India in Two Weeks

Day 1:Welcome to India
Welcome to Delhi! Your tour starts here in the capital city of India. You are welcome to arrive at any time, but please note that there will be a pre departure meeting around 6pm tonight where you will meet your tour leader and group.India's bustling capital has a population of almost 13 million and is bound to be a city that keeps you on your toes no matter what time of day it is. Many dynasties have ruled here and they have all left their own legacies in the architecture, culture and monuments. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt seven times in its long history. You can visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum or the infamous Red Fort, or maybe make your way to Humayun's Tomb in south Delhi, near Hazrat Nizamuddin station, one of Delhi's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A popular way to discover Delhi for many people is to take a bicycle rickshaw around the city - an experience in itself.Tonight you will enjoy an evening walking tour of the Karol Bagh Market. Walk the rows of vendors as you take in the colourful products and exotic smells. As one of the most popular markets in the city, it's a fantastic introduction to the endearing chaos of India.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.

Day 2:Delhi - India's Capital City
This morning you will set out on an Old Delhi walking tour where your group will visit some of the most popular sites in the city. You'll visit the Jami Masjid mosque, one of the largest and most impressive in the whole of India. Learn about its history, construction and importance as you explore the area. You will walk to the India Gate, a memorial dedicated to the thousands of soldiers in the British Indian Army who lost their lives during the first world war, before also visiting a Sikh temple. The full walking tour will take around five hours with your tour leader pointing out numerous points of interest along the way.The rest of the afternoon is free for you to further explore the city.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 3:Jodhpur - The Blue City
Leaving Delhi behind you head to the next destination - Jodhpur. You'll take a short 1 hour flight to ensure plenty of time is spent enjoying the city and its sights.Jodhpur is Rajasthan's second largest city, dominated by its spectacular Mehrangarh fort. Located in Western Rajasthan, you'll see endless golden dunes, camels slowly trekking into the distance and desert landscapes as far as the eye can see. After checking in and enjoying some time for lunch, you will visit the Mehrangarh fort. Built in 1459, the structure is perched 125 metres above the city which makes it hard to miss no matter where you are. It holds a museum which displays an extensive range of royal memorabilia and offers cultural performances showcasing local art and music. You'll then visit the beautiful Jaswant Thada cenotaph. Constructed in 1899, the mausoleum was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in memory of his father. The structure was built using marble and the polished exterior shimmers beautifully when illuminated by the sun.You will then have the rest of the day free to explore.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at K.P Heritage Haveli or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 4:Jodhpur
After an early start to beat the heat of the day you'll walk around the "blue city" - an area where 80% of the houses are painted blue. Walk amongst the beautifully painted buildings and learn about the area from your tour leader.You will have ample free time for sightseeing. There are many optional excursions and activities that you can try if you feel like involving yourself with the local culture and tradition, why not try a cooking, art or Hindi class? You can also choose to visit the old city with its stone temples and lively markets. Or take a wander through the new city, which houses several palaces, such as the art-deco Umaid Bhawan Palace, museums, or the Kaman art gallery for contemporary Indian art.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at K.P Heritage Haveli or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 5:Jaipur - The Pink City
This morning you'll catch a train to Jaipur. Jaipur is Rajasthan's capital and most visited city and is a bustling, lively destination. Known as the "pink city" because of its wash of beautiful terracotta buildings peppered throughout, Jaipur has a number of popular attractions including the Amber Palace and the Hawa Mahal. After checking in you will enjoy a visit to the City Palace and a walk around the city centre.You will have the remainder of the afternoon free.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Jai Niwas or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 6:Jaipur - Amber Fort & Birla Temple
Today there is free time to view the city independently. Make sure you check out the Old City with its bazaars, palaces and havelis. There's also the popular Nahargarh (Tiger Fort) which is a small fort with towering walls. You may also wish to go on a group visit to Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) which is one of Jaipur's most famous attractions - a five storey high Baroque- like structure built to enable the veiled ladies of the harem to observe the street scenes below, out of sight of the people below.You could shop for souvenirs and look out for the Meenakaari (enamel work) and Kundankari (inlay work with gems), which are the two styles of jewellery made by local artisans. Alternatively you could wander around the old city taking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Jai Niwas or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 7:Agra & The Taj Mahal
Today you'll travel by train to the industrial city of Agra, steeped in history and tradition, and home to the world-famous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal never ceases to amaze those who visit to marvel at what is possibly the greatest testimonial to love and romance ever built. It was commissioned between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. This afternoon you will visit the Taj Mahal on a guided tour with time to witness the sunset over this magical place.The evening is yours to relax or explore at your own pace.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sidhartha or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 8:Agra
Today you have a free day in Agra. We recommend getting up early to watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal - a truly incredible sight. You might also like to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years.There is more to Agra than monuments of love, and other popular attractions include the Agra Fort and Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sidhartha or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 9:Historical Orchha
Continuing the adventure, this morning you'll catch a train to Orchha, home to some incredible architectural feats such as the Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj temple and Shri Ram Raja Mandir. Orchha translates to "hidden palace" and the name doesn't disappoint - it truly is a hidden gem in India and a must visit for viewing some of the most unique architecture in the country. After check in you'll start exploring the city on a heritage walk.You can also visit the beautiful Fort. Built by the first King of Orchha in 1501, it was built on the banks of the Betwa River, surrounded by a battlement wall. It consists of intricate temples and a roof with eight domes on top. Along with the fort there are several other temples to enjoy or sit back and relax on the river.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in a guesthouse at Hotel Aditya or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 10:Orchha & Sleeper Train Experience
You have the morning and early afternoon in Orchha before catching the overnight train to Varanasi in the early evening. First on the agenda is a visit to the impressive Jahangir Mahal Citadel. Dating back to the 17th century A.D, the detailed building was constructed as a symbol of welcoming the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Adorned with tiles, hanging balconies, apartments and porches, the citadel is three storeys of intricate and beautiful architecture. Learn more about the history as you explore the area with your leader.You'll then have some free time before meeting for the overnight train. If you have already ticked off the main temples, spend some time walking around the city taking in the atmosphere and popping into local markets. You never know what you might discover.
Accommodation:1 night(s) on overnight sleeper trains . No single room upgrade available.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 11:Varanasi - India's Oldest City
Arriving early your group will head straight to the hotel to drop off luggage. Varanasi is one of India's most holy cities and attracts many Hindu pilgrims. Just walking through the streets you'll start to soak up the history and tradition that is engrained deeply within the city walls.You'll join the crowds along the holy ghats (steps leading down to the water) lining the sacred Ganges where pilgrims take a purifying dip in the river. You will also enjoy an early evening boat trip to view the river in all its glory and learn about why it's such a significant part of people's lives here. To end the day's activities, you'll witness an evening Puja ceremony fire ritual. This Buddhist ceremony is a regular and important occurrence and ranges from simply daily rites to elaborate rituals where offerings are made to the gods.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Siddharth Varanasi or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.

Day 12:Varanasi - River Ganges and the Ghats
Today is a full free day to enjoy Varanasi. Optional excursions include boating in the River Ganges or taking an afternoon trip to Sarnath. Sarnath is a Buddhist pilgrim spot located around 10 kilometres from the city. It's known as being the first location that the Buddha preached after gaining enlightenment.You could also spend time wandering through the old city with its maze of narrow alleyways, and visit the temples of one of the oldest and longest inhabited cities in the world.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Siddharth Varanasi or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 13:Return to Delhi
You will return to the airport and fly back to Delhi where the tour will come to and end. Please note a tour leader will not accompany you on this flight however a representative will be present on both ends.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Perfect or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)

Day 14:Depart Delhi
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)