Best of Northern India Tour: Jaipur to Varanasi

My son and I recently completed an incredible three-week journey through India, Nepal, and Bhutan with Zicasso’s travel company, and I can confidently say it was one of the most seamless and enriching travel experiences I’ve ever had.

From the very beginning, their team demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and deep knowledge of the region. Planning a multi-country itinerary covering Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park, and Paro could have been overwhelming, but the travel company made the entire process smooth and stress-free. They were highly responsive, flexible with customization, and clearly experienced in handling complex itineraries. They checked in with us regularly via WhatsApp.

Each destination was thoughtfully curated. In India, we explored the vibrant contrasts of Delhi, celebrated Holi in Agra, and experienced an unforgettable sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Jaipur was equally special, where we stayed in a beautiful heritage hotel and enjoyed a memorable cooking lesson led by the current owner, the great-grandson of the founder. Exploring the colorful spice markets added another rich cultural layer to our time there. Another highlight was visiting an elephant sanctuary. We were introduced to a 52-year-old elephant named Pinky who was rescued from a circus. Feeding and bathing her was an experience I’ll never forget.

Varanasi was a deeply moving experience. The sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, watching locals and pilgrims perform sacred rituals along the riverbanks, was both peaceful and powerful. The travel company ensured we had knowledgeable local guides who helped us truly understand the spiritual significance of these moments.

In Nepal, Kathmandu offered a fascinating blend of history, culture, and personal connection. Highlights included a private meeting with a Buddhist monk, visiting stunning temples and stupas, and a wonderful hands-on experience making momos with a local family. What truly elevated our time there was our guide, whose deep knowledge and thoughtful explanations of both Hindu and Buddhist rituals and beliefs gave us a much richer understanding of everything we were seeing.

Chitwan National Park was another unforgettable highlight. During our time there, we saw an incredible variety of wildlife. Many of the animals were with their babies: rhinos, bears, gaur, deer, and monkeys. We even came across a wild elephant on our way out of the park! The jungle safaris were expertly organized and surpassed any expectations we had. The accommodations were both comfortable and well integrated into the natural surroundings.

Bhutan was the perfect finale to the trip. Paro’s breathtaking landscapes and serene monasteries were arranged flawlessly, and the logistics of entering and traveling within Bhutan were handled expertly, which is something that can often be complicated. My son was able to hike the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which has long been on his wishlist and it did not disappoint.

What stood out most was the consistency of service throughout the trip. Every transfer, hotel, guide, and activity was well-coordinated. We always felt supported, safe, and well taken care of, no matter where we were. The guides were not only knowledgeable, but also genuinely warm and engaging, adding so much depth to the experience.

Overall, I highly recommend the travel company to anyone considering a multi-destination trip in South Asia. Their professionalism, local expertise, and commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences truly set them apart. This was a once-in-a-lifetime journey made unforgettable by an outstanding team.

Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful. We had a fabulous driver and many wonderful guides, especially our guide when we were in Agra. The travel company also arranged a fabulous dinner experience for us at our guide’s home, which was very memorable. We particularly loved our visit to Ranthambore.

We had a wonderful trip as a result of the care and attention to detail shown by Zicasso’s travel specialist and his team. We visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Cochin, and Munnar. We had a total of 17 days in India, which included three flights. For us, it was a stress-free trip. A representative and driver always met us at the airport, even if the flight was delayed. The drivers were amazing and always made us feel safe.

While on our trip, we requested a lunch reservation at a hotel that only allowed guests onto the property (we were not staying there) and we requested a tour of the Presidential Palace in Delhi. A reservation was secured at the hotel and we had a wonderful tour of the Presidential Palace. Both experiences went above and beyond.

We would highly recommend the travel specialist and his team to anyone considering visiting India. It will be a trip we will never forget.

Zicasso's travel specialist did an amazing job of selecting locations and properties in rural areas that perfectly suited me. I loved the tented camps and safari lodges, visiting rural villages and schools, kayaking, horseback riding, walking, and enjoying cultural activities. 

I selected two resorts and they were everything I hoped they would be, with fabulous service and wonderful experiences. The travel agent selected four other hotels and they were everything I hoped for as well. I loved them all, but especially the one in Jawai Bandh, which may have been my favorite spot on the trip. The service was spectacular, with great leopard spotting, guides, and butlers. 

I really wasn’t keen on the cities. I was sick in Delhi and stayed in my hotel, and quickly went through Jaipur. Two hours there was enough. Udaipur was the best of the three. I especially liked my hike there. The hotel in Udaipur was OK, but there were a lot of pigeons making a noise around the rooms.

The accommodations and driver service were fine. The guide could have been better if he could have: 1) provided more information than customary at each place; 2) been more engaging about cities and towns during the road journey; 3) provided more information regarding restaurants, shops/markets in the town. We saw how other guides interacted and provided more personal services with their guests. We were provided information and told to walk around on our own.

Zicasso’s travel company is a good company and the office manager was very responsive to my texts and concerns. The company's contracted guide was not up to par.