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Rickshaw Travel
India
Local ladies in Rajasthan, India

A Taste of India

Itinerary
  • Itinerary:
    Delhi - Jaipur - Agra (Taj Mahal) - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
  • Duration:
    11 days / 10 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    From £ 1,499.- per person (excluding flights)
Take an atmospheric journey through the Golden Triangle, filled with faraway romance and exotic palaces. Float along the Ganges at sunrise, amble through heaving spice bazaars, visit fairytale desert forts and stand amazed at the Taj Mahal. Beginning in Delhi, you’ll explore the Pink City of Jaipur, wander through eerie ghost towns on your way to the Taj Mahal and take the train to a beautiful riverside village scattered with giant boulders. From there, you’ll get an eyeful of the erotic temples in Khajuraho before sailing along the Ganges at sunrise in Varanasi – a wonderful way to end a real India adventure.

Our Taste of India roundtrip is a short, jam-packed trip, that is a teasing taster of this incredible country. It can easily be extended if you have more time to spare, or combined with a trip in the south of India or even neighbouring Nepal or Bhutan.
Local man at Amber Fort, India

Day 1 – Namaste!

Settle gently into colourful and chaotic India, a riot on the senses. Touching down amidst the commotion of Delhi can be something of a culture shock, so this trip is designed to give you a softer landing. You’ll spend just one night in a comfortable, well-located Delhi hotel before beginning your journey …

Days 2-4 – Jaipur: the Pink City

Delhi can be quite a shock to the system when you first arrive in India, so early the next morning you’ll be driven to Jaipur (approximately 5 hours). Jaipur is also known as the ‘pink city’ because many of the buildings are painted in pink-orange tones. It’s a jumble of colours, camel carts, elephants, beggars, rickshaws, temples, forts and palaces.

You’ll stay in a friendly, family-run hotel with lots of character and Rajasthani style. Enjoy the peace and quiet of your surroundings and cool off with a dip in the hotel pool. The following day we’ll arrange a guided tour of this remarkable city, including a visit of the magnificent Amber Fort that’s perched high on a hilltop overlooking the city and surrounding rugged hills.

Days 6-8 – Riverside ruins & lost temples

A trip to India isn’t complete without a train journey! And to get to Orchha – your next destination – you’ll take the train to Jhansi, then finish the journey by car. Orchha is a small, relaxed town, set on the banks of the beautiful Betwa River. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was the capital of the Bundela dynasty, which had magnificent palaces built here. The palaces that have been preserved to this day can be easily visited on your own.

The next day continue your journey to Khajuraho, which is known worldwide for its artistic temples and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the sacred temples, known for their erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra, with a local guide. The temples are about 1000 years old, but they’re incredibly well-preserved.

You’ll have some free time for some final sightseeing of Varanasi before being transferred to the airport for your domestic flight back to Delhi. Flying time on this route is usually about 90 minutes. Tonight, for convenience, you’ll stay in a comfortable hotel with a pool, that’s just a 20 minute drive from Delhi Airport. The following day, we’ll arrange a transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. If you would like to spend some time exploring Delhi just advise your Travel Specialist and we can add on a night or two in central Delhi.

Accommodation

For this itinerary we offer the following options

1Option

Upgrade this itinerary

  • Price:
    From £ 1,964.- per person (excluding flights)
  • Included:
    In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above

For most of the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer a more personalised experience or something more unique – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary, select our In Style option below. NB there is a limited choice of quality accommodation in Khajuraho and Orchha so in these destinations you’ll stay in our carefully selected ‘standard’ choice.