India to Sri Lanka: The Taj Mahal & Beach Bar Crawls

Land in Delhi, drop your bags at the hotel, and meet the rest of the crew. The first night is a low-key chance to get your bearings; the best move is to head for the electric Karol Bagh market and find a spot for dinner. This trip moves fast, with an early start on Day 2, so don't plan on a deep dive into the city tonight.

It's an early start for the morning train to Agra, a two-to-three-hour ride through arid terrain and small towns. After arriving, the main event is the Taj Mahal. You'll have plenty of time to explore the white marble mausoleum and its grounds, getting the classic photos and learning its history. For those with extra energy, the less-crowded Agra Fort and the tomb known as the 'Baby Taj' are solid optional stops for the afternoon.

Today's a bus day, heading west to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Known as the 'Pink City' for its sandstone-hued buildings, it’s a full-on sensory experience. After dropping your bags, the easiest way to dive in is on a cycle rickshaw into the old city's markets. An orientation walk helps get your bearings amid the stalls. For the evening, you could track down the City Palace, visit the Jantar Mantar observatory, or catch a Bollywood film at the massive Raj Mandir Cinema.

The morning is dedicated to the Amber Fort, a sandstone fortress perched on a hill outside the city. Its walls seem to blend into the terrain, and on a clear day, they cast a perfect reflection in Maota Lake below. You'll get to wander through its network of courtyards, palaces, and halls. The afternoon is free to head back into Jaipur with the rest of the crew. Explore on your own or stick together and see where the night goes.

Leave the city behind for the quiet village of Tordi Sāgar. A walk through town offers a look at rural life, stopping by to see local potters and cobblers at work. If you're up for it, you can join a game of cricket with some of the locals. Lunch is a traditional meal, giving you a real taste of village life. Later, you can opt for a jeep safari or a camel cart ride out to the dunes for sunset, or get a henna tattoo from one of the local women.

The journey continues to Pushkar, a major pilgrimage site. The route takes you through Ajmer and over Nag Pahar, or Snake Mountain, before descending into the town. Pushkar is famous for being the site of the world's only temple dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. After settling in, an orientation walk is the best way to get your bearings around the colourful city, its cascading architecture, and the sacred lake at its heart.

It’s a pre-dawn start to climb the hill to Savitri Temple, arriving in time to watch the sun rise over the Thar Desert mountains. After the hike, the rest of the day is yours. You can find a quiet café, join a yoga session, or browse the town's markets. For the evening, there's an option for a memorable dinner cooked by cameleers out in the desert, complete with live entertainment.

Today is a long travel day, heading south by train to Udaipur. Known as India's 'most romantic city,' it's famous for its lakes and Raj-era palaces. The train ride itself is an experience, watching the landscape shift over seven or eight hours. Once you arrive and get settled, a walk around the area helps you get your bearings. A boat ride on Lake Pichola is a popular move for the late afternoon, offering great views of the city's waterfront architecture.

A full free day to explore Udaipur, often called the 'Venice of the East.' You can wander the city’s narrow lanes, visit the grand City Palace, or just find a rooftop café and watch the activity on the lakes. It's a good day to go your own way or team up with a few others from the group to split a tuk-tuk and see the sights.

With another full day in Udaipur, you can tick off anything you missed. This is your chance to explore the artisan shops, check out a different palace, or take that cooking class you were considering. Or, just take it easy. The city has plenty of quiet corners and lakeside spots perfect for a down day before the journey continues.

Take a local bus for the five-to-six-hour journey to Ahmedabad. The main point of interest here is the famous Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati. This peaceful, riverside compound was Mahatma Gandhi's home for over a decade and played a crucial role in India's independence movement. You can walk through the grounds and learn about its unique history before settling in for the night.

It's an early rise to catch the train to Mumbai, a journey that takes most of the day. Upon arrival, drop your bags and head out to explore. You can grab tea at the famous Taj Hotel, people-watch on Chowpatty Beach, or wander through Crawford Market. As evening sets in, find one of the city's many great restaurants before heading out with the crew to check out Mumbai's nightlife.

You have a full day to explore Mumbai. A popular option is to take a ferry out to see the impressive rock-cut temples of the Elephanta Caves. Otherwise, the day is yours to wander the city at your own pace. In the evening, the group reconvenes for the overnight train journey south to Goa, trading city chaos for beach vibes.

Arrive in Goa and head straight for the coast. Today is all about winding down. Find a spot on the beach, grab a drink from one of the many beach bars, and relax. If you're feeling more active, you can browse the local markets for souvenirs. Get ready for a big night out as a group, exploring Goa's famous party scene.

You get one more full day to enjoy Goa. Continue exploring the beaches, check out a different part of town, or revisit your favorite beach bar from the night before. It's a day to soak up the sun and relaxed atmosphere before heading to the train station in the evening for another overnight journey, this time inland towards Hampi.

The train pulls into Hubballi early in the morning. From there, it's a three-hour drive to Hampi, a landscape of surreal boulder-strewn hills and ancient ruins. After a tuk-tuk ride to the hotel and some time to freshen up, you have the afternoon free. In the evening, the group comes together to catch the sunset from the Shri Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple, which offers a great view over the landscape.

Today is all about exploring the ancient ruins of Hampi, a vast UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll spend the day wandering through the remains of palaces, temples, and royal structures scattered amongst giant boulders. In the afternoon, a hike up Anjanadri Hill leads to the 'monkey temple,' a popular spot to watch the sunset over the incredible landscape.

You have a final day in Hampi. An optional early start gets you a sunrise hike up Mantanga Hill for another stunning view. Otherwise, the day is free to explore anything you missed, like the local bazaar. In the evening, it's a tuk-tuk ride back to the train station for a long overnight journey south to Mysore.

Wake up as the train pulls into Mysore. After dropping your bags, head out to explore. A walk through the vibrant Devaraja Market is a must, as is a visit to the temple on Chamundi Hills and the giant Monolithic Bull statue. The extravagant Mysore Palace is a great optional visit, and in the evening, you can catch a Bollywood movie with the crew.

This morning, take a tuk-tuk to the bus station and hop on a public bus heading south into the hills to Ooty. This former British hill station is a lush, green escape from the heat of the plains. After arriving, a quick orientation walk will help you get your bearings before you have a free evening to explore the town.

Rise early for a picturesque sunrise hike up Dodapetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiri mountains, with views over the surrounding green forests. The rest of the day is free, with a popular option being a ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO-listed 'toy train.' In the afternoon, there's a visit to the Dodabeta Tea Factory to learn about the local tea-making process from leaf to cup.

It's a full-on transit day to reach the coast. A bus, a train, and finally a tuk-tuk will bring you to the beautiful port town of Kochi. Spend the afternoon wandering the cobblestone streets of Fort Kochi, a historic area with a distinctly different feel from the rest of India. A few new travelers may be joining the group here for the next leg of the journey.

Start the day with a walk through Fort Kochi, visiting St. Francis Church and the old Jewish Quarter. Then, travel to Alleppey, a region famous for its network of backwater canals and lagoons. Lunch is at a women's empowerment project, followed by a walk to learn about life on the islands. Tonight, you'll stay with a local family in a homestay, getting a real taste of Keralan culture and cuisine.

Explore the unique ecosystem of the Alleppey backwaters on a morning boat ride, gliding through the serene canals. Afterwards, travel down the coast by bus to the port city of Kollam. Once you arrive, the afternoon is yours. You can relax on the beach, climb the Thangassery Lighthouse for a view, or check out the local nightlife.

Start the day with a visit to Kollam's bustling fishing harbour to see the morning catch come in and get a sense of the community's reliance on the sea. Afterwards, it's a short drive down the coast to tropical Varkala, a town perched on cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea. You'll have plenty of free time to explore, visit the Varkala Temple, or just find a spot on the beach.

Today is a full free day to do your own thing in Varkala. You can wander through the peaceful gardens of a local ashram, visit the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple, or simply spend the day on the beach, watching the waves crash against the cliffs. It's a perfect day to relax and recharge before the final leg of the India journey.

Travel back to Kochi by train. In the late afternoon, you can wander the streets for some last-minute exploring or opt to see a traditional Kathakali dance performance, a unique Keralan art form. For the final big night out in India, the group will hit the town to explore Kochi's nightlife and celebrate the adventures you've shared.

It's time to switch countries. Fly from Kochi across the water to Sri Lanka, landing in Negombo. After checking in, spend the evening relaxing on the beach under a leaning palm tree and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. A new batch of travelers might be joining the group here for the Sri Lankan adventure.

Travel inland to the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle to explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Sigiriya. The day is packed with options. You can visit the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple, climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress for incredible views, or go on a safari drive in Minneriya National Park, famous for its large herds of elephants.

A free day to explore more of this history-rich region. You can venture out to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the second great capital of Sri Lanka, and explore its well-preserved ruins by bike. Another option is to go even further back in time at the vast Anuradhapura historical site. Or, just relax and enjoy the lush surroundings of Sigiriya.

On the way to Digana, stop at a medicinal spice garden to learn about the traditional uses of Sri Lanka's famous spices. After lunch, a guided walk through a local village offers insight into rural daily life, from visiting a working farm to having a refreshing herbal drink at a local woman's cottage. Later, you'll get hands-on, helping to cook a dinner of authentic Sri Lankan curries.

Enjoy breakfast with views of the Victoria Reservoir before departing for Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital. The afternoon is free to explore this bustling city. Top options include visiting the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a major pilgrimage site, catching a traditional Kandyan cultural dance show, or even checking out a local cricket match if one is on.

Start the day with breakfast at the Sthree Craft Shop and Café, a social enterprise that supports women and youth with disabilities. Afterwards, travel up into the rolling hills and lush forests of Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country. You'll visit a tea plantation to see how the world-famous Ceylon tea is grown, picked, and processed.

If you're up for an early start, you can trek through the serene, misty landscape of Horton Plains National Park, home to the famous 'World's End' viewpoint. In the afternoon, it's a scenic two-hour drive to the laid-back mountain village of Ella. The evening is free to explore the town's small strip of cafes and restaurants or just relax and enjoy the cool mountain air.

The morning is for trekking up Little Adam's Peak, a relatively easy hike that rewards you with 360-degree views of the surrounding green mountains and valleys, including the giant Ella Rock. The rest of the day is free to explore more of this scenic area. You can venture out to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge to watch a train pass over, or go hunting for waterfalls with others from the group.

Head south from the mountains towards the coast. Along the way, you'll stop to explore the historic Galle Fort, a 16th-century fortress first built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch. Its sturdy ramparts have withstood centuries of storms. Finish the day's journey on the white sand beaches of Hikkaduwa, a classic Sri Lankan beach town.

Enjoy a free day to bliss out on the beach, sipping a drink and watching the surfers. If you're feeling adventurous, you can jump on a boat trip in search of whales and dolphins. For the big night out, follow the sounds of music to one of the best beach bars in town and dance under the stars with the crew. See where the night takes you.

It's your last full day in paradise, perfect for recovering from last night's fun. Relax on the beach, go snorkeling in the coral sanctuary, or wander through the bustling beach town one last time. In the evening, pick a local restaurant with your new friends and reminisce about the trip over a final farewell dinner.

It's been a wild ride across two countries. After one last breakfast, it's time to hug your new friends, exchange social media handles, and say your goodbyes. You can depart at any time from Hikkaduwa.