Iconic India

About this trip

Exactly what you do each day, where you sleep, and how it flows — written by us, from the real itinerary.

1. 1
   Day 1 · DelhiDelhi

   

   You arrive in Delhi and meet the group at 6 pm. If you get there early, consider taking the Hidden Gems of Delhi tour to see parts of the city most visitors skip rather than sticking to the standard route.

2. 2
   Day 2 · DelhiDelhi – Overnight Train

   Take the metro to Old Delhi for a walking tour, then ride a cycle rickshaw through the traffic around Chandni Chowk marketplace. Visit the Jama Masjid and Sheeshganj Gurudwara before boarding an overnight train to Bikaner, where vendors sell snacks at stops.

3. 3
   Day 3 · BikanerBikaner

   Arrive in Bikaner and freshen up, then walk through the old city with your leader. In the afternoon, optionally visit Junagarh Fort, built in 1588 from red sandstone and marble with intricate courtyards, balconies and windows.

4. 4
   Day 4 · BikanerBikaner to Jaisalmer

   

   Travel to Jaisalmer by train after breakfast. On arrival, you can relax or join an optional visit to the Jaisalmer Folklore Museum, which holds a private collection of printing blocks, musical instruments, religious artifacts and decorations.

5. 5
   Day 5 · JaisalmerJaisalmer

   You have the day free in Jaisalmer. Wander the twisting alleys and markets inside the fort, explore 15th and 16th-century Jain temples with elaborate carvings, or admire the ornate havelis scattered throughout the city.

6. 6
   Day 6 · Thar DesertThar Desert

   Drive by jeep into the Thar Desert and meet local guides who cook a traditional Rajasthani dinner of chapati, dal, rice and vegetables as you watch the sunset. Spend the night stargazing and sharing stories in the desert.

7. 7
   Day 7 · JodhpurJodhpur

   

   Wake early to see the sunrise over the dunes, eat a simple breakfast, then take a private vehicle to the station for a 6-hour train ride across the desert to Jodhpur. Try one of the city's famous lassis while you're there.

8. 8
   Day 8 · JodhpurJodhpur

   Choose between visiting the massive Mehrangarh Fort, still run by the Jodhpur royal family, or touring nearby Bishnoi villages to witness rural Rajasthani life and learn about local cultural traditions.

9. 9
   Day 9 · UdaipurUdaipur

   

   Take an auto-rickshaw to the bus station and board a local bus for an 8-hour journey to Udaipur, nestled in the Aravalli Hills around Lake Pichola. Walk through twisting alleyways filled with shops selling silver jewellery, shoes, bags and miniature paintings.

10. 10
    Day 10 · UdaipurUdaipur

    You have a free day in Udaipur. Options include a boat ride on Lake Pichola to see Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas, touring the City Palace complex, taking a half-day cooking class, or visiting Sajjan Garh for views over the lake.

11. 11
    Day 11 · PushkarPushkar

    

    Train to Ajmer for 5.5 hours, then drive 45 minutes to Pushkar, one of India's holiest towns. Walk through the main bazaar and explore Pushkar Lake, its bustling ghats and temples where devotees worship at the holy waters.

12. 12
    Day 12 · PushkarPushkar

    Pushkar is yours to explore freely. Early risers can hike to Savitri Temple for sunrise and chai, or visit the colourful Brahma Temple later. If you've timed your trip for the Pushkar Camel Fair, the day focuses on experiencing this famous annual festival.

13. 13
    Day 13 · AjmerJaipur

    Return to Ajmer and catch a local bus to Jaipur, a 4-hour journey. Take an auto-rickshaw to your hotel, then explore Rajasthan's capital on a guided walk visiting the market and the Palace of the Winds, built in 1799.

14. 14
    Day 14 · JaipurJaipur

    Jaipur is free for you to fill as you choose. Try a hot air balloon ride for views, visit Amber Fort for Rajput architecture and vistas, browse bazaars for artisan goods and semi-precious stones, or catch a film at a classic cinema.

15. 15
    Day 15 · AbhaneriAbhaneri

    

    Drive by private vehicle to the rural town of Abhaneri to visit Chand Baori, a 20-metre-deep stepwell built in the late ninth century. Also see the mostly ruined Harshat Mata Temple, constructed between the seventh and eighth centuries and dedicated to the goddess of happiness.

16. 16
    Day 16 · Fatehpur SikriFatehpur Sikri – Agra

    

    Travel 2–3 hours east to Agra, with an optional stop at Fatehpur Sikri. Visit the Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz. Prepare for crowds or head to Sheroes Hangout, a café staffed by acid attack survivors, 10 minutes' walk away.

17. 17
    Day 17 · AgraAgra – Overnight Train

    You have the day free before catching a 12-hour overnight train to Varanasi. Early risers can watch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal, then visit the Red Fort built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar, or Akbar's Mausoleum nearby.

18. 18
    Day 18 · VaranasiVaranasi

    

    Arrive in Varanasi this morning and transfer by auto-rickshaw to your hotel. Head out on a guided walk to explore the city.

19. 19
    Day 19 · VaranasiVaranasi
20. 20
    Day 20 · VaranasiVaranasi – Overnight Train
21. 21
    Day 21 · DelhiDelhi
22. 22
    Day 22 · DelhiTrivandrum
23. 23
    Day 23 · VarkalaVarkala

    
24. 24
    Day 24 · VarkalaVarkala
25. 25
    Day 25 · AlleppeyKerala Backwaters
26. 26
    Day 26 · AlleppeyKochi

    
27. 27
    Day 27 · Kochi (Cochin)Kochi
28. 28
    Day 28 · Periyar National ParkPeriyar
29. 29
    Day 29 · Periyar National ParkPeriyar
30. 30
    Day 30 · MaduraiMadurai
31. 31
    Day 31 · MaduraiMadurai – Overnight Train
32. 32
    Day 32 · MysuruMysuru
33. 33
    Day 33 · MysuruMysuru– Overnight Train

    
34. 34
    Day 34 · HampiHampi
35. 35
    Day 35 · HampiHampi - Overnight train

    
36. 36
    Day 36 · GoaGoa
37. 37
    Day 37 · GoaGoa

What's included

• Guide: All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
• Meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
• Activities: Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) Jaisalmer - Leader-led walking tour Jodhpur - Leader-led walking tour Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour Pushkar - Leader-led walking tour Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour Abhaneri - Chand Baori stepwell Abhaneri - Harshat Mata Temple visit Agra - Taj Mahal Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour Trivandrum – Leader-led Orientation Walk Kerala Backwaters - Pole boat ride Kerala Backwaters - Guided village walk Kochi - Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour Periyar - Spice plantation visit Periyar - Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance Madurai - Leader-led walking tour Mysore - Leader-led walking tour
• Transport: TRANSPORT IN INDIA: Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common, as is using the horn as a form of communication. Our leaders have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your leader know immediately. Please ensure you always wear your seat belt. TRAVEL TIMES: Distances in India do not reflect the driving time. Driving 100 km/62 m may take much longer than at home, even if much of the route is on a highway. TRAINS: India has a massive network of trains and millions of people travel by rail every day. Trains often travel the length of the country over several days. Trains are a great way to see the countryside and get away from busy roads. From December to February, delays can happen, especially in northern India, due to fog. On occasion, your trip will be rerouted to allow for these delays. Your leader, in conjunction with our local office, will advise of any changes to your itinerary. Seats are allocated by Indian Railways’ reservation system, which we have no influence over. Regardless of when tickets are booked, your group may not travel together, with seats spread throughout a carriage, or multiple carriages, of the same class. You may share a compartment with local travellers of mixed genders. If your trip includes travelling on sleeper trains in India, please see the Accommodation section for more information about this experience. AUTO RICKSHAWS: On this trip, you may travel on an auto-rickshaw. These small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts. FLIGHTS: Airlines in India are of excellent quality. Airports are becoming more modern (especially in major cities and tourist hubs). To enter the airport, you must have a copy of your flight ticket and passport. Schedule changes and delays do occur, especially when weather conditions make visibility poor. Auto rickshaw, Boat, Bus, Car, Cycle rickshaw, local bus, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Taxi, Train, Plane
• Accommodation: ACCOMMODATION: Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Some may have shared bathroom facilities with cold water only. We use a mixture of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. Some areas of India experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day and usually occurs for a few hours in the early afternoon. Most hotel properties have a restaurant or cafe serving local meals. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. SHOWERS: Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water. ROOM ISSUES: If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay. Camping with basic facilities (1 night), Guesthouse (5 nights), Heritage Property (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (18 nights), Overnight sleeper train (6 nights)

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