Highlights of Northern India
Highlights of Northern India
Highlights of Northern India
9 Days Starting and ending in Delhi
Visiting: India
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AIC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Northern India conjures up memorable and colourful images of turbans, saris, flavoursome curries and rickshaws. We visit the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, home to the wonderful former Maharaja's Palace and the splendid hilltop Amber Fort. Agra and the serene Taj Mahal are not to be missed and fully live up to expectations. An early morning boat ride through the mist along the ghats of Varanasi is probably the most sensory intoxicating excursion in India and is both fascinating and deeply moving – an experience only equalled by spotting a tiger in Ranthambore National Park.
Highlights
Itinerary
Flights usually depart London in the evening.
**
Day 2
Those who are on the group flights will land in Delhi in the morning. Those
not on the group flights will need to be at the start hotel by 9am (or at the
airport when the group land). A local representative will meet Land Only
clients at the start hotel and provide a transfer to the airport where we
meet clients arriving on the group flight. Once everyone has arrived we will
then depart on the drive to Jaipur, which may take between 5-7 hours
depending upon traffic conditions.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 3
Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues
built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. We visit the City
Palace in the centre of Jaipur, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, now a
fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and
weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India,
the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical
instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also
see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. We
then visit the impressive and splendid Amber Fort, a few miles from the main
city, rising above a lake. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as
durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones,
leatherwear etc. It will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying
anything!
*Standard Hotel*
Day 4
We wind our way through the villages of rural India to Ranthambore Tiger
Reserve (approx. 5 hr drive); we stay in a hotel not far from the park
entrance and make 2 game drives into the park, one in the late afternoon and
one the following morning. Ranthambore is one of India's tiger reserves under
Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the
tiger population and the chance of spotting a tiger is small, but many Exodus
groups have seen tigers over the last few years. There is other wildlife to
spot such as several species of deer, crocodiles and bird life including
purple heron, kingfishers, cormorants, parakeets, jacanda, waders and
partridges.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 5
In the morning we take our second game drive, trying to find that elusive
tiger, before we start our journey to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri
is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and
well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a
local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his
successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand
worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of
decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in
1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving
this city much as we see it today – in perfect condition. This is another
very full but rewarding day. Total driving time approx. 7 hrs.
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 6
Today we will rise early to visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal at
sunrise which was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his
beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful
and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior
changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is
matched by the rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing
Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls
enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls,
courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.
It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son
Aurangzeb. Later in the day we will transfer to Agra train station and join
the overnight sleeper train to Varanasi.
*Sleeper Train*
Day 7
We arrive in Varanasi during the morning and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi,
located on the river Ganges, 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. It is a city to get immersed in by
exploring its maze of narrow lanes and the many temples and watching the
Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. There is time to explore
the emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by
the banks of the Ganges. Your leader can organise various optional
sightseeing trips during your 2 days here.
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 8
Just before dawn, we take a boat out 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 these three miles of riverbank
to soak in the holy waters. This afternoon we fly back to Delhi. *
*
*Standard hotel*
Day 9
Today you are free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an
optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish). Recommended sites
are the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid (India's largest
mosque), Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and Raj Ghat. For last minute
shopping, we recommend the market area of Chandni Chowk or Karol Bagh.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 10
Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for the airport this
morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will
finish after check-out from the hotel.
**
What's Included
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All breakfasts and 1 lunch included
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Transfer for group flights
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All accommodation
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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Single supplement
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Travel insurance
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Visas & vaccinations
Accommodation
We stay in centrally located city hotels (two- or three-star, local rating) that mix heritage and modern styles, plus a jungle hotel in Ranthambore National Park and the overnight sleeper train from Agra to Varanasi.
Jaipur: Fort Chandragupt
In central Jaipur, Fort Chandragupt is a combination of classic heritage with contemporary services and amenities. From the rooftop terrace, take in the view of the Pink City and the Aravalli mountain range where, on a clear day, the Nahargarh Fort can be seen. By staying close to several attractions and transport hubs, your senses will go into overdrive as you step out into the hustle of local people and tourists busily going about their day. The hotel facilities include a swimming pool, several restaurants and a lounge-bar.
Ranthambore: Raj Palace
Within Ranthambore National Park, the Raj Palace is conveniently located so we don't have far to go in search of tigers and other wildlife. When not in the forest, relax in the pool or just sit in the gardens giving your senses a break, away from the city noise and heat.
Sleeper trains
These are booked in a two-tier sleeper (or three-tier if two-tier is unavailable) with air conditioning. There are many excellent trains in India, but the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with Western standards. All seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning we cannot guarantee the whole group is together on the train. Your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. Indian trains are safe, but we recommend you always keep valuables with you as the sleeper compartments are open with curtains for privacy along the aisle. Snacks are often offered on board (at an additional cost). While some trains have Western-style facilities, most services are equipped with squat toilets.
Worth knowing
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Its common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.
Sleeper trains are not enclosed compartments, bed bunks are set up within a carriage with curtains for some privacy.
Within the sleeper train, you may be sharing a compartment of four beds with members of the public depending on how the seats are allocated.
Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains
Food
All breakfasts and 1 lunch are included in this trip.
India is famous for its food and there is ample chance to try various curries
such as the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a
vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and
excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a
refreshing yoghurt drink.
You should allow at least £15-25 (approx. US$20 - US$35) per day for lunch
and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more
expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the
suggested amount. In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants
and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note that service in
restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A
(large!) bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$4).
Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large
container in the bus in order to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring
your own water bottle with you to refill.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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