Real North India
11 days
From
$ 608
Duration11 days
Dive into Delhi, Varanasi, Agra and Bundi 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 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 tour is operated by
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Duration: 11 daysService level: Basic
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 18+
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Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Namaste. Welcome to Delhi. Meet your tour leader and new travel mates at a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, there's plenty to do in this wonderfully chaotic city. Wander the streets, sip on your first chai or practice haggling in one of the many markets. If you prefer some structure, there's a variety of Urban Adventure day tours that offer a great first taste of Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi - Overnight train
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. The journey should take around 13 hours and you'll arrive into Varanasi early in the morning.
Day 3: Varanasi
Arrive into Varanasi early and head straight to the hotel to freshen up before plunging head first 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.
Day 4: Varanasi - Overnight train
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 best way to see it. The rest of your day is free to explore, before catching an overnight train to Agra tonight (approximately 11 hours).
Day 5: Agra
Arrive into Agra early this morning, then head to the most iconic site in India, the Taj Mahal. The highlights of India just keep coming. You have a full day to explore Agra on a motorised rickshaw trip, with Agra Fort being another incredible optional activity in the afternoon. The rest of your day is then free.
Day 6: Jaipur
Jump on a bus this morning and travel for around four hours 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.
Day 7: Jaipur
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 June. For additional information, please see the important notes section of your trip notes. Later in the morning, enjoy a guided tour of the medieval Amber Fort with a local guide. The rest of your day is then free to explore Jaipur on your own.
Day 8: Bundi
Travel for around five hours this morning to Bundi, a tranquil town that feels like a world away from the chaos of Jaipur. Home to the famed stepwells (stairs that descend to pools or water or wells) and a ruined hilltop castle, it's a compact town best explored on foot. Meet your local guide and see this charming town through his eyes. Your guide will take you around the stepwells, Bundi Palace and may even point you in the right direction of best cup of chai in Rajasthan.
Day 9: Bundi - Overnight train
Enjoy a free day to check out more of Bundi. Perhaps spend the day exploring the city's 50-odd stepwells. Stroll narrow lanes of blue houses, one of the many enduring signs of the Bundi's royal past. Or check out some of the city's temples or lakes. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with another cup of chai before settling in for this evening's ten-hour overnight train journey. Tonight, you'll hop a train bound for Delhi.
Day 10: Delhi
Arrive into Delhi early, with the day free to do some more exploring. There are shopping experiences aplenty or perhaps book an Urban Adventure to get your last proper taste of India. An optional group dinner tonight is a great way to finish a memorable trip in this remarkable country.
Day 11: Delhi
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).
Inclusions
Included
- Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
- Delhi - Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
- Varanasi - Old City tour
- Varanasi - Sunrise boat trip
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Jaipur - Walking & market tour
- Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind)
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Bundi - Stepwell
- Bundi - Palace
- Bundi - Town walk
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Transport
Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Jeep, Public bus, Private vehicle, Overnight sleeper train, Train -
Accommodation
Heritage Property (3 nights), Hotel (4 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)