Best of India

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Delhi – India’s thriving capital city – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with hours (or days) to spare, consider heading out on your own, maybe to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb. If you’ve got the time, explore some Delhi sights and join in on an Urban Adventure. After the welcome meeting, maybe head out for an optional meal with your group at a local restaurant.

Join your local leader on an excursion through Old Delhi. Ride the city’s metro system, then hop in a rickshaw to the busy marketplaces of Chandni Chowk. See the Jama Masjid, Delhi’s oldest mosque, before learning about the history of the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara. Ask your trip leader for their recommendation on where to go for dinner.

Drive into Rajasthan and on to its capital, Jaipur, known as the ‘Pink City’. Take your time to explore this busy city filled with palaces and bazaars selling everything from jewellery and textiles to tea and spices. You might like to stop by the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), then head over to Jaipur'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.

This morning, you might want to take an optional early morning hot air balloon experience. Cruising through the air overlooking the countryside is often a highlight of visiting Jaipur. In the afternoon, you’ll 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.

Leave the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur behind and drive to the Lotwara Village in Dausa district of Rajasthan. This town, founded in the 17th century retains its traditional temples and is known as the ‘Peacock Town’ of Rajasthan due to the dense population of peacocks. Take a guided walk around the Old Quarter, learning about rural Indian life off the tourist trail. Be sure to visit the local stalls along the way and sample seasonal local sweets made from Indian ingredients, including petha (pumpkin), jaggery (organic sugar) and gazak (sesame seeds). Tonight, you’ll stay in a restored heritage property where dinner is included.

On the journey to Agra, stop at the one-time capital of the Mughal empire, Fatehpur Sikri. Its stunning mosque displays both Persian and Hindu designs and is secured by a 54-m-high entrance. Once in Agra, you have the option to visit the marble tomb that was saved for the greatest of the Mughal Emperors – Akbar's Mausoleum. End your day at the iconic Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this opulent monument was built in the 1640s as a memorial to Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife.

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 Jahan's reign – it’s also where he was later imprisoned during the final years of his life. In the early afternoon, return to Delhi by private bus. You’ll arrive back at the hotel with enough time to freshen up, then you’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your new trip leader and the new travellers joining your group. Tonight, maybe join the group for an optional dinner.

This morning, your leader will take the group for a guided walking tour around Old Delhi. Climb aboard a traditional cycle rickshaw and be driven through Delhi’s lively streets. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest and India’s largest mosque.

Depart Delhi and hop aboard a train, heading across the state of Punjab to Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, you’ll travel by private vehicle to Shimla – the state’s capital, situated in the lower foothills of the Himalayas. When you arrive, you’ll have the chance to explore the town's quiet charm on an orientation walk with your leader. After, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore at your own pace.

Wake up early for a scenic ride on the Kalka-Shimla Railway – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 'toy train' – for views of the Himalayas and local villages. After, you might like to head out and shop along Mall Road, visit the Jakhu Temple or shop for specialty wooden crafts at Lakkar Bazaar. Later, you’ll visit the Viceregal Lodge. This is a historic location where the partition agreement that separated India from Pakistan and Bangladesh was drawn up. Set among rolling hills, Shimla offers gentle to challenging walking trails for those wanting to stretch their legs. In the evening, film fans might like to visit the cinema to watch a Bollywood blockbuster.

Travel by private transfer to the small town of Mandi. Situated on the Beas River and once part of the salt trade route to Tibet, Mandi is a town of both historic and religious significance. Your leader will take you on a guided walk where you’ll explore the town and its huge sunken shopping centre – the only one of its kind in India. Later, you might like to spend time at the bathing ghats along the river or hike to hilltop temples. In the evening, sit down to dinner with your group and stay in the restored former palace of the Raja of Mandi.

Today, journey through the mountains by private vehicle along bumpy, winding roads to Dharamsala, also known as McLeod Ganj. A mountain town with a strong Tibetan Buddhist culture, here you’ll find robed monks strolling between monasteries and prayer flags hung from above. When you arrive, maybe wander the streets and get the lay of the land. Dharamsala is also known as the home to the Dalai Lama and where the Tibetan government resides in exile. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the town at your own pace, walking through the streets framed by the Himalayas.

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 an intricate temple and several workshops where you can see woodcarving, painting and needlework in action. Then, make your way to the Tsuglagkhang complex to see the Dalai Lama’s temple. You may also like to visit the Losel Doll Museum to learn about the daily lives and customs of Tibetan people.

Today, travel down the mountains to Amritsar, situated in the heart of the fertile plain known as India's ‘breadbasket’. Amritsar is the largest city in Punjab and the centre of Sikhism in India. Settle into your hotel, then head out with your group later this afternoon. Wander through the rambling streets and bazaars of the Old City on foot before you explore the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which sits in the middle of a sacred lake. Soak up the soothing sounds of the devout chanting verses from the Sikh holy book – the Guru Granth Sahib. See the sacred pool (Amrit Sarovar), then make your way to the langar – a community kitchen serving free vegetarian meals to those who may need it. One of these kitchens is found in every Sikh temple. Watch volunteers preparing meals in the bustling kitchen and see rows of people seated on the floor in the dining hall, eating together. Everything from the cooking to the serving and cleaning is done by volunteers as an act of seva (selfless service), and all are welcome to eat here, regardless of religion or wealth. The langar here at the Golden Temple is one of the largest community kitchens in the world, serving thousands of people every day.

Journey to the Jallianwala Bagh this morning – the site of the tragic 1919 massacre that played a vital role in India's independence. Then, head out to the India-Pakistan border to watch the daily flag ceremony that has been performed since 1959. This famous military practice garners crowds every day who come to watch as the security forces of India and Pakistan engage in an elaborate ceremony of bowing, chanting, marching and high kicks. Tonight, you’ll take an overnight sleeper train from Amritsar to Haridwar.

Disembark in Haridwar this morning, then drive to Rishikesh and check into your hotel. Later today, you'll go on an orientation walk with your leader to see the mural-lined walls of Chaurasi Kutia – the ashram (spiritual community) made internationally famous when the Beatles visited in the 1960s. In the evening, take a stroll along the holy Ganges River, where you’ll hear the ringing of the temple bells and watch as the nightly fire rituals of Ganga Aarti begin.

You have a free morning to enjoy the calm and tranquil atmosphere of Rishikesh. Maybe take a walk along the Ganges River or relax and unwind in a yoga class – Rishikesh is known as the 'Yoga Capital of the World'. For something more adventurous, there’s also the option to whitewater raft down the Ganges! In the afternoon, reunite with your group for a walk through the nearby jungle.

Bid farewell to Rishikesh and take the train back to Delhi. This is a long journey, so get stuck into a good book or reminisce on your incredible adventure with your fellow travellers. The train arrives back in Delhi at around 11 pm and you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your final night.

There are no activities planned for your last day, and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you would like to stay an extra couple of days, and it's recommended that you do, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time. If you do extend your stay, maybe check out the great range of Urban Adventures – like the Hidden Gems of Delhi tour.