HIGHLIGHTS - DISCOVER NORTH INDIA
- A rickshaw tour of Old Delhi including Chandani Chowk market
- A guided tour of the mighty Taj Mahal in Agra
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Agra Fort
- Two jeep safaris of Ranthambhore National Park, seeking out tigers in their natural habitat
- Exploring the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur
- Visit The Birla Temple of Jaipur
- Tour the magnificent Amber Fort & City Palace, Jaipur
- Enjoy a hosted dinner by a local family and a cooking demonstration
- Visit old bazaars and local markets
- The ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur
- Take a jeep safari to Bishnoi village, a community rich in the culture of Rajasthani life
- Visit Ranakpur, and incredible Jain temple
- Tour Mehrangarh Fort that dates to the 15th century
- Travel to the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur
- Relax on a boat tour on Lake Pichola, Udaipur
- Dinner overlooking the famous lakes and palaces of Udaipur
- Highlight 5 star hotel stays
- Enjoy a small group experience only for solo travellers
PRE TOUR STAY
Consider arriving a day before the tour starts. You can relax and refresh after your flight. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
DISCOVER NORTH INDIA
DAY 1
Arrive to New Delhi
Welcome to India! Arrive at Delhi Indira Gandhi (IGI) International Airport. You will be greeted and transferred to our group hotel in New Delhi, the bustling capital city of India. The afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Meals: N/A
DAY 2
Explore New Delhi
Start the day by enjoying breakfast at your leisure at our hotel. This will be followed by a morning group briefing. This will give you the opportunity to discuss the tour details with your tour leader, and ask any general questions.
Today you will be taken back in time to the ancient walled city of Old Delhi, also known as ‘Shahjahanaabad’, which dates from the 17th century. You will explore the spectacular Jama Masjid or ‘Friday Mosque’, built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor also famous for his construction of the mighty Taj Mahal at Agra.
From Jama Mosque, you will move onto a rickshaw tour of Old Delhi, the highlight of which will be a trip to the sprawling Chandani Chowk market. In the days of old, the markets were flanked with canals to reflect the moonlight. Chandni Chowk is full to the brim of exquisite Indian fabrics, gold and silver ware, and aromatic spices. Enjoy this riot of colours and mouth-watering smells from the comfort of your own traditional cycle rickshaw, designed to give you a front row seat to see life in Old Delhi.
Having worked up an appetite perusing the local flavours at Chandni Chowk, there’s a lunch break before we continue with afternoon sightseeing.
We will visit Raj Ghat, the final resting place of Mahatma Ghandi, set on the banks of the Yamuna River. This revered spot and pilgrimage site is marked with a black marble tomb and an eternal flame that burns next to picturesque lawns. You will then end the afternoon with a city orientation tour that includes the famous Delhi Gate that links Old Delhi with New Delhi. This evening dinner is at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Morning group tour briefing
- Explore the spectacular Jama Masjid.
- Rickshaw tour of Old Delhi
- Visit Raj Ghat, the resting place of Mahatma Ghandi,
- A city orientation tour
- Dinner is at our hotel
DAY 3
Delhi - Agra
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Agra, the city of the Taj. We visit Agra Fort, an UNESCO World Heritage site and the sister monument to the Taj Mahal.
In the afternoon visit Sadar Bazaar and textile showrooms to discover the best of local Indian arts, crafts, and food. The bazaar features aromatic sweet shops, leather handicrafts, and beautiful marble work, said to be the best in all of India. [travellers can choose to opt out of the bazaar and showroom visits]
In the evening, you will enjoy a walk along the serene banks of the Yamuna River to witness the splendour of the unparalleled Taj Mahal from the riverside from Mehtab Bagh before you get to explore it up close on another visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Travel to Agra
- Visit Agra Fort
- Visit Sadar Bazaar & textile showrooms (optional)
- An evening stroll to see the Taj Mahal
- Dinner at our hotel
DAY 4
Agra
Get ready for entry to the Taj Mahal when the gates first open in order to beat the crowds and explore this 17th century wonder on a guided tour. The structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will get to spend time marveling at the ornate inner decorations as well as meandering in the abundant flower gardens studded with water features that are said to be modelled on the rivers of Paradise. After, return to your hotel for breakfast.
Later you will have the chance to visit Agra Fort, an UNESCO World Heritage site and the sister monument to the Taj Mahal. Also today, a visit to Sadar Bazaar and textile showrooms to experience the best of local Indian arts, crafts, and food. The bazaar features aromatic sweet shops, leather handicrafts, and beautiful marble work, said to be the best in all of India. (Travellers can choose to opt out of this trip and remain at the hotel if desired.)
Tonight, a special dinner – a traditional Mughlai meal. It features dishes first developed in medieval times in India. Reflecting the way in which food was served during the times of the Mughal Empire, you will have the chance to sample classic North Indian staples.
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Yoga & Meditation Class
Rise at dawn to enjoy the Taj Mahal in the peaceful morning light at Taj Khema. Book on tour with guide.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Sunrise Taj Mahal visit
- Agra Fort
- Bazaar and textile showroom visits
- Special Mughlai dinner
DAY 5
Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Ranthambhore
After breakfast depart for Ranthambhore. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty built by Akbar. Ranthambhore - famous for the wildlife sanctuary which is said to have the India’s friendliest Tigers and also considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat, also a wonderful place for bird watching.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Dawn visit and guided tour of the Taj Mahal
- Travel to Ranthambhore
- Visit Fatehpur Sikri the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty built by Akbar.
- Dinner at our hotel
DAY 6
Ranthambhore
Today we make the most of our visit to Ranthambhore National Park with an early morning and late evening jungle safari for the best chance to see the rare Indian tigers in full glory. In more recent years the park as stated an increase in the tiger population making tiger sightings more likely than before.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Morning and evening jungle safari
- Lunch and dinner at our hotel
DAY 7
Ranthambhore – Jaipur (The Pink City)
Today, depart for Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’, and the capital of the state of Rajasthan in the north of India. On arrival to Jaipur we will check into our hotel. In evening visit The Birla Temple to attend, originally known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, this temple is a proud architectural landmark of Jaipur. Built in pure white marble, the Birla Temple is unlike the traditional ancient Hindu temples, and is built with a modern approach.
After our Birla Temple visit, we return to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Travel to Jaipur
- Evening visit The Birla Temple
- Dinner at our hotel
DAY 8
Jaipur
Get ready for an early start as you set out on a trip to Amber Fort that sits atop a hill in the town of Amer, just outside of Jaipur. A place of great historical significance in India, the fort looks out over Maota Lake, and is famous for its Hindu design aesthetic. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of a group known as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
Later, there is a guided tour of City Palace, a majestic complex that is known for its stunning palaces, courtyards, gardens, and other administrative buildings that date from the 18th century.
In the early evening, get a chance to visit the old city bazaars, which are found within the ancient walled part of the city. The bazaars showcase the best of the region’s handicrafts including jewellery, metalwork, textiles, utensils, traditional footwear and pottery, where bargaining is considered an essential skill when making a purchase.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT:
DINNER AT AN INDIAN FAMILY’S HOME & COOKING DEMONSTRATION
For a truly unforgettable experience in the evening, you will join a cooking demonstration of Indian cuisine that will take you through the importance and uses of local ingredients, and teach you how to whip up some staple Indian dishes. The cooking demonstration will be followed by dinner.
Meal: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A trip to Amber Fort
- Guided tour of City Palace
- Visit the old city bazaars
- Highlight evening, dinner with at the home of a local family with cooking demonstration
DAY 9
Jaipur - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar. Later in the day, a city tour of Pushkar, a city known as one of the important places of Hindus. The tour includes a drive around Pushkar Lake and a visit to see the outside of Brahma Temple.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
Pushkar – Jodhpur (The Blue City)
Today we will travel to the city of Jodhpur that sits in the imposing Thar Desert. Jodhpur is often referred to by locals as ‘Sun City’ so get ready for some sunshine and blue skies. The city is studded with decorated palaces, crumbling forts, and elaborate temples. Jodhpur is also known as the ‘Blue City’. The traditional blue buildings are dotted around Mehrangarh Fort.
In the afternoon there will be a market visit for you to experience the local culture first-hand and peruse the high quality textiles, handicrafts, and exquisite footwear that comes in a range of flamboyant colours and styles.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT:
JEEP SAFARI TO BISHNOI VILLAGE
In the evening we take a Jeep Safari to Bishnoi village. The Bishnoi’s are a community of Rajasthan who are famous for their rich cultural Rajasthani Life and their love of nature and animals. Our memorable jeep outing will take us through various traditional villages, witnessing local handicrafts such as shoemakers, pottery, hand weaving; men in their traditional attire and women clad with ancestral silver jewellery.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Travel to Jodphur
- Afternoon market visit
- Jeep safari to Bishnoi Village
- Dinner at our hotel
DAY 11
Jodhpur
Start the day with a visit to Mehrangarh Fort that dates from the 15th century and is located atop a hill that offers amazing views of the city. The fort is encircled by fortified walls, and the interior includes palaces, rambling gardens, and courtyards. The visit includes a guided tour so that you can learn all about the historical significance of the fort.
In the afternoon, we visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, Asia’s most opulent royal abode. The palace is still the private residence of the Jodhpur royal family, and you can visit the large on site museum as part of the tour. There’s also the chance to take in the local atmosphere of Jodhpur and wander the old city cobblestone streets lined with markets and bazaars.
HIGHLIGHT DINNER:
A superb dinner setting this evening with captivating views of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. Enjoy an indulgent meal this evening at a beautiful heritage hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Visit Mehrangarh Fort
- Visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum,
- Wander through the the old city streets, markets and bazaars
- Highlight Dinner overlooking The Fort
DAY 12
Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur (Venice of the East)
We will leave Jodhpur early to travel to Udaipur. This will be one of the longer travel days while on tour. Enroute visiting Ranakpur “famous for Jain Temples with intricate carvings”. Guides are not allowed inside the temples but audio guides are available at the entrance (a small fee for the audio guide is payable directly to the temple).
We will arrive at our hotel in the afternoon and have time to relax before our dinner at the hotel. Enjoy your beautiful resort hotel with a relaxed in house dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13
Udaipur
We will start the day with a morning guided tour of the City Palace complex and adjoining museums. The former residence of a long lineage of Rajasthan kings, the palace is notable due to its ornate style and intricate attention to detail. As you wander the palace grounds, look out for beautiful views of Lake Pichola below.
After our City Palace visit we take a boat tour on Lake Pichola to take in the scenery, followed by a drive up to Monsoon Palace. The palace gets its name due to the fact that it was built mainly as an observation point for monsoon clouds, and James Bond fans may recognise it from the film Octopussy.
Later today we make some market and bazaar visits.
HIGHLIGHT DINNER:
SUNSET TERRACE DINNER OVERLOOKING THE PALACES & LAKES OF UDAIPUR
In the evening you will dine whilst overlooking the palaces and lakes of Udaipur. This is a truly unique experience and will make an unforgettable end to your trip to Udaipur.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Tour the City Palace complex and adjoining museums.
- Boat tour on Lake Pichola
- Drive up to Monsoon Palace
- Highlight farewell dinner
DAY 14
Udaipur - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel and the morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival to Delhi, we transfer to the group hotel. This evening visit Akshardham Temple and take in the Musical Fountain Show. The unique feature of Akshardham Temple is its architectural plan that is a complete absence of steel. The temple contains 234 ornate pillars, 9 domes and 20,000 statues and sculptures. The walls of the main monument are covered top to bottom with carvings of dancers, deities, flora and fauna. Return to the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer to Udaipur airport
- Flight from Udaipur to Delhi
- Transfer to Delhi Hotel
- Visit Akshardham Temple and take in the Musical Fountain Show
DAY 15
Delhi - Homeward Bound
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today we visit Lotus Temple; also known as the Bahai House of Worship or Bahai Mashriqul-Adhkar Temple. It is one of the best architectural marvels in the country in modern times. The white marble structure is also called the Taj Mahal of the 20th century, but it is so much more than just a splendid piece of architecture. Then we pay a visit to the National Museum - it currently holds approximately 200,000 objects of diverse nature, both Indian as well as foreign, and its holdings cover a time span of more than five thousand years of Indian cultural heritage. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Visit Lotus Temple
- Tour the National Musuem
- Hotel rooms near airport after day touring (triple share basis) to change and refresh prior to flight connections end of day
- Transfer to Delhi International Airport
SPECIAL NOTES
If you have an earlier flight you can forfeit the tour visits today and a transfer is provided to meet your flight.
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POST TOUR OPTIONAL EXTENSION: VARANASI
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Highly recommend as an extension tour after your Discover North India tour. We say it’s a ‘Don’t Miss’ highlight of any visit to North India and our past travellers agree! This is a boutique deluxe small group solo travel tour. WATCH YOU VIDEO - VARANASI
HIGHLIGHTS
- Home to the Ganges, witness life along the Ganges
- Sunrise boat trip along the Ganges witnessing the morning bathing rituals and famous cremations
- Explore Varanasi on a walking tour, meandering lanes and winding through markets
- Take a rickshaw ride through the old city
- Visit Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment.
- Enjoy a a sunset boat trip to witness the Aarti Fire Ceremony
- Enjoy the taste delights of a local Thali dinner
DAY 1 (day 15 of Discover North India)
New Delhi - Varanasi
A short domestic flight from New Delhi to the city of Varanasi, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is known as the holiest city in India. Varanasi is home to the magnificent Ganges River, and is an important place of worship in Hinduism and Jainism. It is also said to be the city where Buddha founded Buddhism. The group will be met at Varanasi airport and transferred to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast (part of main tour inclusions)
DAY 2 (day 16 of Discover North India)
Varanasi
Get ready for an early start to witness the sunrise with a boat trip on the Ganges to watch the morning bathing rituals and famous cremations. It’s a spectacle to behold and a tour highlight. We return to the hotel for breakfast after the boat ride.
Later this morning, explore Varanasi on a walking tour of the old city and its famous lanes that wind through traditional markets, the labyrinth of laneways and local spots of interest. The tour will end with a cycle rickshaw tour to explore more of the old city.
Varanasi is known for its fine quality silks, Benaras Hindu University, being one of the largest residential universities in Asia and ‘paan’, which is a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut, and sometimes tobacco. Paan is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. In the afternoon, we tour a silk and textile weaving showroom to experience first-hand how these exquisite fabrics are produced. (If you don’t feel like going shopping, then there is the option to opt out. And we will transfer to you the Hotel).
There is an afternoon excursion to Sarnath, nearby to Varanasi. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. You will end the day with a sunset boat trip to witness the Aarti Fire Ceremony, a religious ritual in Hinduism in which torches or candles containing ghee or camphor are set alight and presented as offerings to the deities.
HIGHLIGHT DINNER
After witnessing this ceremonial spectacle, we head out for a traditional North Indian meal named Thali. Diners will get to sample a variety of small local dishes as part of the traditional Thali set, including curries, yoghurts, and chutneys.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
DAY 3 (day 17 of Discover North India)
Varanasi – New Delhi
Your visit to Varanasi comes to an end after breakfast. The group is transferred to Varanasi airport for the flight to Delhi where touring comes to an end, and you may connect to your homeward bound flight or other onward travels.
FREE TIME EXTRAS
Start the day in Varanasi with the (optional activity) of an early morning Surya Namaskar yoga class. The class will be held near the iconic Varanasi Ghats, the stone steps leading down to the Ganges that are used by those wishing to bathe or worship in the sacred waters. (Sign up and payment for the class can be made directly to your tour leader).
SPECIAL NOTES
The return flight Delhi to Varanasi is included as part of your tour. Check with your travel team for flight itinerary if intending to connect with a homeward bound international flight same day. We recommend an overnight stay in Delhi (near airport) is best option. Provides a buffer in case of any unexpected delays.
Meals: Breakfast
