India & The Rituals of Varanasi
Private Room Travels
Mixed Gender Groups
Max Group 12
There’s nothing as different as India… which is why we’ve created this adventure that’s as unique as India itself.
Sure, you’ll do the ‘big sights’ – palaces, forts, the Taj Mahal – but we’ll also peel back the layers and give you access to the REAL India in all its crazy, sensory glory. Oh, and you’re also going to India’s spiritual capital – Varanasi. Where the Ganges River flows and Hindu pilgrims travel great distances to bathe and perform funeral rites in her sacred waters.
Devour delicious creations at our fave foodie spots, connect with locals on a deeper level, stay in quirky, comfortable accommodation and enjoy experiences that are simply NOT available on typical itineraries – not to mention, nowhere to be seen on TripAdvisor.
Get ready to share this adventure and some laughs together with your small group of solo co-travellers – no more than 12 of you – then retreat into your own privacy each night!
Highlights
Go tiger spotting on safari in Ranthambore NP.
See Varanasi from The Ganges - floating by boat along the sacred river at sunrise and sunset.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Delhi's bustling energy.
Travel to the magnificent forts and palaces of Rajasthan.
Explore the remarkable stepwells of Bundi.
Experience the tranquility of the Taj Mahal with dawn’s first light.
Trip Details
Trip Breakdown
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
|---|---|
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Length
19 days, 18 nights
Pricing Details
- $1,900 deposit.
- 2 week cooling off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Private Room for every guest every night.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Meeting Point
Suryaa Hotel, New Delhi, India
Ending Point
Suryaa Hotel, New Delhi, India
Group Size
Maximum 12
Included
- Meals: 18 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners, 1 high tea
- Boutique accommodation
- Leader: 1 top-rated English-speaking tour leader throughout and local guides as needed
- Transport: air-conditioned small bus, 2x internal flights, 1x train
- Entrance/admission: fees, where applicable with included activities
- 20kg checked Bag (1 piece) for domestic flights
Note: Flight details are needed 60 days in advance.
Not Included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Any visas required (Australian passport holders have a relatively simple online process to apply for their e-Visa. We will gladly help answer any questions you have as you pass through the process).
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Accommodation Preview
The Suryaa, Delhi
Bal Samand Lake Palace, Jodhpur
The Grand Imperial, Agra
DAY 1: DELHI
Namaste and welcome to India! No worries about arriving at the (sometimes) chaotic Delhi Airport – there will be a smiling face to greet you and help take care of the details after your long travels. Gather together this evening and start your adventure straight away with a delicious welcome dinner at one of our favourites. Ease into the excitement of the trip and use the chance to get to know your Fencox Crew. You’re all here on a solo adventure and making friends is half the fun!
Accommodation: The Suryaa Hotel (or similar), New Delhi
Included: Dinner
DAY 2: DELHI
It’s your first full day in India and time to get to know the capital a little better. You’ll make a beeline for some of her most famous sights, including Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque – and the iconic India Gate.
Following lunch, the fun really begins with a visit to one of the oldest markets in Delhi: Chandni Chowk. Bustling & authentic, these narrow lanes have kept traditional workmanship alive – a testament to their craft as Delhi is a constantly modernising city.
As if this day wasn’t already jam-packed, you’ll head straight into the heart of the chaos by rickshaw to visit Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest wholesale spice market – full of interesting smells and people everywhere. End it all pinkies-up with an Indian high tea and kite-flying experience at the magnificently restored Haveli Dharampura.
Accommodation: The Suryaa Hotel (or similar), New Delhi
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, High Tea
DAY 3: THE AMBER FORT
The adventure leaves Delhi today as you head towards the ancient Pink City of Jaipur. It’s a five-hour drive in your air-conditioned vehicle and the group will set off early because you’ve got a lunch reservation to catch! You’ll sit down to a decadent meal inside the Amber Fort – one of Rajasthan’s most treasured monuments. Recipes here are royal dishes that have been passed down for generations.
After filling your belly, get to exploring the rest of the 17th-century Amber Fort. Watching over the city from its hilltop perch, its robust gates, ornate galls and pavilions will surely leave a lasting impression.
Accommodation: The Suryaa Villa (or similar), New Delhi
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 4: JAIPUR
Just outside Jaipur lies a small village where you’ll have the opportunity to meet local Rajasthani women who are dedicated to keeping traditional weaving techniques alive.
The setting is humble and welcoming – those looking for tourist traps won’t find one here! What you will find is ample time to meet the villagers and the opportunity to have a go at this almost-forgotten Rajasthani craft. If you take a liking to any of these one-of-a-kind creations, bring it home to remind you of your time with this fibre art collective.
Enjoy a traditional Rajasthani lunch to punctuate the day, prepared by your talented hosts. Take as much time as you like to get to know each other – there’s no pressure to rush back – but do keep in mind that you have a beautiful, rooftop dinner reservation this evening as a grand finale to a fantastic day!
Accommodation: The Suryaa Villa (or similar), Jaipur
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5: JODHPUR
Next stop, Jodhpur! Another colourful city, except this time, it’s dedicated to shades of sapphire, cobalt and lapis lazuli. It’s a six-hour drive, but your guide has arranged lunch at one of their favourite local restaurants – now, that’s not a bad way to break up a drive!
Check into your hotel in the afternoon and the rest of the day is up to you. Keep your shoes on and go explore the local area. Or kick them off and relax – there’s a swimming pool to cool off in and a small selection of inhouse spa services too. If you’re up for dinner out-and-about, your guide will arrange a table at a nearby restaurant.
Accommodation: Bal Samand Lake Palace (or similar), Jodhpur
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 6: MEHRANGARH FORT
This morning, get up close to the famous Mehrangarh Fort – imposing, regal and majestic as can be. Inside, you’ll uncover centuries-old, hand-chiselled patterns, decorating everything from palaces to courtyards to sculptures.
Before dinner you’ll pay a visit to the Mharo Khet, a regenerative farm on the outskirts of town. You might find yourself ‘wowing’ at all the produce – Jodhpur is in the middle of the Thar Desert, after all. We wouldn’t bring you here to miss out on the dining part of this experience, so strap yourself in for a multi-course tasting of the delights you were viewing only moments earlier.
Accommodation: Bal Samand Lake Palace (or similar), Jodhpur
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 7: FREE DAY IN JODHPUR
Greet the day with a yum-inducing breakfast, and guess what? The entire day is wide open for you to roam around Jodhpur and hit up the local market at your own groove. No rush, no rules – just go with the flow and soak up the vibes. Whether you want to relax back at your palace hotel digs or go exploring in Jodphurs indigo alleyways, you call the shots today! Don’t feel like being alone? No worries! By now there’s sure to be other like-minded Fencoxers putting up their hands to relax or explore with you!
Accommodation: Bal Samand Lake Palace (or similar), Jodhpur
Included: Breakfast
DAY 8: UDAIPUR
It’s another six-hour journey today – but soon you’ll arrive in the City of Lakes! Don’t fret too much about the long drive because there are enchanting Jain Temples to see along the way. Pit stop in Ranakpur, home to the Adinath Temple – so intricately carved, it rises from the ground like an enormous, ivory-coloured wedding cake decorated with intricate lacework.
Once the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, you’ll pull into Udaipur just in time for dinner. You get to choose where you dine tonight, but let the guide recommend a local rooftop restaurant – nearly all of them have an incredible view of the lake and City Palace.
Accommodation: Aranya Vilas (or similar), Udaipur
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 9: UDAIPUR
Rise and shine to explore Udaipur on your own terms this morning. Much less chaotic than some of India’s other cities, savour your early hour exploring with views of the Aravalli Mountains reflecting off the lakes.
In the afternoon you’ll pay a visit to the City Palace. Towering over the lake, it’s an eye-delighting medley of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens that overlook Lake Pichola. Soon you’ll be gliding along its surface on an evening boat ride. From palace facades to shore-side bathing ghats, be sure to have your camera at the ready!
Accommodation: Aranya Vilas (or similar), Udaipur
Included: Breakfast
DAY 10: BUNDI
Begin your day with a delightful breakfast, before settling in for a five-hour drive from Udaipur to the captivating town of Bundi. Immortalised by Rudyard Kipling in ‘Kim,’ Bundi beckons with its iconic step wells and the majestic Taragarh Fort. Let’s just say it’s worth the trip!
After stopping for a mid-roadtrip local lunch, you’ll soon see it on the horizon. The city clings to terraced cliffs with the imposing fort its crown. Upon arrival, you’ll jump right in, exploring the city’s lifeline – the celebrated Bundi Stepwells. Immerse yourself in the opulent heritage and architectural marvels that define this city, peeling back the centuries with each new discovery.
Accommodation: Hadoti Palace (or similar), Bundi
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 11: RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Say goodbye to Bundi this morning because the adventure is really getting started now. From rural to raw! It’s a six-hour drive to the Tigress Resort: can you guess what’s coming next? You’ll uncover ancient fortresses that have been reclaimed by jungle and go in search of the elusive Bengal tiger.
Check in and enjoy the hotel. From the rejuvenating pool to the Ayurvedic spa, your stay in this restored haveli is one of the highlights!
Accommodation: Ranthambore Heritage Haveli (or similar), Village Khilchipur
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 12: MORNING & EVENING SAFARI
This morning you will wake up in the heart of the Ranthambore National Park, famous for its wildlife.
Grab your sunhat and slather on the sunscreen because you’ll spend both the morning and afternoon on safari in open-air jeeps. You might have guessed by now but tigers are the main draw here. While seeking out these evasive creatures is likely, it’s not guaranteed, so cross your fingers and pray to the feline gods! Even if you don’t spot the big guys, plenty of other animals call the park home, including Hanuman langurs and sloth bears.
After a long day of ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ with your Fencox mates, a magical dining experience awaits back at the haveli for you all. Step back to the days of the Maharajahs for an open-air rooftop feast fit for royalty under the sky.
Accommodation: Ranthambore Heritage Haveli (or similar), Village Khilchipur
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 13: AGRA
India is famous for its trains and this morning you’ll enjoy a two-hour journey by rail to Bharatpur. This is a real-deal Indian train experience in all its sometimes smelly, noisy and haywire glory, but don’t worry – you’re riding in style in an air-conditioned coach.
From there, you’ll hop into your vehicle and head on to Agra, which will only take around one hour by road. Dinner is at your leisure tonight. Can you believe you’ve been in India for almost two weeks? By now, you’ll feel so much like a local that you’ll be out the hotel door as quickly as you can to explore the city – and this one happens to be home to one of the seven wonders of the world!
Accommodation: Grand Imperial Hotel (or similar), Agra
Included: Breakfast
DAY 14: TAJ MAHAL
You might have heard that the Taj Mahal can be overwhelmed with guests, which is why you’ll approach the experience a little differently. Even the night owls won’t regret getting up early to witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise – a Bollywood-esq scene slowly coming alive in the glimmering dawnlight.
This also gives you the opportunity to breathe and truly take it all in – (mostly) without the crowds. After filling your cup in the presence of this incredible world wonder, you’re off to another must-see: the Agra Fort.
Dinner tonight will be another one for the diary. Sheroes Cafe is run by women who have survived acid attacks, and we’re honoured to be supporting such a worthy establishment.
Accommodation: Grand Imperial Hotel (or similar), Agra
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 15: TO VARANASI
Are you ready for the final roadtrip of the journey? After a four-hour drive to Delhi, the group will head straight to the airport for the afternoon flight to Varanasi. One of India’s most iconic cities, Varanasi is an intoxicating mix of old and new, much like the cycle of birth and rebirth that is so celebrated along the city’s shores.
It’s confronting, hectic, noisy, colourful and intense, and your home for the next three nights. What better way to farewell India than in this hallowed Hindu site?
Accommodation: Hotel Madin (or similar), Varanasi
Included: Breakfast
DAY 16: THE GANGES
This morning starts with a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges. Watch as the world of ghats and temples is gradually illuminated. The smoke rising from the pyres as worshippers perform ceremonies and bathing rituals only adds to the atmosphere. After a morning floating down this sacred river, take a walking tour of the old city, through narrow laneways packed with stalls and shops, past the dhobi wallahs, burning ghats and the endless temples that echo with bells and the aroma of incense.
In the evening, head back to the boats for the nightly Aarti ceremony. As the river begins to glow with hundreds of floating candles and flowers, you’ll hear rhythmic chanting, hymns and drums – some coming from onboard musicians and lulling you into an intoxicating trance.
Accommodation: Hotel Madin (or similar), Varanasi
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 17: SARNATH
From Hinduism yesterday, to Buddhism today, India truly is a melting pot of multifariousness! It’s just a short drive this morning to Sarnath, where it’s said that Buddha first awoke after finding enlightenment.
Be sure to bring your walking shoes because you’ll be taken by surprise at just how large the site is. Wander past well preserved stupas, statues and building foundations – some more than 1,500 years old. If you find yourself caught up in an unexpected sense of tranquillity you wouldn’t be the first. Many visitors before you have experienced this peaceful sensation. After all, this complex was built to spread the message of love and compassion.
Cap off an incredibly memorable day with your final Maharajah-style dinner at the BrijRama Palace, one of the oldest in Varanasi.
Accommodation: Hotel Madin (or similar), Varanasi
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 18: BACK TO DELHI
Your trip is winding up and it’s time to fly back to Delhi. You’ll have a bit of final shopping time to snap up those last minute gifts or mementos in Connaught Place. Luckily, our guide will be there to point out the best places and help you negotiate those tricky deals.
Gather together for one final evening a-la-India at a legendary restaurant. You’ll spend your time reminiscing and savouring your last taste bud celebration with your Fencox friends! .
Accommodation: Suryaa Hotel (or similar), New Delhi
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 19: FAREWELL FRIENDS!
And that’s it: the end of your unforgettable journey through India. Saying goodbye is the hardest part – especially when you’ve become such a tight knit crew of individual travellers. Exchange emails and phone numbers and get ready for the next adventure!
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is a significant variation in the AUD:INR exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:55 INR.
A deposit of $1,900 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 95 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders can apply for an E-Tourist Visa. If you are staying in India longer than 30 days you will need to apply for a 1 year Visa. The Visa fee is around $40AUD for 30 days and $65AUD for 1 year.
Level 1 or Easy
Our trips are active and there will be days where you’ll be walking and spending a lot of time on your feet. Unfortunately this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.
Daily activities may include:
- Regular 2 to 3-hour city and village walks on uneven and undulating ground.
- Getting on and off various forms of transport, including boats and rickshaws.
- Climbing a set of stairs.
- Accessing your shower from over a bathtub.
- Using the occasional squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit down toilets) but when you’re on-the-road, sometimes they are the only choice available.
Some activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon.
Most of our trips have a Tip Kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands.
We will be updating the details for tipping here soon.
To accommodate the domestic flight luggage limits, we request that you travel with 1 case/bag weighing no more than 20kg, and 1 carry-on bag/case weighing no greater than 8kg.
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International airfares are not included.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
There are several airlines that offer direct and one-stop flights to Delhi from major Australian cities and New Zealand.
Airport transfers are included. You can plan to arrive at any time, but we recommend arriving in the morning to give yourself time to settle in. (NB: Hotel check-in time is 2pm)
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Food is everything in India. From street food to fine dining, you can find it all. Service in restaurants can be a bit slow, but the wait is worth it. North India is a vegetarian and vegan paradise. Most meals are included in this trip, but when they’re not, your Tour Leaders will be on hand to point you towards restaurants with better hygiene.
That being said… Delhi Belly is a real thing. It is common for tourists to get sick in India, as food tends to be on the heavy side. If you enjoy Indian food, you’re going to LOVE this trip. You’re going to discover all kinds of foods that you never even thought existed.
Our best piece of advice is – avoid Western food at all costs if you don’t want to get sick.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
