How much does it cost?

From $5,240 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,240 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The tour includes five named trains: Chandigarh Express, Himalayan Queen toy train, two Shatabdi Express journeys, and Vande Bharat Express. Meals are provided onboard where noted.

Is this tour guided or independent?

Fully escorted. Wendy Wu Tours provides English-speaking guides throughout, and entrance fees to all sites are included.

What is not included?

International flights (land-only price), visa, and early check-in or late check-out at hotels.

What is the group size?

Groups are capped at 18 people.

When does the tour run?

No specific departure dates are published in the available information; contact Wendy Wu Tours to confirm availability.

Wendy Wu Tours · Classic Group Tour

India by Rail

Wendy Wu Tours operates this 14-day guided group tour through India, starting in Delhi and concluding in Varanasi. The journey spans six major destinations and combines five named trains, domestic flights, coach transfers, and a river cruise. Days alternate between exploring cities and traveling: the opening days cover Delhi and Amritsar, including the Golden Temple; Days 4 and 5 take you to Shimla aboard the Chandigarh Express and the Himalayan Queen toy train through the mountains; Days 7 and 8 focus on Jaipur's palaces and forts; Days 9 and 10 center on the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; the final days explore Varanasi's sacred Ganges River with sunrise cruises and the Ganga Aarti puja ceremony, plus Buddhist sites at Sarnath. All accommodation, meals as detailed in the itinerary, English-speaking guides, and site entrance fees are included. The pace is intensive, with most stops lasting one or two nights. Group members travel together throughout, creating a cohesive experience. This tour suits first-time rail travelers, history enthusiasts, and those who prefer the structure and camaraderie of a guided group.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen US$80 since 4 Jul, to US$5,240.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

International flights are not included; the from-price is land-only.
The itinerary is described as very full on with busy schedules each day, with multiple activities per location.
Visa arrangements are your responsibility.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Delhi
Arrive Delhi
Met and transferred to your hotel (with other group members arriving similarly). Time at leisure before meeting fellow travellers for dinner.
Day 2overnight: Amritsar
Explore Delhi
Drive by the Red Fort, a rickshaw journey to Khari Baoli Spice Market, and visit Jama Masjid. Board an evening flight to Amritsar; transfer to hotel.
Day 3overnight: Amritsar
Discover Amritsar
Visit Jallianwala Bagh and Durgiana Temple. Afternoon Village Experience offering a taste of rural Punjab.
Day 4railovernight: Shimla
Travel to Shimla
Early Chandigarh Express train (approx. 4h30) to Chandigarh, breakfast onboard, then drive 3.5-4 hours to Shimla. Walking tour of Mall Road, The Ridge, Christ Church and the New Library.
Day 5railovernight: Shimla
Shimla
Board the Himalayan Queen toy train for a 1-hour journey from Shimla to Shogi, returning by road. Afternoon city tour including the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies and Himachal State Museum.
Day 6railovernight: Delhi
Travel to Delhi
Transfer to Chandigarh Railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train to Delhi (3h20, lunch onboard).
Day 7railovernight: Jaipur
Jaipur
Depart on the Shatabdi Express (4h35) to Jaipur, breakfast onboard. Visit the Maharaja's City Palace and Jantar Mantar Observatory.
Day 8overnight: Jaipur
Jaipur
Photo stop at Hawa Mahal, visit the Amber Fort, and a craft centre for block printing and carpet weaving.
Day 9overnight: Agra
Jaipur to Agra
Drive approx. 6h30 to Agra, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid).
Day 10overnight: Agra
Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, a marble inlay workshop, and Agra Fort. Evening musical drama 'Mohabbat the Taj'.
Day 11railovernight: Varanasi
Travel to Varanasi
Early Vande Bharat Express train (approx. 7 hours) to Varanasi, breakfast and lunch onboard. Evening rickshaw ride to the Ganga Aarti puja ceremony on the River Ganges.
Day 12overnight: Varanasi
Varanasi
Cruise the Ganges at sunrise; visit Bharat Mata Mandir, Durga Temple, Banaras Hindu University and Sarnath's Buddhist sites.
Day 13overnight: Delhi
Return to Delhi
Free time before flying to Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar complex, drive by Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate; farewell dinner.
Day 14
Depart Delhi
Transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your international flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Board the Chandigarh Express from Amritsar with breakfast onboard, then drive to Shimla in the foothills.
Day 5Ride the Himalayan Queen toy train for one hour from Shimla to Shogi and return by road through the mountains.
Day 10Watch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal in Agra, then visit a marble inlay workshop and Agra Fort.
Day 11Travel on the Vande Bharat Express for seven hours to Varanasi with breakfast and lunch, then take a rickshaw ride to the Ganga Aarti puja ceremony at dusk.
Day 12Cruise the River Ganges at sunrise and visit Sarnath's Buddhist sites and Banaras Hindu University.

Included

Meals as stated (refer to itinerary)
Domestic transportation
Touring with English-speaking guides & entrance fees
All accommodation

Not included

International flights (land only price)
Visa
Early check-in and late check-out (available at additional cost)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From $5,240 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,240 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The tour includes five named trains: Chandigarh Express, Himalayan Queen toy train, two Shatabdi Express journeys, and Vande Bharat Express. Meals are provided onboard where noted.
Is this tour guided or independent?: Fully escorted. Wendy Wu Tours provides English-speaking guides throughout, and entrance fees to all sites are included.
What is not included?: International flights (land-only price), visa, and early check-in or late check-out at hotels.
What is the group size?: Groups are capped at 18 people.
When does the tour run?: No specific departure dates are published in the available information; contact Wendy Wu Tours to confirm availability.