Totally India

Welcome to India. Delhi is a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new, from lively bazaars and British-era boulevards to Mughal palaces, forts, temples, and tombs. Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, independently make your way to your hotel.

Delhi - Agra. Today we tour both Old and New Delhi. We visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful cremation site, India Gate and the President’s House from the outside, followed by the Baha’i Lotus Temple, a lotus-shaped marble sanctuary symbolising peace. We then continue to the Qutub Minar, a 240-foot brick minaret surrounded by an Indo-Islamic complex.

Later, we drive to Agra, home to the world-famous Taj Mahal along with a rich array of historical sites. Enjoy your evening at leisure. You may explore the city’s hidden alleyways and spice markets, take a cycle rickshaw ride, or dine at a local restaurant.

We visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. UNESCO describes it as the jewel of Muslim art in India. Witness how the monument’s colours shift with the morning light. Later, we return to the hotel and enjoy a marble craftsmanship demonstration.

Optional: Half Day Tour of Agra Available: Every day Departure Time: 11 am (pick-up times may vary) Meeting Point: Hotel lobby Begin your tour with a visit to Itmad-Ud-Daulah, known as the Baby Taj. Later, you visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed complex developed between the 16th and 17th centuries. Primarily built as a military structure, it was later transformed into a palace and eventually became the emperor’s gilded prison.

Agra - Jaipur. We drive to Jaipur, stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri, the short-lived Mughal capital built by Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1586. Although abandoned due to water shortages, its architecture remains a striking testament to Akbar’s vision.

Later, we enjoy a demonstration of gem-cutting and polishing. On arrival in Jaipur, we check in to the hotel. Known as the Pink City, Jaipur’s distinctive colour will be immediately apparent as you pass through the old city walls.

Optional: Authentic Rajasthani Dinner with a Local Family Available: Every day Departure Time: 6 pm (pick-up times may vary) Meeting Point: Hotel lobby After a traditional welcome, you learn about Rajasthani culture, cuisine, and festivals. Enjoy a home-cooked meal featuring classic dishes such as naans, lentils, curries, and dal-bati, followed by a local dessert.

We begin the day with an excursion to Amber Fort, built in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh. Set on a hillside, the fort’s design reflects both beauty and strategic strength. The complex of courtyards and halls is remarkably well preserved. The afternoon is free for you to relax or join an optional tour.

Optional: Half Day Jaipur City Tour Available: Every day Departure Time: 11 am (pick-up times may vary) Meeting Point: Hotel lobby Your tour begins with a stop at the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, built so royal women could discreetly observe street processions.

Continue to the Jantar Mantar, an early 18th-century astronomical observatory housing large-scale instruments of remarkable accuracy. You may also browse Jaipur’s famous markets, including Johari Bazaar, known for jewellery, textiles, and handicrafts.

Jaipur - Pushkar. Before breakfast, you may join an optional sunrise hot-air balloon ride. We then drive to Pushkar, a sacred Hindu city surrounded by hills and desert landscapes. Known for its annual fair held each November, Pushkar transforms briefly into one of the world’s largest camel and cattle markets.

Upon arrival, we check in to the hotel before taking a walking tour of the holy city. We visit Pushkar Lake and the 8th-century Brahma Temple, one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma. Experience a special Pooja ceremony at a lakeside Ghat with a local priest.

Optional: Hot Air Ballooning at Sunrise in Jaipur Available: Every day Departure Time: Approximately 5.30 am (pick-up times may vary) Meeting Point: Hotel lobby Enjoy a one-hour flight over Jaipur’s forts and palaces, including views of Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, and Shiv Vilas. This experience is subject to availability.

Pushkar - Udaipur. After breakfast, we drive to Udaipur, a lakeside city founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and often regarded as Rajasthan’s most romantic destination. Its setting among the Aravalli Mountains and manmade lakes adds to its charm. After checking in, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore or join an optional tour.

Optional: Sunset Cruise on Lake Pichola Available: Every day Enjoy a relaxing cruise past lakeside ghats and palaces before visiting Jag Mandir, a 17th-century island palace that once sheltered Prince Khurram, later Emperor Shah Jahan, and later offered refuge during the 1857 uprising.

Our day begins at the City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola. Construction started in 1559 and continued under several Maharanas, creating a harmonious blend of courtyards and gardens. The main hall is now a museum featuring royal artefacts and artworks.

We continue to the 17th-century Jagdish Temple, known for its detailed carvings, before exploring the Old City’s lively streets filled with art shops, tailors, and spice vendors.

Udaipur - Varanasi. This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Varanasi. On arrival in this historic city, we check in to our hotel. In the evening, you watch the Aarti ceremony on the ghats of the Ganges, a collective prayer where oil lamps glow along the riverfront as Brahman priests chant hymns and place floating lamps on the water.

At sunrise we drive to the ghats for a boat ride on the Ganges. This is when Hindu devotees gather for early morning rituals, including bathing in the river to greet the rising sun. We pass the cremation ghats of Manikarnika and Harishchandra, where funeral pyres burn continuously, reflecting the belief that dying in Kashi and being cremated by the Ganges brings liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

We return to the hotel for breakfast before visiting Bharat Mata Temple, known for its large marble relief map of India, the Durga Temple, and the marble Tulsi Manas Temple, where scenes from the Ramcharitmanas are engraved on the walls. We also see the New Viswanath Temple, one of India’s tallest, view the campus of Benares Hindu University and its museum, and see the mosque built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Optional: Half-day Sarnath Tour – (min. 2 people)You may visit Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s most important sites. It was here in the 6th century that Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, setting in motion the Dharmachakra, or wheel of law.

The Dhamekh Stupa, dating from the Gupta period, stands 43.5 metres high and features niches and finely carved floral and geometric designs. You may also visit the archaeological museum (closed on Fridays).

Varanasi - Khajuraho. Spend the morning at leisure before taking our afternoon flight to Khajuraho. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel. You may explore the town independently or join an optional tour.

Today we visit the Eastern and Western Groups of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built from sandstone by the Chandela rulers between 950 and 1050 AD, these temples are celebrated for their remarkable carvings, including some depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra.

Their remote location spared them from destruction during periods of invasion, and many sculptures survive in excellent condition. The temples reflect the artistic flowering that flourished under the Chandela dynasty, which made Khajuraho its peacetime capital.

Optional: Jungle Safari in Panna National Park (min. 2 people)(Available 16 Oct to 30 Jun)You may join a safari in Panna National Park, the largest remaining wildlife habitat in northern Madhya Pradesh. The park forms part of the catchment of the Ken River and is home to tigers, leopards, deer species, sloth bears, and more than 200 bird species. If today is a Wednesday, the afternoon safari is closed, so it can be taken the following morning.

Khajuraho - Delhi. After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. On arrival we proceed to our hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.

This morning independently transfer to Delhi International Airport for your flight home.