Palaces & Sadhus – A Small group tour in North India
10 nights / 11 days
USD 1599 / person (excluding int. flights)
Detailed Program
Day 1 : Arrival at Delhi international airport and welcome
Evening : Welcome by our local representative at Delhi IGI international airport and transfer to your hotel for the night.
Day 2 : Delhi / Jaipur (260km & 5h)
Morning: After breakfast, depart for Jaipur, known as “The Pink City” and capital of Rajasthan, famous for its rich cultural and architectural heritage, including majestic palaces and magnificient forts & palaces like Amber Fort, City Palace showcasing its royal past. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and lunch.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, visit City Palace, a royal palace where visitors can admire impressive Indo-Mughal architecture, ornate courtyards, and colorful frescoes. The palace, mostly converted into a museum, also offers a glimpse into its grandeur of the past.
Then, a tour of Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds. This iconic monument, built in pink and red sandstone, is renowned for its honeycomb facade composed of 953 small windows, or “jharokhas,” adorned with intricate lattice work. These windows allowed royal women to observe street life without being seen.
Evening: In the evening back to hotel and dinner.
Day 3 – Jaipur:
Morning: Early moring depart with your guide to explore the street food of Jaipur. Taste some local delicacises like samousa, Katchori & lassi.
Laste visit to the majestic Amber Fort, located outside the city. Explore its sumptuous palaces built in the 16th century, especially the Mirror Palace (you can reach the fort by elephant.
A stop will be proposed towards the end of the morning, along with a visit to the exterior of the Jal Mahal (Water Palace). Lunch in a restaurant in the town.
Afternoon: Nestled in a serene valley near Jaipur, the Galta Ji Temple is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site known for its natural springs and resident monkeys. Surrounded by hills, the temple complex offers a peaceful ambiance and beautiful views, especially at sunset.
Late afternoon: Take a stroll through the historical lanes of Jaipur in an electric cycle rickshaw. A rainbow of spices, shimmering saris, jewelry, and leather goods will unfold before your eyes.
Day 4 – Jaipur:
Morning : Early start from your hotel for a Leopard Safari in the Jhalana National Park. Back to hotel for the breakfast.
Later in the morning : Visit the Gaitor Cenatophes, Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan is a tranquil royal cenotaph complex showcasing intricately carved marble memorials of Jaipur’s maharajas. Set against the backdrop of the Nahargarh hills, it offers a quiet retreat steeped in Rajput history and artistry.
Afternoon free for the shopping in the bustling markets of Jaipur. Evening gala dinner for the group.
Day 5 – Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (245km & 5h)
Morning : In the morning after breakfast depart to Agra. On the way visit of Fatehpur Sikri
Afternoon: On arrival check in to your hotel. After a breif relax visit the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This red sandstone fortress, built by Emperor Akbar, houses exquisite structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, and the Musamman Burj, where Shah Jahan spent his final days.
Evening: Evening free to stroll in markets of Agra and dinner at your hotel.
Day 6 – Agra / Delhi (240 km, Approx. 5 Hours)
Morning: Early in the morning visit the legendary Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous monuments in the world. Built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, this stunning white marble mausoleum stands as a timeless symbol of love.
Late in the morning depart to Delhi lunch on the way in a restaurant. On arrival check-in at your hotel.
In the evening visit of India Gate in Delhi is a majestic war memorial honoring the soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. Its grand arch and eternal flame make it a poignant and iconic symbol of national pride.
Day 7 – Agra / Delhi / Varanasi (by plane)
Morning: Early in the morning, departure for the visit of the Taj Mahal. A masterpiece of Mughal architecture, this white marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of its symmetrical gardens, elegant minarets, and precious stone inlays that decorate the monument.
The morning light offers a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal, with changing reflections and subtle hues. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then departure for Delhi.
Lunch en route.
Later, transfer to Delhi airport to catch your flight to Varanasi, the holy city of India. Also known as Kashi, Varanasi is the most sacred city in India, located on the banks of the Ganges River.
It is famous for its illuminated ghats and powerful religious ceremonies that attract pilgrims and travelers from around the world.
Late afternoon: Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, meet our local representative and transfer to your hotel.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 – Varanasi:
Morning: Early in the morning, we will board a local boat to cruise down the Ganges and witness the sunrise over this sacred river. Pilgrims will already be performing their purification rituals in the water. Some meditate quietly while others chant mantras. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Late morning: Visit to the Dasashwamedh Ghat, dedicated to soul purification, and the Manikarnika Ghat, known for cremation ceremonies. Return to the hotel for lunch.
Early afternoon: Departure for the visit of the Sarnath temple, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha gave his first sermon.
Evening: At sunset, attend the Puja (ceremony) on the Ganges, where Brahmin priests perform a ritual with flower offerings and oil lamps on the sacred river. Holding flowers in your hands, admire the spectacle from the beautiful ghats along the river.
Return to the hotel and dinner.
Day 9 – Varanasi / Delhi (by plane)
Morning & afternoon: Depending on the weather, enjoy a yoga session either by the Ganges or at the hotel, guided by a master Yogi — a spiritual experience for those who wish to participate (optional activity).
Afternoon: After lunch, transfer to Varanasi airport. Arrival in Delhi in the evening, reception, and transfer to the hotel. Free time to rest at the hotel.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel.
Day 10 : Delhi – Sightseeing
Morning : After the breakfast begin your exploration of Delhi with a visit to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. The mosque’s courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshippers, and its stunning architecture, featuring three large domes and two towering minarets, is a magnificent sight. The mosque stands as a testament to Mughal engineering and craftsmanship.
Head to Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. Founded in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahanara Begum, Chandni Chowk once housed the elite of the city. Today, it’s a bustling marketplace where you can experience the chaotic charm of Delhi, with its narrow lanes filled with shops selling spices, jewelry, textiles, and delicious street food.
Visit Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site, constructed in 1570. This tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s widow, Empress Bega Begum, was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, it inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. The tomb is set in a large, formal garden, divided into quadrants by causeways and water channels.
Later in the afternoon, visit Qutub Minar, a red sandstone minaret built in the 12th century, showcasing Islamic architecture from the Delhi Sultanate period.
Day 11 : Delhi – Sightseeing
In the morning transfer to the Delhi international airport to catch your flight back home.
END OF SERVICES
The Price Includes:
- A 21-seater bus spacious and comfortable for the participants and their luggage, with a driver and a english speaking tour guide.
- Experienced English-speaking driver (basic English); his meals, accommodation, and salary are included
- Accommodation in single / double / triple rooms with breakfast and tourist taxes included.
- Entry fees to all monuments and sites to be visited (as per the itinerary).
- Rickshaw ride to discover the Pink City of Jaipur and Old Delhi.
- Elephant ride to ascend to the Amber Fort in Jaipur.
- Street food tour in Jaipur.
- One jeep safari in the Jhalana National Park.
- Full board (excluding drinks) – Lunches and dinners.
- English-speaking tour guide throughout from arrival till departure.
- Domestic flights from Delhi / Varanasi/ Delhi.
- Two bottles of water per person per day available in the vehicle during journeys.
The Price Does Not Include:
- International flights.
- Indian visa.
- Drinks.
- Tips of driver, guides, porters, restaurants etc.
- Other personal expenses.
Your Hotels or Similar
- Delhi: Debenture Sarovar Portico****
- Jaipur: V Sarovar Portico****
- Agra: Royale Sarovar Portico****
- Varanasi: Radisson*****