Tours of India
Thanks to our excellent agents in India ‘La Passage to India’ we are able to offer a complete range of holidays to the sub-continent.
Below is an example of the sort of itinerary which can be arranged, this one being very popular as it takes in the ‘Golden Triangle’ much loved by British Tourists.
However, literally any itinerary or holiday in India can be arranged.
Day 1 Sat Arrive Delhi.
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel.
Delhi: The capital city of modern India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in Delhi – age-old monuments stand check by jowl with ultra modern hi-rise buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for centuries. Today old and new city combine to present a harmonious whole offering the traveller, elegant shops, broad laburnum lined avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colourful bazaars.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Sun Delhi sightseeing & Delhi/Mandawa
Morning combined sightseeing of Old & New Delhi.
In Old Delhi See the Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. Spend some time in Chandni Chowk to savour the ambience of a crowded oriental bazaar & drive past the Red Fort.
In New Delhi visit the Bangla Saheb Sikh temple, India Gate (memorial to the India army soldiers who died in the World War), drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy’s residence) and the parliament House. Towards the end visit 12th century 230 feet high Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234 ft.
After sightseeing of Delhi drive to Mandawa. 287 kms (178 miles) & 6 hours drive.
On arrival, check in at hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 Mon Mandawa – Bikaner
Today morning visit the Havelis of Mandawa. Known for their distinct frescoes, these huge mansions were built by traders in their hey days. Later drive on to Bikaner. 190 kms (118 miles) & 4 hours drive.
Checkin at your hotel on arrival.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 4 Tue Bikaner – Jodhpur
Today morning sightseeing of Bikaner. The city is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal temple. The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated.
Later drive to Jodhpur. 243 kms (151 miles) & 5:30 hours drive. Arrive Jodhpur & checkin at hotel.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 5 Wed Jodhpur – Nimaj
Today morning sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or “Jarokhas” with evocative names. The chambers of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era. Later visit the Jaswant Thada – a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II.
Later drive to Nimaj. 110 kms (68 miles) & 2:30 hours drive. On arrival, checkin at hotel.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 6 Thu Nimaj
Today visit the nearby villages and sanctuaries. The visit to villages will give you a chance to see settlements of various tribes like Gujars – the shepherds, Kalbelia – snake charmers and other hamlets of Bishnoi, Seervi & Kumavat communities. Interestingly, Bishnoi community has traditionally been avid conservationist and they take special interest in protecting Antelopes from poachers. During Sanctuary visits you will encounter the endangered Black Bucks, Chinkaras and Blue Bulls.
Lunch & dinner at hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7 Fri Nimaj – Jaipur
Today morning drive to Jaipur. 222 kms (138 miles) & 5 hours drive. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8 Sat Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort.
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.
Afternoon city tour of the pink city of Jaipur
Half day 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.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 9 Sun Jaipur-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra
Morning drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. 221 kms (137 miles) & 5 hours drive.
Located 40 kms before Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.
Continue the drive to Agra and on arrival, check in at hotel.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 10 Mon Agra – Delhi
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 years to complete this ‘Love Poem in Marble’. (Friday closed). Later visit the Agra fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces. Shah Jahan spent years of confinement at the hands of his son Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at the Taj Mahal from the Fort.
Afternoon drive to Delhi. 205 kms (127 miles) & 4:30 hours drive.
Arrive Delhi by late evening and you will be transferred to restaurant. Dinner at the restaurant.
After dinner, you will be transferred to international airport to board the return flight.
End of services
Check-in / Check-out time 12 Noon
