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
Begin with a drive to Agra that will take approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. 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.
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 5
Drive approximately 4-5 hours to Jaipur. 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 in and have some time to relax before a sound and light show at the city’s Amber Fort.
Day 6
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 7
Transfer to Jodhpur. This is approximately a 5 hour drive. Once settled in, you will begin an afternoon tour of the city. Exploring the second largest city of Rajasthan, you will first visit the Mehangarh Fort. Within its great walls (which remain scarred from cannon balls), you can meander through its impressive courtyards and many small palaces. Of these, the most notable palaces to visit are Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palce), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana.
You will also visit the fort’s museum, which hosts a fine selection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniature paintings, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. Stroll to the top of the fort for great photographic views of the sprawling Blue City that lies below. Then visit the spectacular Jaswant Thada, a pure white marble memorial built to commemorate Maharaja Singh II. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city or perhaps walk through the colorful bizarres.
Note: We recommend a Jeep Safari to the nearby Guda Bishnoi Village (at added cost) to experience a sense of tribal India. 25 kilometers outside of Jodhpur, you may find the Bisnoi community, a group of faithful worshippers of nature and the sanctity of plant and animal life. A natural desert oasis, this is a great place to experience the customs of tribal life and enjoy its beautiful natural surroundings.
Day 8
Begin your drive south from Jodhpur to Udaipur. This is approximately a 5-6 hour drive, but will be broken up by visiting the Jain Temples of Ranakpur. The more renowned Jain temple boasts over 1400 marble pillars that are carved in exquisite detail. Opposite this temple, you will also visit the much older Sun Temple. Then you will continue your drive to Udaipur. Once checked in at your hotel, you will have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9
This morning you will begin by visiting the City Palace Museum. The museum preserves the architectural extravagance of the palace; the granite and marble balconies, lavish arches and cupolas and octagonal towers that offer fine views of the surrounding lake and city. Adjacent to the north entrance, you will then visit the Jagdish Temple. Lavishly designed and enshrined with stone images of Krishna, this is celebrated as the city’s largest temple. Then, you will visit Sahelion Ki Bari, a remarkable garden once designed for the royal ladies of the palace.
Later in the afternoon, you can relax on a boat cruise upon the serene Lake Pichola. You will be able to see the fascinating Jagmandir Island Palace. Before returning to your hotel, you will also have time to peruse through the open air markets that sprawl behind the City Palace.
Note: We recommend a tour of the Crystal Gallery (price not included), which displays a breathtaking collection of crystal items, including tables, sofa sets, dressers, fountains and even beds. We also offer horseback riding (price not included) through the peaceful nature and stunning landscape outside of the city. Please enquire with your Yampu travel consultant for more details.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Colombo, via New Delhi. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel (35 kms, 1 hour). Remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 11
Depart Colombo for your drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura (200 kms, 4-5 hours). In the afternoon enjoy a tour of the city. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagobas of Sri Lanka; Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, constructed in the 2nd century BCE with its famous elephant walls and the 3rd century BCE Thuparama Dagoba. See several ruins of ancient royal palaces, especially the pillars of the Brazen Palace, which once stood over nine stories tall.
Also visit a statue which portrays the image of the Samadhi Buddha, one of the finest pieces of Buddhist sculpture. Other sites include several monasteries, the twin ponds, guard stones and the moonstone. Finally, marvel at the ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’ or the sacred Bo tree, which is over 2200 years old and said to have been grown from a branch of the very tree under which The Buddha attained enlightenment – the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
Day 12
After a leisurely morning, drive to Sigriya (90 kms, 2-3 hours). In the afternoon climb to the Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which was built by King Kassapa in the 5th century and acted as a Royal Citadel for over 18 years. Here, the Lion Rock is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200 meters from the jungle below. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and extensive gardens, including the renowned water gardens. The majestic Lion’s Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit. See the famous frescoes of the “Heavenly Maidens” of Sigirya in a sheltered pocket of the rock, as well as a 10 foot high Mirror Wall.
Day 13
Drive to Kandy (92 kilometers, 2-3 hours). Once arrived, enjoy a full day guided city tour beginning at the Royal Botanical Center, showcasing some of the finest gardens of its kind in Asia with over 4,000 species of flora. Home to aromatic spice gardens and an impressive orchid house, you will also see many exotic species including palms (Palmyra, tailpot, royal & cabbage), Indian rubber trees, an amazing avenue of drunken looking pines and numerous magnificent specimens of old trees. There are also collections of ebony, ficus and cycad as well as various flower gardens, medicinal gardens and a cactus house.
Continue onwards to the famed Temple of the Tooth. This stunning 17th century temple is believed to house the upper left canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This divine relic attracts pilgrims clad in white bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani on a daily basis. Afterwards, continue to the local Gemological Museum to be followed by a visit to the Arts & Craft Center, which sells traditional handicrafts, such as wood carvings, Sri Lankan masks, stoneware, batiks, silver and brassware, paintings and antiques.
Day 14
After breakfast, drive to Nuwara Eliya (80 Kms, 2-3 hours). Set in the heart of the Tea Country, situated 1890 meters (6200 ft) above sea level, this beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes ranging in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne complete with well kept lawns and hedges. En route visit a tea plantation.
On arrival in Nuwara Eliya commence an orientation tour in the city. Visit the Nuwara Eliya town center and marketplace before viewing stunning Lake Gregory. Also see Sri Lanka's Highest Mountain - Pidurutalagala (8282 ft).
Day 15
After breakfast, drive to Yala National Park (192 kms, 5-6 hours). Once arrived spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 16
Embark on a morning jungle excursion in search of Yala’s leopards, elephants and other wildlife. This will be approximately 3-4 hours. Enjoy some time at rest in the afternoon before heading out for a second game drive after the heat of the day has passed. Safaris will be guided in open top Jeeps.
Day 17
Again, enjoy another day of morning and afternoon jungle safaris for a last chance to check any animals off of your list that you have yet to see.
Day 18
Drive to Sinharaja Forest (241 km, 6-7 hours). Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. If you’re up for it, choose to explore your tropical surroundings with some of your hotel’s outdoor activities, such as one of the mountain biking or kayaking circuits.
Day 19
In the morning, leave by open top Jeep for Singharaja Rainforest. The forest is then explored on foot with a local trekker. The duration of the walk is approximately 2-3 hours and offers great bird watching, as 95% of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds are found here. In fact, some of the country’s rarest birds reside here, including the red-faced malkoha, the Sri Lanka blue magpie, the ashy-headed babbler, the white-headed starling and the green-billed coucal. Additionally, the most commonly seen and noteworthy primate in the forest is the purple faced leaf monkey.
In the afternoon, drive to Bentota and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure and enjoying your new beach setting.
Day 20
Day at leisure soaking in the sun on the beaches of Bentota. Enjoy the azure hues of the Indian Ocean spreading before you. Choose to spend some time near the pool or perhaps go straight for the white sand beach to lie under the shade of the tropical palms or enjoy a few refreshing coconut drinks. At night, be sure to indulge in some of the fine local sea food and unwind under the comfort of the warm Indian Ocean breezes.
Day 21
Again, spend your day at leisure enjoying the beach.
Day 22
Drive to Colombo (100 kms, 3-4 hours). Arrive with enough time for an afternoon guided tour of the city. Begin at the Old Parliament House, which houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. This elegant Greco-Roman building was designed with an Ionic style to resemble the Temple of Athena in Greece. Continue onwards to the BMICH Hall (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall). This modern and elegant building is the leading convention and events center in the city and covers 37 acres offering beautiful gardens and green spaces.
Carrying on, visit the Colombo Town Hall, adjacent to Viharamahadevi Park. Built in 1927, the white-domed town hall is of neoclassical style and is said to have been modeled after the Capital Building of Washington D.C. Next up is the Independence Commemoration Hall, a national monument that commemorates Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule. Built to resemble a Kandyan audience hall, this impressive looking memorial showcases a statue of Don Stephen Senanayake, the “Father of the Nation” and Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister.
Enjoy the remainder of the day to go shopping, walk the coastline or perhaps explore any other sights and attractions that you would like to see.
Day 23
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Combined India and S. Asia
Ceylon Leopard
Nuwara
Fatehpur Sikri
