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.

Head into Sariska’s scrub forests and Aravalli foothills to join a guided safari through the park’s buffer zone. Scan open country and dhok woods to watch for nilgai and four-horned antelope, along with sambar, chital, jackals and abundant birdlife, especially vivid during the monsoon months.

Once a royal hunting reserve and a sanctuary since 1955, Sariska protects wildlife amid rugged hills and ruined pavilions. Keep an eye out for Kankwari Fort perched on a ridge, and attune to the park’s Aravalli landscapes alive with rich monsoon birdlife.

Rise with the city to join a guided dawn walk through the walled lanes of the Pink City. Watch vendors heap marigolds at the flower market, sip spiced chai alongside locals, and admire artisans at their artisan workshops as morning light warms ochre facades and fragrant bazaars stir to life.

Planned in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur’s grid of chowkris reflects Vastu Shastra principles. The rose-hued palette, adopted for an 1876 royal visit, lends a gentle glow to small temples where early prayers and bell chimes animate the streets.

Explore Jantar Mantar (UNESCO), where giant marble-and-brass instruments still track celestial time. Nearby, admire the latticed jharokhas of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and pause for photos of its honeycombed facade before heading to the hilltop Amber Fort.

At Amber, wander grand courtyards and the shimmering Chamber of Mirrors overlooking Maota Lake. The fort’s blend of Rajput and Mughal artistry—intricate frescoes, mirror mosaics and scalloped arches—reveals the power and pageantry that shaped Rajasthan’s capital.

Step into Emperor Akbar’s red-sandstone capital, an elegant Mughal city preserved in striking detail. Wander the Buland Darwaza, the five-tiered Panch Mahal, the Diwan-i-Khas, and the serene tomb of Salim Chishti, where jalis cast lace-like shadows across white marble.

Founded in the 16th century after a saint’s prophecy of an heir, the imperial dream proved short-lived. Water shortages and distant campaigns left a perfectly planned metropolis suspended in time, its palaces and colonnades whispering of ambition, faith and architectural finesse.

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise as first light turns Makrana marble to soft pink and gold. Stroll the charbagh gardens and reflecting pools, then step inside the marble mausoleum to trace exquisite pietra dura inlay and calligraphy that honor the love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Experience the monument’s symmetry and hushed reverence as the Yamuna shimmers beyond. This is a moment to pause for photos and reflection, taking in the craftsmanship and devotion that earned the Taj its place among the world’s icons.

Enter the colossal Agra Fort, a citadel of red sandstone and marble pavilions where emperors governed and Shah Jahan gazed toward his beloved Taj. Explore airy halls, scalloped arcades and marble pavilions that reveal Mughal power and refinement.

Continue to Itmad-ud-Daula (‘Baby Taj’), a jewel-box tomb whose delicate lattice and gemstone inlay prefigure the Taj’s style. Conclude at Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna, where gardens frame a sunset over the Taj from Mehtab Bagh, bathing its domes in a gentle evening glow.

At first light, take a dawn boat ride on the Ganges to witness thousands gathering at the bathing ghats. From the water, the city unfurls in soft mist as priests chant, conch shells sound and temple bells and devotional chants carry across the river.

Glide past centuries-old stairways and palaces as Varanasi, a city long associated with moksha, awakens. Respectfully observe life’s rituals—bathing, prayer and cremation—from a serene distance, immersed in the misty river light and timeless cadence of the holy river.

Visit Sarnath, the sacred site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Walk the lawns around the massive Dhamek Stupa and explore the Archaeological Museum’s masterworks, including the famed Lion Capital and serene Gupta-era sculptures.

This tranquil excursion lies a short drive from Varanasi and offers a contemplative counterpoint to the river city’s bustle. This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour with your leader, and ideal for travellers drawn to Buddhist history and calm green spaces.

Join a guided panoramic tour to contrast Mughal grandeur with modern boulevards. Explore the vaulted courtyard of Jama Masjid, pay respects at Raj Ghat, and view the ceremonial arch of India Gate. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO) before browsing Chandni Chowk’s bustling market lanes.

Discover Delhi’s layered story—empires, faiths and avenues—through landmarks and street-life vignettes. This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour, ideal for a concise overview of both Old and New Delhi’s essential sights.

Begin your adventure by gathering to meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a hosted welcome meal near Sariska. Share stories over a Rajasthani thali as you sample regional Rajasthani dishes—from buttery dal baati churma to aromatic curries—paired with fresh breads and cooling lassis.

Soak up the warmth of Indian hospitality and a warm group welcome that sets the tone for the journey. Your host outlines practical tips and cultural insights, helping you feel prepared and connected from the very first evening.