India
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Day One: Welcome to India
Arrive at Delhi International Airport to a traditional greeting of marigold garlands, followed by a private transfer to your hotel. After check-in, your guide will meet you at 2pm to explore the city on a private trip, starting at the President's House. You'll travel by tuk-tuk down the grand boulevard of Rajpath (‘King’s Way’) to the imposing India Gate, before wandering frenetic Connaught Place. Here, washermen (dhobi walas) soak hotel sheets, restaurant tablecloths and myriad clothing in the old-fashioned outdoor laundries tucked between the buildings. Have a drink at the perfectly-preserved, turn-of-the-century United Coffee House; or make a quick visit to the Gandhi Smriti museum, where Mahatma Gandhi spent the last days of his life. At 4pm, it’s time for a culinary trip by rickshaw, tasting some of the city’s best street food and heading behind the scenes to meet the chefs, bakers and families who have been providing fabulous food here for generations.
Overnight in Delhi
We offer a variety of hotel classes to suit different budgets. You can choose the style that’s right for you.
Select from Classic, Premium or Deluxe when booking, and click hotel name below for more details.
Classic - The Suryaa
Premium - Le Meridien
Deluxe - Oberoi New Delhi
Meals included: None
Day Two: Enchanting Agra
After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel at 6:45am and transferred to the station for the 8am Gatimaan Express train, scheduled to arrive in Agra at 9:30am. In the afternoon, it’s time to explore this buzzy city of monuments and markets, once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Make for its second most famous UNESCO World Heritage site first – Agra Fort. Originally built as a military defence in the 16th-century, this imposing, red-brick building was converted into a palace by Shah Jaden a century later. Admire the marble stonework and countless courtyards, then drive through the city, past bustling bazaars and through tuk-tuk traffic jams, to Itimad-ud-Daulah, an ancient tomb that’s often called the Baby Taj. Enjoy a free evening, before tomorrow’s early start.
Overnight in Agra
Classic - Double Tree by Hilton
Premium - ITC Mughal
Deluxe - Oberoi Amarvilas
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Three: Marvel at the Taj Mahal
You’ll rise at 6am, to visit the Taj Mahal in the glorious Indian sunrise, when its marble exterior is at its most beautiful as it reflects the rose and golden tints of the sky. A monument to love built more than 350 years ago, the Taj was commissioned by Shah Jahan to commemorate his third wife, who died in childbirth. It took 20,000 craftsmen more than 18 years to complete. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. You’ll be travelling 150 miles west to Jaipur. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the ghost-town capital of the Mughal dynasty, which was abandoned only a few years after it was built: the haunting 'ruins' are still in a pristine condition. You’ll arrive at your hotel in the early evening.
Overnight in Jaipur
Classic - Holiday Inn City Centre
Premium - ITC Rajputana
Deluxe - Rambagh Palace
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Four: Sunrise Streets and Evening Elephants
Capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is known as the Pink City thanks to its profusion of terracotta buildings. Rise at 6am, to cycle through its rose-tinted streets as they awaken. Grab a street-food snack (included) before watching a puja (Hindu prayer ritual) at one of Jaipur’s many temples. Afterwards, bargain for aubergine or okra at a vegetable market and breakfast at LMB, a restaurant famed for its sattvik (pure vegetarian) food. If you are still hungry, a buffet breakfast will be served at your hotel. Next, it’s time to head out of town to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds). In the afternoon, visit Jaipur’s star attraction: the City Palace and its accompanying museum, which contains a compelling collection of Rajasthani and Mughal art. In the evening, there is a very special event: you’ll leave Jaipur in the late afternoon for the 30-minute drive to the foothills of the Aravalli mountains and at dusk, you’ll enter Dera Amer wilderness camp, to be greeted by elephants. A local tribal guide will then take you through the jungle to an unforgettable al fresco meal, surrounded by the empty countryside.
Overnight in Jaipur
Classic - Holiday Inn City Centre
Premium - ITC Rajputana
Deluxe - Rambagh Palace
Meals included: Breakfast; dinner
Day Five: Holi Sunset Celebrations
After breakfast and check-out at 8am, it’s time to travel the 250 miles to Udaipur, ready for the start of the Holi Festival. Arrive at your hotel with plenty of time to check-in and freshen up, because you have invites to the incredible celebrations at Udaipur City Palace, where the Holika Dahan Ceremony depicts the story of good triumphing over the evil Holika (Devil). The ensuing parade, organised by the Mewar Royal Family, is a captivating spectacle of marching soldiers, rhythmic music and elaborate horse processions. As twilight descends and the atmosphere becomes even more charged, watch the lighting of the sacred fire and the burning of Holika. The ceremony will conclude with an exclusive barbecue banquet. Your guide will escort you to and from the ceremony, and you will be given seats from which to watch the spectacle.
Overnight in Udaipur
Classic - Udai Kothi
Premium - Trident
Deluxe - Oberoi Udaivilas
Meals included: Breakfast; dinner
Day Six: A Riot of Colour
It’s time to get colourful. Breakfast before 8am, because it’s time to return to the Mewar dynasty and begin the Holi celebrations – in their garden! Follow this exclusive and authentic insight into the festivities by joining the paint-throwing on Udaipur’s rainbow-hued streets. The colourful explosions of water bombs and powder paints earned Holi its moniker, Festival of Colour. You’ll soon discover that everyone is fair game: friend or stranger; man or woman; young, old; and, of course, you (we’ll provide disposable clothing so you can get involved without ruining yours). The action usually finishes around lunchtime, and the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure, perhaps stocking up on souvenirs at the city’s excellent shops.
Overnight in Udaipur
Classic - Udai Kothi
Premium - Trident
Deluxe - Oberoi Udaivilas
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Seven: Temples & Palaces
Take in the last of Udaipur’s sights on your final day. You’ll be collected from the hotel at 9am and start at the City Palace complex, a collection of several palaces overlooking the Pichola Lake, before exploring the city’s colourful markets and bazaars, as well as some of its ornate temples and serene gardens. You’ll bid goodbye to India with an afternoon boat trip on the calm waters of Lake Pichola, for photo-worthy views of the City Palace (boat trip dependant on the water level in the lake.) The trip concludes with a transfer to Udaipur airport. Please note: departure flight shouldn't be booked to depart Udaipur until after 19:30 on Day Seven.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 6 Breakfasts; 1 lunch; 2 dinners
What's included:
- Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers and train tickets unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
- Entrance tickets and permits unless stated otherwise
- Culinary street food experience by rickshaw in Delhi
- An evening with elephants
- Attendance and participation in Holi celebrations
What's not included:
- International flights to/from experience: call 0208 432 0885 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
- Optional extras listed
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the holiday
- We cannot guarantee the included hotel breakfast for early departures
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 432 0885
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London cost around £600 per person and take approximately 8.5 hours outbound, 12 hours inbound depending on exact flight configurations and layover times.
For this particular experience, the best option is normally to book a multi-stop flight from London - New Delhi - Udaipur - London.
Experience start point: New Delhi (DEL). Arrive by 11am on 16th March 2019.
End point: Udaipur (UDR). Suggested departure after 19.30.
Prices for departures to 30th October include a 20% Pioneers Club discount and are subject to Pioneers Club terms & conditions. Click here for more information about the Pioneers Club.
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