India's Treasures

For details on availability, departure dates and additional tour information, contact 01943 605999 or info@simplygroups.co.uk

 

Day 1: Delhi, India- Discover the rare beauty and vibrant culture of India as you travel from lively Delhi to colourful Jaipur and on to the historic city of Agra. Welcome to Delhi, India’s capital city. Made up of seven ancient cities, today it remains a cultural melting pot.

Day 2: Delhi -Immerse yourself in India’s bustling capital during a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Discover the history of Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Explore Old Delhi’s narrow streets by rickshaw, the traditional mode of transportation, during an exhilarating food tour. Travelling down narrow streets and corridors, see plates bursting with colour as you interact with local vendors and taste some of the best food India has to offer. Enjoy some leisure time to explore independently. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Delhi- Following breakfast, visit Humayun's tomb, built by the widow of a great Mughal Emperor. Drive past the India Gate war memorial, the Parliament and the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan – the President's residence. Proceed to the holy shrine of Sikhs, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.* Originally a bungalow owned by Raja Jai Singh, this huge complex features a devotion centre, a large pond for the holy dip, a missionary school, an art gallery, a charitable hospital, and a free kitchen – called Langar (community dining). Hear the holy hymns recited by the priests as you marvel at the beautiful gilded structure. At the community dining hall, get a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into feeding 10,000 people each day.

Day 4: Delhi – Jaipur- Depart for a scenic drive through the countryside to the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Later, head out for a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, home to a former Maharaja, with its impressive façade of 953 windows. Then it’s on to the City Palace, the residence of the Royal family of Jaipur. Stroll through the gardens and courtyards and delight in the intricate decorative art and carved doorways.

Day 5: Jaipur - Board a vintage jeep and ascend to the top of the majestic Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and India’s former seat of power. Visit a local school** where the children are part of a midday programme. Tap into local customs during lunch when you learn about turban and sari tying. This evening, sit down to dinner at the home of a local family and learn more about Indian culture and their traditions.

Day 6: Jaipur- This morning, participate in a relaxing yoga class and learn basic exercises and breathing techniques from a local. Then travel to the quaint village of Samode, nestled among rugged hills that are dominated by its famous palace. Have time on your own to wander through this interesting village that exudes a rare nostalgic charm, explore its many treasures, and interact with the locals to learn about their daily lives. Then gather for lunch at Samode Bagh, a private garden retreat of the Royal family.

Day 7: Jaipur – Agra- Continue your journey to Agra, a city rich with the splendours of the past. En route, stop in Abhaneri village to visit Chand Baori, one of the largest and most beautiful stepwells in the world. Built during the 8th and 9th centuries, this amazing feat of engineering has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry that descend to the bottom of the well.

Day 8: Agra - Behold one of the most impressive sites in the world – the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build in the 17th century, this wonder of the world was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Then, after breakfast, discover Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 11th century. Stand in awe of this sprawling fort that was built as a military structure but later transformed into a palace. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a special farewell dinner at a restaurant popular with locals.

Day 9: Agra - Delhi -Tour Ends

All Long Haul destination tours are operated by The Big Journey Company a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and ATOL number T7282. Financial Protection: The flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please request this and check to ensure that everything you have booked (flights, hotels and other services) are detailed. Please see The Big Journey Company  booking conditions for further information or go to WWW.ATOL.ORG.UK for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate.