This small-group tour aims to capture the essence of North and Southern India. Begin your trip in Delhi, the fascinating capital divided into two counterparts and the former home of Mughal Muslim Rulers between the 17th and 19th centuries. Continue your journey to Agra, where you will discover the Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and travel to Ranthambore. Visit the National Park, home to the largest tiger population in India where you may come across Royal Bengal Tigers. Next, you will drive to Jaipur, the famous Pink City home to the city palace and the impressive Hawa Mahal. Catch a flight to Southern India from Jaipur to explore Alleppey, a tranquil town and the hub of Kerala’s backwaters. From there you will discover Cochin, an old colonial harbor city boasting breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea before you end your tour of North and Southern India.
Discover a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine and scorching cuisine to the incredibly kind people, this is Sri Lanka. This 14-day Premium adventure through ‘the Teardrop of India’ will take you straight to the heart of the country. Explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, search for rare and beautiful animals like elephants and leopards, relax on palm-fringed beaches and soak up the hospitable welcome from the locals. From the spicy food scene to the Exclusive cooking class and high tea, this adventure sees all the best bits or Sri Lanka in style.
Just recently completed the “Royal India” tour. It was magnificent. Excellent tour guide and driver. Lovely hotels with excellent service. And of course, amazing things to see and do. Highly recommend!
This was a great trip full of wonderful and varied experiences plus a number of highlights including: Bodh Gaya and important Buddhist sites, Varanasi, the Taj Mahal, Shimla and The Golden Temple at Amritsar. Travelling by train proved to be fascinating and a good way to meet people, even if it was not always totally comfortable. Pemba was an excellent tour guide, caring, well organised, knowledgeable and extremely likeable. I would certainly recommend the trip as a good way to explore this part of northern India.
This 11-day northern India tour finishes with two days exploring the Holy City of Varanasi on the banks of the River Ganges, after exploring Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, rural Rajasthan and Jaipur.
This India tour starts in the capital city, Delhi, with tours of both the old and new sides of this bustling city, now home to over 18 million people. We then head south into the arid state of Rajasthan, home to impressive forts and palaces, colourful saris and jewellery, and fascinating Indian history. We firstly visit Agra, home to the incomparable Taj Mahal, the world's most famous monument to love. We continue the tour's theme of mixing unmissable tourist sites with activities and experiences more off the beaten track by taking a Mughal Heritage Walk with a local villager through farmland and homesteads on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River to the Taj Mahal. This tour supports the local community and provides a fascinating insight into village life in Agra as well as providing great views of the Taj not normally seen. We'll also see the Taj Mahal close up at sunrise as the changing morning light brings the building to life in different hues and colours.
Our next stop is the small and remote town of Hinduan where we stay in a converted palace and explore the village and surroundings, getting a real feel for rural Indian life. We'll then visit the Amber Fort, City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, as well as exploring its famous craft and produce markets.
After returning to Delhi, we take to India's famous railway network for the journey to Varanasi. One of the world's oldest living cities, Varanasi is also considered one of India's holiest and is an especially auspicious place for Hindus to make a pilgrimage to bathe in the waters of the River Ganges. While in Varanasi, we'll take an early morning boat trip on the river, take part in an evening Aarti ceremony giving candlelit offerings to the river, and visit Sarnath, where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
Another train journey then takes us back to Delhi to finish the India tour (flight upgrades are available if preferred).
The accommodations used on this tour have been carefully selected and include a home-stay style hotel whilst in Delhi, modern properties in Agra and Varanasi, plus heritage hotels in Jaipur and Hinduan.
Without the dust in Rajastan India is indeed a great destination not only for Westerners but anyone interested in East Indian cultures and traditions. Food was good but a little too salty for my tastebuds. In southern India food not as salty but also very good.
I plan at some later time to revisit India but be a little more prepared to deal with the dust and the northern weather in January.
Great trip, itinerary and tour leader
Would’ve liked a bit more time in Kandy- having an afternoon on the first day perhaps ? Maybe can streamline the tea plantation and shorten theearlier stop to the gem place.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through southern India, starting in the vibrant streets of Kochi and ending on the shores of Kovalam. Discover a thousand shades of green, indulge in some of the continent’s freshest food and share moments of connection with locals. Journey through tea plantations in Munnar and encounter wildlife in Periyar National Park. Cruise the serene backwaters of Kumarakom and see sunsets over Vembanad Lake. Delve into the region’s spice trade and Ayurvedic traditions in the Western Ghats mountains before unwinding on the beaches of Kovalam. This adventure introduces you to the natural beauty of an area less travelled from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Visit India and follow the famous Golden Triangle. Enjoy the perfect introduction to India's three most popular destinations - Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur - as we explore the icons and discover the secrets of this fascinating region. Experience the history of massive forts, the opulence of Rajasthan's palaces, and the traditions of a heritage homestay. Head north into the Himalayan foothills and be introduced to the Mountains and Mystics of this incredible country. These mystical lands look and feel very different from the rest of India - from the food and clothes to the crisp, clean mountain air and spiritual sway of the inhabitants. Discover the complex diversity of India and be enchanted by a land balanced between physical and spiritual worlds.
Fabulous walking and touring holiday. Hotels were all decent to very good. Our tour leader, Cham, was excellent - very knowledgeable and always willing to do extra optional things. We were a small group and we wanted to do everything! The tour itinerary was excellent and we felt like we saw nearly everything that a tour only group would see in addition to all the walking in remote locations and seeing beautiful views and remote villages. Highly recommended!!!
I had the most amazing time on a trip to India with this travel operator. It was well thought out from start to finish. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable about the places we were visiting, he went above and beyond and kept things fun. The places we saw were overwhelmingly beautiful. The perfect mix of culture and a good time. I'd definitely travel with them again. Thank you!
Spend eight days discovering the cultural wonders of northern India, starting and ending in Delhi. From the bustling bazaars of Old Delhi to the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra, this tour is packed with iconic sights and rich history. Stay in heritage properties in Karauli or Dholpur, and explore Jaipur’s ornate palaces and the striking Amber Fort. Highlights include rickshaw rides, Mughal architecture, and the vibrant Pink City. With plenty of free time and optional experiences like hot-air ballooning and street food tours, this trip offers a colourful, well-rounded introduction to India’s Golden Triangle.
This exciting journey travels through Sri Lanka’s famous cultural triangle and offers something for the whole family. Discover the wildlife that waits in the Minneriya and Yala National Parks, walk along the sandy Golden Mile and bathe in the crystal waters of Beruwala beach in this amazing adventure for all ages. This holiday is perfect for families with children aged 5 years and over.
