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Days
12
Price from
2245EUR
Map of Golden Triangle & Varanasi including India

Uncover enigmatic wonders and cultural charm in India’s north

Visit India and explore the best of the north on this 12-day highlights adventure from Delhi to Varanasi. Discover the Pink City of Jaipur, witness the Mughal splendours of Delhi and Agra, safari through Ranthambhore National Park in search of tigers and soak up the ambience of holy Varanasi on a sunrise cruise. This wonderful introduction to the magic of India includes lavish palaces, vibrant bazaars, Bollywood blockbusters and the incomparable Taj Mahal. Packed with hotspots and hidden gems, this is your chance to discover the cultural heart of India.

Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Destination
India
Style
Peregrine
Code
PIIG
Physical rating
Trip rating
23 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover the beauty in buildings that lie across the north of India, from Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’ and Royal City Palace to Agra’s Red Fort and iconic Taj Mahal.

  • A trip to India wouldn’t be complete without an insight into the world of Bollywood. Sit back and enjoy a film in one of Jaipur’s magnificent cinemas with your small group.

  • Embark on both morning and sunset safaris through Ranthambore National Park in search of antelope, sloth bears, leopards and the elusive tigers that call this park home.

  • Awaken the senses one morning in Varanasi with a sunrise cruise down the Ganges. It’s the perfect way to experience the spiritual magic of this ultimate Hindu pilgrimage destination.

  • Immerse yourself in the grandeur and elegance of Rajput royalty in rural Rajasthan at Castle Kanota – your Feature Stay heritage property on this trip.

Is this trip right for you?

  • In the summer months, Rajasthan can get very hot. Be sure to drink lots of water, pack light cotton clothing and use adequate skin protection.

  • There are several early mornings on this trip, as many parts of India really come alive in the dawn light.

  • It can get foggy between December and February, which can put a new spin on the already spectacular scenery. However, it may cause trains to be delayed.

Sunrise over the Taj Mahal, India
The stunning facade of Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’
Bengal Tigers in India's Ranthambhore National Park

Itinerary
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Welcome to India! On arrival at Delhi Airport, you will be met by a Peregrine representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, there will be an important welcome meeting in the hotel at around 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow group of travellers. Until then, you can use any free time before the meeting to explore this excitingly chaotic capital city. Filled with historical sites from different eras, museums, galleries and endless bazaars, there’s plenty to see in Delhi.
Accommodation
  • Jaypee Siddharth Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Get a taste of Indian rail travel with an express train into Rajasthan and onto the region’s capital of Jaipur (approximately 5 hours). On arrival, take a walking tour through the crowded streets packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles, past traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches. Walk the city's crowded bazaars filled with handcrafted textiles, folk art, and the local speciality of semi-precious stones. Afterwards, stop at one of India's most photographed buildings – the Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of the Winds'. There’s also the option to visit one of India’s finest palaces – Jaipur's Royal City Palace – or the astronomical instrument sculptures of the Observatory. This evening, continue to indulge in the wonders of Indian culture by watching a Bollywood blockbuster at Raj Mandir cinema.
Accommodation
  • Lemon Tree Premier or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema
Optional Activities
  • Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
  • Jaipur - City Palace - INR700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Visit the opulent Amber Fort – the jewel of Jaipur. It is quite a sight, with its soft shades of red, sandstone and white marble with elaborate Hindu-style flourishes. Explore the legacy of a fallen empire in its ornate rooms, lavish murals, frescoed arches and delicate jali work. After spending some time here, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore parts of Jaipur that you may have missed yesterday, or simply to relax at your accommodation.
Accommodation
  • Lemon Tree Premier or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
Optional Activities
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD260
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate from September 1st to April 31st and last approximately 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on Day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP only and is USD 260pp (subject to change). Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions. Tickets are fully refundable in the case of poor weather.

Drifting high over the Pink City while it’s bathed in the early morning sunlight is a highlight for many visitors to Jaipur, so consider booking yourself into a hot air balloon experience this morning. This can be done between September and April – for additional information see the 'Important Notes' section of the Essential Trip Information. During the day you’ll also drive to Kanota (approximately 1 hour). Your accommodation here is the elegant Castle Kanota – a Feature Stay of this itinerary. Built in 1972 and set on eight acres of manicured gardens, this heritage hotel is one of Rajasthan's finest.
Accommodation
  • Castle Kanota 'feature stay' or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Drive from Castle Kanota to Ranthambhore National Park (approximately 5 hours). In the evening, embark on a safari through the park. Ranthambore National Park is one of the original Project Tiger reserves – a place where nature has reclaimed ancient fortresses and temples and is teeming with wildlife. In 4WD safari vehicles, take game drives to search for animals, including the majestic tiger which stalks through the jungle. You may also have the chance to explore the 1000-year-old Ranthambore Fort, where two pavilions that have survived the ravages of war and time – Badal Mahal and Hammirs Court – give an idea of its old grandeur.
Accommodation
  • Pugmarks Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ranthambhore National Park - Evening wildlife safari
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that Ranthambhore National Park is closed between 1 July and 30 September each year. On those trips affected, we'll visit nearby Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary is located approximately 16 kilometres from Ranthambhore and, due to its hilly terrain, isn't as affected by the monsoon. Tigers inhabit this area also and sightings are more favourable at this time of year as they move away from flooded areas of Ranthambore.

Peregrine requires a scanned copy of your passport bio page at the time of booking to secure a permit for your Ranthambore National Park visit. Authorities at Ranthambhore follow a strict booking process whereby permits are issued on a first come first serve basis. If we do not receive correct passport details in time, we cannot guarantee you a place on the tiger safari.

Rise early for a morning safari – your second chance to spot some of this region’s resident tiger population. Even if they are too stealthy to see, the park is filled with other animals like gazelle, hyenas, sloth bears, crocodiles, jackals, three types of antelope (nilgai, sambar and chital) and leopards to watch out for. Afterwards, enjoy some time at leisure at the resort. You may like to take a stroll around town with your free afternoon or continue your relaxation beside the pool, perhaps enjoying a meal at the onsite restaurant, with most of the produce grown at the resort’s organic farm.
Accommodation
  • Pugmarks Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ranthambhore National Park - Morning Safari
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today, drive to Agra (approximately 5 hours). Once arrived, visit India's most iconic structure – the spectacular Taj Mahal. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the 17th-century Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his second wife and is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture surrounded by trimmed English gardens. Agra is also home to one of the finest looking forts in India. Stop at the nearby Agra Fort – a fortress, palace and prison built of red sandstone by Akbar in 1565 and partially converted into a palace during the time of Shah Jahan.
Accommodation
  • Jaypee Palace or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Agra - Agra Fort
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel from Agra to Delhi and explore the bustling city streets on a walking tour. You’ll also get the chance to travel in the local style, by cycle rickshaw, gaining another perspective on this chaotic metropolis. Visit the Sisganj Gurudwara – one of the nine historic gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in Delhi, first constructed in 1783. Stop in at the awe-inspiring Red Fort, which is considered to be the peak of Mughal creativity. Also, pay a visit to the 73-metre-high Qutab Minar and about learn some of its history.
Accommodation
  • Jaypee Siddharth or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Delhi - Jama Masjid
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
Optional Activities
  • Delhi - Red Fort - INR500
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR500
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR500
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Fly from Delhi to Varanasi. Awash with shrines and temples, it is the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city. Varanasi may not be known for its cleanliness, but it is recognised as one of India’s most inspiring cities. Take a walking tour of the Old City, through narrow laneways packed with stalls and shops, past the dhobi wallahs, burning ghats, and the endless temples that echo with bells and the pungent aroma of incense. Witness pilgrims performing ancient bathing rituals and ceremonies as the sun sets over this sacred city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Hindustan International or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
  • Varanasi - Sunset candle flower ceremony
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
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Today starts early with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, where you can watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river as you pass. There is an option today to take a trip to nearby Sarnath – one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment and features a number of stupas and museums to explore. Alternatively, the day can be spent exploring the laneways and alleys behind the ghats or picking up some quality pieces from a local silk merchant. Perhaps finish the day with an optional Ganges river cruise at sunset.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Hindustan International or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
Optional Activities
  • Varanasi - Sarnath (entry) - INR250
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning will be free for you to soak up the atmosphere of Varanasi. Perhaps hit the streets to do some last-minute shopping in the incredible bazaars or simply wander through the ghats. Later today, return to Delhi by plane (approximately 1.5 hours), arriving early afternoon. This evening, consider dining with your group with an optional dinner organised by your leader – a perfect occasion to celebrate the many memories made during your India adventure.
Accommodation
  • Jaypee Siddharth Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Delhi - Delhi Food Walk Urban Adventure - INR3500
  • Delhi - Home-Cooked Delhi Urban Adventure - INR4000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. There are no other activities planned for the day and you can leave the accommodation at any time. For those who wish to stay on in Delhi to further explore the city, we are happy to help with booking accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

11 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Transport

Auto-rickshaw, Bicycle rickshaw, Boat, Plane, Private vehicle, Shuttle Bus, Train

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (8 nights), Heritage Property Feature Stay (1 night), Resort (2 nights)

Included Activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Ranthambhore National Park - Evening wildlife safari
  • Ranthambhore National Park - Morning Safari
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Agra - Agra Fort
  • Delhi - Jama Masjid
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
  • Varanasi - Sunset candle flower ceremony
  • Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip

Dates & availability - 2021 season

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Golden Triangle & Varanasi trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for flight tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket if an amendment occurs.

This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on. You can store excess luggage at the start point hotel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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