Northern India on a Budget: The Golden Triangle to Varanasi

Welcome to India's bustling capital - Delhi! Arrive in time to meet at 2:00 pm for your welcome meeting and orientation walk.

Embark on an afternoon orientation tour visiting Connaught Place and India Gate for those iconic photos. Tonight, wander through the electric Karol Bagh market for your first night out; pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!
Arriving early with a free day in Delhi? Opt to add the "Half Day Culinary Tour of Delhi" extra to your tour.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Get a taste of India's capital city through a visit to Connaught Place by metro and a walk to India Gate, a stately memorial built for Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Citi International

Travel by train through the arid terrain to Pushkar, often called Tirth Raj or the "king of pilgrim centres," home to the world's only temple for the Hindu god of creation, Brahma. Get your bearings on an orientation walk around the colourful city visiting the lake, ghats, and of course the 14th century Brahama temple. Spend some time this afternoon exploring the markets or opt for an unforgettable evening by dressing in traditional Indian clothes before partaking in an authentic dinner cooked by cameleers in the desert while enjoying live entertainment!


Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the within the local taxi.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Join an orientation to explore key parts of this desert city, including beautiful lakes and ghats. Visit the famed Brahma temple, meet a local pandit and understand/take part in the ancient ritualsAccommodation - Hotel New Park

Before dawn, climb to the hilltop Savitri Temple and catch the sun rising over the towering Thar Desert hills. Afterward, travel by train ⁠— always an adventure itself in India ⁠— to the pink city of Jaipur, home to India's second most visited site, the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds." Enjoy an orientation walk through the market stalls.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Climb a hilltop to get to this temple honouring Savitri, the wife of the Hindu god, Brahma. Witness a gorgeous sunrise over this holy place while drinking a warm cup of chai. Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from within the local taxi.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for local women who once lacked financial opportunities.Activity - Head to the markets of this "Pink City," the capital of Rajasthan, and one of the most important heritage cities in India on this CEO-led orientation walk. Accommodation - Rawla Mrignayani Palace

Embark on a guided tour of Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to check off your bucket list. The Fort's sandstone walls are perched on a hill almost blending in with the terrain, besides perfectly reflecting in Maota Lake creating a mirage effect (and perfect photograph). Wander through the halls, courtyards, and palaces inside and admire the intricate details. Afterward, head back to Jaipur and get ready for your Big Night Out! Join your crew and CEO and see where the night takes you!
Opt to visit the City Palace with its fine collection of textiles and costumes or admire the mind-boggling architecture of Hawa Mahal. Discover more of the wisdom and history of the Mughals by wandering around the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in the 1700's, or opt to sit back and relax if you like - sipping a cocktail in any of the luxuriously converted palaces. Opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking a cooking class with a local family. If you aren't afraid of heights, pre-book a balloon ride to get an aerial view of the pink city.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore this magnificent fort overlooking an artificial lake, famous for its unique mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The Fort's sandstone walls are perched on a hill almost blending in with the terrain, besides perfectly reflecting in Maota Lake creating a mirage effect (and perfect photograph). Wander through the halls, courtyards, and palaces inside and admire the intricate details.Free_time - Enjoy some free time.Activity - Venture to a local bar restaurant. Immerse yourself in the exciting nightlife and cheers to new adventures and friends.Accommodation - Rawla Mrignayani Palace

Travel by early morning train to the Mughal city of Agra, site of India's most famous landmark - the Taj Mahal! Immerse yourself in a guided tour and learn of the mausoleums unique history as you admire the iconic Mughal architecture.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Here's one to cross off your bucket list: a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Take a guided tour of India's most famous landmark and an icon of Mughal architecture. Built by the emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this stunning white marble structure draws visitors from all over the world.Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel Anand Villa

Spend the day getting to know Agra. Opt for a tuk tuk ride to visit Baby Taj and the Agra Fort, the Taj's less famous—but no less impressive—sister monument, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, board an overnight train and wake up in Varanasi.


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy some free time.Transport - Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Take an orientation walk along Varanasi's ghats and through the old city. Afterward, opt to explore the temples and take in the spiritual energy of the city.


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy free time to explore.Activity - Experience the spiritual energy of Varanasi with a walk through the holy city, filled with temples, shrines and Hindus from all over India and the world. Enjoy views of the sacred River Ganges.Accommodation - Hotel Vaibhav

This morning, hop on a boat and sail the sacred Ganges River, where you will have the opportunity to witness a candle flower ceremony. Enjoy a free afternoon to uniquely explore the spiritual capital of India. Opt to bathe in the sacred waters or visit Kashi Vishwanath, the Golden Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Varanasi is your oyster!
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.

Pre-book the Guided Visit of Sarnath and learn about the life of the Buddha. Discover the archeological ruins of the monastery. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan and stop to admire the Buddha statue during the three hours of guided exploration.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Catch the sunrise from a boat cruising the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Witness locals participating in dawn rituals of bathing and burning at the river.Free_time - Enjoy some free time.Accommodation - Hotel Vaibhav

Depart at any time.