Holi - Festival of Colour
Combine a tour of the famous Golden Triangle with the exuberant festivities of Holi – India’s most dazzling celebration, when streets throughout the country are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour.
Highlights
- Holi – Join the celebrations at the Festival of Colour and throw powdered colour bombs in the streets – PREPARE TO GET MESSY!
- Delhi – Discover the highlights of India’s capital including Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and the Rajpath
- Fatehpur Sikri – Walk around the ghostly city which was abandoned more than 400 years ago
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park – Ride on a bicycle rickshaw around this important wetland reserve and look out for rare bird species
- The Taj Mahal – Enjoy a guided tour of this legendary monument, one of the most enduring symbols of love
- Amber Fort – Explore this famous fortress with a guided tour and enjoy views over the beautiful Maota Lake
- Jaipur – See the highlights of the Pink City including the beautiful City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Space Observatory
- Agra Fort – Admire the impressive but lesser known fortress and explore behind its fortified walls
Pricing
Small group tour starting at $1,585* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
8 Days – Delhi to Delhi
Your package includes
- Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
- Holi essentials – Kurta pyjamas (they must be white), colours, water pistols etc
- Rickshaw ride in Delhi and travel by jeep to beautiful Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sights
- All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
- 7 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels
- Guided sightseeing – Delhi, Jaipur, Bharatpur and Agra
- Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 6 or more)
- Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 8
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 Colour! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel where the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore, you may wish to visit Akshardham, the world’s largest Hindu temple, before meeting the group and guide at the hotel for a Welcome meeting.
Accommodation: Hotel Jivitesh / Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 2
Delhi
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we set off on a day of sightseeing in India’s capital. In Old Delhi we visit Humayun’s Tomb and Jama Masjid – the largest and oldest mosque in India. Discover the site of Gandhi’s cremation at Raj Ghat before we continue our tour in New Delhi. Walk down the ceremonial Rajpath, formerly known as the Kings Way, and see the India Gate monument. Tonight we enjoy a Namaste dinner.
Day 3
Delhi – Jaipur
Breakfast
Say goodbye to Delhi today as we travel to the iconic UNESCO-listed Pink City of Jaipur, which earns its nickname from the pink painted buildings in the Old City that heralded a visit from the Prince of Wales in 1876. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the beautiful City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar space observatory, featuring 19 separate astrological instruments.
Accommodation: Mandawa Haveli (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 4
Jaipur
Breakfast
You may wish take a balloon ride over Jaipur (at a cost) early this morning for an exhilarating hot air balloon ride over palaces, temples and hill-top fortresses. Later we travel to the impressive 16th century Amber Fort, which we reach by jeep. This sprawling fortress is laid out over four levels and sits on the shimmering Maota Lake. After our tour we visit a local cotton weaving house before we return to Jaipur.
Day 5
Jaipur – Bharatpur
Breakfast, Dinner
Today is the day that India celebrates the fabulous Holi Festival. This ancient Hindu festival originated as a celebration of the end of winter and beginning of spring in honour of Prahlada, who was protected from the flames by Vishnu when he was tricked into near death by his father, King Hiranyakashipu. Holi symbolises the triumph of good over evil and is an important part of Hindu tradition.
Indians across the nation gather together with family and friends to throw coloured powder bombs, fire water pistols and splash coloured water across the streets. We have the opportunity to join the celebrations in Bharatpur – white kurta pyjamas will be provided to protect your clothes, as will organic colours for you to throw as you join the celebrations.
After the fun there is time for us to get cleaned up before we pay a visit to Keoladeo Ghana National Park and 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 discover the eerie Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was abandoned more than 400 years ago due to a lack of water. After our visit we continue to Agra and explore inside the fortified walls of the striking Agra Fort, former residence of the Mughal emperors. Our final stop of the day is the most famous monument in India – the legendary Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century by 20,000 workers, the Taj Mahal was dedicated to the memory of the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, who sadly died in childbirth. We enjoy a guided tour of this extravagant symbol of love.
Accommodation: Seven Hills Tower (or similar)
Day 7
Agra – Delhi
Breakfast
We return to Delhi this morning and the rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps visit the impressive Red Fort and watch its famous Sound and Light show when it gets dark.
Accommodation: Hotel Jivitesh / Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (or similar)
Day 8
Delhi
Breakfast
Our adventure 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 “Holi – Festival of Colour” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.