Tour Description

India has simply too many places to experience in one visit so we have designed this itinerary for those who love a lttle shopping, want to see a blend of picturesque locations and learn a little about the history along the way. We begin and end this tour in Delhi.
Incredible India. Enjoy a variety of activities from the bustling bazaars of Delhi, Udaipur & Jaipur. Purchase fabrics or have your own clothing designed and made before you leave.
India is world famous for it's textiles, carpets, jewellery and fine quality marble inlaid with precious and semi precious stones.
Cities visited include Delhi, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Agra.
Minimum 2 night stay to ensure plenty of time to relax and explore (except Agra)
Did you know The Taj Mahal of Agra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, for reasons more than just looking magnificent. It's the history of Taj Mahal that adds a soul to its magnificence: a soul that is filled with love, loss, remorse, and love again. Because if it was not for love, the world would have been robbed of a fine example upon which people base their relationships. An example of how deeply a man loved his wife, that even after she remained but a memory, he made sure that this memory would never fade away. This man was the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who was head-over-heels in love with Mumtaz Mahal, his dear wife. She was a Muslim Persian princess (her name Arjumand Banu Begum before marriage) and he was the son of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir and grandson of Akbar the Great. It was at the age of 14 that he met Mumtaz and fell in love with her. Five years later in the year 1612, they got married.
DISCLAIMER: India is best explored on foot so please be aware there is a reasonable amount of gentle walking required over sometimes (often) uneven ground and there are lots of stairs.
Please keep this in mind when considerering this tour. Please contact us to discuss any concerns.

Tour Highlights

Blending the most famous sites with some shopping
Wonders of Old Delhi and it's bustling bazaars
Explore Udaipur, the City of Lakes
Take in the tranquility of Lake Pichola and it's picturesque palaces.
Handicrafts and antique markets of Jodhpur
Indian Cooking Class highlighting the use of traditional spices
Textile and Block printing factory in Jaipur
Visit the magnificent Amber Fort that was built in 1592
Sunrise visit to the iconic Taj Mahal

Day 1: Arrival Day Delhi

You will be met at Delhi Airport by our representative and transferred to hotel to freshen up from your flight. Please plan to arrive before 12pm or arrive a day early.
Around 12pm today we jump straight into the enegy of the city and explore the bustling bazaars of Delhi.
This evening we will enjoy a delicious local meal before returning to the hotel.
*We do recommend arriving a day early if you prefer to have a bit of rest before we start the tour. Pre-tour accommodation is available at our hotel (extra cost)
Accommodation: Lalit Hotel/Royal Plaza or similar
Meals: Welcome Dinner

Day 2: Old Delhi Tour

After a delicious breakfast and getting to know our new friends we will have an hour or so chatting about India and it's colourful history, cultural and religious beliefs and a bit of Q & A with our knowledgable local guide. This gives us all a chance to as questions and familiarise ourselves with where we are going and what to expect.
We begin our Delhi experience with an Old Delhi Tour, getting a feel for the city and its surrounds.
There are layers and layers of history to see and learn about with so many architectural features from different time periods all in one place.
If we have some spare time this afternoon we can visit more of Delhi's bustling bazaars. Don't worry about your excess shopping , we have a safe place to store it in Delhi and pick it up on the way home!
Delhi is such a vibrant city and considered the most important city in the region. It has an abundance of history and a rich cultural past.
Accommodation: Lalit Hotel/Royal Plaza or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner depending on our schedule

Day 3: Delhi to Udaipur

This morning we will be up early for our flight to Udaipur (included)
We will transfer from the airport to our beautiful hotel located on the edge of Lake Pichola.
Our hotel is situated in the Old City so an exciting tuk-tuk ride through the streets will have you feeling like a local in no time.
This afternoon we will wander the narrow streets and laneways of the Old City. There are great tailors within walking distance of our hotel to design some clothes or just explore as you wish.

Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes and is one of India’s most picturesque cities. Palaces surround the city, the most famous being The Lake Palace, which covers an entire island and was featured in the James Bond film Octopussy. The city was founded in 1559 and was the capital of the Mewar kingdom. There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this relaxing, seductive city.
Relax on your orientation walk of this beautiful city so you can get your bearings.
Depart from the hotel approximately 6pm for Bagore-ki-Haveli, near GangaurGhat in the heart of the old city to see a one hour local dance performance.
After the dance performance enjoy dinner at a roof top restaurant overlooking the stunning Lake Pichola, the City Palace and enjoy the sweeping views and many treasures housed inside.
Overnight: Hotel, Udaipur

Day 4: Udaipur Venice of the East

Explore this beautiful city firstly with a visit to the massive City Palace with its many splendorous rooms and glimpses into the era of this opulence. Leisurely stroll the streets around the old city.
Late afternoon gather to board our boat for a late afternoon cruise around Lake Pichola and sunset cocktails on Jagmandir Island Palace.
Overnight: Hotel, Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch or Dinner

Day 5: Udaipur to Jodhpur

After an early breakfast leave for Jodhpur approximately 4-5 hours away.
Driving through the Thar Desert you will witness desert life of villagers dressed in colourful clothes herding animals and of desert scenery as you drive through the desertpur.
Jodhpur is known as the “Blue City” owing to the many blue houses with the backdrop of the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest in India.
Why not head to Sadar Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India, for handicrafts and antiques. The diversity of what’s on offer is impressive.
Overnight: Hotel, Jodhpur

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch or Dinner depending on our program

Day 6: Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort

Start the day off one of many Indian delicacies that originated in Jodhpur before heading to the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest in India, to take in the sweeping view of the city.
Mehrangarh Fort stands a hundred feet in splendor on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons . Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun, for truly, it is one of the most impressive in all Rajasthan. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “ the work of giants”. Today, it is acknowledged as one of the best preserved fort in India.
Cooking Class/Dinner Later in the late afternoon we will attend a cooking class at a local family’s house and sample your cooking with traditional Indian spices (taste the difference).
Overnight: Hotel, Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Day 7: Jodhpur to Jaipur

After breakfast drive through Thar Desert to Jaipur,
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that covers an area of 200,000 km² and forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan.
Interesting Fact: The Thar desert, having a population density of 83 people per square kilometer is the most densely populated desert in the world.
We will arrive into Jaipur in the afternoon to check into our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel, Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast

Day 8: Pink City Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan state. It evokes the royal family that once ruled the region and that, in 1727, founded what is now called the Old City, or “Pink City” for its trademark building color. At the center of its stately street grid (notable in India) stands the opulent, colonnaded City Palace complex. With gardens, courtyards and museums, part of it is still a royal residence.
Early morning take an (optional) elephant up to the magnificent Amber Fort as a group. Located high on a hill, Amber fort was built in 1592 and its’ name is said to derive from the many jewels that are used for decoration inside.
After visiting the fort, you’ll have an opportunity to visit a textile and block printing factory as well as the HawaMahal, City Palace, do some shopping at its famous Bazaar (only for the fearless!)
Overnight: Hotel, Diggi Palace Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast Lunch or Dinner depending on our program

Day 9: Jaipur

Day at leisure to wonder around the colourful bazaars, pick up some last minute bargains or just take a breather after your trip.
Overnight: Hotel, Diggi Palace Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch or Dinner depending on our schedule

Day 10: Jaipur to Red Fort in Agra

After breakfast leave for Agra, in the afternoon you’ll have plenty more free time to explore Agra including the Red Fort.
Agra is also home to an impressive, 94-acre fort that’s often overshadowed by the Taj but definitely worth a visit.
Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Before capture by the British, the last Indian rulers to have occupied it were the Marathas.
Agra Fort is the place where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for eight years by his son Aurangzeb. He lived the last years of his life unable to visit the Taj Mahal, only able to view it from his window.
Hearing this fascinating story prepares us for the breathtaking visit we will have tomorrow morning.
Overnight: Hotel, Agra
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11: Sunrise at the Taj

Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is India’s most-photographed monument, and today you’ll see why. Built between 1632 and 1653 in memory of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s third wife, the Taj Mahal is a world-renowned and widely admired representation of Islamic architecture
After our visit we will get the chance to see a demonstration by local artisans who, generation after generation have crafted the fine inlaid marble with precious and semi precious gem-stones.
The families trace back to the original builders of this monument to one man's great love. They truly are master craftsman.
Later we will drive back to Delhi.
Afternoon at leisure for last minute shopping.
This everning we will enjoy a delicious meal of local Indian cuisine.
Return to hotel
Meals Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

Day 12: Departure Day Delhi

After breakfast yiu will be transferred by our representative to Delhi Aiport for your retun home or on-ward journey.
Optional extensions are available if you would like to visit other parts of India like Varanasi or south India. Please enquire.
Meals: Breakfast

Package Includes

Meet and Assist by our representative at Delhi Airport
11 Nights accommodation including Breakfast
Either Lunch or dinner each day depending on our schedule
Internal Flight from Delhi to Udaipur
Ticket for Boat ride in Udaipur
Cultural Dance Show in Udaipur
English Speaking Tour Guide throughout the tour
Specialist Local Guides also provided in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Agra
Cooking Class with traditional Indian Spices
All site entrance tickets are included
Tipping for all services throughout the tour except our tour guide
Sunrise entrance to Taj Mahal
All transportation throughout the tour
Departure Day transfer to Delhi Airport

Package Excludes

International Airfares & Travel Insurance
Entrance Visa to India
Pre or post tour accommodation
Meals not specified in itinerary.
Please allow $15 per day for meals (indication only and depends on your personal choices)
Personal expenses, drinks, snack, laundry, room service etc
Optional professional photography at Taj Mahal
Extra tours not specified in itinerary
Tipping for Tour Guide
Donations
Single Supplement USD1080