Diwali - Festival of Lights
Every year in November, firecrackers announce the celebration of India’s favourite festival. Homes are decorated, gifts are given, sweets are shared and thousands of lamps are lit. Join us this year for Diwali – the Festival of Light on a tour of India’s famed Golden Triangle.
Highlights
- The Taj Mahal – Explore India’s most famous site with a guided tour of the legendary Taj Mahal, an enduring symbol of love
- Delhi – Ride on a rickshaw around the Chandni Chowk Bazaar and tour highlights of the city including Jama Masjid and the Rajpath
- Amber Fort – Enjoy a visit to this impressive 16th century fortress and explore each of its four levels
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park – Spot rare bird species in this wetland reserve as we enjoy a bicycle rickshaw ride in the park
- Diwali – Celebrate the colourful Festival of Lights with the locals as we visit Birla Temple and enjoy a delicious Indian dinner
- Jaipur – Visit the beautiful City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Space Observatory as we tour the Pink City
- Abhaneri – Admire the impressive Chand Baori step well, where 3,500 steps climb down to the waters edge
- Agra – Discover striking Agra Fort and explore behind its fortified sandstone walls
Pricing
Small group tour starting at $1,320* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
8 Days – Delhi to Delhi
Your package includes
- 7 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels
- Diwali – Visit to City Palace and Ancient Astronomy Observatory Jaipur, Birla Temple, fireworks and a gala dinner
- All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Rickshaw ride through Keoladeo Ghana National Park
- Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 8
- Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
- Guided sightseeing – Delhi, Jaipur and Agra
- Travel by jeep to beautiful Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 6 or more)
- Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Entrance Fees: USD$70-80pp, paid in local currency
- Tip for your tour guide
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Delhi
Meals
Description
Welcome to India for the festival of Diwali! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel where the rest of the day is free to explore or relax at the hotel before meeting the group and guide at the hotel for a Welcome meeting.
Accommodation: Jaypee Siddharth Hotel / Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 2
Delhi
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we enjoy a full day of sightseeing in India’s capital city. In Old Delhi we enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk bazaar and visit the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb. We also explore the giant Jama Masjid mosque and Raj Ghat, the site of Gandhi’s cremation. An eternal flame now burns at the memorial in his honour. In New Delhi we stroll down the ceremonial Rajpath and see the India Gate monument, a memorial to those Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. This evening we enjoy a Namaste dinner at the hotel.
Day 3
Delhi – Jaipur
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we celebrate Diwali! Leave Delhi this morning as we drive to the UNESCO-listed Pink City of Jaipur for an afternoon at leisure. This evening we visit the famous Birla Temple, located at the foot of the Moti Doongri fortress. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the goddess Lakshmi but also houses many smaller shrines to Hindu gods and goddesses. During the Diwali celebrations the gardens surrounding the temple are beautifully lit up and decorated with garlands of flowers. The temple also gets very busy as locals come to give their offerings to the deities. This is all part of the Diwali experience and you should soak it up and celebrate with the locals.
After our visit we enjoy a traditional Indian dinner at a local restaurant and watch as firecrackers light up the darkening sky. Spend the evening celebrating this wonderful Festival of Light with the locals.
Accommodation: Mandawa Haveli (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 4
Jaipur
Enjoy an optional (add on at an additional cost) hot air balloon ride this morning. Sail with the wind over hill-top forts, temples and palaces before we return to land and enjoy a jeep ride to Amber Fort. This impressive 16th century fortress is laid out over four levels and sits beside the glistening Maota Lake. We return to Jaipur, stopping en route at a local cotton weaving house. Enjoy a visit to the beautiful City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar space observatory, which is home to 19 separate astrological instruments.
Day 5
Jaipur – Abhaneri – Bharatpur
Breakfast, Dinner
Say goodbye to the Pink City this morning as we travel to Abhaneri, home to the famous Chand Baori step well. This incredible well is 13 stories deep and features 3,500 steps, which climb down to the waters edge. It also starred in the famous film ‘Batman: The Dark Knight Rises’.
After our visit we continue to a local school (if open) to meet the teachers and pupils. The school is part of our Change for Children programme and you may like to bring some educational items on your tour to donate to the school (see trip notes). These will be greatly appreciated. We continue to our hotel in Bharatpur and then visit the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Enjoy a bicycle rickshaw ride around this important wetland reserve, home to numerous bird species.
Accommodation: Udai Vilas Palace (or similar)
Day 6
Bharatpur – Agra
Breakfast
Today we travel to Agra, stopping en route at the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. The city was abandoned more than 400 years ago due to a lack of water but remains very well preserved. Visit the impressive Agra Fort and enjoy a guided tour of India’s most famous site – the legendary Taj Mahal. This iconic white mausoleum was built in the 17th century by 20,000 workers under the instruction of Emperor Shah Jahan. It stands as a loving memorial to his wife, who tragically died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal is perhaps the most extravagant monument to love ever built.
Accommodation: Seven Hills Tower (or similar)
Day 7
Agra – Delhi
Breakfast
This morning we return to Delhi for a day at leisure. Perhaps visit striking Red Fort or browse the local bazaars for souvenirs.
Accommodation: Jaypee Siddharth Hotel / Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (or similar)
Day 8
Delhi
Breakfast
Our tour comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to the airport.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Diwali – Festival of Lights” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.