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See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Discover the best of northern India on this highlight-packed adventure. Led by an expert tour leader, we marvel at the always-impressive Taj Mahal, a New Wonder of the World, and explore the Pink City of Jaipur. We also have an early morning boat ride along the mist-shrouded ghats of Varanasi, an experience only equalled by wildlife spotting in Sariska National Park. Add to that the everyday wonders – smiling locals, whizzing rickshaws and flavoursome curries – and you will see why North India is such a favourite with our groups.
Want to travel outside of summer? Visit our standard Highlights of Northern India page.
Our adventure begins in Delhi, a thrumming city chock full of architectural masterpieces. Meet the group either at a named meeting point (normally Iris Park hotel) or Delhi Airport – see the Joining Instructions for more information.
We than drive to Sariska National Park, which may take between three and four hours depending upon traffic.
Around 6pm, we gather as a group to learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative
Accommodation: Sariska Tiger Camp (or Similar)
Sariska National Park was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and is home to nilgai, wild boar, jackals, hyenas and chowsingha (four-horned antelope). The game drive will be in the buffer zone, mainly on sealed roads. Although these departures operate during the rainy season, the crowds are reduced and those with an interest in bird life will find an abundance in Sariska. In the afternoon, we drive to Jaipur and transfer to our hotel.
Accommodation: 7 Apple Hotel – Jalmahal (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Enjoy a full day to explore Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and one of the most attractive cities in India. Built in the late 18th century, it is a planned city of broad sandstone avenues that were later painted pink.
Early risers can join a dawn walking tour as the Pink City begins to wake. Visiting different chowkris (blocks) within the walled city, we can see the local people start their day and watch the rituals that take place in early morning markets and small temples. We can also interact with different artisan communities, while also sampling local food and drink.
We return to the hotel in time to join anyone preferring a more leisurely start for a later breakfast and to freshen up, before the whole group heads out mid-morning. We visit one of the most intriguing sites in India, Jantar Mantar (Jaipur Observatory), an assembly of immense marble-and-brass astronomical instruments in a pleasant garden. We also see the impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).
Then, travel just outside the main city to the Amber Palace, an imposing hilltop fort above a lake with large courtyards, finely decorated interiors and a Chamber of Mirrors. The evening is free for you to relax.
Accommodation: 7 Apple Hotel – Jalmahal (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Relax this morning and enjoy a well-earned later start. Mid-morning, we drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son: his successor, the Emperor Jehangir.
The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers; the palaces; residences; and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years. In 1584, Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today – in perfect condition.
Accommodation: Hotel Sun Ring (or similar)
Wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft early light, the crowds are smaller and the birds chatter among themselves. After admiring it from the outside, we head inside, with a chance to explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum, while our tour leader shares the history of this New World Wonder.
Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of Emperor Akbar’s sons and successors: Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.
Later in the day, we visit the Mughal mausoleum of Itmad-ud-Daula (also known as Baby Taj) and then head to Mehtab Bagh, the Moonlight Garden, ending the day across the river from the Taj Mahal. Here we can witness the sunset as it falls across the white marble of the Taj Mahal.
Accommodation: Hotel Sun Ring (or similar)
Another early start today to reach the Agra station for our 6am Vande Bharat Express train to Varanasi. Once onboard, you can relax and rest before we arrive in Varanasi around 1pm and transfer to our hotel, where we can check-in from 2pm.
On the river Ganges, Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in India and stands at the centre of the Hindu universe. As such, the city lives and breathes Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious elders and casual visitors. It is a city to immerse yourself in: explore the maze of narrow lanes and many temples and watch the Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. There is time to visit emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by the riverbanks.
This afternoon, we can take an optional visit to nearby Sarnath Temple. Sarnath is as sacred to Buddhists as Varanasi is to Hindus. The main monument at Sarnath is the Dhamekh Stupa, the very spot where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. There’s also an archaeology museum, which exhibits Buddhist artefacts and houses the findings of excavations from the Sarnath site.
Your tour leader can organise various optional sightseeing trips during your two days here.
Accommodation: Hotel Surya (or similar)
Upgrade to a premium room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Just before dawn, we take a boat ride on the Ganges to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river. Every day, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to this 3mi (5km) stretch of riverbank to soak in the holy waters.
This afternoon, we board the Vande Bharat Express train back to Delhi, a great opportunity to see and experience more of India as you pass through rural villages, towns and cities. A light snack dinner is provided, which usually includes a soup and light meal with rice and vegetables. You may wish to pick up some additional snacks/fruit prior to boarding.
We arrive in Delhi late evening and transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Iris Park (or similar)
Today you are free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish). Recommended sites include the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and Raj Ghat.
For last-minute shopping, visit the market area of Chandni Chowk or Karol Bagh.
Accommodation: Iris Park (or similar)
Our adventure through northern India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.
We stay in centrally located city hotels (two- or three-star, local rating) that mix heritage and modern styles, plus a jungle hotel in Sariska National Park.
The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip.
Sariska: Sariska Tiger Camp (night 1)
A resort situated close to the Sariska Tiger Reserve offering comfortable accommodation with modern amenities. The restaurant serves authentic regional dishes, plus you can relax in the pool or just sit in the gardens giving your senses a break, away from city noise, smells and heat!
Jaipur: 7 Apple Hotel (nights 2-3)
The 7 Apple sits directly across from Jal Mahal Lake in the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Recently refurbished, it has modern and bright rooms with lake or Nahargarh Hill views.
Worth knowing
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
It is ideal for culturally curious travellers eager to explore and experience as much as possible. We cover the highlights of northern India in a short time, which means the itinerary is generally fast paced – prepare for some long days and early starts. India can be challenging, while the heat and bustle of some cities can be a little overwhelming. That said, there are peaceful spots and you will undoubtedly return with memories to last a lifetime.
Journeys: Departures in summer may experience train delays or cancellations. If a severe delay occurs, the group travels on a private comfortable bus instead between Agra and Varanasi. In the rare event we can’t travel by bus or fly, we have an alternative itinerary in which we visit Bharatpur, Deeg Palace and Mathura instead of Varanasi.
Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published, so it is not possible to warn you when work will be taking place.
Start hotel: Sariska Tiger Camp, Village Dhawala, Alwar – Jaipur Rd, Rajasthan 301001, India
Phone: +91 93140 17210
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
The start hotel is approximately three to four hours’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Meet at the airport
Your easiest option is to join the group at Indira Gandhi International Airport – you can confirm the meet time with your sales representative.
Meet at a named hotel
Alternatively, you can meet at Iris Park, Delhi (A 1/23&24, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029)
You should be at the hotel by 9am, where you are met by a local representative and transferred to the airport to join the rest of the group. Please note, this time may change and will be confirmed in your pre-travel Joining Instructions.
Exodus provides free departure transfers from the end hotel to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for all customers. If you would like further information on joining a transfer, we will require all flight details two weeks prior to departure to secure the transfer. Please speak to your sales representative to arrange.
To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html
Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
For more information on applying for your Indian visa, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information
New Digital Arrival Card
Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.
India is famous for its food and there is ample opportunity to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink.
Allow at least 1,400-2,400 rupees (US$16-US$28) per day for lunch and dinner. In most towns we visit, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (approximately US$4).
Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large container in the bus to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring your own refillable water bottle.
In July, August and September, expect very hot days and warm nights (28C-40C/82F-104F). Rain is also likely at any time from the end of June until September and can be very heavy. However, it moderates the temperatures and humidity.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
This trip far surpassed my expectations. Yes India is a noisy, crowded, chaotic and messy country but WOW it has so much to share. From historical sights to magical landscapes, alongside constant bombardment of exotic smells and people. I cannot recommend this trip enough. It has totally opened my eyes...
Of course, the Taj mahal must always take precedence. The visit there was the purpose of my tour. And it did not fail to astound me. But I fell in love with Jaipur. Its walled city and the markets within. Amazing
Our group leader Krishna was everything you could ever want in a tour guide - extremely knowledgeable, helpful, considerate, courteous, thoughtful, genuine, organized, punctual and had a true passion to share the wonders of his country both historically and present day. He answered every question thrown at him - considering the range of questions this was no easy task! Honestly, I could not have asked for a better person to introduce me to the wonders of India.
Don't be worried about the negative attention that India often gets. Go on this tour and experience just how magical this place is.
Ask for Krishna!
A fantastic trip giving you an experience of the countries culture, the local wildlife and numerous modes of transport. It’s an excellent trip for first time travellers.
Watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal. A magnificent white marble building that turns golden as the sun rises. Our guide ensured we were the very first to witness the Taj in the morning, this made for amazing pictures with nobody else in the background.
Our guide Chandrajeet Rathore was excellent; he really did make the trip. He was very knowledgeable, insightful and a great story teller. It was really obvious how much he loved his country. Throughout the trip he would explain their religion, food and really did help us experience their culture first hand.
Its the kind of holiday you truly want to immerse yourself in. The food, the people and the atmosphere as a whole, if you do so you're guaranteed a great trip.
This trip was a fantastic and truly unique, an experience everyone must try. As this was my first trip solo I was hesitant at first, but the guide was waiting there in the airport after you arrive and everything is organised and ready for you. I loved every minute and would seriously recommend to anyone who has ever wanted to see India.
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