India
The Essence of North India
Embark on this pioneering 12 day/11-night journey beginning in Delhi, one of the most historic capitals in the world. Get acquainted with the Hindu and Buddhist religions in Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Visit the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra that was described by poet laureate, Rabindranath Tagore as “a teardrop on the cheek of eternity”. Thereafter, search for a coveted glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger at Ranthambhore National Park. End you tour by exploring the forts, palaces and bazaars of the erstwhile Maharajas in the princely cities of Jaipur and Udaipur.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 & 2: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi. In the arrival hall, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
In the afternoon, you will visit Humayun’s Tomb, one of the architectural triumphs of the Mughal Empire and Qutb Minar complex (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) which has many historic monuments.
The next morning, you will take an interesting inner city walk conducted in partnership with a local NGO which works with street children in Delhi providing them with a secure environment as well as health and education. Note: This is not a slum tour as the walk does not take you into the slums, and photography is not allowed. The idea of the tour is to see the city through the eyes of your young guide.
You will also visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple of the followers of the Sikh religion and visit the Jama Masjid, believed to be the largest mosque in India. You will then climb on board cycle-rickshaws and take a ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk market. Afterwards, you will walk down the famous lanes of Khari Baoli spice market.
You will end your tour of the capital by driving through Kartavya Path (Rajpath) or “King’s Way” and the wide tree-lined avenues of New Delhi.
Meals: B
In the afternoon, you will visit Humayun’s Tomb, one of the architectural triumphs of the Mughal Empire and Qutb Minar complex (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) which has many historic monuments.
The next morning, you will take an interesting inner city walk conducted in partnership with a local NGO which works with street children in Delhi providing them with a secure environment as well as health and education. Note: This is not a slum tour as the walk does not take you into the slums, and photography is not allowed. The idea of the tour is to see the city through the eyes of your young guide.
You will also visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple of the followers of the Sikh religion and visit the Jama Masjid, believed to be the largest mosque in India. You will then climb on board cycle-rickshaws and take a ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk market. Afterwards, you will walk down the famous lanes of Khari Baoli spice market.
You will end your tour of the capital by driving through Kartavya Path (Rajpath) or “King’s Way” and the wide tree-lined avenues of New Delhi.
Meals: B
Day 3 & 4: Varanasi
You will take a flight to Varanasi and as you arrive, you will visit Sarnath, which lies a short distance from the main city. This is the place where The Buddha, in 500 BC, gave his first sermon after gaining enlightenment.
In the evening, you will drive to the banks of the Holy Ganges where a boatman will be waiting for you to take you for a sail on the river.
You will sail upstream, arriving at Dashashwamedh Ghat in time for the evening “aarti” ceremony, when priests perform the rituals to put the river gods to sleep and to ward off evil. This will be followed by a private aarti ceremony in a local temple, which will be performed just for you.
Early the following morning, you will drive to the banks of the Holy Ganges where a boatman will be waiting for you to take you for another sail on the river. After the boat ride, you will visit the Old City where you will get a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism.
You will also take a temple trail through Varanasi visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath, Bharat Mata, Durga, Tulsi Manas and Shitala Mata temples – all revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
During your stay, you will meet an “Ustaad” or master designer whose lineage in weaving goes back centuries and visit Banaras Hindu University, the largest residential university in Asia.
Meals: B
In the evening, you will drive to the banks of the Holy Ganges where a boatman will be waiting for you to take you for a sail on the river.
You will sail upstream, arriving at Dashashwamedh Ghat in time for the evening “aarti” ceremony, when priests perform the rituals to put the river gods to sleep and to ward off evil. This will be followed by a private aarti ceremony in a local temple, which will be performed just for you.
Early the following morning, you will drive to the banks of the Holy Ganges where a boatman will be waiting for you to take you for another sail on the river. After the boat ride, you will visit the Old City where you will get a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism.
You will also take a temple trail through Varanasi visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath, Bharat Mata, Durga, Tulsi Manas and Shitala Mata temples – all revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
During your stay, you will meet an “Ustaad” or master designer whose lineage in weaving goes back centuries and visit Banaras Hindu University, the largest residential university in Asia.
Meals: B
Day 5: Agra
Early this morning, you will take a flight to Delhi and then drive to Agra (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops).
Late in the afternoon and early the next morning, you will visit the stunning Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a mausoleum and a symbol of the enduring love of Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.
You will also visit one of the most significant monuments of the city, the Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Meals: B
Late in the afternoon and early the next morning, you will visit the stunning Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a mausoleum and a symbol of the enduring love of Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.
You will also visit one of the most significant monuments of the city, the Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Meals: B
Day 6 & 7: Ranthambore
You will drive to Ranthambore (approximately 5 hours, excluding stops). En route, you will stop to see one of the Mughal Empire’s most inspired creations, Fatehpur Sikri (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.
During your stay, you will be taken for three “game drives” inside Ranthambore National Park. All your drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
After your morning drive, you will return to your resort to freshen up and have breakfast. You will have enough time to relax before you venture out for your afternoon drive.
Meals: B, L, D
On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.
During your stay, you will be taken for three “game drives” inside Ranthambore National Park. All your drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
After your morning drive, you will return to your resort to freshen up and have breakfast. You will have enough time to relax before you venture out for your afternoon drive.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8 & 9: Jaipur
You will drive to Jaipur (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay in the Pink City, you will visit the Fort-Palace at Amber (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will then be taken to the excellent Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing for a private and interactive block printing demonstration with a curator.
You will then drive to a private farmhouse abutting the forest (approximately 30 minutes, excluding stops) to interact with the farm’s resident elephants. Note: Peirce & Leslie is very careful that all participants in the travel ecosphere (including animals) are treated well. We therefore do not support any activities which involve animals unless we are satisfied, they are well cared for.
You will also visit the City Palace, which at the behest of the Maharaja was built near the temple of his personal deity. Here, you will take a private tour of the residential areas of the Palace (not open to the public).
Also visit the extraordinary Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1724 and stop to take photographs at the iconic Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’.
Meals: B
During your stay in the Pink City, you will visit the Fort-Palace at Amber (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will then be taken to the excellent Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing for a private and interactive block printing demonstration with a curator.
You will then drive to a private farmhouse abutting the forest (approximately 30 minutes, excluding stops) to interact with the farm’s resident elephants. Note: Peirce & Leslie is very careful that all participants in the travel ecosphere (including animals) are treated well. We therefore do not support any activities which involve animals unless we are satisfied, they are well cared for.
You will also visit the City Palace, which at the behest of the Maharaja was built near the temple of his personal deity. Here, you will take a private tour of the residential areas of the Palace (not open to the public).
Also visit the extraordinary Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1724 and stop to take photographs at the iconic Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’.
Meals: B
Day 10 & 11: Udaipur
You will take a flight to Udaipur.
During your stay, you will take a walking tour of the old city with your guide. You will also stop at a small temple in the old city to see the rare “Jal Sanjhi”, a religious art that involves drawing with colored powder on water.
In the evening, you will take a private cruise on Lake Pichola.
The next day, you will visit the sprawling City Palace which was built over three centuries and is illustrative of various architectural styles. You will then take a walk through the Crystal Gallery, which has a rather eclectic collection of Crystal Objet d’art and furniture.
Next, you will visit the Jagdish temple which enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu. In the afternoon, you will visit The Vintage and Classic Car Collection of The Palace of Udaipur. You will also get the opportunity to go for a half-hour drive in one of these old beauties.
This will be followed by a visit to the Mewar School of Art to learn about Mewar Painting.
You will end your tour by participating in a unique culinary experience conducted by a family that was once amongst the premier nobility of Mewar. This will be followed by dinner with the host family.
Meals: B, D
During your stay, you will take a walking tour of the old city with your guide. You will also stop at a small temple in the old city to see the rare “Jal Sanjhi”, a religious art that involves drawing with colored powder on water.
In the evening, you will take a private cruise on Lake Pichola.
The next day, you will visit the sprawling City Palace which was built over three centuries and is illustrative of various architectural styles. You will then take a walk through the Crystal Gallery, which has a rather eclectic collection of Crystal Objet d’art and furniture.
Next, you will visit the Jagdish temple which enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu. In the afternoon, you will visit The Vintage and Classic Car Collection of The Palace of Udaipur. You will also get the opportunity to go for a half-hour drive in one of these old beauties.
This will be followed by a visit to the Mewar School of Art to learn about Mewar Painting.
You will end your tour by participating in a unique culinary experience conducted by a family that was once amongst the premier nobility of Mewar. This will be followed by dinner with the host family.
Meals: B, D
Day 12: Udaipur – Delhi & Depart
The morning will be at leisure. Your guide and the vehicle will be at your disposal should you like to go shopping.
In the afternoon, you will take a flight to Delhi. As you exit the terminal building, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel (where a day-use room is reserved for you) and will help you to check-in.
Late in the evening, you will be met by our colleague, and he will escort you back to Delhi’s International Airport in time to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).
Meals: B
In the afternoon, you will take a flight to Delhi. As you exit the terminal building, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel (where a day-use room is reserved for you) and will help you to check-in.
Late in the evening, you will be met by our colleague, and he will escort you back to Delhi’s International Airport in time to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).
Meals: B
Snapshots from the itinerary
