Simply North & South India

Namaste! Welcome to Delhi, a fabulously chaotic capital city that will warm your heart and overwhelm your senses. The air is thick with the smell of spices and the sound of mayhem as vendors whip up masala chai on side streets, locals barter at bazaars for the best bargain and bhangra music blasts from the alleyways. Your adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, why not head out and explore the streets?

This morning, check out the sights and sounds of Old Delhi on a leader-led tour of this fascinating quarter of the capital. Take a ride on the city's modern metro system and get a taste of India's famed public transport with a cycle rickshaw ride through the chaotic streets (such as the famous Chandni Chowk). You’ll also visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings – then stop by the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the spiritual traditions of Sikhism. In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train bound for Varanasi.

When you arrive in Varanasi this morning, check into your hotel and freshen up before heading out on a guided walking tour of the Old City. Set along the banks of the holy Ganges River, Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city that’s overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees. Navigate through Varanasi's maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.

If you’re up for an early start today, it’s highly recommended you take an optional boat ride down the Ganges to watch the sunrise. Even if you're not the spiritual sort, this experience offers incredible scenery. Pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river, and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water as the sun bathes the surroundings in shades of amber and orange. Witness the rituals of life and death taking place along the riverbank and be prepared for potentially confronting sights and smells, as this is also where families come to cremate their loved ones. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace – ask your leader for their suggestions.

Today, there’s lots of free time to explore more of Varanasi before you get an authentic taste of Indian life on board an overnight sleeper train bound for Agra this evening. You could take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations and the site where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment. Or you could visit the crumbling 17th-century Ramnagar Fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges. Varanasi is home to India’s silk-making industry, so maybe investigate the many silk markets dotted around the city, otherwise you could take a class to work on your yoga skills.

Get ready to tick off a major bucket list item today – the glorious Taj Mahal. Head out for a guided tour of this elaborate monument when you arrive in Agra. After, you’ll have a free day to explore more of Agra's highlights. There’s the option to take a trip on a motorised rickshaw to visit some of the city’s best monuments. If you’ve got the energy, head out to Agra Fort and stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold or check out Akbar's Mausoleum, a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors. In the evening, maybe try some signature local dishes like biryani or korma, or sit down for a meal at Sheroes Hangout – a cafe that supports acid attack survivors.

Drive through the countryside to Tordi Garh – a village that few travellers venture to. This remote village offers a fantastic glimpse of the real Rajasthan. When you arrive, meet the locals for a guided walk – you’ll visit the old village temple and wander through the markets, gaining an insight into everyday life in this peaceful community. Tonight, you’ll sleep in heritage accommodation – a 16th-century palace with its owner as your host. Settle in, then savour delicious local flavours during tonight’s included dinner.