Country(ies): India
Tour type: Small Group
Group size: Min: 2 | Max: 12
Accommodation:3-star hotels and heritage properties
Meals: Breakfasts - 10, Lunches - 1, Dinners - 1
Transport: A/C minivan/minibus and trains
Highlights:Old and New Delhi, Taj Mahal, Agra, local village in Suroth Mahal, Pink city of Jaipur, hill top fort, Abhaneri step well, River Ganges at Varanasi, Buddhist site at Sarnath
This 11-day northern India tour finishes with two days exploring the Holy City of Varanasi on the banks of the River Ganges, after exploring Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, rural Rajasthan and Jaipur.
This India tour starts in the capital city, Delhi, with tours of both the old and new sides of this bustling city, now home to over 18 million people. We then head south into the arid state of Rajasthan, home to impressive forts and palaces, colourful saris and jewellery, and fascinating Indian history. We firstly visit Agra, home to the incomparable Taj Mahal, the world's most famous monument to love. We continue the tour's theme of mixing unmissable tourist sites with activities and experiences more off the beaten track by taking a Mughal Heritage Walk with a local villager through farmland and homesteads on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River to the Taj Mahal. This tour supports the local community and provides a fascinating insight into village life in Agra as well as providing great views of the Taj not normally seen. We'll also see the Taj Mahal close up at sunrise as the changing morning light brings the building to life in different hues and colours.
Our next stop is the small and remote town of Hinduan where we stay in a converted palace and explore the village and surroundings, getting a real feel for rural Indian life. We'll then visit the Amber Fort, City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, as well as exploring its famous craft and produce markets.
After returning to Delhi, we take to India's famous railway network for the journey to Varanasi. One of the world's oldest living cities, Varanasi is also considered one of India's holiest and is an especially auspicious place for Hindus to make a pilgrimage to bathe in the waters of the River Ganges. While in Varanasi, we'll take an early morning boat trip on the river, take part in an evening Aarti ceremony giving candlelit offerings to the river, and visit Sarnath, where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
Another train journey then takes us back to Delhi to finish the India tour (flight upgrades are available if preferred).
The accommodations used on this tour have been carefully selected and include a home-stay style hotel whilst in Delhi, modern properties in Agra and Varanasi, plus heritage hotels in Jaipur and Hinduan.
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Once you arrive in Delhi, you'll be met by one of our local staff, who will transfer your hotel. Once you're settled in, we'll run through the tour itinerary for the next few days, brief you on the local area and arrange a time to collect you tomorrow.
OVERNIGHT:
Delhi hotel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
Single room supplement (INSGTV)
Extra day in Delhi - pre-tour
Your day starts with a morning tour of India's capital, New Delhi. Built on the banks of the Yamuna river, New Delhi is a beautiful blend of a historical past and a vibrant present.
We start at India Gate in the centre of New Delhi, a 42-metre high "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway, a war memorial built to commemorate the 82,000 soldiers who partook in the undivided Indian Army. We'll drive past various government buildings such as the President's Palace and the Parliament of India, before passing Humayun's Tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Bangla Sahab Gurudwara Sikh Temple.
We'll stop at Connaught Place Station and join the locals on the metro to Old Delhi where we'll walk through one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk, before exploring the narrow streets of Chawri Bazar which specialises in selling brass, copper and paper products. Throughout the afternoon our guide will also introduce you to the wide range of street food snacks and delicacies so you can get your first authentic taste of the delicious and varied Indian cuisine. Our walking tour will also take in a rickshaw ride and the Jama Masjid mosque, one of the largest in India.
OVERNIGHT:
Delhi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
None
We head to Agra this morning, home of the famous Taj Mahal. After arriving in Agra we'll make a stop for lunch at the Sheroes Hangout Cafe The cafe was set up by the Chhanv Foundation and is run by victirms of acid attacks. The cafe works to raise awareness of acid attacks in India and to empower those who have sadly been the victims of these heinous crimes. Prior to gaining employment in the cafe, many of the 'Sheroes' led solitary lives, rarely going outside due to shame associated with their scars. At Encounters Travel we're proud to support such an organisation, which has the sole aim of helping these women find acceptance, a supportive community and a means of income. Lunch will be included whilst at the cafe.
Once you've checked in into your hotel, we'll spend the afternoon on a Mughal Heritage Walk through the ancient village of Kachhpura and surrounding farmland on the banks of the Yamuna River across from the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. This walk has been designed by a local NGO and helps support the local community through employment and new infrastructure. During the walk one of the villagers will give a guide to their village life, the layout of their homes, with living, cooking & religious areas, the farming done, and the local cottage industry for leather shoe making which helps Agra export shoes all over the world. You'll also see some lesser known but important Mughal era monuments. Finally today we'll stroll around the park at Mehtab Bagh - originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks on the Yamuna River's east bank, before taking in the magnificent sight of the Taj Mahal at sunset.
A special evening option is available today, where you can join a Hindu family for a Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson and meal.
OVERNIGHT:
Agra hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch
EXTRAS:
Cook with a Hindu family in Agra
We start today early for our tour of the Taj Mahal. Truly one of the wonders of the world this elaborate monument to love was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and took over twenty-two years to complete. Sunrise is a great time to visit as the light changes gradually with the colours of the Taj changing too.
After breakfast we leave the region's popular tourist areas and head into the heart of rural Rajasthan to the small town of Suroth. The property was a former palace, now welcoming guests as a hotel, but retaining its heritage charm, with rooms painted with murals.
The afternoon sees us exploring the village, interacting with the local villagers, getting invaluable insight into seeing their way of life. Our walking tour will pass by local shops, down narrow streets, we'll visit a small temple and perhaps even visit a local barber shop where you can have a shave or head massage. In the evening we'll have a cooking demonstation before enjoying dinner at the hotels restaurant.
OVERNIGHT:
Suroth Mahal heritage hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
Today we head to Jaipur, the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Western India. Enroute, we'll visit the Abhaneri step well, the largest and deepest step well in the world, which boasts 3500 steps and is 13 stories deep. You may recognise this as the place that Sonny tried to express his feelings for Sunaina in the recent movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The remaider of the day in Jaipur will be free to explore at leisure or join one of our optional extras:
OVERNIGHT:
Jaipur heritage hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Jaipur Bollywood Movie - Raj Mandir Cinema
Hot air balloon in Jaipur
Jaipur Cooking demo and dinner with local family
You have an option of going on an early morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur, flying over its palaces, forts and lakes - a truly mesmerising experience.
If you chose to sleep a little later, your morning starts with a visit to the Amber Fort, the jewel in Jaipur's crown - an ancient fortress built on a hilltop in the 16th century dedicated to the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber. Be mesmerised by this majestic architectural wonder, with its pink sandstone and marble palace shining in the sun. It's massive fortress walls sprawls across the hills, with many seeing a resemblance of the Great Wall of China.
Later, we return to the city for a tour of Jaipur, as we visit the strange Jantar Mantar monument, a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II between 1724 and 1730. Jaipur was the first planned city of medieval India and we'll also explore its City Palace. Built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732 AD, the City Palace was once the seat of kings as it was from here that they ruled the region. This tangle of courtyards, manicured gardens and exceptionally crafted mahals is one of the most revered attractions in India.
We spend the remainder of the day walking in the walled city to discover some of Jaipur's famous crafts markets and craftsmen in action such as jewellers, silversmiths, textile workshops and bangle makers. Our tour will include a blockprinting workshop, where we learn the ways in which fabric is decorated using this ancient method and we'll also have a gemstone demonstation.
OVERNIGHT:
Jaipur heritage hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Hot air balloon in Jaipur
We leave Jaipur today to head back to Delhi, from where we'll take the train to Varanasi tomorrow. You can use your remaining time in Delhi for last minute shopping, exploration of join our optional visit to the Swaminarayan Akshardham a Hindu mandir and a spiritual-cultural campus, home to millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture and architecture to witness the mesmerizing Sahaj Anand water show - which makes use of multicoloured lasers, under-water flames, video projection, water jets combine to provide a captivating experience which tells the story of Kena Upanishad - a Vedic Sanskrit text.
OVERNIGHT:
Delhi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
None
Today we'll board the Vande Bharat train, bound for Varanasi. The journey will take approximately 8 hours. From the window you'll be able to the outskirts of Delhi and rural Indian life as we make our way to Varanasi.
After arriving you'll have some free time to settle or begin exploring. As night falls, we head to the holy Ganges River for the evening Aarti ceremony, a devotional Hindu ritual which involves numerous small candles being lit inside cups made from leaves and flowers and floated down the river. Varanasi is one of India's holiest cities and we get our first taste here of how important the city and the Ganges River is to the country's Hindu population.
OVERNIGHT:
Varanasi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
None
Our second day in Varanasi starts with an early morning boat ride along the Ganges River, as we explore the city. The Ganges is a constant hive of activity throughout the day, as hordes of people come to pray and immerse themselves in its spiritually cleansing waters. The city is also considered an extremely auspicious place to die, and many people come to Varanasi to spend their final days. We'll see many funeral pyres on the ghats at the edge of the river as we pass by on the water. Whilst on the river, you'll have the opportunity to offer Pind Daan in memory of any deceased loved ones.
We'll then go on a walking tour of the city, exploring its medieval streets, intricate temples and busy markets, abuzz with the general cacophony of Indian life. We'll also spend some time exploring the Ghats which straddle the banks of the Ganges.
In the afternoon we take the short trip to the ancient Buddhist site at Sarnath where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after becoming enlightened.
OVERNIGHT:
Varanasi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
None
This morning we'll re-join the Vande Bharat for the journey back to Delhi. We'll arrive in the afternoon and the remainder of the day will be free for any last minute shopping or exploration.
OVERNIGHT:
Delhi hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
None
You have some free time in Delhi this morning until we transfer you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home. You could also consider adding to go on safari looking for tigers in Ranthambore National Park, or head to the beach at Goa for some sun, sea and relaxation, Indian style.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Ranthambore National Park Safari
Extra day in Delhi - post-tour
Spinmonkey cycling tour
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Similar tours:
The following tours also connect with this trip on a similar shortened or extended itinerary:
We have regular group departures, limited to 12 passengers throughout the year. If you'd like to take the tour on a private basis, please contact us for a quotation.
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The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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