Basix
Explorer
North India Revealed
22 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
215 reviews
22 days
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Trip Code
HHRR
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
2 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
Overnight sleeper train, Train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Metro, Auto rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Taxi
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Hotel/Guesthouse (17 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)
From £748(22 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Travel into the Thar Desert, spending a memorable evening eating Rajasthani food under the stars in a camp set among sand dunes.
Have your expectations smashed by the spectacular Taj Mahal during a guided tour that illuminates the building’s fascinating back story.
Snap incredible photos of the immense Chand Baori, a grand ninth-century stepwell in rural Abhaneri that extends over 20 metres into the earth.
Explore the centre of India’s spiritual heart – Varanasi – on a guided walking tour through the alleyways of the Old Town right to the bank of the Ganges.
India can be intimidating, but with your local leader there the whole way, you’ll be dodging cows, navigating market stalls, and eating from the best chaat stalls in Delhi in no time.
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 when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
In order to see as much as possible in this vast country, this trip involves some very long bus and train journeys, including a 19-hour overnight train from Delhi to Jaisalmer and a 15-hour overnight train from Varanasi to Delhi. These trips can be tiring but offer a quintessential Indian experience.
Overnight trains feature padded berths with sheets, a pillow, and a 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. More information can be found in the ‘Transport’ section of the Essential Trip Information or at 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
Say hello to sandstone cities, sacred rivers and spicy street food
Embark on a 22-day odyssey through India’s intoxicating north. Discover sights, smells, and flavours that will blaze their way into your memory and stay there forever. See towering sandstone fortresses, pilgrims praying on riverbanks, Maharajah mementos in a ghostly palace, and silhouettes on a desert landscape. India can be a daunting place at times, even for experienced travellers, but with the guidance of your local leader, you’ll be navigating the crowds, dodging the cows and eating the best chaat from a cart in no time! From the beating heart of Delhi to the holy city of Varanasi – this is north India.
Inclusions
Meals
2 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
Overnight sleeper train, Train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Metro, Auto rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Taxi
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Hotel/Guesthouse (17 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights)
Included activities
Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Jaisalmer - Leader-led walking tour
Jodhpur - Leader-led walking tour
Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour
Pushkar - Leader-led walking tour
Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
Abhaneri - Chand Baori stepwell
Abhaneri - Harshat Mata Temple visit
Agra - Taj Mahal
Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
Optional activities
Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
Delhi - Red Fort - INR600
Delhi - Gandhi's Delhi Urban Adventure - INR3350
Delhi - Delhi Food Walk Urban Adventure - INR3750
Delhi - Hidden Gems of Delhi Urban Adventure - INR4100
Bikaner - Junagarh Fort - INR600
Jaisalmer - Folklore Museum - INR500
Thar Desert - Overnight Desert Camp - Free
Jodhpur - Bishnoi villages day trip - INR750
Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort - INR600
Elevator Mehrangarh Fort - INR50
Udaipur - Cultural performance - INR250
Udaipur - Sajjan Garh Palace (Monsoon Palace) - INR300
Udaipur - Shilpgram craft village - INR100
Udaipur - Cooking class - INR600
Udaipur - City Palace - INR400
Udaipur - Lake Pichola boat ride - INR500
Pushkar - Brahma Temple - Free
Pushkar - Sunrise at Savitri Temple - Free
Jaipur - Amber Fort - INR500
Jaipur - City Palace - INR1200
Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
Agra - Agra Fort - INR650
Agra - Akbar's Mausoleum - INR300
Varanasi - Sunset candle flower ceremony - INR400
Varanasi - Sarnath - INR315
Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip - INR400
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
















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 2,17,20 (Overnight sleeper trains) and Day 6 (Camping) 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 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 (202)
5 stars
176
4 stars
18
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
1 star
1
Sunny
May 05, 2025
Do not believe any of the current negative social media on India. You have to experience this country for yourself, all who travel here have fallen for her charms. A life changing experience that will have you planning for your return trip!!!
Katie
Apr 22, 2025
This trip was an excellent way to see all of the most amazing and chaotic parts of India. Our guide was outstanding and everything was organised and planned meaning one could just enjoy the journey! If you’re thinking about it - DO IT!
Emily
Apr 11, 2025
The past 3 weeks of travelling Rajasthan will be an experience I never forget. This is heavily due to my amazing guide VJ! VJ made the entire trip safe, smooth and fun. On multiple occassions VJ went out of his way to ensure that the needs of all individuals in the group were met. This also included him personally helping with visa issues and when falling sick. In my particular group, we had a challenging member. Needless to say, VJ was extremely patient and accomodating with their needs. His kindness and generosity to all never went unnoticed. He always went the extra mile! VJ has a fountain of knowledge and made sure that we were always informed and educated about the place/site/temple we were visiting. He was always happy to answer any question or query we had. I highly reccomend VJ as a guide to anyone who wants to be in safe hands, wants a laugh and wants an experince they'll never forget! I can't wait to come back to India and have VJ as my guide again!
Rory
Apr 11, 2025
Trip was amazing with our truely awesome guide Vijay. He really made the 3 weeks special and I’ve come out of this trip with so much knowledge from him
Marianna
Apr 04, 2025
We had an incredible time with intrepid- so well organised and our guide Ghanshyam was amazing- he looked after us so well and had such impressive knowledge- going above and beyond answering all our questions. Would 100% recommend him and this tour! Thankyou very much.
Luis
Mar 24, 2025
Good trip, good guide. I recomend it.
David
Mar 23, 2025
What an incredible way to immerse yourself in to the culture of India. Our Leaders exceptional knowledge and care were outstanding.
Joanna
Mar 16, 2025
Loved this trip. It was exactly as described in the itinerary/trip notes. It is a 'basic' trip so don't expect 5-star. This is exactly what I wanted, I like to get an insight into the real country and not stay in international hotels/take airconditioned buses because you can do that anywhere. If you are not prepared for a bit of discomfort and occasionally a bit less hygiene than you get at home, then choose the Premium trip! I loved Varanasi and Udaipur particularly but everywhere was interesting and enjoyable. And the food, yum...... Our leader Swati was great, with a wealth of local knowledge and a calm, friendly manner. She was very approachable and well-organised but also allowed flexibility and didn't micromanage us. I have just got home and already planning my next trip to India with Intrepid!
Rivka
Mar 11, 2025
Excellent trip for people who are interested to see countries and nations, who agree to travel with people of these countries, who love hotels style of the country
Brenda and Rene
Mar 10, 2025
An intriguing tour which represent excellent value. Our guide Tushar was hard working, attentive, extremely well organised and flexible to the groups whims. The locations we visited are a must for any intrepid traveler seeking adventure.
Friends and Family Travel is an agent of Intrepid Travel. All Trip content and associated images are copyright of Intrepid Travel.
You are protected
Contact Information
Call us at
0208 058 4003
Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM GMT.
Contact our customer support
contact@friendsandfamily.travel
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

© 2024 Friends and Family Travel | All rights reserved.