Others

Transfer for group flights

Meals

All breakfasts, one lunch and one snack dinner are included in this trip. India is famous for its food and there is ample opportunity to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink. Allow at least 1,400-2,400 rupees (US$16-US$28) per day for lunch and dinner. In most towns we visit, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (approximately US$4). Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large container in the bus to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Guide

Our Indian team of leaders has proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their country. During the game drives, each vehicle has a local Forest Guard (mandatory by the local authorities). The Forest Guards are part of a national park initiative to generate employment for the local villages. They are skilled spotters and trackers so, though there English is sometimes very limited, they greatly improve the experience.

Transport

We use a combination of private minibus and trains for our journey. Road journeys: private minibus, air-conditioned. Train journeys: the overnight train from Agra to Varanasi will be booked in 2-tier (or 3-tier depending on availability) sleeper A/C (see accommodation section for further information). The train from Varanasi to Delhi will be the Vande Bharat Express booked in the A/C Chair Car. Game drives: In Sariska, we use 4x4 jeeps, which may not all have seat belts available.

Accommodation

We stay in centrally located city hotels (two- or three-star, local rating) that mix heritage and modern styles, plus a jungle hotel in Sariska National Park and the overnight sleeper train from Agra to Varanasi. The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip. Sariska: Sariska Tiger Camp (night 1) A resort situated close to the Sariska Tiger Reserve offering comfortable accommodation with modern amenities. The restaurant serves authentic regional dishes, plus you can relax in the pool or just sit in the gardens giving your senses a break, away from city noise, smells and heat! Jaipur: Fort Chandragupt (nights 2-3) In central Jaipur, Fort Chandragupt is a combination of classic heritage with contemporary services and amenities. From the rooftop terrace, take in the view of the Pink City and the Aravalli mountain range where, on a clear day, the Nahargarh Fort can be seen. Staying close to several attractions and transport hubs, we step into the hustle of local people and tourists busily going about their day. Hotel facilities include a swimming pool, several restaurants and a lounge-bar. Agra to Varanasi: Sleeper train (night 5) Experience an icon of travel: the Indian sleeper train! Our journey takes us from Agra to Varanasi, skipping the long drive, while also allowing us to interact with the local people and sample the snacks often sold on board. The accommodation is basic: we normally stay in two-tier sleepers, the compartments sectioned off from the aisle by privacy curtains. Seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, so the whole group isn’t always together; however, our tour leader is an expert at making the journey as hassle-free as possible and will regularly check in with you. Worth knowing Please note for Varanasi, standard check-in time at the hotel is 2pm. Early check-in is unfortunately not available to pre-book in advance due to high room occupancy. However, we have a good partnership with the hotel, and they will always endeavour to prioritise rooms for Exodus customers as early as possible on the check-in day. Prior to check-in at Varanasi, the hotel communal areas are available and you may leave your luggage in the hotel until your room is available. Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter. Its common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use, saving energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your Leader or Reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on. Sleeper trains are not single compartments, bed bunks are set up within a carriage with curtains for some privacy. Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains.

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Visas and vaccinations — Single supplement

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Delhi; Transfer To Sariska National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Delhi; Transfer To Sariska National Park

Our adventure begins in Delhi, a thrumming city chock full of architectural masterpieces. Meet the group either at a named meeting point (normally the Florence Inn) or Delhi Airport – see the Joining Instructions for more information. We than drive to Sariska National Park, which may take between three and four hours depending upon traffic. If you don’t want to do this journey straight after your flight, we recommend spending a pre-tour night in Delhi – speak to your sales representative to book. Accommodation: Sariska Tiger Camp (or Similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Morning Game Drive Around Sariska National Park; Drive To Jaipur In The Afternoon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Morning Game Drive Around Sariska National Park; Drive To Jaipur In The Afternoon (Breakfast)

Sariska National Park was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and is home to nilgai, wild boar, jackals, hyenas and chowsingha (four-horned antelope). The game drive will be in the buffer zone, mainly on sealed roads. Although these departures operate during the rainy season, the crowds are reduced and those with an interest in bird life will find an abundance in Sariska. In the afternoon, we drive to Jaipur and transfer to our hotel. Accommodation: Fort Chandragupt (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: City Tour Of The Jaipur Landmarks, Including The City Palace, Hawa Mahal And Amber Fort; Free Time To Explore (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: City Tour Of The Jaipur Landmarks, Including The City Palace, Hawa Mahal And Amber Fort; Free Time To Explore (Breakfast)

Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues constructed of sandstone and later painted pink. On our city tour led by a local guide, we visit the City Palace in the centre of Jaipur, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We also see the impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). We then visit the hilltop Amber Fort, which sits above a lake a few miles from the main city. The grand 16th-century palace complex combines Hindu and Muslim design and is made from pale yellow and pink sandstone. After, the tour leader generally takes the group to a large shop, where a co-operative of local families sells their wares. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, including durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherwear. Accommodation: Fort Chandragupt (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: Drive To Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Drive To Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri (Breakfast,Lunch)

Today we drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son: his successor, the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers; the palaces; residences; and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years. In 1584, Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today – in perfect condition. We arrive in Agra early evening. Accommodation: Hotel Avalon Palms (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Visit The Incredible Taj Mahal And Agra Fort; Overnight Train To Varanasi (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Visit The Incredible Taj Mahal And Agra Fort; Overnight Train To Varanasi (Breakfast)

Today we wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, which was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first-time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun and is matched by the rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of Emperor Akbar’s sons and successors: Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Later in the day, we transfer to Agra train station and join the overnight sleeper train to Varanasi. Accommodation: Sleeper train
Day 6 Day 6: Relax And Enjoy The Wonders Of Varanasi (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Relax And Enjoy The Wonders Of Varanasi (Breakfast)

We arrive in Varanasi in the morning and transfer to our hotel. For information about hotel check-in times please see our "Worth Knowing" section within the Trip Notes. On the river Ganges, Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in India and stands at the centre of the Hindu universe. As such, the city lives and breathes Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious elders and casual visitors. It is a city to immerse yourself in: explore the maze of narrow lanes and many temples and watch the Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. There is time to visit emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by the riverbanks. In the afternoon, we can take an optional visit to nearby Sarnath Temple. Sarnath is as sacred to Buddhists as Varanasi is to Hindus. The main monument at Sarnath is the Dhamekh Stupa, the very spot where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. There’s also an archaeology museum, which exhibits Buddhist artefacts and houses the findings of excavations from the Sarnath site. Your tour leader can organise various optional sightseeing trips during your two days here. Accommodation: Hotel Surya (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Dawn Boat Ride On The Ganges Visiting The Bathing Ghats; Afternoon Train To Delhi (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Dawn Boat Ride On The Ganges Visiting The Bathing Ghats; Afternoon Train To Delhi (Breakfast,Dinner)

Just before dawn, we take a boat ride on the Ganges to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river. Every day, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to this 3mi (5km) stretch of riverbank to soak in the holy waters. This afternoon, we board the Vande Bharat Express train back to Delhi, a great opportunity to see and experience more of India as you pass through rural villages, towns and cities. A light snack dinner is provided, which usually includes a soup and light meal with rice and vegetables. You may wish to pick up some additional snacks/fruit prior to boarding. We arrive in Delhi late evening and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation: Florence Inn (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: Delhi Free Day Or Optional Sightseeing (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Delhi Free Day Or Optional Sightseeing (Breakfast)

Today you are free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish). Recommended sites include the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and Raj Ghat. For last-minute shopping, visit the market area of Chandni Chowk or Karol Bagh. Accommodation: Florence Inn (or similar)
Day 9 Day 9: End Delhi (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: End Delhi (Breakfast)

Our adventure through northern India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.

9 days tour

Highlights Of Northern India - Summer Itinerary

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Northern India - Summer Itinerary

Day 1: Start Delhi; Transfer To Sariska National Park

Day 2: Morning Game Drive Around Sariska National Park; Drive To Jaipur In The Afternoon (Breakfast)

Day 3: City Tour Of The Jaipur Landmarks, Including The City Palace, Hawa Mahal And Amber Fort; Free Time To Explore (Breakfast)

Day 4: Drive To Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 5: Visit The Incredible Taj Mahal And Agra Fort; Overnight Train To Varanasi (Breakfast)

Day 6: Relax And Enjoy The Wonders Of Varanasi (Breakfast)

Day 7: Dawn Boat Ride On The Ganges Visiting The Bathing Ghats; Afternoon Train To Delhi (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 8: Delhi Free Day Or Optional Sightseeing (Breakfast)

Day 9: End Delhi (Breakfast)

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