Treasures of the Raj with Goa add-on

Day 1: UK/Kolkata
You’ll depart on your scheduled flight to Kolkata via Mumbai.

Day 2: Kolkata
On arrival, you’ll meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel, where a two-night stay has been arranged.

Day 3: Kolkata
Enjoy breakfast before joining our included half-day tour of Kolkata. Formerly known as Calcutta, the city’s streets teem with life and treats for the senses come thick and fast thanks to the mouth-watering aromas from the street-food stalls as well as the sight of many grand colonial buildings.

Admire the splendid architecture of the Victoria Memorial Museum, built in memory of Queen Victoria. The white marble structure is topped with a bronze dome and houses a fantastic collection of rare memorabilia. You’ll also visit the Jain Temple and explore Dalhousie Square – the city’s former centre of power which made Calcutta the grandest city ever built by Europeans outside Europe.

Day 4: Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi, where you will stay overnight. Situated on the west bank of the Ganges, this charming city winds back from the riverbank into a maze of picturesque alleys dotted with houses and temples. This is the most important pilgrimage site in India, and this evening you will witness an Aarti ceremony on the ghat (steps) of the Ganges – a sacred ritual during which lamps and flowers are offered to the deities.

Day 5: Delhi
There’s an early start this morning as you join your Tour Manager on a sunrise boat trip on the Ganges where you’ll see the banks come alive as people bathe in the holy waters and worship the rising sun. Later today you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi, where you’ll stay for two nights.

Day 6: Delhi
Enjoy breakfast before joining today’s full-day sightseeing tour. This morning explore Old Delhi, a maze of crowded narrow streets and thronging markets. Admire the Red Fort, an elegant symbol of power created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. Take a stroll through the fabled street bazaar of Chadni Chowk and view Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

This afternoon your tour continues in New Delhi, a spacious, imperial city of wide, tree-lined boulevards and lush green parks created by the British in 1911. Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, two monuments from Delhi’s past.

Day 7: Agra
Before leaving Delhi today you’ll be taken on a fascinating walk by former street children, who will give you an insight to their world and explain how their lives have been changed for the better by the charity they now work with.

An afternoon drive then takes you to Agra, home of the world-famous Taj Mahal.

You’ll stay in Agra for two nights.

Day 8: Agra
After breakfast our half-day included tour commences with a visit to the exquisite Taj Mahal. Built by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife and believed to have taken 22 years to complete, this magnificent mausoleum is unique and truly mesmerising.

We also include a visit to the red sandstone Agra Fort, where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son.

Enjoy this afternoon at leisure or join our optional Mughal Heritage Walk, an introduction to village life hosted by local young people as part of a community development programme.

Day 9: Jaipur
Today’s journey by road takes you to Jaipur, where you’ll stay for two nights. On the way we’ll stop off at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, where you can stroll through the pink and red sandstone pavilions and palaces, and the ruins of Abhaneri, known for its unique carved step wells.

Day 10: Jaipur
Start the day with our included morning excursion the Amber Fort, a 17th century battle-scarred stronghold set high on a hill. Step inside to see royal halls decorated with intricate ivory carvings, mirror and glasswork, and experience the famed Hall of Pleasures.

This afternoon you’ll explore the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, so called because all the buildings here were painted pink by Maharaja’s decree. Visit the City Palace Museum, home to a fabulous collection of royal robes, paintings and other treasures. You’ll also visit Jantar Mantar, an incredibly accurate observatory that was built in 1726, and enjoy a photo stop at the spectacular Palace of the Winds.

Day 11: Jodhpur
A day of travelling lies ahead of you today, so sit back and relax on the long drive to Jodhpur. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening. We have arranged a two-night stay here.

Day 12: Jodhpur
There’s plenty of time to explore Jodhpur today, a fortified city boasting the imposing hilltop Mehrangarh Fort. Built in 1459 by Rao Jodha, after whom the city is named, the fort is adorned with intricately carved panels and exquisite latticed windows. You’ll also see the Jaswant Thada, a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, on our included tour. The grounds here also include decorated gazebos, a beautiful multi-tiered garden and a small lake.

Later, why not join our optional excursion to a colourful local market.

Day 13: Udaipur
You’ll take to the road again today for the drive to Udaipur, stopping en route at Ranakpur, where you’ll visit its Jain Temple. On arrival in Udaipur, settle in at your hotel, where you’ll stay for the next two nights, and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Day 14: Udaipur
One of the most romantic cities in Rajastahn, Udaipur is known as the city of lakes. During an included morning tour admire its huge City Palace, which towers over Lake Pichola, the Jagdish temple and the spectacular garden of Sahelion ki Bari.

Day 15: Mumbai
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Mumbai, where we include a boat trip to the Elephanta Caves – temples cut into the rocks on Elephanta Island. This evening we include a short tour of Mumbai.

Days 16 – 19: Goa
Goa’s 105km stretch of sparkling coastline boasts beautiful sandy beaches fringed with swaying palms making it the perfect location for a spot of rest and relaxation after your tour.

Sit under an umbrella with a book, join in the water sports on the beach or enjoy the facilities back at your hotel. Choose to explore and you’ll discover splendid temples and wonderful examples of colonial architecture among its public buildings.

Goa’s cuisine is another of its highlights – a fabulous combination of Portuguese and Indian flavours offer something for everyone and you can enjoy a bite on the beach or in a variety of restaurants.

On day 19 transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 20: UK
Arrival in the UK.

Please note
We want you to get the most from your holiday with us so please be advised that this tour is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
The 3 night Goa add-on will not be accompanied by a Tour Manager.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

5-star Oberoi Grand Hotel in Kolkata
5-star The Gateway Hotel Ganges or similar in Varanasi
5-star Crowne Plaza Today Okhla or similar in Delhi
4-star Gateway Hotel in Agra
5-star Country Inn & Suites by Carlson or similar in Jaipur
4-star Park Plaza or similar in Jodhpur
Boutique Udai Kothi in Udaipur
5-star Trident Nariman Point in Mumbai
All guest rooms have en suite facilities. Hotels feature a restaurant and a bar.

For the Goa add-on you will stay at the:

Lazy Lagoon Saravar Portico Suites
The hotel boasts a spa, pool, gym, restaurant and bar. Comfortable guest rooms feature en suite facilities, mini-bar, tea/coffee-maker and satellite TV.
Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Kolkata tour (half day)
Varanasi city tour (half day)
Aarti evening ceremony on the ghat
Dawn Ganges boat cruise
Sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi (full day)
Walk with former street children in Delhi
Taj Mahal and Agra Fort (half day)
Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri
Amber Fort (half day)
Jaipur tour (half day)
Jodhpur tour
Ranakpur Temples
Udaipur tour
Elephanta Caves
Mumbai orientation tour

Optional excursions

Cruise on the Ganges
Mughal Heritage Walk
Clock Tower and local market in Jodhpur

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights and internal flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
14 nights’ half board accommodation plus 2 lunches (main tour)
3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast (Goa)
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guides
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”