Festival Tours to Indian Festive Kingdoms

Overview
Festive Tours to Indian Festive Kingdoms, a 17 days tour takes you to popular destinations of North and West India. On this especially customized tour package you will visit so many tourist places and enjoy adventure options like Elephant Safari and Horse Safari. Your tour begins from India's capital New Delhi, which is home to tourist attractions like Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, India Gate, Lotus (Bahai Temple), Akshardham Temple etc. From Delhi we proceed to the city of Agra which is home to Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. After sightseeing tour of Agra, we drive to pink city, Jaipur, en-route visiting the deserted Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Jaipur's attractions such as Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar, we leave you speechless with their distinct charm. Mandawa, Khimsar, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Zainabad and Bhuj are other important destinations that you will cover on this tour package. Your tour ends with sightseeing tour of Mumbai, which houses attractions like Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive etc. So, book this tour package, come to India and explore the tourist destinations on your own.

Inclusions
Accommodation, Meal, Transport, Services of guides for sightseeing tours, Economy class airfare as per the itinerary, Elephant Safari charges at Amber Fort, Camel Safari in Jaisalmer.

Exclusions
Shopping and other meals apart from breakfast, dinner at some selected places.

Detailed Itinerary
Namaste - We welcome you with folded hands

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
Clear immigration and customs. Your tour manager/ representative will be waiting for you outside the arrival hall. He will be holding a "High Points of India" placard. Meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. Day at leisure.

At the time when Bombay and Madras were just being established, Delhi had already been the capital of an empire for 500 years past. No fewer than eight cities have been built side by side on this site over the centuries. The city as it stands today has been built by Hindu, Muslim and British builders, and in a few minutes you can be transported from the neo-classical architecture of the elegant garden city of New Delhi to the narrow, twisting lanes that surround Chandni-Chowk in the old city.

In the evening excursion to the Hauz Khas, to explore its art galleries, boutiques and exotic restaurants set amidst 1000 year old fortifications and a lively village. A welcome dinner atop the fort, with a live introduction to Indian folk music and dances, will prepare us for the magic of the days to follow.

Overnight : At hotel in Delhi.
Day 2 : Sightseeing tour of Delhi

Following breakfast we head for full-day sightseeing tour of Delhi. We will take a guided city tour of Old and New Delhi. Drive past the elegant India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Parliament House. Visit the city's major attractions such as the Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid.

The buildings around the Connaught Place, designed by Edward Lutyens - architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic. The Presidential Palace, Parliament House and India Gate are all reminiscent of the British "Raj". We drive through Delhi's beautiful tree-lined avenues and the Diplomatic Enclave enroute to the 12th century, 234 foot high fluted minaret of Qutab Minar.

Later, in Old Delhi, we will explore the magnificent Red Fort, built at the zenith of the Mughal empire in India. The centuries-old international market-place that sprawls at its feet is still one of Delhi's most important commercial hubs: Chandni Chowk, or "Moonlight Square". We will ride on cycle-rickshaws through the bustling silver market and the wholesale spice market. The sounds, smells and colors of the bazaar, and the throngs of people who animate it makes this a fascinating experience. Our last stop in Old Delhi will be the elegant Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia. Its mammoth spaces are suffused with an ambience of peace, tranquility and beauty. Some of us may want to climb up the steep and narrow stairway to the top of one of its minarets. The view of the amazingly busy streets and alleys of Old Delhi sprawled beneath us, with the high-rise structures of New Delhi looming on the horizon, is an unforgettable spectacle.

Overnight : At hotel in Delhi.

Day 3 : Delhi - Agra
On day three after breakfast we will drive to city of Taj, Agra. On arrival check into your hotel and after some rest proceed outside your hotel to visit Taj Mahal. We will spend the afternoon and early evening at the Taj Mahal, the magnificent monument devoted to an emperor's love for his queen. Here, the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan presented the world it's most magnificent monument to conjugal Love. A colossal, perfectly proportioned mass of marble, the Taj Mahal is literally a jewel. It was fashioned over 20 years by 20,000 craftsmen and laborers. From a distance, it seems to float, like a fantastic mirage, upon the banks of the River Yamuna.

Some of us may take the circuitous and crowded road leading to the other side of the river. The last mile of this trip has to be done on rickety, old scooter-rickshaws, through narrow village streets. The sunset view of the Taj from across the river presents an unforgettable and seldom seen facet of this glorious monument to Love. Besides Taj Mahal, we will also visit the massive Agra Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century.

Overnight : At hotel in Agra.

Day 4 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
Following breakfast take a drive to Jaipur, en-route visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri is a perfectly preserved ghost town, built between 1570 and 1585. It remained the capital of the Mughal empire for 15 years, but was later abandoned due to lack of an adequate water supply. Now a deserted city, Fatehpur boasts of several elegant palaces and mosques.

Approaching Jaipur, we drive past stretches of golden sand and low, rocky hills dotted with tiny fortresses. Occasional camel-drawn carts share the road. Their riders wear the colorful turbans and fierce mustaches of the fabled Rajput clans. We shall reach our hotel in Jaipur by early evening, on arrival check into your hotel. You may go for shopping in markets of Jaipur in the evening.

Overnight : At hotel in Jaipur.

Day 5 : Sightseeing tour of Jaipur
After breakfast we will proceed on a guided tour of Jaipur city. First we will visit the Amber Fort situated 11 kms away from the city centre. Situated high above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Fort are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy tale. We shall ascend to the fort on the back of gaily decorated elephants, as did the Maharajah's of yore. Within the fort walls lies an assortment of buildings famous for their intricate mirror inlays - the Hall of Mirrors, Kali's Temple, palaces with latticed windows and beautifully sculpted arches and pillars.

After visiting the Amber Fort, we will visit the Maharaja's City Palace. The City Palace is still the residence of the Jaipur family, and its museum displays a fabulous collection of paintings, carpets, jewelry and arms. Next, we will visit the Jantar Mantar (Royal Observatory), and the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds". Hawa Mahal is a multi-storied, intricately latticed facade of pink sandstone, designed for the pleasures of the ladies of the royal court. From here they could look out upon the quaint bazaars that still thrive around the palace, without exposing themselves to the prying stares of the commoners. Later, we shall explore the same colorful bazaars on foot, for memorable encounters with the descendants of those commoners, many of them still living in their ancestral "havelis" along the main market street. The sheer variety of the items that is sold off the street is fascinating, ranging from the mundane to the exotic, or even the simply baffling.

Overnight : At hotel in Jaipur.

Day 6 : Jaipur - Mandawa
Early morning following breakfast drive to Mandawa. On arrival check into the Castle Mandawa, now converted into a heritage hotel. Walking tour of the interesting towns of Shekhawati, where the dominant merchant families decorate their ancestral homes with elaborate murals. One of the oldest murals (1760) is within the Castle Mandawa. Some of them are influenced by the arrival of the British East India Company in India. One shows an Englishman riding a bicycle, but the artist had obviously never seen a real one. Another one representing the Wright Brothers flying an airplane, but it has only one wing. In the evening, relish the traditional dinner and enjoy live entertainment at the castle.

Overnight : At hotel Castle Mandawa.

Day 7 : Mandawa - Khimsar
In the morning after breakfast drive to Khimsar. On arrival check-in at the Royal Khimsar Castle Hotel. A 16th century fort, the Royal Khimsar castle is perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert. Originally, the fort walls, turrets and stables were built solely for war. Subsequently, the royal family moved in, and a new "zenana" or ladies' residence was erected with finely carved windows in stone that provided "purdah" or veil for ladies in waiting. Today, this fort ranks amongst the premier Heritage Hotels of India. Explore the surrounding villages and meet with the local people. Evening traditional dinner and live folk dances in the castle.

Overnight : At Royal Khimsar Castle Hotel.
Day 8 : Khimsar - Jaisalmer
Following breakfast drive to Golden city, Jaisalmer. The massive battlements of the living fort of Jaisalmer rise dramatically out of the surrounding desert. Within the fort complex lies a number of curious buildings, with fantastic facades and elaborate balconies. This fascinating fort was built in 1156 in the heart of the Thar desert. In the evening walk in the bazaars inside this ancient and fascinating fortress-city.

Overnight : At hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 9 : Sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer
Day 9 is meant for whole day sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer city. The Jain temples within the fort are decorated with deities and elaborate dancing figures in mythological settings. We shall explore the intricately latticed "havelis" - residences of erstwhile noblemen and wealthy traders - with their conspicuous facades. The superb craftsmanship of the stone carver is illustrated in Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-ki-haveli. Amidst all this grandeur thrives the gay commerce and now simple life of families who have lived in the fort for a thousand years. Jaisalmer's exotic bazaars offer fine mirror work and embroidered articles, wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewelry and curios. Afternoon visit the sand dunes at Sam. Ride on camels over the dunes in the golden light of the setting sun. By late evening come back to Jaisalmer.

Overnight : At hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 10 : Jaisalmer - Barmer
After breakfast drive to the small town of Barmer. En-route visit colorful desert villages. Explore the Barmer market. After an evening of campfire song and dance with local people, we shall sleep in trekking style two-person tents in sleeping bags. Good meals will be prepared by the High Points crew.

Overnight : At Barmer.

Day 11 : Barmer - Zainabad
Early morning drive to Zainabad. Excursions to the Raan of Kutch for observing the wildlife as well as the local Kutcchi tribes, a colorful sea - faring people who welcome the few visitors to this area with simple but enthusiastic hospitality. Tonight we sleep in Tourist Huts at the edge of the Little Raan of Kutch. Clean, with ethnic decor and western plumbing.

Overnight : At Zainabad.

Day 12 : Zainabad
Following breakfast explore the Raan of Kutch by 4-wheel drive vehicles. Bounded on the north and east by marshy flats and on the south and west by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea, the province of Kutch (also spelt Kuchchh or Kachchha) is a place apart. All but isolated from neighbouring Saurasthra and Sind, Kutch's largely arid landscape is shot through with the colour from heavily embroidered local dress. It's a land of legends recorded in stone statues, and folk customs reflected in popular craft and jewellery designs. The treeless marshes to the north and east, known as the Rann of Kutch, get flooded completely during a heavy monsoon, effectively transforming Kutch into an island. Home to the rare wild ass, the Raan is also the only region in India where flamingoes breed successfully, during July and August, out of reach of any but the most determined bird watchers who can cross the marshes by camels. Evening enjoy campfire revelries with the local villagers.

Overnight : At Zainabad.

Day 13 : Zainabad - Bhuj
On day 13 after exploring other parts of the Raan, we drive to Bhuj. After an 8 hour drive we arrive at the charming fortress town of Bhuj in the late afternoon. Evening explore the maze of tiny streets and colorful bazaars that make up the town.

Overnight : At Bhuj.

Day 14 : Sightseeing tour of Bhuj
Whole day meant for sightseeing tour of the city including the Kutch museum and the Swaminarayan temple. Explore the tribal villages around Bhuj. The Rabari tribes rear cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep and camels, sell ghee, weave cloth and are also known for fine embroidery. Typical houses, made of mud or brick, are decorated inside with gargomati, a raised pattern of white-washed mud and dung, inlaid with mirrors.

Overnight : At Bhuj.

Day 15 : Bhuj - Mumbai
Today following breakfast we will explore the other regions of Bhuj. Afternoon transfer to airport for the boarding a short flight to Mumbai. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and later transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax in the hotel.

Overnight : At hotel in Mumbai.

Day 16 : Sightseeing tour of Mumbai
Full day sightseeing tour of Mumbai. We will visit Mumbai's landmark, Gateway of India, British style Prince of Wales Museum, and then drive along the `Queen's Necklace' (Marine drive), skirting the back bay to Chowpatty beach, teeming with colorful life. We will also see the Dhobi ghat (probably the world's largest open-air laundry!), and will stop to explore the lively streets around Flora Fountain.

Overnight : At hotel in Mumbai.
Day 17 : Mumbai Departure
Transfer to the Mumbai airport for boarding your flight back home.

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Feedback
It was my first trip to India with Trinetra. Earlier I was little worried about accommodation and transportation, but Trinetra offered much more than my expectations. Trinetra is best tour operator for India, I would suggest Trinetra to others also.


Wonderful trip, we never experienced such a fantastic trip before. Our trip leader Mahendra was a well-knowledgeable person, he stood beside us throughout the trip. Thanks to Mahendra and Trinetra as well.


Our trip was full of sightseeing and adventure. Amongst the tourist attractions, Taj Mahal fascinated us a lot. We enjoyed the elephant safari at Amber Fort and camel safari in Jaisalmer. We will remember this tour for a long time.