11 Days | Discover both colourful cities and rural life in Rajasthan
Dive into India on this 11-day adventure and discover a wide range of cultural highlights in a relatively short amount of time. From the spiritual centre of Varanasi to the chaotic capital of Delhi, this journey is perfect for travellers who want local guidance and unique included experiences without sacrificing the freedom to explore independently. Witness the beauty of the Taj Mahal, feel enlightened on a boat trip along the River Ganges, and get the royal treatment during a 16th-century heritage stay. Bring an open mind and an open heart and plunge headfirst into this utterly captivating destination.
Trip overview
- Start
- Delhi, India
- Finish
- Delhi, India
- Theme
- Explorer, Rail
- 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
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- HHRI
- With so much going on in the chaotic capital of Delhi, a local leader is a must. Get to know the city with your leader helping you navigate.
- Have your expectations smashed by the spectacular Taj Mahal during a guided tour that illuminates the building’s fascinating back story.
- Spend sunrise along the holy Ganges River in Varanasi, watching thousands of Hindu pilgrims bathe in the water as the sun soaks everything in warm light.
- Tordi Garh is a place few travellers get to see, but you’ll stay in this rural Rajasthani village in style during a night at a 16th-century palace.
- Travelling across India wouldn’t be complete without a journey on a sleeper train. With padded bunks for comfort and vendors selling chai and samosas, it’s a quintessential Indian experience.
- This is a trip made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time where your leader will offer suggestions you can take or leave. Please budget spending money for optional activities.
- The regions visited on this trip can be extreme in temperature. It’s important to prepare for hot temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Rajasthan, in particular, can be very hot, especially in the summer. Light layers are the best way to tackle changeable weather.
- Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. For temple visits on this trip, you will need to wear clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees.
- This trip involves some long train rides, including a couple of overnight trains. The train journeys from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Agra are is approximately 13 hours each. Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned and a great way to travel long distances while still getting maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of other genders. For your own security, take a lock for your hand luggage. Sleeper train journeys in and out of Varanasi can be subject to long delays because of weather conditions, including heavy rain or fog. Read more about what to expect on an overnight train https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/Â
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Auto rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Jeep
Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
- Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
- Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
- Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
- Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
- Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Varanasi - Banares Hindu University - INR250
- Varanasi - Sarnath - INR315
- Varanasi - Ram Nagar Fort - INR250
- Agra - Sheroes Hangout Cafe (prices from) - INR500
- Agra - Akbar's Mausoleum - INR300
- Agra - Motorised Rickshaw - INR300
- Agra - Agra Fort - INR650
- Jaipur - City Palace - INR1000
- Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
- Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
- Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
- Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) - INR200
- Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
- Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
Dates and availability
Important notes
1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2,5 (Sleeper Train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information
2. Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate from September 1st to April 30th and last approximately 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments, and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP only and is USD 260pp (subject to change). Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).
3. Please note travelling during major festivals such as Holi and Diwali can, at times, cause disruption to the published itinerary.
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. 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.
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.
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