Day 01: Apr 11, 2020: Depart Vancouver (flight # AC 44) at 01:20 hrs.

Our India adventure begins as we depart Vancouver.

Overnight: Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (5-star), New Delhi (3 nights)

Day 02: Apr 12, 2020: Arrive Delhi at 04:00 hrs.

Arrival at 0400AM. Rooms blocked from previous night to allow for immediate check in at the hotel. Transfer to hotel. Morning rest time with breakfast included. The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. In the afternoon, we explore New Delhi and visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and Humayun's Tomb*, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, built in 1570. We continue to Qutb Minar and its Monuments* Built in the early 13th century the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art and two mosques. In the evening, we enjoy welcome dinner. (B, D)

Day 03: Apr 13, 2020: Delhi

In the morning we explore Old Delhi and drive past to the Red Fort Complex*. The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which, under the Shah Jahan, was brought to a new level of refinement and each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions.
We embark on a captivating journey on a Rickshaw passing through the narrow lanes of the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaar, it was originally built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his daughter Jahan Ara in 17th Century since then many changes have taken place however it remains Old Delhi's oldest and busiest markets. Finally end our rickshaw ride at Jama Masjid, Mughal majesty and India's largest mosque. At the end of the tour we have a refreshing cup of Indian chai hot tea with some local snacks. We then visit a Kashmir handicrafts centre. Evening free. (B)

Day 04: Apr 14, 2020: Delhi/Jaipur (Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Jaipur, the rose-pink capital of Rajasthan. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone. Remainder of the day is free.

Overnight: Trident/Jaipur (5-Star), Jaipur (2 nights) (B)

Day 05: Apr 15, 2020: Jaipur

This morning we are treated like the royalty of yesteryear with a ride to Amber Fort, located in a valley formed by a range of Aravallis known as Kalikho hills. The Palace and Fort are located on top of the hill with the city on slopes, and the valley protected by fort walls with four gates in the four cardinal directions. The construction of the fort began in 1592. The fort comprises of number of gardens, courtyards and palatial spaces derived from Mughal architecture and are a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture.
We return to Jaipur and experience the art of carpet weaving & block printing followed by exploring the majestic City Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art and the beautiful Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. We also visit the Jantar Mantar*, an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century that includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. It is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period. Balance of the day is free to enjoy shopping. (B)

Day 06: Apr 16, 2020: Jaipur/Ranthambore (Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Ranthambore, the former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Ranthambore National Park lies at the edge of a plateau, and is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are several lakes in the park. The rugged terrain and the dense deciduous forests are major features of this national park, which has amongst the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India. After a lunch at the hotel, we go on a safari through the National Park looking out for various indigenous animals, such as tiger, nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar, jungle cat, ratel, hyena, porcupine, the Rhesus Macaque and the black-faced Langur. About 150 bird species can be found here including migratory birds that arrive in winter.

Overnight: Jungle Vilas, Ranthambore (Jungle Resort) (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Apr 17, 2020: Ranthambore/Fatehpur Sikri/Agra (Drive)

Ranthambore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973.Ranthambore is famous for the famous Royal Bengal Tigers and spotting the big cat in its natural habitat can be an experience. In the morning, we take another safari through the park. After our morning safari and late breakfast, we drive to Agra en-rout visiting Fatehpur Sikri*. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, the City of Victory was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid and the artistically designed mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, Salim Chisty.

Overnight: Trident, Agra (5-Star) (2 nights) (B)

Day 08: Apr 18, 2020: Agra

We start our day with a sunrise visit to one of the most well-known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal*. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Situated on the right bank of the Yamuna in a vast Mogul garden, this funerary monument combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. After visiting Taj Mahal, we return to our hotel for breakfast.
We then visit Agra Fort*. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. We end our tour with a visit to some of the local factories famous for inlay work on marbles and witness the complex art inlaying precious and semiprecious stones on the world-famous Marbles from the mines of Makrana. (B)

Evening optional cooking session. You will learn how to cook Agra special Indian speciality. (Cost $ 100 per person)

Day 09: Apr 19, 2020: Agra/Delhi (Drive)

After a leisurely breakfast, we are driven to Delhi and transferred to our hotel. Evening is free followed by a farewell dinner at our hotel with overnight at the hotel.

Overnight: Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (5-star), New Delhi (B, D)

Day 10: Apr 20, 2020: Depart Delhi/Vancouver departing at 06:10 hrs. / Arrive Vancouver at 07:30 hrs. (Same day)

Early morning we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight back home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

The tour operates on a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 participants.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

Inquire About this Trip

Tour Application Form