Backpacking India

We’ll give you the morning free to relax after travelling yesterday. We’ll meet in the early afternoon and walk to the Mehrangarh fort together with our local guide. After, we’ll walk through the blue city and stop off at the Jodhpur stepwell, an impressive feat of ancient stone work before walking around the clock tower market to sample some famous Saffron Lassi and delicious samosas. We’ll then make our way back to our accommodation to finish the day.

Today we’ll take a bus to Udaipur, the “White City” – also known as the city of lakes. It is also the location for filming the James Bond film, Octopussy! The lakes and architecture provide a perfect balance between the hectic and the tranquil and no better way to experience this is with a walk through the markets and old town and finishing with a private sunset cruise on the lake. Afterwards, we’ll then head to one of our favourite rooftop restaurants for dinner.

An early start today as we head out of town to take a fantastic bike ride. Our guide is from the local village and so will introduce you to the ways the locals live, teach you about their culture and heritage as well as show us the local temples important to village life. We’ll also get to visit a local school during our time in this area. After, we’ll head back to town to check out and we’ll give you the rest of the day free to take one last trip around the markets or grab a beer on a rooftop.

After breakfast in the morning, we’ll take the train to Ajmer before transferring to Pushkar, known as one of the holiest towns in India. Pushkar is a backpacker’s paradise with amazing food, beautiful markets, rolling landscapes, hiking and unrivalled sunsets. Tonight we sleep in the desert on a gorgeous glamping site. In the afternoon, a local Brahmin will induct you to Pushkar properly with a blessing on the holy lake and we’ll then grab a drink at a lakeside cafe before heading back to camp to sleep under the stars.

Take an optional sunrise hike to a temple for imperious views of the city and lake at sunrise or take up some yoga on the deck of the infinity pool, the morning is truly yours. Around noon, we’ll shuttle everyone into Pushkar for free time to explore the town at your leisure. Browse the markets, take a yoga class, or simply read a book on the steps by the lake. We’ll then head back to camp at sunset to work with some local villagers learning how to cook traditional Indian cuisine.

Today we grab breakfast and head to Jaipur to complete our visit to the Golden Triangle. On arrival to Jaipur we’ll make our way to our stunning traditional accommodation in the heart of the old town and then watch a Bollywood movie the way the director intended it to be watched, in one of the grandest theatres in the world.

After breakfast in the hotel, our guide will meet us to take us on an orientation walk of the old town. We’ll get to visit the local market, understand the origins of the “Pink City”, meet some locals and market traders, learn all about the spices that are synonymous to Indian cooking and view the excellent Palace of the Winds. We’ll then all jump in Tuk Tuks to visit Galta-Ji, or otherwise known as the Monkey Temple. A temple built into the hills that is the home to hundreds of grey long tailed Asian monkeys. We’ll then come back to Jaipur where we’ll enjoy a delicious cooking demonstration in the evening!

After breakfast we’ll check out and jump on a train to Agra. On arrival we’ll check into our hotel and relax, then in the afternoon we’ll take Tuk Tuks to a quiet garden south of the Taj to view this magnificent structure away from the crowds at sunset. Tomorrow we’ll head inside, but today is all about enjoying the beauty that this building has to offer. We’ll grab dinner in the evening and get an early night as we are up for sunrise tomorrow.

Start at dawn, exploring the Taj Mahal in tranquil silence with a local guide. Return to New Delhi, step back in time in Old Delhi, feasting on Indian sweets and savory delicacies. Navigate Chandni Chowk by rickshaw, relishing Mutton Street's skewers and Islamic cuisine. End the evening at a local bar, before resting back at your accommodation. A day filled with culinary delights and unforgettable sights.

Your local guide can help you arrange transport to the airport to whatever destination you are off to next. We hope we have shown you why India is a dream location and should be at the top of everyone’s bucket lists. Have a safe journey to wherever you are off to next and always remember to #exploremore.