Discover India
15 days
From
$ 2999
Duration15 days
Delve into the cultural riches of India during 15 unforgettable days in Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi, and more. Enjoy a guided tour of the world’s most magnificent testimonial to love, the Taj Mahal. Visit the birthplace of Buddhism and Hinduism, spend a night in a traditional village, witness holy rituals on a sunrise Ganges cruise, and discover the hidden side of Delhi with a former at-risk youth now taking part in a G Adventures-supported project. Don’t just see India; glimpse its soul.
This tour is operated by
-
Duration: 15 daysService level: Upgraded
-
Physical Grading: Light
-
Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel (check-in time is 12:00 noon).
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.
This tour covers a lot of ground and has many exciting inclusions. Please be prepared for a fair amount of driving and a busy pace.
Day 2: Delhi
Enjoy a youth-led walk through Delhi as part of the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. Later, explore Old Delhi with your CEO including a rickshaw ride through the busy streets, Jama Masjid (Great Mosque), Chandni Chowk local market, and Gurdwara Sikh Temple.
Meals: B
Day 3: Delhi/Varanasi
Varanasi is the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, worship, or mourning.
Fly to Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city. Enjoy a lecture at the Ghats of the Ganges by a research scholar about the river's significance spiritually, socially, economically, and politically. After, we'll cruise the sacred Ganges at sunset, enjoy a candle and flower ceremony accompanied by sitar and tabla playing, and observe an evening aarti (prayer) ceremony.
Meals: B
Day 4: Varanasi
Rise early for a boat ride along the Ganges to observe the sunrise, as well as the bathing and burial dawn rituals. Later, have breakfast at Open Hand, a vocational training cafe. G Adventures has partnered with Open Hand to provide dignified and meaningful job opportunities to India's underprivileged. Take an excursion to Sarnath later in the afternoon, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
Meals: B
Day 5: Varanasi/Lucknow
Travel to Lucknow, known for its cuisine and fascinating cultural heritage. Explore the city including a visit the imposing Bara Imambara, a Shia Muslim shrine and then take a foodie walk with a local expert to taste specialities from chefs called “Bawarchi Tola” serving up traditional dishes from their open-air kitchens.
Meals: B, D
Day 6: Lucknow/Āgra
Travel by private bus to Agra, one of the Mughal Empire's most important cities.
Meals: B
Day 7: Āgra/Ranthambore National Park
The bustling city of Agra is best known as the site of India’s most famous landmark and testament to love, the Taj Mahal.
This morning, explore the magnificent Taj Mahal. Later, travel to Ranthambore National Park and take in the magnificent surroundings before heading out on safari the next day.
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Ranthambore National Park
Explore the park with local rangers on a private safari drive in search of deer, birds, leopards, monkeys, and if we're lucky, the elusive tigers. Also, walk with locals through the ruins of the 1,000-year-old Ranthambore Fort and visit the Ganesh Temple.
Meals: B, D
Day 9: Ranthambore National Park/Jaipur
After a leisurely breakfast we'll head to India's "Pink City," also known as Jaipur. Founded in 1728, Jaipur has the distinction of being one of the best-planned pre-modern cities.
Drive to Jaipur and delve further into India's history.
Meals: B
Day 10: Jaipur
Explore Jaipur including the City Palace, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar Observatory, and Hawa Mahal. This evening, enjoy a culinary experience with a family in Jaipur, including a local market visit, cooking demonstration, and meal in their home.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Jaipur/Jojawar
Travel to the village of Jojawar and spend the night in a historic heritage hotel. Explore the village and take the opportunity to meet with locals who provide insight into rural life in India. Opt to take a rural train safari through the Aravali Hill ranges.
Meals: B, D
Day 12: Jojawar/Udaipur
We continue on to Udaipur, famous for its lakes and Raj-era palaces. The most famous of these, and certainly the most photographed, is the Lake Palace, which we view from the boat. This beautiful white marble palace is now a hotel and entirely covers a small island in Lake Pichola. Originally known as the Jag Niwas, the palace took three years to build and was inaugurated in 1746.
Travel to Udaipur and take an orientation walk and boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Meals: B
Day 13: Udaipur
During free time, journey out to the hilltop Monsoon Palace, summer resort of the Maharajas. Sit atop a hill with a panoramic view of the city’s lakes and watch the sunset.
Explore the City including a visit to the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India and the Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. This evening, take a yoga class.
Meals: B
Day 14: Udaipur/Delhi
Fly to Delhi for the final evening with the option to enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals: B
Day 15: Delhi
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Ganges River Talk, Varanasi Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Lucknow Local Food Walk, Lucknow Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Family Culinary Experience, Jaipur Your G for Good Moment: Women on Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airport Your G for Good Moment: City Walk, Delhi Your Wellness Moment: Yoga Class, Udaipur
- Rickshaw tour of Old Delhi
- Orientation walk of Varanasi
- Excursion to Sarnath
- Sunset and sunrise boat trips on the Ganges River
- Tour of Lucknow
- Bara Imambara visit
- Tours of the Taj Mahal
- Safari drive
- Visit Ranthambore Fort and the Ganesh temple
- Tour Jaipur and visit Amber Fort
- Village stay at Rawla Jojawar in a historic heritage hotel
- Tour Udaipur
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
-
Transport
Minibus, Train, Auto-rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, Boat, Plane, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (14 nts)