Highlights of Northern India - Summer itinerary

10 days
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£1,639
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Trip code: 
AICA
Ways to Travel:
Guided Group, Tailormade Adventures
Activity:
Culture
Group size:
4–16
Min age:
16

India's Golden Triangle plus the incredible city of Varanasi

Northern India conjures up memorable and colourful images including turbans, saris, great food and rickshaws. We visit the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, home to the wonderful former Maharaja's Palace and the splendid hilltop Amber Fort. Agra and the serene Taj Mahal are not to be missed and fully live up to expectations. Varanasi is often the city that lingers longest in the memory; located on the River Ganges it is one of the most sacred in India.

Highlights

  • See the unforgettable Taj
  • Explore the spectacular 'Pink City' of Jaipur
  • Meander along the Ganges at Varanasi

Key information

  • 7 nights hotels, 1 nights air-conditioned sleeper train, 1 domestic flight
  • Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
  • Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train

What's included

  • All breakfasts and 1 lunch included
  • All accommodation
  • Transfer for group flights

What's not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Visas & vaccinations
  • Single supplement
Call for general departures:
020 8772 3936
Call for tailormade trips:
020 8772 3874
Email us >
Request a brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes
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Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here… 

Itinerary

Include flights Expand all

  • Day 1

    Depart London.

    Flights usually depart London in the evening.

  • Day 2

    Arrive Delhi; transfer to Sariska National Park.

    Those who are on the group flights will land in Delhi in the morning. Those not on the group flights will need to be at the start hotel by 9am (or at the airport when the group land). A local representative will meet Land Only clients at the start hotel and provide a transfer to the airport where we meet clients arriving on the group flight; once everyone has arrived we will then transfer to Sariska National Park.
    Standard Hotel

  • Day 3

    Morning game drive around Sariska National Park; drive to Jaipur in the afternoon.

    This reserve was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and is home to nilgai, wild boar, jackals, hyenas and chowsingha (four-horned antelope). The game drive will be in the buffer zone of this national park mainly on sealed roads (there will not be an opportunity to see tiger during these summer months). Although these departures operate during the rainy season the crowds are reduced and those with an interest in bird life will find an abundance in Sariska. In the afternoon we drive to Jaipur and transfer to our hotel.
    Comfortable Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 4

    Visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort; free time for exploring.

    Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. We visit the City Palace in the centre of Jaipur, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. We then see the impressive and splendid Amber Fort, a few miles from the main city,  rising above a lake where elephants bathe. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc. It will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything!
    Comfortable Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 5

    Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri.

    Today we drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect condition. This is another very full but rewarding day.
    Comfortable Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

  • Day 6

    Visit the incredible Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; overnight train to Varanasi.

    Today we will rise early to visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal at sunrise; built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Later in the day we will transfer to Agra train station and join the overnight sleeper train to Varanasi.

    Sleeper Train

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 7

    Relax and enjoy the wonders of Varanasi.

    We arrive in Varanasi during the morning and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi, located on the river Ganges, is one of the most holy cities in India and stands at the centre of the Hindu Universe. As such, the city lives and breathes Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious elders and casual visitors. It is a city to get immersed in by exploring its maze of narrow lanes and the many temples, and watching the Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. There is time to explore the emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by the banks of the Ganges. Your leader can organise various optional sightseeing trips during your 2 days here.
    Comfortable Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 8

    Dawn boat ride on the Ganges; afternoon flight to Delhi

    Just before dawn, we take a boat out on the Ganges to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river. Every day thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to these three miles of riverbank to soak in the holy waters. This afternoon we fly back to Delhi.

    Standard hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 9

    Delhi free day or optional sightseeing

    Today you are free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish). Recommended sites are the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque), Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and Raj Ghat. For last minute shopping, we recommend the market area of Chandni Chowk or Karol Bagh.

    Standard Hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 10

    Fly to London.

    Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for the airport this morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes
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Essential Info

Visas

India

Visas are required if you are British and for most other nationalities. For UK residents full details of the visa process can be found here. Other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies.

If your trip visits Ladakh, in the very north of India, or Sikkim in the northeast, do not mention this on your Indian visa application. This can sometimes slow down or even cause the embassy to reject your visa.

When you reach immigration, you are required to pick up an immigration form. If you have an e-visa, ensure you stand in the correct queue - please follow the signs to the e-visa booth (in Delhi this is at the back of the immigration hall). You will need to fill out an additional form at the booth - please make sure that you have the details of your start hotel ready (these details can be found on your Final Joining Instructions).

 

Vaccinations

India

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approx. 2000m, there is low to no risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips going to altitudes of over 3000m there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the TRIP NOTES for further information.

Eating and Drinking

Breakfast is included throughout the trip except on Day 1.

You should allow at least £15-25 (approx. US$20 - US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approx. GBP3 (approx. . USD5). Mineral water is widely available. Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. India is famous for its food and there is ample chance to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, Biriyani and Rogan Josh. There are wonderful deserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink.

Weather

During October/November and February/March/April the days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low and little or no rain can be expected. Evenings in Delhi can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm clothes are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period. Please note that night time temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing in December and January. The evenings and early mornings (particularly at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve) can be surprisingly cool, so come prepared for cold and hot temperatures. In July, August and September you can expect hot (or very hot) days and warm-hot nights. Rain is possible at any time from the end of June until September, and can be very heavy, but not unpleasant, as it moderates the temperatures.

Is this trip for you?

This holiday is designed so that you can see the best parts of Northern India in a short period of time. Therefore this is generally a fast-paced itinerary and please bear in mind that there is a 5-6 hour transfer to Jaipur upon arrival in Delhi. You should be prepared for some long days and some early starts. The times stated in the trip notes are actual driving times and do not include photo, tea, comfort or lunch breaks. The roads are generally good, but local traffic and road damage can sometimes slow us down.There is a lot to see in the time you are in India, but everything is scheduled so that it doesn't feel too rushed. You should come armed for an experience: India can be hard work and the heat and the bustle of some of the cities can be a little overwhelming. That said, there are places where you can find peace and this is one of the few places in the world from where you will return armed with great stories and memories to last a lifetime.

Please note that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI’s schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3936
Call for tailormade trips:
020 8772 3874
Email us >
Request a brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels & Sleeper Train

On this trip we spend 7 nights in standard city tourist hotels with en-suite facilities and 1 night in air-conditioned sleeper train. The overnight train from Agra to Varanasi will be booked in 2-Tier sleeper A/C. There are many excellent trains in India but the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with European standards. Single rooms are available (excludes sleeper train) though the price will depend on the season you are traveling so please check with our sales team. 

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3936
Call for tailormade trips:
020 8772 3874
Email us >
Request a brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Reviews

Add your own review
  • Reviewed September 2014
    Sean C
    Trip:
    Highlights of Northern India - Summer itinerary

    Highlights of Northern India

    A fantastic trip giving you an experience of the countries culture, the local wildlife and numerous modes of transport. It’s an excellent trip for first time travellers.

    What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

    Watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal. A magnificent white marble building that turns golden as the sun rises. Our guide ensured we were the very first to witness the Taj in the morning, this made for amazing pictures with nobody else in the background.

    What did you think of your group leader?

    Our guide Chandrajeet Rathore was excellent; he really did make the trip. He was very knowledgeable, insightful and a great story teller. It was really obvious how much he loved his country. Throughout the trip he would explain their religion, food and really did help us experience their culture first hand.

    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

    Its the kind of holiday you truly want to immerse yourself in. The food, the people and the atmosphere as a whole, if you do so you're guaranteed a great trip.

    Is there anything else you would like to add?

    This trip was a fantastic and truly unique, an experience everyone must try. As this was my first trip solo I was hesitant at first, but the guide was waiting there in the airport after you arrive and everything is organised and ready for you. I loved every minute and would seriously recommend to anyone who has ever wanted to see India.
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Dates & Prices

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

 

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London  

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros Cons
  • May be the most direct route
  • Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.
  • As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.
  • You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

 

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.
 
a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination. 

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros Cons
  • Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.
  • Through fare tickets can be expensive.
  • On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.
  • Published fares are non-refundable.

 

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros Cons
  • You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.
  • You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

 

 Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

  • On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
  • On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client. 

 

Next steps? 

Call our Sales team on: 0203 733 0698

Email your query: [email protected]

Call us on 020 8772 3936
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