Trip Style
Classic
Departures
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
15
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
AHEH
Overview
Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 15 Day Essential India. 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...read more to be caught up in India's incredible tapestry of life.
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project. Stay: Hotel Singh Sahib
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. Stay: Hotel Singh Sahib
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. Stay: Utsav Niwas
Opt to see the city on bicycle by pre-booking the Jaipur Cycle Tour. Stay: Utsav Niwas
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. Stay: Dhulabagh Camp (D)
Stop by the impressive Abhaneri stepwell en route to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Stay: Hotel The Agra Grande (B)
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. Stay: Hotel The Agra Grande
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. Stay: Alipura Palace
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 watch an evening dance performance. Stay: Alipura Palace
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. Stay: Ganpati Palace
Opt to sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking the Orchha Cooking School extra when booking your tour.
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. Stay: Hotel Vaibhav
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. Stay: Hotel Vaibhav
Soak up some free time this morning and continue exploring Varanasi. Later, cut out the travel time with a flight back to bustling Delhi. Stay: Hotel Singh Sahib
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- 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.
- 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: 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
- Hotels (12 Nights), comfortable tented camp (1 Night), sleeper train (1 Night)
- A variety of styles of hotels/guest houses are used in India. These can vary in terms of service, efficiency and cleanliness. In many instances they might not be like what you are used to back home. Power cuts can and are a regular occurrence in many places, especially throughout North and Central India. Although a number of hotels have generators there may be times when these won’t work. It is also recommended when you are in your room to lock the door, as staff will sometime enter without reason.
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
- Train, local bus, private vehicle, auto-rickshaw, small riverboat, plane
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Essential India' Reviews
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India is an amazing country with an amazing history, varied cultural and spiritual beliefs and architecture to die for; a photographer’s dream. Beware though, it’s is not a place for the faint hearted as it’s physically and mentally challenging on a daily basis. It can be quite hot and steamy and the general cleanliness and noise pollution could become ...read more quite overwhelming … rural settings are somewhat less confronting.
Accommodation standards do vary and does food quality. A roll of TP is a mandatory piece of arsenal a tourist must haves! Be sure you are well researched before signing on the dotted line … well informed an India trip or tour will be most rewarding.
Accommodation standards do vary and does food quality. A roll of TP is a mandatory piece of arsenal a tourist must haves! Be sure you are well researched before signing on the dotted line … well informed an India trip or tour will be most rewarding.
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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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