Backpacking India & Sri Lanka is a 24-day small-group trip from $3,505 per person with a $350 deposit. Jodhpur's blue city, sunrise at the Taj Mahal, a Ranthambore tiger safari, the scenic train to Ella and wild elephants in Udawalawe. For travellers aged 18-40, in groups of 8-16, with 37 activities and 33 meals. Departures run from 23 September 2026.
India & Sri Lanka
13 stops
Welcome to Delhi, India's bustling capital. We will pick you up from the airport and take you to your accommodation in the city centre. You will have plenty of time to settle in and meet your fellow travellers before your adventure begins.
Immerse yourself in Old Delhi's sights, sounds, and smells. Wander through Chawri Bazaar with a local guide, observing traditional life. Taste famous Indian cuisine with local delicacies. In the afternoon, visit the stunning Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, learning about religion's role. Conclude with a stop at Rajghat Memorial and a Sikh Temple.
Leave Delhi behind this morning with a flight to Jodhpur, Rajasthan's 700-year-old 'blue city' in the desert. Explore the maze of blue architecture, with a guide leading the way. You will take tuk tuks to discover the city further, catch an amazing sunset, and then head out for dinner.
Towering over Jodhpur's skyline, the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort offers breathtaking views of the city and desert plains. Explore this remarkable site, delving into the area's rich history and enjoying the stunning vistas. In the afternoon, visit the traditional Bishnoi villages to experience their unique way of life and warm hospitality.
Groups usually run between 8 and 14 people, with a maximum of 16 on any departure. Travellers are aged 18 into their 40s and come from all over the world, and most of them book on their own, so if you are travelling solo you will be in good company from the first evening in Delhi.
This trip runs alongside our 13-day India and 12-day Sri Lanka tours, so some of your group may join for just one of the two legs. Travelling with a friend or partner? Let us know and we will keep you together.
Included: 23 nights of accommodation, 33 meals (23 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners), every activity on the itinerary, all transport between destinations including the flight from Delhi to Jodhpur on day 3 and the flight from Delhi to Sri Lanka on day 13, your airport pick-up when you land in Delhi, and group leaders and local guides throughout.
Not included: international flights, travel insurance (which is compulsory), your India visa and Sri Lanka ETA, the meals not listed on the itinerary, drinks and spending money.
Because your accommodation, activities, transport and 33 meals are already paid for, most travellers on this trip budget around £600 for the whole 24 days (roughly €700, US$800 or AU$1,200). That covers the meals that are not included, drinks, shopping, souvenirs and any onward travel.
You spend Indian rupees for the first 12 days and Sri Lankan rupees for the rest. ATMs are easy to find in the towns, but carry some cash for smaller places. Tipping is not compulsory, but it is very much expected in India, so allow a little extra for it.
You do not need to be especially fit, but a reasonable level of fitness helps. The two real climbs are the rock beside Sigiriya Rock Fortress on day 15 and Little Adam's Peak in Ella on day 18, and neither is strenuous. The days in Delhi, Jodhpur and Jaipur also mean plenty of time on your feet around forts, markets and old towns.
Expect some early starts too: sunrise yoga in Pushkar, the morning safari in Ranthambore, sunrise at the Taj Mahal and a sunrise safari in Udawalawe.
Twin or double share rooms for all 23 nights. In India: two nights in Delhi, two in a heritage haveli in Jodhpur, a night in luxury tents at a desert glamping camp, a night in Pushkar, two in a heritage hotel in Jaipur, two at a resort outside Ranthambore, a night in Agra and a final night in South Delhi. In Sri Lanka: a night in Negombo, two in Sigiriya, one in Kandy, two in Ella, one in Udawalawe, two at a beachfront eco retreat in Talalla (fans rather than air conditioning, and some triple rooms) and two in Mirissa.
Solo travellers share with someone of the same gender. If you would rather have a room to yourself, ask us about a private room when you book.
At Hotel Cottage Yes Please in Delhi, where you stay for the first two nights in twin or double rooms. It is where your airport pick-up takes you on day 1.
Arriving a day or two early? Let us know as soon as you can and we will check availability and pricing for extra nights. Please note that accommodation may occasionally change due to availability.
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