Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure starts today in Kochi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to see and do. Once an important spice-trading centre, Kochi has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule at various times throughout history. Explore with one of our Urban Adventures or wander down to the shore and seek out the huge Chinese fishing nets dotted along the coast of Fort Cochin. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, take on Kochi with a leader-led orientation walk and city tour. Take a local tuk-tuk to Mattancherry and drop by the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before it was renovated and presented to the Rajas of Cochin by the Dutch. Maybe visit the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth and home to many rare antiques. Then, amble around the spice bazaars and antique stores of Fort Cochin. In the evening, experience a Kathakali performance – this Keralan dance is an ornately costumed display of storytelling, requiring complete control of the body.

Buckle up, because most of today is spent travelling. Catch a train to Coimbatore, then when you arrive, hop in your private vehicle to Conoor – known for its tea estates in the surrounding Nilgiri hills. Watch the lush scenery pass you by, get stuck into a good book or play road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive in Conoor, you’ll sit down for a group dinner at your accommodation. Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Spend the morning in Conoor with an orientation walk and a visit to a tea plantation to learn about the history of tea production. Later, board Ooty’s renowned toy train for a ride along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Be sure to get a window seat for great views over the lush countryside. Spend the rest of the day exploring Ooty’s Botanical Gardens, which are home to over 650 species of plants and trees. You can also opt to turn on the romance with a boat ride on the lake.

Take a private vehicle for the short drive to Bandipur today. Set against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Hills, Mudumalai National Park was once the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. In 1974 it was brought under Project Tiger and is now one of the best sanctuaries in India to observe wildlife in close proximity. Embark on a short safari in search of tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, spotted deer and much more. There's also an amazing variety of birdlife in the park.

Travel by private vehicle across the scenic Karnataka plains to Mysore – an easy-going town with a pleasant climate, perfect for wandering around on foot. When you arrive, you’ll head to local family’s home for a home-cooked lunch of traditional favourites. Get to know the family, who will show you the practise of making incense – one of the traditional arts from Mysuru. Learn about how it’s made and maybe even have a go yourself! Then, head out on an orientation walk around the town to get your bearings. No visit to Mysore is complete without a look around Mysore Palace – one of the most ornate palaces in India, its interior is full of colour, mosaics and mirrors. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

This morning, head out to climb Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. After, continue to the Keshava Temple in the small town of Somnathpur – an excellent example of Hoysala architecture. You’ll also have some time to visit to Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum in Sriranga Patna. You can also opt to return to Mysore for a palm reading catch a film at the local cinema. Tonight, board an overnight sleeper train to Chennai. Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 11 hours. Sleeper trains in India are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow, and blanket provided (although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please also note that on the sleeper train you may be sharing with locals of the same or another gender.

After arriving in Chennai, take a private vehicle along the scenic East Coast Road to Mamallapuram. Explore this ancient seaport town by tuk tuk, paying a visit to the seventh-century Shore Temple and the enormous bas-relief rock carving, known as Arjuna's Penance. There will also be time to inspect the town’s numerous mandapams (pillared temple pavilions), watch local stonemasons at work, or just to kick back and relax at a beachside restaurant.

Travel by private vehicle today through palm trees and rice paddies to Puducherry (Pondicherry). When you arrive, head out with your group and leader on a walking tour to see local temples, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the French Quarter. Once a French colony, you’ll see the evidence of French influence in Puducherry's architecture, its wide town squares and even in the police uniforms! Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Drive to the temple city of Madurai today. Madurai’s Tamil roots stretch back 2500 years, making it one of the oldest cities in India. Wander the lamp-lit labyrinth of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakshi. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

This morning, travel by private vehicle along a winding road to the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. High in the ranges of the Western Ghats, the park is set among stunning scenery and is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in Southern India. Both today and tomorrow, you’ll get to explore the national park on foot and will understand why Periyar is a popular wilderness sanctuary, with its lush surroundings. Enjoy a tour of a local spice plantation, then join your local family hosts to try some authentic home-cooked flavours of Southern India.

Venture back into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary today for a guided nature walk. Encounters with animals in the wild are never guaranteed, and this is more of a jungle walk than an animal spotting tour, but do look out for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants or gaur – the world's largest species of buffalo. In the afternoon, unwind with an optional ayurvedic massage at your accommodation, or just relax in this scenic setting with a drink. The nature walk is usually the Green Zone Walk in the Periyar National Park. Even though this park is a Tiger Reserve, tigers are extremely rare and shy in Periyar. Your nature walk is nonetheless a great experience, as the local guides are villagers who have lived in the area for generations and are very knowledgeable of the flora and fauna of the area. Temperatures and humidity can be high, especially when walking around sites like the Periyar. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection. Your nature walk will start early, but it does get quite hot and humid in the late morning.

Today, drive through the rubber, tea and coffee plantations on the way to the backwaters of Kerala. When you arrive, you’ll board a motorboat to cross to the island village where you’ll stay with a local family tonight. In the late afternoon, explore the island with your homestay host. This is a great chance to meet locals and learn more about their unique way of life. Take a leisurely punt boat ride around the waterways and enjoy the scenery. Tonight, share stories over a traditional home-cooked Keralan meal with your host family. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. In Kerala, a homestay is similar to a local guesthouse where the family usually live on site. Accommodation is twin-share, with a private bathroom. Delicious local meals are cooked in-house by your hosts.

Wake early this morning, before crossing the backwaters by private boat to Alleppey. From here, take a bus back to Kochi. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. Perhaps you’d like to stroll down Princess Street for a spot of shopping, or book yourself into a southern Indian cooking class – your group leader will have some other recommendations, so be sure to ask them. Tonight, why not gather with your group for a night out at a local restaurant and maybe try some pazham pori (fried banana or plantain fritter). Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Take your included flight from Kochi to Delhi today for the second part of your Indian adventure. This flight will be unescorted. You’ll have a meeting at 6 pm tonight to welcome the new travellers joining you on the next stage of your adventure. After the meeting, consider joining the group for an optional dinner. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.

This morning, you'll navigate the city’s metro system and discover Old Delhi on a walking tour with your leader. Hitch a ride on a traditional cycle rickshaw through a classic Indian traffic jam in the streets around the Chandni Chowk marketplace. Visit Delhi’s oldest mosque Jama Masjid, which is also India’s largest. Then, escape the city streets by ducking into the Sikh temple of Sheeshganj Gurudwara, to experience the spiritual side of this bustling metropolis. The communal kitchen welcomes all and you can have a simple meal here together. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the sights of Delhi.

Travel to Agra by one of India's express air-conditioned trains. Steeped in Mughal heritage, Agra has a wealth of gardens, temples and open rooftops. When you arrive, you’ll visit the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and learn why Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz. Head inside the spectacular sandstone walls of the Red Fort, built to encompass the imperial city of the Mughal rulers in the 16th century. If you have time, move on to Akbar's Mausoleum. Tonight, consider visiting Sheroes Hangout – this social enterprise supports survivors of acid attacks – for a meal with a difference. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. Read more about Sheroes Hangout here:

Take a private bus to Madhogarh this morning. When you arrive, walk through the village and see the local craftspeople at work making resin bangles. These families are from the Lakhera community – in Hindu mythology, Lakheras are created by Lord Shiva for making bangles for Goddess Parvathy. This practice is a traditional art, and you can see for yourself how they heat the resin and shape it with handmade tools. In the evening, stay in the beautiful heritage property of Fort Madhogarh, which has belonged to one of Rajasthan’s royal families for centuries. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Travel on by private vehicle to Jaipur. When you arrive, walk around the ‘Pink City’ with your leader. Get among the crowds of the city’s bazaars to shop for artisan goods and semi-precious stones. Visit the Amber Fort – an excellent example of Rajput architecture, set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake. The Sheesh Mahal inside the fort is must-see. As the walls are completely covered in little mirrors, the hall illuminates with the light of a single match. After, you'll have free time to explore at your own pace. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Today is a full free day to take on any optional activities or independent exploration that you wish. This morning, you could take an optional hot air balloon ride – floating across the skyline of Jaipur in a hot air balloon is a highlight of the trip for many travellers. Jump on a rickshaw to Hawa Mahal, also known as the 'Palace of the Winds’. Alternatively, head to Jaipur's Royal City Palace or the observatory of Jantar Mantar to see a collection of intriguing astronomical instruments. After a long day of exploration, perhaps head to the Raj Mandir Cinema to see a Bollywood film. The balloon 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 can be made by credit card or cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP. Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).

Today you’ll head to Ranthambhore National Park – once a famous hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur and one of the original Project Tiger reserves. In the evening, you’ll take a 4WD bus safari in search of tigers and other wildlife, like hyenas, jackals, deer, langurs, marsh crocodiles, wild boars and birds. Ranthambhore National Park is closed between 1 July and 30 September each year. On trips departing during this time, you'll visit nearby Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary is about 16 km from Ranthambhore and, due to its hilly terrain, isn't as affected by the monsoon. Tigers also inhabit this area, and sightings are more favourable at this time of year as they move here away from flooded areas of Ranthambhore. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. We require a scanned copy of your passport bio page at the time of booking to secure a permit for your Ranthambhore National Park visit. Authorities at Ranthambhore follow a strict booking process whereby permits are issued on a first come first serve basis. If we do not receive correct passport details in time we cannot guarantee you on the tiger safari. The safety of our travellers is our highest concern and your tour leader has the authority to cancel or reschedule the jeep safari if they believe the vehicles available do not meet our safety standards.

Today, you'll travel to Bundi by private vehicle. When you arrive, navigate Bundi's narrow streets on an insightful walking tour, including the downtown market and meeting jewellery merchants, street dentists and fabric dealers. Learn the secret of chai making from a local chai master and try a fresh brew. Stop in at Bundi's intriguing and intricate step wells (baori) – an architectural marvel, and once the source of water for the town. Check out the 16th-century Bundi Palace with its famous murals before checking into our next heritage stay for the night. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Take a local train to Bassi, crossing the Chittorgarh countryside to Paangarh Lake. When you arrive, enjoy the view out to the 15th-century fort and unwind with a cup of chai while watching the sunset over the lake. You'll spend tonight in a beautiful permanent tented camp, right on the lakeshore – this is a truly relaxing experience away from the chaos of India's cities. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

This morning, drive in an open-top jeep out into the countryside past quiet villages. You might be lucky enough to spot some native wildlife as you go, like jackals, langurs, foxes and hares. When you arrive, meet some villagers and maybe even get a henna tattoo (a temporary but traditional souvenir). After, head to your next heritage stay in Bijaipur and enjoy a meal of authentic local specialties made with seasonal vegetables – maybe try baingan masala (eggplant cooked with tomatoes), okra, kadhi (thick, tangy gravy) or chicken curry. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Wake up in your gorgeous heritage stay and enjoy a final breakfast here as you begin your next journey by private vehicle to Udaipur. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a city walk with your leader. Take in the city’s hills, lakes and white marble palaces and delve into the twisting alleys and bazaars filled with silver, leather goods and miniature paintings. A popular centre for artists, dancers, and musicians, there’s plenty to entertain you here. After, the rest of your day is free. Maybe ask your leader for some dinner recommendations. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Visit Udaipur's City Palace – one of the largest royal palaces in India. After, you’ll have some free time to explore at your own pace. Maybe take an optional boat ride on the picturesque Lake Pichola (seasonal) to see the island palaces off Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir. After, maybe head out to watch a cultural performance that combines seven traditional Rajasthani folk dances – the perfect way to spend an evening in Udaipur.

Today, take an air-conditioned train to Ajmer, then a private vehicle to your hotel in Pushkar. When you arrive, head out on a walking tour to visit the bustling ghats and temples around Pushkar Lake and watch as the devout worship by the holy waters and at the Brahma Temple. At dinnertime, share a meal with a local family and learn about their life living in this desert city. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore further. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. Due to animal welfare concerns, we will no longer be including a camel ride in Pushkar on this trip.

Early risers can hike up to the Savitri Temple this morning for amazing sunrise views over the town. If you'd prefer, you can soak up a leisurely morning. This afternoon, you’ll board the Shatabdi Express train for the trip back to Delhi, arriving late in the evening. You’ll then transfer to the hotel for your final night of the trip.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to extend your time in Delhi and explore at your own pace, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.