India Tour - From Taj Mahal to magical Rajasthan and holy Varanasi

On arrival our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in Delhi. (Room is available from 12 noon).

After noon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi. As we continue amidst the maze of lanes crowded with shops, crumbling havelis (mansions), we find one of the country’s largest mosques, Jama Masjid. You will disembark at the Jama Masjid, Shah Jahan’s last architectural legacy after which you walk through the narrow lanes of the 300 year old Chandni Chowk market. Today it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewelry, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables. Overnight stay in Delhi.

The tour is an introduction to the remarkable mixture of the medieval and the contemporary in Delhi, the capital of the modern nation state of India but also the capital of many previous dynasties.

Morning visit to New Delhi driving past India Gate, Parliament House & President’s house. Later visit one of the architectural triumphs of the Mughal Empire – Humayun’s Tomb. Humayun’s tomb is the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India.  Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former splendor and the fountains working, it is a very attractive site.  Architecturally the mausoleum drew its inspiration from the styles prevalent in Samarkand, and the design of the Taj Mahal is based on this tomb.  Overnight stay in Delhi.

Morning checkout and drive to Delhi airport for flight to Udaipur,  known as the ‘Venice of  the East’, a beautiful city in Rajasthan. On arrival check in. 

Morning explore the City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.  In the evening take a walking tour through the narrow lanes and back streets of Udaipur upto the Washing Ghats at the lake Pichola. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

Morning checkout and drive to reach Jodhpur, a land of architectural splendor and cultural marvel.  On arrival check in. Later visit the museum of Umaid Bhawan Palace/ Overnight stay at Jodhpur. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

After breakfast start the drive to Khimsar. Check in the hotel on arrival. You will be driven from Khimsar Fort on a four wheel drive vehicle through the nearby villages to an area considered as a Black Buck Reserve. The Black Bucks are a rare species of Deer, and are only found in this area. This one hour Safari will be followed by a picnic tea stop on the famous Panchala Sand Dunes to witness the sun dipping into the amazing desert. The Khimsar Fort also offers Camel safaris to other neighboring sand dunes.

Morning checkout and drive to Jaipur - the royal city of Rajasthan. On arrival check in. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Morning visit the Amber Fort. You will pass by the captivating sight of the Wind Palace. You may opt to hop on to an elephant’s back and enjoy the ascent to the fort.  As Jaipur is the hub of jewellery making, visit one of the gemstone cutting units to get a firsthand experience of art of jewel making. Later visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. Overnight stay in Jaipur

After breakfast drive to Agra, the land of the beautiful Taj Mahal. Agra is dotted with many beautiful monuments built by the mighty Mughal emperors.  On arrival, check into your hotel. 

Feast your eyes to the early morning beauty of the Taj Mahal, the manifestation of the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in its architecture, garden design, painting, and calligraphy. Later checkout and drive to Delhi airport for onward flight to Varanasi. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Sunrise and sunset are the most auspicious times in Hinduism. At sunrise enjoy the boat down the river.  People flock to the river to greet the rising sun and you will see a panorama of life in a pilgrim town. 

Optional at extra cost: Go on a short drive from the city, Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon in 500 BC. The very spot is marked by the Dhamekh Stupa.  Located in the midst of the Archeological Park, you will also visit the ruins of the small monastery where the Buddha lived during his visits and walk the path he took while meditating.  After visiting the excellent museum that houses sculptures excavated from the park you continue to the fairly new Buddhist temple. The walls of the temples are decorated by the paintings of a Japanese artist tracing the important events in the life of The Buddha. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Departure transfer to Delhi airport for onward flight.