Northern India: Delhi, Varanasi, Agra & Rajasthan — 15 Days
From Delhi's streets to the Ganges, the Taj Mahal, tiger reserves, and Rajasthan's palaces and lakes
This 15-day itinerary moves through northern India's principal cultural centres, beginning in Delhi and ending in Udaipur. The route connects the Ganges River pilgrimage city of Varanasi, the Mughal-era cities of Agra and Lucknow, the tiger habitat of Ranthambore National Park, and the palace-ringed lakes of Rajasthan. Throughout, the trip pairs major monuments—the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, the City Palace in Jaipur—with encounters designed to move beyond standard sightseeing: conversations with local historians about spiritual significance, block-printing workshops with women artisans, meals in family kitchens, and nights in a village resort camp near Pushkar. The itinerary includes guided walks through Delhi's old and new districts, boat rides on the Ganges at sunrise and sunset, morning and evening game drives in search of Bengal tigers and leopards, and a food tour sampling Lucknow's royal culinary traditions.
Highlights
- Sunrise and evening boat rides on the Ganges in Varanasi with views of ghats and ritual ceremonies
- Visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, a 17th-century mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan
- Morning and evening safaris in Ranthambore National Park in search of Bengal tigers, leopards, and sloth bears
- Guided tour of Amber Fort in Jaipur, the former residence of Rajput rulers, and Hawa Mahal with its distinctive honeycombed windows
- Block-printing workshop at the Anoothi Project in Jaipur with women artisans from a marginalized community
- Village stay near Pushkar in traditional thatched-roof cottages with meals featuring rural Rajasthani cuisine
- Boat tour of Lake Pichola in Udaipur viewing the marble Lake Palace and surrounding lakefront palaces
- Food tour of Lucknow sampling royal nawab cuisine, kebabs, curries, and street eats with a local guide
- Walking tours of Old Delhi's lanes, including the 17th-century Jama Masjid and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib
Day by day
1Arrival in DelhiDelhi · the hotel
Arrival transfer is included via Women With Wheels, a tour-operator-supported project. Check-in at the hotel begins at noon. The remainder of the day is unscheduled, allowing for rest and initial exploration of the city. A welcome meeting takes place in the evening.
2Delhi: Old and New DistrictsNew Delhi's Paharganj district · Old Delhi · Jama Masjid · Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib
Delhi comprises two distinct cities. The morning walk through New Delhi's Paharganj district is led by a youth guide from a tour-operator-supported City Walk project; the guide shares details of how the program provides employment and educational opportunities to disadvantaged street youth. The afternoon shifts to Old Delhi, traveling by rickshaw through narrow, winding lanes to visit the 17th-century Jama Masjid—the largest mosque in India—and the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, a Sikh temple. The guided tour provides historical and religious context for each site.
3Varanasi: The Ganges and Spiritual Lifethe Ganges · Delhi · one of the riverside ghats
A flight departs Delhi for Varanasi, one of Hinduism's holiest cities, positioned on the banks of the Ganges River. Upon arrival, a local scholar leads a talk covering Varanasi's spiritual and social significance while seated at one of the riverside ghats. Later, a boat ride on the Ganges observes the evening aarti (prayer ceremony), during which pilgrims float candles and flower offerings down the river. More than a million pilgrims travel to Varanasi each year to purify themselves and perform funeral rites for loved ones.
4Varanasi: Sunrise Rituals and SarnathVaranasi · Sarnath · the Ganges
An early morning boat cruise captures sunrise over the Ganges while witnessing the bathing and prayer rituals of pilgrims along the river. The afternoon focuses on Sarnath, an archaeological site set within a large park where Gautama Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. A pre-booked heritage walk, led by a local guide, focuses on daily life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The walk includes time observing pilgrims in ritual singing and worship.
5Lucknow: Mughal Architecture and Royal CuisineLucknow · Bara Imambara complex
Travel by road takes the group to Lucknow, former capital of the Muslim nawabs of Oudh, who were known as patrons of art, architecture, dance, and music. The Bara Imambara complex, an 18th-century Shia Muslim shrine, features a mosque, grand hall, ornate courtyards, and gateways. In the afternoon, a local food guide leads a tour sampling dishes developed for royal families and street eats—kebabs, varieties of curries, breads, and sweets—providing insight into Lucknow's distinctive culinary heritage.
6Agra by Private TransferLucknow to Agra
Private bus transfer from Lucknow to Agra, a former capital of the Delhi sultanate and the Mughal Empire. The evening is unscheduled.
7The Taj Mahal and Ranthambore National Parkthe Taj Mahal · Ranthambore National Park
The morning visit to the Taj Mahal includes historical context on its construction by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal; the structure is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is regarded as a finest example of Mughal architecture. In the afternoon, travel by road continues to Ranthambore National Park, a wildlife reserve historically used as a private hunting ground by the maharajas of Jaipur and said to have inspired Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.
8Ranthambore National Park: Wildlife and RuinsRanthambore National Park · Ranthambore Fort · Trinetra Ganesha Temple
Morning and evening safaris with local rangers search for monkeys, deer, sloth bears, leopards, and Bengal tigers within the park. Between safaris, the 10th-century ruins of Ranthambore Fort and the Trinetra Ganesha Temple—dedicated to the Hindu elephant-headed god Ganesha—are visited on foot. The combination of wildlife observation and historical ruins reflects the layered use of this landscape across centuries.
9Jaipur: Block Printing and Community CraftAnoothi Project
After breakfast, the group travels by road to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, known for its palaces, temples, and atmospheric markets. Upon arrival, a visit to the Anoothi Project—a collective of women from a marginalized community outside Jaipur—includes a hands-on block-printing workshop. The women leading the experience discuss the purpose and community impact of the collective; Anoothi means 'unique and extraordinary' in Hindi. Homemade chai and pakoras are served during the visit. The remainder of the evening is unscheduled. Jaipur, also called the 'Pink City' for its rose-coloured buildings, was founded in 1728 and is recognized as one of the best-planned pre-modern cities in India.
10Jaipur: Palaces, Observatories, and Home CookingAmber Fort · Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) · City Palace museum · Jantar Mantar · local market · local family's home
A morning tour covers the sprawling Amber Fort, the former residence of Jaipur's Rajput rulers; Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-story sandstone structure with distinctive honeycombed windows; the City Palace museum with its collections; and Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century royal astronomical observation site. In the evening, a culinary experience includes a visit to a local market followed by a cooking demonstration and meal prepared in a local family's home, providing direct engagement with domestic food practices and family hospitality.
11Pushkar's Sacred Lake and Doongariya Khurd VillagePushkar · Doongariya Khurd Village · Pushkar's sacred lake and 14th-century Brahma Temple
Travel to Pushkar, the Hindu pilgrimage site centered on a sacred lake ringed by stone ghats—steps that descend into its holy waters. An orientation walk traces the spectacular lakefront to the 14th-century Brahma Temple, offering glimpses of pilgrims and local life along the water's edge. Continue to Doongariya Khurd Village in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, where you'll stay at a resort camp designed to immerse you in rural Rajasthani life without sacrificing comfort. The cottages are constructed in traditional thatched-roof style by local artisans using locally sourced materials, each featuring large windows, a veranda, and private ensuite. The camp staff are drawn from surrounding hamlets, and the entire operation maintains zero plastic use. As evening settles, engage with villagers as they move through their daily tasks, then sit down to a traditional rural meal that offers both authentic flavors and insight into local customs and ways of life.
12Udaipur: Lakes and Marble PalacesUdaipur · Lake Pichola · Lake Palace
Road travel proceeds to Udaipur, called the City of Lakes. An orientation walk covers the city's streets and bazaars, followed by a boat tour of Lake Pichola. Views from the water include the Lake Palace (originally Jag Niwas), a white marble structure that was inaugurated in 1746 and now operates as a hotel and entirely covers a small island on the lake. Additional marble palaces visible from the water reflect Udaipur's history as a princedom and its Raj-era architectural legacy.
13Udaipur: Palaces, Temples, and Hilltop ViewsUdaipur · the City Palace · Jagdish Temple · Monsoon Palace
The City Palace, Rajasthan's largest palace complex, is visited to view the former royal residences. Jagdish Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, is also included. The evening offers an optional yoga class. Free time allows for a visit to the hilltop Monsoon Palace, a summer retreat of the maharajas, which commands panoramic views of the city's lakes and provides sunset viewing.
14Return to DelhiDelhi
A flight returns the group to Delhi for the final evening. An optional farewell dinner is available.
15Departure
Departure at any time.
Where you go
- 1Delhi
- 2Old Delhi
- 3Delhi
- 4Varanasi
- 5Sarnath
- 6Amber Fort
- 7Jantar Mantar
- 8Pushkar
- 9Udaipur
- 10Lake Pichola
- 11Udaipur
- 12Jagdish Temple
- 13Delhi
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Hotels (13 nts), cottage (1 nt).
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 14, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 5
- Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
- Vegetarian options available
- Local Guide
- Guided
- This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
- Airport Transfers
- Arrival Only
- An airport transfer to the start of the tour is included. Please contact our team if you require a quote for a return transfer.
- Wifi
- Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.