city filled with palaces and bazaars selling everything from jewellery and textiles to tea and spices. You might like to stop by the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), then head over to Jaipur's Royal City Palace and explore its extravagant rooms and apartments. Later, discover one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.

This morning, you might want to take an optional early morning hot air balloon experience. Cruising through the air overlooking the countryside is often a highlight of visiting Jaipur. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Amber Fort. Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, the fort is an authentic example of Rajput architecture, and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is one of its more spectacular buildings.

Leave the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur behind and drive to the Lotwara Village in Dausa district of Rajasthan. This town, founded in the 17th century retains its traditional temples and is known as the ‘Peacock Town’ of Rajasthan due to the dense population of peacocks. Take a guided walk around the Old Quarter, learning about rural Indian life off the tourist trail. Be sure to visit the local stalls along the way and sample seasonal local sweets made from Indian ingredients, including petha (pumpkin), jaggery (organic sugar) and gazak (sesame seeds). Tonight, you’ll stay in a restored heritage property where dinner is included.

On the journey to Agra, stop at the one-time capital of the Mughal empire, Fatehpur Sikri. Its stunning mosque displays both Persian and Hindu designs and is secured by a 54-m-high entrance. Once in Agra, you have the option to visit the marble tomb that was saved for the greatest of the Mughal Emperors – Akbar's Mausoleum. End your day at the iconic Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this opulent monument was built in the 1640s as a memorial to Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife.

In the morning, take a guided tour along the banks of the Yamuna River to the iconic Agra Fort. Originally designed by Emperor Akbar in 1565 to be a military structure, it was converted into a palace during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign and later became his prison. You might like to stop for lunch at Sheroes Hangout – a vegetarian and vegan cafe and social enterprise providing employment and opportunities for victims of acid attacks. In the early afternoon, journey back to Delhi by private bus, arriving back at the hotel with enough time to freshen up and decide where to enjoy one final dinner with the group.

Say goodbye to Delhi this morning and board a flight to Goa, known for its beaches, rich traditions, UNESCO World Heritage-listed architecture and mouth-watering cuisine. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your new trip leader and the travellers joining you for the next leg of your trip. After the meeting, maybe head out to dinner with your group and get to know your new travel friends – your leader will have the best recommendations for where to eat.

Immerse yourself in Old Goa on today’s guided tour where you’ll visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. Then head to the Spice Plantation. Here, you’ll tour the plantation and enjoy a Goan lunch, maybe trying dishes like Vindaloo or Caldin curry. This afternoon is for you to spend how you like. Maybe head to the beach and relax in the sun, enjoy a swim or simply take in the sea breeze and surrounding landscape.

This morning, travel by private transfer from Goa to Hampi – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient temples and historical ruins. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive this afternoon, spend some time settling into your accommodation or maybe head on a sunset hike to Anjanadri Hill – a Hindu God also known as the monkey god and a symbol of strength, devotion and loyalty.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Hampi, exploring its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Learn about the Vijayanagara Empire as you explore Hampi’s historical and architecture wonders as you visit Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Kadalekalu Ganesha, Elephant Stables, Queen's Bath, Lotus Mahal and Sanapur Lake. Later this afternoon, head back to your accommodation in Hampi.

Embrace an early start this morning as you travel from Hampi to Chikkamagaluru – a hill station in Karnataka. When you arrive in the afternoon, walk through Chikkamagaluru’s coffee plantations, learn about the region’s farming heritage and maybe buy some fresh coffee beans to take home. Tonight perhaps enjoy dinner with your group before settling into your accommodation in Chikkamagaluru.

After breakfast, say goodbye to Chikkamagalur as you drive to Nileshwar. Along the way, watch as the landscape changes from mountains and farmlands to beaches and palm trees. When you arrive this afternoon, opt to visit Bekal Fort – a medieval fort built by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi in 1650. Or spend the afternoon walking around the beach before heading back to Nileshwar for the night.

Start today off at a slower pace, spending the morning how you like. Then come together and set off on a village walking tour. Explore the Kerela Backwaters (a network of brackish lagoons and canals) on a houseboat, originally used for transporting goods. Sit back and enjoy a traditional Kerala meal as you glide through scenic, palm-lined waterways and discover the region’s history. Later, you’ll return to your day-use rooms and get ready to leave for the station for the overnight journey from Kasaragod to Kochi.

Wake up in Kochi as the train pulls into the station early this morning. When you arrive at your accommodation, you’ll have time for a shower in your day rooms or maybe drop your luggage off and visit the Dutch Palace. This afternoon, head out for a walking tour around Fort Kochi, known for its architecture and huge bamboo fishing nets fixed to the Fort Kochi Beach shoreline. In the evening consider watching a traditional Kathakali dance show before wrapping up your trip with a farewell dinner with a local family.

Your trip comes to an end today. As there are no activities planned, you are welcome to leave at any time. If you would like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.