Essential India
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- Explore India's vibrant cities
- Discover ancient forts and temples
- Revel in the beauty of Agra's Taj Mahal
- Witness the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho and Orchha
- Sail the Ganges in venerable Varanasi
Trip Details
Product Code: 1521
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Train, local bus, private vehicle, auto-rickshaw, small riverboat, plane.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: AHEH
Starts: Delhi, India
Finishes: Delhi, India
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airport Your G for Good Moment: City Walk, Delhi Your G for Good Moment: Anoothi Block Printing Experience, Jaipur Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Old Delhi walk with stops at the Jama Masjid, Gurduwara, Chandni Chowk, and Connaught Place
- Amber Fort tour
- Rajasthani rural village stay
- Village cycling excursion
- Abhaneri stepwells visit
- Taj Mahal and I’timad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) entrance
- Agra Fort entrance and guided tour
- Orchha Palace complex visit
- Western Temple complex entrance and guided visit
- Ganges River boat trip at sunrise and sunset, including candle flower ceremony
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (12 nts), comfortable tented camp (1 nt), sleeper train (1 nt).
- 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Transport
- Train, local bus, private vehicle, auto-rickshaw, small riverboat, plane.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,424 ($95 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
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.
Day 3: Delhi/Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, to start exploring the Pink City. Along the way, try your hand at block printing with the women of the Anoothi Project. Later, 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.
Day 4: Jaipur
Stop and admire the intricate architecture of Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) before venturing to the ruined city of Amber to explore the famous Fort.
Opt to see the city on bicycle by pre-booking the Jaipur Cycle Tour.
Day 5: Jaipur/Dhula Village
Travel to Dhula Village and get a closer look at rural life in Rajasthan during a cycling excursion. Tonight, settle in to your cozy tent, relax by the fire, and take in the starry night sky.
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.
Day 6: Dhula Village/Āgra
Stop by the impressive Abhaneri stepwell en route to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.
Day 7: Āgra
Visit the sparkling, iconic Taj Mahal for sunrise with time to explore the picturesque grounds. Afterward, take a ride to the walled city of Agra Fort and Baby Taj.
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.
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.
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 on to 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.
Day 11: Orchha/Varanasi
Visit the Orchha Palace complex and enjoy free time before the overnight train to Varanasi.
Opt to sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking the Orchha Cooking School extra when booking your tour.
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.
Pre-book the Varanasi Heritage Walk and enjoy a guided tour that focuses more on the local life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values. Witness pilgrims singing and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of Varanasi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
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.
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.
Day 15: Delhi
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Kia A. - Traveled, November 2023
Our CEO made the trip seamless despite the challenges of travelling in India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Shelley R. - Traveled, November 2023
The trip was extremely well-planned, travelling not too arduous, and covered many incredible sights
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Dayana Z. - Traveled, November 2023
Well organized. Have had overall good experiences throughout.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Maria S. - Traveled, November 2023
Everything that was within the guide/organization was delivered and even exceeded.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Vera B. - Traveled, November 2023
Tour guide & how the trip was organized
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Elizabeth G. - Traveled, November 2023
I would gauge their age first as I think the classic tour, such as the one I did, might not be so suitable in terms of accommodation for 45+ age range
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Justin F. - Traveled, November 2023
It depends who you would be recommending too. I found most of hotel as 2 star back packers hotels
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Colleen F. - Traveled, November 2023
The hassle free of organizing the trip, and all the travelling around Delhi and meeting new people who are now friends
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Peter W. - Traveled, November 2023
We',ve used G a few times and always enjoy their itineraries and this was no exception. Our guide, Ruby, was superb and the trip was well-balanced and extremely well organised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Jasmine M. - Traveled, November 2023
I have done many travel tours with different tour companies, and I feel that G Adventures has offered the best range of genuine experiences
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Jason D. - Traveled, November 2023
I have had wonderful experiences with G, am able to see a lot in a short amount of time, and take part in experiences that many times I may not find on my own
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Indre R. - Traveled, November 2023
it's been a great tour at a good pace which allowed to explore a big part of India. We had enough time to experience all the places. The organization of the tour was excellent, the places we visited was an amazing opportunity to see real India. From pick up at the airport to leaving the on the Last day it was all smooth and hassle free.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Jeannine D. - Traveled, November 2023
Overall I was very happy with the whole trip and very grateful for the experience and that I choose this trip with G Adventures. The organization was really good, especially the transport was on time all the time, the itinerary made sense as well as the daily schedules of when and where to eat and I especially liked experiencing organizations' like Kitchen with a Cause, Sheroes and the Sikh Temple in Delhi. I really appreciate that G Adventures works with local guides and we got to see and experience villages as well as being invited into people',s homes. Our CEO, Dushyant Singh, was one of my highlights. He was very caring and made me feel safe. He answered all my questions with his expertise and knowledge, planned everything very well and made this trip extra special with his surprises, which were the real highlights for me. He also opened up about his personal life which was very interesting and gave me more insight into the Indian culture. He also faced some challenges during this trip, but he really did everything to make the best of it for us so that we did not miss anything. I was also very lucky to have a great group with people of different ages and backgrounds/countries.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Natasha P. - Traveled, November 2023
Well organized tours. Amazing local CEOs = knowledgeable, funny, friendly etc. Supports local communities and charities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Randolph H. - Traveled, November 2023
Good organization, skilled CEO, ethical business model.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Katrin P. - Traveled, November 2023
I always had good experiences with G Adventures and liked the tours but sometimes the accommodation is not so great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Jake M. - Traveled, November 2023
3rd g trip and the 4th is booked love the company and their desire to help locals
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Rolf P. - Traveled, November 2023
The spirit of G Adventures to let us, as foreigners, have a view of the authentic India. And I have to express my deepest thanks to your CEO Dushyant, who really lives the spirit of G adventure. He is the best promoter for all of us in the group to go out and motivate others to book your tours. If you decides to promote your tours, he is the one to choose.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
John F. - Traveled, November 2023
The price of G Adventures and the unique travel experiences that G offers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
Jeroen v. - Traveled, November 2023
Personal experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/10/2023
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