An unforgettable cultural odyssey awaits. From the iconic monuments of the Golden Triangle to the rolling hills of Darjeeling, let India’s myriad of colours, flavours, sensations and aromas take over as you discover this unique part of the world on this incredible 15 day package.
Visit Delhi’s Lotus Temple, Red Fort, Raj Ghat and the beautiful Jama Masjid Mosque; take in the colourful Chandni Chowk market by rickshaw; gaze in wonder at Agra’s Taj Mahal; discover the Royal Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal in the pink washed city of Jaipur. Be amazed by the spiritual city of Varanasi, tour the temples and cruise the Ganges. Journey to the majestic setting that is Darjeeling; witness a sunrise over Mt Everest from Tiger Hill and uncover the secrets of the local tea gardens. Explore Gangtok and be captivated by the surrounding vistas of Tsomgo Lake.
This incredible once-in-a-lifetime package includes return international flights, meet and assist transfers, 13 nights quality accommodation, 17 meals and so much more.
Premium options receive extra meals and hotel upgrades.
You can also enjoy this package as a private tour for an additional $500 per person, min 2ppl. (See details in Important Information)
Depart today from Australia for Delhi, India.
Upon arrival be met by a representative at the airport and be transferred to the hotel. Whilst room keys and check-in are organised, you will receive the ‘Welcome Folder’ documents and be briefed on the tour programme.
The capital of India, Delhi is a major gateway city for international visitors. It is a fascinating metropolis offering an intriguing mix of ancient sites and modern wonders, and also serves as the headquarters of Indian politics. Many of the heads of the Indian government, as well as other political parties, reside in the city, including the Prime Minister and President of India.
Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the night before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documents at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
Overnight: Delhi (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: None
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of old and new Delhi. The tour will take in Raj Ghat (where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated); Red Fort (made famous by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan); and Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) which has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Also enjoy a rickshaw tour through Chandni Chowk, a colourful shopping bazaar in Old Delhi.
Travel to Laxminarayan Temple, a site dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. You’ll also witness the India Gate, a 42m high war memorial and stone of triumph. The tour continues with a visit to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the palace-like building home to the President of India, as well as the beautiful Lotus Temple. Also known as the Bahai Temple of Worship, adherents of any faith can visit, pray or meditate at this dazzling architectural temple.
Overnight: Delhi (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
Following breakfast, travel to Jaipur, the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. On arrival in Jaipur check-in to the hotel. Instantly recognisable for its pink-washed buildings, a colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture, the city of Jaipur offers timeless appeal. It is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, where fighting for the honour of the clan has never been a need but a way of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a tradition from time immemorial. The beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas, are all worth a look. Together with Agra and Delhi, the city of Jaipur forms part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of India’s tourist circuit.
Overnight: Jaipur (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner
Today enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Begin with a morning excursion to the impressive Amber Fort. Located just 11km from Jaipur, the Amber Fort was the old fort of the Kachwaha clan of Amber. The building is constructed with white marble and red sandstone and all the more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The fort in itself is a beautiful sight to behold, with its clear reflection on the lake so beautiful, it seems like an illusion.
This afternoon take part in a city tour visiting the City Palace, a former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. You will also take in Jantar Mantar, the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh, as well as Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. This colourful palace was constructed for the royal ladies to watch royal processions without being seen. Also visit Lakshmi Narayan Temple, plus enjoy a sari and turban tying demonstration.
Overnight: Jaipur (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, depart for Agra. On the way, you will visit Chand Baori step well, located opposite a temple known as Harshat Mata Temple. Chand Baori step well is believed to have a religious connection to the temple, and that is why it was built in front of the temple.
On arrival to Agra, check-in to the hotel. Agra is the quintessential Mughal City, where the world marvels at the epitome of love, beauty and sacrifice - The Taj Mahal, one of the Wonders of the World. So overwhelming is the architectural triumph that Agra has been immortalised as the City of the Taj. As visitors walk down the narrow bustling streets, they cannot help but wonder, if the man contentedly smoking a hookah, is a direct descendent of some bygone Mughal.
After you have settled into the hotel, enjoy a city tour visiting the Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Besides the Taj, the Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort) makes an interesting sight.
Overnight: Agra (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
Early risers can take the opportunity to head to the Taj Mahal and experience the monument just after sunrise (not included), then return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast depart for Delhi (approx. 4 hours) where you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
The city of Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Called Benaras by the British, Varanasi is an important pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was a flourishing trade centre when Buddha came to Sarnath, about 10kms away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. Right from ancient times, Varanasi has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance and preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. Down the ages, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Varanasi in search of divine blessings. In the evening, witness the glittering Aarti ceremony at the Ganges.
Overnight: Varanasi (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
Enjoy an early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Varanasi’s temples. The banks of the Ganges, considered to be a sacred river by the Hindus is the centre of much of the religious activity that occurs in the city. The ghats built along the banks of the river for such religious activity also form a major source of attraction here. Some of the other interesting places you will see on the panoramic city tour are Alamgir Mosque, Durga Temple, Vishwanat Temple, Bharat Mata temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Banaras Hindu University and the Archaeological Museum.
In the afternoon enjoy an excursion to the city of Sarnath, just 10km from Varanasi. Sarnath is a highly revered Buddhist pilgrimage centre. It is believed that after reaching enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. The great Dhamek Stupa and several other structures stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time. The Chaukhandi Stupa is the place where, during his first visit to Sarnath, Lord Buddha met his first five disciples.
The area is a treasure trove of archaeological findings such as Dharmarajika Stupa and Mulagandha Kuti Vihar. The smooth glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha and the Lion Capital atop this pillar is now India’s National Emblem. Also visit the Pillars of Ashoka and a Tibetan Temple.
Overnight: Varanasi (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation where you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Delhi (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival, the representative will welcome and escort you by a private chauffeur driven transport to Darjeeling. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel.
Darjeeling is a famous hill resort offering breathtaking views of the numerous peaks of the majestic Himalayas. The clouds seem to whisper to one another here. The ranges of Kanchenjunga, stretching from horizon to horizon, are covered with snow from head to foot all year round. The views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest are particularly inspiring and viewing the sunrise from the famous Tiger Hill is a wondrous sight.
Overnight: Darjeeling (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner
Early this morning you will visit Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery. View the sunrise (weather permitting) and its reflection over Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga in their majestic glory from Tiger Hill.
After breakfast enjoy a city tour visiting one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern India. Darjeeling has an indelible imprint of the British in its lifestyle, garden tea-estates and its hotels. Visit the Race Course, Lablong village, The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and the house of Tenzing Norgay - the first Everest hero.
Also see endangered Himalayan wolves and red pandas on a visit to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. In the afternoon, a visit to a tea garden takes you on an educational tour of the entire process of tea planting to manufacturing. Darjeeling tea has acquired a name for itself; enjoy and taste some of the special tea flavours.
Overnight: Darjeeling (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast depart for Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim - the second smallest state of India. On arrival check-in to the hotel. Famous for its many important monasteries, as well as the picturesque views of the Himalayas, Gangtok is one of the important hill stations of the country. Here, see a smooth blend of both tradition and modernity. Located 1547m above sea level, Gangtok houses some of the most important Buddhist religious sites too. The peaceful Chortens or Stupas, old monasteries, and the unspoilt natural beauty of Gangtok offers a truly rewarding travelling experience.
Overnight: Gangtok (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner
Today visit the stunning Tsomgo Lake (subject to weather; route accessibility/conditions), located 35km from Gangtok, and at an altitude of 12,000 ft. Embedded in steep and rugged mountain terrain, the lake is covered with snow from early winter to late spring. Associated with many legends and myths, Tsomgo is regarded as holy by the Sikkimese. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour visiting Do Drul Chorten; the Enchey monastery, also known as ‘Solitary Temple’; The Namgyal Institute of Research; and the Tsuk la Khang, a depository of a large collection of scriptures and the principal place of worship for the local Buddhists.
Overnight: Gangtok (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast transfer to Bagdogra airport to board your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival the representative will welcome and escort you to the hotel.
Overnight: Delhi (Standard or Premium Hotel option)
Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner
After breakfast transfer to the airport to board your return flight back to Australia. Please note: some customers may be required to depart after midnight (technically day 15).
Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight
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