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Uncover India: High Deserts & Markets

15 days, Delhi to Goa

Now's the time to explore India on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Join us on a 15-day tour that showcases India's man-made wonders and natural marvels without missing its most famous cities and sights. Get your phone ready for the shining marble of the Taj Mahal and the sparkling shores of Goa, not to mention Rajasthan’s colourful forts and temples. Then opt to put your phone away as you truly connect with the culture and spirit of this incredible land. Our expert Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) let you and your fellow travellers encounter India the way you (and your wallet) like.

15 days

Delhi to Goa

From$899USD
was $1199
Valid on May 21 2024
Trip Code: AHUH

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Now's the time to explore India on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Join us on a 15-day tour that showcases India's man-made wonders and natural marvels without missing its most famous cities and sights. Get your phone ready for the shining marble of the Taj Mahal and the sparkling shores of Goa, not to mention Rajasthan’s colourful forts and temples. Then opt to put your phone away as you truly connect with the culture and spirit of this incredible land. Our expert Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) let you and your fellow travellers encounter India the way you (and your wallet) like.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14.

Age requirement: 18-39

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

Alternative Trips

15 days

Delhi to Goa

From$899USD
was $1199
Valid on May 21 2024
Trip Code: AHUH

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 15

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Map of the route for Uncover India: High Deserts & Markets

Places visited

Itinerary Notes

Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 8, 2023 or March 25, 2024 for the nation’s most colourful festival.

Itinerary

Day 1Delhi

Arrive at any time and welcome to India's bustling capital - Delhi!

Tonight, wander through the electric Karol Bagh market for your first night out; pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your First Night Out Moment Connect With New Friends| Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Delhi/Āgra

Relax on the morning train to Agra while admiring the arid terrain and small towns. On arrival, check the famous Taj Mahal world wonder off your bucket list as you marvel at the iconic Mughal architecture. Immerse yourself in a guided tour and learn of the mausoleum's unique history. Opt to visit Baby Taj and the Agra Fort, the Taj’s less famous—but no less impressive—sister monument, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 3Āgra/Jaipur

Today we take a bus (always an adventure itself in India) to the capital of Rajasthan — Jaipur. Clothed in sandstone pink stucco, Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" and is one of the most important heritage cities in India. It's home to India’s second most visited site, the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds." Ride a cycle rickshaw to the markets and enjoy an orientation walk through the stalls. In your free time, opt to visit the City Palace, the observatory, or check out a song-and-dance Bollywood film in India's largest movie theatre.

Day 4Jaipur

Embark on a guided tour of Amber Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site to check off your list. The Fort's sandstone walls are perched on a hill almost blending in with the terrain, besides perfectly reflecting in Maota Lake creating a mirage effect (and perfect photograph). Wander through the halls, courtyards, and palaces inside and admire the intricate details. Afterward, head back to Jaipur and spend the free afternoon exploring with your fellow travellers and see where the night takes you.

Day 5Jaipur/Tordi Sāgar

Ride to peaceful Tordi Sāgar and dive into rural life by visiting local potters, cobblers, and markets on a guided walk through the village. If you're feeling athletic, join in on a cricket match with some local players. In your free time, opt to bounce around with your new friends during a jeep safari or camel cart ride to the dunes for sunset. Head out for a hike in the hills or get a henna tattoo from local women. Tordi Sāgar is your oyster!

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 6Tordi Sāgar/Pushkar

Have a final taste of rural village life over a traditional lunch before travelling to Pushkar, often called Tirth Raj or the king of pilgrim centres. Cruise through Ajmer and over Snake Mountain to Pushkar — the site of the world’s only temple to the Hindu god of creation, Brahma. After settling into your accommodation, get your bearings on an orientation walk around the colourful city with cascading architecture and capture a group photo on the lake.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7Pushkar

Before dawn, climb to the hilltop Savitri Temple and catch the sun rising over the towering Thar Desert mountains. Afterward, reflect on the serenity at one of the many cafés in town, stretch and meditate during a calming yoga session, or scour the markets. Opt for an unforgettable evening by dressing in traditional Indian clothing and partake in an authentic dinner cooked by cameleers in the desert, all with live entertainment!

Day 8Pushkar/Udaipur

Continue south to Udaipur, famous worldwide for its plethora of breathtaking lakes and Raj-era palaces. It certainly lives up to its reputation as India's most romantic city (wink, wink). With its own famous style of painting and plenty of artisans, Udaipur is a great place to stroll through. After the orientation walk, opt to take a boat ride on Lake Pichola with your fellow travellers.

Days 9–10Udaipur

Free time to explore "Venice of the East" with its plethora lakes, palaces, and narrow lanes. Wander around solo or see who wants to join you on an adventure.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 11Udaipur/Mumbai

Take a local bus to Ahmedabad and explore the famous Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati. Immerse yourself in the peaceful environment of the riverside home that played an important role in India's freedom and learn of the sites unique history. From here, get some rest on an overnight train as you cruise to Mumbai.

Day 12Mumbai

Arrive in Mumbai and stretch your legs on an orientation walk of Colaba and the Fort district. Enjoy a free day to uniquely explore the bustling metropolis; be sure to capture a group photo under the Gateway to India. Opt to take a boat to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Elephanta Island, famous for intricate cave temples carved in rock walls.

Day 13Mumbai/Goa

Hop on a short morning flight to North Goa. Head to the white sand beaches, visit the many Portuguese-built monuments, wander around the churches of Old Goa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and discover Panjim, the capital. In the evening, opt to sample tasty treats at the night market and take in the nightlife of this coastal state.

Day 14Goa

Enjoy a free day to wind down in the paradise that is Goa. Relax on the beaches with your favourite drink in hand or mingle in the many beach bars. Scour the markets, and be sure to try some delicious Goan cuisine and fresh seafood. Get ready to dance the night away for your big night out as a group. Enjoy a drink on us and cut a rug.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Big Night Out Moment Dance the Night Away

Day 15Goa

Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Hug your new friends, exchange social medias, and depart at any time.

View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Udaipur
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Dance the Night Away, Goa
  • Guided tour of the Taj Mahal and the Amber Fort
  • Orientation walks in Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, and Mumbai
  • Visit to Gandhi Ashram
  • Village walk in rural Tordi Sagar
  • Sunrise at Savitri temple
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotels or guesthouse (twin-share) (13 nts), overnight train (1 nt).

Meals

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Allow USD340-445 for meals not included.

Transportation

Train, local bus, jeep, rickshaw, tuk-tuk, taxi, plane.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

Jaipur Balloon Ride - From $280.00

Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side. Available September 1 - April 30.

Jaipur Cycle Tour - From $35.00

With its many lanes and organized layout, Jaipur is the perfect location to explore by bicycle. Choosing to cycle through the city on this morning tour will introduce you to sights, sounds and smells that a vehicle just can't match, so grab a helmet and jump on your bike! Navigate the streets of the 'Pink City' with the help of your experienced guide, starting the day with a traditional Indian yoghurt drink of Lassi. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you enter the walled part of the city and stop at the City Palace to visit the Govind Dev temple. Wander through the historical spices and sweets market, stopping for tea and a tasty snack of pakoras before heading towards the majestic Albert Hall Museum where the tour ends. Taxi transfers from the hotel to the starting point and from the finishing point back to the hotel are included in the price of this cycle tour.

Udaipur Cooking School - From $20.00

This your chance to learn from the locals how to make authentic Rajasthani dishes. Start the class with a warming cup of masala chai as your hosts introduce you to the range of ingredients and spices that will formulate your lunch menu. Watch as they demonstrate how to make rice, curries, and chapatis or opt to get hands-on and join them in cooking up these tasty dishes. Tuck in and enjoy your creations for lunch.

Udaipur Sunrise Cycle Tour - From $30.00

Discover the early morning serenity of Udaipur with a ride along the city's picturesque lakes as the sun rises. Embark in the village of Kalarohu, travelling towards Fateh Sagar Lake to observe the lake's three islands as the birds flock to the tranquil waters. Cycle past agricultural workers in action in the lush farming communities of Badi and Hawala before making a loop around the hilltop palatial residence, Monsoon Palace. Travel on through more villages to reach Tiger Lake, this morning's setting for a picnic breakfast. The tour offers ample opportunities for photographs and to learn more about Indian history so don't forget your camera! The journey concludes with a downhill ride towards our finishing point.

My Own Room - From $399.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Uncover India: High Deserts & Markets

| 15 days - Delhi to Goa - from $899 USD