Current as of: December 21, 2024 - 22:14
Highlights of Northern India - Summer itinerary Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: India
- Programmes: Culture
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- 9 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: AICA
- Carbon Footprint: 40kg CO2e
Trip Overview
From the Taj Mahal to the wildlife of Sariska National Park, explore a land packed with culture and excitement
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.
At a Glance
- Accommodation 2025: Seven hotel nights and one night in an air-conditioned sleeper train
- Accommodation 2026: Eight hotel nights
- Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train
Highlights
- See the unforgettable Taj Mahal, one of the New Wonders of the World
- Go wildlife watching in Sariska National Park
- Take a boat ride along the mystical Ganges at Varanasi
- Explore the major landmarks in the Pink City of Jaipur
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
It is ideal for culturally curious travellers eager to explore and experience as much as possible. We cover the highlights of northern India in a short time, which means the itinerary is generally fast paced – prepare for some long days and early starts. India can be challenging, while the heat and bustle of some cities can be a little overwhelming. That said, there are peaceful spots and you will undoubtedly return with memories to last a lifetime.
Journeys: Departures in summer may experience train delays or cancellations. If a severe delay occurs, the group travels on a private comfortable bus instead between Agra and Varanasi. In the rare event we can’t travel by bus or fly, we have an alternative itinerary in which we visit Bharatpur, Deeg Palace and Mathura instead of Varanasi.
Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published, so it is not possible to warn you when work will be taking place.
Group
Our Indian team of leaders has proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their country.
During the game drives, each vehicle has a local Forest Guard (mandatory by the local authorities). The Forest Guards are part of a national park initiative to generate employment for the local villages. They are skilled spotters and trackers so, though there English is sometimes very limited, they greatly improve the experience.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Delhi
- End City: Delhi
Accommodation
City and jungle hotels
We stay in centrally located city hotels (two- or three-star, local rating) that mix heritage and modern styles, plus a jungle hotel in Sariska National Park and, on 2025 departures only, the overnight sleeper train from Agra to Varanasi.
The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable accommodations on this trip.
Sariska: Sariska Tiger Camp (night 1)
A resort situated close to the Sariska Tiger Reserve offering comfortable accommodation with modern amenities. The restaurant serves authentic regional dishes, plus you can relax in the pool or just sit in the gardens giving your senses a break, away from city noise, smells and heat!
Jaipur: 7 Apple Hotel (nights 2-3)
The 7 Apple sits directly across from Jal Mahal Lake in the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Recently refurbished, it has modern and bright rooms with lake or Nahargarh Hill views.
Delhi: Bloom Hotel, Karol Bagh (nights 7-8)
Bloom Hotel, Karol Bagh is nestled in a commercial and residential area in Karol Bagh, and it’s conveniently located just five minutes from the metro station.
Worth knowing
- For Varanasi, standard check-in time at the hotel is 2pm. Early check-in is not available to pre-book due to high room occupancy. However, we have a good partnership with the hotel, and they always try to prioritise rooms for Exodus travellers as early as possible on the check-in day. Prior to check-in at Varanasi, the hotel communal areas are available and you may leave your luggage in the hotel until your room is available.
- It’s common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.
- 2025 departures: On the sleeper train, you may be sharing a compartment of four beds with members of the public depending on how the seats are allocated. The accommodation is basic: we normally stay in two-tier sleepers, the compartments sectioned off from the aisle by privacy curtains. Seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, so the whole group isn’t always together; however, our tour leader is an expert at making the journey as hassle-free as possible and will regularly check in with you.
- Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains.
Single supplement from £ 245
Food & Drink
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.
Transport
We use a combination of private minibus and trains for our journey.
- Road: private minibus, air-conditioned.
- Train: The train from Varanasi to Delhi will be the Vande Bharat Express booked in the A/C Chair Car, Executive Class.
- Game drives: In Sariska, we use 4×4 jeeps, which may not all have seat belts available.
Weather & Seasonality
In July, August and September, expect very hot days and warm nights (28C-40C/82F-104F). Rain is also likely at any time from the end of June until September and can be very heavy. However, it moderates the temperatures and humidity.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Sariska Tiger Camp, Village Dhawala, Alwar – Jaipur Rd, Rajasthan 301001, India
Phone: +91 93140 17210
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately three to four hours’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Meet at the airport
Your easiest option is to join the group at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The meet time will be set to coincide with a group scheduled on a flight from London, UK.
Meet at Bloom Hotel, Karol Bagh (address: 17A/32, Gurudwara Road, Opposite Jessaram Hospital, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, 110005)
You should be at the Bloom Hotel, Karol Bagh by 9am, where you will be met by a local representative and transferred to the airport to join the rest of the group. Please note, this time may change and will be confirmed in your pre-travel Joining Instructions.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers from the end hotel to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for all customers. If you would like further information on joining a transfer, we will require all flight details two weeks prior to departure to secure the transfer. Please speak to your sales representative to arrange.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Delhi
Location end: Delhi
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip salve with sun protection
- Light casual clothing
- Waterproof jacket
- Torch (flashlight)
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- Sandals/flip-flops
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
- Insect repellent
- Small personal first-aid kit
- Cable lock, or small chain and padlock, to lock your bag up on the train
- Water bottle
Optional Equipment
- Earplugs
- Money belt
- Travel pillow
- Umbrella
Prohibited items to travel with in India: The Indian government has banned e-cigarettes and related products. You can’t buy e-cigarettes in India or bring them into the country. Please ensure you do not pack these in your luggage.
The use of satellite communications devices, for example (but not exclusively) Garmin inReach or any other brand GPS tracking device are prohibited in India and if found, airport authorities will seize the navigation systems stating the device require a valid license/approval form in advance to be able to travel with them. We recommend you exercise caution and refrain from travelling with GPS devices.
To date, we have not received any negative reports about customers travelling with fitness tracking watches, such as Garmin/Apple/Android, and you should be free to travel with these items.
Practical Information
Visa
India
To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html
Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
For more information on applying for your Indian Visa, including details required for your start hotel and local reference contacts, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information
Vaccinations and Health
India
You require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of a polio vaccination may also be required by some visitors. Please confirm all requirements and recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
You may also want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in India. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approximately 6,560ft (2,000m), there is little risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips above 9,840ft (3,000m), there is a risk of being affected by acute mountain sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the Trip Notes for further information.
The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Local Time
India's time zone: Asia/Kolkata (UTC +05:30)
Electricity
India's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins), D (three round pins) and M (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
India's currency: Indian rupee (INR). Please note, it is illegal to import or export rupees. Do not accept torn or very dirty Indian banknotes from banks or in change as they will almost certainly not be accepted as legal tender in India. You can normally change money back from rupees into US dollars or British pounds at the departure airport, but you must produce an exchange receipt showing that you changed money in India.
ATM Availability
ATMs are widely available throughout the trip (Visa and Mastercard are best). You can also pay with credit cards in bigger shops.
Please inform your bank before departure that you are travelling to India and carry the relevant telephone number with you in case they put a block on your card.
Please note, you should not rely on cards all the time, so bring US dollars or British pounds with you too. Money exchange facilities are available on arrival at Delhi Airport, though exchange rates may be better in central Delhi. You can also change US dollars and pounds in Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Many sites now charge a small fee for video cameras (handy cams) and you should allow another 665 rupees (approximately US$9) for these. Also allow at least 570 rupees (approximately US$8) per day for personal expenditures, such as soft drinks. There are endless shopping opportunities throughout this tour and we suggest you take money for souvenirs; even the most shop-shy travellers often succumb to the tempting selection of handicrafts available.
During your trip, it is likely your local guides will take you to emporiums and handicraft workshops. Guides often assume visitors want to shop, it is very much part of the culture, but if you do not wish to go, please make this clear to your guide and Exodus leader at the time. Many people find this a great opportunity to buy local handicrafts, silk, jewellery and carpets.
Optional excursions
There are plenty of opportunities for local excursions and cultural experiences throughout this trip, some of which are detailed in the daily itinerary. For an overview of the optional extras, please see below:
Delhi (start or end of trip):
- Half-day city tour: approximately 1,500-5,500 rupees (US$18-US$53) per person (depending on the group size)
Tour includes: visit to old Delhi, drive past Red Fort, visit Gandhi memorial and drive past colonial buildings and visit India Gate. Price includes transportation, local guide and tipping. Monument entrances are not included, the sightseeing is for unpaid monuments.
- Morning Old Delhi city walk with Salaam Baalak Trust: approximately 3,500-5,500 rupees (US$42-US$53) per person (depending on the group size)
Led by ex-street kids of Delhi, this insightful walk starts from Jama Masjid and takes you through the narrow alleys in the heart of the old city. Price includes transportation, local guide and tipping. Entrance to Jama Masjid monument is not included. Tour is subject to availability at time of request.
Jaipur:
- Cooking class (Day 2): approximately 2,500 rupees (US$30) per person
Visit a local home where your host guides you through traditional dishes, such as vegetable pakora, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes such as chicken or mutton curry, matter paneer and chapattis. After devouring your home-cooked meal, finish by preparing a Rajasthani sweet dish called laapsi. Price includes: cookery class with a four-dish meal, rice, rotis and tea/coffee and transportation to/from the home.
Varanasi:
- Visit to Sarnath: approximately 1,000-3,800 rupees (US$12-US$46) per person (depending on the group size)
Price includes monument entrances, local guide, transportation and tipping.
- Evening ceremony at Ganges ghats: approximately 1,500- 4,000 rupees (US$18-US$48) per person (depending on the group size)
Price includes boat fees, auto ride/rickshaw fees and tipping.
Tipping
Tipping is a part of Indian culture and usually expected. It can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty, which will be used to tip hotel staff, sightseeing guides, bus drivers and other support staff used throughout your trip. Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but it is usually in the region of 2,200 rupees (approximately US$30) per person based on the maximum group size of 16 passengers. For smaller groups, the leader may ask to collect more than the suggested amount relative to the group size, this is to assist with covering the standard tipping expectations for things like the local guides, drivers, and hotel staff (which, are generally fixed amounts no matter the group size).
At any time during the trip, your leader will happily show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed. Please note, for smaller groups the leader may have to collect more than the above amount.
Tipping of leaders is not included in the kitty and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation a tip of around 475 rupees (US$6) per person per day would be appreciated.
Sustainability and Impact
At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.
As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.
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Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
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Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
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Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.