Essential India Adventure

Arrive in Delhi and make your way to our meeting point. Our pre-departure meeting starts at 12:00, so you may wish to consider arriving in Delhi the day before we depart - please contact us to arrange pre-tour accommodation. At the meeting, get to know your fellow travellers and tour leader, and find out more about the upcoming fortnight.

We also enjoy a basic Hindi lesson with our tour leader. Then, after some time to check in, we are heading out at around 16:00 for a tour of Old Delhi. You’ll experience bustling markets, delicious street food, temples, and plenty of fun along the way - comfortable shoes are highly recommended! We will also visit the Sis Ganj Sikh Temple in Old Delhi, a grand 18th century Sikh temple.

Rise early for a friendly (but competitive) game of ultimate frisbee this morning, if you choose. You can also opt for an English session with a local, Mr. Sanjeev Nangia, an incredible personality with vast knowledge. He is open to answering any questions you may have about Delhi, and he will also be able to introduce you to locals so you can gain insights into their daily lives.

Late morning, we head out to visit Akshardham Temple with our tour leader. Inaugurated in 2005, the temple was built by 7,000 artisans using pink sandstone and Italian marble, showcasing 234 intricately carved pillars and 20,000 statues honouring Hindu spiritual figures.

The rest of the day is at leisure. You can join an optional pottery workshop (approx 2,000 INR) or perhaps you would prefer to head out to see some of Delhi's other sites, such as Humayun's Tomb or Qutub Minar - both are easily reached in an Uber, and entrance is approximately 600 - 1,200 INR per person.

Delhi - Varanasi. It's another early start as we head to the train station to board our train to Varanasi, India's spiritual heartland. Arriving in the city at around 14:00, we are transferred to tonight's hostel where there is time to freshen up and perhaps enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.

Later, we embark on a memorable Ghat tour by boat, exploring Varanasi’s iconic riverside steps, including the solemn Burning Ghat. Experience the vibrant Ganga Aarti Ceremony, where rhythmic chants and glowing lamps create a mesmerising tribute to the sacred Ganges. Watch for free from the riverbanks alongside the crowd or, for an added fee, gain a unique perspective from the boat. Afterward, join the group for an optional dinner (at your own expense) and stroll back to the hostel, taking in the lively evening atmosphere of Varanasi.

Varanasi - Agra. Enjoy a lie in this morning, or rise early for an optional sunrise boat tour on the Ganges (approx 400 INR). The rest of the morning and afternoon are free for you to explore Varanasi at your own pace. You may also wish to join an optional visit to the Sarnath Buddhist and Hindu archaeological site (approx 800 - 1,100 INR) or a visit to the famous Blue Lassi shop, where you can try the iconic lassi yoghurt drink.

At either 16:00 or 22:00 depending on the availability of trains, we will leave Varanasi, riding the night train to Agra.

Arriving in Agra, we transfer to the hostel, and you'll have time to head out for breakfast. The Bread&mine cafe near our accommodation is a great option, this community cafe helping to support members of the deaf community.

The rest of the day is at leisure. There's an optional afternoon visit to Agra Fort and Baby Taj (approx 1,100 - 1,400 INR) for those who are interested. Get an early night, because we have an unmissable day tomorrow...

Agra - Jaipur. We are waking just before sunrise and walking to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and without a doubt the most famous attraction in the whole of India. Marvel at this incredible monument to love in the early morning glow, and take plenty of photos to remember the experience.

We are departing Agra this afternoon, with a private transfer to Jaipur. The drive time today is estimated at 5 -6 hours, depending on the traffic and how many stops we make.

On arrival in Jaipur, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps pay a visit to the Nahargarh Fort (approx 210 INR). We recommend Tattoo Cafe for dinner!

Today is free for you to explore the Pink City of Jaipur. There are numerous optional activities that you can book in with your tour leader or head out to enjoy independently. Consider rising early again for a hot air balloon safari over the city (approx USD $310). The Govind Dev Temple is located within walking distance of our hostel and we also strongly suggest you visit the impressive Amber Fort (approx 1,550 INR). You can also visit Chokhi Dhani, a vibrant mock village celebrating the essence of Rajasthani culture, food, and heritage.

Jaipur has a bustling nightlife scene, and depending on the preferences of the group, we may head out tonight to enjoy a few drinks.

Jaipur - Jaisalmer. There's no rest for the wicked and we have another early start for our included visit to the Monkey Temple. The Monkey Temple, or Galta Ji, in Jaipur is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site featuring sacred water tanks and home to hundreds of rhesus macaques, set within a cliffside temple complex.

Back in the city, you have a free morning to head out for breakfast, or can join a Bollywood dance class (approx 1,000 INR). Then at around 14:00, we head to the rail station to board our train to Jaisalmer - bring some dinner with you, as you won't be able to purchase anything on the train.

We arrive in Jaisalmer at about 5:00 and head to the hostel for a rest. We aren't staying here but you will be able to unwind in the common areas and have a wash. The rest of the morning and early afternoon can be spent exploring the surroundings, or you could visit Jaisalmer Fort. Some of it is free to enter, but a cost of around 600 INR is needed to enter the temple inside the fort.

Mid-afternoon, we head out of the city. Take a one-hour jeep drive into the desert, where a camel ride awaits, leading you through stunning sand dunes. Enjoy a traditional vegetarian dinner, then sleep comfortably on proper beds under the open sky. In case of rain, tarpaulins will be provided for extra cover.

Jaisalmer - Jodhpur. Wake early to watch the sunrise and enjoy a vegetarian breakfast before we head back to Jaisalmer. Freshen up before we make the 6-hour drive in private transportation to Jodhpur. Arriving at our hostel, we have an hour or so to relax after checking in.

Then we enjoy an included 2-hour orientation tour of this famous Blue City, taking in some of Jodhpur's historic sites and a local bazaar. We finish at a local cafe, where you can enjoy a drink before we head back to the hostel.

Today is free for you to explore Jodhpur, or to enjoy some of the optional activities available. There's a hands-on cooking class (approx 2,000 INR) or you can ride the Flying Fox zip line, which takes about one hour to complete and sees you whizz between six stations, offering panoramic views of Jodhpur and the surrounding desert. This activity needs to be pre-booked with your tour leader.

We'll gather as a group for dinner and drinks at the hostel this evening, to reflect on our day.

Jodhpur - Mumbai. Today we are flying to Mumbai (included). Your flight will either be at 11:00 or 14:00, your tour leader will confirm flight times. On arrival in the city, formerly known as Bombay, you will be transferred to our hostel. We will have a chilled evening in the hostel, or perhaps head out for a Bollywood movie night (approx 850 - 1,250 INR).

This morning is at leisure, or you can join an optional tour to Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, where you can learn about local life here (approx 1,000 - 1,200 INR). Later, an optional trip to Dhobi Ghat Mahalaxmi is offered (approx 600 INR). This is the largest outdoor laundry in the world, and you can learn how to wash clothes the traditional way.

At around 17:00, we embark on an included orientation tour of Mumbai with our tour leader. Make use of the city's train network and explore upscale townships like the Gateway of India and the Queen's Necklace - Marine Drive. If we fancy a few drinks and dinner in the city afterwards to celebrate our trip, this can be arranged. Alternatively, we can head back to the hostel.

Our tour comes to an end today. Check-out is at 10:00, and you can make your own way to the airport. Alternatively, we can arrange post-tour accommodation for you. Please contact us for this.