Simply North & South India - 26 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.

Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport for an included flight to Trivandrum. When you land, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, you'll have a second group meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your new leader and the travellers joining your group for the next stage of your journey. After the meeting, consider heading out for an optional group dinner – your group leader will be able to recommend some delicious spots to eat at.

In the morning, travel up the coast by private vehicle to the town of Varkala. Settle into your hotel, then you’ll have free time to explore the Keralan coast – home to some of India’s best beaches. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. In the evening, maybe head into town to one of the numerous restaurants serving fresh, local seafood caught right off the coast.

Today is a free day for you to discover Varkala at your own pace. This is a great place to sit back and relax, but if you want to get active, there are plenty of water activities on offer, like surfing and windsurfing. Even though this is a popular destination for Indian tourists, the beaches are quiet and have a laidback vibe. Take the rest of the day to relax, beachside or otherwise, before the rest of south India beckons.

This morning, board a train along the Keralan coastline to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Once an important trading port and now renowned for the annual Snake Boat race in August, Alappuzha is the starting point for most journeys into the Kerala backwaters. An auto-rickshaw will take you from the train station to your boat, which will take you to an island village. You’ll spend the night at a homestay owned and managed by a local family. Get settled, then you’ll have the option to explore the Kerala backwaters in a pole boat. Your local guide will also take you on a walk around the village, through paddy fields and small canals. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the local ways of the backwaters.

In the morning, cross the backwaters by private boat back to Alappuzha. You’ll then take a local bus to Kochi, arriving around midday. When you arrive, go for a walk around the Fort Kochi area, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. In the early evening, there’s the option to attend a classic Kathakali dance performance – a snapshot into traditional cultures of this region.

Today, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Cochin to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue, and Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace) on a guided walking tour. After the tour, the rest of your day is free for you to do as you wish.

This morning, get ready for a day of travel as you head by private vehicle to Periyar National Park. After checking in to your hotel, you might like to head out on an optional tour of a local spice farm. Walk through the winding pathways among the plantations as the scent of cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla lingers in the air. Take in the beauty of the cardamom flowers, feel the cool breeze and watch the sunlight seep in through the leaves of the pepper plants surrounding you. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed evening back at your accommodation, maybe settling in for an early night.

Today is a free day – maybe head out on an optional walk around Periyar National Park. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk than an animal-spotting tour, but do keep an eye out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. This afternoon, you might like to unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage, watch a performance of Kalaripayattu (an ancient Indian martial art) or just relax in your scenic surroundings.

In the morning, take a private transfer to Madurai. This buzzing city is crammed full of bazaars, pilgrims and cycle rickshaws. Go on a walking tour to see the highlights, then maybe visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple. This ancient temple is still in use and features a labyrinth of lamplit corridors leading to shrines.

Today is a free day in Madurai. Consider heading to the Gandhi Museum to learn about the man who fought for India’s independence or wander through the 1000 pillars of Aayiram Kaal Mandapam. This is also a great opportunity to haggle with vendors at the bazaars and the tailors' market. This evening, you’ll take an overnight sleeper train to Mysore. Before you board, you may want to stock up on some extra snacks for the journey.

Disembark from your train and transfer to your hotel in Mysore – an easy-going town with a pleasant climate. Go on an orientation walk with your group, checking out the ornate Mysore Palace along the way. There’s also the option to visit the Keshava Temple in Somnathpur, which is a stunning example of Hoysala architecture.

Today is a free day in Mysore, with plenty of optional activities to keep you busy. If you’ve seen all you need to in town, maybe explore the countryside surrounding Mysore. You could climb up Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at the top, which is dedicated to the goddess Durga. At around 7 pm tonight, meet up with your group and board an overnight train to Hampi.

In the morning, arrive in Hampi and travel to your hotel. Hampi is a temple town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Once you’re settled in, make an optional visit to the architectural masterpiece of Vittala Temple. This 16th-century temple contains mandapas (pillared pavilions), a pool, a palace and the popular stone chariot – according to Hindu mythology, this was the vehicle of the Lord Vishnu.

Today, you might like to explore the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire and the huge boulders on the outskirts of town. In the early evening, board a private vehicle to Hubli, where you’ll hop on an overnight train to Goa.

Once your train arrives in Goa, head to the hotel and check in. Brimming with Portuguese influences and known for the sandy beaches lining its coast, Goa is a fascinating region in India's south-west. The rest of your day is free to spend however you like. Maybe relax on the beach, sip a cocktail at a local bar or go for a city walk. Tonight, why not get together with your travel crew for a beachside dinner – Goa is cause for celebration.

There are no activities planned for the final day and your adventure comes to an end. Goa is a great place to end the trip – if you can, it’s highly recommended you extend your stay for a couple of nights to relax and explore. If you would like to spend more time in Goa, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).