India - Highlights of North India (11 days)

Commencing in Delhi we fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu cities jammed up against the banks of the Ganges River. The river's ghats come alive at dawn as Hindu pilgrims, many from far away, perform their rituals as the sun rises. We take a boat trip to witness this mesmerizing spectacle. The old city is a warren of alleyways and a lot of fun to explore.

An overnight train takes us to Agra where we visit one of the worlds most famous and beautiful monuments, the Taj Mahal. Agra Fort is also well worth a visit and we explore it before continuing our journey to the eerie abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri and then the capital of Rajasthan, the 'Pink City' of Jaipur. A highlight of our stay in this fascinating city is visiting the huge Amber Fort. You will probably find however that the surprise highlight of this adventure is Nimaj Bagh. A wonderful little rural town, we stay in a palace run by the 23rd descendent of the region's original ruler. It is an experience you'll remember for many years. We then return to Delhi for some sightseeing, shopping and a final group dinner.

Day 1: (Sun) Arrive in Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Varanasi and enjoy free day exploring.
Day 3: Morning boat ride on Ganges River and explore old city.
Day 4: Visit Buddhist holy site of Sarnath. Overnight train to Agra.
Day 5: Morning visit to Taj Mahal. Visit Agra Fort.
Day 6: Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri.
Day 7: Visit Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), City Palace Museum and Jantar Mantar.
Day 8: Drive to Nimaj Bagh and walk around the village in the afternoon.
Day 9: Full day in rural Nimaj exploring beautiful surroundings and local villages.
Day 10: Drive to Delhi and enjoy city orientation, including India Gate and Janpath Bazaar.
Day 11: Trip finishes in Delhi this morning (Wed).

Operated by Peregrine Adventures (PIHN)

Departures: September to May

Contact us for more information, current costs and to make a booking on this small group adventure