North and Central India Explored

Exploring Delhi - Mehrauli By Bike - Old & New Delhi

The historic area of Mehrauli is one of the seven ancient cities of Delhi. It houses the UNESCO World Heritage Monument – The Qutab Minar - a 72.5 metre high tower dating back to the 13th century. This elegant fluted tower marked the site for the first Muslim Kingdom in North India. Within the site is the famous Quwwat ul Islam Mosque built from the ruins of an ancient temple. The site also houses several tombs and the remains of mansions of the British who built weekend homes here attracted by the areas orchards, ponds and game. Starting at around 7.00am, spend around three hours cycling this fascinating district through the winding lanes of Mehrauli, stopping at historically significant sites. This activity takes you off the tourist trail and provides a slice of history which is usually not seen.

Later this morning visit New Delhi including the Lodhi gardens which is a favourite with morning walkers and yoga enthusiasts. A short distance away is Humayun’s Tomb which was built in the 16th century and architecturally considered the forerunner of the Taj Mahal. New Delhi stands in formal splendor. It is a city of wide boulevards known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens) and India Gate.

Continue with a visit to the Gurudwara (Sikh temple), which has one of the largest (and cleanest) poor kitchens in Delhi and witness the hundreds of people that come to eat here each day for free - and if you are feeling inspired to help, you can try your hand at rolling chappatis (indian flat bread) or stirring the huge pots of lentil stew. It is not the usual option for a sightseeing experience in Delhi but perhaps one of the most real.

This afternoon explore Old Delhi with a rickshaw ride. In complete contrast to the new city, the Old City is a labyrinthine maze of lanes. Within the chaos lies a semblance of order – each lane in this area is dedicated to a particular item, rather like a department store. There are lanes selling bangles, grocers, items used in weddings, silverware, clothes, spices and shoes. Sharing the same space are vendors with carts selling a variety of items, street side dentists, natural healers and cobblers. The Old City has space for all professions. You may also like to visit the Red Fort (from the outside) and Jama Masjid, which is believed to be the largest mosque in India, accommodating 20,000 worshippers at any given time. Explore the old city in cycle rickshaws and walk along some of the more interesting alleys. (This service is on a private basis.)

Transfer from Hotel to Delhi Airport

Private transfer to Delhi Airport for the flight to Dehradun.

Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh

On arrival at Dehradun airport, you will be picked-up by your guide and driven approx. 1.5 hours to Rishikesh.

Guided Orientation of Rishikesh

Spend the afternoon getting your bearings in Rishikesh with a guided orientation walk through its riverside lanes, ashrams, and hanging bridges. Wander through small market streets, dodge the occasional cow, and sample local treats like warm gulab jamun and street-stall masala chai. Your guide will show you the contrast between the town’s simple and more elaborate ashrams, offering a richer feel for daily life than a string of temple stops. Time your outing for late afternoon to end at the atmospheric aarti ceremony on the Ganges—an hour of chanting and ritual best viewed from the little green bridge, where the river, crowds, and the appearance of the head priest create a mesmerising finale.

Introducing Rishikesh

Cradled in the foothills of the Himalayas along the sacred Ganges River, Rishikesh is India’s spiritual heartbeat and a global hub for yoga, meditation, and wellness. The town blends serene ashrams, riverfront ghats, and forested hills with vibrant cafés and colourful markets. Whether you’re here for peaceful sunrise rituals, adventurous rafting, or simply to soak in the mountain energy, Rishikesh offers a refreshing escape into nature and spirituality.

Sunrise Hike at Kunjapuri Temple

About 30 km (roughly a 45–60 minute drive) from central Rishikesh lies the trailhead for a sunrise hike up to Kunjapuri Temple. From there you can either take the 80 steep steps to the shrine — or, for a richer experience, trek up through lush forest paths as dawn breaks. At the top, perched at 1,676 m, the temple rewards you with unforgettable sunrise views over the Garhwal Himalayas — including peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Gangotri and Chaukhamba. The early-morning trek through quiet forest, the changing sky, and that first magical glimpse of the mountains make this short-trek a perfect one-day adventure out of Rishikesh.

Dharkot and Barkot villages are some of the remote mountain villages that you will come across while doing the Kunjapuri Temple Trek. There, you will be able to observe the lifestyle of the villagers, and their unique homes made of stones and wood. The happiness of the local people in spite of living with limited resources is humbling.

Rafting Adventure in Rishikesh

Experience Rishikesh’s adventurous side with an exhilarating white-water rafting trip on the sacred Ganges, the activity that helped put this Himalayan town on the map. Options range from gentle Class I–II floats (around 9 km) to the ever-popular 16 km run with Class III–IV rapids, and even a challenging 24 km stretch featuring powerful Class III+ to V waves. Rafting can be arranged directly through your hotel, ensuring a seamless start — often with convenient pickup right from the riverbank. Out on the water, you’ll tackle a series of lively rapids, soak up the dramatic scenery of forested hills and sandy river beaches, and share in the fun with fellow adventurers, whether seasoned paddlers or complete beginners. It’s one of the most thrilling ways to experience the spirit and energy of Rishikesh.

Transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport

Pickup from your hotel this morning for the transfer to Dehradun Airport. Check in for the flight to Jabalpur via Delhi.

Transfer from Jabalpur Airport to Kanha National Park

On arrival in Jabalpur, you will be met and privately driven approx. 4 hours to Kanha National Park, where your safari lodge is located.

Introducing Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park, spanning nearly 2,000 sq km of forest and grassland, is one of India’s premier wildlife havens. Easy-to-spot animals include spotted deer, barasingha, sambar, jackal, and langur, while rarer residents like tigers, dholes, and Indian bison roam the park’s wild heart. Birdlife is abundant, with around 200 species, from peacocks and kingfishers to egrets and parakeets. With its rolling landscapes and rich wildlife, every safari promises unforgettable encounters in India’s iconic jungle.

Safari in Kanha National Park

On your jeep safari in Kanha, you’ll head out at first light, rolling through cool morning air as the forest wakes up around you. Your naturalist will help you read the jungle as you go — fresh pug-marks in the dust, alarm calls echoing through the Sal trees, birds flashing between bamboo stands. You’ll cross open grasslands, slip into dense forest corridors, and follow winding tracks where tigers, deer, jackals and countless birds move freely. With every turn the landscape shifts, and every moment holds the possibility of a wild encounter. It’s not staged, not predictable — just you, your guide, and the real rhythm of Kanha’s wilderness.

Note - Kanha's main gate is around a 20 min drive from the lodge.

Tribal Village Walk

On your village walk through the nearby hamlet of Kutwahi, you’ll step off the tourist track and into everyday rural life — children playing with handmade toys, women drawing water from hand-pumps or village wells, men returning from the fields or finishing their daily chores. You’ll wander past simple homes built of handmade mud bricks, painted in earthy tones of blue and white, with courtyards edged in folk-style decorations and small vegetable gardens spilling over with pumpkins and greens. The smell of warm earth, the sound of distant cattle and voices, the soft light on mud-plastered walls — it’s all real and unpolished. It’s not a show, but an honest slice of life: quiet, humble, and rooted in tradition. By the time you leave, you’ll carry with you the rhythm of this village — its pace, its warmth, its simplicity.

Safari in Kanha National Park

This morning you’ll venture back into Kanha, now with a sense of the terrain and a growing feel for its rhythms. The forest is never the same twice — new tracks, new calls, new surprises — and your naturalist will help you catch the subtleties you didn’t notice the first time.

Transfer from Kanha to Jabalpur Station

Pickup from your safari lodge this afternoon and private transfer to Jabalpur Station. Check in for the overnight train to Agra, departing at approx. 5:30pm, and arriving into Agra the following morning at 8:50am.

Transfer from Agra Station to Chambal Safari Lodge

On arrival at Agra Station, you will be met and privately transferred to Chambal Safari Lodge, a drive of approx. 1.5 hours. Enjoy some free time to settle into your accommodation.

Evening Nature Walk at Chambal

After dark, the grounds around the lodge come alive, and a guided night walk with the resident naturalists lets you slip quietly into this nocturnal world. Moving through the fields and woodland edges by torchlight, you’ll look for palm civet cats, jungle cats, jackals, foxes, hares, fruit bats, hedgehogs and even the elusive striped hyena. It’s an atmospheric, slow-paced wander that reveals how richly the countryside teems with life — and how seamlessly local communities coexist with the wildlife around them.

Introducing Chambal

Chambal is one of India’s last truly wild frontiers — a quiet, raw landscape of deep ravines, shimmering river stretches and untouched rural life. Far from the crowds of Agra and the Golden Triangle, it’s a haven for wildlife lovers, home to endangered gharials, river dolphins, turtles and over 300 bird species. The region’s villages, temples and crumbling forts add a layer of timeless culture, while the river itself offers some of the most peaceful, soul-stirring safaris in North India. Chambal is where you come to slow down, step off the tourist circuit and experience a wilder, more authentic side of the country.

River Safari at Chambal

The National Chambal Sanctuary is a 400-km protected stretch of river and rugged ravines, created to revive the endangered gharial and now thriving with remarkable wildlife, including the rare Gangetic river dolphin. The Chambal’s calm, glassy waters are best explored by boat, where skilled boatmen and lodge naturalists help you spot and photograph everything from basking crocodilians to soaring birds against dramatic ravine landscapes. Peaceful, unhurried and quietly spectacular, a river safari here is one of Chambal’s signature experiences — with the access point just 30 minutes from the lodge.

Note - The river cruise lasts around 90 mins.

Visit to Etawah

The Chambal-Yamuna ravines around Etawah witnessed key moments of the 1857 uprising, with District Collector A.O. Hume retreating and then returning to suppress the rebellion. Hume later became a renowned naturalist and reformer, founding the organisation that evolved into the Indian National Congress. A guided visit of Etawah visits his residence, four public buildings spelling H-U-M-E, the Victoria Memorial, St. Mary’s Church, the British cemetery, the old bazaar, and the Jama Masjid Mosque, offering a fascinating glimpse into history just 50 km (about an hour) from the lodge.

Transfer from Chambal to Agra Station

Private transfer this morning from Chambal Lodge to Agra Station, a drive of approx. 1.5 hours. Board the Vande Bharat semi-express train to Delhi.

Transfer from Delhi Station to Hotel

On arrival at Delhi Station, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

Foodie Tour in Delhi

Delhi is a paradise for food lovers, and a guided foodie tour is the perfect way to taste its rich culinary tapestry. From the sizzling street snacks of Old Delhi — like spicy chaats, crispy kachoris, and juicy kebabs — to the refined flavors of Mughal-inspired curries and tandoori specialties, every bite tells a story. You’ll explore bustling markets, hidden alleys, and iconic eateries, learning about the history, spices, and techniques behind each dish from a knowledgeable local guide. The tour blends flavour, culture, and adventure, offering a deliciously immersive experience of India’s vibrant capital.

Transfer from Hotel to Delhi International Airport

Private transfer to Delhi Airport to board the flight to Dharamshala.

Transfer from Dharamshala to The Lodge at Wah

On arrival, your guide and driver will be waiting to greet you and whisk you to your lodge on a tea estate. The drive is approx. 1.5 hours so kick back and enjoy the views as you head deeper into the lush hills of tea country.

Guided Visit of Dharamshala Town

Later this afternoon, head out on a guided visit of Dharamshala. You'll explore McLeod Ganj and its highlights, starting with the Namgyal Monastery, known as Little Lhasa, where gilded bronzes of Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava fill the cathedral and the Dalai Lama sometimes leads prayers. Nearby, the Nechung Monastery offers a Tibetan library, museum, and insight into local culture and Buddhism, alongside the Central Tibetan Administration Offices. The tour also takes in Chonor House and the Judges’ Court, with the option to visit Kangra Fort en route back to the lodge at Wah.

Introducing Dharamshala

Dharamshala is the gateway to the beautiful northern region in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by cedar forests on the edge of the Himalayas, this hillside city is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. The Lodge at Wah makes the perfect base for visiting tea plantations and the walking and trekking in the Kangra Valley is fabulous. There are numerous local monasteries, temples and historic Kangra Fort to visit, along with a multitude of idyllic picnic spots – not to mention some of the best paragliding sites in the world! It really is the perfect place to unwind for a few days.

Wah Tea Estate & Cultural Excursion

Home to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan community, Dharamshala is often referred to as “Little Tibet”. With the valley lying at the foot of the Dhauladhar ridge.

This morning you will be taken for a personal tour of the Wah Tea Estate which is the largest working tea plantation in Kangra. A private tea tasting session is included. Later, explore the surrounding area visiting a local temple and Gompa. The main temple is the Tsuglakhang temple, which is the official residence of the Dalai Lama. This is considered to be the equivalent of the Jokhang temple in Tibet and houses the gilded image of Avalokitesvara, the Tibetan deity of compassion. Stop by a traditional workshop at Norbulingka, the institute that is preserving Tibetan literature and crafts, and watch artisans at work. After lunch at the Norling Café, continue to the Namgyal Gompa where you can watch monks debating in the afternoons, sealing points of arguments with a theatrical stamp of the foot or a clap of the hands.

Today you will also have the opportunity to visit the famous cricket ground, HPCA (advance permission required) and if the schedule allows we will arrange tickets to any matches that may be taking place (if of interest). (This service is on a private basis.)

Transfer from Dharamshala to Shimla

Today you will be driven approx. 5.5 hours to Shimla.

Mashobra Valley Hike

A two-hour hike from Mashobra takes you along the periphery of the Presidential estate in Charabra. The hike to the top from here is easy. The hike traverses through villages, apple orchards, ridgelines, thick pine, spruce, oak forest and spectacular views of the Himalayas.

Introducing Shimla

Shimla, the picturesque capital of Himachal Pradesh, is a charming hill station nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Known for its colonial architecture, verdant landscapes, and cool climate, Shimla was once the summer capital of British India. Today, it remains a popular destination for those in search of historical charm and natural beauty. Key attractions include the Mall Road, the Ridge, and the historic Viceregal Lodge, alongside opportunities for outdoor adventures such as trekking and skiing. With its scenic vistas and serene ambiance, Shimla offers a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Guided Visit of Shimla

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a sightseeing tour of Shimla, the former summer capital of British India, perched along a crescent-shaped ridge over 2,100 m in southern Himachal Pradesh. The Mall, the town’s famous main street, is lined with stately colonial houses, while landmarks like Christ Church, Gorton Castle, and the fortress-like former Viceroy’s Lodge showcase its English heritage. Wander the narrow streets that slope down to colourful local bazaars, and consider a ride on Shimla’s iconic Toy Train for a charming view of the surrounding hills.

Transfer from Shimla to Chandigarh Airport

Private transfer this morning, approx. 4 hours to Chandigarh Airport. Check in for the flight to Delhi.

Transfer from Delhi Airport to Hotel

On arrival, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel in New Delhi for your final overnight.

Transfer from Hotel to Delhi International Airport

Private transfer to Delhi International Airport for you departure flight home. (This service is on a private basis.)