ESCORTED INDIA TOUR INCLUDING HOLI FESTIVAL
To India - 15 Nights
- Destination:
- India
- Duration:
- 15 Nights
- Travel Dates:
- 22/02/26 to 09/03/26
From
AUD$7,950
Price per person
Package Details
Overview
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of India on this 16-day escorted tour, culminating in one of the country’s most joyful and colorful events—the Holi Festival. And who better to take you there and show you the highlights of India than our Indian specialist, Sean Fernandes. Sean, originally from India but now calls Australia home, shares his passion and love for India in an entertaining and humorous way, making this trip one of the most sought after. Sean not only makes it interesting but also offers insights that only a local can provide into what makes India so special. This tour takes you through iconic destinations including Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, and Udaipur. Along the way, explore grand Mughal monuments, sacred riverside rituals, bustling markets, royal palaces and embark on a safari in search of the Bengal tiger! The highlight of your journey is the Holi festival in Jaipur where you’ll take part in traditional festivities with colors music dance and local cuisine. This tour is based on superior and deluxe accommodation using private air-conditioned vehicles throughout. If you want to see India then this tour is for you!
Inclusions
- 15 nights accommodation on a twin share basis
- Meals as indicated (B, L, D)
- Welcome and Farewell dinners
- All sightseeing, excursions and transfers using an air-conditioned vehicle
- Monument / Temple Entrances during sightseeing tours as per the itinerary
- Food tasting walking tour in Old Delhi
- Rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi
- Evening Ganges Aarti Ceremony (with seats)
- Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges
- Rickshaw ride in Varanasi
- Two open- jeep safaris with a naturalist in Ranthambore National Park
- Jeep ride to and from Amer Fort
- Holi festival activity – includes local Indian outfit, herbal colours, soft beverages and sweets, pool, music, dance followed by lunch
- Boat ride at Lake Pichola
- Internal economy airfares: Delhi – Varanasi – Delhi and from Udaipur – Delhi.
- Tips for guides, drivers, helpers, airport reps, and waiters and porterage at hotels.
- Cooking demo with dinner at the home of a local Indian family in Agra
- All current applicable taxes
- Services of an accompanying English speaking guide
- Fully escorted by Indian Tours and Travel Specialists Sean Fernandes
NOT INCLUDED:
- Any International airfare, Visa fee and Travel insurance.
- Any meal which is not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions.
- Personnel nature expenses such as table drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc.
- Any beverage or hard/soft drink, tea coffee, camera/video fee etc.
- Any other service not mentioned in the above tour cost inclusions.
NOTE: This tour requires a minimum of 10 passengers travelling to be escorted.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DELHI (22 FEB)
On arrival you will met by Sean at the airport and you will then be transferred to your hotel for your three-night stay at THE LALIT, or similar, New Delhi.
DAY 2: OLD DELHI (23 FEB)
After breakfast, where you will meet other travellers, you will be taken on a guided tour of Old Delhi. Being the centre of Mughal power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets, and bustling markets. Visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid – one of the biggest mosques in India and take a rickshaw ride through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: NEW DELHI (24 FEB)
Today you will enjoy a tour of New Delhi, visiting Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutab Minar, considered by many as being the most perfect tower in the world. You will stop for lunch at a well-known restaurant in Connaught Place before continuing on tour to Gandhi Smriti, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (a Sikh temple) and local markets. Complete your tour with a drive past the Lotus Temple, Connaught Place – an upmarket business and shopping precinct of New Delhi, viewing the many government buildings, President’s House, Parliament House, and the India Gate War Memorial. (B, L)
DAY 4: VARANASI (25 FEB)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel TAJ GANGES, or similar, for your two-night stay. In the evening, you will be taken to the banks of the Ganges River to witness the “Ganga Aarti” ceremony that is performed by Hindu priests every evening at sunset. After the ceremony, enjoy a speciality dinner at Shree Shivay Restaurant – an authentic Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. (B, D)
DAY 5: VARANASI (26 FEB)
Early this morning you will be taken for a sunrise boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world’s oldest religions. Afterwards, you will visit Vishwanath Temple before returning to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the city where you will visit Banaras Hindu University and enjoy a Rickshaw ride in the bustling local markets. Today you will enjoy lunch at a local Indian Restaurant before visiting Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment and attaining Nirvana. After visiting Sarnath you will be transferred back to your hotel in Varanasi. (B, L)
DAY 6: AGRA (27 FEB)
After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to New Delhi. On arrival you will be met and transferred by vehicle to Agra. Overnight at TRIDENT AGRA or similar. (B, D)
DAY 7: AGRA – TAJ MAHAL (28 FEB)
Early this morning, you will be taken on a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view this outstanding piece of architecture before returning to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, you will be taken to see the Agra Fort and the tomb of itimad ud daulah. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your HOTEL. (B, D)
DAY 8: RANTHAMBORE (01 MAR)
After breakfast, you will be taken by road to Ranthambore, visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 as his capital but was abandoned 15 years later. After lunch, you will be taken to your hotel AMAGHATI WILDLIFE RESORT, or similar, for your two-night stay. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: RANTHAMBORE (02 MAR)
Enjoy thrilling morning and afternoon openjeep safaris with an experienced naturalist. The wildlife sanctuary is known for its tigers and is regarded as one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators up-close. Other major wild animals include leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital. (B, L, D)
DAY 10: JAIPUR (03 MAR)
After breakfast, you will be met by your driver and travel by road to Jaipur, where enroute, you will visit Abhaneri Stepwell. Stop for lunch before continuing to Jaipur. Three-nights at the JAIPUR MARRIOTT, or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 11: JAIPUR – HOLI FESTIVAL (04 MAR)
Today you will experience the festival of colours – Holi. After a leisurely breakfast, you will be taken to participate in the Holi festival celebrations with coloured powder, local performances, Indian sweets, music, and dance followed by lunch. After the celebrations, you will return to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. (B, L)
DAY 12: JAIPUR (05 MAR)
After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of Jaipur. Also known as the ‘Pink City’ it is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur was one of the finest planned cities in India and it is here you will visit the Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal. Today, you will also have the opportunity to shop in the local Pink City markets. (B, D)
DAY 13: UDAIPUR (06 MAR)
Today you will be taken by road to Udaipur visiting Pushkar en-route. On arrival in Udaipur check-in to your hotel THE LALIT LAXMI VILAS PALACE, or similar, for your three-night stay. (B, L)
DAY 14 : UDAIPUR (07 MAR)
Today you will be taken on a tour of the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahelion-Ki-Bari. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. (B)
DAY 15: UDAIPUR (08 MAR)
Spend the day at leisure. Relax at your resort or explore the city of Udaipur at your own pace. Tonight you will be taken to the Upre by 1559AD restuarant for a sumptous farewell dinner. (B, D)
DAY 16: DEPART DELHI (09 MAR)
After a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Delhi where you will board your onward flight. This will mark the end of your tour. (B)
Hotels
| CITY | DELUXE |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | The Lalit |
| Varanasi | Taj Ganges |
| Agra | Trident Agra, |
| Ranthambore | Amaghati Wildlife Resort |
| Jaipur | Jaipur Marriott |
| Udaipur | The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace |