Enchanting India

DATES

06 November – 25 November 2023

RATES – FROM

Twin Share: from NZD$9,200 per person
Single Room: from NZD$11,700 per person

*Rates are per person based on Twin Share or Single Room.
*Rates are based on min 8 Guests / max 12 Guests.
*Prices are subject to change until paid in full.
*A ‘Willing to Share’ for Single Travellers may be possible on this tour. Please enquire.
*International Airfares are not included. PLEASE ASK US FOR A QUOTE.

DAY 1 – DELHI

Early arrival into Delhi Airport where our local guide will meet you.
After departing the airport, your first stop will be for breakfast and a freshen up before visiting the first of many amazing monuments.  Humayun’s Tomb and the surrounding monuments date back to the early 1500s and was the first garden tomb in India, the first structure to use red sandstone on a grand scale, and is a UNESCO Heritage site.

You then take a drive past the Govt Buildings (President’s house and Secretariat Houses) and have a photo stop at India Gate before arriving at your hotel.  Time for a short rest, before a tour briefing followed by a Welcome Dinner.

Overnight: The Metropolitan 4* or similar (Welcome Dinner)

Day 2 – DELHI

This morning we drive to bustling Old Delhi, past the Red Fort to visit the Jama Mosque, India’s largest mosque and one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture.  It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan, who also commissioned the Taj Mahal.  We then venture into the energetic market of Chandni Chowk.  A thrilling rickshaw ride will whizz us down narrow lanes deep into the colourful chaos of old city where we disembark and take a stroll through the largest spice bazaar in Asia.  Watch wily men with gnarled hands and strong backs, load and unload spices of different colours, aroma and flavours.

We visit Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial (Raj Ghat) and a beautiful richly decorated Sikh Temple. Within the Gurudwara Temple, is a voluntary group cooking for thousands of devotees – you will be blown away by the size of the pots and will be very welcome to assist the cooks by helping them stir the dishes.  At both places you will come away with a wonderful feeling of inner peace.  Time permitting, we will visit the impressive Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between 1199 and 1220.

Overnight: The Metropolitan 4* or similar (B)

Day 3 – DELHI – JABALPUR – BANDHAVGARH

This morning you head back to the airport for a flight to Jabalpur (1 hr 50 min flight).
From here you’ll drive to Bandhavgarh National Park taking around 4 hours.
Whilst driving in India can seem long, there is always plenty to amuse you – it’s like a continuous movie out the window!

Check in to resort and relax after a big day of travel.

Overnight Nature Heritage Resort or similar 4* jungle resort. (B)

Day 4 – Bandhavgarh National Park

It’s an early start with a cup of tea at dawn, before setting off on your first wildlife safari by open jeep with a specialist nature guide.

This Park shelters the highest density of Bengal Tigers in the world – last count around 600 of these mighty creatures and to see them in their natural habitat will be a bucket list experience for many.

The flora is a lush mix of forest and grasslands and home to many species of mammals (eg. leopards, gazelles, sloth bears and monkeys), plus a myriad of birds, butterflies, and reptiles.

A picnic breakfast will be served in the forest and you’ll return to the Resort for lunch and a few hours rest, before an afternoon safari.

Overnight Nature Heritage Resort or similar 4* jungle resort. (B)

Day 5 – Bandhavgarh National Park

Much of Rudyard Kipling’s inspiration for his Jungle Book series, came from the jungles of the Indian province of Madhya Pradesh which is exactly where we are staying.

As you set off on another safari, think of Shere Khan the tiger, Baloo the bear and Mowgli!

Afternoon at leisure.  Relax and recharge at the Resort ready for a change of pace tomorrow.

Overnight Nature Heritage Resort or similar 4* jungle resort. (B)

Day 6 – Bandhavgarh  –  Khajuraho

Spend the morning on a scenic drive passing through authentic rural India dotted with numerous villages and forests, reaching Khajuraho early afternoon.

This evening you celebrate Diwali!  Across India, this 5-day Festival of Light is celebrated with great enthusiasm by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.  It coincides with harvest and symbolises the victory of good over evil.  Families come together, candles are lit and placed throughout homes, in streets, places of worship and floated on lakes and rivers. Fireworks ward off evil spirits, Indian sweets are savoured, and new beginnings celebrated.

Accommodation: Ramada 4* or similar

Overnight Ramada 4* or similar. (B)

Day 7 – Khajuraho  –  Jhansi  –  Agra

Magnificent temples artistically carved with spiritual teachings and erotic relationships await you this morning as you explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Khajuraho.  Dating back to 950AD, the history and architectural craftsmanship is quite astounding.

This afternoon you travel by road to Jhansi and board a train bound for Agra.
Travelling by train is a great people-watching exercise and one of the most popular modes of transport in India.
It’s a pleasant change from the road and a new experience to tick off.

Overnight Trident 4* or similar. (B)

Day 8 – Agra

Rise early for a much-anticipated visit to the Taj Mahal.
Harsh will give you tips on how to capture this brilliant monument as the sun rises and starts to kiss different aspects of the building making it shimmer and sparkle.  You are taken to the best photography and viewing sites to make sure your experience of visiting the Taj Mahal is as fulfilling as possible.  There will be plenty of time to wander at leisure to explore all the impressive buildings within the complex and to go inside the Taj and get up close to the intricate marble inlay and architecture of one of the most photographed buildings in the world.

Return to hotel for late breakfast and rest.

You start your afternoon exploration with a visit to the Agra Fort – one of the grandest forts in India and a lovely place to wander around taking in the history, buildings and views.
Later visit Mehtab Bagh – the gardens located on the banks of the Yamuna River for a different view of the Taj Mahal.

Overnight Trident 4* or similar. (B)

Day 9 – Agra  –  Jaipur

Spend the morning watching another crazy Indian movie from your coach seat!
The drive to Jaipur will take around 5 hours and you’ll have some stops along the way, including one of the oldest step wells in India – Abhaneri.

On arrival in The Pink City, you check in to your exquisite heritage hotel and relax for the rest of the day.
If you would like to get up close and personal to domesticated elephants, there will be the opportunity to visit a elephant village later today

Overnight Shahpura House or similar  Heritage Hotel. (B)

Day 10 – Jaipur

Your day starts with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal known as the Palace of Wind and hear all about its intriguing legends and history.

Continue to the Amber Fort also known as Amer Palace.  This is a fabulous place to wander about the different courtyards and view the architecture, which is a fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) styles.  The handsome pillars and delicate floral designs in the Hall or Mirrors is particularly gorgeous.

En-route back to the city you have a photo stop at Jal Mahal, the Water Palace.

After lunch, it’s on to the principal residence of Jaipur’s present ruling family, the City Palace.  We allow plenty of time for exploring the museums – full of ancient weaponry, art, exquisite royal attire, and jewellery.

Later visit Jantar Mantar. This UNESCO World heritage site will amaze you with its astronomical and astrological tools used by researchers of ancient India.

This evening, enjoy “Hi Tea” at a café opposite to the Hawa Mahal – a great way to conclude the day witnessing this fabulous structure as its 953 windows begin to glitter as dusk gathers.

Overnight Shahpura House or similar  Heritage Hotel. (B)

Day 11 – Jaipur  –  Pushkar

Early this morning you visit the Milk Market which will be buzzing with milk sellers, dressed in their traditional white dhotis and kurtas.

Afterwards sit back and relax and watch that continual colourful movie out the coach window as you drive to the sacred Hindi city of Pushkar.

Late this afternoon you head into the fair grounds to revel in the festivities – your head will be swiveling frantically, as every which way you look is an amazing spectacle!
Thousands of camels, horses and cattle, along with their owners, camp in the sand dunes.
Brisk trade goes on day and night, deals are sealed and animals exchanged.
It is a gathering of men with large colourful turbans, women wrapped in gorgeous saris and exquisite jewellery, and children dressed in beautiful traditional attire.

Back to camp for a performance from Kalbelia gypsies followed by Dinner.

Overnight Deluxe tents with en-suite bathroom. (B)

Day 12 – Pushkar Fair

Early morning visit to Pushkar Fairground – a photographer’s delight.
Capture herds of camels coming over the dunes as the sunrises creating fantastic silhouettes.  Watch the camp come to life, fires lit, tea brewed, smoke drifts lazily out of mouths as pipes are puffed, chapatis are slapped in to shape, kids run amuck, camels are led to water troughs, stallions prance down the street, camels are carefully clipped and then gaily dressed for dancing competitions.

Return to camp for breakfast and a rest.

After lunch return to Pushkar where you will visit the Brahma temple as well as Pushkar Lake where thousands of people bath and worship every day.  You might then choose to stay in the town and do some shopping or return to the Fairground for sunset.

Overnight Deluxe tents with en-suite bathroom. (B)

Day 13 –  Pushkar  –  Deogarh

Last opportunity to get your fill of the action-packed Fairground with an early morning visit (or you may prefer to have a sleep in).

After breakfast, we have another fascinating drive through to Deogargh (approx 4 hours).

Along the way you will spot flashes of colour as you pass locals dressed in colourful saris and turbans working in the fields, women baking dung paddies, drawing water from wells and carrying water pots seemingly effortlessly on their heads.

After the craziness of the cities and fair, you will find the pace of Deogarh rather pleasant.
You are staying in a 17th century mahal (palace) now converted to a heritage hotel.  The Maharaja and Maharani also live here.  The village is right outside the mahal and you are free to explore at leisure, before our jeep safari into the countryside in the late afternoon.

Overnight Deogargh Palace Heritage hotel or similar. (B)

Day 14 –  Deogarh  |  Jodhpur

This morning’s mode of transport is a rural train running on a 1930’s British track.
The train traverses the Aravali Hills and jungles through tunnels and bridges.  Enjoy the mesmeric and eye-popping scenery, mingle with the locals and countless monkeys that greet you enroute.  Your coach driver will meet you after a few hours and you drive on to The Blue City of Jodhpur.

From the roof top restaurant of our hotel you can see the imposing Mehrangarh Fort – a stunning backdrop to view as the sun sets.

Overnight Pal Haveli Heritage hotel or similar. (B)

Day 15 –  Jodhpur

Optional sunrise walking tour up a nearby hill to capture the panoramic view of Mehrangarh Fort and the old city of Jodhpur – totally worth the early wake up call!

After breakfast, you’re off on a busy day, first visiting cloth dyers known as ‘Rangrez’. This place is renowned for Tie-Dye or Bandhej, a prevalent conventional craft of Rajasthan.  You are free to wander around and watch the colour dying process that gives unique designs to dresses.

After lunch, visit Mehrangarh Fort, one of the grandest forts in India.  This impregnable fort rises perpendicular on a rocky hill above the city and is still run by the Jodphur royal family. Stroll at leisure through the buildings which are packed with legends and history dating back to 1459.

At Jaswant Thada, marvel at the architecture and beautiful jalis (carved-marble lattice screens) of the cenotaph and cremation grounds of the royal family of Marwar.  Stroll around the pretty gardens and lake and soak up the serenity.

By late afternoon, you’ll be exploring hidden nooks and crannies in the Blue city and around the Clock Tower market to capture daily life of local people.  You will venture deep in to the laneways of the city with its maze of brightly painted blue homes. The play of light in the passageways, the exotic architecture, colourful local dress and dramatic backdrop of the imposing Mehrangarh Fort provide an abundance of photographic opportunities.

Overnight Pal Haveli Heritage hotel or similar. (B)

Day 16 – Jodhpur  |  Varanasi

You have a travel day, flying from Jodhpur via Delhi to Varanasi.

If you thought you’d seen it all, wait till you get to Varanasi!  Your eyes will really be popping as we make your way by vehicle and then foot to our accommodation located right on the Ganges River. This is the perfect location to just step out anytime you like and explore the ghats or just sit and people-watch.

Overnight Ganpati Guest House 3* or similar. (B)

Day 17 – Varanasi

Rise very early this morning to see the beauty of the rising sun as we gently glide along the Ganges by boat.  Witness the early morning Hindi rituals, thousands of people taking a bath in the holy river and offering flowers and water to the Sun God.

After breakfast, you drive out of Varanasi to visit Sarnath. Explore the deer park where Gautama Buddha first imparted knowledge regarding Dharma and Karma. The intricate art of silk weaving will be observed in a nearby village and you will no doubt come away with some souvenirs.

This evening, enjoy a walking tour through the oldest and most famous narrow lanes of Varanasi, past the endless human panorama – pilgrims, worshippers, sadhus, children selling flowers and floating lights.

On the famous Ghats of the Ganges we’ll find a stop to watch the incredible Aarti Ceremony which is part of the evening pooja (prayers).  During the ceremony deepas (oil lamps) are offered to Mother Ganga with thanks and devotion for the light of the sun and for her divine light. As the fire ceremony takes place, bells are rung and chanting and singing provide a fascinating, magical and spiritual conclusion to the day’s end.

Overnight Ganpati Guest House 3* or similar. (B)

Day 18 – Varanasi |  Mumbai

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bombay/Mumbai, located on the Arabian sea.

On arrival in Mumbai you head straight into the thick of this bustling city for a walking tour of the famous Crawford Market (a wholesale market in a historic Gothic style building) and Chor Bazaar (known as Thieves Market). By now your bargaining skills should be pretty sharp!

It’s your last night in India and that calls for a grand finale dinner.

Overnight Ambassador Hotel Heritage hotel or similar. (B)

Day 19 –  Mumbai –  Depart

Your last day of sightseeing starts at the Gateway of India overlooking the Mumbai Harbour. We then drive past the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO world heritage site and beautiful example of Victorian-Gothic style architecture from a by-gone era.

Unique to Mumbai is a dabbawala (food delivery person).  There are over 5000 dabbawalas in the city distributing some 200,000 meals by bicycle and train.  The lunchboxes are collected from the clients’ home in the morning, delivered to the workplace, then returned empty in the afternoon.  It is the most efficient delivery system in the world and seeing the dabbawalas in action is a spectacle – Uber Eats have nothing on these guys!   The 2013 Bollywood film The Lunchbox is based on the dabbawala service (well worth watching).

Another unique feature of Mumbai is the dhobi – a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. The laundries are called “ghats” and we will visit the most famous – Dhobi Ghat where around 200 dhobis and their families work together.

We end the day in Mumbai’s beating heart – Dharavi Slum.  Dharavi houses over one million people and its industries have an annual turnover of approx US$665 million.  Your walking tour introduces us to a way of living that is astounding – photography is not permitted in the slum.

There will be the opportunity to shower and dine before heading to the airport for your onward flight home late this evening.

• Escorted from Auckland by Marie Coles (with minimum 8 guests)
• Qualified English speaking Local Tour Guide & Photography Expert
• 18 Nights accommodation at specified hotels or similar
• Daily Breakfast + Dinners (all meals are included in Ranthambore and Pushkar)
• Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle, air-conditioned train & planes
• All activities and visits specified in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to all the monuments mentioned as per the itinerary
• Three Jeep safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park (4 people per jeep)
• Rickshaw rides in Old Delhi and Jaipur
• Puja ceremony as per Hindu rituals in Pushkar
• Camel cart ride in Pushkar
• Jeep safari & Rural train ride in Deogarh
• Unlimited drinking water on coach (BYO water bottle to refill)
• Tips for Porters, Waiters, Washroom Attendants, Driver & Guide
• All applicable current taxes and Government Service Tax
• Internal domestic airfares
• Yoga sessions whenever time permits (Yoga Mats will be provided)
• Early morning boat ride on Ganges in Varanasi with live performance by Sitar player
• Visit to a rural school

QT Boutique Hotel