Essence of India
The Essence of India brings to you the quintessence of India through the journey covering the diverse tourist destinations. We provide you with the various facets of India, the urban (Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai), the rural (Orchha), the religious (Varanasi, Madurai), the heritage and cultural (Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mahabalipuram), the acceptance of ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Agra, India; Aurangabad, India; Chennai, India; Delhi, India; Jaipur, India; Khajuraho, India; Kolkata, India; Madurai, India; Mumbai, India; New Delhi, India; Patna, India; Pondicherry, India; Trivandrum, India; Varanasi, India
- Trip Length:
- 20 days
- Price Range:
- From $2000 to $3000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
15 - 17, 18 - 20, 25 - 30, 31 - 35, 36 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 55
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
The Essence of India brings to you the quintessence of India through the journey covering the diverse tourist destinations. We provide you with the various facets of India, the urban (Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai), the rural (Orchha), the religious (Varanasi, Madurai), the heritage and cultural (Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mahabalipuram), the acceptance of foreign cultures (Kolkata, Pondicherry), the Taj Mahal at Agra and you have the choice of finishing this tour on the palm-fringed beaches of Goa. Come with an open mind and take back an experience of a lifetime.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Delhi
Arrive Delhi.
Airport Transfer
Traditional welcome on arrival at Delhi International Airport by Travel Pals executive to transfer to hotel for immediate check-in.
Day 2 - New Delhi
Historical and Educational Tours
After breakfast, you will experience a guided tour of the historic city of Delhi, the city where one can experience the influence of the many rulers who ruled this region, a city built and destroyed and re-built over seven times. The guided tour takes to the monuments that depict the different eras. The tour includes the magnificent Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques, Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation".
Sightseeing
Afternoon tour of New Delhi that includes Humanyun Tomb, Birla Mandir, Bahai Temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate, President''s House, and a drive through Connaught Place.
Sightseeing
Evening, see Son-et-Lumerie at Red Fort.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Jaipur
Delhi - Jaipur (260kms/ 5 hrs).
Private Car Service
After breakfast, drive in air-conditioned tourist car to Jaipur - the Pink City of Rajasthan.
Hotel
Upon arrival in Jaipur, transfer to the hotel to freshen up.
Sightseeing
Later, a guided half-day city tour of Jaipur covering Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Royal Observatory).
Arts, Crafts and Antiques
Evening at leisure for enjoying the real charm of this royal city to stroll in the local bazaars to see some handicrafts and artisans.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 - Agra
Jaipur – Agra (232 kms / 4.5 hrs).
Historical and Educational Tours
Enjoy a royal breakfast at the hotel. After, there is a guided excursion to the majestic Amber Fort - the erstwhile capital of the Kachwahas Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. This is the only fort where one can still arrive on an elephant, just as the Maharajas did.
Sightseeing
Afternoon drive to Agra via Fatepur Sikri; a World Heritage Site. Assisted by a guide, you will visit this world famous complex of monuments and temples built in a uniform architectural style. Proceed to Agra. Agra is a treasure cove for all the tourists from India and abroad. Even though Agra is synonymous with the Taj, the city stands in testimony to the great amount of architectural activity of the Mughals.
Shopping
Trip to the bazaar (shopping area) in the evening.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 - Agra
Agra – Orchha (240 kms / 6 hrs).
Historical and Educational Tours
After breakfast, we will visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal of Agra is a monument built by emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal while the Agra Fort was built by Emperor Akbar. Built with red sandstone, the Fort is a mixture of the Islamic and Hindu styles of architecture.
Hotel
After Lunch proceed to Orchha. Check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 - Khajuraho
Orchha - Khajuraho (175 kms / 3.5 hrs).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, a half-day guided programme of Orchha. Orchha was the erstwhile capital city of the Bundela rulers. The town is steeped in history and is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Visit Jahangir Mahal, Rajmahal and Phool Bagh.
Private Car Service
In the afternoon, drive to Khajuraho.
Hotel
On arrival check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 - Khajuraho
Sightseeing
Breakfast followed by a guided tour of Chandela dynasty temples famous for their spectacular sculptures and carvings. Visit the Northern, Eastern and Southern group of temples. Evening for leisure.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Varanasi
Khajuraho – Varanasi.
Commercial Flight
Breakfast. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Varanasi.
Hotel
On arrival, check into hotel.
Sightseeing
Spend the evening on the ghats of the Ganges.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 - Patna
Varanasi – Patna.
Train
Breakfast. Transfer to the railway station to catch a train to Patna.
Hotel
Arrive Patna in the evening, check into hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Patna
Sightseeing
After breakfast take a guided excursion to Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon announcing his approaching Nirvana. Visit stupas holding urns containing ashes of Buddha and Ashok pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark places sanctified by Buddha. The place is also known now for famous Madhubani paintings.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 - Kolkata
Patna – Kolkata.
Commercial Flight
Breakfast. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Kolkata.
Hotel
On arrival, check into hotel.
Sightseeing
In the evening, drive around this once colonial city built in the 18th century. Like Mumbai and Chennai, which we later visit, Kolkata originated largely due to the expansionist ambitions of the European powers, especially the British Raj. It is no wonder that Kolkata has some of the finest Raj edifices built in a variety of styles.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 - Chennai
Kolkata – Chennai.
Sightseeing
Breakfast followed by a full-day guided tour of Kolkata visiting the Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Fort William, Kali Mandir and Belur Math.
Commercial Flight
In the evening transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Chennai.
Hotel
On arrival, check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 - Chennai
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel. Followed by a full day guided visit to Fort St. George, War memorial, St. Mary's Church, the Snake Park, the Basilica of Saint Thomas, believed to have been built by apostle St. Thomas.The day ends on Marina Beach.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 - Chennai
Chennai - Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (175 kms).
Private Car Service
After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram (1 hr.) the erstwhile capital of the Pallavas and Cholas.
Sightseeing
Visit the temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Also visit the shopping area, as it is also home of weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks.
Food and Dining
Lunch at Kanchipuram.
Hotel
Evening drive to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a World Heritage Site and check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 - Pondicherry
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (134 kms / 3.5 hrs).
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel. Mahabalipuam, too was part of the Pallavas dynasty and exhibits some of the most outstanding examples of the Dravidian style of art and architecture. A full day guided tour of Arjuna’s Penance, the rock cut caves, the Krishna Mandapam, the famous rathas and the Shore Temple.
Private Car Service
Afternoon drive to Pondicherry to visit this quaint French town.
Sightseeing
You are free to explore the city on your own.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 - Pondicherry
Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour visiting Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 17 - Madurai
Pondicherry – Madurai (324 kms / 7 hrs).
Private Car Service
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai.
Hotel
On arrival, check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 18 - Trivandrum
Madurai – Trivandrum (265 kms / 5 hrs).
Sightseeing
Breakfast followed by a half day guided programme of Meenakshi temple built in the Dravidian style and Teppa Kulu, a tank with an island temple and Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Afternoon, drive to Trivandrum. Check into a beach resort.
Hotel
Overnight at resort.
Day 19 - Aurangabad
Trivandrum – Mumbai – Aurangabad.
Beach
Breakfast. Morning free to spend time on the beach.
Commercial Flight
Afternoon transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Mumbai and an evening flight to Aurangabad.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 20 - Aurangabad
Sightseeing
Breakfast. Followed by a full day guided excursion of the ancient Ajanta and Ellora Caves, a world heritage site. The 30 odd Buddhist caves at Ajanta are full of sculptures and frescoes of life of Lord Buddha. The Ellora Caves, is where one can see Buddhist, Jain and Hindu shrines dating back to 4th to 9th century A.D.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 21 - Mumbai
Aurangabad – Mumbai.
Commercial Flight
Early breakfast. Catch a flight back to Mumbai.
Sightseeing
On arrival, check into hotel to freshen up, followed by a full-day guided sightseeing tour of Mumbai, covering Hanging Garden, Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, Vidhan Sabha, Malabar Hill, and Prince of Wales Museum. Evening free.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 22 - Mumbai
Mumbai – Onward Destination.
Airport Transfer
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to connecting destination.
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Accommodation for 21 nights in hotels. Transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary. Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
Budget Excludes:
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