India - Splendours of Delhi, the Taj Mahal & Rajasthan incl. Goa extension

Depart for Delhi, for a once in a lifetime experience to India.

Following our arrival in Delhi, we will be transferred with guide assistance to our hotel where we will spend the next two nights.

In the afternoon (pending our flight times this excursion may be the following day), we enjoy a guided excursion visiting New Delhi. Discover the 12th Century Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret standing 100 metres tall! This hand carved minaret has withstood the ravages of time for over 1,500 years. After our excursion we return to our hotel in time for dinner.

Dinner is included each night of your 13-night stay in India

Let's discover Delhi on a guided excursion taking in the highlights of bustling Old Delhi, beginning with a cycle rickshaw ride through the city. After our cycle ride, we visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi, where you can see an eternal flame burning at the spot of his cremation.  From here we go past the Jama Masjid Mosque (view from the outside) and on to visit the Bangla Sahib Sikh temple. There will be time to pick up some souvenirs and local bargains at the bustling and colourful market of Chandni Chowk. Later we visit New Delhi to see Hamayun’s Tomb, a beautiful 16th Century building and the tomb of the emperor Humayun. After drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the Indian fallen soldiers), the president’s residence and an interesting blend of Victorian architecture before returning to our hotel.

After our adventure we enjoy some free time to relax and unwind after a day of uncovering the highlights of Delhi

This morning we depart Delhi and transfer by coach to Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal! The journey will take approximately four hours (210km). We spend one night in Agra.

Let's see more as we discover Agra Fort on a guided excursion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Mughal forts in India. Built in the 11th century, era marked by invasions and battles, this red stone-fortified castle was the site of the India Rebellion of 1857. After our tour we return to our hotel. 

Let's savour more! Unwind and relish a rejuvenating cup of tea with the majestic Taj Mahal as our backdrop as the sun begins to set, casting a glow over this iconic monument. What a way to end our day!

Afterward we return to our hotel and relax for the evening.  Tomorrow, we have an early start!

This morning we depart early on our guided excursion to witness the sunrise at the one of the world’s biggest monuments to love. Morning is an ideal time to photograph this spectacular building when the lighting is at its most dramatic. This famous mausoleum, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his favourite wife, is a highlight for many visitors to India and it is easy to see why.  After we return to our hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast depart Agra for Jaipur the "Pink City". Today's journey is a full day and will take approximately seven hours (235km) with comfort stops along the way. En-route we uncover the deserted red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri on a guided excursion (located 40km from Agra). Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and it served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585.

We arrive in the evening to our hotel where we will spend the next two nights in Jaipur.

Today we enjoy a full day guided tour of Jaipur - known as the Pink City. We visit the mighty Amber Fort, a spectacular Hindu fort overlooking Lake Maota, before visiting the City Palace Museum, to see the beautiful former seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

In the afternoon we see the awe-inspiring Jantar Mantar sundial, and finally Hawa Mahal, also known as the ‘Palace of Winds’.

We return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of our evening at leisure after a day of discovering the splendours of Jaipur one of the gems of India.

Today, we transfer by coach to Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan the journey will take approximately six and a half hours (330km) with stops along the way.  On arrival we unpack and enjoy the afternoon at leisure, our local guide will be happy to suggest places to see and visit depending on your interests. Jodhpur is sometimes referred to as the 'Blue City' due to the brightly painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.

We have arrived! 

Let's stretch our legs on an optional leisurely guided walk through the village of Chanwa, Luni a district of Jodhpur. During our walk we discover more of everyday life in India, learning about the local community, their traditions while walking through the village. We finish our walk with a visit to a small local temple, before returning to our hotel.

Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and unwind after our journey.

Today we take a guided tour of Jodhpur, the home of the Rathore rulers of the princely state of Rajasthan. Discover Mehrangarh Fort, an imposing structure sitting on a hill, which was seen in the film The Dark Knight Rises. Our tour will also bring you to Jaswant Thada, a beautiful monument built entirely out of white marble.

After our morning visit, we return to our hotel.

Let's get together to experience a safari through the rustic and rural side of Rajasthan. We venture off road to look for wildlife, and birds that the area has to offer. Next, we discover more by visiting the local communities like the Bishniois, Rajputs, Raikas, and Brahmins and have a chance to interact with them in their villages. The villages are home to local craftsmen engaged in their daily lives, like potters, and weavers etc. We finish our excursion at a picturesque lake side, which will be our dinner venue. We savour a traditional Rajasthan Shikar dinner, in this past this was a celebrated hunting dinner, what a way to end our evening.

Today we transfer by coach to Udaipur also known as the city of the lakes. This beautiful city has been described as the “Venice of the East” and its centrepiece is the Lake Palace, which sits in the middle of Lake Pichola. En-route to Udaipur there will be a stop in Ranakpur, where we uncover one of the largest and most beautiful Jain temples in India. Today's journey is a full day and will take approximately six hours drive (269km) before reaching Udaipur, where we will spend the next two nights.

This morning we take in the beauty of the City Palace Museum on a guided morning excursion and soak up the atmosphere of the spectacular garden of Saheliyon-ki-Bari, which is brimming with lotus ponds, marble elephants and gushing fountains.

Later in the afternoon we take a leisurely boat cruise on the serene and beautiful Lake Pichola (boat ride is subject to availability of the water level in the lake).

Today we say farewell to Udaipur and our group, and transfer to Udaipur airport for your internal flight to Goa. On arrival in Goa airport, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and become familiar with your surroundings.

 *Please note that your extension in Goa is based on an individual rather than a group format.

Your flights tickets and timings will be given to you locally by your guide for Udaipur to Goa.

Let’s discover Velha Goa (Old Goa) the ancient capital of Goa. On our half day guided excursion, our guide will show us the splendours of this fascinating part of India. We visit two of the most famous churches today including the Basilica of Bom Jesus and home to the relics of St Francis Xavier. We will also pass the Se Cathedral. After we discover Panji, the capital of Goa, lined with small squares, lanes, and old quarters, where the Portuguese influence is most evident. We walk past the Latin quarters, home to stately mansions, and make a stop at the Immaculate Conception Church in the heart of Panji.

After our excursions enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Uncover more at our own leisure! Today we are free to explore all that Goa has to offer.  For those wanting to relax more; sit back relax on one of the many stretches of beaches and soak up the atmosphere. For those wanting to discover more, there is lots to experience from temples, churches, tea plantations, and vibrant Portuguese architecture, get those phones out for the Instagram shots! Goa is rich in history and a fusion of cultures, and a perfect place to experience the flavoursome dishes of the south!

Today is our last day at leisure, the perfect opportunity for last minute shopping, Goa is known for its aromatic and tasty spices don't forget to bring some aromatic spices home with you. Sit back, sip on some refreshing tea, and watch the world go by.

Today we say farewell with fond memories of our journey through India. Transfer from our hotel to Goa Airport for our return flights home.