Most of the travelers on short trips to India, regret not having seen it completely. The regret is well founded as no duration in India is considered enough. For the Destination as diverse and exotic as India a complete insight in its fold is very much recommended. This tour takes a traveler to the popular regions of India covering a large number of explored and unexplored places. Overall, a tour in all respects- considered a complete one. In spite of the length there is no compromise on leisure and comfort.
Duration: 20 nights / 21 days
Tour starts at: Delhi
Tour ends at: Mumbai
Places covered: Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambhore, Pushkar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur/ Rohetgarh, Mount Abu, Udaipur, Aurangabad & Mumbai
Day 01: Delhi: Welcome briefing You are picked by our executive from the International airport & escorted to the hotel. We will have a welcome briefing covering the various aspects of the tour (ensuring that you have the best of the Indian holiday). Overnight in the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi: Old & New Delhi Enjoy a full day tour of the capital city of India (a perfect mix of the history & modernity). We visit architectural masterpieces from the Mughal era to the British era & to the present day. The sights would include the Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat & the Qutab Minar among others.
Day 03: Varanasi: Ancient abode of spiritualism We take the flight to Varanasi and on arrival drive to our hotel. In the sightseeing tour we visit the various parts of this oldest living city in the world along with its various Temples and Ghats. We take part during the time of Temple prayers in the evening.
Day 04: Khajuraho: Frozen ecstasy on stone Enjoy an enlighting boat ride over the holy Ganges early in the morning. We take a flight to Khajuraho, During the day we visit the finest examples of Temple sculptures - a sublime depiction of the lifestyle in Ancient India. We visit a number of Temples each rivaling the others in the art of expression. Overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 05: Agra: The Taj Mahal We drive towards Agra. After checking in, we visit the most adorable monument of the World- The Taj. We also visit the Agra Fort & Itmadullah.
Day 06: Jaipur: Mughal supremacy, Sunset at Tiger fort We proceed westwards to the forbidden city of Akbar - Fatehpur Sikri and see the dream of Akbar in shape. Further we continue our journey to the Pink City. (We also have the option of visiting the Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur - depending upon the time of the year). For the evening we drive up to Nahargarh fort and take a breathtaking view of sprawling Pink City getting red at sunset.
Day 07: Jaipur: Elephant climb, Architectural & Astronomical genius Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of PINK CITY (the city was colored pink in honour of the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876). The tour includes visit to the Amber fort on an elephants back, city palace complex & the astronomical tower. Evening free for leisure or shopping.
Day 08: Ranthambhore: In the Wilderness We depart for Ranthambhore after a leisurely breakfast reaching in time to take an evening game drive. The Ranthambhore National Park certainly is one of the most picturesque game reserves in the world - the entire forest being dominated by the silent, ruined battlements of the Ranthambhore Fort, which is inside the sanctuary.
Day 09: Ranthambhore: Jungle safari We take an early morning game drive. The second half is free for leisure or another game drive (optional). Overnight in Ranthambhore.
Day 10: Pushkar: A spiritual journey Then we proceed to the holy town Pushkar and explore the spiritual facets of this relaxed town on foot in the evening. We also visit the one and only Brahma Temple.
Day 11: Bikaner: Rats temple at Deshnok, camels all around We depart for Bikaner visiting the unbelievable rat's temple at Deshnok enroute. After taking some rest at the hotel we take a short sightseeing tour of the city & mark the evening to witness the timeless spectacle of the desert with camels and sunset at the National Camel Breeding Farm.
Day 12: Jaisalmer: Evening over the Sand Dunes Starting in the morning we reach Jaisalmer by noon & check in. The only activity for the day with us would be the romantic experience of camel ride on the sand dunes at Samm with Sunset, Music, and Ballads & Dances. Overnight in Swiss tents in the middle of the desert.
Day 13: Jaisalmer: The city of Maze We start out leisurely to see the various attractions in the town such as the incomparable & still inhabited fort, the temples, Havelis, palaces, Gadsisar tank and the maze of lanes and by-lanes. Evening free at leisure.
Day 14: Jodhpur: Blue city, Imposing structures We travel through the village of Kheechan and further through the ancient town Osian finally reaching the Suncity Jodhpur. After check in at the hotel and some rest we explore the different chambers of the imposing Mehrangarh Fort and the gleaming white Jaswant Thada. Rest of the evening at leisure, shopping.
Day 15: Mount Abu: Magic of Delwara temples After reaching Mount Abu, we keep the day at leisure. By the evening we visit the incomparable Delwara Temples and the sunset point. Relax in the hills.
Day 16: Udaipur: Majestic Mehrangarh Fort We then depart for Udaipur visiting the Ranakpur temples - often regarded as sheer poetry on marble this 15th century Adinath Jain temple is known for its profuse & intricate carving on marble which resembles lace-work rather than stone carving. One of the other remarkable things about the temple is wonderful play of shadow & light on the nearly 1500 pillars (each of which interestingly displays a different decorative design. We arrive in Udaipur and take a romantic boat ride at the backdrop of a glorious sunset on Lake Pichola. Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 17: Udaipur: Maharaja's to Maharana's We take a half day sightseeing trip of this charming princely city visiting the city palace complex, Jagdish temple & the garden of the maids. The remainder of the day for shopping & other personal activities, Udaipur is popular for its tie-and-dye fabrics & miniature paintings. We have an optional visit to the Monsoon palace for panoramic views of the magical lake city in the evening. Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 18: Aurangabad: Ages old expressions in Buddhist & Hindu caves We take a morning flight to Mumbai & then take a connecting flight to Aurangabad, On arrival you'll be assisted and transferred to your hotel. You'll be visiting the most amazing paintings and sculptures in age old caves of Ajanta and Ellora which are located at a short excursion from Aurangabad.
Day 19: Mumbai: The Cosmopolitan face of India You'll be taking flight to Mumbai and on reaching there, transferred to your hotel. For the day you'll be taking a sightseeing tour of this cosmopolitan city of India which has a very distinct and appealing culture of its own. Evening free to shop.
Day 20: Mumbai: From Hollywood to Bollywood We take half day tour of the Mumbai film city or try our luck for visiting a shoot on location (this would be subject to the schedule on the specific day). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 21: Mumbai: Leisure, Farewell dinner - The tour ends Complete day at leisure, enjoy a memorable farewell lunch/ dinner. You are then dropped to the airport/ station for your flight back home or onward journey.