Compare Spiritual India by Geckos Adventures vs India in 15 days - Palaces of Rajasthan & Ganges of Varanasi - LUXURY by Exoticca

Day 1 Delhi

Namaste! You have arrived in Delhi. Welcome. Today is an arrival day with no planned activities, except for a pre-departure meeting tonight at around 6 pm. Please look for a note in the lobby or ask reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so be sure to bring these details to provide to your leader. If you're going to be late, please inform the accommodation as soon as possible. After the meeting, perhaps pop out for an optional group dinner.

Day 2 Agra - Overnight train

Take a morning train to Agra. Check in to a day room to freshen up (ahhh). Then it's off to check out the Taj Mahal, the most iconic site in India. You're in good hands with a local guide who will tell you all about it. In the evening, catch an overnight train to Varanasi.

Day 3 Varanasi

Arrive early in the morning in Varanasi. Head straight to the hotel to freshen up, then plunge head first into this holy city, which is one of the world's oldest. Explore the narrow laneways and backstreets on a walking tour with your guide, then watch the world go by along the ghats. Your evening is free for you to chill out or explore some more.

Day 4 Varanasi - Overnight train

Wake up early and experience one of the highlights of your time in India. This morning, jump in boats and watch the sunrise over the Ganges. Pilgrims bathing, cremation fires and riverside haircuts – India is best before dawn and this is the best way to see it. The rest of your day is free to explore, before catching an overnight train to Delhi.

Day 5 Delhi

Arrive into Delhi, freshen up, then head out on a walking tour around the commercial heart of Delhi, visiting Chandni Chowk (Sheeshganj Gurudwara) and Connaught Place along the way. Explore Old Delhi on a bicycle rickshaw to dig that little bit deeper. You'll then have some free time to do as much sightseeing as you can before your next stop.

Day 6 Rishikesh

Take a morning train north to Rishikesh. In the afternoon we’ll set off on a guided walk around the city. Later you may want to wander by the river, seek out a sitar or tabla lesson, or do more exploring through the city on two wheels. Tonight we camp at a site just outside of town.

Day 7 Rishikesh

Aptly named the 'Yoga Capital of the World', Rishikesh is a sweet place to relax and seek a little enlightenment or, for something a bit more high-octane, do some white water rafting. You won't regret it!. By night, maybe take a stroll along the holy Ganges River as temple bells ring and the nightly fire ritual of Ganga Aarti begins.

Day 8 Delhi

Take a morning train back to Delhi. The day is free for you to explore the city however you like. Maybe check out the World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar or Red Fort of Delhi. Or find a spot to grab a beer and chill. This is a good chance to grab some eats with your new travel pals before you all go your separate ways – perhaps some stuffed parathas, golden-brown aloo tikki or some tangy yogurt-drenched chaat.

Day 9 Delhi

That's all folks. This is the end of the adventure. Time to hit the beach?

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight * to Delhi. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Delhi

Arrive in India’s capital and transfer to the hotel. Delhi is a city with a wonderful architectural legacy from its Islamic conquerors together with its spectacular historic city center. The rest of the day free to start to get to know this fascinating city. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Mandawa. En-route, pass through authentic villages and start to enter some of the most rural parts of India. On arrival in Mandawa, enjoy a walking tour through the streets of the city. See the amazing Havelis - mansions noted for their frescoes depicting images of British colonial rule. Overnight stay in Mandawa.

Day 4: Mandawa - Bikaner

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road through the arid lands leading to the Bikaner Desert Kingdom - a major center of trade during the 16th century. In the afternoon visit the spectacular Junagarh Fort, with its impressively decorated interiors. End the day with a memorable Tuk-Tuk ride from the ancient city bazaar. Overnight stay in Bikaner.

Day 5: Bikaner - Jaisalmer

Breakfast at the hotel. Enter the Thar Desert by road on your way to the city of Jaisalmer. This was an important trading center for many centuries and presently one of the few forts that are still inhabited. Transfer to the hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free for more discovery of this city. Perhaps visit the Thar Heritage Museum or the Maharaja's Palace for a taste of kingly splendor. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 6: Jaisalmer

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a tour of the golden city of Jaisalmer. Discover the magical Gadisar Lake and the magnificent Golden Fort. Walkthrough the narrow streets of the city, to visit the famous palatial houses characteristic of the city such as Nathmal and Patwon. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Sam to see the dunes in the beautiful sunset light. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 7: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue the trip towards Jodhpur, known as The Blue City and enjoy a visit to the impressive Mehrangarh Fort with its bird’s eye view of the old city. Later continue to Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

Day 8: Jodhpur - Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road to Jaipur. Arrive at your hotel and the rest of the day is free to start to get to know the Rose-Pink City of India. We recommend a wander through some of the markets in the area to see the unique handicrafts and jewelry on offer. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 9: Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Amber Fort - The Old Capital of Thunder. En-route, take a brief photo stop at Hawa Mahal, The Palace of Winds. Arrive at Amber Fort by Jeep. Once inside, visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. In the afternoon, take a city tour, beginning with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 10: Jaipur - Fathepur Sikri - Agra

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off towards Agra, and on the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri, an impressive ghost town, where the tomb of Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal, is located. Arrive in Agra, capital of sultans and great Mughal emperors. Enjoy an unforgettable tour of the famous and spectacular Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 11: Agra - Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, return by road to Delhi and once you have arrived, visit the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Afterward, transfer to the Gateway of India, the residence of the country's president, and visit the impressive Humayun's Tomb, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1993. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 12: Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. The rest of the day free to visit this fascinating city. We recommend an optional excursion to discover Delhi's most iconic temples.* Overnight stay in Delhi. * Optional Full-Day Delhi Temples Tour: Explore Delhi's most iconic temples. Experience the peace and tranquillity of the Lotus Temple, dedicated to the Baha'i faith and discover the extraordinary architecture of Akshardham Temple, dedicated to 10,000 years of Hindu culture. See the huge Jama Mosque and the downtown Sikh Temple with its golden dome before ending the tour at Lakshmi Narayan Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Day 13: Delhi - Varanasi

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Varanasi. Arrive in Varanasi, a place of immense spiritual significance to Hindu's, and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, savor the rare opportunity to witness an Aarti ceremony, ­a Hindu ritual of light and fire, which takes place on the banks of the Ganges every day at sunset. The air is filled with incense as Hindu priests begin their rituals and devotees place lamps laden with flowers on the illuminated waters of the river. Soak up the atmosphere of this unforgettable experience. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 14: Varanasi

Take an early morning boat excursion on the sacred River Ganges to see the bathing Ghats and the haunting cremation site. Later on, take a walking tour of Old Varanasi before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, visit Sarnath, about 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, and the place where it is believed that Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. Hundreds of pilgrims come here every year and there are numerous Buddhist temples in the area. Visit the nearby Ashoka column, with its four lions, the current symbol of India, the ruins of the stupa Dhamarajika and the citadel of Ashoka. Return to Varanasi and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 15: Varanasi - Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight back to Delhi. Arrive, transfer to the airport, and spend the remainder of the day exploring or relaxing at your leisure, absorbing the colors, atmosphere, and culture on your final evening in the 'Land of a Thousand Colors.' Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 16: Delhi - US

Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * If your return flight departs early in the morning, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.