Images of India
Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of India on this captivating 14-day adventure. Explore the iconic Golden Triangle, marveling at the architectural wonders of Agra, including the Taj Mahal bathed in the golden hues of sunset and the grandeur of Agra Fort.
Unveiling the enchantment of Rajasthan, ride through the bustling bazaars of Jaipur, the Pink City, and explore its majestic forts and palaces. Engage in a cooking lesson with a local, learning the secrets of traditional Rajasthani cuisine.
Delve into the spiritual depths of Varanasi, witnessing the sunrise over the Ganges River on a tranquil boat ride, observing the Hindu way of life unfold along the sacred ghats. Participate in the Aarti ceremony, a mesmerizing evening ritual of offering prayers to the Ganges.
Discover hidden gems and bustling cities, exploring the intricate carvings and erotic sculptures of the Khajuraho temples. Take a unique “5 Senses Walk” through Mumbai, experiencing the city through sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound.
Witness the industrious energy of Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums. This carefully curated itinerary promises an unforgettable journey, blending cultural immersion with historical exploration and leaving you with a deeper understanding of India’s captivating spirit.
* Explore the Golden Triangle: Immerse yourself in the rich history and architectural wonders of Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), and Jaipur (Amber Fort, City Palace).
* Witness the Mystical Ganges: Take a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River in Varanasi, observe Hindu rituals at the Ghats, and experience the “Death and Rebirth Night Walk.”
* Uncover Ancient Marvels: Explore the intricate carvings and fascinating history of Khajuraho’s temples and the breathtaking Ellora and Ajanta Caves.
* Engage Your Senses: Embark on a unique “5 Senses Walk” in Mumbai, experiencing the city through sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound.
* Delve into Local Life: Discover the bustling Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, witness the vibrant bazaars of Jaipur, and enjoy a traditional cooking lesson with a local in Jaipur.
* Experience Diverse Cultures: Witness the blend of Hindu, Mughal, and Buddhist influences throughout the journey.
This itinerary offers a glimpse into the diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and profound spiritual experiences that await you in India.
• Accommodation for 13 Nights at the above-mentioned hotels or similar
• Daily buffet breakfast at the hotels mentioned.
• All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary using an Air-conditioned vehicle-
01 – 03 Pax: Toyota Innova Crysta
04 – 06 Pax: AC Tempo Traveler
• Local English-speaking guide during the sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Old Delhi tour on especially customized cycle rickshaw’s with a local expert
• Walking Tour of Old Markets in Jaipur with a local expert
• Cooking demonstration followed by Dinner at Dera Mandawa Jaipur
• Death and Re-birth night walking tour with a local expert in Varanasi
• Early morning boat ride in Varanasi
• Excursion to Sarnath in Varanasi
• Experience the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
• Dharavi Slum Tour of Mumbai with a local expert
• 5 Senses walk of Mumbai with a local expert
• Single entry to the monuments as per the itinerary
• Applicable taxes on hotel and transport
• Govt. service tax
• Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / telephone calls, alcoholic & nonalcoholic beverages, camera / video camera fee at all monuments, medical expenses, etc.
• Meals other than those specified above.
• Any insurance.
• Airfare
• Tips/gratuities
• Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions
AIR CANCELLATION/CHANGE POLICY Depending on the fare rule, a refund may NOT be allowed, or a refund/change fee may be applied. If the fare is non-refundable, the whole ticket cost including fare, taxes, fees, and any charges are non-refundable. Contact your Travel Advisor for further details. |
LAND CANCELLATION POLICY We understand that sometimes plans change, and you may need to cancel your land arrangements. Cancellation fees: The amount of your refund will depend on the specific product associated with your booking. Certain bookings, such as those with non-refundable hotels and services, may not be eligible for any refund at all. In such cases, the full cost of your booking, will be non-refundable. For specific details about your cancellation policy and any applicable fees, please contact your Travel Advisor. They will be able to provide you with personalized information based on your individual booking. |
VISA A tourist visa might be required to enter the country you are travelling to on an Australian passport. |
TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel Insurance is highly recommended, please contact your Travel Advisor for insurance options if you have not already made your own arrangements. |
Namaste and welcome to India!
Arrive in Delhi and after having done all the formalities of immigration, baggage, and customs as you exit the arrival halls, you will be greeted by an Itravel airport representative waiting to receive you with a placard bearing your name.
You will then be assisted and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
ACCOMMODATION: The Leela Ambience or similar
Today after breakfast, full-day exploration of Old and New Delhi with your private guide. While Old Delhi unravels the old charm and speaks volumes about India’s history, culture and tradition, enchanting New Delhi exhibits the picture of modern India.
Join a local expert for the Old Delhi tour on specially customized Cycle Rickshaws. This grand tour of Old Delhi is an extensive tour that covers 20 main sites that include palaces, mansions, elegant shrines and colorful bazaars.
After the tour drive past India Gate, the 42 m high War Memorial Arch, the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings, and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India.
After lunch, proceed to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Qutub Minar, the second tallest minaret in India. It is made of red stone and marble covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur’an.
Later visit the 16th-century Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent, an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style and a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour to Imperial Delhi will also include a drive past of India Gate, the 42 m high War Memorial Arch, the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India.
Afterward, return to your hotel and relax.
ACCOMMODATION: The Leela Ambience or similar
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Jaipur (approx 5 Hrs).
On arrival in Jaipur, check-in at the hotel and relax.
Later drive to the Old City for a walking tour. You will be joined by a local expert on this buzzing walking tour to explore the vibrant bazaars of the old city. It’s a great way to explore Jaipur like locals do and learn about the rich artistic traditions of this fascinating city.
ACCOMMODATION: Lemon Tree Premier or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
In the morning, drive just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort, With its amazing architecture that combines Mughal and Hindu styles, the fort is a sight to watch and walk through with its high ramparts, many gates, cobbled paths, and splendid view. Next on your schedule is a visit to Jaipur City Palace. This beautiful palace was built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh and stands apart from its outstanding art and architecture.
After lunch, walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur in the 18th century and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. Finally take a photo-stop at “Palace of Winds” otherwise known as Hawa Mahal, which was used by the women to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen.
After the sightseeing return to your hotel and relax.
Your evening is reserved for a special cooking lesson/dinner with Thakur Durga Singh, the current custodian of Dera Mandawa, who is a keen observer of history, culture, religion, current affairs and is a bank of knowledge so vast that he has a point of view on anything under the sun. He is what one would call a modern traditionalist, actively seeking the use of modern technology and methods to support the principles of traditional living.
ACCOMMODATION: Lemon Tree Premier or similar
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
Today after breakfast, check-out of the hotel and you will be transferred in your private vehicle to Agra (approx 5 Hrs).
On arrival in Agra, you will be met by your tour guide for the visit of the massive Agra Fort, the formal imperial residence of the Mughal Dynasty. Its palaces, grand mosques and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are a testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly marked by influences from Persia was at its height.
Later check-in at the hotel and relax.
In the evening, head to the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) to admire the beauty of the monument at sunset. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) is regarded as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is astounding. Be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.
ACCOMMODATION: Crystal Sarovar Premier or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, you will be assisted and transferred to Agra Railway station to connect train to Jhansi.
(Gatimaan Express – 0955/1235)
Arrive at Jhansi and a short drive from here will take you to the medieval town of Orchha.
Enjoy your lunch at Orchha on a direct payment basis.
After lunch, set out for half-day sightseeing of Orchha.
Visit the multi-tiered Jahangir Mahal, within the fort, built-in 1606; the Raj Mahal noted for its fine murals and the Rai Praveen Mahal, a palace set in the gardens of Anand Mahal. Orchha has temples that are certainly worth visit due to their unique architecture. Notable among them are the Ram Raja Temple, Laxmi Narain Temple with its exuberant frescoes, and the Chaturbhuj Temple.
After the visit, continue your drive to Khajuraho. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and relax.
ACCOMMODATION: Radisson Jass or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, set out for a full-day temple tour of Khajuraho.
The tour concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India.
The temples were built during the Chandela dynasty; the majorities were constructed in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was abandoned. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana. Of the 85 original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition. Visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai Temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture.
After the sightseeing return to your hotel and relax.
ACCOMMODATION: Radisson Jass or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
Check out of the hotel, and you will be assisted and transferred to Khajuraho airport to connect the flight to Varanasi.
(Flight details will be advised closer to the dates).
On arrival in Varanasi, you will be met and assisted with your transfer to the hotel.
Later after Dinner, set out for the Death and Rebirth Night Walk. This walk explores the mystical experience of life and beyond in Varanasi at ‘Mahashramstana’ – the great cremation ground of Shiva. Get traverse from the land of the living to the houses of the dying.
ACCOMMODATION: Radisson Jass or similar
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Early this morning, take a boat ride on River Ganges to view the sunrise. Observe the Hindu way of life along the banks of the River Ganges (Ghats). Watch people come down to the river in the early morning, taking a bath in the mother Ganga, performing rituals, worshiping the Sun is a unique experience.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we explore the city, which is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the riverbank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. The tour of Varanasi includes the visit of the Bharat Mata temple with its big marble relief map of India, the Durga temple, and the modern marble Tulsi Manas Temple whose walls are engraved with scenes and verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana.
Also see the New Viswanath Temple, one of the tallest in India (non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple). The Benares Hindu University and its museum and the mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
In the afternoon, proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, a major Buddhist center in the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the ‘Awakened One’, delivered his first sermon here. Also visit the Sarnath Museum (Closed on Fridays) which has an excellent collection of artifacts related to the Mauryan, Guptan, and Kushana eras.
Later witness the illuminating Aarti Ceremony with a boat ride. Evening Aarti is the final ritual of the day when thousands of locals and pilgrims gather to offer their prayers to the Mother Ganges.
After the aarti, return to the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION: Radisson Jass or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, check out of the hotel, and you will be transferred in your private vehicle to Varanasi airport to connect the flight to Mumbai.
(Flight details will be advised closer to the dates).
On arrival in Mumbai, you will be assisted with your check-in at the hotel.
Later in the afternoon, proceed for the Dharavi Slum Tour with a local expert. Dharavi is one of Asia’s largest slums and despite all the grunginess and squalor, Dharavi is the most bustling and economically proficient part of Mumbai with thousands of small-scale industries thriving in the area.
The evening will be at leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Fariyas Hotel or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, set out for a specially customized “5 Senses Walk” with a local expert.
As the name suggests it is a journey to engage in 5 different experiences that gives an immersive perspective on the city. Mumbai is as much about the historic sights, as it is about people and the distinct culture that it imbibes. This tour pays homage to Mumbai in its entirety by creating fun and engaging day-long activities that don’t dwell on just history lessons but go beyond.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Fariyas Hotel or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
This morning with a packed breakfast, check out of the hotel and you will be assisted with your transfer to Mumbai airport to connect flight to Aurangabad.
(Flight details will be advised closer to the dates).
On arrival at Aurangabad, check in at the hotel and relax.
In the afternoon, leave for a half-day excursion to Ellora Caves. Covering an area more than 2 kilometers in size, the Ellora Caves are a massive and humbling tribute to faith and medieval-era workmanship in India.
After the excursion, return to your hotel and relax.
ACCOMMODATION: Welcomhotel Rama International or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, set out for a full-day excursion to the Ajanta Caves. The caves, famous for their temple architecture and many delicately drawn murals, are located in a 76 m high, horseshoe-shaped escarpment overlooking the Waghora (tiger) River. The Ajanta Caves are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
After the excursion return to your hotel and spend a relaxed evening.
ACCOMMODATION: Welcomhotel Rama International or similar
MEALS: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, check out of the hotel and you will be transferred in your private vehicle to Aurangabad airport to connect flight to Mumbai.
On arrival in Mumbai, connect to your homebound flight.
MEALS: Breakfast
Travel Between May – October 2024
Ex Sydney: From A$5,895 pp based on twin share
Ex Melbourne: From A$5,865 pp based on twin share
Ex Brisbane: From A$5,935 pp based on twin sharea
Price subject to change due to flights, airline and dates booked, currency exchange and any changes made to the itinerary.