United Colours of India

Duration: 19 Days

Destination Covered: Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho – Agra - Jaipur – Jodhpur - Udaipur – Bombay –Goa – Delhi.

Tour Highlights

Delhi : Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar. Optional: Sound & Light Show at Red Fort

Jaipur : Elephant ride to Amber Fort Palace , City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Optional: Cultural evening at Chokhi Dhani

Fatehpur Sikri : Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti

Agra : Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara

Mathura & Vrindavan : Shri Krishna Janmabhumi Temple, Bankey Bihari Temple & Iskon Temple

Orchha : Orchha Fort, Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Ram Raja temple

Khajuraho : Temple Complex - Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini & others. Optional - Sound & Light Show

Varanasi : Excursion to Sarnath, Boat Ride & Explore ghats

Mumbai : The city that never sleeps is how Mumbai is described. The cosmopolitan city of Maharashtra has created a magic that never ceases to captivate the wildest imaginations of travelers. The home of Bollywood, vibrant markets, and domicile to corporate giants, Mumbai has earned itself the tag of rich man's city. "

Goa : Indias smallest state renowned for its beaches and world heritage architecture.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive by International flight, Welcome Assistance at airport & transfer to hotel for check in. DelhiIts strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles. Overnight in Delhi

Day 02 : Delhi

Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jahan. In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at Delhi

Day 03 : Delhi – Varanasi

Morning transfer to airport to connect the flight for Varanasi said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city , sunrise on the river front as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city which cannot be described, only experienced. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Temples, Aurangazeb’s Mosque and one of the biggest university of India. Evening view “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats. Night stay in Varanasi.

Day 04 / Varanasi

Morning boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Later excursion to Sarnath, 10kms. East of Varanasi, is one of the Buddhism’s major centers of India. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon. Visit the deer park and the museum and later back to Varanasi. Night stay in Varanasi.

Day 05 / Varanasi – Khajuraho

After breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight for Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho & transfer to hotel. The legendary temples of khajuraho are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders, these temples dedicated to the Hindu pantheon of Gods are covered in carvings that are a paean to life and love. Built within a short span of a hundred years by the Chandela Rajputs, the 10th century temples lay forgotten until they were discovered in the present century. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures. Evening free at leisure. Night stay in Khajuraho.

Day 06 : Khajuraho

Today we visit Khajuraho temples, famous for the magnificent carvings depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra, ancient Indian work on sex. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. In fact, worship is still done today in the Matangeshwara temple, continuing an unbroken 1000 year tradition. Overnight at Khajuraho

Day 07 : Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra

Morning drive to Jhansi enroute visiting Orchha, In orchha visit the magnificient temples and monuments. Some of the palaces were decorated with painted murals which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting , Continue drive to Jhansi & transfer to railway station to board the train to Agra . Arrive Agra & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Agra.

Day 08 : Agra – Jaipur

Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourfulpast, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors. An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel. Overnight at Jaipur

Day 09 : Jaipur

Today an excursion to Amber Fort; the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience. Later we visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows). Overnight at Jaipur

Day 10 : Jaipur - Jodhpur

Morning drive to Jodhpur (290 kms) . Arrive & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 11 : Jodhpur

After a relaxed breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur - the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 12 : Jodhpur- Udaipur

Morning drive to Udaipur. En route visiting Ranakpur - the largest and most beautifully preserved Jain Temples in India. Later proceed to see the fort of Kumbhalgarh. If Ranakpur is beauty and grace, Kumbhalgarh is all about power. Arrive Udaipur in the evening & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 13 : Udaipur

After breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour. Udaipur, built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh, the city has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Evening at leisure.Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 14 : Udaipur - Bombay

After breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight for Bombay. Arrive Bombay & transfer to hotel. Later half day city tour of Bombay, political capital of Maharashtra, and commercial capital of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. As the world's largest textiles market, a major industrial centre and the country's busiest port handling over 40 percent of India's maritime trade, it contributes around 50 percent of the national exchequer. Bombay's colonial legacy is the Gateway of India. Built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911 but only completed in 1924, the gateway is a combination of European and Indian ceremonial architecture. The last British troops marched out through this gate when India became independent in 1947. Today it is a favorite haunt of tourists. Night stay in Bombay.

Day 15 : Bombay - Goa

After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Goa. Arrive Goa & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Goa.

Day 16 : Goa

After breakfast, proceed on a half day sightseeing tour of Goa, visiting Miramar Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus and the city of Panjim-bustling with shops and tourists. The afternoon is at leisure to relax on the beach. Laze on the beach, go for swim, explore the shops for cashewnuts, buy holiday wear or take an optional tour visiting "Goa of the past"- a mackup village which portrays Goa what it was 100 years ago .Night stay in Goa.

Day 17 : Goa

Day at leisure. Laze on the beach, go for swim, explore the shops for cashewnuts, buy holiday wear. Night stay in Goa.

Day 18 : Goa - Delhi

After breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi.Arrive & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 19 / Delhi - Departure

Day at leisure or explore the markets for shopping etc. Later transfer to airport for onward Destination.

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