Best of India
Experience Overview
This spiritual encounter with the Ganges and sacred Varanasi brings India’s popular Golden Triangle, the rugged wilderness of Ranthambore and centuries-old celebrated traditions to life.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Be My Guest
- Jaipur: Savor dinner with a local family at their home in Jaipur.
Dive Into Culture
- Delhi: Take a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi.
- Jaipur: Visit a local market in Jaipur.
Iconic Experience
- Jama Masjid: Admire the red sandstone and marble details of Jama Masjid during your visit to one of the largest mosques in the country.
- Delhi: Visit Agrasen Ki Baoli and take in the arched niches of this citybound step well.
- Delhi: See Old Delhi's Red Fort.
- New Delhi: During your orientation of New Delhi, visit Humayun's Tomb, and see India Gate and the Qutub Minar complex.
- Taj Mahal: View the Taj Mahal, known as one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
- Agra: Inside Agra’s red sandstone fortress, witness the fairytale palaces, audiences halls and mosques of the Mughal rulers.
- Agra: See the imposing gate to the Jama Masjid and gain insight into life in Fatehpur Sikri, now a deserted ''ghost town.''
- Ranthambore National Park: Tour Ranthambore National Park for a chance to glimpse the resident animals and birdlife.
- Jaipur: Learn the traditional art of block-printing with a Local Specialist.
- Jaipur: During an orientation of Jaipur, visit the Amber Fort, City Palace and Jantar Mantar Observatory.
- Varanasi: Cruise down the Ganges and delve into local tradition as you witness the ritual of Aarti.
- Varanasi: As the sun rises over Varanasi, view the banks of the River Ganges come to life during a morning boat ride.
- Varanasi: During your brief orientation of the city, visit some of the famous temples. You'll also visit Sarnath, where Buddha first taught the Dharma.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Delhi: The Delhi City Walk tour explores lesser-known attractions around Paharganj and New Delhi Railway Station, guided by a teenager at the Trust who once lived and worked on the streets of Delhi. This personal touch makes the tour special and gives you a view of the tour guide's world through their eyes. City Walk is an example of how a volunteer's creativity can translate into a unique and enduring program, which is both popular and economically viable.
- Varanasi: At Weavers Village discover the community's efforts to keep the centuries-old silk weaving tradition alive.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Delhi, Jaipur and Varanasi
- Visit Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar in Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Ranthambore National Park, Amber Fort and the City Palace in Jaipur and Sarnath
- View the Palace of Winds in Jaipur
- See the Red Fort, Parliament House and India Gate in Delhi
Trafalgar Difference
- Ranthambore: Jaskaur Meena, a farmer and an educationist took a courageous decision to enter into the hospitality sector and started the first hotel business in the area of Ranthambore. The hotel was named after her late son Anurag. The land back in 1984 and nothing else but a temple, no houses, just forest. Jaskaur was the first lady to lead the hotel industry in the area and start a new era of tourism in Sawai Madhopur and went on becoming the first successful woman entrepreneur in Rajasthan. As a born farmer half the hotel’s land is used for agriculture and dairy which supplies organic produce to the hotel.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19203
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 732.2182
Starts: New Delhi, India
Finishes: Varanasi, India
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,909 ($264 /day)
Itinerary
India's vibrant capital extends a lively welcome, launching an unforgettable journey through northern India’s most exquisite sights. On arrival in Delhi, you'll be transferred to your hotel where you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Park Plaza CBD Shahdara
Meals: Dinner
Savor the scents of spice as you embark on an exhilarating rickshaw ride, navigating the busy streets of Old Delhi. See the Red Fort, a sandstone fortress which once housed the emperors of the Mughal dynasty for centuries. Next, Dive Into Culture as you ride through the colorful Chandni Chowk market and watch it come to life as the day's trading begins amidst the sounds of enthusiastic salesmen and endless traffic. Visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Admire its ornate façades before boarding a waiting vehicle to drive to Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Pay tribute to this beloved figurehead, who led the campaign for India’s independence from Britain. You’ll come face-to-face with the site where he was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Today the simple square platform of black marble is surrounded by a tranquil park, befitting of its status as a place of contemplation. Your next stop is Agrasen Ki Baoli, one of the most noteworthy stepwells in Delhi. Hidden amidst the cacophony of Delhi’s streets and business towers, this ancient water reservoir rises from the depths of the earth to stand atop 103 stone steps. Spend a few moments of serenity amidst its centuries-old ornate arches before returning to your hotel for an afternoon of leisure or consider one of our Optional Experiences.
Accommodation: Park Plaza CBD Shahdara
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, embark on a guided walking tour to discover the work done by the Salaam Baalak Trust, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This non-profit organization that aims to provide a caring environment for street children. Later, we'll walk through the bazaar of Paharganj, rubbing shoulders with the locals who flock to the market to shop everyday. Escape the noise and head to New Delhi, designed and built by the British in the 1920s. Your first stop here is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Humayun's Tomb, the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former glory, you’ll see first-hand why it served as the inspiration for the design of the famous Taj Mahal. Enjoy local flavors for lunch at a restaurant near India Gate, then head to the Qutub Minar complex, also a UNESCO listed site. This fluted ‘Victory Tower’ is decorated with elaborate inscriptions, geometric carvings and elegant balconies. Returning to your hotel later, drive past Lutyens' Delhi to view the elegant colonial façades leading British architect Edwin Lutyens left behind on the cityscape. You'll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps join one of our Optional Experiences.
Accommodation: Park Plaza CBD Shahdara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
It’s time to leave Delhi behind, bound for the Uttar Pradesh city of Agra. There are many reasons to love Agra and its own ‘monument to love’, the Taj Mahal, is perhaps the most captivating of all. Marvel at its elegant marble façades awash with the sunset's rose and golden hues. Admire this well-preserved landmark from all sides and take time to contemplate the magnificence of this man-made wonder before re-joining your fellow travelers. This evening, you could choose to end a memorable day at an optional sound and light show prior to dinner.
Accommodation: Saura Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
There’s more to Agra than the Taj Mahal as you’ll come to discover this morning during your visit to the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort. Stroll through the chambers of a 17th-century royal residence which served as the principal residence of the influential Mughal emperors until the capital was moved to Delhi. Continue to the long-deserted ‘Ghost Town’ of Fatehpur Sikri, built at great expense by Emperor Akbar in 1569 only to be abandoned soon afterwards due to a lack of water. The city remains beautifully preserved, albeit with an air of melancholy – a rusty-red sandstone masterpiece devoid of inhabitants. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Bharatpur. Then, appreciate first-hand a quintessential travel experience in India as you board a train bound for Ranthambore, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Accommodation: The Sher Garh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day with an early morning visit to Ranthambore National Park, which was once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Before the heat of the day sets in and the wilderness awakens, keep a keen eye out for the resident animals and birdlife that find sanctuary here. Have your camera ready in case the park’s tigers make a brief appearance. Return to your hotel for a late breakfast, followed by some time to relax, or to join an Optional Experience. After lunch there’s another opportunity to explore the park for a glimpse of the various species of bird and wildlife on your second game drive of the day. Dinner is served at your hotel.
Accommodation: The Sher Garh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your journey to Jaipur, the Pink City. After some free time for lunch, join a workshop on hand-block printing, one of the most famous traditional art forms of Rajasthan. A Local Specialist will show you the tricks of the trade as you observe how the prints are handmade using small wooden blocks and hone your own block-printing skills. Later, Dive Into Culture and see the talents of local craftspeople on display during a visit to a local market. Admire the colorful textiles and perhaps buy a memento or two to take home. Jaipur is particularly renowned for its embroidery and blue pottery. This evening, join a local family for an exclusive Be My Guest dinner in their home and savor some of the regional delicacies.
Accommodation: Club Mahindra Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
One of today's highlights is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort. But first, stop to admire the red and pink façades of the Palace of Winds, whose latticed windows once revealed the outside world to the sheltered ladies of the royal household. Continue with a visit to the ornate City Palace, an impressive complex of buildings from different eras and gardens in the heart of the Old City. Enjoy some time for lunch before visiting the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Observatory, featuring the world's largest sundial. Later, perhaps join our optional Aarti ceremony, offering a blessing to one of the Hindu deities and hopefully receiving one in return. This evening, we'll toast to shared memories over a delicious local Farewell Dinner with those guests ending their journey in Jaipur.
Accommodation: Club Mahindra Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Depart Jaipur this morning and board your included flight to embark on a pilgrimage to the sacred city of Varanasi to explore the city's role as the center of Hindu religion. There’s a palpable sense that life begins and ends on the shores of Ganga Mata (Mother Ganges), but local spirituality extends beyond the sacred waters of the river. The city is also renowned for its ancient temples and old ghats that lead down to the river. You’ll see all this and more, but first there’s free time for lunch before the sightseeing. Next, experience a rural way of life during a walk around Weavers Village, where a Local Specialist reveals the centuries-old silk weaving tradition. Your visit during this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will help the community’s efforts to keep this extraordinary tradition alive. You'll see first-hand how the talented weavers create beautiful silk fabrics. These are used to make the famous Banarasi silk saris, highly sought after for weddings and other special occasions. Later this evening, feed your soul as you cruise down the River Ganges to witness the ritual of Aarti. Watch as the delicate diya, laden with candles and tiny flowers, float down the river. After this poignant ritual, return to the hotel for dinner.
Accommodation: Madin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Admire the changing light as the sun rises over the Ganges, and the sights and sounds of Varanasi come to life along the banks of the river. Observe locals taking their morning bath in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun. Afterwards explore the city on foot, the best way to immerse yourself in the day-to-day of the oldest living city of the world. You’ll have an opportunity to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi's main temple. Demolished and rebuilt many times over its history, the temple is a sight to behold with its towering spire and domes made of pure gold. Return to your hotel for breakfast and some free time. Perhaps choose to join our Optional Experience to watch a live performance of Indian classical dances known as Kathak. This afternoon, visit Sarnath, one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Explore the spectacular collection of Buddhist artefacts dating back to the 3rd century BC and see the Lion Capital of Ashoka with its inverted lotus carving, adopted as the national emblem of India. Continue to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Madin
Meals: Breakfast
Your spiritual and cultural encounter with India at its end, it's time to bid farewell to Varanasi. Take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
I loved the trip. The food was great, but didn't always agree with me. I would highly recommend bringing your emergency stomach kit. I would recommend that the tour guides send a welcome letter the week before that would also give recommendations of what to bring for the trip. That would be very helpful. IE you must have sunscreen and deet. I would also recommend that the extra trip info be done on the first night since nothing is on the agenda, Lastly, we paid for an extra night in the hotel since we got to india at 3am. The $$ were sent to the hotel, but the hotel Corporate didn't send it to the actual hotel. I would love to figure out how that can be solved for the next traveler. I also wish you had an option to pay the "tips" ahead of time. It was a big challenge trying to make sure the tips were made properly made. We went on the India trip of Golden Triangle Tigers and the Ganges in April 2024. Our guide was the brilliant, hospitable and amazing Abi. The trip was amazing. If you are lucky enough to get him as your guide, you will have an amazing trip. He protected us, took care of us and listened to us. If we didn't want to do an extra trip, he didn't pressure us. He took us on a great adventure. We marveled at the Taj Mahal, Tigers, India Gate, final resting place of Gandhi, stepwells and he many great palaces of India. It was a visual and culinary masterpiece. He also got to know all of us personally. He knew our names, created a WhatsApp forum for us, and even negotiated the best price with all the vendors. He taught us how to negotiate when we went to the different venues. Abi is a master storyteller who made the trip come to life. It was a trip of a lifetime and amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/30/2024
Frank Huhn - Traveled, April 2024
Professional, personable tour was not to stressful. Be prepared for insane traffic conditions in Delhi which could lead to not doing everything on the daily itinerary, Hotels were 5 stars as advertised, our guide Hanush is fantastic asset to the company.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/30/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
We had an unforgettable experience exploring India. Our fully guided tour meant we were hassle free so we could immerse ourselves in the ancient and vibrant culture around us. Our tour guide was excellent and bus driver, his driving was impeccable. Completely safe and extremely well looked after. Excellent tour. Great itinerary apart from Ranthambore National Park. I would have preferred as an optional experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
Our adventure in India was a fabulous, memorable experience. Our guide Manish was excellent and made our trip so enjoyable. Nothing was to much trouble and the group we travelled with, were so much fun. Would highly recommend this tour, the sights, hotels, and Manish were 5 star. Great adventure at a reasonable pace for those travelling for the 1st time to India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, January 2024
Was a good tour, the hard sell at the craft places was a bit much and a dampener on what was an interesting tour. Highlights was Agra, Tak, Tigers and Jaipur. Varanasi definitely worth doing Too much time spent in the 'craft' shops . Was pretty expensive, the itinerary was good. Would recommend against Jan Feb tours due to fog and smog and cold
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/30/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, January 2024
Our Golden Triangle tour in India was exceptional. Our tour guide was absolutely wonderful keeping us both informed and amused. Always ready to share information including his personal story. At no time did I feel unsafe whilst in his, the driver and the helper's care. We saw and experienced the 'real' India. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone. Thank you to everybody. It's fast paced with little to no time to rest if you participate in all the optional tours. You do need some level of fitness as being a country like India there is no handrails whilst using steps etc. Be prepared as rest rooms are a bit of a lottery. Hotels were good. Food served was amazing with a limited western menu.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/30/2024
Curtis - Traveled, December 2023
I want to take the time to write a review expressing my appreciation for the team on our trip. The driver and assistant were safe and professional at all times I felt safe and that my belongings were secure even in the craziest driving conditions of India. The hotel staff at each hotel were outstanding in their attention and service. Especially, though, I want to mention the hard work of our tour director, Akhilesh Mishraa, at all times very professional, knowledgable, flexible, accommodating, calm, and collected. He adapted to changes in the intenaerary with ease and worked around obstacles and changes to make sure we still had the full experience. He informed us about the places we visited. He taught us about Indian culture and customs. He answered endless questions with enthusiasm and humor. He may have been our fearless leader but in the end we felt he was one of us, part of the group. This is a valuable skill to be in charge of the safety of a group and still be seen as part of that group. He made changes and accommodated requests seamlessly behind the scenes so we never felt we were getting less than what we expected even with flight delays or traffic conditions. He guided us rather than directed us while always watching out for our safety and security. He has a great sense of humor and was well liked by every member of our group. I hope I end up on a tour with him again in the future because I know any tour he is directing will exceed my expectations. Thanks to all involved in making my trip a huge success. All of the accommodations were outstanding. The only one I didn't love was the Hilton in Jaipur. All the other hotels were outstanding in service and attention. Jaipur Hilton didn't match up.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Katherine Vargas Mena - Traveled, December 2023
This was my 6th trip with Trafalgar and it did not disappoint, the level of professionalism, knowledge, attention to detail, organization and care is beyond expectations, I am a customer for life. I have recomended so many of my friends and family to travel with Trafalgar and the experience is always consistent, 5 starts always! Culturally enriching, Akhi, our guide made the experience even better and the itinerary was c a ruefully tailored to show us not only the touristy side but the local experince of normal life in India.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2023
*Personal information removed by Feefo* was a wonderful tour director! We happily absorbed a lot of context and history of India from his explanations to us. We had several issues pre trip for example the Ready to Go PDF for our trip to India had contact info for Cambodia? We were told via email seeing as we were arriving a couple of days before the tour we would not be collected from the airport. Therefore we paid around $80 AUD for the hotel to collect us. Soon after check at Le Meridien an unidentified person contacted us from Reception and told us he had been at the airport to collect us but we had already left with the hotel transfer. The change of the first hotel was handled poorly and the substituted hotel was of a much lower standard and in an unsuitable location which caused a lot more time in the coach. There were several discrepancies between Trafalgar information and the local operator information, also disappointing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2023
Vivian Lefan - Traveled, November 2023
All of the staff at the hotels were excellent at their job and especially the staff at Eros Hotel in New Delhi. We loved listening to our Travel Director speak of India and their customs. The drivers and assistants were superb drivers in sometimes the worst traffic I personally had ever seen. They moved our first hotel in New Delhi and we were not aware of this until arriving.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2023
Grisel Suarez - Traveled, November 2023
I think my travel director for trafalgar made my trip awesome We got to see a lot in this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2023
Lisa Baker - Traveled, November 2023
We had a fantastic tour, great guide, wonderful driver and beautiful bus boy. Looked after very well. I dont like to be negative but the big downside is being taken to certain establishments and then pressured to buy. For example a carpet shop, spent over an hour there, a printing place, over an hour, a fabric place, to name a few. Using our valuable time and then being pressured to buy......dont like that. But everything else would highly recommend. Everything fantastic, all hotels beautiful except the Clarks Safari, very fun down.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2023
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