Included: all your accommodation, 12 meals, every activity on the itinerary, all in-country transport, your airport pick-up when you land, and a guide with you for the whole 12 days.
Not included: international flights, travel insurance, your India visa, the airport drop-off at the end, and spending money for the meals that are not listed, drinks and shopping.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof of your policy to your group leader upon arrival (on your phone or printed). You can get a quote and purchase your travel insurance here.
We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.
Spending varies from person to person and you will get a spending guide in your welcome pack, but £15-20 a day is plenty on average. You can withdraw from ATMs at various points throughout the tour. This cost of living website gives accurate prices for the basics, including food and drink.
Tipping is not compulsory but it is very much expected, usually around 5-10% of the bill at hotels and restaurants. We find it easiest if your group leader suggests the amount and everyone pitches into a kitty, which then covers the places the group eats and stays together.
WiFi is available at all accommodations during the trip, but it’s not reliable and we would recommend picking up a local SIM card on arrival if you need to be online.
Like all countries, appropriate caution is required as a traveller to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Provided you exercise the same caution you would in any other country and remain with the group it is perfectly safe to travel.
We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.
For sure! Around 1–2 weeks before your trip, you’ll get a welcome email with a welcome message and more trip info.
Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.
The maximum group size on our India trips is 22 people, and very occasionally we will take up to 24 where the logistics allow. Most departures run smaller than that.
Everyone comes from all over the world, and most people book on their own — so if you are travelling solo you are in very good company.
Hotels for most of the trip, in double or twin share rooms, including a traditional haveli in the heart of Jodhpur's blue old town.
One night is spent on the overnight train from Jodhpur back to Delhi, in an air-conditioned sleeper cabin.
The Florence Inn Hotel, New Delhi.
Tap water in India is unfit for consumption, but each of our accommodations that we stay in provide bottled water in the rooms and it will be available to purchase. When buying bottled water you should always make sure it is sealed before opening.
Use the tour's first-night hotel in New Delhi:
Hotel Florence
2719 Bank Street, behind Karol Bagh Block 45
Beadonpura, Karol Bagh
New Delhi, Delhi 110005
Police station: Karol Bagh
If the application asks for anything the address does not cover, get in touch and we will sort it out with you.
New Delhi International Airport (DEL), for both your arrival and your flight home — this tour starts and finishes in New Delhi.
Please wait for a confirmation email; this will provide information about when we recommend arriving and to depart. We recommend using Sky Scanner to arrange your flights.
We will provide you with airport transfer information 1-week before the tour/program begins.
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter India, including those from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many others.
If you're planning to visit India for less than 30 days as a tourist, the most convenient option is often the e-tourist Visa. Please click this link to check for an e-tourist Visa and obtain one.
Please note that you will also need an onward ticket exiting the country. You must have both of these things printed out (the e-visa and the onward flight ticket) to present at check-in and immigration.
International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.
Once you’ve booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area of our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.
Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.
Please let us know as soon as possible. If you are already en route and a connecting flight changes, contact your group leader or email us so we can still meet you at the airport.
Your deposit ensures your reservation for the tour or program. It guarantees your spot until 60 days prior to the scheduled commencement date, at which time the outstanding balance must be settled in full. Failure to complete payment by the specified deadline will result in the cancellation of your reservation, and the vacancy may be offered to another prospective participant. The remaining balance can be found in your account, and multiple reminders will be sent in advance of the due date to ensure timely payment.
For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.
For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.
If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.
Yes, the dress code is seen as a show of respect to the culture, temple and monks that often live in the temples. Men should wear long pants and no cut-off sleeves. Women should wear trousers, a long skirt, or dress that extends fully below the knees and covers their shoulders - the knees should be fully covered. Tank tops and low cut shirts should also be avoided by both genders.
We wouldn’t recommend bringing more than 15-20kg as we strictly use public transport and it will be much more comfortable for you to carry less.
The tour ends back in New Delhi, at the Florence Inn.
There is one overnight train on this trip, from Jodhpur back to Delhi on day 10, in a comfortable air-conditioned sleeper cabin. There is also a daytime train from Delhi to Agra on day 3.
Everything else is by air-conditioned bus or private transfer, with journeys running from about 1 to 6 hours.
Yes. An airport pick-up is included if you arrive on day 1 of the tour, or if you book a pre-tour night's accommodation with us. Add your flight details to your booking so we know when to meet you.
Arriving earlier than that? Get in touch and we can arrange a pick-up for you separately.
The drop-off at the end is not included, but your guide will help you sort out transport for your flight home.
The trip starts and finishes in Delhi.
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