This trip is available on any date and for any number of travellers

 INDIA

Northern India
Independent Pre-planned 21-day Journey

Starts in Delhi on any day

Visiting Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Agra,
Bharatpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Osian
 

Your Trip, Your Way

The trip described below is one which we have previously offered as one of our own Private Journeys. Since we are not offering this trip as a group departure this year, we have made it available as a custom-designed itinerary.

We can start this trip on any date and can accommodate any number of travellers. The itinerary can be followed exactly as shown or we can add or subtract days as required to suit your exact needs.

Along the way we will provide expert guides and private air-conditioned vehicles in all locations. We'll pre-arrange all breakfasts and any other meals that you require. We have suggested meals in the itinerary below, but we can adjust this to suit your tastes.

And while we show recommended hotel names in many of the locations on the itinerary as well, we can also adjust the hotels to suit whatever comfort level you prefer.

In short, we'll start with this itinerary and modify it in any way you like.

We'll take care of the details. Then all you have to do is arrive and enjoy your journey.
 

Introduction

Leaving the familiar world behind and spending a few weeks in a country like India will change you forever. You will not only appreciate the culture, food, sites and people of India, but you'll also appreciate Canada more than you did before.

A double-barrelled advantage, all from one journey.

Like many of our journeys,  this one will introduce you to unique cultures, diverse religions, historic sites, local music, unfamiliar surroundings and interesting people, all of which will make you feel more alive. Add comfortable accommodation, delicious food and a photograph around every corner and you’ve created the trip of a lifetime!

You'll wander through hidden villages, exciting cities, busy markets, historic and cultural sites, archaeological wonders and more; all in comfort and safety. You'll visit with local people and experience their lifestyles. You'll travel on modern aircraft, private mini-buses, boats, elephants, camels, rickshaws and other extraordinary craft. You'll sample heavenly daal, flavourful naan, delicious curries, tropical fruits and more. You'll watch the sunset over the Ganges River. You'll do hundreds of things you have never even thought of. At all times, TrailFinders support remains with you - there when you need it! Personal guides and drivers will escort you throughout this wonderful part of the world - to offer advice, to smooth any bumps in the road and to make sure your experience is the best it can possibly be.

Let us create a special journey just for you. Come in and talk to us or call us soon. We can be reached at 613-789-1900 in Ottawa or Toll-free at 888-765-7662. Alternately, you can click here to send us e-mail.

The Recommended Itinerary (for a map of this journey click here)

Day 1	DELHI - ARRIVAL Upon your arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at your Delhi hotel.
Day 2	DELHI (B, D)  Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is free for adjusting to your new time zone, visiting the fitness centre or pool, sending e-mail home, relaxing or going out for a look around. Free for lunch. In the afternoon your guide will pick you up at the hotel and begin your sightseeing tour of New Delhi.  New Delhi stands in formal splendour, like a lone sentry guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city of wide boulevards and formal parks. You'll see the magnificent Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan - the official residence of the President of India. As well you'll see India Gate - a majestic 42 meter high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I. Afterwards visit the famous Qutab Minar, a 72 meter high tower dating back to the 13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic Culture. Then visit Humanyun's Tomb, built in the 16th century and architecturally the forerunner of the Taj Mahal - Mughal architecture at its graceful best. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your Delhi hotel.
Day 3	DELHI (B)  Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. You'll visit the Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatama Gandhi - and drive past the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops and bazaars. The fort was built by the Emperor Shah Jehan, the builder of the Taj Mahal. Also visit the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes, then the famous Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi's business nerve center. The hustle and bustle of everyday Indian life will be all around you.  Return to the hotel by lunch time. Free afternoon. Overnight at your Delhi hotel.
Day 4	DELHI - VARANASI (B,L,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi Upon arrival in Varanasi transfer to the hotel. Varanasi is the oldest living city in Asia with a very rich past. It's known the world over for its "ghats" or ceremonial stairs lining the west bank of the Ganges river running through the city.  Worshippers use the ghats for ceremonial bathing. We'll visit several sites during our exploration of the city today and tomorrow including the university and the Mother India temple. We'll also enjoy a ride on a local riverboat and a visit to some of the river ghats. Lunch at the hotel. Tonight your guide will take you to an Arti ceremony, an unforgettable religious experience for believers and a beautifully choreographed and colourful musical performance for the rest of us. The performance will be watched during a boat cruise on the River Ganges. Dinner and overnight and dinner at the Radisson Hotel.
Day 5	VARANASI (B)  This morning rise before sun-up and proceed down to the Ganges River and board your boat for an excursion on the river - a ferry pilgrimage from ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer prayers to the rising sun. Every pious Hindu believes that to die here and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Return to hotel for breakfast then go for a walk with your guide through the narrow lanes near the ghats. Here you can also take a rickshaw ride to cover more ground. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your guide can suggest activities or you can head out with your guidebook. Free for lunch and dinner. Overnight at the Radisson hotel.
Day 6	VARANASI - KHAJURAHO (B,D)  Late breakfast at the hotel. Part of morning free until you transfer to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival in Khajuraho, transfer to the hotel for check in and depart for a tour of the Khajuraho temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site) very near the hotel. Of the two groups, the western group is the biggest, best preserved and easiest to access. The largest temple of the western group and the most magnificent is the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the group are Chausath Yogini, Chitragupta, Vishwanath, Lakshmana, Matangeshwara, Devi Jagadamba, Parvati, Lakshmi and Varaha temples, each with its own history, presiding deity and points of interest. Dinner and overnight at the Jass hotel.
Day 7	KHAJURAHO - ORCHHA (B,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to re-visit the nearby temples on your own or wander about the town. In the late morning depart by minibus to Orchha, about a four-hour drive. We suggest a stop along the way at the midway café. Upon arrival in Orchha transfer to the hotel. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone - frozen in time. In this medieval city the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by it's Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. If you wish, enjoy a walk around the village before dinner. You'll see the palaces tomorrow. Dinner and overnight at the Amar Mahal hotel.
Day 8	ORCHHA - JANSI - AGRA (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast leave the hotel on foot to explore the town and some of its sites with your guide. Return to the hotel for lunch then depart by road for Jhansi where you'll board the train “Shatabdi express” for Agra. Upon arrival in Agra transfer to the hotel. Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. This edifice has become the de-facto tourist emblem of India. Tomorrow you'll visit this incredible site. Late dinner in the coffee shop/restaurant at the hotel. Overnight at the Mughul Sheraton.
Day 9	AGRA (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you depart on a sightseeing tour of Agra around 10 am, first visiting the Red Fort. Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the magnificent Red Fort. Here you'll see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so famous. Our tour includes the Pearl Mosque and the halls of Public and Private Audience. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the world-famous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal truly is one of the wonders of the world, a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece which has held the world awe-struck ever since. Afterwards you can make a quick stop at the marble factory to examine the art of inlaying the precious stones into the marble - a technique which you saw earlier at the Taj Mahal. Tonight we recommend you enjoy dinner at Peshawari Restaurant in the Mughal Sheraton. Overnight at the Mughul Sheraton.
Day 10	AGRA - BHARATPUR (B,L,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast depart by road for Bharatpur and en route visit Fatehpur Sikri, another UNESCO World Heritage site which is located about 40 kilometres west of Agra. It was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. You'll enjoy a short visit to the site and then carry on toward Bharatpur. Upon arrival at Bharatpur, check into the hotel and enjoy lunch. Balance of the day at leisure for independent activities. Dinner and overnight at Laxmi Vilas or Udai Vilas.
Day 11	BHARATPUR - JAIPUR (B,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast set out to visit the bird sanctuary of Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After the visit continue the drive to Jaipur. You can stop at a restaurant along the way for lunch if you wish. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the 'pink city' because of the ochre-pink hue of its old buildings and crenellated city walls. The Rajputs considered pink to be a colour associated with hospitality and are reputed to have decorated the city in preparation for the visit of Britain's Prince Alfred in 1853. This tradition and Jaipur's welcoming, relaxed air continue to this day.  Upon arrival in Jaipur transfer to the hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Alsisar Haveli.
Day 12	JAIPUR (B,L,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you embark on a sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Here you'll see the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) with its incredible facade of balconies and pierced screens, the Jantar Mantar (the Observatory) and the Maharaja's City Palace including several of its interesting museums. Lunch at Hotel Samode Haveli. Rest of afternoon free to explore or relax. Your guide can drop you off in central Jaipur or at the hotel. Evening dinner at Niros. Overnight at Alsisar Haveli.
Day 13	JAIPUR (B,L,D)  Breakfast at the hotel.  This morning enjoy an excursion to the impressive Amber Fort. Built by Man Singh, the fort embodies the Rajput belief that a fort symbolises the strength of the King. Its commanding view, sheer walls and rock face and the curved route that leads to the palaces within, all point to a concern with security and defence. The fort is mirrored in Maota Lake which stands adjacent to the Dilaram Garden. The private apartments begun by Man Singh in the 17th century combine Hindu and Mughal styles and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single match. Also visit the Jag Mandir, glittering with mirrors, the Jai Mahal and the Kali Temple. Lunch at local restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is free for exploring on your own. Dinner at Hotel Mansingh. Overnight at Alsisar Haveli.
Day 14	JAIPUR - UDAIPUR (B,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival at Udaipur, transfer to the Jagat Retreat, a working farm in the forest just outside of Udaipur. The rest of the day is free to enjoy activities at the farm or simply to relax in this beautiful wooded setting. Evening dinner and overnight at the Jagat Retreat.
Day 15	UDAIPUR (B,L,D)  Breakfast at the farm. This morning you'll embark on a sightseeing tour of Udaipur - the enchanting City of Dawn - which looms up like a vision in white. Saheliyon Ki Bari - this 'Garden of Maids of Honour' is a small ornamental pleasure garden containing an elegant lotus pool, gushing fountains, beautiful black marble kiosks on the corners of the pool and stunning bougainvillea covering the wall of the enclosures. The impressive City Palace was built in 1725 and has various palaces inside it such as Dilkush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, the Palace of Krishna and so on, all ornately decorated. This afternoon, have lunch at Hotel Fateh Prakash Palace while enjoying a view of Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace from the terrace of the hotel. Afterwards visit the famous crystal gallery in the hotel. Free time is available to explore the streets of the old city on your own, meeting some of the locals and taking lots of pictures. Return to Jagat Retreat for dinner and overnight.
Day 16	UDAIPUR - RANAKPUR - DEOGARH (B,L,D) Breakfast at the farm. Afterwards depart for Ranakpur arriving in time for lunch which will be provided at Hotel Maharani Bagh Resort. This afternoon, tour the temples. The Ranakpur Jain Temples were built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. An enormous basement covers a 48,000 sq. feet area. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and domes supported by over four hundred columns. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved - no two being alike. The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an engrossing sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells, each weighing 108 kilograms and whose sound echoes in the entire complex. Afterwards, transfer by road to Deogarh and check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Deogarh Mahal.
Day 17	DEOGARH - JODHPUR (B,D)  Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast continue the drive to Jodhpur and upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. This evening there may be an option to enjoy a BBQ dinner arranged on the lawns of the hotel directly across from your garden room. If not, your guide will pick you up and take you to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight at the Bal Samand Garden Retreat.
Day 18	JODHPUR - OSIAN (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, set off on a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathores, Jodhpur was the capital of the Rathore Kingdom. Until recent times, Jodhpur was known as the ancient kingdom of Marwar, the largest kingdom in Rajputana. Standing at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. The city is dominated by a massive fort that sits atop a sheer rocky ridge right in the middle of the town. You'll visit the incredible Mehrangarh Fort, founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 when he shifted his capital here from nearby Mandore. There are palaces housed within this daunting structure, among them are Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. You'll also visit the nearby Jaswant Thada, recently made famous as a pit stop on the 'Amazing Race'. Constructed out of thin sheets of marble which allow the sun to filter in, it was built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 1899. Enjoy lunch at Hotel Ajit Bhawan then depart for Osian. Once here, proceed to the tented camp on the sand dunes west of town and check into your tent. Evening bonfire on the dunes with dinner. Overnight at the desert tented camp.
Day 19	OSIAN - DELHI (B,L,D) Breakfast at the camp. After breakfast visit the village of Osian which was an important pilgrimage centre between the 8th and 9th centuries, apparent from the surviving Hindu temples of the Vaishnava, Saura (Sun) and Shakti (mother goddess) sects. Later, in spite of the ruler's adoption of Jainism, Osian continued to attract Hindu devotees to its temple of the goddess Sachiyamata and still in use today. There are 15 brahminical temples and shrines, and a cluster of Jain temples, all built during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty between the 8th and the 12th centuries: testimony to the significance of religion in the life of its people for 400 years. One group of 11 temples belonging to the early phase (8th-9th centuries), lies within and on the outskirts of the present-day village. The other group belonging to the 11th and 12th centuries is located on a hill overlooking the village. Though small, these temples are beautifully built and richly sculpted. A striking feature is the variety in their design. Each temple has its original design, planning and layout. At an appropriate time, depart for Jodhpur to board your flight to Delhi. A box lunch will be provided as required. Upon arrival in Delhi, check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight at your Delhi hotel.
Day 20	DELHI (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Most of today is free for last minute exploring and shopping. This evening, if you wish your guide can take you to a local pub and perhaps you can even take in a movie. Catch dinner during the evening whenever you wish. Overnight at your Delhi hotel.
Day 21	DELHI DEPARTURE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport at the appropriate time for your flight to Canada.

Price

The price will be determined after the trip is designed the way you want it. We can change any aspect of the trip to meet your needs.

Accommodation

The accommodation recommended in the itinerary has been selected to meet the needs of a typical Canadian traveller. Of course, we can adjust specific properties according to your wishes.

We have suggested hotels with high standards for cleanliness and comfort. At the same time we have attempted to make use of several styles of properties including modern hotels, local heritage properties including havelis (ancestral homes), resorts, a country farm and a tented camp.

We would estimate that our accommodation is in the 4-star category on average but because of the limited selection of good accommodation in India and because there is a huge gap between "excellent" and "barely acceptable", in a few cases we have had to resort to using 5-star properties while in other locations we are using "the best hotel in town".

Keep in mind that while India may appear to be an inexpensive location, excellent accommodation is anything but cheap so we continually search for excellent properties that offer good value.

Toll-free:  (888) 765-7662        In Ottawa: (613) 789-1900

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