India
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Day One: Welcome to India
You will be met in the arrivals hall at Delhi International Airport by our representative and transfered to your hotel. After check-in, your guide will meet you in the afternoon to explore the city on a private trip. Visit Gandhi Smriti museum, where Mahatma Gandi spent the last days of his life. Drive past Red Fort and Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British Viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and down the grand boulevard of Rajpath (‘King’s Way’) past the Parliament House.
In the evening there is an option to participate in a food walk, exploring Old Delhi with a specialist guide.
Overnight in Delhi
We offer a variety of hotel classes to suit different budgets. You can choose the style that’s right for you.
Select from Classic, Premium or Deluxe when booking, and click hotel name below for more details.
Classic - The Suryaa (Deluxe Room)
Premium - Maidens Hotel (Heritage Room)
Deluxe - The Oberoi New Delhi (Deluxe Room)
Meals included: None
Day Two: Marvel at the Taj Mahal
After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel at 6:45am and transferred to the station for the 8:10 am Gatiman Express train, scheduled to arrive in Agra at 9:50am. On arrival in Agra you will be met by your guide who will escort you first on a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Agra Fort. Originally built as a military defence in the 16th-century, this imposing, red-brick building was converted into a palace by Shah Jaden a century later. Marvel at the marble stonework and countless courtyards. In the afternoon, you’ll explore this buzzy city of monuments and markets, once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Drive through the city past bustling bazaars and through tuk-tuk traffic jams, to Itimad-ud-Daulah, an ancient tomb that’s often called the Baby Taj.
In the evening, visit the Taj Mahal in the glorious Indian sunset, when its marble exterior is at its most beautiful as it reflects the rose and golden tints of the sky. A monument to love built more than 350 years ago, the Taj was commissioned by Shah Jahan to commemorate his third wife, who died in childbirth. It took 20,000 craftsmen more than 18 years to complete.
Overnight in Agra
Classic - Tajview (Superior Room City View)
Premium - Trident (Deluxe Garden View)
Deluxe - The Oberoi Amarvilas (Premier Room)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Three: Sunrise yoga Taj Mahal , onward to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan
This morning rise early to experience a yoga session (suitable for all) facing the Taj Mahal. After breakfast, you’ll be travelling by private car to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, known for its arts and crafts, jewellery, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures. It is one of North India's finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the ghost-town capital of the Mughal dynasty, which was abandoned only a few years after it was built: the haunting 'ruins' are still in a pristine condition.
This evening, experience a food walk in Jaipur. Mingle and talk with the locals whilst sampling some of the regions culinary delights from the city's most popular street food vendors. Observe local artisans in their workshops; jewellers and silversmiths, gold and silver makers. The iconic Hawa Mahal (also called the Palace of the Winds) is the meeting point at which this two and a half hour walk begins.
Overnight in Jaipur
Classic - Shahpura House (Suite)
Premium - Samode Haveli (Deluxe Room)
Deluxe - The Oberoi Rajvilas (Premier Room)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Four: Divine Diwali in the Pink City
Today’s highlight will be celebrating Diwali like a local. But first, get to know this terracotta-built Pink City, starting with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Amber Fort. In the afternoon, visit Jaipur’s star attraction: the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. Opposite is another UNESCO site to visit: the Janta Manta, an observatory that’s home to a fascinating collection of astronomical instruments. Head back to your hotel before your Diwali celebrations begin at the house of a local family. Experience a traditional welcome with a beverage. Slip off your shoes to enter their home, where you can learn about Diwali's history and its associated festivities. This is followed by Lighting the Diyas and offering prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh where doors and windows of the house are left open to allow prosperity to pass through. For dinner, the group shares an authentic Indian feast with the host family. When darkness falls, watch a fireworks display illuminate the skyline and join the celebration as locals spark firecrackers in the streets. Gifts will be given to each guest as a token of remembrance.
Overnight in Jaipur
Classic - Shahpura House (Suite)
Premium - Samode Haveli (Deluxe Room)
Deluxe - The Oberoi Rajvilas (Premier Room)
Meals included: Breakfast; dinner
Day Five: Venice of the East
After breakfast, you will check out and head by private car to Udaipur, often called the ''Venice of the East'' and the most romantic state of Udaipur. Udaipur nestles like a gem in a valley surrounded by green hills, reflected smooth and white in the clear blue waters of Lake Pichola. The city is a kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples.
Overnight in Udaipur
Classic - Trident (Deluxe Garden View)
Premium - Hotel Fateh Garh (Renaissance Room)
Deluxe - The Oberoi Udaivilas
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Six: Creative Culture in Udaipur
This morning, there is the option to book an early morning cycle tour and get under the skin of Udaipur's rich cultural heritage. After breakfast, you’ll get to visit the majestic City Palace including a tour of the private collection of precious and rare crystals from the Royal treasure. For more than 100 years the crystals remained underground and the gallery was not open to the public due to its beauty and richness. Next head to the centre of the old city to visit the Jagdish Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu before viewing Sahelion-ki-bari, the spectacular garden displaying the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies who once lived in the Palaces.
In the afternoon, take a shared boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola towards Jag Mandir Palace, which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and an imposing dome. The rest of the day is free to explore or there is the option to take part in an exclusive workshop in the art of Jal Sanjhi (water painting). Enjoy a demonstration of this 200-year-old craft, before having a go yourself.
Overnight in Udaipur
Classic - Trident (Deluxe Garden View)
Premium - Hotel Fateh Garh (Renaissance Room)
Deluxe - The Oberoi Udaivilas
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Seven: Homeward bound
Today is free for you to explore at leisure or experience an optional unique Jal Sanjhi Painting workshop (see EXTRA's) before your trip concludes with a transfer to Udaipur airport to board your flight to Delhi at 18:00. Arrive in Delhi at 19:25 in time for your onward departure flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 6 Breakfasts; 1 dinner
What's included:
- Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers and train tickets unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
- Entrance tickets and permits unless stated otherwise
- Flight from Udaipur to Delhi
- Diwali celebrations with a local family
What's not included:
- International flights to/from experience: call 0208 251 0425 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
- Optional extras listed
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the holiday
- We cannot guarantee the included hotel breakfast for early departures
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
SUITABILITY FOR FAMILIES : Suitable for families with kids.
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 251 0425
To check out all our India trips, click here!
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London cost around £600 per person and take approximately 8.5 hours on a direct flight.
For this particular Experience, the best option is normally to book a return flight to New Delhi
Experience start point: New Delhi (DEL). Arrive by 12pm on 11 November 2020.
End point: New Delhi (DEL). Suggested departure after 22:30.
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