India
Journey across Northern India combining Rajasthan and the Holy Ganges to Kolkata
Ganges Tour - 20 Night Itinerary
Explore Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal and Varanasi, enjoy a 6-night cruise on the Sacred Ganges aboard the first class M/V Rajmahal and visit colonial Kolkata.
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Travel Highlights
- Explore Delhi including the Red Fort, colourful bazaars and India gate.
- Visit Agra Fort and the mesmerising Taj Mahal.
- Experience rural Rajasthan including a camel ride and meeting local villagers.
- Enjoy three safaris in Ranthambore National Park in search of the Bengal Tiger.
- Visit the 'Pink City' of Jaipur including the imposing Amber Fort.
- Experience Varanasi on the boat tour of the eerie ghats.
- Take a 7-night river cruise on the Lower Ganges on a full board basis.
- Explore colonial Kolkata, the former capital of the British Raj.
Tour Route
- Delhi - 2 Nights
- Agra & the Taj Mahal - 2 Nights
- Fatehpur Sikri and onto Gadoli Village - 1 Night
- Ranthambore National Park - 2 Nights
- Jaipur - 2 Nights
- Varanasi - 2 Nights
- Travel to Kolkata and embark the Rajmahal - 7 Nights
- Kolkata - 2 Nights
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
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Tour Itinerary
Delhi
2 NightsDay 1 - Depart the UK on overnight flight to Delhi
Day 2 - Arrive in Delhi
Day 3 - Guided tour of Old and New Delhi
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Depart the UK on overnight flight to Delhi
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi.
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Arrive in Delhi
After clearing Customs and Immigration, your Veloso Tours guide will meet and escort you to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. Your guide will also give you a short orientation tour of your local area. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Monday, 22 June 2026
Guided tour of Old and New Delhi
While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.
On the tour of “Old Delhi,” explore narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colourful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants). Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. We conclude the day visiting Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Anurag Srivastava
Sheraton New Delhi Hotel
Located in the centre of New Delhi, the Sheraton offers spacious rooms and an excellent choice of restaurants.
There are 220 air-conditioned rooms and suites, each with private bathroom, hair dyer, minibar, bottled water, coffee and tea maker, safe and sitting area. Rooms have panoramic views of the city.
Public facilities include a swimming pool, spa, gym…
Maidens Hotel, New Delhi
The Maidens Hotel was established in 1903 and remains a stately survivor of the golden age - the sweeping driveway and the grand façade give an inkling of its star-studded past. Its architecture is the most glorious illustration of old-world European charm with its colonial impressions. A stay at Maidens Hotel is a historically and…
The Oberoi, New Delhi
The Oberoi, New Delhi is located in the centre of New Delhi, close to the major attractions including India Gate.
The hotel has 220 air-conditioned and spacious rooms and suites with marble bathrooms, teak floors and oak desks. Each room has a safe, FREE Wi-Fi, TV, telephone, 24 hour butler service, goose pillows (with choice), Nespresso…
Agra & the Taj Mahal
2 NightsDay 4 - Drive to Agra
Day 5 - Red Fort and the Taj Mahal
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Drive to Agra
After breakfast, depart for Agra, whose golden age began with the Mughals. Akbar made it the centre of art, culture, commerce and learning. During the peaceful reign of Shah Jahan, his passion for architecture came to the fore and the world-famous architectural masterpieces were constructed including the Taj Mahal. On arrival, check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. Visit Itmad Ud Daulah tomb, popularly known as Baby Taj, and “Mehtab Bagh” situated north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, in the flood plains. You can get a picturesque view of the Taj from here.
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Red Fort and the Taj Mahal
This morning is one of the highlights of this trip as you embark on a tour of the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb of white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who had implored her husband to build a monument symbolising their undying love for each other.
We also visit the imposing Red Fort of Agra (also known as Agra Fort). A creative, architectural, and strategic masterpiece, the Fort is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tajview - IHCL SeleQtions, Agra
Spread over six acres of manicured gardens, the Tajview, Agra is a relaxing base to explore and sightsee. For those who want the best vantage point, some with direct views of the Taj Mahal.
The rooms are a combination of superior, deluxe, Premium and suites. All are air-conditioned with private bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities, safe, hair…
The Grand Imperial, Agra
The Grand Imperial Hotel was built in the early 1900s by the British. It remains the only grand heritage boutique Hotel in Agra and as such will add a sense of occasion to your stay here. The hotel is central Agra with views, from the rooftop bar and cafe, of the Taj Mahal, Red Fort…
ITC Mughal, Agra
The ITC Mughal, Agra is a fitting tribute to the great Mughal builders of the past. With 23 acres of luxurious gardens and located close to the Taj Mahal, it is the only Indian hotel to have won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for its excellent representation of Mughal architecture. You will feel this as…
Fatehpur Sikri and onto Gadoli Village
1 NightDay 6 - Drive to Gadoli Village
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fatehpur Sikri and Gadoli Village
After breakfast, we drive to Gadoli. En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The fortress is a UNESCO world heritage site and is built entirely of red sandstone. Continue to Gadoli for an unforgettable village experience and a welcome break in the quiet countryside. The villages visited are tucked away within a valley inside the Aravalli Hills, where Meena Tribes live. Enjoy the camel cart safari to visit a charming village and meet its friendly people who are eager to share their life with you. We stay here 1-night including all meals.
Dera Village Retreat, rural Rajasthan
The Dera Village Retreat was established in 2002 as a place for travellers to experience the authentic, rural Rajasthan. Located 2 hours drive from Jaipur, the retreat offers a welcome break from the busy tourist attractions in the major cities of Rajasthan.
The retreat has 18 cottages complete with air-conditioning, heating, fully equipped bathrooms, study table,…
Ranthambore National Park
2 NightsDay 7 - Drive to Ranthambore National Park
Day 8 - Games drives by 4 x 4 vehicle
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Drive to Ranthambore National Park.
After breakfast, we drive to Ranthambore National Park, bordering the outer fringes of the Thar Desert and the former hunting grounds of the Maharajah of Jaipur, Ranthambore is now a 512-square-mile nature preserve (one of India’s largest) that is home to diverse plant life, historic ruins, and hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and of course, Bengal tigers. On arrival, check-in to your chosen hotel or camp. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in the Ranthambore National Park.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Game drives by 4 x 4 vehicle
On today’s morning and afternoon game drives, we’re sure to see more game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed). One of India’s best known national parks, Ranthambore belongs to India’s groundbreaking Project Tiger, dedicated to preserving and protecting the once plentiful Royal Bengal tigers that roamed the land here. Now threatened by poachers, illegal logging, and encroaching civilisation, India’s tiger population has decreased precipitously; it is believed that just 58 tigers currently live in Ranthambore (which actually represents a net gain in the past decade or so). Nationally, Project Tiger has seen the Bengal population rise to about 2,500 at latest count in 2016 from the 1,800 counted when the project launched in 1973.
The park’s varied landscape of beautiful lakes, lush grasslands, deep ravines, wooded valleys, and open scrub also features picturesque ruins of old fortifications and the thousand-year-old Ranthambore Fort, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sher Bagh by SUJÁN, Ranthambore National Park
Sher Bagh by SUJÁN is one of the first ever Relais & Chateaux's in India and acknowledged as the most charming and authentic place to stay in Ranthambore. The SUJÁN family has played an active part in the conservation effort at Ranthambore since 1974 and included in the rates is a 'Conservation Contribution' that helps…
Jaipur
2 NightsDay 9 - Travel to Jaipur
Day 10 - Guided tour of Jaipur
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Jaipur
Today we drive to Jaipur, the largest city of Rajasthan which is an epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. The city is rich in heritage, culture and architecture with splendid fortresses, majestic palaces, tranquil temples and beautiful havelis. On arrival, check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2- night stay includng breakfast. The evening is free to explore the colourful markets of the pink city.
Monday, 29 June 2026
Guided tour of Jaipur
Enjoy a guided tour of the “pink city”, so called for its buildings of rose-hued sandstone. We visit Amber Fort and stop at the Palace of the Winds, the Hawa Mahal in the morning. Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site with an impressive fresco-covered portal, the room of mirrors, walls of jewel-encrusted marble, and the royal apartments offering beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Continue to Jantar Mantar, the incredible open-air Royal Observatory (ca. 1728) housing oversized astronomical instruments. We end the tour at the City Palace, former residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur, built in the shape of the city itself and now converted to a museum that houses the rulers’ magnificent art collections.
Trident Hotel, Jaipur
The Trident Hotel is an excellent tourist class hotel in Jaipur with views of Mansagar Lake and Jal Mahal. Ideal for couples and families.
The 132 air conditioned rooms and suites are well appointed, including private bathroom, TV, minibar, FREE Wi-Fi and panoramic views of the lake or the landscaped gardens, with the Aravalli mountain range…
Diggi Palace, Jaipur
Diggi Palace was built in 1860 by Shri Thakur Saheb Pratap Singh Ji Diggi of the then ruling family of Diggi principality. In 1991, the palace was converted to a heritage hotel. It is a wonderful place to stay for an authentic experience of Jaipur, set in large grounds away from the hustle and bustle…
Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur
Built in 1745, the Jai Mahal Palace is a stunning piece of Rajasthan’s heritage, a great example of Indo-Saracenic architecture set amidst 18 acres of landscaped Mughal gardens. Jai Mahal Palace has been the residence of three Prime Ministers of the princely state of Jaipur. Painstakingly restored and recently refurbished, it is now a luxury…
Varanasi
2 NightsDay 11 - Fly to Varanasi
Day 12 - Guided tour of Varanasi
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fly to Varanasi
After breakfast, transfer to Jaipur airport to connect with flight to Varanasi. On arrival, your Veloso Tours guide will meet and transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. Varanasi is a holy city. Its life is dedicated to Siva. Late afternoon, take a boat ride on the holy River Ganges and witness the beautiful and captivating 'Aarti' ceremony’ at twilight. ‘Aarti’ is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, in which wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor are offered to one or more deities. An absolute must see in Varanasi, the evening aarti is conducted every day at sunset by priests, worshiping the river goddess with incense, camphor, flowers and earthen lamps.
Wednesday, 01 July 2026
Guided tour of Varanasi
Rise early this morning and take a boat ride on the river Ganges past the ghats. Here, pilgrims gather on the steps that lead down to the river to bathe in the waters of the sacred river, as the city begins to come alive, in the magical misty light of dawn. Return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon visit Sarnath, one of four holy Buddhist sites where the enlightened Buddha gave his first sermon. We visit the Dhamek Stupa built in 500 CE to commemorate the Buddha's activities in this location.
Amritara Suryauday Haveli, Varanasi
Suryauday Haveli (a local term for townhouse) on Shivala Ghats is a reflection of the spirit of the holy city of Varanasi. The Haveli traces its history back to the early 20th century; it was built by the Royal Family of Nepal as a retreat for the aged. Its now been painstakingly restored as a…
Taj Ganges, Varanasi
The Taj Ganges is located in the centre of Varanasi within walking distance to the famous Ghats. The hotel is set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens providing a place of peace from the business of the city and riverlife.
There are 130 contemporary rooms and suites, each air-conditioned with private bathroom, FREE wi-Fi, tv, safe,…
Travel to Kolkata and embark the Rajmahal
7 NightsDay 13 - Fly to Kolkata and embark the R/V Rajmahal
Day 14 - Sailing the Hooghly
Day 15 - Kalna
Day 16 - Matiari
Day 17 - Hazarduari Palace
Day 18 - Baranagar
Day 19 - Gaur
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fly to Kolkata and embark the R/V Rajmahal
Morning flight to Kolkata. In the afternoon, embark the R/V Rajmahal for your 7 night cruise on a full board basis. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore. Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India's journey to independence. Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950.
Friday, 03 July 2026
Sailing the Hooghly
Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.
Saturday, 04 July 2026
Kalna
After breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets, and a muslin-weaving centre. Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
Sunday, 05 July 2026
Matiari
This morning visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Later, cruise on and visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Khushbagh for the night.
Monday, 06 July 2026
Hazarduari Palace
This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town at Baranagar.
Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Baranagar
This morning, walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Continue up the lower Ganges (or the Hooghly), which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Carry on up a long canal section to a mooring close to the Farakka Barrage.
Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Gaur
Disembark and go on a full-day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda, or English Bazar. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century. There are plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways and you visit a number of the most interesting before rejoining the ship in the evening.
ABN Rajmahal, Lower Ganges
The ABN Rajmahal entered service on the Lower Ganges and the Ganges in 2014. Built in Kolkata, she is 50m long and powered by 3 engines; her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise further upstream than other ships on the Ganges.
ABN Rajmahal has 22 cabins: 14 spacious twin/double…
Kolkata
2 NightsDay 20 - Travel by train to Kolkata
Day 21 - Explore Kolkata
Day 22 - Fly back to the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Kolkata
Disembark after breakfast. Morning 4 hour train journey to Kolkata. Our local guides will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your chosen Kolkata hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Friday, 10 July 2026
Guided tour of Kolkata
Kolkata gained importance in the times of British rule and was the capital of India until 1912. Our tour visits the Victoria Memorial with its miniature paintings and images of Queen Mary, King George V and Queen Victoria.
We also visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in an Indo-Gothic style of architecture in 1847 by Major W.N. Forbes of the East India Company. Continue to Mother Teresa’s House, also called ‘Nirmal Hriday,’ where you can learn about Mother Teresa’s great work of caring for abandoned children on the streets of Kolkata which is still carried out to this day. Watch the children’s faces light up with just one smile of yours.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Fly back to the UK
Transfer to the airport and fly on a daytime flight back to the UK, arriving in the evening.
Peerless Inn Kolkata
Located at centre of Kolkata, The Peerless Inn, Kolkata is only 15 minutes walking distance from Eden Gardens or the Victoria Memorial.
The hotel has 168 spacious rooms and suites, furnished either with king or twin beds, two plush armchair and a glass top coffee table, a study table and chair and a 32 inch LED…
The LaLiT Great Eastern, Kolkata
The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata was built in 1841 as the “Auckland Hotel” and is in fact the longest continuously operating luxury hotel in Asia. The architecture is a combination of Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary styles. The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata is centrally located in close proximity to key commercial and and sightseeing attractions.
The hotel…
The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata
Fondly referred to as the Grand Dame of Chowringhee, The Oberoi Grand has been an icon on the landscape of Kolkata for more than a century; with a reputation for taking care of its guests like no other. The sense of calm that pervades the outdoor space is carried into the classically appointed rooms and…
Price Guidelines
| Season | High Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | October - March | |
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £6,492 | £7,485 |
| Single Traveller - Own Room | £9,954 | £11,395 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- Guidelines prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
- 22 Days / 20 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Domestic flights from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Kolkata
- 20 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees
- National Park entrance fees and three 4 x 4 game drives
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
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HIGHLIGHTS - 20 June 2026
BEACH RESORTS - Superb: Idyllic Setting, Remote Islands
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BRAZIL NATURE - NEW Atlantic Forest Birdwatching Trails
BRAZIL IMPERIAL - NEW Brazil Royal Family Heritage
HONEYMOONS & CELEBRATIONS - "en Tete-a-Tete"
TRAVEL INSURANCE essential comprehensive cover