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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 spotting one of the elusive tigers in Ranthambore 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.
For July departures, visit Highlights of Northern India – Summer Itinerary.
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.
Once everyone has arrived, we depart for Jaipur, which takes five to seven hours, depending on traffic. There’s a lunch and toilet stop en route.
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: 7 Apple Hotel – Jalmahal (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues constructed of sandstone and later painted pink. On a tour led by a local guide, we visit one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh, an assembly of immense astronomical instruments in a pleasant garden. We also see the impressive Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), then visit the hilltop Amber Fort, which sits above a lake a few miles from the main city.
After, the tour leader generally takes the group to a textiles factory to see how the local textiles are created, from start to finish. At the end, we can browse the shop and pick up anything from a complete outfit to handmade notebooks made from offcuts.
Accommodation: Hotel 7 Apple – Jalmahal (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Rise early, heading out for 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 for a later breakfast. After checkout, we transfer (approximately five hours) through rural villages to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve; staying in a hotel not far from the park entrance, we’re well located for our two game drives tomorrow.
Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)
Explore Ranthambore today, one of the reserves created by the government-backed conservation scheme, Project Tiger. Many of our groups have seen Bengal tigers here over the last few years and today we maximise our chances of seeing one with two game drives.
Our first starts before breakfast, at around 6am. As we search for tigers, we also hope to see the other wildlife living here: several deer species, crocodiles, and bird life including purple herons, kingfishers, cormorants, parakeets and partridges.
We return in time for a later breakfast and a chance to relax and reflect on the wildlife spotted. We head out again for our second game drive around 2pm.
Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)
Please note, occasionally the game drive timings or zones may be adjusted depending on government restrictions and changes in national park zonal opening/closing times.
Start with an early breakfast before travelling (four to five hours) to Agra, stopping en route for a snack lunch. We arrive this afternoon and start our half-day sightseeing tour, first visiting the Agra Fort, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of Emperor Akbar’s sons and successors: Jehangir and Shah Jahan.
Later, we visit the Taj Mahal for sunset, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft light and the crowds are smaller. 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.
Accommodation: Hotel Sun Ring (or similar)
Rise early to reach Agra station for our 6am Vande Bharat Express train to Varanasi. Relax on board before we arrive around 1pm and transfer to our hotel.
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. 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, home to the Dhamekh Stupa, the 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 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 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 can 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.
Thursday 26 Feb 2026 to Friday 06 Mar 2026
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 2 spaces left. Do not delay your booking!
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 2 spaces left. Do not delay your booking!
£ 1699 (excl. flights)
Holi Festival
Saturday 07 Mar 2026 to Sunday 15 Mar 2026
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Usually £ 1499
Now £ 1199
'Led by Mayank Khamesra - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2025 - Overall Winner'
Saturday 14 Mar 2026 to Sunday 22 Mar 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1499 (excl. flights)
Saturday 28 Mar 2026 to Sunday 05 Apr 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1499 (excl. flights)
'Led by Mayank Khamesra - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2025 - Overall Winner'
Saturday 04 Jul 2026 to Sunday 12 Jul 2026
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1299 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 324 deposit
Saturday 18 Jul 2026 to Sunday 26 Jul 2026
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1299 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 324 deposit
Saturday 03 Oct 2026 to Sunday 11 Oct 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1349 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 337 deposit
Saturday 10 Oct 2026 to Sunday 18 Oct 2026
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Thursday 29 Oct 2026 to Friday 06 Nov 2026
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Tuesday 03 Nov 2026 to Wednesday 11 Nov 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Diwali Festival
Saturday 21 Nov 2026 to Sunday 29 Nov 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Saturday 05 Dec 2026 to Sunday 13 Dec 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
'Led by Mayank Khamesra - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2025 - Overall Winner'
Saturday 12 Dec 2026 to Sunday 20 Dec 2026
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 09 Jan 2027 to Sunday 17 Jan 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 14 Jan 2027 to Friday 22 Jan 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 16 Jan 2027 to Sunday 24 Jan 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 21 Jan 2027 to Friday 29 Jan 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 23 Jan 2027 to Sunday 31 Jan 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 04 Feb 2027 to Friday 12 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 06 Feb 2027 to Sunday 14 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 11 Feb 2027 to Friday 19 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 13 Feb 2027 to Sunday 21 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 18 Feb 2027 to Friday 26 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 20 Feb 2027 to Sunday 28 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 27 Feb 2027 to Sunday 07 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 04 Mar 2027 to Friday 12 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 06 Mar 2027 to Sunday 14 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 11 Mar 2027 to Friday 19 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 13 Mar 2027 to Sunday 21 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Tuesday 16 Mar 2027 to Wednesday 24 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Thursday 25 Mar 2027 to Friday 02 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 27 Mar 2027 to Sunday 04 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1599 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 399 deposit
Saturday 03 Apr 2027 to Sunday 11 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Thursday 08 Apr 2027 to Friday 16 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Saturday 17 Apr 2027 to Sunday 25 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1549 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 387 deposit
Saturday 03 Jul 2027 to Sunday 11 Jul 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1499 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 374 deposit
Saturday 17 Jul 2027 to Sunday 25 Jul 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1499 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 374 deposit
Saturday 02 Oct 2027 to Sunday 10 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Saturday 09 Oct 2027 to Sunday 17 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Thursday 14 Oct 2027 to Friday 22 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Saturday 16 Oct 2027 to Sunday 24 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Thursday 28 Oct 2027 to Friday 05 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Saturday 30 Oct 2027 to Sunday 07 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Thursday 04 Nov 2027 to Friday 12 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Saturday 06 Nov 2027 to Sunday 14 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Thursday 18 Nov 2027 to Friday 26 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Thursday 25 Nov 2027 to Friday 03 Dec 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Saturday 27 Nov 2027 to Sunday 05 Dec 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
Saturday 11 Dec 2027 to Sunday 19 Dec 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1649 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 412 deposit
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View Details
We stay in centrally located city hotels that mix heritage and modern styles, plus a jungle hotel in Ranthambore National Park. The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip.
Jaipur: 7 Apple Hotel (nights 1-2)
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.
Ranthambore:Raj Palace (night 3)
Within Ranthambore National Park, the Raj Palace is conveniently located so we don’t have far to go in search of tigers and other wildlife. When not in the forest, relax in the pool or just sit in the gardens giving your senses a break, away from the city noise and heat.
Worth knowing
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Itinerary: This trip is ideal for culturally curious people 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.
Journey times: The times stated in the day-to-day itinerary are driving times and do not include photo, tea, comfort or lunch breaks. Journeys can sometimes take longer due to traffic or road damage. Additionally, fog is common in December and January, which can sometimes slow us down. Departures in these months may also experience severe train delays or cancellations. If a severe delay occurs, the group travels on a private comfortable bus instead. 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.
Festivals: Some departures coincide with Holi and Diwali, both fascinating times to visit India. We seek opportunities to see the festivities, though we cannot guarantee what is happening locally – the festivals are celebrated in different ways throughout the country.
Start hotel: Hotel 7 Apple – Jalmahal, Amer Rd, opposite Jalmahal, Gujarghati, Parasrampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Phone: +91 84529 82777
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
The start hotel is approximately five 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. The meet time aligns with a flight from London, UK.
Meet at Hotel Iris Park (Address: A-1/23 & 24, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029)
You should be at the Hotel Iris Park 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.
The included meals are stated on the daily itinerary.
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.
You should 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.
During October/November and from March to April, the days are normally hot (around 30C-35C/86F-95F) and nights slightly cooler (18C-24C/65F-75F) but humidity is very low and little or no rain falls so it’s a great time of year to travel to this part of India.
From December to early February, it gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings (sometimes dropping to 6C/43F) and warm clothes are essential. During this time, nightly temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing. The evenings and early mornings (particularly at Ranthambore National Park) can be surprisingly cool and damp too, so come prepared for both cold and warm temperatures during winter.
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 has been an amazing trip, can't recommend it enough, especially if this is your first trip to India, it's a great introduction to get your bearings. Our trip was nine days and we covered a large geographical area in a relatively short space of time to see the sights...
The Taj Mahal was impressive, it really is as beautiful as it looks in pictures but is so iconic you can't believe you are there! The chance to cook an Indian meal with a family was really special, the couple were so warm and welcoming and we made great food that we all got to eat together after. The visit to a Hindu Temple to watch a devotional ceremony was so uplifting and will stay with me forever. My favourite place was Varanasi, there is such a great buzz of energy here, watching the world go by on the Ganges was extra special.
Have to say a great big thank you to our Group Leader Manu who was absolutely excellent at his job. He took great care of us all on this trip. He was always warm, friendly, approachable, happy to answer any questions and help with anything at all during the trip. He was great at keeping us all together and getting us everywhere in good time, which everyone appreciated and he really listened well to meet the needs of the group. Communication was excellent, we were always told what was happening and what to expect next and how to prepare for things we were going to do in advance.
I felt totally safe on this trip, and really well looked after, the group tour makes sightseeing so much easier, especially when trying to do shopping or visiting really busy places. I would definitely travel again with exodus, and after seeing many solo travellers in our group, I would have no problem travelling solo with exodus either.
I have always wanted to visit India and this trip did not disappoint, its such a vibrant country full of traditions, colour and lots of smiles. The children we met who wanted photos of us along with everyone at India gate who we felt like celebrities posing for them in...
fulfilling a lifelong wish to see the beautiful Taj Mahal at sunrise seeing first hand all the wonderful stones that are laid into the marble inside the mausoleum, spotting the elusive tigers at Ranthambore and the most spiritual place for me was Varanasi watching daily life and being blessed there was magical, also having the most amazing lassi in The Blue lassi shop while watching the funeral processions go past was a great contrast. I could have stayed longer in this area which is full of wonder. I loved walking through the old streets of dehli and in Varanasi where we spotted a new bride in her finery being led to the Ganges for a blessing. hearing the noise that surrounds daily life and the warm smiles of everyone we met will stay with me forever. As this was the 50th anniversary trip we also had a fun night the started with laughing yoga and a very interesting cooking/ eating session only then to be dressed in beautiful saris and be decorated with henna, the men in the group also got dressed up like maharajas which made us feel like family with the lovely family that hosted us for the night.
Naveen was always giving us the best food advice and took us all to some amazing places for lunch and dinner, we had the most amazing butter chicken in dehli and molecule in Agra where we all could have danced the night away to some amazing Indian hits. he also arranged some diyas for us to make a wish on when we were on the sunset trip on the Ganges. he even got a group members bag mended when it broke on the last night there he was brilliant fun at our dinners talking with us all after getting to know us all, I feel I have made a friend for life in Naveen.
its fast and a whistle stop trip that will leave you breathless and wanting to see more of this vibrant country, I know I will be returning to see more. don't hesitate to explore this wonderful country you will be in safe hands with Naveen.
As always, Exodus didn't disappoint. The itinerary was great, we packed a lot in to the 9 day trip. Some early starts and long drives but the bus was comfortable and the air con worked well! Lots of walking on this trip, and be prepared for the pollution, if you...
Varanasi is magical, the half hour of free time to worder through the crowds taking pictures of day to day life.
Ronit was brilliant, very organised and such a friendly chap
Don't take a huge suitcase like some did on my trip, you have to lug it through the train station yourself and if the escalator is broken, you're getting it up those stairs as well. Take shoe covers for the train, you don't want to get back in bed with what ever you've been wading though., and ear plugs. All in all a great trip European plugs. Take coffee bags, the coffee is vile.
Hectic trip with an excellent tour leader
The boat rides at Varanasi to see the crematorium evening rituals and bathing ghats. Very spiritual experience. Seeing three tigers up close was also a highlight.
Ronit was an exceptional leader. Nothing was too much trouble and he remained calm and unflappable at all times. He quietly and successfully organised everything to ensure a seamless holiday experience for us. He knew how to problem solve and use his contacts to make things work. I cannot speak highly enough of him. He was friendly and utterly professional at all times.
The overnight sleeper train can be a shock to the system. Take disposable shoe covers for the bathroom, you'll need them. The itinerary on this trip is packed and busy with very little downtime to relax so be prepared. The levels of smog and air pollution are very high so I'd recommend a mask at times. Also in early November it was very humid
This trip is amazing. If you are looking to squeeze as much as possible of the must-sees in and around the golden triangle, this is a great choice. It's not a relaxing trip as it's constantly on the go with long days of sightseeing and traveling and not much time...
Of course Taj Mahal, but getting to see tigers in the wild in Ranthambore was incredible
Naveen was outstanding. India is not an easy country to navigate but he made it all work and got us safely to all the sights we were supposed to see
Be prepared for several very early wake ups to catch sunset at the Taj Mahal, game drive and Varanasi. The overnight train is not comfortable, but it's an experience, just may not get that much sleep.
Yes, the trip is fast paced, but I think that's pretty well explained on the website so I was expecting it. But the itinerary covers some really incredible places and I felt like I got a good feeling for India (my first time) as a result of it. There were...
The Taj Mahal. It was so beautiful it almost made me cry. Standing in front of it for the first time was just incredible. And we got there for sunrise so it wasn't too busy.
Manoj was fantastic. He was informative but not overly so, engaging and took the time to get to know each of us. When our overnight train was delayed by several hours he worked really hard to rearrange everything in Varanasi to ensure we didn't miss out on anything. In the end, Varanasi was a real highlight for most people in the group, despite having half a day less than expected (due to the train delay).
The overnight train is basic so pack a sense of humour. There are some long drives as well, but the bus was comfortable and there's so much going on to look at that they just add to your overall exposure to India.
This is a great trip and ticked all my boxes and more. I wasn't expecting to love India as much as I did but that was thanks to a great leader (Manoj) and a really good itinerary that is a bit different to other similar ones I'd seen online elsewhere. Varanasi is a MUST!
The trip included all the sites we wanted to see, but it was done at such a pace that it was exhausting and difficult to take everything in.
The Taj Mahal at sunrise - so beautiful. Other highlights were the tigers at Ranthambore, the Seikh temple in Delhi and the cooking demonstration in Jaipur.
He was good on the whole, but not impressed by his serious participation in the Holi Festival celebrations. In the end he was a bit more flexible, we did not want to see another fort when we got to Delhi!
You need stamina. The notes say you do not need to be fit, but the pace is relentless and the hours of travelling took us by surprise.
Major lows of the trip were the overnight train to Veranassi - an absolute nightmare and the visit to the village . It was dreadful gawping at their living conditions and then eating our huge packed lunch in front of them. A very uncomfortable experience,
We’d like to thank Jo for her feedback. Whilst we are pleased to read that she enjoyed her holiday overall, we were sorry to learn that she had concerns about the activity level of the trip and particularly did not enjoy her visit to Varanasi. We do mention in our trip notes that this is a busy itinerary, with longer journeys, mainly because this region of India offers so much to see and experience in the time frame. Our customers generally find the pace to be appropriate for the duration of the trip, but we do appreciate some customers may prefer more guidance on this aspect of our trips. There is a big focus on the local experience which we highlight in our trip notes so that our customers know what to expect. We are aware that some customers are a bit wary of travelling in open carriages for the sleeper train however, due to the seat allocation system for the Indian trains and limited capacity of seats in higher classes, this is the most suitable option for our groups. The tour leader is always close by if there are any concerns. We’re grateful for the time she took to leave a review and hope that we can welcome her on future trips with us! - Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
A busy but fun filled 8 days travelling around to see the best of northern India! A lot of travelling on the bus but that’s really the only way to get around, plus you see a lot of how people live, get around and the landscape.
Seeing the Taj Mahal in all its majesty
Mayank was clearly not new at this role. He was very knowledgeable in many aspects and topics of India , where I was able to learn a lot ( whether I retained the information is a different story) . As he was mentioning the different religions in India, he did mention a bit of personal information where he said he considered himself Jain. This on its own did not bother me. In fact, it helps develop a connection. However when he said they are considered the ‘Jews of India’ and more specifically businessmen mentality, this is where I feel he may have overstepped. The reason I say this is what followed a couple days later. In Varanasi, there was an option in the morning to see a Buddhist temple. Myself and a few others were not interested in joining the group so we asked if it was possible for Mayank to book us a tuktuk. He went ahead and kindly did that for us. From my recollection, we did not clearly tell him what we were doing because we didn’t know what was there. There was mention of maybe going into the old town, but nothing was set. We assumed everything was fine on his end as he booked the tuktuk. We ended up getting a very kind driver who asked us where we wanted to go, we said maybe some shops. We went to a couple warehouse shops where we made purchases and then walked around the Muslim area to see people shopping in preparation for Eid. It was a fantastic morning!!! Mayank ended up finding our about where we went and that we made purchases. He ended up getting upset and short with our driver, on two occasions, the second one which we were witness to. He appeared rude and demeaning to our driver, as our driver told us what he said ( we had the same driver the following day to drive us to the boat tour on the Ganges). Basically Mayank asked why he took us to these places and that he wasn’t supposed to go there. After this, there was a sour taste in my mouth towards Mayank, unfortunately. I felt he was just upset because he lost money as we purchased things at places he didn’t take us to. This is something a businessman would be cognizant of.
This was my first trip to I did so other than reading reviews here I didn’t really know what to expect. I’d say pack light, bring reachable clothes that retail odor (you don’t have much opportunity for washings), bring tummy meds just in case, always carry tissue/toilet paper and sanitizer. The week is jam packed filled with so many great sights and experiences - take advantage of everything!! No regrets! It was so memorable! Am already thinking about returning to India
We would like to thank Hannah for her feedback and are delighted to read that her holiday was memorable and that she enjoyed the cultural aspect of the trip. We are sorry that she had a disappointing experience with the leadership on this tour as at Exodus we take great pride in our tour leaders. Mayank is recognized as one of our top leaders and consistently receives positive feedback from our customers. Over the past six months, he has maintained an impressive average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars and we apologise that Hannah’s experience did not align with this standard. Regarding the shopping trip, we acknowledge that there may have been some miscommunication. On speaking with Mayank, he explained that the local tuk-tuk driver was instructed to take the guests to a particular market close to the river which we often recommend to customers as it is a safe and reputable area. It seems, the driver may have misled the guests that this market was closed and took them to another local area of his own recommendation. We’re really pleased that this was a positive experience for Hannah and they enjoyed the Muslim market however, it is not always the case and there have been occasions where rogue drivers have their own agenda and guests have a more negative shopping experience. Mayank was concerned with the driver that he had lied to the customers and spoke with him about the matter to ensure that it did not happen again. Mayank would not have benefited from any shopping commission for this independent excursion whether the guests had visited his suggested area or not, that was not the issue he had with the driver it was related to his concerns he mislead them for his own agenda and did not want it to happen again. We appreciate the time Hannah took to share her experience and hope to have the opportunity to welcome her on future trips with us. - Sarah Puttnam, Product Manager
A non stop trip round the highlights
Seeing Tiger and 3 cubs in the wild
Excellent ,very knowledgeable although he often talked for far longer than the group concentrated for
Food is relatively cheap but If you do all the optional trips it will be an extra £200 + This is NOT a leisurely tour,its just not very active .I hadnt realised the journeys would be so long ,many early starts late nights and corresponding lack of sleep
If I went again Id spend longer in Jaipur and Agra ,I wouldnt take 2 boat trips on the Ganges and id try to spend 2 weeks on the trip rather than the 9 days . I still have Orange hair from Holi , so no it doesnt wash out .
This was our first trip to India although we have previously travelled widely across south and south east Asia. The variety of sights, sounds and colours encountered on our trip was amazing and we covered a lot of ground in just over a week. We felt there was a bit...
Getting a close up view of a family of tigers in the Ranthambore nature reserve and seeing a wide variety of birdlife in both towns and countryside.
Our tour leader Mayank was excellent - hardworking, patient and knowledgeable. He was always helpful and acted as a very effective advocate for the group when dealing with day to day issues. Given his many years of experience in the business, nothing seemed to take him by surprise and he seemed to know everybody wherever we went. He was also very helpful with my attempts to identify local birdlife.
The 'leisurely' label does not do justice to this tour - there are frequent early starts and long days on buses and trains with the consequence that we skipped quite a few hours of sleep in order to arrive early at some venues. India is a big country of course but a little more time genuinely 'at leisure' would have been appreciated.
We were disappointed by the generally poor standard of the hotels we stayed in with the exception of the Surya in Varanasi and the Raj Palace in Ranthambore. There was a distinctly 'budget' feel about most of them with limited and/or very dated facilities, shoddy furniture and fittings, unattractive locations and indifferent customer service.
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