International airfare

Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed

Tips to your local guide, Traverse guide, drivers, etc.

Alcohol, unless specified

Required travel insurance

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), your driver will transfer you to your boutique hotel in the heart of Delhi. Settle in & rest up or explore on your own. Because many flights from the west arrive late in the evening, we will not have any group activities planned. However, your local guide will be on site to provide options for your free time and dinner plans.

Meals: N/A

Delhi hasn’t always been India’s capital, but it has played a pivotal part in Indian history as a gateway city between Western, Central and Southeast Asia. It’s also believed to be the site of the fabled city of Indraprastha, which was featured in the Mahabharata more than 3000 years ago.

We’ll start our day with a visit of Humayun’s Tomb, the first of the grand dynastic mausoleums that were to become synonyms of Mughal architecture style reaching its zenith 80 years later at the Taj Mahal. We’ll also visit the Delhi Gandhi museum, the site where this revered leader walked his last steps. From there we’ll head to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, a historically significant Sikh temple. This 500-year-old religion is known for their community service and work ethic, one of the main virtues being equality. We’ll visit the temple first and see their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, before joining their community lunch, served every day to anyone that comes from all class, creed or color.

After, we’ll drive by the famous India Gate and the President’s House before heading to Chandani Chowk, the vibrant market in Old Delhi. We’ll see all kinds of street vendors in the narrow alleyways, perhaps try some street sweets, and see the Jama Masjid mosque. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a fabulous Welcome Dinner of northern Indian specialties.

Meals: B, L, D

This morning we’ll take a short flight to one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras. According to Hindu mythology, the city was founded by the god Shiva. It is still called ‘The City of Shiva’ and devotion to the deity are frequently found in ancient Hindu scriptures.

When we arrive we’ll visit the sleepy village of Singhpur to see Sarnath, a Buddhist center of religion and important pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha first came and taught about the concept of Dharma. The crumbling stupas built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century contain relics, manuscripts and fascinating inscriptions that can teach one Indian history and we’ll also visit the archeological museum.

We’ll then head to our hotel to rest up in the afternoon after check in. In the evening we will observe the evening aarti ceremony, viewing it from the Dasawamedh Ghat where beautiful rituals are performed involving brass lamps, prayers and chants. We’ll enjoy dinner together for a tandoori feast.

Meals: B, D

We’ll start our morning before sunrise for a boat ride along the holy Ganges river and learn about the important cremation ceremonies that take place along the riverbank. We’ll stop for traditional masala chai before heading back to the hotel for breakfast and a break. On the way back to the airport, we’ll stop at a silk factory to learn about this ancient craft. We’ll have lunch en route before taking our short flight.

We’ll arrive at our boutique Jaipur guesthouse with beautifully decorated rooms and terraces for a view. We’ll enjoy a warm welcome and late evening light meal together.

Meals: B, L, D

We’ll enjoy a slow start to the morning with a home cooked breakfast followed by our day of explorations in the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur. The whole city was painted in pink color by Maharaja Man Singh II when the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Today, every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain its façade. Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it all in a mandala design. In between street food tastings of chai, lassis, samosas and other favorite snacks you’ll see the City Palace, a complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings in the center of the Old City as well as examples of Hindu & Muslim architecture. Jaipur is also a city of skilled craftsmen, including tailors, bangle makers and stoneworkers.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a dinner of locally sourced seasonal specialties coming from the farm outside Jaipur that we’ll visit the day after tomorrow.

Meals: B, D

Join on our early morning optional 5-mile hike through the Rajasthan desert hills with sweeping views of the Amer Palace, Jai Garh Fort and the surrounding fort walls. We’ll have breakfast with a view. When we finish we’ll make a stop at heritage Anokhi museum to learn about the history and conservation of the block printing craft and take a walk around the surrounding village.

The rest of the day is free! Your guide will help arrange several optional activities including a tuk tuk back into Jaipur city for shopping or an evening visit to the Observatory and Amber Fort for the light show. Lunch and dinner are on your own today with options either out or at the hotel.

Meals: B

This morning we’ll visit our Community Partner and learn about the work they’re doing to support a local public elementary and secondary school. Projects they’ve done such as providing sheltered classroom space, separated girls and boys bathrooms with running water, and hygiene awareness programs make an incredible difference on the youth and in the community. We’ll then walk through to village to an organic farm and enjoy a fresh cooked lunch.

After lunch, we’ll drive 3 ½ - 4 hours to Karauli for our palace hotel stay, where the family of a local maharaja reside and run the hotel as part of India’s heritage hotel preservation program.

Meals: B, L, D

Today is a day of incredible architecture! First we’ll visit the Karauli City Palace, built by Maharaja Arjun Deo in 1348 and is the oldest city palace in Rajasthan. It is exquisitely painted and displays a mixture of Hindu and Moghal architecture and is in the process of restoration.

We’ll then drive 3 ½ - 4 hours Agra to India’s iconic architectural symbol, the Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shahjehan in 1631 for his wife Mumtaj, it is the testament to an immortal love story. Both Shahjehan and his beloved are buried in peace there and visited by thousands of people every day. The Taj displays both Moghul architecture with intricate marble inlays, Persian gardens and fountains as well as Hindu alcoves and courtyards.

We’ll have dinner at our boutique hotel featuring homestyle seasonal specialties.

Meals: B, D

This morning we’ll see the Agra Fort, an imposing ochre edifice built by Emperor Akbar and his descendants in the 16th and the 17th centuries. It is best known for its room where Shahjehan was placed under house arrest and where he died looking at the monument he made for his beloved. After we’ll head back to Delhi.

Dinner will be a feast of Parsi specialties, another historically important culture in Indian society with the historic roots and flavors of Persia. Reflect over your experiences the past week and say goodbye to your new friends!

Meals: B, D

Depart any time today from Delhi (DEL) or continue your travels with our 5-day Wonders of Bhutan itinerary.

Meals: B

You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room.

$4295 per person - double occupancy

+$825 per person - single occupancy "my own room" option

Starting at $4895 per person.

Groups of 6+ $4295 per person

+$825 per person - single occupancy "my own room" option or for odd numbers (3, 5, etc.)

Wonders of Bhutan - 5-day excursion Offered after the group trip or as a standalone for custom dates.

Panna Reserve Tiger Safari: Starting at $1495 per person, double occupancy. Final pricing is determined on how many people book the add-on. You will receive your final price no later than 60 days prior to departure. Offered prior to the group trip.

4 days in the state of beautiful state of Madhya Pradesh. Explore ancient Hindu carvings, go on a safari through teak forests to spot a Bengal tiger, and get a taste of rural life of India while enjoying a palace hotel stay beautiful eco lodge experience.

Generally speaking the weather is cooler and dryer between October and March. We love February and November because it's not quite as cold as December and January but it's before the hot season hits.

Generally our group trips are around 6-12 people, but sometimes we get nice small groups of 4-6 which is super fun! If you book custom dates, the minimum people is 2.

It is ideal to book 6+ months in advance to ensure enough space at our selected accommodations particularly as India has experienced increases in tourism since fully opening up over the last year. That said, we're always happy to fit you in last minute if we can!

Street food is definitely one of those experiences that can be super fun to try in India, and there's a safe way to do it! First, finding trusted vendors with high hygiene standards is key - and the locals like our guide know them best! Second, seeking hot food rather than raw rood (like salads) is a key tip. Also, remember that Indian food can be quite rich between ghee (clarified butter) and nut gravies plus all of the spices, which can affect delicate stomachs. Easing your way into it is always a good idea!