Indian Getaway - 11 Days

Namaste! Welcome to Delhi, a fabulously chaotic capital city that will warm your heart and overwhelm your senses. The air is thick with the smell of spices and the sound of mayhem as vendors whip up masala chai on side streets, locals barter at bazaars for the best bargain and bhangra music blasts from the alleyways. Your adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, why not head out and explore the streets?

This morning, check out the sights and sounds of Old Delhi on a leader-led tour of this fascinating quarter of the capital. Take a ride on the city's modern metro system and get a taste of India's famed public transport with a cycle rickshaw ride through the chaotic streets (such as the famous Chandni Chowk). You’ll also visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings – then stop by the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the spiritual traditions of Sikhism. In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train bound for Varanasi.

When you arrive in Varanasi this morning, check into your hotel and freshen up before heading out on a guided walking tour of the Old City. Set along the banks of the holy Ganges River, Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city that’s overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees. Navigate through Varanasi's maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.

If you’re up for an early start today, it’s highly recommended you take an optional boat ride down the Ganges to watch the sunrise. Even if you're not the spiritual sort, this experience offers incredibly scenery. Pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river, and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water as the sun bathes the surroundings in shades of amber and orange. Witness the rituals of life and death taking place along the riverbank and be prepared for potentially confronting sights and smells, as this is also where families come to cremate their loved ones. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace – ask your leader for their suggestions.

Today, there’s lots of free time to explore more of Varanasi before you get an authentic taste of Indian life on board an overnight sleeper train bound for Agra this evening. You could take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations and the site where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment. Or you could visit the crumbling 17th-century Ramnagar Fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges. Varanasi is home to India’s silk-making industry, so maybe investigate the many silk markets dotted around the city, otherwise you could take a class to work on your yoga skills.

Get ready to tick off a major bucket list item today – the glorious Taj Mahal. Head out for a guided tour of this elaborate monument when you arrive in Agra. After, you’ll have a free day to explore more of Agra's highlights. There’s the option to take a trip on a motorised rickshaw to visit some of the city’s best monuments. If you’ve got the energy, head out to Agra Fort and stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold or check out Akbar's Mausoleum, a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors. In the evening, maybe try some signature local dishes like biryani or korma, or sit down for a meal at Sheroes Hangout – a cafe that supports acid attack survivors.

Drive through the countryside to Tordi Garh – a village that few travellers venture to. This remote village offers a fantastic glimpse of the real Rajasthan. When you arrive, meet the locals for a guided walk – you’ll visit the old village temple and wander through the markets, gaining an insight into everyday life in this peaceful community. Tonight, you’ll sleep in heritage accommodation – a 16th-century palace with its owner as your host. Settle in, then savour delicious local flavours during tonight’s included dinner.

Take a private vehicle to Jaipur, India's oh-so-pretty Pink City. You'll have plenty of free time here to haggle to your heart's content at the bazaars and backstreets where vendors sell a variety of textiles, gemstones and stunning blue pottery. Go on a guided walk with your leader to get the lay of the land in the city, then maybe drop by one of India’s finest palaces – the Royal City Palace. Food lovers will want to hit the streets for raj kachori chaat (a snack served with chutney, yogurt, chili and potato). Then, you might like to cool off with a lassi at Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop – Lassiwala. This evening, you might like to see a Bollywood blockbuster at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema. Your accommodation for tonight will be in another family-run heritage hotel.

If you're keen for a different view of the Pink City, an optional early morning hot air balloon ride is highly recommended. Speak to your leader about organising this optional activity. Later in the morning, you might like to drop by Hawa Mahal (AKA the ‘Palace of the Winds’). The palace’s impressive five-storey facade with pink and honeycombed windows has made it the most photographed building in the country after the Taj Mahal. Then, you’ll venture out to the old capital of Amber to explore the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The rest of the day is free for you to spend however you like. You might like to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 18th century.

This morning, take a train ride back to India's capital. This exciting city is overflowing with incredible historic sites, museums, galleries, shops and endless bazaars. Watch as people, cars, rickshaws and cows all move through the streets together in a kind of organised chaos. You might like to sit back with a chai and let it all soak in as you enjoy a free day to explore. Ask your expert leader for their top recommendations on how to make the most of your time here. You could visit the 16th-century Humayun's Tomb or the Qutub Minar – the tallest minaret in India. This evening, join your group for an optional farewell dinner and toast to your adventures.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end. If you'd like to spend more time in Delhi, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.