Day 01: Mar 14, 2016: Arrive Delhi

Arrival. Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Remainder of the day is free to relax.

Overnight: Sheraton New Delhi (3 Nights)

Day 02: Mar 15, 2016: Tour of New Delhi

The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. To give extra rest time we will have a late start for our tour of the New Delhi portion. The tour begins with a visit to Birla House, Mahatma Gandhi’s residence. Next we visit the famous India Gate followed by a drive pass the Houses of Parliament and the Connaught Place. After that we visit Humayun's Tomb*. The tomb was the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and was restored recently by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Next we visit the 13th Century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutb Minar with its adjoining monuments. Afternoon is free followed by a welcome dinner at the famous Indian Restaurant. (B, D)

Day 03: Mar 16, 2016: Tour of Old Delhi

Morning tour starts with Birla House, Mahatma Gandhi’s residence, followed by the Red Fort Complex UNESCO World Heritage Site in Old Delhi. Then we experience an exciting Rickshaw ride passing through the narrow lanes of the historical 17th Century Chandni Chowk Bazaar and we also visit Asia's largest whole sale spice market. The ride on the rickshaw will end at the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. We visit this magnificent and yet serene mosque built by the Mughals in 1644. After the visit to Mosque, we visit the one of the best local eatery joint called Karim's highly popular because of its exotic spices, delicate herbs with vegetables or meat. Those adventurous enough may try some mouthwatering Kebab's.  Next is the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Balance of the day is free for us to enjoy Delhi or take a shopping trip to the bazaars. (B, D)

Day 04: Mar 17, 2016: Delhi/Amritsar (by Train - Dep: 07:20 Hrs, Arr: 13:35 Hrs)

An early morning transfer to the railway station for a deluxe train ride to Amritsar. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel for a short rest before we are driven to the India-Pakistan Border. Here at Wagah, every day hundreds of people from both sides of the border come to watch and support their soldiers at the spectacular pomp ceremony for the evening flag lowering ceremony. This ceremony has been highlighted by many news channels across the globe and is a sight to see.

Overnight: Hyatt Amritsar (2 Nights) (Breakfast on board, D)

Day 05: Mar 18, 2016: Amritsar

Morning tour starts with a visit to Sri Harimandir Sahib, the Golden Temple - the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its construction was intended to be a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and from all religions to come and worship God equally. During the visit of the temple we will witness many ceremonies as well as see devotees in religious ceremonies and praying. After visiting Golden Temple, we then take on to the narrow streets, alleys of Old Amritsar. The walk takes you back in time as you witness traditional trades and crafts being practiced in the same place and in the same manner, as done for centuries. It is, however, the famous intricately carved wooden facades that will take your breath away. Next we visit Jallianwala Bagh, the site where in 1919 hundreds of Indian civilians were massacred on the orders of the ruling British military. Late evening, we return to the Golden Temple to witness the nightly holy book ceremony and enjoy the spectacular lights. (B, D)

Day 06: Mar 19, 2016: Amritsar/Delhi/Varanasi (Flight)

Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we take lunch at hotel near airport. After lunch we are transferred to domestic terminal for our flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi we are transferred to our hotel.

Overnight: Ramada Plaza, Varanasi (02 Nights) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Mar 20, 2016: Varanasi

Early morning sunrise cruise on the River Ganges for a photo shoot and a most serene experience. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every morning scores of pilgrims and priests fill the riverbanks bathing in the holy waters and performing various other rituals. This unique experience literally transports you to another world. Breakfast at our hotel and then we explore old Varanasi, visiting the Bharat Mata Temple, which houses a huge marble relief map of India; the Durga Temple and the Tulsi Manas Mandir beside the Banaras Hindu University. Walking tour of the old town and rest of the day at river for photo shoot.  Evening we go to the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti after sunset performed by devout Hindus – a very photogenic site. (B, D)

Day 08: Mar 21, 2016: Varanasi/Agra (Flight)

Morning we explore Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath contains Chaukhandi Stupa, a lofty brick structure crowned with an octagonal tower and the remains of several stupas, monasteries and Ashokan column are built from the 3rd century B.C. to 12th century A.D.in brick and stone. A short flight gets us to Agra – the city of the Taj Mahal. After checking into our hotel we 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 for the mines of Makrana. Evening photography of Taj Mahal from the river side.
A special treat for photographers! Evening Taj Mahal* under full moon light – the Taj”s pure white marble shimmers silver in the moonlight. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. The romanticism and sheer majesty of the structure is unbelievably true! No wonder why millions of people chose the Taj as amongst the World’s top wonders. Taj Mahal is monument of Love and to see it under the Full moon is a special treat. By local regulation this viewing is limited to 30 minutes.

Overnight: Trident Hotel/ITC Mughal, Agra (1 Night) (B, D)

Day 09: Mar 22, 2016: Arga/Jaipur (Drive 245 Km/ 06 Hours)

Now we get the sunrise visit of 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. It is a marvel of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. Plenty of opportunity the see the entire Taj Mahal complex and take photographs of the monument at our own pace. Don’t miss to get a professional photograph clicked at the Lady Diana’s spot. Breakfast at our hotel and then visit 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 for the mines of Makrana. Drive to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan. Check in at our hotel.  Evening we join the local festivities "Holika Dahan" on the eve of Holi. Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfire takes place on the eve of Holi. Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The bigger event - play with the color takes place on the next 'big' day.

Overnight: Trident Hotel, Jaipur (4 Nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Mar 23, 2016: Holi Festival (play with colours)

Playing with Colors on Holi known as "Dulhandi is a free-for-all carnival of colors, where participants play, chase and color each other with dry powder and colored water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their . The frolic and fight with colors occurs takes place in open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings. People come in groups carry drums and musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance.  This morning we are all dressed up in Traditional white Indian attire and leave for the venue where Holi Festivities are organized for us. The entire we get a chance to play Holi with Colors followed by lunch. After enjoying the festival of Colors, we return back to our hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Mar 24, 2016: Jaipur

Morning we proceed to Amber Fort for another exciting day. We are treated like Rajput royalty as we ride to the magnificent Amber Fort* on board an elephant. Located on a hilltop, the palace-fort contains gardens, courtyards and palatial spaces that are a magnificent example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. We return to Jaipur to visit the City Palace, with its collection of rare Indian art, the beautiful Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, with its intricately carved façade and the Jantar Mantar*, an astronomical observatory built in the early 18th century Next we visit Albert Hall Museum, situated in the Ram Niwas Gardens. Its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture is a combination of European style with traditional Indian elements. The museum has a rich collection of artifact like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, colourful crystal works etc. (B, D)

Day 12: Mar 25, 2016: Jaipur

Morning we enjoy a gem cutting and polishing demonstration as Jaipur is one of the world’s most noted gem producers.  Then it is year another exciting event as we visit Elefantastic for an experience with the elephants. We are introduced to the elephants, their language and learn how to feed them. Next we are treated to a home cooked vegetarian meal where the local families also join us. Next we go on elephant ride followed by face painting the elephants. A unique opportunity to photograph the elephants from so close range and also learn the culture of the life of the Indian elephants. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Mar 26, 2016: Jaipur/Mandawa (Drive 180 Km/ 4-5 Hours)

After breakfast we drive to Nawalgarh, founded in the 18th Century by Nawal Singh. It has some of the finest frescos in the Shekhawati region. A huge fort with colourful bazaar and numerous havelis with elaborate architecture make it an interesting destination.  On arrival we shoot prominent havelis of Nawalgarh like Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Aath Haveli, Hodh Raj Patodia Haveli etc. Lunch at the Roop Niwas Kothi we drive to Mandawa, one of the finest of the small towns in Rajasthan. Later we shoot and explore Mandawa’s famous "The Open Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan", visiting havelis, where the walls have been decorated with beautiful frescos depicting different aspects of the life in Rajasthan. Our overnight is at the historical heritage property.

Overnight: Castle Mandawa (1 Night) (B, L, D)

Day 14: Mar 27, 2016: Mandawa/Delhi (Drive 260 Km/ 06 Hours) & take onward flight

Leisurely departure for Delhi and we have day rooms at our hotel near the airport. Evening we enjoy our farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport for our flight back home. Checkout time is 2000 hours Most flights from Delhi Airport depart at around midnight. (B, D)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 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.

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