Jan
min : 7°C
max : 21°C
We Love —
- A once in a lifetime tour of this vast, varied and unforgettably beautiful country.
- This fantastic offer takes you to epic ‘must-see’ sights, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the iconic Taj Mahal, and The Amber Fort.
- You will mainly stay in comfortable 5 star hotels - or of a similar standard - throughout, so you can be assured of a restful night's sleep after the day's adventures.
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 90 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Destinations —
Your Itinerary —
You will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a representative will meet you as you exit the arrival terminal building and transfer you to your hotel, where you will proceed for check-in.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiralling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.
Today spend your day relaxing at the hotel.
You will spend 2 nights in New Delhi on Bed and Breakfast basis.
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast proceed for a full day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi. (The Guide will meet you at the hotel at approximately 0900 hrs. unless you request otherwise). In Old Delhi you will visit the 17th century Jama Masjid and walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. You have the option of taking a rickshaw ride through these bazaars. Also visit the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo stop. Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Afternoon proceed to New Delhi. Drive past The Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
The siren call of Paratha Lane in Old Delhi – where food vendors make and sell parathas on the pavement in front of their tiny one-room cafes, stalls offer jewel-like fruit and vegetables, and smoke drifts from a thousand woks – is entirely seductive. It is exactly where you want to be.
This morning after breakfast proceed to Jaipur.
Upon arrival at Jaipur you will check-in at your hotel and a representative will assist you to complete your check-in formalities.
Jaipur, the fascinating capital of the marvelous state of Rajasthan, is one of the well-planned cities of its time. The graceful architecture of the city that runs across in pink color has earned Jaipur the title of the “The Pink City”. Jaipur is predominantly known for its musicians, artisans and craftsmen. Today, it is flocked by masses for its fine jewellery, varied textiles and sumptuous cuisine.
There are innumerable sagas and stories of culture, traditions, practices and valour. This diverse land of rich cultural heritage is a royal treat for tourists all over the world.
In the evening you will be taken for a typically Rajasthani meal at Nokha House with a local Family.
You will spend 2 nights in Jaipur on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Travelling Distance approx. 260 km – Driving Time approx. 05 hours
Following breakfast you will proceed to visit the capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravali hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
A jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
En-route to Amber Fort you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate façade, extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
This afternoon, you will visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armory, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Jaipur's Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, and he was passionate about astronomy. There is a very interesting story behind the construction of this observatory, considered as the largest stone observatory in the world.
Sawai Jai Singh sent his emissaries to all parts of the world before commencing the construction of this observatory. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals was a copy of La Hire's "Tables". The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in this manual. When the construction ended, for the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in La Hire's "Tables".
This morning after breakfast proceed to Agra, visiting Fatehpur Sikri En-route.
Fatehpur Sikri, is the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.
Upon arrival at Agra you will check-in at your hotel and a SITA representative will assist you to complete your check-in formalities.
Agra came into the limelight during the rule of the Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs - Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjahan. In modern times, the city of Agra is a thriving carpet industry where you can also find leather workers, sandstone and marble sculptors, some of whom claim to be direct descendants of the craftsmen who had helped build the Taj Mahal.
Later you will proceed to visit Agra Fort, where the ageing Emperor Shah Jahan, imprisoned by his son, watched from a distance the fulfilment of his life’s dream-the building of the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife.
Overnight at the hotel.
You will spend 1 night in Agra on a Bed and Breakfast basis
Travelling Distance approx. 235 km – Driving Time approx. 05 hours
The Taj has been so hyped through time that seeing it seems destined to be an anti-climax. But it isn't. The tomb's whiteness, its symmetry, its curves, majestic scale and exquisite detail are unreal.
Today early morning, proceed to sunrise visit of Taj Mahal, (Closed on Fridays). On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. Then you will be driven back to Delhi (approx. 04 to 05 hrs) to connect train to Amritsar.
On arrival at Amritsar, you will be assisted & transferred to your hotel.
Founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Amritsar (Pool of the Nectar of Immortality) is considered the centre of the Sikh religion. Now the second largest city of the Punjab state, it was once a junction of trade routes. The main attraction of Amritsar is the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh sites. The city itself is named after the sacred tank within this temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
You will spend 2 nights in Amritsar on a half board basis.
Note: Dinner is not included on Day 06, whereas we have included lunch at hotel in Amritsar on Day 08.
The temple is quiet, except for the sounds of the kirtan being sung. It is breathtaking; the calm, the beauty, the solitude... It just somehow continues to thrum with the same peaceful energy, its people serenely meditating and praying at all points along the compound.
Today after breakfast, you will be taken for a half day sightseeing tour of Amritsar. On a half-day tour of the city, visit the Golden Temple, the spiritual nerve-centre of the Sikh faith. Also called Harmandir, the temple is made of white marble and copper gilt with its dome covered with gold leaf. Within is the Guru Granth Sahib, holy book of the Sikhs. See the community kitchen (langar) where volunteers’ feed 30,000 people free daily. Later visit the historic Jallianwala Bagh, which commemorates the hundreds of innocent Indians killed or wounded by British bullets in the most notorious massacre under their rule.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to Wagah Border to witness the retreat ceremony. From Amritsar 35 Km on the road to Lahore (Pakistan), is India-Pakistan border, which is also known as "Attari(India)-"Wagah" (Pakistan) border. A visit to the border is an interesting experience, especially at sun-set, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force (B.S.F.) on the Indian side and The Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well-co-ordinated and spectacular display which compares very favorably with the changing of royal guard in London.
The sound from the bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause. Today this point is only land route to approach Pakistan and central Asia.
Later in the night you will be taken for the Palki Ceremony at the Golden Temple.
The best time to visit the Golden Temple of Amritsar is actually at night, when the Palki Sahib ceremony takes place. Dozens of devotees act as a human conveyor belt to carry the Granth Sahib (a shrine containing the Adi Grantha) from the main shrine to the sanctum, where it is kept until the opening ceremony the following morning.
Visitors may participate in the ceremony, taking their turn to shoulder the weight of the enormous shrine.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Amritsar to Delhi (by Train 1650/2305 Hrs)
Today enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.
Morning at leisure.
Lunch at the hotel.
Later, you will be assisted & transferred in your private car to Amritsar railway station to connect train back to Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met & assisted for your transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
You will spend 1 night in New Delhi on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
Day 09: - Departure Delhi
A representative will meet you and assist you to transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight back home. (Approximately 4 hours prior to flight departure time). The standard check out time at the hotel is 1200hrs.
Your Hotels —
All rooms sleep up to
2 Adults
Enjoy the premier service and modern comforts of The Suryaa, New Delhi. It features 244 well appointed guestrooms, several delectable dining options, a spa and outdoor pool.
Situated close to all of Jaipur's historical monuments, this hotel is ideal for sightseeing. Unwind in your cosy guest room and enjoy the five star facilities including a rooftop pool and spa.
Revel in the majesty of the Taj Mahal from the comfort of your bedroom at this luxury hotel near the iconic palace itself. Along with a fitness centre, spa and swimming pool, the hotel also houses a restaurant serving Indian classics, a lounge bar and a remarkable rooftop bar that looks out to the city.
Perfectly located in Amritsar's commercial district, you are just a short distance from the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. The stylish guestrooms are fully equipped with your choice of pillows, a media hub and a 32-inch flat screen TV. Kick back at the lounge with a coffee before heading out to the stunning outdoor pool, following this with a meal at one of the two restaurants - Ziva and Bella - serving Asian/Continental and Italian cuisine respectively.
Behind this hotel's grand façade, you'll find 385 plush rooms with premium amenities and free WiFi, diverse dining options from poolside BBQ to Pan-Asian fare, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and ORA spa.
Please note: If the hotels above are not available you will be accommodated in ones of a similar standard.
Your Journey —
Flights: All outbound flights are with Jet Airways from London Heathrow Airport at 20:45pm and will arrive at Delhi International Airport at around 09:55am.
Baggage amounts
- Hold is 23 kg
- Cabin is 7 kg
Transfers: Shared transfers are included as per the itinerary.
Please Note: The time of arrival is according to the local time
