Basix
Explorer
Rail
Indian Getaway
4.9
Excellent
255 reviews
11 days
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Trip Code
HHRI
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Transport
Auto rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Jeep
Accommodation
Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
From £462(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
With so much going on in the chaotic capital of Delhi, a local leader is a must. Get to know the city with your leader helping you navigate.
Have your expectations smashed by the spectacular Taj Mahal during a guided tour that illuminates the building’s fascinating back story.
Spend sunrise along the holy Ganges River in Varanasi, watching thousands of Hindu pilgrims bathe in the water as the sun soaks everything in warm light.
Tordi Garh is a place few travellers get to see, but you’ll stay in this rural Rajasthani village in style during a night at a 16th-century palace.
Travelling across India wouldn’t be complete without a journey on a sleeper train. With padded bunks for comfort and vendors selling chai and samosas, it’s a quintessential Indian experience.
Is this trip right for you?
This is a trip made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time where your leader will offer suggestions you can take or leave. Please budget spending money for optional activities.
The regions visited on this trip can be extreme in temperature. It’s important to prepare for hot temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Rajasthan, in particular, can be very hot, especially in the summer. Light layers are the best way to tackle changeable weather.
Part of travelling with Tuuur means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. For temple visits on this trip, you will need to wear clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees.
This trip involves some long train rides, including a couple of overnight trains. The train journeys from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Agra are is approximately 13 hours each. 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 other genders. For your own security, take a lock for your hand luggage. Sleeper train journeys in and out of Varanasi can be subject to long delays because of weather conditions, including heavy rain or fog. Read more about what to expect on an overnight train  https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/   https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/)
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.
This is a trip made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time where your leader will offer suggestions you can take or leave. Please budget spending money for optional activities.
The regions visited on this trip can be extreme in temperature. It’s important to prepare for hot temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Rajasthan, in particular, can be very hot, especially in the summer. Light layers are the best way to tackle changeable weather.
Part of travelling with Tuuur means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. For temple visits on this trip, you will need to wear clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees.
This trip involves some long train rides, including a couple of overnight trains. The train journeys from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Agra are is approximately 13 hours each. 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 other genders. For your own security, take a lock for your hand luggage. Sleeper train journeys in and out of Varanasi can be subject to long delays because of weather conditions, including heavy rain or fog. Read more about what to expect on an overnight train  https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/   https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/)
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 both colourful cities and rural life in Rajasthan
Dive into India on this 11-day adventure and discover a wide range of cultural highlights in a relatively short amount of time. From the spiritual centre of Varanasi to the chaotic capital of Delhi, this journey is perfect for travellers who want local guidance and unique included experiences without sacrificing the freedom to explore independently. Witness the beauty of the Taj Mahal, feel enlightened on a boat trip along the River Ganges, and get the royal treatment during a 16th-century heritage stay. Bring an open mind and an open heart and plunge headfirst into this utterly captivating destination.
Inclusions
Meals
1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Transport
Auto rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Jeep
Accommodation
Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
Included activities
Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
Agra - Taj Mahal
Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
Jaipur - Amber Fort
Optional activities
Varanasi - Banares Hindu University - INR250
Varanasi - Sarnath - INR315
Varanasi - Ram Nagar Fort - INR250
Agra - Sheroes Hangout Cafe (prices from) - INR500
Agra - Akbar's Mausoleum - INR300
Agra - Motorised Rickshaw - INR300
Agra - Agra Fort - INR650
Jaipur - City Palace - INR1200
Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) - INR200
Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
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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 excludes Days 2,5 (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 travelling during major festivals such as Holi and Diwali can, at times, cause disruption to the published itinerary.
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.
Reviews (241)
5 stars
228
4 stars
9
3 stars
1
2 stars
3
Deborah
Aug 10, 2025
Great first trip to India, although classed as basic trip certainly didn’t feel like it, saw so much and Bhagirath was a great tour leader
Adrienne
Jul 11, 2025
We had a great trip in India with our leader Madan. He knew a lot about history and culture and explained it very well, as well as made the whole group feeling very comfortable. The night boat ride that we did in Varanasi was the highlight for me on this trip, but there is many other things like Forts, Temples and of course the Taj Mahal that you will visit. Overnight train rides are not for everyone, but for sure a great way to get close to the locals. It was the first Intrepid trip for me, but it will for sure not be the last!
Anja
Jul 11, 2025
As a person who normally travels individually, it was a great experience to be with a good organisation and Maddy as a great guide.
Dimitre
Jul 07, 2025
Usually do not write public comments, but: Excellent organisation, itinerary and value for money, and compliments to your tour guide! We will definitely travel with Intrepid again, and cannot recommend you enough. Thanks to your team in India and our guide, GajRaj!
Morgan
Jul 07, 2025
Intrepid is a one of a kind travel company. Their values are very evident in every aspect of the trip, my tour guide Gajraj educated me about the importance of every site we visited. I love having everything organised and laid out for me.
Christian
Jul 07, 2025
India is amazing country, and Intrepid made sure we saw super great places, and met wonderful people. I will do Intrepid again for sure, and thanks for super smooth organisation and cool people, as our guide Raj.
Jeanette
Jul 01, 2025
India has always been a buck list destination and I’m so glad I’ve ticked it off. It did not disappoint, the people, atmosphere. India is an amazing experience. Visiting the Taj Mahal is my ‘go to moment’ what an absolute spectacle and wonder. The tour guide Chandra was amazing, helpful and made my buck list trip a fantastic experience. Memories to saver. Thank you for everything, Chandra and Intrepid.
Laura
Jun 27, 2025
This trip was an amazing insight into India in a short amount of time. You really don’t stop, but it’s worth every second. There’s a few early mornings but I’d recommend doing all the extra activities if you can. Look out for Chandra as he is THE BEST guide!
Francis
Jun 25, 2025
This tour of India was an incredible, enriching experience, made exceptional by our group leader, Chandrajeet. His knowledge, care, and leadership ensured we felt safe, informed, and inspired throughout. The itinerary, accommodations, and trip materials were well-organised, and the journey positively impacted both my physical and mental wellbeing. Highly recommended.
Elisabeth
Jun 23, 2025
If you are nervous to travel then Intrepid is the right company for you! They employ local tour guides who offer a niche insight into the country you’re visiting. I had a tour guide named Chandra who really set the standard. Chandra was the most amazing tour leader, exceeding all my expectations. As a 20-year-old just out of university and new to travel, I was unsure where to start. Booking a trip to India, my dream location, felt like the perfect choice. Chandra met us exactly where we were- calm, level-headed, and incredibly humorous. From the moment we met, he made us feel completely safe and at ease. Walking around India with him, I felt confident and carefree. His knowledge was exceptional; no matter the question, he answered with confidence and depth. He also shared stories of his own life, which was an honour, as his wisdom was evident and truly inspiring. Chandra was always attentive to the group’s needs and tailored the trip to our interests. Even when faced with differing preferences in the group, he managed to ensure everyone had the best experience possible. For anyone travelling with a positive mindset and a desire to embrace every opportunity, this trip will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Chandra was kind, welcoming, and dedicated to making our journey memorable. If I visit India again (which I absolutely want to), I will definitely request a tour led by him. Anyone travelling with a Intrepid would be beyond fortunate to have him as their guide.
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