Essence of India Tour

PACKAGE DURATION: 17 nights/18 days

DESTINATIONS COVERED: Delhi - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Bombay - Aurangabad - Bombay - Goa

-: Day -01: Arrive Delhi :-

On arrival in Delhi airport, meet with our representatives and after a traditional Indian welcome check-in at your pre-booked hotel. In the evening, drive to India Gate, the war memorial. Take a boat ride or enjoy the horse ride followed by drive through the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

-: Day -02: Delhi- Udaipur :-

Full day tour of Delhi starting from Raj Ghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and proceed to Jama Masjid- one of the largest Mosque in Delhi, Red Fort- the red-sandstone monument, and visit to Chandni Chowk, a popular place for ethnic Indian goods. Post lunch, drive to Qutab Minar, the most visited monument in Delhi and the tallest of its kind in the world before heading to Humayun’s tomb- one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. Later, board train to Udaipur and on arrival check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

-: Day-03: Udaipur :-

After a leisurely breakfast, tour of Udaipur, also known as the Venice of the east. Udaipur offers the best of Rajasthan tour, be it Hills, lakes, forest, palaces or forts. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola, followed by visits to the Fateh Sagar Lake, the Sajjangarh Palace and the City Palace Museum. Overnight at a Royal Udaipur Haveli.

-: Day - 04: Udaipur-Jodhpur :-

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur and upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

-: Day - 05: Jodhpur- Jaisalmer :-

Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, the dominant structure located atop a hill. Savour this 14th century Fort and many famous palaces inside including the Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and the Phool Mahal. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, the marble cenotaphs located downhill and follow this with a visit to the Famous Jodhpur Lakes-Balsamanand and Kailana. Later, leave for Jaisalmer and upon arrival check-in at the resort.

-: Day 06: Jaisalmer :-

Jaisalmer is the Oasis in the desert of Rajasthan, with the Desert Safari and the Royal Jaisalmer Fort being its main attractions. Morning visit to the Jaisalmer Fort, where almost half of the population still resides. Take a walk inside amidst the many shops, resorts, havelis and markets.

In the evening, a short excursion trip to the Picturesque Sam Sand dunes and stay at a desert camp. Watch the magnificent view of the sunset and enjoy the Rajasthani folk music & dance program in the evening. Overnight stay at the camp.

-: Day- 07: Jaisalmer - Bikaner :-

After a hearty breakfast drive to Bikaner, known as the Camel city of Rajasthan. Proceed to the bikaner sightseeing named after its founder Rao Bikaji. Fortified by walls on either side, enter through any of the 5 gates and explore the many forts, temples and Havelis inside. Visit the Deshnoke temple, Lalgarh palace and Bhanda Sagar. Overnight stay at Bikaner.

-: Day -08: Bikaner - Jaipur :-

Morning Drive to Jaipur- the Pink city and capital of Rajasthan. Explore the culturally rich city and its numerous royal Forts and Monuments. Visit the Amber Fort, famous for its ornate and artistic mastery and take a joyful elephant ride to reach to its entrance. Later, visit other famous sites including the City Palace and Jantar Mantar- a collection of ancient astronomical instruments. Overnight at the hotel.

-: Day -09: Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur sikri :-

After breakfast drive to "Taj City" of India enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 as the capital and later abandoned due to scarcity of water, the site is a marvelous display of Mughal architectural brilliance. Continue drive to Agra and on arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

-: Day -10: Agra :-

Visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the most magnificient structures of the world and a true symbol of love. Later, proceed to the Agra Fort, a Red- sandstone monument built by Shahjahan in 1639 AD. as the royal residence, which is now a World Heritage Site. Also, explore other famous monuments in Agra - Jama Masjid and Sikandra Fort.

-: Day-11: Agra - Jhansi - Orchha :-

After a leisurely breakfast transfer to railway station to board the train to Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi & drive to Orchha & transfer to hotel. Post Lunch, visit the famous Orchha Temples, built in 16th Century by the Bundela king Rudra Pratap. Later proceed to visit Jahangir Mahal, built in 1606 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir in 1606. Also visit Raj Mahal, Rai Praveen Mahal & Chaturbhuj Temple.

-: Day-12: Orchha - Khajuraho :-

Drive to Khajuraho, famous for the masterful depiction of the erotic sculptures. Built in a span of 100 years, from 950 AD to 1050 AD, the place consists of eastern, western and southern group of temples and are considered more artistic than erotic. Overnight at the hotel.

-: Day-13: Khajuraho - Varanasi :-

Transfer to Khajuraho railway station to board train for Varanasi and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free to explore Varanasi, also known as Banaras, the ancient city about which American writer Mark Twain wrote: "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." Overnight at Varanasi.

-: Day -14: Varanasi-Mumbai :-

Sightseeing tour to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon followed by a boat ride on the holy river Ganges. Other must –visits include Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and the memorable ‘Arti’ ritual on the riverfront in the evening. Evening transfer to the airport and board flight to Mumbai. Overnight at Mumbai.

-: Day-15: Mumbai :-

Mumbai as tourist destination has much to offer to the visitors. Visit the Prince Charles Museum, Marine drive, the Hanging gardens, the Juhu beach and Gateway of India. Overnight at the hotel.

-: Day -16: Mumbai- Goa :-

Excursion trip to Elephanta caves, a world heritage site located on Mumbai Harbor of the coast of Mumbai. Created by carving out rocks, these temple caves are dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva and dates back to 6th-7th century A.D. Later, transfer to airport to board flight to Goa and on arrival check-in at a resort. Night stay in Goa.

-: Day-17: Goa :-

Visit the famous Churches of Goa including the Church of Mae de Deus, Church of St. Ana, and St. Cathedral Church. Goa was under the Portuguese control for a long time, which contributed significantly in the development of many famous churches. In the evening, relax at the Goa beaches under a starlit sky. Dinner consisting of the choicest Seafood will be served with the local musicians playing the Goan music.

-: Day-18: Goa-Departure :-

A short excursion trip to visit the Dudhsagar waterfalls, one of the 100 highest waterfalls in the world. Located in the Goa-Karnataka border, the area also offers a nice picnic spot in its vicinity. Post lunch visit the Spice Plantations of Goa. Transfer to the Goa airport in the evening and board flight to your return/onward journey.