From CAD 2,055
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Take an epic adventure of northern India’s highlights, including one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World, street food that will make you salivate and bustling city streets next to spiritual havens. Discover the Pink City of Jaipur, witness the Mughal splendours of Delhi and Agra and soak up the ambience of holy Varanasi. This 10-day trip through captivating and colourful India includes lavish palaces, vibrant bazaars, and of course, the incomparable Taj Mahal. You’ll take a sunrise cruise along the Ganges River, witness a candle flower ceremony in a popular pilgrimage site, wander the Old City of Delhi and eat your fill of spicy curries and filling flatbreads. India is calling your name!
Highlights
- Soak up the unique atmosphere of a candle flower ceremony at dusk on the Ganges River in Varanasi, then wake up early for a sunrise boat ride, where you’ll watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river.
- Explore the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and learn of its lesser-known poetic history from a local expert among the surrounding gardens.
- Discover the secret flavours and spices of traditional specialities during a cooking class in a local home, then – arguably the best part – sit down to feast on your creations. Is there anything better than deliciously fresh Indian cuisine?
- Rub shoulders with the locals, go on a sightseeing adventure in a rickshaw and immerse yourself in the cultural heart of India on guided walking tours of Delhi, Jaipur and Varanasi.
- Wander the streets of the gorgeous Pink City of Jaipur and maybe even start your morning here with a sunrise hot air balloon ride – this optional activity is well worth the early start!
Trip Details
Product Code: 2071
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Auto rickshaw,Boat,Cycle rickshaw,Metro,Plane,Private vehicle,Train
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: HHKH
Starts: Delhi, India
Finishes: Delhi, India
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (9), Lunch (1), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2055 (CAD 206 /day)
Itinerary
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Delhi, where you’ll have a complimentary airport transfer to the hotel. Tonight, meet your group and trip leader at a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, get out and explore at your own pace. Filled with historical sites from different eras, museums, galleries and endless bazaars, this thriving capital has plenty to do and see. Maybe head to the Red Fort or the Lotus Temple, get a photo at India Gate or explore the World Heritage-listed Humayun’s Tomb. Later, why not get your new group together for a welcome meeting and sample of this country’s famed food.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
Early this morning, you’ll take a train to Varanasi. This holy city is awash with shrines and temples and is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience the spirituality of this haven. When you arrive this afternoon, you’ll head out on a walking tour of the Old City, through narrow laneways packed with stalls and shops, past the dhobi wallahs and the endless temples that echo with bells and permeate the aroma of incense. This evening, soak up the unique atmosphere with a candle flower ceremony at dusk. A beautiful ritual to witness, you’ll watch on as locals give offerings of small candles cradled by leaves and flowers to the Goddess Ganga – then float the glowing hand-made pieces down the river as the sun sets in the background.
Included Activities:
- Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
- Varanasi - Sunset candle flower ceremony
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
Today starts early, but it’s very much worth it – you’ll take a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, where you can watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river. After, there’s the option to take a trip to nearby Sarnath – one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment and features a number of stupas and museums to explore. Your afternoon is free to spend how you wish – maybe explore the laneways and alleys behind the ghats or pick up some keepsakes from the array of excellent local silk. For dinner, you’ll enjoy a group meal of vegetarian thali at a local restaurant. A thali is a popular style of serving food in India, offering a selection of dishes, sides and condiments on a single large plate.
Included Activities:
- Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
Optional Activities:
- Varanasi - Sarnath (315 INR)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take a flight back to India’s buzzing capital. When you arrive, check in to your accommodation, freshen up and then enjoy a free afternoon to spend how you wish. Maybe visit Swaminarayan Akshardham, set on a vast 100 acres of gardens. Maybe just go searching for the perfect street food snack or go on a photo-taking walk.
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll head to Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, by private vehicle. Arrive in the Pink City and discover its trademark pink hues on a walking tour with a local guide. Navigate crowded streets packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles, past traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches. Make a photo stop at India's most photographed building after the Taj Mahal – the Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of the Winds'. You will also have the option of visiting Jantar Mantar – an observatory filled with instruments to track the stars, built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Jai Singh. Tonight, maybe continue to indulge in the wonders of Indian culture by watching a Bollywood blockbuster – an elaborate combination of action, romance, drama and music, at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema.
Included Activities:
- Jaipur - Orientation walk with a local guide
Optional Activities:
- Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema (400 INR)
- Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory (200 INR)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
An optional early morning hot air balloon experience is the perfect way to start the day – wake early for a breathtaking overhead view of the Pink City bathed in early morning light. Later, climb the twisting roads of the Aravalli Hills and round the final bend to see the massive Amber Fort loom into view. You’ll head on a walking tour to explore the Amber Fort with a local guide – the legacy of a fallen empire, the opulent palace is a superb example of Rajput architecture and is packed with elaborate rooms of lavish murals, frescoed arches, and delicate jali work. Don’t miss the sparkling Mirror Palace, covered floor-to-ceiling in thousands of reflective tiles, the hall becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single match. The afternoon is free to explore more of Jaipur that you might have missed yesterday. This evening, meet your group and leader for a special cooking class in a local home for dinner. You’ll learn the secrets, flavours and spices of traditional specialities from your welcoming hosts and then feast on your creations.
Included Activities:
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Jaipur - Cooking Class with Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Jaipur - Balloon Safari (280 USD)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave the Pink City behind and travel by private vehicle to Agra. Along the way, stop at Chand Baori stepwell – built over 1000 years ago, this is one of the largest stepwells in India. The architectural wonder was once a gathering place for locals and royals alike. The series of narrow steps creates a beautiful pattern that leads to a body of water below. When you arrive in Agra, you’ll visit one of the finest forts in India – Agra Fort. Enter the dark red sandstone stronghold of the fort, part fortress, part palace and part prison, and search through throne rooms and tiny but incredibly decorated mosques. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Maybe ask your leader for the best dinner spots for a local feed.
Included Activities:
- Abhaneri - Chand Baori stepwell
- Agra - Agra Fort
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning is a real treat – bright and early, you’ll pay a visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal, one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the 17th-century wonder is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture and is surrounded by trimmed English gardens. Take your time here, snap your bucket list photos and take in the majesty of one of the most famous buildings in the world. After, you’ll take an express train journey to Delhi. When you arrive, maybe head to the legendary Connaught Place for some souvenir shopping or take the chance to rest and recharge. This evening, maybe head out for a streetside chaat or ask your leader for the best spot for aloo kulche and chole (flatbread with a spiced mashed potato filling served with chickpea curry) with a side of pickles (and a mango lassi if the spice gets a bit much).
Included Activities:
- Agra - Taj Mahal
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, your leader will take you to the city’s historic heart with a guided walking tour of Old Delhi. Set off on the city's modern metro system, then get a taste of India's famed public transport with an optional cycle rickshaw ride through chaotic streets, such as the famous Chandni Chowk. Visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings, then visit the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the Sikh religion. After a jam-packed morning of sightseeing adventures, rest your feet and refuel over a lunch of local favourites. The rest of the day is free for further exploration – maybe wander around Humayun's Tomb, the first garden tomb in India built in 1570, if you haven’t already. Tonight, why not head out to a farewell dinner with your group and hit the nightlife of Delhi to celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Included Activities:
- Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
- Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
- Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Optional Activities:
- Delhi - Humayun's Tomb (600 INR)
- Delhi - Qutub Minar (600 INR)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
With no further activities planned after breakfast today, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in majestic India, just speak to your booking agent.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Chris - Traveled, March 2024
"Avi" is one the best tour leaders that I have ever had ! His approach to the role, kind nature, attention to detail and all round dedication to making sure that we all had the best time is to be highly commended. He is a great ambassador for the Intrepid brand and if you are lucky enough to have him as your tour leader on a trip, you will be well rewarded !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/14/2024
Anne - Traveled, March 2024
This is my second trip to India with Intrepid. I cannot rate this experience highly enough. My tour guide was beyond exceptional and helped me to fall in love with India even more than before.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/14/2024
Valma - Traveled, March 2024
Wonderful experience .great tour guide Accommodation was all very nice .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/14/2024
Rasheed - Traveled, February 2024
Having back packed when I was younger and avoided tours for most of my life I was a little nervous about going on this one. How wrong I was! Intrepid travel is awesome. Small groups of like minded people, a local guide who is knowledgeable and keeps everything easy. You see and experience things that would be difficult to do on your own but you never feel like a herd of sheep as you have your own time and options. I’d highly recommend and I’d book another one.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/29/2024
Rita - Traveled, February 2024
Had an amazing time on my 9 day trip to North India. Was the first time going solo but had nothing to fear as our group were lovely and our leader Mohsin was brilliant. It is a jam packed itinerary (with little downtime so worth booking a day or two at the end to unwind) but you see and experience so much. Totally recommend it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/27/2024
vineel vicky - Traveled, January 2024
The overall trip in north india was eye-opening which shows the vast knowledge about people places and environments, while considering the monuments its something totally new and unbelievable for me, i recommend people to do visit and explore urself with interpid
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/14/2024
Deb - Traveled, December 2023
This is the perfect trip if you’re wanting a taste of northern India. There’s so much to see in a short time so be ready for early mornings. Our tour leader Arpana was exceptional and made it an immensely fun and memorable holiday. I look forward to seeing more of India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/05/2024
Jeanne - Traveled, December 2023
This tour was excellent due to our leader, Arpana, who knows the area very well. She gave detailed information in the culture and history and changed the order of events due to the weather to better accommodate our needs. Highly suggest as intro to India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/02/2024
Nicola - Traveled, December 2023
I can’t say enough about this trip. It was an incredible taster of India. We visited such amazing sites and tried local food and had the most amazing time. Our trip leader, Arpana, was incredible and it’s just made me want to see more of India. Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/05/2024
Juliette - Traveled, December 2023
This was our first time to India and this trip was exactly as I hoped. I was able to see all the sights I wanted while also getting to experience the authentic culture of India, by meeting a family and shopkeepers, and experiencing a variety of modes of transport, that I wouldn’t have done on my own. Our leader Shakti was excellent too, very organised and approachable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2023
David - Traveled, December 2023
We had a wonderful first visit to India. Our leader, Shakti, was superb. He made sure our visit was unforgettable and we made memories that will last a lifetime. His expert explanations of India’s culture, history and religions were insightful and we have learnt a great deal. He introduced us to some delicious food and made sure we avoided Delhi Belly! Thank you, Shakti.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Louise - Traveled, December 2023
This was our first trip with Intrepid and we found the whole trip exciting well organised Our guide Shakti taught us so much about this mystical area of India. The trip has left us energised and excited for more travel with this responsible company.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Steve - Traveled, December 2023
An adventure of a lifetime led by our brilliant, informative and unflappable guide Shakti.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2023
Kim - Traveled, December 2023
The northern India trip far exceeded my expectations! If you’re lucky enough to have Bhagirath as your Tour Leader your trip will pass without a hitch and you’ll always be fully informed and he has an excellent sense of humour! I loved my time in that part of the country!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/02/2024
Faith - Traveled, December 2023
My trip to India was better than I ever expected or dreamed of. The itinerary gave a fabulous insight into India and gave me an appetite to want to explore further. Bhagi, our tour leader could not have done more for us, his knowledge and passion shone throughout the whole experience. He wasn’t “just doing his job”, he was creating memories for the whole group. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip to others.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2023
Diana Lea - Traveled, December 2023
Wonderful trip, would recommend it in a heartbeat. Saw so many amazing sites and ate so much delicious food. It felt like I was away for 9 weeks and not 9 days. Anjali our guide was excellent and made the whole trip run so smoothly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Alison - Traveled, December 2023
The trip was extremely enjoyable and our tour guide Anjali was excellent.The sites and activities were all the so much more interesting than anticipated.The food, accommodation and transport were all of a very high standard. Will definitely spread the word about Incredible India!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Mick - Traveled, December 2023
The trip was a sensory overload. Colour, food history and culture. Anjali was a legendary guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/14/2023
Maria - Traveled, November 2023
This tour was a nice introduction to northern India. Or group leader Kush was very knowledgeable about the history and culture and went out of his way to make sure that everything was running smoothly from beginning to end. I had a great experience and would highly recommend this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/03/2023
Ashleigh - Traveled, November 2023
The trip packs a lot in! It’s quite fast paced but you get to see a lot of sights. Our tour guide, Kush, was brilliant and made sure everything went smoothly and was very knowledgeable. We had an amazing experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/17/2023
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