
THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
15 Days / 14 Nights


THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
Explore the diverse cultural influences that have created the fascinating heritage of India. This tour encompasses holy cities, the resplendent Taj Mahal, Jodhpur’s blue-washed houses, and the beautiful lakes and palaces of Udaipur. Go in search of the elusive Royal Bengal tiger and extend your journey in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala.


THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
Explore the diverse cultural influences that have created the fascinating heritage of India. This tour encompasses holy cities, the resplendent Taj Mahal, Jodhpur’s blue-washed houses, and the beautiful lakes and palaces of Udaipur. Go in search of the elusive Royal Bengal tiger and extend your journey in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala.
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◉
Day 1: Fly to Amritsar via Delhi
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amristar
via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)
◉
Day 2: Amritsar
On arrival, transfer to RanjitVilas (or similar) for 2 nights. Welcome
dinner and evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious
Palki Sahib night ceremony. The temple is profusely lit and
the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks
surrounding the sanctum. (D)
◉
Day 3: Amritsar • Wagah
Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community
kitchen called Langar. Weave your way through Qila
Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features,
before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop
selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to
Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 4: Fly to Varanasi via Delhi
Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at
the Hotel Madin (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh
ghats to witness the magical Ganga aarti ceremony
from a boat on the Ganges
◉
Day 5: Fly to Delhi
Serene early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by
breakfast at Brijrama Palace overlooking the river. Walking tour
of the Bengali Tola. Take the afternoon flight
to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Trident Gurgaon (or similar). (B)
◉
Day 6: Old & New Delhi
Morning tour of Old Delhi, including a drive past the Red Fort,
a visit to the Jama Masjid, and a walking tour of
Old Delhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past
India Gate and the viceregal residence before visiting Qutb
Minar and the tomb of the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)
◉
Day 7: Agra
Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at
Trident Agra (or similar). Visit the huge Agra fort and enjoy
the highlight of sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B)
◉
Day 8: Fatehpur Sikri • Ranthambore
Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16thcentury
sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train
to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Swai Villas
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)
◉
Day 9: Ranthambore
Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 10: Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and stay at the Trident Jaipur
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 11: Jaipur
Optional early morning yoga session*. Morning tour of the
ancient palace of Amber fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace
and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. (B)
◉
Day 12: Jodhpur • Rohet
Full-day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent
Mehrangarh fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada cenotaph.
Continue to Rohet and stay at Rohet Garh (or similar) for
2 nights (B,D)
◉
Day 13: Bishnoi tribal villages
Morning at leisure. After lunch, take a 4x4 safari to visit
the Bishnoi tribal villages. (B, D)
◉
Day 14: Ranakpur • Udaipur
Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite
Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Arrive at the Trident Udaipur
(or similar) for a 2-night stay. Or upgrade to the Taj Lake Palace
(luxury Lake View room) from £440 for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 15: Udaipur
Morning tour of the City Palace, Jagdish temple and a miniature
painting studio. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Bagore-ki-Haveli
cultural show. Holi festival departures will witness the
celebrations at the Maharajah’s Palace. (B)
◉
Day 16: Fly to London via Mumbai
Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay)
to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)
Day 1: Fly to Amritsar via Delhi
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amristar
via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)
◉
Day 2: Amritsar
On arrival, transfer to RanjitVilas (or similar) for 2 nights. Welcome
dinner and evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious
Palki Sahib night ceremony. The temple is profusely lit and
the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks
surrounding the sanctum. (D)
◉
Day 3: Amritsar • Wagah
Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community
kitchen called Langar. Weave your way through Qila
Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features,
before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop
selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to
Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 4: Fly to Varanasi via Delhi
Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at
the Hotel Madin (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh
ghats to witness the magical Ganga aarti ceremony
from a boat on the Ganges
◉
Day 5: Fly to Delhi
Serene early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by
breakfast at Brijrama Palace overlooking the river. Walking tour
of the Bengali Tola. Take the afternoon flight
to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Trident Gurgaon (or similar). (B)
◉
Day 6: Old & New Delhi
Morning tour of Old Delhi, including a drive past the Red Fort,
a visit to the Jama Masjid, and a walking tour of
Old Delhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past
India Gate and the viceregal residence before visiting Qutb
Minar and the tomb of the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)
◉
Day 7: Agra
Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at
Trident Agra (or similar). Visit the huge Agra fort and enjoy
the highlight of sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B)
◉
Day 8: Fatehpur Sikri • Ranthambore
Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16thcentury
sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train
to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Swai Villas
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)
◉
Day 9: Ranthambore
Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 10: Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and stay at the Trident Jaipur
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 11: Jaipur
Optional early morning yoga session*. Morning tour of the
ancient palace of Amber fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace
and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. (B)
◉
Day 12: Jodhpur • Rohet
Full-day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent
Mehrangarh fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada cenotaph.
Continue to Rohet and stay at Rohet Garh (or similar) for
2 nights (B,D)
◉
Day 13: Bishnoi tribal villages
Morning at leisure. After lunch, take a 4x4 safari to visit
the Bishnoi tribal villages. (B, D)
◉
Day 14: Ranakpur • Udaipur
Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite
Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Arrive at the Trident Udaipur
(or similar) for a 2-night stay. Or upgrade to the Taj Lake Palace
(luxury Lake View room) from £440 for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 15: Udaipur
Morning tour of the City Palace, Jagdish temple and a miniature
painting studio. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Bagore-ki-Haveli
cultural show. Holi festival departures will witness the
celebrations at the Maharajah’s Palace. (B)
◉
Day 16: Fly to London via Mumbai
Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay)
to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)
◉
Day 1: Fly to Amritsar via Delhi
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amristar
via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)
◉
Day 2: Amritsar
On arrival, transfer to RanjitVilas (or similar) for 2 nights. Welcome
dinner and evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious
Palki Sahib night ceremony. The temple is profusely lit and
the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks
surrounding the sanctum. (D)
◉
Day 3: Amritsar • Wagah
Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community
kitchen called Langar. Weave your way through Qila
Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features,
before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop
selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to
Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 4: Fly to Varanasi via Delhi
Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at
the Hotel Madin (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh
ghats to witness the magical Ganga aarti ceremony
from a boat on the Ganges
◉
Day 5: Fly to Delhi
Serene early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by
breakfast at Brijrama Palace overlooking the river. Walking tour
of the Bengali Tola. Take the afternoon flight
to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Trident Gurgaon (or similar). (B)
◉
Day 6: Old & New Delhi
Morning tour of Old Delhi, including a drive past the Red Fort,
a visit to the Jama Masjid, and a walking tour of
Old Delhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past
India Gate and the viceregal residence before visiting Qutb
Minar and the tomb of the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)
◉
Day 7: Agra
Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at
Trident Agra (or similar). Visit the huge Agra fort and enjoy
the highlight of sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B)
◉
Day 8: Fatehpur Sikri • Ranthambore
Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16thcentury
sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train
to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Swai Villas
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)
◉
Day 9: Ranthambore
Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 10: Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and stay at the Trident Jaipur
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 11: Jaipur
Optional early morning yoga session*. Morning tour of the
ancient palace of Amber fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace
and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. (B)
◉
Day 12: Jodhpur • Rohet
Full-day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent
Mehrangarh fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada cenotaph.
Continue to Rohet and stay at Rohet Garh (or similar) for
2 nights (B,D)
◉
Day 13: Bishnoi tribal villages
Morning at leisure. After lunch, take a 4x4 safari to visit
the Bishnoi tribal villages. (B, D)
◉
Day 14: Ranakpur • Udaipur
Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite
Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Arrive at the Trident Udaipur
(or similar) for a 2-night stay. Or upgrade to the Taj Lake Palace
(luxury Lake View room) from £440 for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 15: Udaipur
Morning tour of the City Palace, Jagdish temple and a miniature
painting studio. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Bagore-ki-Haveli
cultural show. Holi festival departures will witness the
celebrations at the Maharajah’s Palace. (B)
◉
Day 16: Fly to London via Mumbai
Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay)
to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)
Day 1: Fly to Amritsar via Delhi
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amristar
via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)
◉
Day 2: Amritsar
On arrival, transfer to RanjitVilas (or similar) for 2 nights. Welcome
dinner and evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious
Palki Sahib night ceremony. The temple is profusely lit and
the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks
surrounding the sanctum. (D)
◉
Day 3: Amritsar • Wagah
Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community
kitchen called Langar. Weave your way through Qila
Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features,
before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop
selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to
Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 4: Fly to Varanasi via Delhi
Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at
the Hotel Madin (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh
ghats to witness the magical Ganga aarti ceremony
from a boat on the Ganges
◉
Day 5: Fly to Delhi
Serene early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by
breakfast at Brijrama Palace overlooking the river. Walking tour
of the Bengali Tola. Take the afternoon flight
to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Trident Gurgaon (or similar). (B)
◉
Day 6: Old & New Delhi
Morning tour of Old Delhi, including a drive past the Red Fort,
a visit to the Jama Masjid, and a walking tour of
Old Delhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past
India Gate and the viceregal residence before visiting Qutb
Minar and the tomb of the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)
◉
Day 7: Agra
Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at
Trident Agra (or similar). Visit the huge Agra fort and enjoy
the highlight of sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B)
◉
Day 8: Fatehpur Sikri • Ranthambore
Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16thcentury
sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train
to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Swai Villas
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)
◉
Day 9: Ranthambore
Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 10: Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and stay at the Trident Jaipur
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 11: Jaipur
Optional early morning yoga session*. Morning tour of the
ancient palace of Amber fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace
and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. (B)
◉
Day 12: Jodhpur • Rohet
Full-day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent
Mehrangarh fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada cenotaph.
Continue to Rohet and stay at Rohet Garh (or similar) for
2 nights (B,D)
◉
Day 13: Bishnoi tribal villages
Morning at leisure. After lunch, take a 4x4 safari to visit
the Bishnoi tribal villages. (B, D)
◉
Day 14: Ranakpur • Udaipur
Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite
Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Arrive at the Trident Udaipur
(or similar) for a 2-night stay. Or upgrade to the Taj Lake Palace
(luxury Lake View room) from £440 for 2 nights. (B)
◉
Day 15: Udaipur
Morning tour of the City Palace, Jagdish temple and a miniature
painting studio. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Bagore-ki-Haveli
cultural show. Holi festival departures will witness the
celebrations at the Maharajah’s Palace. (B)
◉
Day 16: Fly to London via Mumbai
Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay)
to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)