Tour

India: Northern Explorer
from USD 1470

Contiki Holidays

Tour Code: INDV27
Vacation Type: Budget-friendly
Brochure:
Duration: 21 Days
Country: India

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.



Travellers viewing the ornate red sandstone Great Gate entrance to the Taj Mahal in Agra India - Contiki India Northern Explorer Tour

Dining Summary

  • 3 Breakfast (B)
  • 2 Dinner (D)

Included Experience

  • Delhi: Dive into Old Delhi with Local Guide. Check out the Red Fort before hopping on rickshaws through the city’s buzzing narrow lanes to Jama Mosque. You'll cruise past India Gate and the grand government buildings, including the President’s House, then visit Gandhi’s House.
  • Bikaner: Wander through Junagarh Fort, a desert stronghold rising from the sands of Bikaner and known as one of Rajasthan’s most intricately decorated forts. Explore its courtyards, balconies and detailed interiors, and see firsthand the craftsmanship that once housed royal power in the heart of the Thar.
  • Jaisalmer: Explore Jaisalmer Fort with a Local Guide and step into a real-life sandcastle built from golden sandstone. You'll walk past homes, temples and shopfronts (all of them still thriving within its walls). It's basically like walking through history. 
  • Jaisalmer: Saddle up for a camel ride across the Thar Desert as the dunes shift from gold to deep amber at sunset. Take it slow, breathe it in, and watch the horizon do its thing just like the locals.
  • Jaisalmer: Circle up by the bonfire for an evening of traditional Rajasthani folk music and dance beneath the open sky. Feel the rhythm, soak up the stories, and share a night that’s all about culture, connection and epic desert vibes.
  • Jodhpur: Head up the hill for views of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort towering 125 metres above the city, then descend into Jodhpur’s sea of blue for a guided orientation through the old town. Wander past the clock tower and into Sadar Bazaar, one of India’s oldest markets.
  • Pushkar: Stroll through Pushkar’s old town on an orientation walk that brings you to the holy lake, sacred ghats and the iconic Brahma Temple. Best part? You'll experience an evening Aarti Ceremony as chants rise into the dusk.
  • Pushkar: Rise early and climb up to Savitri Temple for sunrise, earning sweeping views over Pushkar and the desert beyond. Feel the city wake beneath you as the first light hits. 
  • Jaipur: Get hands-on with a block printing workshop led by women from marginalized communities at Anoothi, a women-run social enterprise connected to the Vatsalya Society. You’ll learn the basics of traditional textile printing, see the techniques up close, and meet the makers behind the craft — all while supporting skills training and income opportunities for local women.
  • Jaipur: Explore Jaipur on a guided walk through the Pink City’s sandstone streets and buzzing bazaars. Follow your guide through the old lanes, spot local crafts and everyday scenes, and get your bearings in a city that’s all colour, culture, and constant movement.
  • Jaipur: Step inside Amber Fort on a guided tour and explore its grand courtyards, intricate halls and hilltop views that once housed Rajput royalty. Walk the same pathways as warriors and rulers, and see why this fortress still steals the show.
  • Jaipur: Pause for a photo stop at the iconic Hawa Mahal, Jaipur’s pink sandstone showpiece known for its honeycomb windows and royal past. Cameras out, this one deserves a spot on the grid.
  • Agra: This one needs no introduction. Epic in the pictures. Out-of-this-world IRL. 
  • Rishikesh: Gather at the Ganges for the evening aarti. The priests perform synchronized rituals, brass lamps glow against the dusk, and chants echo along the riverbanks. You'll watch diyas float across the water and feel the energy build as day turns to night. It’s a powerful way to experience Rishikesh after dark.
  • Rishikesh: Ease into the morning with a guided yoga session designed to stretch out travel-tired muscles and reset your mind. All right here, in the home of yoga.
  • Rishikesh: Walk through Rishikesh with a guided orientation past markets and ashrams, then head to the Beatles Ashram to explore old meditation huts, bold graffiti and forest trails overlooking the Ganges. It’s part spiritual retreat, part open-air art gallery (and seriously photogenic).
  • Lucknow: Hop into a tuk-tuk for an orientation spin around Lucknow’s key sights, taking in the city’s grand façades and everyday rhythm from the street. We’ll see the landmarks from the outside, soaking up the vibe as we go.
  • Varanasi: Zip through Varanasi on a guided e-rickshaw tour, weaving between temples and bustling lanes before heading to the Ganges for the evening Ghat Aarti ceremony. Watch the flames rise, hear the chants build, and feel the riverfront come alive after dark.

  • Hotel Pooja Palace (or similar)
  • Overnight Train
  • Udai Niwas (or similar)
  • Fifu House (or similar)
  • Khuri Desert Camp (or similar)
  • The Mandore (or similar)
  • Green Park (or similar)
  • Hotel Utsav Niwas (or similar)
  • Raj Palace (or similar)
  • Rich Grande (or similar)
  • Akhanda Yoga Ashram (or similar)
  • Hotel Surya International (or similar)
  • Hotel Meadows (or similar)
Day 1 Delhi

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Pooja Palace (or similar)

Day 2 Delhi To Overnight Train To Bikaner

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Overnight Train

Day 3 Bikaner

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Udai Niwas (or similar)

Day 4 Bikaner To Jaisalmer

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Fifu House (or similar)

Day 5 Jaisalmer

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Khuri Desert Camp (or similar)

Day 6 Jaisalmer To Jodhpur

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: The Mandore (or similar)

Day 7 Jodhpur

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: The Mandore (or similar)

Day 8 Jodhpur To Pushkar

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?

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Green Park (or similar)

Day 9 Pushkar To Jaipur

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Utsav Niwas (or similar)

Day 10 Jaipur

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Utsav Niwas (or similar)

Day 11 Jaipur

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Utsav Niwas (or similar)

Day 12 Jaipur To Ranthambore National Park

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Raj Palace (or similar)

Day 13 Ranthambore National Park To Agra

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Rich Grande (or similar)

Day 14 Agra To Delhi

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Pooja Palace (or similar)

Day 15 Delhi To Rishikesh Via Haridwar

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Akhanda Yoga Ashram (or similar)

Day 16 Rishikesh

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).

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Akhanda Yoga Ashram (or similar)

Day 17 Rishikesh To Lucknow Via Haridwar

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Surya International (or similar)

Day 18 Lucknow

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Surya International (or similar)

Day 19 Lucknow To Varanasi

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Meadows (or similar)

Day 20 Varanasi

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Meadows (or similar)

Day 21 Varanasi

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.”)

Duration: 1 Day

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