Incredible India

Depart Canada or the USA for a lifetime experience. Your international flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment.

Welcome to Delhi, a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling Havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings.

You will be met upon arrival at Delhi International Airport in the arrival hall by an Explore India representative, followed by a transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast – We will start our morning tour with a visit to 17th-century Old Delhi by visiting the Jama Mosque, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. Then we ride a bicycle rickshaw through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi that houses the spice market and jeweler’s lane and then we drive past Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We also visit Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s final journey.

Later, we will visit a Hindu temple followed by a dinner in the heart of Connaught Place one of the largest financial, commercial, and business centers in New Delhi. It is often abbreviated to CP and houses the headquarters of several noted Indian firms. The main commercial area of the new city, New Delhi, during the erstwhile British Raj, its environs occupy a place of pride in the city and are counted among the top heritage structures in New Delhi. It was developed as a showpiece of Lutyens’ Delhi with a prominent Central Business District.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, we start with a visit to India Gate (the war memorial dedicated to the martyrs of World War I), The President’s Palace – formerly Viceroy’s Palace, the Parliament House, and the Secretariat buildings – an interesting blend of Victorian and 20th-century architecture,

Later visit the majestic Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

Afternoon we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Qutab Minar, located in the district of South Delhi, this magnificent monument in red and buff sandstone is the highest tower in India. Built in the early 13th century, the surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu’l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.

Our final stop for the day is the serene Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, one of the most prominent Sikh shrines in Delhi. Immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance as you witness devotees from all walks of life come together in prayer and reflection.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, we leave for Jaipur, the origin of Jaipur’s nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings that rise at every turn. The city of Jaipur owes its name, foundation, and its careful planning to the great warrior, and astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Upon arrival check in at your hotel.

In the evening enjoy an authentic dining experience with a cultural Rajasthani traditional dance and music performance.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

In the morning after breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Amber Fort by Elephant. Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.

Visit City Palace – A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. Jantar Mantar – This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use. Hawa Mahal – The ornamental facade of this “Palace of Winds” is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-story structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, we will leave for Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Along the way we will Stop at Abhaneri – One of the World’s Largest Stepwells. Marvel at Chand Baori, a stunning 13-story stepwell with 3,500 symmetrical steps.

Later continue to Ranthambore national park, a true den of tigers, near the confluence of the lakes Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and Milak Talab. Apart from the Bengal Tiger, other animals that inhabit the park are Sloth Bears, Jackals, Marsh Crocodiles, Leopards, Gazelles, Indian Hares, Porcupines, Jungle Cats, Sambhars, Chinkaras, Mongoose, Nilgais, Wild Boar and Monitor Lizards. Birds can also be seen in huge numbers here. Arrive and enjoy your lunch.

The Ranthambore National Park is equally rich in flora. Trees like Banyan, Dhok, Mango, and Pipal are in abundance. Shallow lakes, gentle slopes, and plateaus dominate the landscape of the park.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your day will begin with pre-dawn coffee and biscuits before setting off on an early morning game drive in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger.

Return to the hotel for your breakfast.

Time permitting: We will visit the Women’s Crafts village and see local crafts and artwork made by village women. Local ladies can be seen working here using natural colors and environmentally acceptable materials. Patchwork, woodwork, and handloom are among the high-quality local crafts on display

In the late afternoon, we will return to the park for another game drive, ending our day just before sunset. Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, we drive to Agra, the city of the famous Taj Mahal.

On our way we will visit a local village to experience the day to day beauty of rural India You will have the opportunity to chat with the locals who will be very happy to have the opportunity to sit and chat with someone from such a faraway land. Later, continued to Agra before visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. This was the old capital of the Moghuls which was abandoned after 15 years due to the scarcity of water. Arrive and check in at your hotel.

In the evening, enjoy a live performance and fascinating play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into the history of Taj Mahal. The drama portrays the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is a series of plays depicting the true and immortal love of Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of the Mughal era; and the hardship of the artisans who worked for 22 years to create the most precious specimen of craftsmanship. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

We start our day at sunrise with a visit to one of the most incredible monuments ever built in the world, The Taj Mahal which is a mausoleum made of white marble, the monument of love. It was built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

Return to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will continue our visit with a tour of the city of Agra and then visit Red Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures. The afternoon is free to be spent as you wish.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After an early breakfast, we begin our 3-hour Indian rail journey to Khajuraho

The Indian Railways is one of the world’s largest railway networks, serving as the backbone of India’s transportation system. Established in 1853, it connects nearly every corner of the country, spanning over 68,000 kilometers and operating thousands of trains daily

Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel followed by lunch.

Khajuraho, the land of the Kamasutra. Arrive in Khajuraho and check in at your hotel. The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups belonging to the religions of Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The temples are decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. Overnight stay

Meals: breakfast and dinner

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the famous Chandela Dynasty Temples which are set in a lovely grass park. These temples are amazing – rising in many peaks and spirals, intricately carved, and designed with statues and friezes. The erotic carvings on these temple walls have made this one of the most talked about tourist sites in the country and it is, perhaps, unmatched anywhere in the world.

Later, transfer to Khajuraho airport and fly to Varanasi the religious capital of Hinduism formerly known as Banaras during the British Raj. Varanasi is home to one of the world’s most ancient cultures and is the oldest living city in India and home to one of the world’s most time-honored and mysterious cultures dating back to 5000 years. Its present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna & Asi. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

In the early morning, we leave for a boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) and cremation site. We will watch the sunrise on the riverfront from a boat which can be a spiritually uplifting sight. Life on the Ghats is bound in an endless string of rituals; ever-changing aspects of the river and the wide landscapes throughout have fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon we enjoy a guided excursion to Sarnath which is the centre of Buddhist learning and the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park and set in motion the ‘Wheel of the Dharma’. It is one of the holiest sites as it is believed that in this place the stream of the Buddha’s teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 16th century BC to the 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the museum. At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent India’s national emblem.

In the early evening, we will take a close look at the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by thousands of devout Hindus, listen to the chanted prayers as the rhythmic drumming fills the air and bells ring from temples across the Holy Ganges.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

Enjoy an early morning yoga session for 45 minutes to remove your stress and purify your body and soul. This class with be with a Hindu priest and a famous yoga teacher. Breakfast at your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport to board your flight for Kochi via Hyderabad.

Upon arrival, our Explore India representative will greet you at the Kochi Airport and then transfer you to your hotel.

Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. A root-conscious people of Kerala have preserved their past not only in the form of history books but also in the form of monuments and palaces. Places, palaces and institutions of historic value are being preserved conscientiously.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast proceed to visit Kumbalangi which is a village located 13 kms away from Cochin and is identified as the first model fisheries village in India. On arrival at the village you will board a country boat. You can see the village folk engaged in different activities for their livelihood. Later, enjoy a sumptuous lunch from the local cuisine. After lunch take a ‘tuk-tuk’ ride through the narrow country roads.

Later discover Kochi by visiting the Dutch Palace & St Francis Church which was built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama. It is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried, Paradesi Synagogue and local market. Visit Chinese Fishing nets.

Evening proceed to enjoy Kathakali dance performance at local theatre.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, drive to Munnar, where the amazing green space greets you. Munnar is breathtakingly beautiful, a haven of peace and tranquillity – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country.

Munnar is the gateway to the hills in South India. Munnar was the favoured summer resort of the British rulers in the colonial days.

Upon arrival check in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Relax and bask in the natural aspect of this place for the rest of the day.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, proceed for a morning sightseeing trip to Munnar. You will visit the Tea factory and plantation walk at Lockhart Tea Estate.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, proceed to Thekkady which offers diverse attractions like the Wildlife Sanctuary, Hill Station and Spice Plantation.

Afternoon visit to the spice plantation and market visit..

Meals: breakfast

After breakfast proceed for boat ride in lake Periyar the attractive Wildlife Sanctuary. The place where you go to view a large variety of wild elephants, deer, bison, boar, and more. There are also a large variety of birds to see.

Return to the hotel.

Afternoon nature walk at Periyar.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

After breakfast, proceed to Alleppey and board the beautifully decorated houseboats and begin the enchanting backwater cruising. The backwaters of Kerala is a unique product of Kerala and there isn’t anything like this anywhere in the world. Glide through the still and tranquil waters as you enjoy the serenity of this amazing part of India.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

Disembark from the houseboat and then we will begin the 2-hour drive to Kochi airport to board your flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport, you are met by our local representative and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

This concludes the tour. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, or if you are opted-in for an extension, your journey continues.