Join a 16-day adventure that kicks off with north India’s must-sees before taking you through this magnificent country’s south. Follow the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – go on a rickshaw ride through the bustling Chandni Chowk marketplace, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amber Fort and visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Then, with your bucket list already considerably shorter, fly to Goa to experience the warm hospitality, rich history and mouth-wateringly spicy cuisine of the south. Have dinner with a local family in Kochi and take a traditional houseboat through Kerala’s backwaters – this trip covers the highlights without missing out on authentic experiences.
◆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
◆Lotwara - Village Walk
◆
Fatehpur Sikri - Guided tour
◆Agra - Taj Mahal
◆Agra - Agra Fort
◆Agra - Sheroes Cafe Visit
◆Goa - Spice plantation visit
◆Goa - Old Goa guided tour
◆Hampi - Full day sightseeing tour
◆Chikkamagaluru - Coffee plantation walk
◆Nileshwar - Kerala Backwaters cruise
◆Nileshwar - Village walking tour
◆Kochi - Home cooked dinner
◆Kochi - Kathakali dance performance
◆Kochi - Fort Kochi walking tour
At a glance
Duration
16 days
Route
Delhi → Kochi
Countries
India
Activity level
easy
Style
Culture & History, Food & Drink, Rail Journeys
Group size
Max 12
Ages
15+
International flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
India
Showing Days 1-7
16-day itinerary
Day 1DelhiNamaste! 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.
Delhi
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.
Day 2DelhiJoin 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.
Delhi
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.
Day 3JaipurDrive 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.
Jaipur
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.
Day 4JaipurThis 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.
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.
Day 5LotwaraLeave 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.
Lotwara
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.
Day 6Fatehpur Sikri - AgraOn 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.
Fatehpur Sikri
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.
Day 7DelhiIn 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 and later became his prison. You might like to stop for lunch at Sheroes Hangout – a vegetarian and vegan cafe and social enterprise providing employment and opportunities for victims of acid attacks. In the early afternoon, journey back to Delhi by private bus, arriving back at the hotel with enough time to freshen up and decide where to enjoy one final dinner with the group.
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 Jahan's reign and later became his prison. You might like to stop for lunch at Sheroes Hangout – a vegetarian and vegan cafe and social enterprise providing employment and opportunities for victims of acid attacks. In the early afternoon, journey back to Delhi by private bus, arriving back at the hotel with enough time to freshen up and decide where to enjoy one final dinner with the group.
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What's included
Included
✓Experience the character of Old Delhi on a rickshaw and walking tour, weaving through the narrow alleyways and exploring Delhi’s oldest mosque.
✓See the Taj Mahal up close and wonder at the intricate optical illusions that decorate the marble on this masterpiece of Indian architecture.
✓Take a break from bustling cities in rural Rajasthan, where you can catch your breath and spend the night in the faded opulence of your heritage stay.
✓Cruise the Kerala backwaters on a traditional houseboat. Float past palm-lined canals and quiet villages while enjoying a Kerala meal and learning about the region’s network of waterways, originally used for the transportation of goods.
✓Share a traditional Kochi dinner with a welcoming local family in their home. Enjoy authentic flavours and conversations as you gain insight into the daily lives of the people of Kerala.
Auto rickshaw, Metro, Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle
A closer look at the trip
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Discover India
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Delhi
Delhi
Jaipur
Jaipur
Lotwara
Fatehpur Sikri
