Classic India Tour with Holi
(Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights)
Location: (Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi)
Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN DELHI
Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to the hotel (Check-in: 2:00 PM). Check-in and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of Old Delhi, including the Red Fort (drive), the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, Rajghat – Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, and a rickshaw ride along the Silver Lane in Chandani Chowk. In the afternoon, visit New Delhi, including the Qutub Minar, a drive through India Gate, and government buildings.
Overnight on the train.
Day 3 – DELHI – VARANASI BY FLIGHT AI406 – 10:30/11:55 HRS.
Early transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, witness the Aarti ceremony on the Ganges River. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 – VARANASI
Early departure for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River. Rituals are a very important part of Hinduism, and there’s no better place to observe them than on the Ganges. You’ll witness the thread ceremony, head shaving, and the offering of food to departing souls. A stroll through the narrow alleys will allow you to observe the pilgrims’ rituals, followed by a city tour that includes the Bharat Mata Temple, the Shanta Durga Temple, and Banaras Hindu University.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, excursion to Sarnath (9 km), where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Free afternoon for leisure activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 – Varanasi – Khajuraho (Overground) 299 km / 4 Hrs.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon for leisure activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 – KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA – JHANSI BY OVERGROUND (180 KM / 4 HRS.) JHANSI – AGRA BY TRAIN 12:01 – 18:42/21:15 HRS.
After breakfast, visit the temples of Khajuraho, known for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings, which are among the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Later, transfer to Orchha. Visit Orchha, including Jehangiri Mahal, the Raj Mahal, and the Laxmi Narayan Temple. At the scheduled time, transfer to the train station in Jhansi to board the train to Agra. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 – AGRA {HOLI CELEBRATION}
Breakfast at the hotel. At dawn, visit the Taj Mahal, undoubtedly one of the most romantic buildings in the world. Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it is one of man’s proudest creations to commemorate his love (Closed Fridays).
Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, experience the festival of colors, Holi, arguably one of India’s most popular festivals. Spring is synonymous with festivity, and the best representation of this is the festival of Holi. Resplendent with vibrant energy, Holi is not just an explosion of colors but a series of experiences.
The Holi festival, India’s most vivid and joyful, celebrates the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and is a time to play with colors. It is an occasion that brings pure joy and fun, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors. For many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and mend broken relationships.
People celebrate Holi by sprinkling water and smearing colors on each other, also known as ‘Gulal’. They sprinkle themselves with colored powder while dancing and singing. Wearing white clothes for Holi has become something of an unwritten rule; people usually wear white to Holi so that all the different shades of Holi colors stand out on their clothes. As you enjoy the festivities, you’ll likely hear people say “Holi hai!” (It’s Holi!).
Considerations for celebrating the festival:
Make sure your face is well-moistened/oiled before and after playing.
Apply a thick coat of polish to your nails to protect them and prevent staining.
Oil your hair well so the color doesn’t stick and can be easily washed off afterward.
Most importantly: have fun and enjoy the Holi spirit.
Included in the Holi celebration:
A pair of kurta-pyjamas, games with herbal colors and pichkaris (water guns), a cultural event, lunch, a bottle of beer, and an afternoon visit to Agra Fort. The fort is truly a city within a city, which includes the Moti Masjid, the Diwan-I-Am (the Hall of Public Audiences), the Diwan-I-Khas (the Hall of Private Audiences), the Octagonal Tower, and many more monuments.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 – AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / JAIPUR BY OVERLAND (250 KM / 6 HRS)
Breakfast at the hotel. Later, transfer to Jaipur by road, visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty built by Akbar, en route.
Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 – JAIPUR
Morning: Visit Amber Fort on elephant back. The painted miniatures on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, as well as festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded in the plaster. On the way to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photo stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of the Winds.
Afternoon: Jaipur city tour, beginning with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace. Jantar Mantar is the world’s largest stone and marble observatory. Located near the entrance to the City Palace, the observatory houses 17 large instruments, many of which are still in operation. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 – JAIPUR – DELHI BY OVERGROUND (260 KM / 6 HRS.)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning for leisure activities. Then, transfer to Delhi.
Upon arrival, transfer to the international airport to board your flight to your final destination.
………End of Tour………..