Day 1 - Arrival in Delhi:
Buckle up for an unforgettable trip as you set off on your Jet Airways flight to Delhi. Once you land, you will be welcomed by our friendly representative who transfer you to your hotel. After check in, you will be free to explore India’s capital, which is a bustling metropolis that successfully combines ancient monuments with modern amenities.
Day 2 – Delhi:
Be sure to wear comfy shoes today, to prepare for a busy day exploring the sights and sounds of Delhi. Your adventure will start with a drive past the magnificent Red Fort. Founded by Emperor Shah Jahan and just a few decades older than the Palace of Versailles in France, this fort took 10 years to construct from 1638. You will learn how it had the decapitated bodies of prisoners built into the foundations for luck, and is surrounded by an 18m-high wall. Next, you will wander through the narrow lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. You have the option of taking a rickshaw ride through the bazaars, and feeling the exhilaration of having the wind in your hair. You will also drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, which boasts ruins of an old fort from the 14th century. Later, you will explore Raj Ghat, which is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the afternoon, your adventure will continue when you will explore New Delhi by driving past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, and the India Gate. Last but not least, you will end the day on a high with a visit to the Qutub Minar, which is an impressive 72-meter-high minaret.
Day 3 - Delhi & Jaipur:
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel, before checking out and travelling to Jaipur. Be sure to look out of your car window as you make your way to the hotel, as you are bound to be amazed by this stunning city. It is known for its arts and crafts, jewellery, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures. Once you have checked-in to your hotel, you will have the evening free to spend at leisure. If you love a bargain, then head to the local markets and put your bartering skills to the test.
Day 4- Jaipur:
Unravel the breath-taking beauty of Amber Fort this morning, when you visit the hilltop fortress. Take in the stunning view as you arrive at the imposing fort. You can even arrive on a decorated elephant for an added spectacular experience. Get your camera ready as you explore this magnificent fort, which comprises an extensive palace complex, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone, as well as white marble. It is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. Either on the way there or back, there will be a quick stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. This elaborate building, which is now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, used to sneak views of the outside world. Then in the afternoon, you will continue onwards to Jantar Mantar, an observatory, built by Sawai Jai Singh ll in the 18th century. The Maharajah, a scientist as well as an astronomer, had the principles of Euclid translated into Sanskrit. Finally, you will head to The City Palace, which is built within the fortified area of the original city, with one of the finest monumental entrances in India. The Palace is now principally a museum housing a collection of great treasures, including miniature paintings, carpets, royal garments and other interesting objects from Jaipur's intriguing past. Interestingly, the former royal family still retains a part of the palace for their personal use. Then finally, you will head back to your hotel to spend the rest of the evening as you wish.
Day 5 - Jaipur & Fatehpur Sikri :
Wake up to a delicious breakfast, before setting off this morning to visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. It is of great importance as it was the capital of the Mughal empire between 1571 and 1585 during the reign of Akbar. After a fascinating morning, you will continue your journey to Agra. Once you arrive, you will check-in to your hotel. You will have time to freshen up before an afternoon visit to Agra Fort. Learn how its construction along the bank of the Yamuna River began by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Further additions were made by his grandson Shah Jahan, using his favourite building material – white marble. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan transformed it into a palace, and later it became his gilded prison for eight years after his son Aurangzeb seized power in 1658. Once you have loaded your camera with snaps of this landmark, you will travel back to your hotel for a well-earned rest.
Day 6 - Agra:
Get ready for the most spectacular morning of your life, when you wake up early to see the sunrise against the iconic Taj Mahal. It is widely considered to be the most beautiful building in the world, and today you will finally see for yourself how the Taj Mahal’s stunning architecture, garden design, painting, and calligraphy are all an embodiment of Mughal art. Learn how this epic site was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. At the time, specialists were brought in from as far away as Europe to produce the exquisite marble screens and inlay work - made with thousands of semiprecious stones. You will return back to the hotel for breakfast, before setting off again for a morning drive to Delhi airport to board a flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and to give you a sense of its antiquity - it was already an ancient city during the time of the Buddha, born more than 500 years before Christ. Archaeological evidence suggests that a settlement existed as early as the 12th century BCE. Once you arrive in Varanasi, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.
Day 7 – Varanasi:
This morning you will enjoy an early morning boat ride on River Ganges. You will watch the sunrise as you cruise along and see the lifestyle of the local people as they participate in holy worship. You will return to your hotel for breakfast, followed by a city tour of Varanasi. You will see the Bharat Mata Temples, which features a marble statue of Mother India - representing its mountain, plains and oceans. This will be followed by a trip to various landmarks including Emperor Aurangzeb’s Vishwanath Golden Temple, Varanasi Hindu University, and Durga Temple. In the evening, you will witness the Ganga Aarti on the Ghats of the River Ganges. This is a spectular display of water, flowers, lamps, incense, bells and various other ritual objects.
Day 8 - Varanasi to Delhi:
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel, before you checkout and are transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi. However, along the way, you will visit Sarnath, which is the site where The Buddha preached his first sermon in Deer Park. Once you arrive in Delhi, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel for a well-eared rest.
Day 9 - Departure:
Relish in a leisurely breakfast on the final day of your holiday. You may have an opportunity to go shopping to pick up a last minute souvenir. Later, you will be taken to the airport for your flight back to the UK. As you buckle-up, your mind will be buzzing with the amazing adventures you have encountered during your stay.
*If you would like to extend your stay or travel onwards to another destination, travel in a premium cabin, or upgrade your hotels, please speak with our highly knowledgeable Travel Specialists for more information.
