Intrepid Travel
Premium North & South India
Premium North & South India
Discover the best of north and south India on a 23-day Premium adventure, from bustling Delhi to multicultural Kochi. Experience the magic of the heritage-rich north at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and immerse yourself in local culture as you meet the owner of a royal haveli and cruise down the Ganges. Take in the natural charms of the south while looking for elephants in Periyar National Park, walking through the tea plantations of Munnar and cruising the Kerala backwaters. Travel with local leaders who will show you the vibrant heart of a country that delights, surprises and intrigues.
Activities
- 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
- Chennai – Welcome dinner
- Mamallapuram – Shore Temples guided tour
- Puducherry – Leader-led French Quarter walking tour
- Puducherry – Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Puducherry – snack stop at local cafe
- Madurai – Leader-led street food tour
- Madurai – Sri Meenakshi 1000 Pillar
- Madurai – Sri Meenakshi Temple
- Madurai – Gandhi Museum
- Madurai – Leader-led walking tour
- Madurai – Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace
- Madurai – Local family visit and home-cooked Tamil dinner
- Thekkady – Expert-guided spice plantation visit and lunch
- Periyar – Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Art) performance
- Periyar – Guided nature walk
- Munnar – Tea plantation
- Munnar – Tea Museum
- Munnar – Mattupetty Dam
- Munnar – Leader-led town walking tour
- Kochi – Kathakali performance
- Kochi – Jewish Synagogue
- Kochi – Ferry to Mattancherry
- Kochi – Leader-led Fort Kochi walking tour
- Kochi – Dutch Palace
- Kochi – Keralan cooking class
Highlights
- Enjoy accommodation like no other – an opulently decorated heritage stay in Jaipur, a beautiful converted houseboat on the Kerala backwaters and a suave heritage hotel in Kochi are your Feature Stays on this trip.
- Find out what makes Indian cuisine so special during Exclusive Experiences, including local-lead food tours in Agra and Madurai, home-cooked meals with local families, and an ayurvedic cooking demonstration and dinner.
- Discover the beauty in buildings that lie across India, from Jaipur’s Amber Fort and Royal City Palace to Agra’s Red Fort and iconic Taj Mahal, and see architectural influences from a multicultural past in Puducherry and Kochi.
- Take part in Exclusive Experiences to remember – cruise down the Ganges with local musicians, and witness a lively performance of kalarippayattu.
Booking Dates
05/15/2025 through 12/16/2027
Travel Dates
05/15/2025 through 12/20/2027
| Day 1 |
Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in North India that contains the country's capital, New Delhi. Life is abuzz and hectic here, with traffic going every which way. A huge population shuffles through Delhi's streets, alleys and food and spice-selling bazaars, and it's quite memorable to be a part of it all. Travelers are also well-advised to visit Delhi for its unforgettable energy and exceptionally photo-ready sights and sounds, including India Gate, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the famous imperial residence, the Red Fort. |
| Day 2 |
Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in North India that contains the country's capital, New Delhi. Life is abuzz and hectic here, with traffic going every which way. A huge population shuffles through Delhi's streets, alleys and food and spice-selling bazaars, and it's quite memorable to be a part of it all. Travelers are also well-advised to visit Delhi for its unforgettable energy and exceptionally photo-ready sights and sounds, including India Gate, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the famous imperial residence, the Red Fort. |
| Day 3 |
Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra, India is now a cultural capital replete with famous landmarks and striking architecture. Located on the winding banks of the Yamuna River, Agra sits in India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. The city’s most prominent draw is the magnificent Taj Mahal, the iconic white marble mausoleum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by millions of people each year. Built in the 17th century by Emperor Shaj Jahan, the Taj Mahal is a grand testament to the stunning beauty of the Mughal Empire’s Indo-Islamic architecture. Decorated with intricate design, calligraphy, and precious stones, the mausoleum's surroundings include a verdant garden and glittering reflective pool. Agra's other notable sites include Agra Fort and Delhi Gate (both made of striking red sandstone), the Shish Mahal (also known as Glass Palace), Itmad-ud-Daula (affectionately called the “Baby Taj Mahal”), and Aram Bagh (beautiful Persian-style gardens). Agra is a must-see destination for any trip to India! |
| Day 4 |
"The Pink City," the capital of Rajasthan... whatever you call Jaipur, this much is clear: This historical city is a lively, vivid destination. Shop at the bustling bazaars, where you'll find exceptional gifts and souvenirs. And definitely make your way to the key landmarks here, including the 16th-century Amber Palace, Hawa Mahal (the "Palace of the Winds") and Jal Mahal, a historical manor set in the middle of a lake. |
| Day 5 |
"The Pink City," the capital of Rajasthan... whatever you call Jaipur, this much is clear: This historical city is a lively, vivid destination. Shop at the bustling bazaars, where you'll find exceptional gifts and souvenirs. And definitely make your way to the key landmarks here, including the 16th-century Amber Palace, Hawa Mahal (the "Palace of the Winds") and Jal Mahal, a historical manor set in the middle of a lake. |
| Day 6 |
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| Day 7 |
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| Day 8 |
Varanasi, India |
| Day 9 |
Varanasi, India |
| Day 10 |
Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in North India that contains the country's capital, New Delhi. Life is abuzz and hectic here, with traffic going every which way. A huge population shuffles through Delhi's streets, alleys and food and spice-selling bazaars, and it's quite memorable to be a part of it all. Travelers are also well-advised to visit Delhi for its unforgettable energy and exceptionally photo-ready sights and sounds, including India Gate, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the famous imperial residence, the Red Fort. |
| Day 11 |
Madras, (me-dràs´) city (1991 pop. 5,361,468), capital of Tamil state, SE India, on the Bay of Bengal. An industrial center, it has chemical and automobile plants, tanneries, and textile mills.It was largely built around a 17th-cent. British outpost and became a trade center. The city's cultural institutions include the University of Madras (est. 1857).
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| Day 14 |
In this temple city, once the capital of the Pandiyan Kingdom, visit the Great Temple, which contains a stone hall of 1,000 pillars, a tank and musical pillars. Tirumala Naik's Palace is also a highlight. |
| Day 15 |
In this temple city, once the capital of the Pandiyan Kingdom, visit the Great Temple, which contains a stone hall of 1,000 pillars, a tank and musical pillars. Tirumala Naik's Palace is also a highlight. |
| Day 16 |
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| Day 17 |
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| Day 18 |
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| Day 19 |
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| Day 20 |
Kerala, India is a lush, tropical paradise that captivates travelers with its serene backwaters, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. Nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala boasts a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. The tranquil backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom offer a quintessential Kerala experience, where visitors can cruise on traditional houseboats through a labyrinth of canals, lagoons, and lakes, witnessing daily life unfold along the water's edge. Kerala’s rich cultural tapestry is woven with influences from its diverse history, which includes Hindu, Christian, and Muslim traditions. The city of Kochi, a major port since ancient times, reflects this heritage with its blend of colonial architecture, ancient temples, and synagogues. The historic Fort Kochi area, with its narrow winding streets, is home to the iconic Chinese fishing nets, a legacy of the region’s long-standing trade connections with China. No visit to Kerala is complete without experiencing its lush hill stations, like Munnar, famous for its sprawling tea plantations, misty hills, and cool climate. Munnar’s emerald-green landscapes are not only breathtaking but also a hub for adventure enthusiasts who can indulge in trekking, paragliding, and wildlife spotting. For a more immersive experience, visitors can stay in eco-friendly resorts that blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Fun fact: Kerala is not only famous for its natural beauty but also for its literacy rate, which is the highest in India at over 96% . This high literacy rate contributes to the state’s progressive society and thriving arts scene, including the traditional dance form Kathakali, which narrates stories from Hindu epics through elaborate costumes and expressive gestures |
| Day 21 |
Kochi (formerly Cochin), is a port city on the southwest coast of India and is a frequent stop for cruise ships. Known as the "Gateway to Kerala," Kochi's beaches, delectable seafood, expansive malls, historical sites, and museums make it a popular tourist destination. |
| Day 22 |
Kochi (formerly Cochin), is a port city on the southwest coast of India and is a frequent stop for cruise ships. Known as the "Gateway to Kerala," Kochi's beaches, delectable seafood, expansive malls, historical sites, and museums make it a popular tourist destination. |
| Day 23 |
Kochi (formerly Cochin), is a port city on the southwest coast of India and is a frequent stop for cruise ships. Known as the "Gateway to Kerala," Kochi's beaches, delectable seafood, expansive malls, historical sites, and museums make it a popular tourist destination. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
09/18/25 - 10/10/25 |
Starting At $5,929 |
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|
10/14/25 - 11/05/25 |
Starting At $6,167 |
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|
10/16/25 - 11/07/25 |
Starting At $6,660 |
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|
10/23/25 - 11/14/25 |
Starting At $6,167 |
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|
11/04/25 - 11/26/25 |
Starting At $6,612 |
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|
11/06/25 - 11/28/25 |
Starting At $6,304 |
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|
11/11/25 - 12/03/25 |
Starting At $6,276 |
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|
11/13/25 - 12/05/25 |
Starting At $6,040 |
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|
12/05/25 - 12/27/25 |
Starting At $5,832 |
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|
12/11/25 - 01/02/26 |
Starting At $5,804 |
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|
12/18/25 - 01/09/26 |
Starting At $6,028 |
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|
01/01/26 - 12/31/26 |
Starting At $6,975 |
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|
01/07/27 - 12/20/27 |
Starting At $7,325 |
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Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
