Escorted India Tour Including The Holi Festival

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

On arrival at New Delhi IGI Airport you will be met and transferred to the LE MERIDIEN HOTEL for your three-night stay.

DAY 2: DELHI

After breakfast, you will be taken on a guided tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar, Raj Ghat and the Connaught Place market. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a well-known local restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 3: DELHI

After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of Old Delhi. Visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk. After lunch enjoy a guided heritage walk through the streets of Old Delhi. Participate in a kite flying session at an old haveli before enjoying a home-cooked meal. (B, D)

DAY 4: DELHI – VARANASI

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel to spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. In the evening you will have the opportunity to witness the spiritual Aarti Ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges. Two nights at the TAJ GANGES. (B, D)

DAY 5: VARANASI

At sunrise, you will be taken on a boat ride on the River Ganges followed by a tour through the narrow streets, passing iconic temples. After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of Varanasi. After lunch, you will visit Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining Nirvana. You will then enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 6: VARANASI – AGRA

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Agra. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. After lunch visit the Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Two nights at the TAJ VIEW, AGRA. (B, D)

DAY 7: AGRA

Early in the morning, you will be taken on a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. Afterwards, visit the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula before enjoying an interactive cooking demonstration and lunch with a local family. In the evening, visit a marble in-lay factory and see a cultural stage show – Mohabbat the Taj. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: AGRA – RANTHAMBORE

After breakfast, you will be transferred by road to Ranthambore, visiting the magnificent ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. You will then head to Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur for lunch, before continuing to Ranthambore. Upon arrival, check in to THE TIGRESS RANTHAMBORE for your two-night stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: RANTHAMBORE

Today you will be taken on morning and afternoon game drives in Ranthambore National Park. It is one of the largest parks in Northern India and is one of the best places in India to see the elusive tiger. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be transferred by road to Jaipur. In the evening you will be taken to 1135AD restaurant at the Amber Fort, for dinner. The Amber Fort is one of the principal tourist attractions of the area and is located high on a hill. Three nights at the ITC RAJPUTANA. (B, D)

DAY 11: JAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be taken on a full day tour of Jaipur. Visit the 17th Century Amber Fort, the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal, also known as ‘Palace of the Winds’. You will also have the opportunity to visit the local markets. (B, D)

DAY 12: JAIPUR

After breakfast, experience Holi Festival celebrations at the Diggi Palace hotel. One of the greatest highlights of the Festival Calendar of India, the Holi Festival is celebrated across the Globe and, when mentioned, always draws a smile and enthusiasm amongst anyone who has taken part. The celebration will involve applying various rainbow coloured powders and throwing coloured water at each other amidst loud music and drums. This is followed by dancing along with the other partygoers. It is a very happy, exciting and memorable experience. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: JAIPUR – UDAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. On arrival you will be met and taken to Ravla Khempur (the hotel which appeared in Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) for lunch. After lunch you will be transferred to your hotel in Udaipur. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Two nights at THE LALIT LAXMI VILAS PALACE. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: UDAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be taken on a city tour, visiting the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and an elegant garden called Saheliyon-Ki-Bari. In the evening enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola, followed by a farewell dinner. (B, D)

DAY 15: UDAIPUR – DELHI

After breakfast, the morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi, where you will board your onward flight. This will mark the end of your tour. (B)