Day 1
Overnight international flight to New Delhi.
Day 2
Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3
Begin your morning tour of Old Delhi with a cycle rickshaw ride through the streets. You will visit the Red Fort, which was once the most affluent fort and palace of the once reigning Mughal Empire; Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Your final stop in Old Delhi will bring you to Chandni Chowk, a lively and colorful market that was once the commercial center of the city.
You will then drive to New Delhi which will provide a stark contrast between the old with the new, a recurring theme throughout India. In New Delhi you will visit the India Gate monument, followed by the Parliament House (from the outside) and other extravagant government buildings. Then continue onward to Humayun’s Tomb, built in honor of India’s second Mughal emperor, followed by a visit to The Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple), the house of worship. This temple, designed in the form of a lotus, offers a simple message of humanity as a single race and calls for the Oneness of Mankind. Later you will visit the world’s tallest brick minaret, Qutub Minar. In store for today are also several other modern day landmarks, as well as some good opportunities to do some shopping.
Note: Yampu recommends one of our optional tours (price not included) to enjoy a fine dinner at the Veda Restaurant, a lavishly designed nouvelle cuisine curry house that offers a fusion of traditional Indian food with a modern spin. A second option is a visit to Akshardham, a unique, yet stunning monument that boasts 234 elaborately carved pillars, 9 decorative domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars (towers of Hindu architecture), stone elephants sculptures and 20,000 murtis (Hindu images portraying Divine spirits). Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
Day 4
Drive approximately 3-4 hours to Jaipur. Upon arrival you will check in to your hotel and be free to explore at leisure with what time you may have remaining. In the evening, journey to the Amber Fort for a sound and light show to cap off your day.
Day 5
This morning you will return to the Amber Fort for a half day excursion. As you stroll through the magnificent rooms and chambers, observe the various intricate ivory, mirror and glass work. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour that will begin at the City Palace Museum, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726), and great photographic opportunity at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds – a spectacular five storied, honeycomb styled building exemplifying superb Rajput artistry.
Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) of an evening elephant safari. After a chance to feed these gentle creatures, ride upon their backs through a private jungle area, passing many villages, fields and a medieval fortress as the sun sets. Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
Day 6
Drive approximately 4-5 hours to Agra. En route, you will stop to enjoy an excursion to the abandoned city of Fatepur Sikri, the once imperial city of the Mughal dynasty that was mysteriously deserted years after its inception. This ornate city was built with such grandeur that words do not do justice to the glorious atmosphere created by its buildings. Once arrived, you will check into your hotel for the evening.
Day 7
Today you will then proceed for your sightseeing tour of the stunning Taj Mahal, India’s most picture perfect work of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Then, as you then drive through the city to the Agra Fort, you will get some good images of the local scene and bazaars, and the everyday buzz of India. Once at the Agra Fort, you will be led through its regal chambers that were once called home to some of India’s most powerful Mughal emperors.
Note: We recommend an optional tour (cost not included) to a showing of Mohhabbat the Taj, a live show with a touch of Bollywood. This 80 minute presentation is a charming way to top off your day at the Kalakriti Auditorium. Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
Day 8
Transfer to the railway station for your train departing for Jhansi. Once in Jhansi, you will depart for a four hour drive to Khajuraho with a visit to the medieval town of Orcha en route. Once the capital of Bundela Kings, this city is nestled in the rugged countryside, yet retains a captivating atmosphere with its beautiful palaces and temples. Of note are the Jehangiri Mahal, the Raj Mahal and the Laxmi Narayan temple. In the late afternoon, arrive at Khajuraho and check in at your hotel.
Day 9
Today proceed to the Western Group of temples. Marvel at the erotic scenes depicted in the detailed sculptures that band the temple walls. While walking around each temple, be sure to have your right shoulder facing the building, as the right side is considered to be divine.
Following an afternoon flight to Varanasi, you will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will take a short trip out of town to visit Sarnath, the birth place of Buddhism. Here, where the Buddha revealed his first doctrine, you can explore the archeological museum to see many ancient Buddhist artifacts, but most notably the Ashoka Lion Capital sculpture, which is now the national emblem. Back in Varanasi, visit the Ghats on the Ganges River for the beautiful evening Aarti ceremony, which lasts between 1-2 hours.
Day 10
Awake early for a boat ride along the Ganges River. As you watch the sun rise over the calm waters, you will slowly begin to see more and more people walk down the ghats to dip in the holy waters of the Ganges and perform their morning prayers. As you cruise down the river, the city will slowly come alive in time for you to dock and begin a city tour. Following your morning tour of the sites, you will transfer to the airport for you flight to Bengaluru.
Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure settling in, adjusting to your surroundings, and exploring.
Day 11
Begin with a morning tour of the city that will bring you to the Bangalore Fort. A pristine example of 18th century Indian military architecture, this fort was originally a mud structure, but was rebuilt from stone under Hyder Ali in 1761. Then stroll through some of the 240 acres of flowering glory at the Lall Bagh Botanical Gardens. Throughout the lush lawns, flowerbeds, lotus pools and fountains you will find a collection of rare tropical and sub-tropical trees, plants and herbs that contribute to the beauty of this site. After the gardens you are free to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 12
Begin with a 3-4 hour drive to Mysore. Upon arrival, you will check in at your hotel and continue with an afternoon tour of the city. You will visit the fabulous Mysore Palace, where you can study its finely carved rosewood doors, inlaid ivory work, marble figurines, collections of caskets and royal paintings. On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays between the hours of 7-8 PM the palace is made into a magnificent spectacle when it is illuminated by nearly 100,000 glowing bulbs. Continuing on with your tour, you will also visit Chamundi Hill and the Durga Temple atop the hill. End you day with a relaxing evening visit to the world class Brindaven Garden.
Day 13
Today, you will drive back to Bengaluru. En route, you will visit Sriranganathaswamy, an island palace on the Kaveri River. Most renowned as the place where Haider Ali and Tipu Sulutan once ruled much of southern India during the 18th century, this site is a standing testament to their celebrated resistance to the British. Finally, arrive at the Bengaluru airport for your flight to Goa. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure and perhaps enjoy a few sundowners on the beach.
Day 14
Morning sightseeing tour of the historic part of Goa, which will take you to the Basilica de Bom Jesus and the Grand Se Cathedral. As A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the basilica is the final resting place of the celebrated St. Francis Xavier, one of Goa’s patron saints. Today, the basilica remains as one of India’s best examples of baroque architecture. On the other hand, the Se Cathedral is the largest in all of Asia, standing at 76 meters (250 ft) in length and 55 meters (180 ft) in width. Spend the afternoon at leisure and enjoy the fine beaches of Goa, partake in some water sports, take a yoga class, visit a local museum or go bird watching.
Day 15
Morning tour of one of Goa’s local spice plantations. The dense forested landscape of Goa and its favorable climate make for a perfect environment to grow spices. As you walk through the aromatic fields, you will undoubtedly smell and see vanilla beans, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, chilies, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger and a variety of fruits. Again, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure on Goa’s pristine beaches or try some local activities or excursions you have yet to cross off your list.
Day 16
Depending on your departure time, spend your morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your connection to Mumbai and flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Note: Check out of the hotel is at 12 pm. Late check out may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. Regardless, you may store your luggage at the hotel until the time that you are ready to leave for the airport.
India
Khajuraho Temple
Varanasi
Goa
