17 Days Splendid North India Tour

Mumbai, Ajanta Ellora, Rajasthan & Varanasi

Ancient Caves, Royal Cities, the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho & Sacred Varanasi on a Private 17-Day Journey

Day-by-Day Itinerary – 17 Days Splendid North India Tour

• Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai – On arrival in Mumbai, meet our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The first day is kept light after your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an evening walk along Marine Drive or through the lively streets of Colaba, where colonial buildings, cafés and the Arabian Sea create Mumbai’s unmistakable atmosphere. Overnight in Mumbai.
• Day 2: Mumbai Sightseeing – Colonial Heritage & Local Life – After breakfast, explore Mumbai’s historic districts, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Crawford Market. The city shows layers of Portuguese influence, British colonial history and modern Indian culture within a few kilometres. Between stops, take time for Mumbai’s street food and busy local markets. Overnight in Mumbai.
• Day 3: Mumbai to Aurangabad (by flight) – After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Aurangabad is calmer than Mumbai and is the gateway to some of India’s most remarkable archaeological sites. The evening is free to relax or try the local Mughlai cuisine. Overnight in Aurangabad.
• Day 4: Ajanta Caves Excursion – Ancient Buddhist Heritage – Leave early for a full-day excursion to the UNESCO-listed Ajanta Caves. Carved into a cliff above a river gorge, these Buddhist monasteries hold murals, sculptures and prayer halls dating back more than 1,500 years. The walking between caves involves moderate steps and uneven paths, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Return to Aurangabad in the evening. Overnight in Aurangabad.
• Day 5: Ellora Caves & Flight Back to Mumbai – After breakfast, visit the Ellora Caves, famous for their rock-cut Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples. The highlight is the Kailasa Temple, carved from a single rock face. Afterwards, return to Aurangabad airport for your evening flight to Mumbai and transfer to a hotel near the airport. Overnight in Mumbai.
• Day 6: Mumbai to Udaipur (by flight) – After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Surrounded by lakes and the Aravalli Hills, Udaipur feels more relaxed than Mumbai. In the evening, enjoy free time around Lake Pichola, where rooftop restaurants and palace views make one of Rajasthan’s most scenic settings. Overnight in Udaipur.
• Day 7: Udaipur Sightseeing – Palaces, Lakes & Royal Heritage – After breakfast, visit the City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola. Continue to Jagdish Temple and the old city lanes known for miniature paintings, silver jewellery and local handicrafts. In the evening, enjoy a peaceful boat ride on Lake Pichola as the palace lights reflect across the water. Overnight in Udaipur.
• Day 8: Udaipur to Jodhpur via Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur (approx. 300 km / 7–8 hrs with stops) – After an early breakfast, drive through the Aravalli Hills to Kumbhalgarh Fort, known for the massive defensive wall that stretches across the hills. Continue to the beautifully carved Ranakpur Jain Temples, which usually admit visitors from around midday. The landscape gradually shifts from green valleys to dry desert as you approach western Rajasthan. Arrive in Jodhpur by evening. Overnight in Jodhpur.
• Day 9: Jodhpur Sightseeing – Blue City & Desert Forts – After breakfast, explore Mehrangarh Fort, one of Rajasthan’s most impressive hill forts, rising above the blue-painted old city. Walk through royal courtyards, museums and panoramic viewpoints before continuing to Jaswant Thada and the busy Clock Tower market. The old bazaars are excellent for spices, textiles and local snacks such as mirchi bada and makhaniya lassi. Overnight in Jodhpur.
• Day 10: Jodhpur to Jaipur via Pushkar (approx. 340 km / 6–7 hrs plus stops) – After breakfast, drive towards Jaipur with a stop at Pushkar, one of India’s oldest pilgrimage towns. Visit the sacred Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple, then continue through rural Rajasthan to Jaipur. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.
• Day 11: Jaipur Sightseeing – Amber Fort & Pink City Markets – Begin with Amber Fort before the afternoon crowds arrive. Continue with the City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar observatory, where giant astronomical instruments still work accurately centuries later. Jaipur’s colourful bazaars are among the best places in Rajasthan for textiles, gemstones, blue pottery and handicrafts. Overnight in Jaipur.
• Day 12: Jaipur to Agra via Abhaneri & Fatehpur Sikri (approx. 240 km / 5–6 hrs) – After breakfast, drive towards Agra with stops at the Chand Baori stepwell in Abhaneri and at Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s abandoned sandstone capital. The landscape moves from Rajasthan’s dry plains to the Mughal heartland. Arrive in Agra by evening. Overnight in Agra.
• Day 13: Sunrise Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Drive to Orchha (approx. 260 km / 5–6 hrs) – Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white marble changes colour in the soft morning light. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then explore Agra Fort. This is a full day, so we start early. Later, continue to Gwalior Fort, one of India’s most imposing hill forts, and drive on to Orchha, a peaceful riverside town after the larger tourist cities. Overnight in Orchha.
• Day 14: Orchha to Khajuraho (approx. 180 km / 4 hrs) – After breakfast, explore Orchha’s cenotaphs, palace ruins and riverside temples, then drive to Khajuraho. Built by the Chandela rulers, its temples are celebrated for intricate carvings of mythology, music and everyday medieval life. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Khajuraho.
• Day 15: Khajuraho Exploration & Overnight Train to Varanasi – Spend the day at the Western Group of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showing some of India’s finest temple architecture. The carvings reveal remarkable artistic detail and cultural symbolism from medieval India. In the evening, transfer to the railway station to board the overnight train to Varanasi. Overnight on the train.
• Day 16: Arrival in Varanasi – Temples, Old Lanes & Ganga Aarti – On arrival, meet your representative and transfer to the hotel. Later, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and walk through the old city’s narrow lanes of incense shops, silk weaving workshops, hidden shrines and tea stalls. In the evening, take a boat ride on the Ganges and watch the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Overnight in Varanasi.
• Day 17: Sunrise Boat Ride, Sarnath & Departure – Take an early boat ride along the Ganges as priests, pilgrims and local residents gather at the ghats for sunrise rituals. After breakfast, visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. Later, transfer to the airport for your onward journey, ending your tour of North India.

Please Note: Distances and driving times are approximate and may vary with road conditions, traffic, weather, local events and operational factors. Monument timings, flight schedules and train services may change without notice. Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays, Ellora Caves on Tuesdays and the Taj Mahal on Fridays, so we avoid arrival dates that clash with these closures. Most sites involve moderate walking, uneven surfaces and steps, so comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended. Winter mornings and evenings in Rajasthan and Varanasi can be cooler than expected.

Inclusions – 17 Days Splendid North India Tour

• 16 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels across the major cities and heritage towns, with daily breakfast
• Meet-and-greet on arrival, plus private airport, railway station and hotel transfers throughout
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced local chauffeur for intercity travel and sightseeing
• Guided sightseeing with local guides who give historical context at the major sites
• Entry assistance for the forts, palaces, temples, stepwells and cave complexes in the itinerary
• Overnight train arrangements and assistance with domestic flights, as per the tour programme
• Any other meals mentioned in your final itinerary

Not Included

• International flights and Indian visa fees
• Domestic flight and overnight train tickets, unless confirmed in your final quote
• Monument entrance fees, unless confirmed in your final quote
• Meals other than breakfast, drinks and personal expenses
• Camera or video fees at monuments, and tips for guides and drivers
• Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend

Tour Customisation – Splendid North India Tour

• Add sunrise yoga, heritage walks or spiritual experiences along the ghats in Varanasi
• Book private photography tours in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur or at sunrise around the Taj Mahal
• Extend the Rajasthan section with desert stays in Jaisalmer or countryside heritage villages
• Upgrade to luxury palace hotels or boutique heritage stays
• Add an extra night in Mumbai for a boat trip to the Elephanta Caves, which are closed on Mondays
• Add Delhi at the start or end of the journey, or combine this tour with our Golden Triangle tours or Rajasthan tours
• Add cooking classes, textile workshops, village safaris or food experiences with local hosts
• Prefer a shorter trip? See our 6-day Mumbai Ajanta Ellora tour or browse all Mumbai, Ajanta & Ellora tours

Best Time to Visit – Splendid North India Tour

• October to November: Clear skies, a festive atmosphere and comfortable weather for photography and outdoor sightseeing.
• December to January: The peak season for cultural travel, with cool mornings and evenings in Rajasthan and Varanasi, and occasional fog on the plains.
• February to March: Pleasant daytime temperatures and excellent conditions for sightseeing.
• April to June: Very hot across Rajasthan and the plains, so we plan early-morning sightseeing.
• July to September: The monsoon brings heavy rain to Mumbai and humidity across the route, so we do not recommend it for this itinerary.

For a wider view of India’s seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit India.

FAQs – Splendid North India Tour

• Q: Does this itinerary include the Taj Mahal?
  A: Yes, with a sunrise visit on Day 13. This is usually the best time for photographs and for a quieter experience before the crowds arrive. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
• Q: Which days are the caves closed?
  A: Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays and Ellora Caves on Tuesdays. We plan your day order around these closures when we tailor your dates.
• Q: Does the tour include Delhi?
  A: Not in the standard route, which starts in Mumbai and ends in Varanasi. We can add Delhi at the start or end of the journey.
• Q: Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to India?
  A: Yes. It gives a broad introduction to India’s history, architecture, spirituality and landscapes at a comfortable pace.
• Q: Are airport transfers and transport included?
  A: Yes. All airport and railway station transfers, intercity road travel and local sightseeing transport in the itinerary are included.
• Q: How physically demanding is this tour?
  A: Expect moderate walking at forts, temples, cave sites and old city areas, plus several long driving days. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Q: Can the itinerary be customised for couples, solo travellers or families?
  A: Yes. We can adjust the pace, hotels and interests, including photography, heritage, spirituality and food. Our India travel guide is a good starting point if you are still planning.

Why Choose Premium India Tour – Splendid North India Tour

• Jaipur-based travel specialists with local expertise since 2010
• Carefully planned routes that balance sightseeing with realistic travel times
• Local drivers and destination experts who know the regional routes and conditions
• Flexible, private itineraries designed around your interests, not fixed group schedules
• Personalised support before and during the journey across multiple regions