India, with its diversity of colours, culture and heritage, is one of the world's most inspiring destinations. Explore the charms of Delhi, see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, search for tigers in Ranthambore and soak up the extravagance of Rajasthan on one extraordinary itinerary.
Cruise on Lake Pichola - Admire the magical city of Udaipur, full of glorious, romantic architecture, from the perfect vantage point – a boat cruising the waters of Lake Pichola.
Pushkar Walking Tour - Immerse yourself in local life with a walking tour through Pushkar's bustling market, admiring the enormous range of fresh produce, colourful textiles and interesting souvenirs!
Carpet Weaving Demonstration - Visit a workshop hidden in the bustling backstreets of old Jaipur to catch a glimpse of the age-old art of carpet-weaving, a fascinating artistry still practised the traditional way.
Delhi (3N) - Jaipur (2N) - Pushkar (1N) - Udaipur (2N) - Bundi (1N) -Ranthambore (2N) - - Agra (1N)
Day 1: Fly To Delhi
Fly to Delhi, India's rambunctious capital. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Includes: Dinner
Day 2: Discover Delhi
A city equally chaotic and charming, Delhi grabs hold of you and doesn't let go! Spend the day exploring the sights of Old and New Delhi: pass the colossal Red Fort, visit India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid, and take a rickshaw to Asia's largest spice market. Cross over into New Delhi to make a brief stop at India Gate, and visit Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Travel To Jaipur
Embark on a scenic 6-hour drive to Jaipur. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before checking in at your hotel. In the afternoon, visit two of the city's top attractions. Explore the majestic Maharaja's City Palace, which still serves as the residence of the city's royal family. Then, marvel at the fascinating Jantar Mantar Observatory, a collection of extraordinary instruments designed to measure celestial phenomena.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Explore Jaipur
Begin the day with a brief photo stop at Hawa Mahal, the iconic 'Palace of the Winds', before travelling out of the city to admire the majestic Amer Fort, the colossal 16th-century yellow and pink sandstone fort just 11 kilometres out of Jaipur. Back in the city, head to a craft centre to learn about traditional artistries such as block printing and carpet weaving.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Travel To Pushkar
In the morning, embark on a 3-hour transfer to Pushkar. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the vibrant local markets and admire the sacred Brahma Temple, one of the few in the world dedicated to the deity many Hindus believe is the creator of the universe.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Pushkar To Udaipur
Drive approximately 6 – 6.5 hours to Udaipur. Enroute you will stop at Nathdwara for lunch. Upon arrival, the rest of the day Is at leisure to relax.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Explore Udaipur
Embark on an exploration of Udaipur today, beginning with a scenic drive around Fateh Sagar Lake. Immerse yourself in the rich culture at the Folk Museum and Mewar Art Gallery, followed by a visit to the magnificent City Palace. Conclude the day with a delightful cruise on the serene waters of Lake Pichola, taking in the picturesque views that Udaipur has to offer.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Visit Chittor Fort
On your journey to Bundi, make a stop to explore the majestic Chittor Fort and the impressive Vijay Stambh. Chittor Fort, one of the largest forts in India, proudly stands atop a hill, providing a breathtaking view of the town of Chittorgarh. Marvel at the grandeur and historical significance of this magnificent fortress before continuing your travels to Bundi.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Bundi To Ranthambore National Park
Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast and immerse yourself in the charm of Bundi. Explore its intriguing step wells and uncover the historical wonders of Taragarh Fort. Later, embark on a scenic 3-hour drive to Ranthambore, where you will check into your hotel and prepare for your wildlife adventure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Ranthambore National Park
Enjoy both morning and afternoon canter safaris through the national park, keeping your eyes peeled for tigers! There are around 50 majestic Bengal tigers that are living amongst Ranthambore's undulating landscapes, as well as leopards, nilgai, sloth bears, wild boar, hyena and over 300 species of bird.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Travel To Agra
Embark on a scenic 6-6.5 hour journey to Agra, with a captivating stop enroute at Fatehpur Sikri. Explore the Tomb of Chisti and the exquisite Panchal Mahal Palace. Upon reaching Agra, check into your hotel for your stay.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Taj Mahal And Agra Fort
Wake early to see the sun rise over India's most iconic sight. At dawn, when the crowds are at their thinnest, the Taj Mahal is often swathed in mist and tinged pink by the rising sun – seeing it is a magical experience. Visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah, nicknamed the Baby Taj, before continuing to the impressive Agra Fort. Travel back to Delhi where you will check in at your hotel followed by the farewell dinner.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 13-14: Fly Delhi To Australia
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Vasant Continental - New Delhi, India
Located just a short walk from Basant Lok Shopping Complex, the 4* Vasant Continental located in New Delhi offers a wide range of fantastic facilities, from an outdoor swimming pool, fitness facilities as well as a 24-hour restaurant serving flavours from around the world. Accommodation is spacious, with modern décor and amenities including a mini-bar and safety deposit box.
Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur - Jaipur
Located on the edge of Jaipur’s centre, the Four Points by Sheraton is a bright modern hotel with an excellent range of facilities. As well as a large outdoor pool, there is also a fitness centre and spa to help you relax. The hotel restaurant serves both local and Western dishes buffet style whilst there is also a bar for a few refreshing beverages. Rooms are simple and comfortable and boast flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, floor to ceiling windows with city or Aravali Hills views, en suite bathroom with shower, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and safety deposit box.
Jagat Palace - Pushkar, India
Situated on the outskirts of Pushkar, Jagat Palace Hotel offers a splendid view of the biggest sand dune of the Thar Desert and the massive Snake Mountain. This heritage property maintains 85 en-suite rooms, all providing air-conditioning and a mini bar. The hotel also boasts Kerala Ayurvedic Massage, a laundry service and delicious continental cuisine.
Hilltop Palace - Udaipur, India
Hotel Hilltop Palace is situated atop Ambavgarh Hill, overlooking Lake Fatehsagar and the historic Udaipur Town. The hotel offers 62 tasteful rooms with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, a safety deposit box and television. The hotel boasts an on-site restaurant serving Northern Indian cuisine, as well as Rajasthani Folk dances arranged on request.
Bundi Hadoti Palace - Bundi
Housed in a grand colonial building in the heart of Bundi, the Hadoti Palace is just a mile from the fort and has views over Taragarh Fort. Nestled amongst landscaped lawns and with an outdoor pool, the hotel also has a vintage car museum to enjoy! The on-site restaurant serves Rajasthani and India food as well as a few international options and has a business centre and Wi-Fi in the lobby. Rooms are bright and spacious with air-conditioning, television, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge and an en suite bathroom with bath.
Shergarh - Ranthambore, India
Located a short distance from Ranthambhore National Park, also know as the Tiger inhabited wildlife sanctuary of Rajasthan, the 4* Shergarh makes for a fantastic hotel boasting stunning views of the wilderness. The hotel also offers guests a range of facilities, including a tranquil swimming pool, a relaxing spa and steam room.
Clarks Shiraz - Agra, India
Overlooking the Taj and Agra Fort, The 5* Hotel Clarks Shiraz, is located 2 km from the Taj Mahal, in the heart of Agra. Spread over 8 landscaped acres, the hotel comprises of 237 fully renovated en-suite rooms, with modern amenities including a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and minibar.The hotel also offers an array of delicious cuisine, ranging from Mughlai, Continental, and Chinese at its various restaurants.
ITC Welcomhotel Dwarka - New Delhi, India
Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the International & Domestic Airports in New Delhi, the 4* ITC Welcomhotel Dwarka embodies the vibrant and warm nature of the capital. The hotel is also home to a number of restaurants, boasting cuisines from around the world, as well as a swimming pool, fitness facilities and much more.
When is the best time to visit India? The best time to visit is from November to March when you'll experience pleasant warm dry days and low humidity.
Tipping: Customary tipping amount of approximately US$90pp (AU$130pp) is paid locally in India.
Visas: Entry visas are required by all visitors to India. Please be advised that your passport must have at least six months validity left on it when you arrive back into Australia.
Transport:
Coaches: Coaches with air conditioning are used on our group tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary. Due to Indian Government regulations the use of curtains, tinted glass windows are prohibited across India. Main and inner-city roads in India have a reputation for being very congested. For this reason, it may not always be possible to return to your hotel after sightseeing to freshen up before going to the restaurant for dinner. Roads in India have generally been improved over recent years, but traffic and/or weather conditions may extend driving times. Road construction work usually covers an enormous section of road - not just one or two kilometres as you may be used to. For this reason, the timings listed in the sections above are approximations only.
Air: Internal flights are based on economy class, with reputable airlines. Pre-flight seat allocation is not available on international and internal flight sectors.
Fitness: This is rated as a physical level 2 tour and requires walking, some steps and extended time on your feet. A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats. Download the detailed tour dossier for details of your chosen tour.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.