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Overview
Highlights
- Discover the beauty in famed structures, from Jaipur’s Amber Fort and Royal City Palace, to Agra’s Red Fort and iconic Taj Mahal, and the ruins and stupas of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa.
- Taste the best of Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine during Exclusive Experiences, including a street food tour in Agra, a wonderful meal in the home of a local family in Jaipur, a cooking demo with a local grandmother in Polonnaruwa, and a Spice Garden visit in Matale.
- Historical Feature Stays allow you to experience history first hand, staying at family owned heritage hotel in Jaipur and a historic mansion with a new sustainable lease on life in Nuwara Eliya.
- Take part in Exclusive Experiences to remember – cruise down the Ganges at sunset accompanied by local musicians, and get an immersive look at rural life in Ambagasthenna.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Delhi - Welcome dinner
- Old Delhi City Tour
- Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
- Delhi - Jama Masjid (Shoe Keeper)
- Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Agra - Expert-led street food tour (as dinner)
- Agra - Agra Fort Visit
- Jaipur - Leader-led orientation walk
- Jaipur - Home-cooked dinner
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Jaipur - City Palace
- Lucknow - Orientation Walk
- Lucknow - Sheroes Dinner
- Lucknow City Tour
- Lucknow – Awadhi Cooking Class
- Orientation Walk in Varanasi
- Varanasi - Evening Ganga aarti with musicians on boat
- Varanasi - Ganges candle flower ceremony
- Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip
- Sarnath Museum Visit
- Sarnath Stupa Visit
- Farewell Dinner at Haveli Dharampura
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Negombo - Welcome Dinner
- Ridigama - Ridi Viharaya shrine visit and cultural experience
- Muriya Kadawala Village - Pottery Making Experience
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
- Minneriya National Park - Entrance Fee
- Polonnaruwa - Bicycle Tour
- Polonnaruwa - Cooking demo and lunch
- Matale – Spice Garden Visit.
- Kandy - City Tour with the Temple of the Tooth
- Ambagasthenna - Tea Plantation and Sustainable Farm Tour
- Ambagasthenna - Village and Temple Tour
- Ambagasthenna - Sunset Viewing with Drinks
- Nuwara Eliya - High Tea
- Nanu Oya - Scenic Train Ride
- Nuwara Eliya - Orientation Tour
- Colombo - Farewell Dinner
- Colombo - Orientation Tour
- Labukelle - Tea Plantation and Factory Visit
Itinerary

Namaste! Welcome to India. When you arrive at Delhi Airport, you’ll be collected and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure then begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Until then, you can explore this exciting capital...
To get your bearings in Old Delhi, start the day with a leader-led tour of the most ancient part of the city. Your leader will help you navigate the metro system so you can then explore the impressive Mughal architecture on foot. It’s not Delhi without a traffic jam, ...
It’s time to head south to Agra. After a scenic four-hour drive, settle into your new hotel before visiting India’s most iconic landmark – the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A tribute to his belated wife, Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned this famous ...
Start the day with a visit to Agra Fort – widely considered one of the finest-looking forts in India. Learn how Akbar built a fortress and prison out of red sandstone in 1565, and then Shah Jahan converted and added to the fort to transform it into a palace. After, yo...
Another day, another fort – but this time it’s Amber Fort, the crown jewel of Jaipur. Your leader will share the stories of a fallen empire as you explore ornate rooms, murals, frescoed arches and delicate jali work. Head to the striking City Palace – a blend of Rajpu...
Enjoy a leisurely morning before flying east to Lucknow – the capital of India’s largest region, Uttar Pradesh. When you arrive, your leader will guide the group on an afternoon orientation walk to help you get acquainted with your new surroundings. This evening, join...
Seize the day with a morning tour of Lucknow, where your leader will show you some of the city’s best spots. This might include a stop at the intricate Bara Imambara – a hall built in 1784 for Shia Muslims. Its labyrinthine layout of narrow passages and staircases is ...
It’s an early start today, but for good reason – no trip to India is complete without a scenic train ride. The journey to Varanasi offers a unique glimpse into the heart of the countryside, all from the comfort of your seat. When you’ve checked into your hotel, join t...
Early risers, this one’s for you – embark on a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, where your leader will explain the significance of India’s most sacred river while gliding past the many ghats and temples on its banks. After, decide your own schedule before coming toget...
It’s the penultimate day today and time to return to Delhi. When you land, the afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. There are plenty of sites you may have missed the first time around, like Humayun’s Tomb – a garden tomb dating back to 1570 – or Qutb Minar, ...
This morning you will take an unescorted flight to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo to begin the second half of your trip. On arrival, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel in nearby Negombo. This evening you'll have a second group me...
This morning you’ll travel inland, driving northeast towards Habarana. On the way, stop at the Ridi Vihara shrine – a Buddhist cave temple dating back to the second century BC. It is said that there were almost 500 monks living in these hillside caves at its peak. Wat...
Early this morning, before the heat is too intense, head to Sigiriya (Lion Rock). One of Sri Lanka's premier sights, this dramatic rocky outcrop rising from the surrounding plains is topped by a ruined palace. Your leader will share stories of the ancient civilisation...
After breakfast, make your way to Polonnaruwa to continue your explorations of the cultural triangle. Hop on a bicycle to discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in Polonnaruwa’s ancient Quadrangle complex – it’s not hard to imagine what this place looked li...
Today, you’ll travel to Kandy. Along the way, stop off in the city of Matale where you’ll visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. In Kandy, take a guided tour of the city, stopping...
After a leisurely morning, drive to Ambagasthenna village, where hotel and tea plantation owner Mr Thilina will guide you around his neighbourhood. For lunch, feast on a delicious home-cooked meal made by Mr Thilina’s mother. You’ll visit the tea plantation, learn ab...
Depart Kandy and board a morning train bound for Nuwara Eliya. Nestled deep in tea plantation country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 m, giving it some of the coolest temperatures in Sri Lanka. Remnants of the region’s colonial past can be seen in the sculp...
Say goodbye to the green hills of Nuwara Eliya and make the journey to Sri Lanka’s coastal capital, Colombo. On the way, visit a tea factory and plantations near the town of Labukelle and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After arriving in Colombo, take an orienta...
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Colombo, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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