Highlights of Northern India

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

Highlights of Northern India

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Trip Fee

$ 2.250

Single Room Difference

$ 368

Date

30 September - 08 October 2025

Trip Information

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.

Activity Areas

Cultural Wonders
Culture
Culture Bestsellers
Festival Holidays
Natural Wonders

Region & Country & City

Asia: Ganges, India, Rajasthan, Taj Mahal

Included in the Price

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

Not Included In The Price

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

Accommodation 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

Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Delhi • To the pink city of Jaipur

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)

Day 2 Explore Jaipur • Tour a textiles factory

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)

Day 3 Dawn walking tour of Jaipur • To Ranthambore

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)

Day 4 Two game drives in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

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.

Day 5 Continue to Agra • Visit Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal

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)

Day 6 Morning train to Varanasi • Afternoon to explore

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)

Day 7 Dawn boat ride on the Ganges • Afternoon train to Delhi

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)

Day 8 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 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)

Day 9 Adventure ends in Delhi

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.

Travel Dates

30 September - 08 October 2025 $ 2.250

11 - 19 October 2025 $ 2.175

15 - 23 October 2025 $ 2.100

25 October - 02 November 2025 $ 2.370

01 - 09 November 2025 $ 2.100

08 - 16 November 2025 $ 2.100

15 - 23 November 2025 $ 2.370

22 - 30 November 2025 $ 2.370

06 - 14 December 2025 $ 2.100

17 - 25 January 2026 $ 2.025

24 January - 01 February 2026 $ 2.025

07 - 15 February 2026 $ 2.025

14 - 22 February 2026 $ 2.100

26 February - 06 March 2026 $ 2.100

28 February - 08 March 2026 $ 2.025

14 - 22 March 2026 $ 2.025

28 March - 05 April 2026 $ 2.100

18 - 26 April 2026 $ 2.025

18 - 26 July 2026 $ 1.950

03 - 11 October 2026 $ 2.025

10 - 18 October 2026 $ 2.025

15 - 23 October 2026 $ 2.025

24 October - 01 November 2026 $ 2.025

31 October - 08 November 2026 $ 2.025

03 - 11 November 2026 $ 2.025

07 - 15 November 2026 $ 2.025

21 - 29 November 2026 $ 2.025

28 November - 06 December 2026 $ 2.025

05 - 13 December 2026 $ 2.025

12 - 20 December 2026 $ 2.175

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