Colourful Northern India

DAY 0: JOHANNESBURG / CAPE TOWN - DELHI

Meet at the check-in counter for your international flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Delhi, India.

DAY 01: DELHI ARRIVAL

Namaste! Welcome to New Delhi, the capital city of India and the start of your adventure! Our friendly team will be waiting outside the arrivals hall to transfer you to your hotel. Note that the standard check-in time at the hotel is from 14h00.

Lunch is included at the hotel before enjoying some time at leisure.

About Delhi
Delhi is a huge city and one of the oldest on the planet. It is estimated to be over 5000 years old and has been rebuilt a staggering 11 times. Officially two separate cities, the old city of Delhi and New Delhi are really two parts of one sprawling metropolis with several attractions. Old Delhi, with its predominantly Muslim population and Mughal architecture, is comprised mostly of a labyrinth of tiny lanes crowded with rickshaws and lined with run-down 17th-century havelis. Offering a real contrast to the congestion of the old city, New Delhi has been the capital of the Republic of India since Independence and is home to many historic monuments as well as impressive Raj-era architecture. Largely planned and built by the British, the central administrative area of the city was laid out as a testament to Britain's imperial pretensions. At its very heart is the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhawan (then known as Viceroy's House).
Around 3 PM: Begin with a short orientation tour, including a drive Past India Gate, Government Buildings and visit Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib) OR if group members feel active, then we will cover Qutab Minar this day along with a drive past India Gate on return. Our Guide will discuss with your tour leader, and based on the interest of the group members, this day’s sightseeing will be conducted.

Enjoy a welcome dinner.

O/N The Metropolitan or similar (Including lunch & dinner)

DAY 02: NEW DELHI

After Breakfast at your hotel, proceed to have the best tour combination of New Delhi and Old Delhi today!.

Your full-day guided sightseeing tour today introduces you to the modern simplicity of New Delhi. It is the capital of India and is situated in the north-central part of the country on the western bank of the Yamuna River, adjacent to and just south of Old Delhi. Your tour today covers Gandhi House Museum and Humayun’s Tomb.

Enjoy a lunch at the local restaurant.

Following, we explore Old Delhi. This vibrant city is full of forts, monuments, temples, mosques and more. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Delhi was an important centre of the Mughal dynasty, and the British made it the capital city in 1911. We take in Raj Ghat, the Spice Market. Located in the heart of the old city is Asia’s largest spice market, called Khari Baoli. In the narrow alley of the spice market, you will find thousands of shops dealing in local and exotic herbs and spices. Learn about the various spices, their therapeutic values and their culinary use. This is one of the most vibrant and colourful markets in Delhi and is a photographer’s paradise.

Dinner is at leisure tonight. (Dinner is excluded tonight and for your own account)

O/N The Metropolitan or similar (Including breakfast & lunch)

DAY 03: DELHI - JAIPUR

This morning, we drive to Jaipur, affectionately known as the Pink City, as Maharaja Ram Singh had all the Old City painted a welcoming pink in 1876 to herald a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). It is also the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan.

En-route Enjoy Lunch at Shahpura Haveli in Shahpura.

About Jaipur
The vibrant capital of Rajasthan is a flamboyant showcase of Rajasthani architecture and a firm favourite on tourist itineraries as the third corner of India’s Golden Triangle alongside Delhi and Agra. Popularly known as the ‘Pink City’, in 1876 Maharaja Ram Singh had the whole city painted pink, traditionally a colour associated with hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII). Jaipur was chosen by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743) as his capital. A skilled astronomer and visionary, he worked with superb Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya to complete the design and construction of Jaipur in less than eight years, and the 18th-century UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar is the largest and best preserved of five observatories built by the astronomer prince. The observatory complex is fascinating with giant stone structures that Jai Singh II had built to measure time, chart the declination of celestial bodies and predict eclipses. Other must-sees within the city include the City Palace Complex. The palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The son of the last Maharaja and his family still reside in a wing of the palace. Also of interest is the Palace of the Winds, known as Hawa Mahal, whose facade is adorned with elaborate, perforated screens. The Old City, the actual Pink City, is a great place to wander around with ancient walls encircling bustling bazaars selling beautiful textiles and jewellery. For many visitors, a highlight is the magnificent Amber Fort, a striking vision in yellow and pink sandstone with a royal palace and numerous courtyards.

On arrival, check-in at hotel and relax.

Another highlight of our day is a visit to a noble family for an interactive cooking experience at dinner time.

O/N Hotel Ramada or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 04: JAIPUR

Enjoy breakfast before departing for another wonderful day of sightseeing in Jaipur.

We start with a morning photo stop at the Palace of the Wind. Then, we visit the magnificent pink fort-palace of Amber - a wonderful example of Rajput architecture just north of Jaipur. *

*While you might see other visitors to the Amber Fort arrive by elephant, Live the Journey has made a decision not to use this form of transport, and our guests will be transferred by jeep or similar up to the fort or may take a leisurely walk.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Following this, we visit a family jeweller to learn more about local gemstones and jewellery making. We end the day with a visit to a traditional block printing and carpet-weaving outlet.

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Hotel Ramada or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 05: JAIPUR

After Breakfast, proceed for a visit to the City Palace.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Following visit The Lakshmi Narayan Temple or the Birla Temple, which is located at the base of Moti Dungari. Made entirely of white marble and built by the renowned industrialist – The Birlas in 1988. The temple is a work of art displaying exquisite carvings. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayan and his wife, Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Good Fortune.

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Hotel Ramada or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 06: JAIPUR – BHARATPUR

Morning drive towards Bharatpur. En route, visit the ancient stepwell at Chand Baori, dating back to the 9th century.

Following your visit to the stepwell, enjoy lunch at your hotel before checking in.

About Bharatpur
The walled town of Bharatpur, in Rajasthan, is just a stone’s throw from the border with the state of Uttar Pradesh. Boasting the massive Lohagarh Fort (built in 1732) plus traditional markets and mosques, it’s a good place to relax, explore and soak up the town's rich cultural heritage. However, the real reason travellers come to Bharatpur is to visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park. The park can be toured on foot or by bicycle rickshaw, and during a visit, you may be fortunate enough to spot majestic cranes, spoonbills, pink flamingos, white ibises and grey pelicans, as well as the birds of prey, including vultures, harriers, peregrine falcons and ospreys. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Keoladeo Ghana is rated as one of the finest bird reserves in the world.

Afternoon visit to Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll enjoy a leisurely bicycle rickshaw ride through the park while birdwatching.

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Laxmi Vilas Palace or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 07: BHARATPUR – AGRA

Today you make your way to Agra, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. This was the former imperial capital of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Built between 1569 and 1585, it has been deserted for more than four centuries, abandoned in 1600 due to a meagre supply of water.

About Agra
Home to one of the most iconic monuments in the world, Agra is India's shining star and a universal favourite with travellers from around the world. Constantly under attack from the fierce Indian heat, this dusty city has obtained international reverence thanks to it being the site of the famous Taj Mahal, a mausoleum constructed in phases between 1632 and 1643, with extra work continuing on until 1653. It was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor in honour of his favourite wife Mumtaz, whose tomb still lies within its walls. There are few things on the planet as breath-taking as getting an up-close view of this historical masterpiece. Although the Taj Mahal has stolen the limelight of Agra and will realistically be at the forefront of Agra's tourism market for the foreseeable future, this city also houses two other UNESCO World Heritage sites, making it one of the few cities in the world that can boast three of these accolades. The Agra Fort comes under this category for obvious reasons. Built with red stone and covered, inside and out, with intricate carvings and decoration, this structure is truly a sight to behold. The final UNESCO World Heritage site in Agra, which is situated within India's famous Golden Triangle route, is Fatehpur Sikri, a city that was built by the Emperor Akbar to be the capital of the Mughal Empire. It contains stunning palaces as well as the Jama Masjid, which is one of the largest mosques in India.

This afternoon you will visit Agra Fort. Agra Fort is a historical fort and was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638.

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Grand Mercure or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 08: AGRA

Early this morning, you will make your way to the legendary Taj Mahal, the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Here you will receive a guided explanation, then free time to enjoy the romantic setting.

Enjoy a short walk at the Stepwell.
The afternoon is spent at leisure, and this evening you are in for a treat as you enjoy a musical show about the story of the Taj Mahal.

Dinner is at leisure tonight. (Dinner excluded tonight for your own account)

O/N Grand Mercure or similar (Including breakfast & lunch)

DAY 09: AGRA – ORCHHA

This morning, after breakfast, you travel by express train to Jhansi and drive onward to Orchha. Situated on the banks of the River Betwa, Orchha is set amongst a wonderful complex of well-preserved 16th-century temples and palaces, which you will explore this afternoon.

About Orchha
Filled with ancient buildings, casting long and imposing shadows across the land, Orchha is a historical village that has maintained a strong cultural identity and is representative of what the Mughal Empire once was. The town was founded in 1531 by Rudra Pratap Singh, and it sits on the banks of the Betwa River, which splits into 7 channels in this precise location. With its faded grandeur and sleepy atmosphere, Orchha is a beautiful destination for anyone who wants a change of scenery, some time to relax and to travel back in time to when legend and mystery pervaded every corner of life. One of the most prominent structures in Orchha is the eponymous Orchha Fort. It houses numerous temples and palaces, including the impressive Raj Mahal and Rai Parveen Mahal. While some of the buildings within show notable signs of wear and tear, their exquisiteness is just as overpowering as it must have been when they were first constructed. The Jhansi Fort is slightly smaller yet equally worth visiting, if only for the fascinating museum located in its interior.

You visit the Orchha Fort, and in the late afternoon, the group gather for a walk to the river for sunset pictures over the cenotaphs.

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Hotel Amar Mahal or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 10: ORCHHA

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

You have the day at leisure to explore Orchha or to simply relax. (Lunch is not included today and is for your own account.)

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Hotel Amar Mahal or similar (Including breakfast & dinner)

DAY 11: ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO

Travelling south-east, you arrive in Khajuraho, home of the resplendent Hindu temples which were built during the Chandela dynasty over a 100-year burst of creative genius from 950-1050 AD. Famed above all for their delicate sensuality, how and why they were built remains a mystery. The incredible skill of the artisans is evident throughout.

About Khajuraho
Located in the northern state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for its unique Hindu and Jain temples that rate a close second behind the Taj Mahal as India's top attraction. Khajuraho’s temples were largely built during a major creative burst of genius from 950AD to 1050AD during the Chandela period, a dynasty that survived for five centuries before falling to the mighty Mughal onslaught. Their sheer beauty and immense size have confounded experts as to why they were built in Khajuraho, a small town then and still a relatively small town now. Indeed, the Chandelas appear to have forgotten about the temples soon after they were completed, and it took ‘rediscovery’ by the British before these awesome masterpieces were fully appreciated in India. Immortalised in stone, the carved temples display exceedingly artistic aspects of Indian life a millennium ago, but are famed above all for their erotic nature. Surprisingly, the erotic sculptures only account for a tenth of the temples' artistic murals, with the majority dedicated to mythical stories and scenes of everyday life. The incredible skill of the Chandela artisans is evident throughout, with friezes as little as 10 cm wide crammed to the gunnels with detailed jewellery and hairstyles of the subject matter. Constructed from high-quality sandstone, the temples change colour throughout the day with the waxing and waning light, from warm pinks at sunrise to glowing yellows at sunset.

Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Hotel Ramada or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 12: KHAJURAHO - VARANASI

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will travel either by domestic flight or the Vande Bharat to Varanasi.

Perhaps the holiest city in India, Varanasi, also known as the city of Shiva, is one of the oldest cities on earth, situated on the banks of the holy River Ganges.

Lunch on the flight, or if travelling by train, then a packed lunch will be provided to enjoy during the train ride.

About Varanasi
Located on the banks of the River Ganges and considered to be one of India's most holy cities, Varanasi is an overwhelming melting pot of colour, chaos and spirituality. Believed to have been founded by Shiva as early as the 11th century, Varanasi - or Kashi and Benares as it has been known - is also one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, serving as an important centre of learning and civilisation for over 2,000 years. Today, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the country come to Varanasi to bathe in the waters of the sacred River Ganges to wash away their sins. The Hindu rituals of life and death take place very publicly on the city’s famous riverside ‘ghats’, the name given to steps that lead down to holy waters. Here, cremations on funeral pyres take place throughout the day, with ceremonies held out in the open and the bodies simply wrapped in white cloth. Eventually, the ashes will be scattered into the Ganges River. It is this accessibility to the practices of ancient tradition, coupled with Varanasi’s labyrinthine streets and colour, that draws people. The best vantage point is from aboard one of the dawn boat rides on the Ganges. Scores of people enter the water from the ghats to purify themselves before the rising sun.

O/N Rivatas by Ideal or similar (Including breakfast, packed lunch & dinner)

DAY 13: VARANASI

This morning, enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the holy Ganges where you’ll view the ancient religious tradition of ritual cleansing that takes place on the many riverbank ghats (riverside steps). Later, embark on a tour of the city.

Visit the silk loom in the late morning.

This evening, return to the river to witness an aarti ceremony on the river Ganges as the sun sets.

O/N Rivatas by Ideal or similar (Including breakfast, lunch & dinner)

DAY 14: VARANASI – DELHI

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel this morning. Later, return to Delhi by domestic flight and upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

O/N at Lemon Tree Aerocity or similar (Including breakfast, lunch on flight & dinner)

DAY 15: DELHI DEPARTURE

Today marks the end of your incredible journey through India. Early check-out and transfer to the airport for your onward departure.

END OF TOUR