India Explorer

Arrive in Delhi at any time, pickup and transfer to your hotel included. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 12:00 noon)

Walk through the backstreets of Delhi with a young adult taking part in the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. As a former streetkid, your guide will offer a unique insight into the "real" Delhi and you will visit the project's headquarters. Later, explore Old Delhi with our CEO, including Jama Masjid (Great Mosque), Chandni Chowk local market, and Gurdwara Sikh Temple.

Fly to Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city, where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die. in the afternoon, take boats out onto the sacred Ganges River at sunset, enjoy a candle and flower ceremony accompanied by sitar and tabla playing, and observe an evening aarti (prayer) ceremony.

Rise early for a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges to observe the dawn rituals of bathing and burial. After, have breakfast at one of Planeterra's grassroots partners - Open Hand, a vocational training cafe. Open Hand is a social enterprise whose mission is to transform society by providing dignified and meaningful job opportunities to underprivileged people in India. This afternoon take an excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.

Today we catch our flight to Khajuraho. In the afternoon, visit the Western Temples and take a yoga class. In the evening, enjoy a local Kandariya Dance Show.

One of the most popular destinations in India, Khajuraho is home to India’s largest group of medieval Hindu temples. These are famous for their erotic sculptures depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra. Only discovered in the 20th century, the Khajuraho group of monuments is today protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today we travel by private bus and public train to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Traveling by train in India is truly a wonderful experience. It's a great chance to meet locals and to view the countryside as it unfolds in front of you.

Our train journey terminates in Agra, one of the Mughal Empire's most important cities.

The bustling city of Agra is best known as the site of India’s most famous landmark and testament to love, the Taj Mahal. In the morning, tour Taj Mahal and also the Agra Fort. In the afternoon, proceed onwards to Ranthambore.

In the evening, arrive at Ranthambore, with its 1000-year-old fort overlooking the park. Relax and take in the magnificent surroundings before heading out on safari the next day.

We enjoy two safari drives into the park, exploring its lakes and scrublands in search of wildlife, which can include deer, birds, and monkeys. If we are lucky, we may even see one of the resident tigers. We also visit the ruined fort and Ganesh temple, which is frequented by many local people making offerings.

After a leisurely breakfast, travel to India's "Pink City" -- Jaipur. Founded in 1728, Jaipur is unlike any other pre-modern Indian city in that it is planned according to the principles of Hindu architectural theory.

Here we visit the 15th century Amber Fort and palace, which was the former capital of the region. We also take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and visit the City Palace Museum and Jantar Mantar Observatory.

This morning we drive to the village of Jojawar where we check into our historic, heritage hotel.

Our stay here offers an opportunity to meet with locals provides fascinating insight into rural village life in India, get into the wilderness of the countryside and also take a chance of taking an optional local train safari through the Aravali Hill ranges.

We continue on to Udaipur, famous for its lakes and Raj-era palaces. The most famous of these, and certainly the most photographed, is the Lake Palace. This beautiful white marble palace is now a hotel and entirely covers a small island in Lake Pichola. Originally known as the Jag Niwas, the palace took three years to build and was inaugurated in 1746.

Enjoy a city walk, which includes a visit to the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India and full of unbelievable treasures. Visit the Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 AD and dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.

During free time, journey out to the hilltop Monsoon Palace, summer resort of the Maharajas. Sit atop a hill with a panoramic view of the city’s lakes and watch the sunset.

Catch a flight back to Delhi where you have the option of joining our CEO for a farewell dinner.