Ranakpur Holidays
Sample Itinerary - REF INDIA 2114
If you like the itinerary below please quote REF INDIA 2114 when enquiring for further details.
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Days 1-3: Delhi
Upon arrival into Delhi, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of today and the next 2 days are yours free to relax or independently explore this bustling capital. Perhaps consider some of our holiday enhance options at the back of this quote.
Day 4: Delhi
This morning we embark on a half day sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, taking in the impressive Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque, and a rickshaw ride through the bylanes of the old city. This afternoon you will take our optional half day tour of New Delhi. For more information please see the Enhance your holiday page of this quote.
Day 5: Delhi
Today is a free day in Dehli to explore at your own pace. Perhaps fill your day with a cooking class (for more information please see Holiday Enhancement page of this quote)
Day 6: Delhi - Agra
Today we are met at the airport and transferred to the train station for the journey to Agra. On arrival in Agra you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. (Check in subject to availability) This afternoon we have a half day guided tour the impressive Agra Fort, which boasts some of India's finest Mughal buildings behind it's fortified walls and the Baby Taj. We also witness a beautiful sunset from the viewpoint at the Taj Mahal.
Day 7: Agra
This morning we take an early morning trip to the legendary Taj Mahal and witness a magical sunrise. Built by Shah Jahan in the 16th century as an enduring memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz. Built entirely of white marble, the Taj Mahal has no peers. The rest of the day is yours free to explore with guide and drive at your disposal!
Day 8: Agra - Jaipur
Today we continue to Jaipur. En route to Jaipur, we visit the ghostly former Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned due to lack of water. We also visit Abhaneri Step (no guide, tour assisted by driver). As we get closer to Jaipur we stop for a tasty lunch (not included) before hotel check in and the rest of the evening free.
Day 9: Jaipur
This morning, we travel beyond Jaipur to the 16th century Amber Fort. An exotic elephant ride transports us to the lofty fort, where we’ll enjoy a tour of this Rajput extravaganza. Later in the afternoon you have free time.
Day 10: Jaipur
Today we take our optional half day city tour of Jaipur (see Holiday Enhancements for more detail)
Day 11: Jaipur - Surajgarh
Today, we drive to the semi-desert Shekhawati region. The small towns in this region became important trading posts, a lasting legacy of which are the beautiful painted havelis (mansions) constructed by wealthy merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Enjoy an afternoon village walk before a free evening.
Day 12: Surajgarh - Bikaner
Travelling west, our next stop is the 14th century desert town of Bikaner. Once an important staging post on the great caravan routes, much of the atmospheric old town which we will explore is still encircled by massive fortified walls. Within these walls are havelis, artisan shops and people going about their daily lives. We also visit the spectacular Junagarh Fort & museum, built between 1587 and 1593 during the rule of Rai Singh
Day 13: Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Driving through the Rajasthani Thar desert we arrive at the medieval caravan outpost of Jaisalmer, one of the jewels in India’s crown. Exquisite wood and sandstone buildings dot the town and within Jaisalmer Fort are homes, hotels and shops hidden in ancient lane ways. Overnight- Suryagarh Jaisalmer
Day 14: Jaisalmer
Today in this stunning Rajasthani fortress town we’ll enjoy a morning tour of Jalisalmer Fort, the Jain temples and the Havelis. This evening, a desert camel safari on the rolling sand dunes at sunset. Overnight- Suryagarh Jaisalmer
Day 15: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Today, an interesting drive through increasingly varied scenery takes us to Jodhpur, a town at the edge of the mighty Thar Desert. Dominated by Meherangarh Fort which sits majestically atop a hill, Jodhpur is known as the Blue City. This is because of the coloured houses in the old town, painted indigo. on arrival the afternoon is yours free to explore.
Day 16: Jodhpur
This morning we’ll enjoy some touring in this colourful Rajasthani city, taking in the mighty fort and bazaars of the old city which are gathered around the city’s tall clock tower. This afternoon we take a jeep safarito the Bishnoi Villiages and explore the local way of life.
Day 17: Jodhpur - Ranakpur
Leaving Jodhpur, we drive to Ranakpur, a small town tucked away in a remote valley and famed for its beautiful 14th century Jain temples. We’ll enjoy some exploration here and time to relax at our hotel. Overnight- Maahrani Bagh Orchard Retreat
Day 18: Ranakpur - Udaipur
Continuing south, we arrive at Udaipur. An oasis of cool, with its massive lake and Venetian-like appearance, Udaipur is one of the most romantic towns in Rajasthan. A favourite amongst travellers, Udaipur is crammed full of palaces and temples. During our stay we’ll enjoy a cruise on Lake Pichola, not to mention free time to explore and perhaps shop for colourful Rajasthani souvenirs and Indian spices.
Day 19: Udaipur
This morning we take a half day city tour including the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bharti lok kala Mandal and the Shaliyo ki bari Garden. The afternoon is free for further exploration at your own pace.
Day 20: Udaipur - Varanasi
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi via Delhi. on arrival in Varanasi you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is free time to relax in your new surroundings. This evening take a guided visit to Aarti ceremony by boat at the Ghats before free time to relax.
Day 21: Varanasi
This morning, we enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the holy Ganges where we’ll view the ancient religious tradition of ritual cleansing that takes place on the many riverbank ghats (riverside steps). This afternoon perhaps visit the Buddah or consider re-visiting the ghats for the evening pilgramage, remarkably different from the dawn ritual. (not included in tour)
Day 22: Varanasi - Amritsar
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Amritsar via Delhi. On arrival in Amritsar you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check in.
Day 23: Amritsar
Amritsar is one of Punjab’s principal cities and is renowned for it’s world famous Golden Temple, the seat of Sikh religion built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803. This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the historic Amritsar, including the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. Amritsar’s main attraction - the beautiful Golden Temple, is made of white marble, bronze and gold leaf. To enter the temple, you must don a traditional headscarf, wade through a shallow pool (a purification ritual) and merge with the mass of bodies that circle the embankment around the holy structure. This afternoon we journey to Wagah border to witness the retreat ceremony.
Day 24: Amritsar - Kochi
Today we say good by to Amritsar as we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Kochi, via Delhi. On arrival in Kochi we are transferred to our hotel for check in.
Day 25: Kochi
The city of Kochi perfectly reflects the eclecticism of the state of Kerala. Here in historical Kochi, one can see winding streets with mosques, a 16th century Jewish synagogue, 500-year old Portuguese cottages, old churches and a palace built by the Portuguese and later renovated by in the Flemish style by the Dutch. This morning we take a half day tour of old Kochi taking in the Synagogue, the Dutch Palace and St Francis Church. This evening we view a traditional Kathakali dance performance.
Day 26: Kochi - Munnar
Today we travel to Munnar. et amidst dramatic mountain scenery, the hill town of Munnar in the state of Kerala lies at an altitude of 1524 metres, essentially the commercial centre of some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates. It’s easy to see why Scottish planters who first developed this hidden valley in the 1900s felt so at home here. Although not quite like Inverness or the Highlands, the weather was a lot cooler. After check in we visit a tea plantation and museum before a free evening. Overnight- Royal Mist B&B
Day 27: Munnar - Alleppey
Today we continue of journey to Alleppey, a tropical coastal town in a region webbed by canals and fishing areas on the southern coast of the state of Kerala. The British opened Alleppey’s port to foreign trade in the late 18th century to end the commercial supremacy of the Dutch trading post at Porakad, a short distance away. Known as ‘houseboat city’ as it is from here that many Keralan backwaters cruises commence and end. Chugging slowly on these vessels through the shallow, palm-fringed waters. On arrival we embark an overnight houseboat and enjoy the back waters of Kerala.
Day 28: Alleppey - Mumbai
After breakfast on board we disembark our house boat and return to Kochi. On arrival in Kochi we are transferred to the airport for our departing flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai you will be transferred to your hotel for check in.
Day 29: Mumbai
Mumbai - or Bombay, as it was formerly known - remains India’s city of dreams. Built largely by the British around one of the best-protected natural harbours in the world, Mumbai is India’s strategic economic centre. The city is also home to the country’s prolific Bollywood film industry, which cranks out more feature films than any place in the world. This morning we enjoy a half city tour including the Gateway of India, Marina Drive, Mani Havan, Dhobi Talao, Price of Wales Museum, the Hanging Gardens and Crawford Markets.
Day 30: Mumbai
Today is our last day in India! We have free time to explore until our arrangements end with a departure transfer to the airport.
Pondicherry
Settled in the early 18th century by the French, Pondicherry on the Bay of Bengal in the state of Tamil ...
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