Arrive in the fun and frenetic capital and settle into your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these to provide to your leader. Afterwards, take an orientation walk and head out for an optional dinner with your fellow travellers. There are plenty of Urban Adventures you can book if you have spare time today. These chaotic streets are the perfect place to have an expert guide show you the ropes. Epicureans can get a taste of home-cooked Delhi; history buffs can take a Ghandi-focused excursion around town.

Start your day with a ride on the metro, one of the best rail systems in the world. A guided tour of Delhi takes you to Old Delhi, one of the oldest city areas in existence. Inch your way through the streets around the Chandni Chowk marketplace in true local style – by traditional cycle rickshaw. Perhaps visit the Jama Masjid, Delhi's oldest (and India’s largest) mosque, and then stop by the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple). Learn about the Sikh guru who, in the 17th century, stuck to his religious beliefs and payed the ultimate price in this very spot.

Agra itself might not be the prettiest city in the world, but the minute you see its iconic sights, that won’t matter one bit. You will arrive by one of India's faster air-conditioned trains (approximately 3 hours), then head straight to the most recognisable sight in India. The Taj Mahal may well exceed your expectations as the morning light shimmers off its white marble surface. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the 17th century Taj is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. The highlights keep coming as you take a motorised rickshaw tour – a great way to see the monuments of Agra. You will visit Akbar's Mausoleum, a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors.

Travel by local bus to Rajasthan’s colourful capital, Jaipur. Settle in, then enjoy a guided walking tour through the old bazaars of this ‘Pink City’. Use the rest of the day to explore the city on your own, perhaps visiting Jaipur’s ornate Royal City Palace. Your accommodation for tonight is a beautiful, family-run heritage hotel. In the evening, perhaps take the opportunity to see a Bollywood film. Jaipur is home to one of the world's great cinema halls, the grand art-deco Raj Mandir.

For many travellers an optional hot air balloon experience is one of the highlights of Jaipur. This optional ballooning activity is available from September and June. For additional information, please see the ‘Important Notes’ section of the trip notes. In the afternoon today, visit the hilltop Amber Fort, an excellent example of Rajput architecture, and see the red stone palace of the Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds). Take in its dazzling coloured glass work and learn its interesting history.

Travel to Pushkar, one of India's holiest towns and a market centre for the surrounding villages. Head out to explore the town on a walking tour, exploring the main bazaar along the way. Here you'll come across anything from sixties fashion clothing and glass lamps to jewellery and traditional Rajasthani puppets. Take a walk around Pushkar’s lake, which is considered sacred in Hindu culture and has an intersting mythology behind it. Wander past the bustling ghats and temples, observing the devout as they worship at the holy waters.

Early morning risers can hike up the hill to the Savitri Temple for sunrise views over the town. If the chai man is there, enjoy a steaming cup of tea at the top. Later in the day you will pay a visit to the colourful Brahma Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god. If you’re lucky enough to be in town for the Pushkar Camel Fair, you can experience one of India’s most famous festivals. It's held every November. Special Information

Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, this white city is often regarded as the most romantic in India. Set amid the Aravalli Hills, Udaipur curls around a huge lake. On arrival, take an orientation walk to gather your bearings. Explore twisting alleyways filled with shops and bazaars selling things like silver jewellery, shoes, bags, leather goods and miniature paintings.

Enjoy a free day to explore the sights of Udaipur. Perhaps take a short boat ride on the famous Lake Pichola and see the palaces of Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas rise out of water (season depending). Take a guided tour of the lakeside City Palace complex, the largest palace in Rajasthan. While inside, check out vivid murals and royal antiques, and pop into the impressive Jagdish Temple that’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Alternatively, learn the secrets behind making the perfect Indian thali during a half-day cooking class at the Spice Box school.

Enjoy a free day in Udaipur before your overnight train to Mumbai. You might like to spend the day exploring Shilpgram, an interesting artistic neighbourhood located just a couple of kilometres away from town. Here you can see a range of village houses from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra with exhibitions on display (season depending). Board your train to Mumbai later and settle in for a long but interesting journey. Special Information

Wake up in Mumbai, probably the most cosmopolitan city in India. Wander the streets and discover some of the beautiful old colonial and art deco buildings, treat yourself to a meal in one of the country's best restaurants, or shop until you drop in the bazaars. In the evening, visit Chowpatty Beach where colourful crowds of people mill about in the cooler evening air. Palmists, balloon sellers, magicians and acrobats all compete for your attention. You will take a short walk through the heritage quarter of Mumbai and head for the nearby Gateway of India and the famous Taj Hotel. A great optional activity is to visit Elephanta Island. Easily accessible by ferry from Mumbai, it's about 10 km from the south-east coast of the island city. Boats leave daily from the Gateway of India (approximately 1 hour each way).

While away the day in magnificent Mumbai. Perhaps ride the excellent rail system and make your own discoveries around the city (it's a good idea to avoid the hectic peak hours). Later, board your air-conditioned sleeper train to Goa. Your train is clean and air-conditioned. Sleeper trains are a great way to travel long distances and maximise your time in your destination. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided but some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Please note you may be sharing with locals in a same gender/mixed gender situation. Most trains have a dining carriage where food/snacks/meals are available. Special Information

Arrive in Goa nice and early and check into your hotel. Take an orientation walk to acquaint yourself with Goa and its relaxed tropical atmosphere. You're bound to see the Portuguese influence that endures in the city's whitewashed churches. There's an optional visit to a local spice farm today, which gives you a fascinating look behind the rich aromas and flavours of some of India's essential ingredients. Goa's dense forested areas and favourable climatic conditions make it a perfect location to grow the spices liberally used in its cuisine. All the spice farms use organic methods of cultivation. Your guided tour of the plantation culminates in a mouth-watering Goan buffet lunch.

The day is yours to spend as you please. There's no shortage of things to do in this unique coastal spot. A bicycle trip into the lush countryside is a great option. For a more spiritual kind of exertion, spend the day seeking a little enlightenment with a touch of yoga. Otherwise, take this opportunity to relax on the beach or sip a cocktail at a local bar. Why not join the group for one last Indian feast this evening – the local prawns are a winner.

Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Kick back and enjoy the excellence of Goa.