Compare India: Beyond the Taj by Saga Travel vs Highlights of Northern India - Summer itinerary by Exodus Travels
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 15 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,341 | $ 1,515 |
| Price Per Day | $ 156 | $ 168 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included |
27 meals: 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 13 dinners |
All breakfasts, one lunch and one snack dinner are included in this trip. India is famous for its food and there is ample opportunity to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink. Allow at least 1,400-2,400 rupees (US$16-US$28) per day for lunch and dinner. In most towns we visit, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (approximately US$4). Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large container in the bus to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring your own refillable water bottle. |
| Description |
Combine memorable journeys by rail with visits to the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho temples, the Ganges and more.. Make tracks across northern India on this new tour that combines first-class rail journeys with a host of classic sights. From the ancient temples of Khajuraho to the Mughal’s monumental Taj Mahal and the holy Hindu city of Varanasi, discover the different cultural influences that colour Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. |
Discover the best of northern India on this highlight-packed adventure. Led by an expert tour leader, we marvel at the always-impressive Taj Mahal, a New Wonder of the World, and explore the Pink City of Jaipur. We also have an early morning boat ride along the mist-shrouded ghats of Varanasi, an experience only equalled by wildlife spotting in Sariska National Park. Add to that the everyday wonders – smiling locals, whizzing rickshaws and flavoursome curries – and you will see why North India is such a favourite with our groups.From the Taj Mahal to the wildlife of Sariska National Park, explore a land packed with culture and excitement |
Day 1: UK-Delhi
After taking Saga's included UK door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly overnight to Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi
Stay overnight at Vivanta by Taj – Dwarka, Delhi (4Q). This evening there will be a welcome talk.
Day 3: Delhi-Agra
After an early breakfast, set off on your coach journey to Agra, arriving around lunchtime. This afternoon on an included excursion you'll view the majestic Taj Mahal from an unusual perspective across the river and see the exquisite Itmad-ud-daula tomb. Perhaps return to see the sunset over the Taj Mahal on an optional excursion. Stay two nights at The Gateway Hotel (4Q). B,D
Day 4: Deeg
Travel into eastern Rajasthan this morning to visit Deeg Palace and its formal Mughal gardens and mansions. Continue to Bharatpur for an included lunch before flocking to Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. Once a duck-shooting ground for the maharajas and British, it is now a nature reserve protected by UNESCO where you may see a wide variety of migratory birds.
Day 5: Agra-Gwalior
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of daily Indian life on your second train journey. This afternoon an included visit will reveal Gwalior Fort, a vast complex that contains a wealth of historic architecture. Highlights include the ornate four-storey Man Mandir and an 8th-century Vishnu temple. Stay two nights at the heritage Taj Usha Kiran Palace (3Q).
Day 6: Gwalior
Visit the Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, a Muslim saint who assisted the Mughal Emperor, Babur, when he conquered the city’s fort in 1526. This elegant 16th century building lies amongst a complex of tombs and with its walls of pierced stone screens, hexagonal corner towers and domes, is a notable example of early Mughal architecture. Later, included visits reveal lavish 19th-century Jai Vilas Palace and the Mughal-style Tomb of Tansen, considered to be the father of Hindustani music and once one of the ‘nine jewels’ of Akbar’s Court. B,D
Day 7: Gwalior-Jhansi-Datia-Orchha
Enjoy the last of your Indian rail journeys before disembarking in Jhansi and venturing off the beaten track to Datia. This is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage centre where you can see one of the best examples of Bundela architecture, Govind Palace. After an including sightseeing tour, continue to Orchha for a two-night stay at Amar Mahal (3Q).
Day 8: Orchha
One of India’s better-kept secrets, Orchha’s atmospheric fort protects beautiful temples and palaces that lie largely empty. Admire the domed pavilions of 17th-century Jehangir Mahal and view the royal cenotaphs during an included tour of the former Bundela capital. Then look forward to attending a Hindu aarti ceremony this evening.
Day 9: Orchha-Khajuraho
Cross the rural landscapes of Madhya Pradesh en route to Khajuraho for two nights at the Taj Hotel Chandela (3Q).
Day 10: Khajuraho
The 9th-century temples of Khajuraho will be revealed on an included morning tour. Protected by UNESCO, these temples feature sandstone carvings which depict various scenes thought to represent the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. A small fraction of these broach more taboo topics and have given these temples quite a reputation!
Day 11: Khajuraho-Varanasi
Venture into the teak thickets, gorges and valleys of Panna National Park on an optional early morning visit. Then this afternoon, fly to Varnanasi for two nights at The Gateway Hotel (4Q). This evening, visit Mother Ganges, India's most scared river and a holy pilgrimage site where you can attend another moving aarti ceremony.
Day 12: Varanasi and Sarnath
Bear witness to Varanasi's morning rituals on an included boat ride past scores of ghats. Afterwards, explore the narrow lanes of Varanasi and see the Golden Temple. This afternoon, visit the site in Sarnath where Buddha preached for the first time. Here you can see the Dhamekh Stupa and a ruined monastery.
Day 13: Varanasi-Lucknow
You're free to relax at leisure this morning, before departing, after lunch, on your final rail journey – a long but rewarding one to Lucknow. Stay two nights at the Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar (4Q).
Day 14: Lucknow
Lucknow's fascinating past as the fabled city for the Nawab of Awadh will be revealed on an included sightseeing tour today. Architectural highlights include the Turkish Gate, the spires of Bara Imambara, Chattar Manzil palace and the British Raj residency, site of the 1857 Indian Mutiny. This evening, enjoy Awadhi cuisine and learn more about the Nawab dynasty at the home of one of their descendants.
Day 15: Lucknow-Delhi-UK
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight via Delhi, arriving this evening for your included UK VIP door-to-door travel service home.
Day 1 Start Delhi; transfer to Sariska National Park
Our adventure begins in Delhi, a thrumming city chock full of architectural masterpieces. Meet the group either at a named meeting point (normally the Florence Inn) or Delhi Airport – see the Joining Instructions for more information. We than drive to Sariska National Park, which may take between three and four hours depending upon traffic. If you don’t want to do this journey straight after your flight, we recommend spending a pre-tour night in Delhi – speak to your sales representative to book. Accommodation: Sariska Tiger Camp (or Similar)
Day 2 Morning game drive around Sariska National Park; drive to Jaipur in the afternoon
Sariska National Park was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and is home to nilgai, wild boar, jackals, hyenas and chowsingha (four-horned antelope). The game drive will be in the buffer zone, mainly on sealed roads (there will not be an opportunity to see tigers during summer). Although these departures operate during the rainy season, the crowds are reduced and those with an interest in bird life will find an abundance in Sariska. In the afternoon, we drive to Jaipur and transfer to our hotel. Accommodation: Fort Chandragupt (or similar)
Day 3 City tour of the Jaipur landmarks, including the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort; free time to explore
Built in the late 18th century, Jaipur is a planned city of broad avenues constructed of sandstone and later painted pink. On our city tour led by a local guide, we visit the City Palace in the centre of Jaipur, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We also see the impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). We then visit the hilltop Amber Fort, which sits above a lake a few miles from the main city. The grand 16th-century palace complex combines Hindu and Muslim design and is made from pale yellow and pink sandstone. After, the tour leader generally takes the group to a large shop, where a co-operative of local families sells their wares. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, including durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherwear. It will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything! Accommodation: Fort Chandragupt (or similar)
Day 4 Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
Today we drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son: his successor, the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers; the palaces; residences; and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years. In 1584, Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today – in perfect condition. We arrive in Agra early evening. Accommodation: Hotel Avalon Palms (or similar)
Day 5 Visit the incredible Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; overnight train to Varanasi
Today we wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, which was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first-time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun and is matched by the rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of Emperor Akbar’s sons and successors: Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Later in the day, we transfer to Agra train station and join the overnight sleeper train to Varanasi. Accommodation: Sleeper train
Day 6 Relax and enjoy the wonders of Varanasi
We arrive in Varanasi in the morning and transfer to our hotel. For information about hotel check-in times please see our "Worth Knowing" section within the Trip Notes. On the river Ganges, Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in India and stands at the centre of the Hindu universe. As such, the city lives and breathes Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious elders and casual visitors. It is a city to immerse yourself in: explore the maze of narrow lanes and many temples and watch the Hindu ceremonies that take place around the clock. There is time to visit emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by the riverbanks. In the afternoon, we can take an optional visit to nearby Sarnath Temple. Sarnath is as sacred to Buddhists as Varanasi is to Hindus. The main monument at Sarnath is the Dhamekh Stupa, the very spot where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. There’s also an archaeology museum, which exhibits Buddhist artefacts and houses the findings of excavations from the Sarnath site. Your tour leader can organise various optional sightseeing trips during your two days here. Accommodation: Hotel Surya (or similar)
Day 7 Dawn boat ride on the Ganges visiting the bathing ghats; afternoon train to Delhi
Just before dawn, we take a boat ride on the Ganges to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river. Every day, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to this 3mi (5km) stretch of riverbank to soak in the holy waters. This afternoon, we board the Vande Bharat Express train back to Delhi, a great opportunity to see and experience more of India as you pass through rural villages, towns and cities. A light snack dinner is provided, which usually includes a soup and light meal with rice and vegetables. You may wish to pick up some additional snacks/fruit prior to boarding. We arrive in Delhi late evening and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation: Florence Inn (or similar)
Day 8 Delhi free day or optional sightseeing
Today you are free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish). Recommended sites include the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and Raj Ghat. For last-minute shopping, visit the market area of Chandni Chowk or Karol Bagh. Accommodation: Florence Inn (or similar)
Day 9 End Delhi
Our adventure through northern India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.
