Indian Getaway

Intrepid Travel · 11 days
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
Indian Getaway
11 Days
From AUD $760
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


 (20 reviews)

Indian Getaway

Indian Getaway

Intrepid Travel · 11 days
4.7
20 Reviews
Duration

11 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Dive into India on this 11-day adventure and discover a wide range of cultural highlights in a relatively short amount of time.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (1), Dinner (1)
Accommodation: Heritage Property (2 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Highlights

  • Get to know the chaotic capital of Delhi with a local leader to help you navigate. Take a cycle rickshaw ride through the city’s bustling streets and visit the Sheeshganj Gurudwara to learn about Sikhism.
  • See the spectacular Taj Mahal – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – during a guided tour that illuminates the building’s fascinating history.
  • Choose your own adventure with optional activities like a sunrise boat ride along the holy Ganges River in Varanasi. Your expert local leader will have the local know-how to guide you throughout your journey.
  • Stay in the rural, off-the-beaten-track Rajasthani village of Tordi Garh in style when you spend a night at a 16th-century palace.
  • Travel like a local when you take sleeper trains – a quintessential Indian experience – to Varanasi and Agra, with padded bunks for comfort and onboard vendors selling chai and samosas.
Indian Getaway

Trip Details

Duration

11 days

Transportation

Auto rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Jeep

Guide Language

English

Starts

Delhi, India

Finishes

Delhi, India

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer, Rail & Cruises, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to Delhi, a fabulously chaotic capital city that will warm your heart and overwhelm your senses. The air is thick with the smell of spices and the sound of mayhem as vendors whip up masala chai on side streets, locals barter at bazaars for the best bargain and bhangra music blasts from the alleyways. Your adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, why not head out and explore the streets?

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Delhi
This morning, check out the sights and sounds of Old Delhi on a leader-led tour of this fascinating quarter of the capital. Take a ride on the city's modern metro system and get a taste of India's famed public transport with a cycle rickshaw ride through the chaotic streets (such as the famous Chandni Chowk). You’ll also visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings – then stop by the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the spiritual traditions of Sikhism. In the evening, board an overnight sleeper train bound for Varanasi.

Included Activities:

  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight Sleeper Train (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Varanasi
When you arrive in Varanasi this morning, check into your hotel and freshen up before heading out on a guided walking tour of the Old City. Set along the banks of the holy Ganges River, Varanasi is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city that’s overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees. Navigate through Varanasi's maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops, stalls and lumbering cows. See pilgrims performing rituals unchanged for hundreds of years and pass chiming temples as wafts of incense fill the air.

Included Activities:

  • Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Varanasi
If you’re up for an early start today, it’s highly recommended you take an optional boat ride down the Ganges to watch the sunrise. Even if you're not the spiritual sort, this experience offers incredibly scenery. Pass the many ghats (stairs leading to the water) and temples along the river, and watch thousands of Hindu pilgrims cleanse their sins in the holy water as the sun bathes the surroundings in shades of amber and orange. Witness the rituals of life and death taking place along the riverbank and be prepared for potentially confronting sights and smells, as this is also where families come to cremate their loved ones. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace – ask your leader for their suggestions.

Optional Activities:

  • Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip (500 INR)
  • Varanasi - Banares Hindu University (250 INR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Varanasi
Today, there’s lots of free time to explore more of Varanasi before you get an authentic taste of Indian life on board an overnight sleeper train bound for Agra this evening. You could take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations and the site where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment. Or you could visit the crumbling 17th-century Ramnagar Fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges. Varanasi is home to India’s silk-making industry, so maybe investigate the many silk markets dotted around the city, otherwise you could take a class to work on your yoga skills.

Optional Activities:

  • Varanasi - Sarnath (315 INR)
  • Varanasi - Ram Nagar Fort (250 INR)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight Sleeper Train (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Agra
Get ready to tick off a major bucket list item today – the glorious Taj Mahal. Head out for a guided tour of this elaborate monument when you arrive in Agra. After, you’ll have a free day to explore more of Agra's highlights. There’s the option to take a trip on a motorised rickshaw to visit some of the city’s best monuments. If you’ve got the energy, head out to Agra Fort and stroll the palatial gardens of this red sandstone stronghold or check out Akbar's Mausoleum, a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors. In the evening, maybe try some signature local dishes like biryani or korma, or sit down for a meal at Sheroes Hangout – a cafe that supports acid attack survivors.

Included Activities:

  • Agra - Taj Mahal

Optional Activities:

  • Agra - Sheroes Hangout Cafe (prices from) (500 INR)
  • Agra - Akbar's Mausoleum (300 INR)
  • Agra - Motorised Rickshaw (300 INR)
  • Agra - Agra Fort (650 INR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Tordi
Drive through the countryside to Tordi Garh – a village that few travellers venture to. This remote village offers a fantastic glimpse of the real Rajasthan. When you arrive, meet the locals for a guided walk – you’ll visit the old village temple and wander through the markets, gaining an insight into everyday life in this peaceful community. Tonight, you’ll sleep in heritage accommodation – a 16th-century palace with its owner as your host. Settle in, then savour delicious local flavours during tonight’s included dinner.

Accommodation:

  • Heritage Property (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Jaipur
Take a private vehicle to Jaipur, India's oh-so-pretty Pink City. You'll have plenty of free time here to haggle to your heart's content at the bazaars and backstreets where vendors sell a variety of textiles, gemstones and stunning blue pottery. Go on a guided walk with your leader to get the lay of the land in the city, then maybe drop by one of India’s finest palaces – the Royal City Palace. Food lovers will want to hit the streets for raj kachori chaat (a snack served with chutney, yogurt, chili and potato). Then, you might like to cool off with a lassi at Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop – Lassiwala. This evening, you might like to see a Bollywood blockbuster at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema. Your accommodation for tonight will be in another family-run heritage hotel.

Included Activities:

  • Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour

Optional Activities:

  • Jaipur - City Palace (1200 INR)
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema (400 INR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Jaipur
If you're keen for a different view of the Pink City, an optional early morning hot air balloon ride is highly recommended. Speak to your leader about organising this optional activity. Later in the morning, you might like to drop by Hawa Mahal (AKA the ‘Palace of the Winds’). The palace’s impressive five-storey facade with pink and honeycombed windows has made it the most photographed building in the country after the Taj Mahal. Then, you’ll venture out to the old capital of Amber to explore the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The rest of the day is free for you to spend however you like. You might like to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 18th century.

Included Activities:

  • Jaipur - Amber Fort

Optional Activities:

  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari (290 USD)
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema (400 INR)
  • Jaipur - City Palace (1200 INR)
  • Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory (200 INR)
  • Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) (200 INR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Delhi
This morning, take a train ride back to India's capital. This exciting city is overflowing with incredible historic sites, museums, galleries, shops and endless bazaars. Watch as people, cars, rickshaws and cows all move through the streets together in a kind of organised chaos. You might like to sit back with a chai and let it all soak in as you enjoy a free day to explore. Ask your expert leader for their top recommendations on how to make the most of your time here. You could visit the 16th-century Humayun's Tomb or the Qutub Minar – the tallest minaret in India. This evening, join your group for an optional farewell dinner and toast to your adventures.

Optional Activities:

  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb (650 INR)
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar (650 INR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Delhi
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end. If you'd like to spend more time in Delhi, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $760
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 11 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Dive into India on this 11-day adventure and discover a wide range of cultural highlights in a relatively short amount of time.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 Feb 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Nick
Traveled, April 2024

04/12/2024

If you don’t like tours like me, this is brilliant. You still have a sense of independence with efficient use of your time!

5.0
Rachel
Traveled, April 2024

04/13/2024

This trip is phenomenal. A real adventure which explores the rich culture of India in depth and with understanding and sensitivity. The range of acitivies is excellent, we can't reccomend this enough.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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