Map of Real North India including India

Dive into Delhi, Varanasi, Agra and Rishikesh on this awesome jaunt around India

Ride a rickshaw in Delhi, brush up on your bargaining skills in Chandni Chowk and have a spiritual experience in Varanasi. Snap the ultimate selfie in front of the Taj Mahal, see pink in Jaipur, join the Yogi’s in Rishikesh and eat endless amounts of pakoras, samosas, tandoori, chicken tikka masalas and other delicious dishes. On this immersive adventure you won't just see North India, you'll experience it.

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

Some of our under-30 travellers prefer to get around with people their own age. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

Over 29? We’ve got over 900 other great adventures to choose from for solo travellers, friends, families, food lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and more.


Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Destination
India
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
HHYV
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Capture your best selfie in front of the Taj Mahal – a marble masterpiece and the mother of all mausoleums, this Indian icon is all part of Agra’s allure.

  • Get among the relaxing vibes of Rishikesh with a one-hour morning Yoga class, then sleep under the starry Indian sky surrounded by nature and mountain views.

  • Snap pics in front of a slew of ornate pink-hued buildings in the fabulously photogenic Jaipur and opt to float over this pretty city in a hot air balloon.

  • Let your expert leader navigate you through the busy, bustling and bold streets of Delhi. With so much going on, a guide should almost be a requirement.

  • Watch the sunrise on the holy Ganges River in Varanasi for a somewhat spiritual experience. This thought-provoking part of the journey invigorates even the weariest of travellers.

Is this trip right for you?

  • As this is a Basix trip, there is plenty of free time built into the itinerary for you to enjoy as you wish in each destination. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get your bearings and give you plenty of suggestions, but then what you do next is up to you! Please take into account spending money for optional sightseeing that isn't included in the trip cost when budgeting for your journey.

  • 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. Layers are the best way to tackle any disparities in weather.

  • We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

  • This trip involves some long train rides, while this can be tiresome, train travel is a classic Indian experience. 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 the same or opposite gender. 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.

Itinerary

Namaste, welcome to Delhi! Your adventure officially kicks off with an important Welcome Meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and travel companions. If you arrive in Delhi with time to spare, there's plenty to do in this wonderfully chaotic city. You might like to wander the streets, sip on your first chai or practice haggling in one of the many markets.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning head out on a walking tour around the commercial heart of Delhi, visiting Chandni Chowk (Sheeshganj Gurudwara) and Connaught Place along the way. Explore Old Delhi on a bicycle rickshaw to dig that little bit deeper. You'll then have some free time to do as much sightseeing as you can, before boarding an overnight sleeper train bound for Varanasi.
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
Optional Activities
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your train journey should take around 13 hours and you'll arrive into Varanasi early in the morning.
Arrive into Varanasi early and head straight to the hotel to freshen up before plunging headfirst into this holy city, which is one of the world's oldest. Explore the narrow laneways and backstreets on a walking tour with your guide, before watching the world pass by along the ghats. Your evening is then free to do as you wish.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Wake up early and experience one of the highlights of your time in India. This morning, jump in boats and watch the sunrise over the Ganges. Pilgrims bathing, cremation fires and riverside haircuts - India is best before dawn and this is the way to see it. The rest of your day is free to explore, before catching an overnight train to Agra tonight.
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your train journey this evening is approximately 11 hours.
Arrive in Agra early this morning, then head to one of the most iconic sites in India, the Taj Mahal. Take in the beauty of this 17th-century masterpiece of white marble set amid beautiful formal gardens. Then, with some free time to explore at your leisure, you have a full day to discover Agra. You might like to explore the city on a motorised rickshaw tour, or visit Agra Fort, a huge complex built originally as a military structure of red sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1565. If you fancy a cool drink or a light meal, you might like to visit Sheroes Hangout. This cafe is staffed by survivors of acid attacks and is located just 10 minutes’ walk from the Taj.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
Optional Activities
  • Agra - Agra Fort - INR650
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Jump on a bus this morning and travel to Rajasthan's pink capital, Jaipur. On arrival into the city stop off at the Hawa Mahal (pink sandstone palace) before heading to your hotel. Use the opportunity to freshen up and then venture out for a walking tour of the old city. In your spare time, perhaps take an optional tour of the Jaipur City Palace or take the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Bollywood film in Raj Mandir Cinema. An authentic experience, you might not totally understand what's happening in the film but, trust us, the crowd's reactions to the movie will be enough to entertain you. Plus, the magnificent 1,300-seat art deco cinema is enough to make the experience worth it.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jaipur – Leader-led Walking Tour
Optional Activities
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
  • Jaipur - City Palace - INR700
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours.
For many travellers, a hot air balloon experience is one of the highlights of Jaipur. Ballooning can be done over Jaipur on the morning of Day 7, between September and April. For additional information, please see the 'Important notes' section of the Essential Trip Information. Later in the morning, enjoy a guided tour of the medieval Amber Fort with a local guide. Make sure to grab another cup of chai before settling in for this evening's overnight train journey. Tonight, you'll hop on a train bound for Rishikesh.
Accommodation
  • Overnight train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind)
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
Optional Activities
  • Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your train journey this evening is approximately 13 hours.
Arrive early in to Rishikesh, a spiritual town lying in the verdant foothills of the Himalayas. Embark on an orientation walk with your leader before enjoying free time to roam at your own leisure. Aptly named the 'Yoga Capital of the World', Rishikesh is a great place to relax and seek a little enlightenment. In your free time, why not visit The Beatles Ashram – a spiritual retreat inhabited by the famous band in the sixties. In the evening, perhaps take a stroll along the holy Ganges River as temple bells ring and the nightly fire ritual of Ganga Aarti begins.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rishikesh - Leader-led walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Rishikesh - Chaurasi Kutia 'The Beatles Ashram' - INR600
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
This morning, take the opportunity to unwind in Rishikesh and enjoy a one-hour yoga class. Afterwards, perhaps tuck into a masala dosa for breakfast before embarking on a short walk with your leader on one of the trails along the Ganges. For something more adventurous there is the option to white-water raft down the Ganges. In the afternoon, reunite with your group for a short walk through the jungle nearby. Tonight, experience sleeping under the stars just outside of Rishikesh, you’ll be staying in a fixed campsite with twin-shared beds and western-style toilets surrounded by nature and mountain views.
Accommodation
  • Camping (basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rishikesh - Yoga class
Optional Activities
  • Rishikesh - White Water Rafting - INR1500
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that during monsoon season from July to September, it's possible that you won't be able to camp for tonight due to weather conditions. In this case, you'll stay in your hotel in Rishikesh instead. No other inclusions will be impacted. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on the accommodation arrangement for today at the group meeting.
Have a chilled morning at your campsite before returning to Rishikesh where you’ll be able to use a day room to freshen up and have a shower. Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around Rishikesh before catching an evening train (approximately 5 hours) back to Delhi.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Your North India adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you'd prefer to stay on in Delhi a little bit longer, then additional accommodation can be booked prior to travel (subject to availability).
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Meals

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Jeep, Public bus, Private vehicle, Overnight sleeper train, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights), Camping with basic facilities (1 night)

Included activities

  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
  • Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Jaipur – Leader-led Walking Tour
  • Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind)
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Rishikesh - Leader-led walking tour
  • Rishikesh - Yoga class

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Real North India trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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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 excludes Day Days 2, 4 and 9 (overnight 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).

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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