India: Northern Explorer - 15 Jan 2027 to 24 Mar 2028

Destination:

India,

Duration:

21 days

Travel Period:

January 2027 - March 2028

Gallery

Overview

This is northern India in full colour. Expect Delhi buzz, Rajasthan forts, desert camps under the stars in Jaisalmer and the iconic Golden Triangle route, before sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Find your flow with yoga in Rishikesh, then end with soul-shaking moments on the Ganges in Varanasi. Colourful, chaotic, spiritual and unforgettable, this is India at a pace that lets you truly take it all in.

What's Included

3 Breakfast (B)
2 Dinner (D)

Start:New Delhi, India
Finish:Varanasi, India

Type:Group tour (max 45)

Tripcode:

INDV27

Options and details

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Number of Passengers:

Adults16 to 110 Years

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Dates

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Your Itinerary

Delhi

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Welcome to Delhi - the buzzing city where centuries-old forts meet full-throttle city life. Meet your crew and Trip Manager tonight, before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant to kick things off properly.

Delhi to Overnight Train to Bikaner

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Morning, travellers. We’ll kick off in Old Delhi with a photo stop at the Red Fort, then hop on rickshaws through the buzzing lanes to Jama Masjid. Next up, we’ll swing by India Gate, cruise past the President’s House and government buildings, then stop at Gandhi’s House to round things off. Hungry? You can opt in to an Old Delhi food tour this evening and taste your way through the chaos.Tonight we’ll board a basic overnight train to Bikaner and travel proper local-style. You’ll be in 6-berth sleeper compartments with bedding included. Your bags kept in-cabin (space is tight, so an overnight bag will be your best mate). Settle in, get some rest, and let the rhythm of the rails do the work while we roll towards Rajasthan.

Bikaner

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Hello Rajasthan! We'll jump off our overnight train and have brekkie at our homestay. We're now fueled and ready to head out and explore Junagarh Fort (one of the region’s most impressive strongholds and seriously stunning inside). The afternoon is yours to roam. Opt in for a heritage bike ride past ornate havelis, and dive into the local street food scene.

Bikaner to Jaisalmer

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Bye bye, Bikaner. You’ll have the morning for a breakfast run, then we’ll hit the road towards Jaisalmer with desert scenes incoming.Welcome to the Golden City, where the legendary Jaisalmer Fort glows in sandstone. It’s one of the world’s rare living forts, and you’ll feel that energy as you admire from the outside. Tonight we’ll grab a rooftop spot and watch the sunset turn the whole city even more golden.

Jaisalmer

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Kick things off this morning with a guided walk through this real-life sandcastle. Then you’ll have time to roam the fort’s winding lanes with the crew before we switch gears and head straight into the Thar Desert. Time to check into our tents near the dunes of Khuri. Come sunset, it’s camel ride o’clock (!) followed by a bonfire night of Rajasthani folk music, dance and a family-style dinner under the stars. Wow.

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur

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Jaisalmer, you were unreal. We’ll grab one last camp breakfast by the dunes, then hit the road towards our next Rajasthani gem. Blue City, we’re coming for ya'Dive straight into Jodhpur with an orientation through its old city lanes and buzzing markets, plus a photo stop in front of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort (camera rolls will be filling fast). After some free time to explore your way, we’ll check into the hotel and take the evening to wander and grab dinner with the crew.

Jodhpur

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A free day in Jodhpur? Yes please. Maybe hop in a tuk-tuk for photo ops through those iconic blue lanes, chase down a fort viewpoint, or cafe-hop between market finds. From skyline views to street eats, the options are endless in this city.

Jodhpur to Pushkar

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After two nights in Jodhpur, we’ll hit the road for Pushkar, a city that plays by its own rules and proudly so.No meat. No alcohol. Just colourful markets, cool cafes and a whole lot of spirituality. We'll get to know one of India's oldest towns with an orientation around the holy lake and ghats (and even visit the iconic Brahma Temple and an evening Aarti as chants drift across the water). Wanna grab the crew and head to a cute rooftop cafe overlooking the lake?

Pushkar to Jaipur

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Wakey wakey. We’ll rise before the sun and take on the 970 steps up to Savitri Temple, climbing 750 feet for panoramic views over Pushkar as the city wakes below. (That early alarm will be worth it, promise!). Next up: the oh-so-pretty, Pink City. We’ll get straight into it with a hands-on block printing session at the Anoothi Project, supporting a powerful local initiative. Later (once the new crew has joined) we’ll head out on an evening orientation walk through Jaipur’s buzzing bazaars and sandstone streets. With 3 nights here, there’ll be time to slow the pace, dive deeper, and make the most of a city packed with colour, culture, and plenty to do.

Jaipur

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Morning, fort fans. Today, we’ll kick things off at the mighty Amber Fort, then roll on to Hawa Mahal for those must-have photo ops in front of its iconic pink facade. The evening is yours to explore your way, markets, rooftops. But if home-style Indian food is calling your name, you can opt for dinner with a local family and learn how it’s really done.

Jaipur

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Yep, it’s a full free day in the pretty Pink City. Looking for things to do? How about a Bollywood film at the iconic Raj Mandir Cinema? Or a wander through Jantar Mantar’s mind-bending observatory? Maybe take a bike tour through the streets, or sip a cocktail with the crew at a heritage palace.

Jaipur to Ranthambore National Park

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Jaipur, you’ve been a dream. But now we’re swapping pink palaces for raw wilderness as we head to Ranthambore. Oh yes, it's tiger time. Welcome to Ranthambore! This is where tigers, leopards and wild landscapes steal the spotlight. Head out on an optional (but highly recommended) safari into the jungle. P.S. Safaris here are in high demand, so you'll need to pre-book this Free Time Add-On.

Ranthambore National Park to Agra

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After our dose of jungle and (hopefully) tiger sightings, we’ll trade wild landscapes for something equally iconic as we hit the road for another world wonder.Hello Agra… heard of it? You’ll have a free evening to explore, or level things up with an optional visit to Agra Fort for sunset views and serious Mughal-era drama.

Agra to Delhi

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Today’s the day, folks. We’ll be up early to catch the marble beauty that is Taj Mahal at sunrise. Take it in, snap the pics, have your “okay, wow” moment, then we’ll hit the road back to Delhi. Hi again, Delhi. Tonight is yours to explore, whether that’s another market mission, a proper local dinner, or rounding up the crew for a stroll and a few laughs.

Delhi to Rishikesh via Haridwar

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Bye Delhi. We’ll hop on the local train and roll out towards Haridwar's calmer scenes. We’re stepping into India’s spiritual side here. From Haridwar, we’ll swap the train for local transport and make our way to Rishikesh. Welcome to Rishikesh: calm, cool and sitting pretty on the Ganges. We’ll check into a simple, comfy yoga retreat accommodation, explore the laid-back lanes of Tapovan, then gather by the river for evening Aarti as the ceremony lights up the water.

Rishikesh

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We ain’t leaving the home of yoga without rolling out a mat. This morning, we’ll start with a yoga class at the retreat, fuel up on a sattvic vegetarian breakfast, then head out on a guided walk past markets and ashrams, finishing at the legendary Beatles Ashram (yep, THE Beatles).

Rishikesh to Lucknow via Haridwar

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Today, we’ll say goodbye to Rishikesh and start the journey back, hopping into local transport for the drive to Haridwar. (It's a long travel day ahead, have your playlists ready!). Train time again. We’ll board and roll on towards Lucknow, watching the landscapes shift as we head deeper into Uttar Pradesh. Welcome to Lucknow, known for its rich Nawabi heritage and legendary food scene, and our base for the next two nights. Settle in tonight. Tomorrow we'll dive in properly into everything this city has to offer.

Lucknow

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Tuk-tuk time! We’ll zip through the city’s landmarks on a guided ride, soaking in views of Lucknow’s grand architecture and everyday buzz from the best seat in the house. The rest of the day is yours. And if you’re hungry, you can opt into a street food tour to taste the flavours this city is so famous for.

Lucknow to Varanasi

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Later, Lucknow. We’ll board another train and travel local-style towards one of India’s holiest cities. Welcome to Varanasi — spiritual, intense, and guaranteed to leave an impression. Sacred to Hindus and home to the city’s burning ghats, this is a powerful, unfiltered side of the Ganges (that couldn’t feel more different to laid-back Rishikesh). We’ll take to the streets by e-rickshaw, then end at the river for the Ghat Aarti ceremony as flames light up the waterfront.

Varanasi

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You’ve got a full day to dive into this city’s energy. Opt for a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges as the river shifts through golden hour, or head to Sarnath - the place where Buddha first shared his teachings.

Varanasi

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And just like that, our India adventure has officially wrapped up. From desert dunes to holy rivers, we’ve covered some ground. Hug it out, swap details, and say your goodbyes (or maybe just “see you on the next one.”)

Travel Partner

Contiki specializes in travel experiences for 18-35-year-olds, offering adventurous and social tours across the globe. With a focus on fun, cultural immersion, and making new friends, Contiki provides unique itineraries that include everything from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, knowledgeable guides, and a vibrant travel community that makes every trip unforgettable.

Price from

$2,100*

per person*

Options and details

Enquire now

Tripcode: INDV27

Start:New Delhi, India
Finish:Varanasi, India

Type:Group tour (max 45)

Tripcode:

144077

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India: Northern Explorer - 15 Jan 2027 to 24 Mar 2028

Destination:

Duration:

Travel Period:

Overview

What's Included

Options and details

Number of Passengers:

Your Itinerary

Delhi

Delhi to Overnight Train to Bikaner

Bikaner

Bikaner to Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur

Jodhpur

Jodhpur to Pushkar

Pushkar to Jaipur

Jaipur

Jaipur

Jaipur to Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park to Agra

Agra to Delhi

Delhi to Rishikesh via Haridwar

Rishikesh

Rishikesh to Lucknow via Haridwar

Lucknow

Lucknow to Varanasi

Varanasi

Varanasi

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