14-day North India Group Tour

Welcome to New Delhi – and the start of your India group tour! You’ll meet your group and Adventure Leader this morning, where you’ll get a trip briefing to lay out your fortnight’s travels and tips on staying safe in India.

After this, it’s off to your first unmissable experience – a Hindi language lesson. Your local guide will take you through the basics and key phrases that you’ll need for your next two weeks. From there, it’s off for a tour of the city’s highlights. You’ll visit Old Delhi and its temples and spice markets, Connaught Place in the downtown district, and the beautiful Sri Bangla Sahib Gurdwara.

This evening, explore the area to grab yourself some dinner – and don’t forget to ask your Adventure Leader for tips!

Today is yours to spend as you see fit. However, we’d recommend spending a relaxing morning at the Lodhi Garden, followed by a visit to the Khan Market. Be sure to seek out the India Gate, and the Aagrasen ki Baoli – the oldest monument in Central Delhi.

This afternoon, you’ve got plenty of options to explore. Why not pay a visit to:

- Aksardham, a beautiful Hindu temple
- Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of Delhi
- Raj Ghat, a memorial complex dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi
- The Lotus Temple, whose iconic design makes it a must-see
- Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent

Make sure you’re back in good time, though, as you’ll be travelling overnight on the night train to Varanasi – destination #2 on our India group tour!

After arriving in Varanasi this morning, you’ll transfer to your next accommodation where you’ll have some time to rest and freshen up. You’ll then meet your Adventure Leader for your second Hindi language lesson, where you can build on what you’ve already learned.

If you’re feeling bright enough, you can opt to pay a visit to the Sarnath Buddhist and Hindu archaelogical site. According to tradition, Sarnath is where Buddha taught his first sermon, and is today home to some truly remarkable preserved artefacts and sites.

You’ll all meet up this evening, though, for your next unmissable experience. What better way to greet Varanasi than with a Ghat boat tour, complete with the Ganga Aarti ceremony? After the ceremony, you’ll disembark at the Dasawamedh Ghat, where you can opt to join your group for dinner before returning to get some well deserved sleep!

Your second day in Varanasi starts on the water again, as you can opt to join your group for a sunrise boat tour to grab some truly spectacular views. After this, you’ll meet back up with your Adventure Leader where you’ll have the opportunity to ask them any burning questions.

This afternoon, you might opt to join your group for a walk around the old market in Varanasi. This is a great way to close out your time in Varanasi before you move onto your next destination via night train – Agra!

After arriving in Agra this morning, transfer to your new accommodation to get some well-deserved rest. If you need time at your leisure, you can rest up today. Otherwise, why not join us for an optional trip this afternoon? Head out to Agra Fort and the Baby Taj for a glimpse of Agra’s spectacular architecture.

If you’d like, this evening join your group for dinner and drinks at the fabulous Salt Café. You might want to take it easy, though – you’ve got an early start!

Before we head off to Jaipur, it’s up early for a sunrise visit to the most famous site in India – the Taj Mahal! Explore this incredible complex as the sun rises, and be back in time to grab your private transfer to Jaipur.

After checking in here, jump on the bus to Nahagarth Fort, which features one of the most amazing viewpoints from which to watch the sun set. If you’re hungry, join your group for dinner this evening.

Are you an early riser? If so, you might want to capitalise on this with one of the most exciting options to start the day: a balloon safari! Otherwise, wake up in your own time this morning and grab breakfast, before opting to visit the spectacular Amber Palace, which is built entirely of yellow and pink sandstone.

This afternoon is yours to spend as you see fit. You might want to explore the City Palace and the next-door Hawa Mahal, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, or get your fill of shopping at the Bapu Bazaar. After this, you can opt to meet your group for an early evening food court tour to grab some local delicacies, before exploring the nightlife that Jaipur has to offer.

Another early start, as you’re up with the birds for another unmissable activity – a trip to the Monkey Temple! This temple is an incredible site that’s often a Hindu pilgrimage, and features incredible architecture, beautiful landscapes… and monkeys!

For the rest of the morning, you can either spend it at your resting up, exploring the Pink City, or taking part in a fabulous dance class!

This afternoon, we’ll transfer to Jaipur station, bound for the next stop on our India group tour: Jaisalmer!

You’ll arrive in Jaisalmer this morning. You can head to a local hostel for a rest and to grab some breakfast, before opting to join us as we explore the fascinating Jaisalmer Fort. This amazing structure is 250 feet tall in places, and parts of it date back to the mid-1600s! You can then opt to head to a remarkable viewpoint in the local area – Gadsisar Lake!

It’s a flying visit though, as we’re taking you into the Thar desert for your next unmissable activity – and arguably, the jewel of your India adventure tour. Transfer by jeep into the desert, where you’ll take part in a camel trek that leads you to the site of your camp. Here, you’ll have dinner al fresco, and set up your comfortable beds, ready for a night sleeping under the stars.

There’s no escaping the sunrise this morning, as it’ll wake you gently from your spot in the desert. After preparing a breakfast and packing up, you’ll head back to the city, ready to transfer to Jodhpur.

After your private transfer arrives, you’ll check in to your next hostel and drop your things. We’ll then take you on tour to orientate yourself in the Blue City, where you’ll see landmarks like the Clock Tower and the fascinating Toorji Ka Jhalra – the ancient step well.

This evening, feel free to join your group near Stepwell for a drink.

Today’s a free day to spend as you see fit! If you’d like to join us for an optional activity, however, you might opt for:

- A cooking class, where you’ll learn about the history of Indian food and its place in wider culture. You’ll develop an appreciation for the flavours of true traditional Indian cuisine.
- A pulse-raising Flying Fox zip line experience! Whiz across the city and the fort, getting both incredible views and a real adrenaline rush.

This evening, why not meet your group for a drink atop the hostel?

Late morning today, you’ll fly to your final destination on the India group tour: Mumbai!

You’ll spend the day transferring to your accommodation, arriving in the late afternoon – just in time for movie night! This evening, why not grab a view of the city from a roof top bar?

If you’d like to learn more about local life in Mumbai, opt to join us this morning for a tour of the Dharavi Slum. You’ll also get the chance to visit the Dhobi Ghat Malaxmi – the largest outdoor laundry in the entire world!

This afternoon, meet up with your group for an unmissable tour of Mumbai. Along the way, you’ll explore must-see sites like the Gateway of India and the Coloba District. In the evening, you might opt to spend your last night with the group exploring all the exciting nightlife that Mumbai has to offer.

This morning, before we all go our separate ways, you can opt to join us for a trip to the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, dedicated to the life and works of Gandhi. Otherwise, your day is at your leisure – and it’s just left to bid farewell to your group as your India group tour comes to an end.