Highlights of Northern India

Name: Highlights of Northern India
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.6 (21 reviews)

9 Days Excluding Flights From

10 Days from

~~£ 1499~~ £ 1429

4.6/5 from

Culture

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AIC

Carbon Footprint :

40kg CO2e per person per day

From the Taj Mahal to the ghats leading to the holy Ganges, explore a land packed with culture and excitement

Discover the best of northern India on this highlight-packed adventure. Led by an expert tour leader, we marvel at the always impressive Taj Mahal, a New Wonder of the World, and explore the Pink City of Jaipur. We also have an early morning boat ride along the mist-shrouded ghats of Varanasi, an experience only equalled by spotting one of the elusive tigers in Ranthambore National Park. Add to that the everyday wonders – smiling locals, whizzing rickshaws and flavoursome curries – and you will see why North India is such a favourite with our groups.

For July departures, visit Highlights of Northern India – Summer Itinerary.

Highlights

Discover the highlights of northern India: rich culture, amazing wildlife and tasty cuisine
Complete the famed Golden Triangle, visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
See the unforgettable Taj Mahal
Maximize your chances of spotting a tiger in Ranthambore National Park with two game drives
Marvel as thousands of pilgrims soak in the holy waters of the Ganges on a dawn boat ride in Varanasi

Key Information

Accommodation: 8 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Holi and Diwali festival departures available - see Dates & Prices

Countries visited: India

What's Included

Meals as stated on the itinerary
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Departure transfers

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

AIC - Highlights of Northern India

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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

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Delhi Delhi

Our adventure begins in Delhi, a thrumming city chock full of architectural masterpieces. Meet the group either at a named meeting point (normally Iris Park hotel) or Delhi Airport – see the Joining Instructions for more information.

Once everyone has arrived, we depart for Jaipur, which takes five to seven hours, depending on traffic. There’s a lunch and toilet stop en route and we have a welcome briefing at the hotel just before dinner.

If you don’t want to do this journey straight after your flight, we recommend spending a pre-tour night in Delhi – speak to your sales representative to book.

Accommodation: 7 Apple Hotel – Jalmahal (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues constructed of sandstone and later painted pink. On a tour led by a local guide, we visit one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh, an assembly of immense astronomical instruments in a pleasant garden. We also see the impressive Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), then visit the hilltop Amber Fort, which sits above a lake a few miles from the main city.

After, the tour leader generally takes the group to a textiles factory to see how the local textiles are created, from start to finish. At the end, we can browse the shop and pick up anything from a complete outfit to handmade notebooks made from offcuts.

Accommodation: Hotel 7 Apple – Jalmahal (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Rise early, heading out for a dawn walking tour as the Pink City begins to wake. Visiting different chowkris (blocks) within the walled city, we can see the local people start their day and watch the rituals that take place in early morning markets and small temples. We can also interact with different artisan communities, while also sampling local food and drink.

We return to the hotel in time for a later breakfast. After checkout, we transfer (approximately five hours) through rural villages to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve; staying in a hotel not far from the park entrance, we’re well located for our two game drives tomorrow.

Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore Ranthambore today, one of the reserves created by the government-backed conservation scheme, Project Tiger. Many of our groups have seen Bengal tigers here over the last few years and today we maximise our chances of seeing one with two game drives.

Our first starts before breakfast, at around 6am. As we search for tigers, we also hope to see the other wildlife living here: several deer species, crocodiles, and bird life including purple herons, kingfishers, cormorants, parakeets and partridges.

We return in time for a later breakfast and a chance to relax and reflect on the wildlife spotted. We head out again for our second game drive around 2pm.

Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)

Please note, occasionally the game drive timings or zones may be adjusted depending on government restrictions and changes in national park zonal opening/closing times.

Meals included: Breakfast

Start with an early breakfast before travelling (four to five hours) to Agra, stopping en route for a snack lunch. We arrive this afternoon and start our half-day sightseeing tour, first visiting the Agra Fort, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of Emperor Akbar’s sons and successors: Jehangir and Shah Jahan.

Later, we visit the Taj Mahal for sunset, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft light and the crowds are smaller. After admiring it from the outside, we head inside, with a chance to explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum, while our tour leader shares the history of this New World Wonder.

Accommodation: Hotel Sun Ring (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early to reach Agra station for our 6am Vande Bharat Express train to Varanasi. Relax on board before we arrive around 1pm and transfer to our hotel.

On the river Ganges, Varanasi is one of the holiest 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. There is time to visit emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by the riverbanks.

This afternoon, we can take an optional visit to nearby Sarnath Temple, home to the Dhamekh Stupa, the spot where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. There’s also an archaeology museum, which exhibits Buddhist artefacts and houses the findings of excavations from the Sarnath site.

Your tour leader can organise various optional sightseeing trips during your two days here.

Accommodation: Hotel Surya (or similar)
Upgrade to a premium room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Just before dawn, we take a boat ride 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 this 3mi (5km) stretch of riverbank to soak in the holy waters.

This afternoon, we board the Vande Bharat Express train back to Delhi, a great opportunity to see more of India as you pass through rural villages, towns and cities. A light snack dinner is provided, which usually includes a soup and light meal with rice and vegetables. You may wish to pick up some additional snacks prior to boarding.

We arrive in Delhi late evening and transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Iris Park (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

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

Accommodation: Iris Park (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Our adventure through northern India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: This trip is ideal for culturally curious people eager to explore and experience as much as possible. We cover the highlights of northern India in a short time, which means the itinerary is generally fast paced – prepare for some long days and early starts. India can be challenging, while the heat and bustle of some cities can be a little overwhelming. That said, there are peaceful spots and you will undoubtedly return with memories to last a lifetime.

Journey times: The times stated in the day-to-day itinerary are driving times and do not include photo, tea, comfort or lunch breaks. Journeys can sometimes take longer due to traffic or road damage. Additionally, fog is common in December and January, which can sometimes slow us down. Departures in these months may also experience severe train delays or cancellations. If a severe delay occurs, the group travels on a private comfortable bus instead. In the rare event we can’t travel by bus or fly, we have an alternative itinerary, in which we visit Bharatpur, Deeg Palace and Mathura instead of Varanasi.

Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is 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 schedule is never published, so it is not possible to warn you when work will be taking place.

Festivals: Some departures coincide with Holi and Diwali, both fascinating times to visit India. We seek opportunities to see the festivities, though we cannot guarantee what is happening locally – the festivals are celebrated in different ways throughout the country.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel 7 Apple – Jalmahal, Amer Rd, opposite Jalmahal, Gujarghati, Parasrampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Phone: +91 84529 82777
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately five hours’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Meet at the airport

Your easiest option is to join the group at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The meet time aligns with a flight from London, UK.

Meet at Hotel Iris Park (Address: A-1/23 & 24, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029)

You should be at the Hotel Iris Park by 9am, where you are met by a local representative and transferred to the airport to join the rest of the group. Please note, this time may change and will be confirmed in your pre-travel joining instructions.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers from the end hotel to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for all customers. If you would like further information on joining a transfer, we will require all flight details two weeks prior to departure to secure the transfer. Please speak to your sales representative to arrange.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Delhi
Location end: Delhi

Vaccinations and Health

India

You require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of a polio vaccination may also be required by some visitors. Please confirm all requirements and recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

You may also want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in India. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approximately 6,560ft (2,000m), there is little risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips above 9,840ft (3,000m), 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.

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

Visa

India

To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.

For more information on applying for your Indian Visa, including details required for your start hotel and local reference contacts, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information.

New Digital Arrival Card

Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.

Food & Drink

The included meals are stated on the daily itinerary.

India is famous for its food and there is ample opportunity to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink.

You should allow at least 1,400-2,400 rupees (US$16-US$28) per day for lunch and dinner. In most towns we visit, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (approximately US$4).

Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large container in the bus to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Weather

During October/November and from March to April, the days are normally hot (around 30C-35C/86F-95F) and nights slightly cooler (18C-24C/65F-75F) but humidity is very low and little or no rain falls so it’s a great time of year to travel to this part of India.

From December to early February, it gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings (sometimes dropping to 6C/43F) and warm clothes are essential. During this time, nightly temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing. The evenings and early mornings (particularly at Ranthambore National Park) can be surprisingly cool and damp too, so come prepared for both cold and warm temperatures during winter.

In July, August and September, expect very hot days and warm nights (28C-40C/82F-104F). Rain is also likely at any time from the end of June until September and can be very heavy. However, it moderates the temperatures and humidity.

TRIP

AIC - Highlights of Northern India

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

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

City and jungle hotels

We stay in centrally located city hotels that mix heritage and modern styles, plus a jungle hotel in Ranthambore National Park. The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip.

Jaipur: 7 Apple Hotel (nights 1-2)

Highlights of Northern India

The 7 Apple sits directly across from Jal Mahal Lake in the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Recently refurbished, it has modern and bright rooms with lake or Nahargarh Hill views.

Ranthambore:Raj Palace (night 3)

Within Ranthambore National Park, the Raj Palace is conveniently located so we don’t have far to go in search of tigers and other wildlife. When not in the forest, relax in the pool or just sit in the gardens giving your senses a break, away from the city noise and heat.

Worth knowing

Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
It’s common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.
Upgrade your room on Days 1, 2 and 6 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

TRIP

AIC - Highlights of Northern India

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

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

You need stamina. The notes say you do not need to be fit, but the pace is relentless and the hours of travelling took us by surprise.

Reply from Exodus

We’d like to thank Jo for her feedback. Whilst we are pleased to read that she enjoyed her holiday overall, we were sorry to learn that she had concerns about the activity level of the trip and particularly did not enjoy her visit to Varanasi. We do mention in our trip notes that this is a busy itinerary, with longer journeys, mainly because this region of India offers so much to see and experience in the time frame. Our customers generally find the pace to be appropriate for the duration of the trip, but we do appreciate some customers may prefer more guidance on this aspect of our trips. There is a big focus on the local experience which we highlight in our trip notes so that our customers know what to expect. We are aware that some customers are a bit wary of travelling in open carriages for the sleeper train however, due to the seat allocation system for the Indian trains and limited capacity of seats in higher classes, this is the most suitable option for our groups. The tour leader is always close by if there are any concerns.
We’re grateful for the time she took to leave a review and hope that we can welcome her on future trips with us!

– Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager

Hannah Davidson

Expects lots of early morning starts aand a lot of travelling which is all well worth it.

Read All Reviews

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Highlights of Northern India

4.6/5 from

9 Days Excluding Flights From

10 Days from

~~£ 1499~~ £ 1429

Highlights of Northern India

From the Taj Mahal to the ghats leading to the holy Ganges, explore a land packed with culture and excitement

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Itinerary

Delhi Delhi

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

India

Passport

Visa

India

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

City and jungle hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Trip Experts

Mayank Khamesra

Naveen Bazaz

Ajay Gupta

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Dream Come True

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Loved this one..

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Northern India

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

So much in such short time....

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fast paced but well worth it

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A Comprehensive and Fabulous Itinerary but too Fast Paced

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reply from Exodus

Highlights of northern india

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reply from Exodus

Exhausting, Exhilarating, Incredible India

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fascinating but exhausting trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Amazing

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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