Best of North India

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Delhi to Jaipur

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Max People (30)

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7-8 Days

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Min Age (15)

Overview
Location
Trip Highlights
What To Expect
Itinerary Details
Inclusions
Important Notes
Itinerary Disclaimer
Covid-19
Climate
Safety
Phone and Internet Access
Travel Insurance
Packing List
Group Leader

Overview

A two week North India tour highlights the best of Rajasthan, the sublime Taj Mahal, the aesthetics of Khajuraho temples and the eternal Varanasi.

Kickstart your cultural adventure with an introduction to the contrasting faces of bustling Delhi. Visit the historic cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur to get awed by imposing forts, luxurious palaces and beautiful temples. At the same time, you also experience authentic local culture and discover the region’s hidden gems. Marvel at the eternal beauty of the sublime Taj Mahal. Gaze in awe at the seductive craftsmanship of Khajuraho. Take a break from the busy cities and spend some time wandering around the delightful town of Orchha. On an early morning boat ride, get a glimpse of one of the oldest living cities.

Start	New Delhi, India	Trip Pace	3.5/5
Finish	New Delhi, India	Physical Rating	2/5
Theme	Culture	Style	Original
Min. Age	15	Group Size	4-16

Location

Heritage

Landscape

Wildlife

Trip Highlights

Soak in the romance of Udaipur, teeming in resplendent palaces afloat the tranquil lakes.
Explore the towering Mehrangarh Fort overlooking the blue city. You can feel the city humming!
Ride camels out in the deserts of Pushkar. You may get some tag-along musicians willing to play any of your favourite melodies.
Go on a fascinating walking tour of the pink city. There isn’t a moment you would want to miss out on. You cannot escape Jaipur without shopping!
Get startled by the intricately carved 8th-century step-well of Abhaneri.
Unravel the mystery behind the aesthetics of erotic Khajuraho sculptures.
Spend time exploring the serene town of Orchha that often gets outshined by the more popular tourist places. We are confident you would want to return to Orchha soon.
Take a boat ride to witness the early morning activities along the Ganges. Few soul-satiating experiences can compare with this one.

What To Expect

The region we are travelling through experiences hot weather for most parts (March – September) in a year. Please bring lightweight and loose cotton clothes, sunscreen and a sunhat and keep yourself hydrated.
We are committed to travelling respectfully to the local communities and the environment. Please dress up conservatively (minimum half sleeves and three-quarter trousers) as you will visit religious places and rural communities. Use water and electricity judiciously.

Itinerary Details

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN DELHI

Namaste! Welcome to India!

Upon arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport, please make your way out of the arrival lounge; once you have completed your immigration and baggage collection formalities. Look out for the ‘Beyond The Tours’ representative or driver who would be waiting to receive you just outside of gate number 5 with a placard bearing your name. If you cannot spot our representative or the driver, please call us on the below numbers to assist you further.

Beyond The Tours (India): +91-1234567890

An arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel is included in your trip price. Depending on traffic, the drive to your hotel takes around an hour and a half (nearly 25 km).

Important: Do not follow anyone who may tell you that your hotel is sold out and that they have better options for you. This may be a scam!
Check-in time at your hotel is 12:00 pm. Early check-in is subject to availability.

The rest of the day is at leisure. If you have arrived early, take a look at our list of recommended optional activities.

The city of Delhi has always been a centre of politics for several distinct enclaves, the earliest being Indraprastha which dates back to nearly 5000 years in the Hindu epic Mahabharat. The latest was Old Delhi with its Mughal built monuments such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and New Delhi when the British shifted their capital from Kolkata in 1911. With imposing forts and mausoleums, temples of antiquity, museums, art galleries, upscale boutiques, luxury hotels, and not to forget, some of the world’s most lip-smacking cuisine, India’s capital is a treasure trove for every taste.

Please join your group leader for an important meeting at 06:00 pm. They will share important trip-related information with you and collect your passport, visa, and travel insurance details.

Today, your group leader will take you out for dinner at one of the local restaurants. Here, you will have the opportunity to know your fellow travellers while enjoying some of the most delicious north Indian cuisines.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

Inclusions
Arrival transfer: Delhi airport to hotel
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Welcome dinner

Day 2 Delhi

Today morning, we will visit Lodhi Garden where we will have our YOGA session. Later your Indian adventure kicks off with a guided tour of Delhi.Dive into the cultural potpourri of India’s bustling capital.

Visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. The grand red sandstone edifice dominates Old Delhi’s skyline and can accommodate a whopping 25,000 devotees at a time. Follow your group leader on a fascinating old Delhi walking tour, winding through the quirky neighborhoods and specialized marketplaces. Visit the highly revered Sis Ganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) that warmly welcomes everyone without discrimination. For a truly authentic local experience, join the locals at the langar (community kitchen) that serves nearly 10,000 people daily, and it is all free!

Take a cycle rickshaw tour and maneuver the chaos to reach Asia’s largest spice market.

Unlike the organized chaos of a traditional Indian bazaar, New Delhi offers wide avenues, grand vistas, and British-era architecture. Our drive will take us past the Parliament House, the President’s House, and the India Gate. Check out the 14th-century stepwell amid the urban jungle – a true hidden treasure!

The rest of the day is at leisure. Your group leader will be happy to assist you in organizing the optional activities.

Inclusions

Jama Masjid (mosque)
Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Spice Markets
Cycle Rickshaw Ride
Drive past New Delhi

Agrasen Ki Baoli (stepwell

Day 3 Udaipur

Today, we travel to Agra by road (approx. 200 km | around 4 hours). Prepare yourself for an exciting day of travel and visit some of the most impressive architectural sites.

Strategically located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Agra was the erstwhile capital of the Mughals during the 15th and 16th centuries. The city flourished under the patronage of emperors Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan, who built luxurious palaces, forts, mausoleums and gardens. While the Taj Mahal is India’s star tourist attraction, the Agra Fort is no less impressive. With over a hundred years of history – bloody, spectacular, sometimes dark, the stunning range of courtly buildings flaunt Akbar’s passion for rustic red sandstone and Shah Jahan’s love for the sublime marble.

Included Activities
Taj Mahal (only one visit)
Agra Fort
Accommodation
Hotel (1 Night)
Included Meals
Breakfast

DAY 4 |Day 4 Udaipur

Today, we depart for Fatehpur Sikri (approx. 40 km | nearly one hour). This ancient fortified city served as the capital of the Mughal empire only for twelve years.

The red sandstone complex houses breathtaking palaces, open courtyards, gardens and pavilions, including a stunning mosque, still in use today. After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, we drive to Bharatpur (around 20 km) railway station from where we travel by train (nearly 2 hours) to Sawai Madhopur, home of Ranthambore National Park. We arrive at Sawai Madhopur in the evening and check in to our hotel for a two-night stay.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Included Activities
Fatehpur Sikri Palace Complex
Accommodation
Hotel (1 Night)
Included Meals
Dinner

Day 5 Jodhpur

Today, we drive to Jodhpur (around 275 km) in around 7-8 hours. We stop en route to visit the 15th century Ranakpur Jain temples.
Resting on a complex of 1444 pillars adorned with profuse marble carvings, the temple is a pure manifestation of excellence in architecture and craftsmanship with no two pillars alike.

Day 6 Jodhpur

This morning, on our Jodhpur tour, we visit the Mehrangarh Fort. Towering over the jumble of blue houses, the mighty fort of Jodhpur dominates the city’s skyline and is placed amongst the most formidable and magnificent forts of Rajasthan. The fort proudly stands out as one of the most well-preserved heritage sites you will ever visit.
To feel the city’s pulse, go down to the clock tower market bustling with buyers and sellers of fresh vegetables, handicrafts, silver, textiles, knick-knacks, spices, and yes, there are holy cows too – though not for sale! Do not miss out on the Makhaniya Lassi (yoghurt drink) – many past travellers have rated this one as the best lassi they have tasted in India.
If you are a polo lover, the famous Jodhpurs were first designed here.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Included Activities
Mehrangarh Fort
Clock tower market
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities
Jaswant Thada
Ummaid Bhawan Palace Museum
Mandore Gardens

Day 7 Pushkar

Today, we travel back to Delhi (around 275 km | approx. 6 hours) in our private vehicles.
If you reach Delhi in time, check out some of the city’s popular attractions.

Today, your group leader will take you out for the farewell dinner at one of the local restaurants (Optional).

Overnight stay at the hotel.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 Night)
Included Meals
Breakfast

Day 8 Jaipur

There are no activities today.

Check-out time at your hotel is 12:00 pm. If you plan to depart later, you may store your luggage with the hotel at no extra cost.

A departure transfer (trip hotel to airport) is included in your trip price. Please provide us with your flight details at least seven days before your flight date. Your group leader will help you re-confirm your transfer.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Travellers on ‘Tourrnival Jourrneys’ trips are required to produce proof of complete vaccination against the Covid-19.
Please provide us with your passport and visa scans to assist you in obtaining a safari permit at Ranthambore.
An optional single room supplement is available on this trip. The single supplement is subject to availability.
Ranthambore National Park remains closed from June to September due to the monsoon. On the trips to Ranthambore during the specified period, we will alternately visit Ranthambore Fort

Day 9 Jaipur

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Day 10 Agra

Day 11 Khajuraho

Day 11 Orchha

Day 12 Overnight Train to Varanasi

Day 13 Varanasi

Day 14 Varanasi

Day 15 Delhi

Day 16 Delhi | End of Trip

Inclusions

Activities

Arrival transfer (Delhi Airport To Trip Hotel) – Delhi
Old Delhi walking tour – Delhi
Jama Masjid (mosque) – Delhi
Sisganj Gurudwara (Sikh temple) -Delhi
Old Delhi Spice Market – Delhi
Drive past New Delhi – Delhi
Agrasen Ki Baoli (stepwell) – Delhi
City Palace Museum – Udaipur
Jagdish Temple – Udaipur
Ranakpur Jain Temples – en-route Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur
Clock tower visit – Jodhpur
Camel Safari – Pushkar
Pink City Heritage Walk – Jaipur
Photo stop at Hawa Mahal – Jaipur
Amber Fort – Jaipur
Chand Baori at Abhaneri – en-route Agra
Taj Mahal (only one visit) – Agra
Agra Fort – Agra
Western Zone of Temples – Khajuraho
Aarti Ceremony – Orchha
Sustainable Papermaking Plant Visit – Orchha
Orchha Palace Complex – Orchha
Morning Boat ride – Varanasi
Evening Boat ride with Aarti Ceremony – Varanasi
Orientation Walk – Varanasi
Flight: Varanasi to Delhi
Departure transfer (Trip Hotel to Delhi Airport)

Meals
14 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners

Accommodation

14 Nights of standard hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis,
Overnight train (1 night)

Transport
Private mini coach/car, shuttle bus/jeeps (at monuments), cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, day train, overnight train, boat, walking

Important Notes

Travellers on ‘Beyond The Tours’ trips are required to produce proof of complete vaccination against the Covid-19.
An optional single room supplement is available on this trip. The single supplement is subject to availability.
Boat rides in the Ganges in Varanasi may get cancelled in light of the safety concerns that arise due to increased water levels resulting from heavy rainfall in the region. In a situation as such, we will alternatively offer you a visit to Sarnath.

Itinerary Disclaimer

ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly based on the travellers’ feedback. Therefore, your Essential Trip Information may differ from the initial information you received at the time of booking the trip. Please review the information just a few days before your departure for the latest updates. Due to factors beyond our direct control, such as unfavourable weather, public holidays, transport cancellations, etc., we may be required to make further changes to the itinerary after the commencement of the trip. The sequence and timing of the included activities on this trip may vary seasonally for our travellers to have the best experience. Your group leader will keep you updated with any such changes after the trip has started.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: We have recommended optional activities on a day to day basis based on our past travellers’ feedback. Prices are approximate and do not include transport or services of a local guide unless specified otherwise. Optional activities are subject to availability, and some may be on a join-in basis. Depending on the available free time, it may or may not be possible to pursue all the optional activities listed in the trip itinerary.

Covid-19 Entry and Exit Requirements

Due to the constantly evolving health and safety advisory on Covid-19, it is imperative that you monitor your government’s travel advice for the most up to date border-measures and travel requirements as they may change without notice.

Climate

BEST TIME TO VISIT: September to March with warm days and cool nights. December and January are the coldest months, with temperatures reaching 0 degrees Celsius in some parts of north India.
SUMMER: April, May, and June are peak summer months with temperatures rising to 48 degrees Celcius
MONSOON: July, August, and September are the monsoon months when it gets warm and highly humid.

India experiences vast variations in its climate. We recommend checking the region’s weather you intend to visit beforehand and planning your trip accordingly.

Safety

We highly recommend you check your government’s travel advisory for safety-related information on the region you intend to visit. Additionally, please ensure your travel insurance policy covers you for the trip you are taking and all the activities part of your trip itinerary. Your group leader will accompany you on all the included activities on this trip. They will deliver daily safety briefings on activities and sightseeing, travel and transport, food and drinks, etc., for you to have the safest possible experience.

We recommend you use a neck wallet or a money belt to carry your valuables such as passports, bank cards, flight tickets, cash, etc. You may also use an electronic safe (available at some hotel rooms) to store your valuables. However, please do not forget to retrieve your belongings before checking out. Do not bring expensive jewellery on the trip. Please bring a lock to secure your luggage. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: You may get some free time to pursue your interests or relax. Any optional activities are not a part of the trip itinerary, and ‘Tourrnival Jourrneys’ cannot be held responsible for the associated safety concerns or the standard of the operators running them. We recommend you make your judgment before you choose to pursue any optional activity during your free time.

WOMEN’S SAFETY: Of late, there have been reported cases of sexual assault against women in India. While the risk of a safety incident on your trip is meagre, we suggest you take the below-mentioned precautions to have a safe travelling experience:

Respect local dress codes and customs. Dress up more conservatively (minimum half sleeves and three-quarter trousers) than what you do back home. The best is to observe the way local ladies or girls dress up.
Avoid isolated areas, unlit streets, or lanes, and do not travel alone on local transport, especially at night.
Do not accept any unsolicited offers from unknown people (particularly at tourist spots) to go out for drinks, motorbike rides, etc.
Lock your hotel room as soon as you enter it. The concept of privacy is understood differently in some regions.
Do not worry! Be confident, stay alert and enjoy your trip.

Phone and Internet Access

Some hotels offer free WiFi connectivity while some charge for this service. A mobile prepaid SIM (we recommend Airtel or Jio) that usually costs 200-300 INR is easy to buy. You would be required to produce a photocopy of your passport and visa and a passport size photograph. We suggest you buy it from a store close to your hotel so that you can follow up if required.

Travel Insurance

You must have a valid travel insurance policy while travelling on a ‘Tourrnival Jourrneys’ trip. Your travel insurance policy must cover you for medical expenses, including related covid-19 expenditures and emergency repatriation. We highly recommend that your policy covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment or loss of luggage or personal belongings.

Your group leader will collect your travel insurance details in the group meeting on Day 1. If you do not possess valid travel insurance, you will not be permitted to join the trip.

Packing List

Personal medical/first-aid kit.
Torch or flashlight.
Pack as lightly as you can. You would be required to carry your luggage for short distances, including train stations.
Day pack (for your local sightseeing).
Loose cotton clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sunhat (For summers | April to September).
Thermal vests and trousers, and a jacket (For peak winters | December and January).
Face masks, sanitiser, wet wipes, mosquito spray, earplugs and eye masks.
Sturdy sandals or comfortable walking shoes.
A small chain and a padlock.

Group Leader

All our group trips are led by group leaders who are locals with excellent field skills, supported by extensive local knowledge and training. The role of the group leader is to facilitate your trip in a way that you can have the best possible trip.

Though not conventional local guides, you can expect your group leader to provide you with adequate information on the places of your visit, including historical, religious, and cultural aspects of a destination, recommendations on safe eating options, optional activities, etc. Wherever required, we also hire the services of local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit.