Celebrate the Grand Diwali (Festival of Lights) in India November 2024

Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting & assistance upon arrival with traditional welcome with garland and a bottle of water at airport and transfer to your hotel. Hotel rooms are booked from this day from 14:00 hours for immediate occupancy upon arrival.

India’s capital city, Delhi, is a unique and fascinating blend of two very different cities, each with its own distinctive flavour and character. No visit to India is complete without visiting these two complementary halves of its capital city - Delhi, both Old and New.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Later this morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.

Take a Delhi metro train from central Delhi and travel upto Old Part of Delhi, it is a great experience travel with locals in Delhi. Upon arrival Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid, - The largest mosque in India Drive past Chandni Chowk, once and an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Visit Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi).

Continue your sightseeing tour of New Delhi, with visiting 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the  president's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings,- an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.

On the way to hotel, visit the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh temple) and witness prayer ceremony and rituals.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Moriing drive to Mandawa, en-route taking a photostop at local colourful village market.

Pause at the vibrant Indian rural bazaar, a kaleidoscope of colors. Capture the essence of tradition and life in every snapshot. Let each frame tell a story of community, culture, and the timeless allure of rural India.

Continue your drive, to Mandawa upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era.

Later this afernoon visit few Old Havelies and magistic mansions and see the colourful famous Shekhawati paintings on the walls and roof.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning drive to Jodhpur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Jodhpur is known for its impressive fortified bastions, especially those of Mehrangarh which have been witness to many battles and were associated closely with the history of the region. The years of peace that followed resulted in the building of palaces that were laid on open grounds and spread out in an elaborate European manner.

After taking short rest, take a short walking tour through the "Blue City," every corner is adorned with houses painted in varying shades of blue, creating a mesmerizing sight against the desert landscape. On the way to hotel, visit the local spice market of Jodhpur, Blue city & Clock tower.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses - the colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur.  

Later drive to Udaipur, en-route visiting the famous Ranakpur Jain temple complex.

Ranakpur, the wonderful 3 temples of the Jain sect dating back to the 14th/15th century. The unforgettable main Temple dedicated to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439) built in marble took 65 years to complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres, and has one of the best temple complexes.

Continue drive to Udaipur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. 

If Jaipur is the pink city, and Jodhpur the blue city, then Udaipur is a dazzling study in white.  Famous for its palaces, temples, gardens, lakes and museums, this charming Rajasthani city is a relaxed, picturesque city, set amidst the stark Aravali hills.  The City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and contains an outstanding museum. Udaipur is dotted with a series of beautiful lakes and important temples, including the 17th century Jagdish Temple.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughul influences. Half of it is still occupied by the Royal family, and part converted into a museum. The Jagdish Temple (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of the Nagara style of temple architecture. A brass Garuda stands outside and stone elephants flank the entrance steps inside is a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Sahelion-ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18th century. It has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers.

Later enjoy sharing motor boat ride on Lake Pichoala affords unforgettable views of the hills that surround Udaipur, as well as the palaces, temples and bathing ghats that make up this picturesque city.  Visit the island palace of Jag Niwas and enjoy the scenic beauty.Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morining drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Jaipur is a city of history and tradition, dating back to its foundation in the 17th century by Sawai Jai Singh, from whom it derives its name.  Jai Sing meticulously planned the civic layout of Jaipur, with wide roads and impressive architecture, all of which is painted pink to this day.

Later this afternoon city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

On the way to hotel, visit one of the Hindu temple and witness the prayer ceremony with locals.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning excursion to Amer (Amber) fort by Jeep ride. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.

Enjoy bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes & colourful bazaar of Old Jaipur‘s bustling bazaar is like diving into a sea of colors and sounds. The narrow lanes are alive with vendors selling spices, textiles, and trinkets, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.

Experience the saree tyings for ladis & turban tyings for gentelmens (part of Indian traditional attaire) at one of the emporium on the way to hotel.

Return to hotel for short rest.

Diwali is a festival celebrated by Hindus around the world. It's known as the festival of lights and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. People celebrate by decorating their homes, lighting oil lamps, exchanging gifts, and enjoying festive meals.

As the evening settles, I observe the Diwali puja ceremony at an Indian family's home. Bright lights twinkle, and the air is filled with the scent of incense. Family members gather to pray, light lamps, and share sweets, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

Return to hotel for dinner.

Later this evening, take a ride through the bright and colorful streets of Jaipur. You'll see dazzling lights everywhere, especially during the Diwali festival. It's a wonderful time to soak in the festive atmosphere and enjoy the beauty of the city at night.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Agra, en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akber in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendor of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.

Continue drive to Agra, upon arrival in Agra visit the majestic fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces.

Later check-in at the hotel and take a short rest.

This evening visit over to an Indian family's house to learn how to cook delicious curry dishes! You'll join in the cooking and get to try making one dish yourself. Then, we'll all enjoy the meal together for dinner. It's a fun way to learn about Indian cooking!

After dinner, you can chat with the family to learn about their daily life in India. And we'll finish off with some tea or coffee together.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ' Love Poem in Marble'. (Taj Mahal remain closed Friday).

This afternoon drive to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel. Overnights stay at the hotel,

Breakfast at the hotel (depending on your flight timings – breakfast start from 07:30 am till 10:00 am). Hotel check-out 11:00 hour. In time transfer to Delhi international airport to board your flight for onward destination.