15 Day Essential India

Fully Guided Adventure Small Group

Our Price From 1,484 Per Person

Exclusive Savings 579 Per Person

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Trip Length

15 Days

Trip Starts

Delhi

Trip Finishes

Delhi

15 Day Essential India Itinerary (G Adventures)

Countries Explored: India

Trip Operator

G Adventures

103 Reviews

Trip Style

Classic

Departures

Jan 2025 to Dec 2026

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

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

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 visit a nearby waterfall or 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: 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

3.0

AVG. RATING 3.0 / 5

1 Review

5 Star

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1 Star

India - the sub continent! 0 Meredith and Richard, NSW, Australia, Aug 2024

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

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We’ve been the leaders in small-group adventure travel since 1990. How’d we get here? By listening to our travellers and giving them what they want: flexible itineraries, freedom to explore, smaller groups, safety and peace of mind, and locally based guides who show you your destination in a way you’d miss travelling any other way. Check out how we’re l...more

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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. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Essential India

Overview

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Delhi

Day 2: Delhi

Day 3: Delhi - Jaipur

Day 4: Jaipur

Day 5: Jaipur - Dhula Village

Day 6: Dhula Village - Āgra

Day 7: Āgra

Day 8: Āgra - Alīpura

Day 9: Alīpura

Day 10: Alīpura - Orchha

Day 11: Orchha - Varanasi

Day 12: Varanasi

Day 13: Varanasi

Day 14: Varanasi - Delhi

Day 15: Delhi

Trip Inclusions Expand All

Journey Highlights

Trip Inclusions

Accommodation

Your Tour Guides

Meals Included

Transport

Trip Notes

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Essential India' Reviews

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G Adventures Earth (2023-24)

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