Overview
This short but spicy Indian journey will introduce you to three very different northern cities and the colourful rural life of Rajasthan. From the hectic pace of Delhi with its bustling markets, magnificent monuments, and colonial past, travel by private transport to Agra and the mesmerizing beauty of the Taj Mahal — truly one of the wonders of the world. Discover why Jaipur is called the Pink City and get a taste of rural life at a Dhula village. Photographers and culture lovers won’t be disappointed on this classic adventure.
Introduction
This short but spicy Indian journey will introduce you to three very different northern cities and the colourful rural life of Rajasthan. From the hectic pace of Delhi with its bustling markets, magnificent monuments, and colonial past, travel by private transport to Agra and the mesmerizing beauty of the Taj Mahal — truly one of the wonders of the world. Discover why Jaipur is called the Pink City and get a taste of rural life at a Dhula village. Photographers and culture lovers won’t be disappointed on this classic adventure.
- Wander around modern and ancient Delhi
- Revel in the magnificence of the Taj Mahal
- Visit rural villages and historic forts
- Explore India’s vibrant cities
- Duration: 8 days
- Start/Finish City: Delhi to Delhi
- Service Level: Standard
- Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
- Physical Grading: 2 – Light
- Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
- Travel Style: Classic
- All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
- Trip Type: Small Group
- Small group experience; Max 18, avg 15
Trip Highlights
- Wander around modern and ancient Delhi, revel in the magnificence of the Taj Mahal, visit rural villages and historic forts, explore India's vibrant cities
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer
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.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
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.
Enjoy a youth-led walk through the backstreets of Delhi with G Adventures-supported project, City Walk. Observe a different perspective of Delhi while supporting at-risk youth in the community. Later, explore Old Delhi and travel onward to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.
Your G for Good Moment: City Walk3-5km
Explore the streets of Delhi with a youth-led tour guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. As a former at-risk youth, your local guide will have a unique perspective on the city and can provide more information on the life of a child in India. The guided tour helps support the guide's college or university tuition.
Please note that City Walk is closed on Sundays and holidays and this activity will not run on those days.
Old Delhi Guided WalkDelhi1h
Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Private VehicleDelhi – Āgra3h-4h200km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Set eyes on the sparkling Taj Mahal at sunrise before exploring more of this famous landmark. In the afternoon, visit the I'timad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) and the Agra Fort.
Taj Mahal VisitTāj Mahal – Āgra
Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Baby Taj VisitĀgra
Visit this mausoleum that looks like a jewel box, built before the Taj Mahal by Queen Nur Jahan for her father. Enjoy the intricate details of the structure; it was the first Mughal building faced with white marble and where "pietra dura" (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used.
Agra Fort Visit Āgra1h-3h
Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the now-deserted former capital of the Mughals, and a stunningly preserved UNESCO site. Visit the Abhaneri Stepwell and marvel at this uniquely Indian water harvesting system. In the afternoon, travel to Dhula Village and get a closer look at rural life in Rajasthan. Tonight, settle in to your cozy tent then opt to relax by the fire and take in the starry night sky.
At Dhula Village you will have the opportunity to learn about local life, play a fun game of cricket, relax in the peaceful atmosphere, or take a cycle to explore the surroundings.
Tonight's accommodation is in spacious and comfortable tents outfitted with beds, lamps, and simple en suite bathrooms.
Private VehicleĀgra – Dhula Village4h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Fatehpur Sikri VisitFatehpur Sīkri
Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.
Abhaneri Stepwell VisitAbhaneri30m-1h
Walk around the amazing Chand Baori, a tenth century water tank that's an impressive 6.1m (20 ft) deep. Learn about ancient Indian environmentalism—a "baori" is a unique Indian invention for harvesting rainwater.
Dhula Village ExperienceDhula Village
Get a closer look at village life with a stay in rural Dhula. Enjoy opportunities to interact and explore that may include meeting shepherds and their flocks, cycling through hamlets, tea with villagers at the local temple, trekking in the hillocks.
Continue to the pink city of Jaipur. Built according to Hindu architectural principles, the city utilizes a unique organization unlike anywhere else in India. Later, visit the Palace of the Winds and wander the bustling streets.
Private VehicleDhula Village – Jaipur2h50km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Jaipur Cycle-Rickshaw TourJaipur1h3km
Enjoy an orientation of the Pink City by cycle-rickshaw. Enjoy the ride!
Enjoy a visit to the Amber Fort, famous for its mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. After, visit the City Palace and have a photo opportunity at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).
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. Or choose to visit Kitchen With A Cause and have a delicious meal that allows you to give back to the community.
Amber Fort VisitJaipur
Take in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. 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.
City Palace VisitJaipur1h
Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.
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Optional Activities - Day 6
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Raj Mandir Cinema and MovieJaipur200-400INR per person
Visit this spectacular cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.
Jantar Mantar VisitJaipur1h-2h200INR per person1000INR per group
Visit the Jantar Mantar observatory to see how people looked at the stars and planets in ancient India. Explore the collection of astronomical instruments housed there, some dating back to 1727.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) VisitJaipur15m-30m200INR per person
Enjoy a visit to the intricately-carved Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds," which is named for the cool breeze that comes through the structure and keeps it comfortable, even in the hot Jaipur summers. Explore the main complex, blossoming gardens, and the lake.
Jaipur Cooking Class with a local familyJaipur
Join a local family in Jaipur as they welcome you into their home and share their recipes and best-loved dishes with you. Get hands-on with the ingredients and learn how to prepare pakodas, vegetable dishes and Indian breads such as chapatis and puris. Once the hard work is done, get to know your hosts over lunch. Savor the flavours of your creations with the additions of other vegtable dishes, daal and raita, and finish the meal with a sweet treat.
Jaipur Cycle TourJaipur
With its many lanes and organized layout, Jaipur is the perfect location to explore by bicycle. Choosing to cycle through the city on this morning tour will introduce you to sights, sounds and smells that a vehicle just can't match, so grab a helmet and jump on your bike! Navigate the streets of the 'Pink City' with the help of your experienced guide, starting the day with a traditional Indian yoghurt drink of Lassi. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you enter the walled part of the city and stop at the City Palace to visit the Govind Dev temple. Wander through the historical spices and sweets market, stopping for tea and a tasty snack of pakoras before heading towards the majestic Albert Hall Museum where the tour ends. Taxi transfers from the hotel to the starting point and from the finishing point back to the hotel are included in the price of this cycle tour.
Kitchen With A CauseJaipur
Hungry? Visit Jaipur's Kitchen With A Cause before, during, or after your tour for a delicious meal that gives something back to the local community. It is more than a bustling restaurant – it’s a product of the G Values Fund* filled with mouth-watering action. Dishes are prepared by talented chefs who celebrate the deep, traditional flavours prevalent in Indian cuisine. The restaurant provides further career and training opportunities to young adults who are graduates from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project, an organization that aids local disadvantaged youth. Here, the cost of your meal gets you so much more than just a full stomach.
Visit the Kitchen with a Cause at Santha Bagh, 100, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, next to Trimurti Circle, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004, India.
*The G Values Fund is a microloan program instituted by G Adventures that helps former Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) establish self-sustaining businesses.
If you aren't afraid of heights, opt for a morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur. Return to Delhi in the afternoon and enjoy free time to explore more of the bustling city.
Admire the Pink City from above by pre-booking the morning Jaipur Balloon Ride when booking your tour.
Private VehicleJaipur – Delhi6h260km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free TimeDelhiAfternoon
Enjoy free time to see more of Delhi.
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Optional Activities - Day 7
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Jaipur Balloon RideJaipur
Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side.
Available September 1 - April 30.
Depart at any time.
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.
Private VehicleAlīpura – Khajurāho 1h30m-2h 96km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Khajuraho Temples Guided TourKhajurāho
Get ready to be impressed by the beautiful temples of Khajuraho during this guided tour. Not intended for the bashful, these erotic carvings are similar to style of the Kama Sutra. These Hindu temples were build over a span of a 100 years, and while originally there were more than 80 of them, only 22 currently remain.
Private Vehicle Khajurāho – Alīpura1h30m-2h96km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
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.
Private VehicleAlīpura – Orchha2h30m-3h96km
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tarragram VisitOrchha1h
Enjoy a visit to this unique paper-making plant, set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp.
Puja CeremonyOrchha1h
Experience a Hindu prayer ceremony presenting flowers, incense, and food to an image or idol representing a deity.
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.
Orchha Palace VisitOrchha1h-2h
Visit the three separate palaces, or "mahals," in this complex: the Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, and Rai Parveen Mahal. Enjoy the medieval architecture and learn about its rich history.
Free Time Orchha Afternoon
Enjoy free time to check out the local markets.
Private VehicleOrchha – Jhānsi 15m-30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)Jhānsi – Varanasi13h
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 11
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Orchha Cooking SchoolOrchha
As a place of spiritual importance and impressive architectural sites, it’s not hard to see what makes Orchha so unique. This is your chance to also taste what makes this town so special. You’ll learn how to concoct a warming cup of masala chai and a tasty snack of vegetable pakoras. Enjoy this as your hosts demonstrate how to make three different curries. Indulge in these delicious dishes with the accompaniments of raita, mango and guava chutneys, chapatis and puris, as you get to know your hosts some more.
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.
Evening Ganges Boat TourVaranasi1h-2h7km
Enjoy a boat ride on the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Participate in a candle and flower ceremony while on the water.
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Optional Activities - Day 12
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Heritage and Spiritual Walk in Old BenarasVaranasi
Set off an engaging walking tour of Old Varanasi City. Wander through puzzling alleys, vibrant bazaars, explore temples, and gain a deeper understanding of Varanasi’s history, culture, and spirituality.
The Varanasi Heritage Walk begins from the Godaulia intersection and our first visit is to the Mata Kali Temple, one of the highest revered places of worship in the city. It was built by the Maharaja of Varanasi in 1885 and features carved pillars that capture visitors’ attention. Then we will visit the Ganesh temple before heading to the Tedhi Neem Gali for a walk through the colorful market dotted with many different shops. Afterward, we will go towards the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and witness Varanasi’s principal cremation site – the Manikarnika Ghat. The sacred fire here has been alive for the last 3000 years.
Next, we’ll walk past the Alam Gir mosque, visit the shrine of a Hindu Yogi and mystic Guru Shri Tailang Swami, the Mangla Gauri Temple, and the Sankatha Mata Temple. Towards the end of the walk, we will try the famous white butter toast with tea at Laxmi Chai shop or Dwarika Lassi.
During the walk our guide will focus more on the local life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values. Witness pilgrims singing or chanting and gain an understanding of the importance of Varanasi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
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.
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.
Morning Ganges Boat TourVaranasi1h
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 TimeVaranasiAfternoon
Explore all this famous city has to offer.
Optional Activities - Day 13
Guided Visit of Sarnath Varanasi
A day of exploration begins with a tuk-tuk ride from Varanasi towards Sarnath, where your local guide awaits. One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, Sarnath is the birth place of Buddhism where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. For nearly 1700 years the site remained a centre for great learning, a place of pilgrimage, and a Vihara (Monastery) for monks and scholars. Guided by a local expert, discover the archeological ruins of the monastery, the ancient Dhamek stupa. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan. Stop to admire the Buddha statue located at the Thai Buddha vihara. Some eighty feet tall, it is considered to be the tallest standing Buddha statue at Sarnath. After three hours of guided exploration, your guide will bring you back to your awaiting tuk-tuks bound for your hotel.
Soak up some free time this morning and continue exploring Varanasi. Later, cut out the travel time with a flight back to bustling Delhi.
Free TimeVaranasiMorning
Do some last minute sightseeing with free time in the morning.
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
What's Included
- Arrival transfer included through the G Adventures-supported Women on Wheels project. Walking tour with a guide from the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. Old Delhi walk with stops at the Jama Masjid, Gurduwara, Chandni Chowk, and Connaught Place. Agra Fort visit. Taj Mahal visit. Fatephur Sikri visit. Village stay (Dhula). I'timad-ud-daulah (Baby Taj) entrance. Jaipur City Palace entrance and guided tours. Amber Fort. Abhaneri village walk and stepwell visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.