Original
Explorer
Best of India
19 days • 5
5
Excellent
3 reviews
19 days
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Trip Code
HHSGC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Shuttle Bus, Train
Accommodation
Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (15 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
From £1,744(19 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
The Taj Mahal is not only a sumptuous masterpiece of Indian architecture, but also a truly meaningful stop on any traveller’s journey.
Experience authentic Rajasthani luxury with a heritage stay at the lavish Bhanwar Vilas in Karauli.
The charm of Shimla Hill Station offers a great introduction to the Himalayas, and the World Heritage-listed ‘toy-train’ is a great way to get there.
Learn about Sikhism on a visit to the faith’s most sacred monument, the luminous Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Breeze through the self-proclaimed ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ in Rishikesh and walk along the banks of the holy Ganges River.
Is this trip right for you?
Old Delhi can be very busy and crowded. While it’s an exciting place to see local life moving around you, be aware that on the walking tour you’ll need to navigate through people, tight spaces, and walkways.
Rajasthan can reach extremely high temperatures in the summer. While we aim to do our walking tours early in the morning when it’s cooler, remember to keep hydrated and to bring a hat, sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt, and anything else that will protect you from the sun.
We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees.
This trip involves some long train rides, which can be tiresome but offer a quintessential Indian experience. The journey from Delhi to Shimla takes nearly a full day of train travel and you’ll also be taking a ten-hour overnight sleeper train from Amritsar to Haridwar.
Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned and a great way to travel long distances while still getting maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow, and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender.
We’ll be taking a local bus between Mandi and Dharmsala. The road through the mountains is rough and bumpy, but the scenery, adventure, and opportunity to mingle with locals will distract you from any discomfort.
In Dharmsala, our vehicle can’t get all the way to the hotel so some walking (500 m) with your luggage will be required.
As Rishikesh is a sacred town, no alcohol is permitted.
This trip travels into the Himalayas, where temperatures can get very low. We don’t run the trip in winter, but ensure that you’re well prepared for cold weather at any time of the year. The sun can also be strong at higher altitudes, so make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen, and any other relevant sun protection.
Long-distance and overnight trains can often be delayed and occasionally cancelled due to heavy fog between Dec-Feb. Please see the transport section of the essential trip information.
We've sourced our accommodation carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Tuuur style of travel. Service and accommodation in India may be different from western standards.
Itinerary
Discover Delhi, Agra and Jaipur before launching into the Himalaya, a land of contrasts to the plains and deserts of India
Visit India and follow the famous Golden Triangle. Enjoy the perfect introduction to India's three most popular destinations - Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur - as we explore the icons and discover the secrets of this fascinating region. Experience the history of massive forts, the opulence of Rajasthan's palaces, and the traditions of a heritage homestay. Head north into the Himalayan foothills and be introduced to the Mountains and Mystics of this incredible country. These mystical lands look and feel very different from the rest of India - from the food and clothes to the crisp, clean mountain air and spiritual sway of the inhabitants. Discover the complex diversity of India and be enchanted by a land balanced between physical and spiritual worlds.
Inclusions
Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Transport
Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Shuttle Bus, Train
Accommodation
Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (15 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included activities
Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
Jaipur - Amber Fort
Lotwara - Village Walk
Fatehpur Sikri - Guided tour
Agra - Taj Mahal
Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
Shimla - Leader-led walking tour
Shimla - Viceregal Lodge
Mandi - Leader-led walking tour
Dharamsala - Norbulingka Institute
Dharamsala - Dalai Lama Temple
Amritsar - Golden Temple
Amritsar - Jallianwallah Bagh
Amritsar - Wagah Border ceremony
Rishikesh - Leader-led walking tour
Rishikesh - Chaurasi Kutia 'The Beatles Ashram'
Optional activities
Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
Delhi - Delhi Food Walk Urban Adventure - INR3750
Delhi - Red Fort - INR600
Delhi - Gandhi's Delhi Urban Adventure - INR3350
Jaipur - City Palace - INR1200
Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
Agra - Additional entries to Taj Mahal - INR1300
Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
Delhi - Home-Cooked Delhi Urban Adventure - INR4000
Shimla - Cinema - INR100
Shimla - Jakhu Temple - Free
Shimla - Lakkhar Bazar - Free
Dharamsala - Losel Doll Museum - INR50
Rishikesh - Yoga Class - INR600
Rishikesh - White Water Rafting - INR1500
Delhi - Hidden Gems of Delhi Urban Adventure - INR4100
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 15 (Sleeper Train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate from September 1st to April 30th and last approximately 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments, and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP or credit card and is USD 260pp (subject to change). Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).
3. Please note that due to train arrival times there may not be any free time in Delhi at the end of this tour. We advise booking additional accommodation to extend your stay.
4. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
5.  As this is a combination trip, the composition of your group, as well as the group leader, may change on Day 7.
Reviews (3)
5 stars
3
Mark
Apr 21, 2024
I would highly recommend travelling with Intrepid as the tour guides were both caring and professional and this made it an enjoyable experience for all of the travellers in my group.
Deborah
Apr 21, 2024
A fascinating, well organised and enjoyable introduction to India. Our guides were fantastic - had great communication skills and a great sense of humour.
Lesley
Dec 01, 2022
This trip is a combination of two tours...a taster of Rajasthan which would invite you to do more and followed by a trip into the mountains to visit all the spiritually important places of Northern India. This part was simply wonderful, giving us an opportunity to visit the holy places in Hinduism, including Sikhism, and Buddhism as well as finding clear clean air in the mountains after the pollution of Delhi...it is a completely different view of India quiete, peaceful and indeed spiritual. I highly recommend it. Our group leaders, Guarang on the Rajasthan portion and Ajay on the Mountains & Mystics portions, made the whole adventure a delight. We'd learned so much and at least for myself absorbed some of the spirituality of this wonderful country
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