19 days tour

Best Of India

$ 2,620 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $2,620.00

Best Of India

This tour includes:

Transport

TRANSPORT IN INDIA: Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common as is the total use of the horn as a form of communication. Our leaders have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your tour leader know immediately. Please ensure you wear your seat belt at all times. TRAVEL TIMES: Distances in India do not reflect the driving time and to cover 100km may take much longer than you would expect at home, even if much of the route is on a highway. TRAINS: India has a massive network of trains and millions of people travel by rail every day. Trains often travel the length of the country over several days. Trains are a great way to see the countryside and get you away from the busy road system. Delays and cancellations are common on trains. Your tour leader will check the train status to see if there are delays and will do their best to keep you informed of any changes. From December to February, delays are more common, especially in the north of the country due to fog. Itโ€™s not uncommon for trains to be delayed for up to 12 hours. On occasion, your trip will may to be rerouted to allow for these delays. Your tour leader in conjunction with our local office will advise any changes to the itinerary. The Indian Railway system is one of the largest railway networks in the world and quite complex. Seat allocation is completely computerized on a centralized reservation system and we do not have control over seat allocations. Despite booking tickets months in advance of a departure your groupโ€™s seats, or sleeping berths on overnight trains, maybe spread out within one carriage or multiple carriages of the same class. Thereโ€™s a chance youโ€™ll be sharing a compartment with local travelers of either gender. For a detailed look into the experience of travelling by overnight trains read more here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/ AUTO RICKSHAWS: On this trip, we travel on the local style of transport called an auto-rickshaw. These small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts. FLIGHTS: Airlines in India are of excellent quality. Airports are becoming more modern (especially in the major and tourist cities). To enter the airport, you must have a copy of your flight ticket and passport. Schedule changes and delays do occur, especially when weather conditions make visibility poor. Cycle rickshaw , Metro , Overnight sleeper train , Private vehicle , Shuttle Bus , Train

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Others

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 Suroth Mahal - 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 โ€™The Beatles Ashramโ€™

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION: Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Some may have shared bathroom facilities with cold water only. We use a mixture of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. Some areas of India experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day and usually occurs for a few hours in the early afternoon. Most hotel properties have a restaurant or cafe serving local meals. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. SHOWERS: Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water. ROOM ISSUES: If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay. Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (15 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Best Of India

  • Day 1 Day 1: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Delhi

      Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with hours (or days) to spare, consider striking out on your own, perhaps to visit the World Heritage-listed Humayunโ€™s Tomb. A great (and tasty) way to get under the cityโ€™s skin in very little time is to book an Urban Adventure like the Delhi City Food Crawl. After the 6 pm meeting, head out for an optional meal with your group at a local restaurant.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Delhi

      Join your group leader on an excursion through Old Delhi. Ride the cityโ€™s metro system, and then hop in a rickshaw to the once water-filled square of Chandni Chowk. Discover the Jama Masjid, Delhiโ€™s oldest mosque, before learning about the history of the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Jaipur
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Jaipur

      Travel by private vehicle into Rajasthan and on to its capital, Jaipur (approximately 5 - 6 hours). A friendly, busy city crammed with palaces and bazaars full of jewellery, textiles and folk arts, Jaipur is a favourite for many travellers. Our suggestions are to stop by the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), then head over to Jaipurโ€™s Royal City Palace and explore its extravagant rooms and apartments. Later, discover one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Jaipur
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Jaipur

      Choose to take an early morning hot air balloon experience, often a highlight of visiting Jaipur. Ballooning can be done over Jaipur on the morning of day four between September and June. Mid-afternoon visit the Amber Fort. Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, the fort is an authentic example of Rajput architecture and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is one of its more spectacular buildings.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Karauli
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Karauli

      Leave the โ€˜Pink Cityโ€™ of Jaipur behind and drive to the village of Suroth Mahal in Karauli (approximately 5-6 hours). This delightful town was founded in 1348 and is packed with rural ambiance and traditional temples. Take a guided walk around the Old Quarter, interacting with friendly locals and learning about rural Indian life off the tourist trail. Be sure to visit the eclectic market stalls along the way and sample some seasonal local sweets made from Indian ingredients, including petha (pumpkin), jaggery (organic sugar), peanut brittle, and gazak (sesame seeds). Stay in a restored heritage property tonight where dinner is included.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Fatehpur Sikri โ€“ Agra
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Fatehpur Sikri โ€“ Agra

      On the journey to Agra, stop en route at the one-time capital of the Mughal empire, Fatehpur Sikri (approximately 4 hours). Its stunning mosque displays both Persian and Hindu design and is secured by a 54-metre high entrance. Once in Agra, thereโ€™s the option of visiting the marble tomb that was saved for the greatest of the Mughal Emperors, Akbarโ€™s Mausoleum. The day then culminates in a visit to the Taj Mahal, built in the 1640s as a memorial to the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Delhi

      In the morning, take a guided tour along the banks of the Yamuna River to the iconic Agra Fort. Originally designed by Emperor Akbar in 1565 to be a military structure, it was converted into a palace during Emperor Shah Jahanโ€™s reign and later became his prison. In the early afternoon, take the 3-4 hour journey back to Delhi by private bus. Arrive back at the hotel with enough time to freshen up and decide whether to enjoy one final dinner with the group.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Delhi

      This morning, join the group for a walking tour around Old Delhi, which has been an important city in India for over 2000 years. Climb aboard a traditional cycle rickshaw and be driven through the colour and chaos of Delhiโ€™s traffic. In the afternoon, learn about the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and visit the Jama Masjid โ€“ Delhiโ€™s oldest and Indiaโ€™s largest mosque.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Shimla
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Shimla

      Depart Delhi by train for the 4-5-hour journey across the state of Punjab to Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, youโ€™ll travel by private vehicle to Shimla. On arrival, get your bearings and explore the townโ€™s faded charm on an orientation walk with your group leader.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Shimla
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Shimla

      Wake up early this morning to board the World Heritage-listed โ€™toy trainโ€™ for a 30 minute scenic journey offering views of quaint villages and gorgeous mountain passes. Afterward, head out and explore Mall Road โ€“ Shimlaโ€™s most popular shopping stretch. A nearby viewpoint also offers fantastic views of the Himalayas. Visit the Viceregal Lodge to witness where the partition agreement that separated India from Pakistan and Bangladesh was drawn up. If you like, join the hordes of monkeys milling about Jakhu Temple or stock up on souvenirs and specialty wooden crafts at Lakkar Bazaar. Set among rolling hills, Shimla also offers an array of nature walks that range from gentle to challenging. In the evening, you might like to enjoy an optional trip to the cinema and bop along to a Bollywood blockbuster.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Mandi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Mandi

      Travel by private transfer to the small town of Mandi. Situated on the Beas River, Mandi has a rich cultural heritage of both historical and theological significance. Once part of the salt route to Tibet, today itโ€™s the gateway to the Kullu Valley. Head into town for a walk and explore a huge sunken shopping centre โ€“ the only one like it in India and the focal point of entertainment in Mandi. You can also spend time at the bathing ghats along the river or hike to hilltop temples just outside of town. In the evening, enjoy an included dinner and stay in the simply restored former palace of the Raja of Mandi.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)

      Todayโ€™s journey through the mountains today is an adventure in itself. Travel by private vehicle for the 6-hour drive along bumpy, winding roads to Dharamsala, also known as McLeod Ganj. Strung with prayer flags and busy with robed monks strolling between monasteries, this hilltop retreat is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. Spend the afternoon wandering the peaceful streets, which are set to the backdrop of the Himalayas. Thereโ€™s a lot to gain here from learning about the many facets of Tibetan Buddhism.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)

      Today, visit the fascinating Norbulingka Institute, developed to train Tibetan refugees in skills needed to preserve the traditional arts and crafts of Tibet. Its grounds feature a beautiful temple and several workshops where you can see woodcarving, painting, and needlework in action. Then make your way to the Tsuglag Khang complex to see the Dalai Lamaโ€™s temple. You may also like to visit the Losel Doll Museum, which is a great way to learn about the daily lives and customs of people all over Tibet.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Amritsar
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Amritsar

      Today, travel down the mountains to Amritsar, situated in the heart of the fertile plain known as Indiaโ€™s โ€˜breadbasketโ€™ and the centre of Sikhism in India. Tour the sights and wander through the rambling streets and bazaars of the Old City by foot. Explore the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which sits in the middle of a sacred lake. Listen to the soothing sounds of the devout chanting verses from the Sikh holy book โ€“ the Guru Granth Sahib.

  • Day 15 Day 15: Amritsar โ€“ Overnight Train
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Amritsar โ€“ Overnight Train

      Visit Jallianwala Bagh โ€“ the site of the tragic 1919 massacre that played a vital role in Indiaโ€™s independence. Then head out to the Indiaโ€“Pakistan border to witness the pomp and circumstance of the daily flag ceremony โ€“ a military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have followed since 1959. Tonight, take an overnight sleeper train from Amritsar to Haridwar.

  • Day 16 Day 16: Rishikesh
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: Rishikesh

      After pulling into Haridwar in the morning, thereโ€™s a 1-hour drive to Rishikesh. Check in to your hotel before going on an orientation walk with your leader. Pay a visit to the faded but mural-lined walls of Chaurasi Kutia โ€“ the ashram made internationally famous (long with Rishikesh by association) when the Beatles visited in the 1960s. Explore the crumbling beauty of the former ashram, now covered in graffiti related to the band and counterculture. In the evening, take a stroll along the holy Ganges River as temple bells ring and the nightly fire ritual of Ganga Aarti begins.

  • Day 17 Day 17: Rishikesh โ€“ River Ganges
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: Rishikesh โ€“ River Ganges

      The morning is yours to roam around Rishikesh. Perhaps tuck into a masala dosa for breakfast before walking it off on one of the trails along the Ganges. Aptly named the โ€™Yoga Capital of the Worldโ€™, Rishikesh is a great place to relax and seek a little enlightenment with your own yoga class, if youโ€™d like. For something more adventurous, there is the option to white-water raft down the Ganges. In the afternoon, reunite with your group for a walk through the jungle nearby.

  • Day 18 Day 18: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 18: Delhi

      Bid farewell to Rishikesh and take the train back to Delhi (approximately 7-9 hours). The train arrives back into Delhi around 11 pm from where youโ€™ll be transferred to your hotel on arrival.

  • Day 19 Day 19: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 19: Delhi

      There are no activities planned for today, so youโ€™re free to depart the accommodation at any time. Donโ€™t forget to check out the great range of Urban Adventures if you have extra time in Delhi, including Hidden Gems of Delhi. Head to urbanadventures.com/destination/delhi-tours for more information. If you would like to spend some more time in Delhi, weโ€™ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

Select a country to define if the visa is required