India - The Essentials

From the intricate saris of Rajasthan to the beautiful symmetry of the Taj Mahal, this compact journey is a photographer's delight and the perfect introduction to India. You'll float past the ghats on the Ganges River to encounter the spiritual heart of Hinduism in Varanasi and get off the beaten path exploring carved stepwells and quaint temples in rural villages. With the perfect combination of included activities and free time to explore the nation's rich heritage, you're sure to be caught up in India's incredible tapestry of life.

Holidays dreamt by you, designed by us. Share your dream with us today by placing an enquiry here! 

Day 1 - Delhi

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.

Indira Gandhi International Airport – Delhi

Transfer by a supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for local women who once lacked financial opportunities.

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards.

Accommodation

• Good Times Hotel (or similar)

Optional Activities

Kitchen with a Cause - Delhi

Hungry? Visit Delhi’s Kitchen with a Cause before or after your tour for a delicious meal that gives something back to the local community. It is more than a bustling restaurant – it’s a product of the G Values Fund, filled with mouth-watering action. Dishes are prepared by talented chefs who celebrate the deep, traditional flavours prevalent in Indian cuisine. The restaurant provides further career and training opportunities to young adults who are graduates from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project, an organization that aids local disadvantaged youth. Here, the cost of your meal gets you so much more than just a full stomach.

Day 2 - Delhi

Enjoy a youth-led morning walk through Delhi by G Adventures-supported City Walk project offering a unique perspective of Delhi while supporting at-risk youth. Later, visit Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) and climb the minaret for a bird’s eye view of Old City. Walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest markets, and learn the history of the Sikh religion at Gurdwara. Stop for photos at the colourful market before finishing at Connaught Place, one of the most prominent architectural remnants of British rule.

Accommodation

• Good Times Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 - Delhi/Jaipur

Drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, and start exploring the Pink City. Opt to visit the Jantar Mantar, or Royal Observatory. Don't miss the opportunity to see a Bollywood film at the famous Art Deco Raj Mandir cinema.

Private Vehicle transport - Delhi – Jaipur, 5h-6h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

• Utsav Niwas (or similar)

Optional Activities

Jantar Mantar Visit - Jaipur

Visit the Jantar Mantar observatory to see how people looked at the stars and planets in ancient India. Explore the collection of astronomical instruments housed there, some dating back to 1727.

Raj Mandir Cinema and Movie - Jaipur

Visit this spectacular cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.

Day 4 - Jaipur

Stop and admire the intricate architecture of Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) optional tour before venturing to the ruined city of Amber to explore the famous Fort. Taking in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. The Fort's sandstone walls are perched on a hill almost blending in with the terrain, besides perfectly reflecting in Maota Lake creating a mirage effect (and perfect photograph). Wander through the halls, courtyards, and palaces inside and admire the intricate details.

Accommodation

• Utsav Niwas (or similar)

Optional Activities

Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) Visit - Jaipur

Enjoy a visit to the intricately carved Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds," which is named for the cool breeze that comes through the structure and keeps it comfortable, even in the hot Jaipur summers. Explore the main complex, blossoming gardens, and the lake.

City Palace Visit - Jaipur

Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.

Jaipur Cycle Tour - Jaipur

With its many lanes and organized layout, Jaipur makes for the perfect location to explore by bicycle. Choosing to cycle through the city on this morning tour will introduce you to sights, sounds and smells that a vehicle just can't match, so grab a helmet and jump on your bike! Navigate the streets of the 'Pink City' with the help of your experienced guide, starting the day with a traditional Indian yogurt drink of Lassi. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you enter the walled part of the city and stop at the City Palace to visit the Govind Dev temple. Wander through the historical spices and sweets market, stopping for tea and a tasty snack of pakoras before heading towards the majestic Albert Hall Museum where the tour ends.

Day 5 - Jaipur/Dhula Village

Before saying farewell to the Pink City, admire it from above by pre-booking the Jaipur Balloon Ride when booking your tour.

Tonight's accommodation is in spacious and comfortable tents outfitted with beds, lamps, and simple en suite bathrooms.

Private Vehicle transport - Jaipur – Dhula Village, 2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. Set off to discover quaint Dhula on two wheels. Take in the peaceful rhythm of village life and Rajasthan's scenery as you cycle along.

Meals included

• Dinner

Accommodation

• Dhulabagh Camp (or similar)

Campground Optional Activities

Jaipur Balloon Ride

Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise over the incredible city of Jaipur. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over ancient forts, exquisite palaces, and lively villages moving with people - and elephants! You may never want to come back down.

Available August 15 - April 29.

Day 6 - Dhula Village/Āgra

Stop by the impressive Abhaneri stepwell en route to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.

Private Vehicle transport - Dhula Village – Āgra, 4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Abhaneri Stepwell Visit - Abhaneri, 30m-1h

Walk around the amazing Chand Baori, a tenth century water tank that's an impressive 6.1m (20 ft) deep. Learn about ancient Indian environmentalism—a "baori" is a unique Indian invention for harvesting rainwater.

Accommodation

• Hotel The Agra Grande (or similar)

Meals included

• Breakfast

Optional Activities

Fatehpur Sikri Visit

Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.

Day 7 - Āgra

Visit the sparkling, iconic Taj Mahal for sunrise with time to explore the picturesque grounds. Afterward, jump on a cycle-rickshaw for a rustic ride to the walled city of Agra Fort and Baby Taj.

Taj Mahal Visit – Āgra

Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Cycle Rickshaw transport - Āgra

Visit the Agra Fort by human-powered cycle-rickshaw.

Agra Fort Visit Āgra, 1h-3h

Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.

Baby Taj Visit activity - Āgra

Visit this mausoleum that looks like a jewel box, built before the Taj Mahal by Queen Nur Jahan for her father. Enjoy the intricate details of the structure; it was the first Mughal building faced with white marble and where "pietra dura" (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used.

Accommodation

• Hotel The Agra Grande (or similar)

Day 8 - Āgra/Alīpura

Board a morning train then transfer to a private vehicle for a ride across rough Indian roads to Alipura. This friendly village will be our base for two days where you'll stay in a heritage property with time to wander the town and interact with local people.

Train transport - Āgra – Jhānsi, 2h30m

Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Private Vehicle transport - Jhānsi – Alīpura, 3h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to meet the locals and check out village life.

Accommodation

• Alipura Palace (or similar) Heritage Hotel

Day 9 - Alīpura

Enjoy a day trip to Khajuraho, where India's largest group of medieval temples reside, known for their Kama Sutra statues. Learn the history of these world-famous temples on a guided tour and enjoy a taste of a little erotica from the Middle Ages. After, opt to visit a nearby waterfall or watch an evening dance performance.

Private Vehicle transport - Alīpura – Khajurāho, 1h30m-2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Khajuraho Temples Guided Tour

Get ready to be impressed by the beautiful temples of Khajuraho during this guided tour. Not intended for the bashful, these erotic carvings are similar to style of the Kama Sutra. These Hindu temples were built over a span of a 100 years, and while originally there were more than 80 of them, only 22 currently remain.

Private Vehicle transport  Khajurāho – Alīpura, 1h30m-2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

• Alipura Palace (or similar) Heritage Hotel

Day 10 - Alīpura/Orchha

En route to Orchha, visit a unique paper making plant, set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp. Continue onto Orchha and embark on an orientation tour of this small town. Set on the banks of the Betwa River, it is the perfect antidote to the chaos of India’s cities. Later, attend an evening puja ceremony at the Ram Raja Temple.

Private Vehicle transport - Alīpura – Orchha, 2h30m-3h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Tarragram Visit - Orchha, 1h

Enjoy a visit to this unique paper-making plant, set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp.

Puja Ceremony - Orchha, 1h

Experience a Hindu prayer ceremony presenting flowers, incense, and food to an image or idol representing a deity.

Accommodation

• Hotel Orcha Resort (or similar)

Day 11 - Orchha/Varanasi

Orchha Palace Visit - Orchha, 1h-2h

Visit the three separate palaces, or "mahals," in this complex: The Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, and Rai Parveen Mahal. Enjoy the medieval architecture and learn about its rich history.

Enjoy free time in the afternoon to check out the local markets.

Private Vehicle transport - Orchha – Jhānsi, 15m-30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Opt to sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking the Orchha Cooking School extra when booking your tour.

Accommodation

• Basic Overnight Train (beds) transport - Jhānsi – Varanasi, 13h

Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Optional Activities

Orchha Cooking School

As a place of spiritual importance and impressive architectural sites, it’s not hard to see what makes Orchha so unique. This is your chance to also taste what makes this town so special. You’ll learn how to concoct a warming cup of masala chai and a tasty snack of vegetable pakoras. Enjoy this as your hosts demonstrate how to make three different curries. Indulge in these delicious dishes with the accompaniments of raita, mango, and guava chutneys, chapatis and puris, as you get to know your hosts some more.

Day 12 - Varanasi

Disembark the train in legendary Varanasi - the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindus visit for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die. Take an orientation walk through the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. There is time here to shop, wander, and absorb the atmosphere of this unique city. Marvel at the ghats from the River Ganges as you enjoy an evening boat trip to witness a mesmerizing candle-lit flower ceremony.

Evening Ganges Boat Tour - Varanasi, 1h-2h

Enjoy a boat ride on the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Participate in a candle and flower ceremony while on the water.

Accommodation

• Hotel City Inn (or similar)

Day 13 - Varanasi

Watch the sunrise from a boat along the Ganges. Spend the rest of the day getting to know this holy city. Opt to visit the monasteries and ruins of nearby Sarnath, the site of the Buddha's first sermon.

Morning Ganges Boat Tour - Varanasi, 1h

Catch the sunrise from a boat cruising the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Witness locals participating in dawn rituals of bathing and burning at the river.

Explore all this famous city has to offer with the afternoon to spend as you wish.

Accommodation

• Hotel City Inn (or similar)

Optional Activities

Sarnath Visit - Varanasi

Explore the ruins at the site of the Buddha's first sermon. It is said that after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya Buddha continued to Sarnath. In a deer park, he preached his first discourse and set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. This is one of the most holy sites to Buddhists.

Day 14 - Varanasi/Delhi

Soak up some free time this morning and continue exploring Varanasi. Later, cut out the travel time with a flight back to bustling Delhi. Enjoying some last-minute sightseeing with free time in the morning.

Accommodation

• Good Times Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 - Delhi

No activities are planned today, depart at any time to start your journey back to the UK!

Speak with our expert Holiday Designers today, get started by placing an enquiry now!