Ancient Religion and Spirituality with Cultural Heritage –Sacred India welcomes you for 20 -day tour. Wonder the beauty of the Taj Mahal, get imbibed in spirituality on boat trip along Holy River Ganges, feel captivated with beauty of Khajuraho Sculptures, and get the Royal treatment visiting legacy of the Maharajah, and forts with valorous histories. This tour doesn’t just include North India’s many wish-list-worthy sites but it also delves you into daily life through village/ market walks and unforgettable tastes of local cuisines. From the pulsating heart of Delhi to the spiritual soul of Varanasi- this is truly the Essence of North India.
| Start | Delhi, India |
| Finish | Delhi, India |
| Theme | Explorer |
| Destinations | India |
| Physical rating |
 |
| Style |
Original |
| Ages |
Min 15 |
| Group size | Min 1 – Max 12 |
| Trip code |
HHSN |
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your Incredible India adventure begins. Delhi, India’s capital territory, is a massive metropolitan area in northern part of the country. Arrive Delhi by International Flight. Meet your representative at airport and transfer to hotel. Check in and relax. Evening at leisure.
Start your day with Delhi sightseeing. Visit Jama Mosque which is one of the oldest mosques in Delhi. Hop in Rikshaw and explore narrow lanes of one of the oldest markets in India Chandi chowk, proceed to smell flavors in air of various Indian spices and enjoy with Locals. Move on to Raj Ghat. Welcome Lunch @ local Ethnic Restaurant, visit Gandhi Smriti, Parliament House, Secretariat buildings and much more. Evening at leisure.
Transfer to Delhi Airport to board flight to Varanasi. Varanasi, Spiritual Capital of India dating to 11th century B.C. Transfer to hotel for check in and relax. Explore Sarnath, 13 kilometers away from Varanasi, significant to Buddhist pilgrimage- Buddha gave his First Sermon (Dhamek Stupa). Visit Sarnath Temple, Sarnath Museum and be a witness of Evening Aarti (lighting ceremony) at Ganges.
Explore guided sightseeing in Varanasi. Private Boat Ride at Ganges River is a wonderful experience watching Ghats, Cremation place and Temples, Pay a visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Pay a visit to Durga Mandir and Tulsi Manas Temple. Get submersed in the spiritual vibes of Varanasi. Evening at leisure.
Transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight to Varanasi. Arrive at Khajuraho, built during Chandella dynasty, which reached apogee between 950 C.E. and 1050 C.E. Transfer to hotel for check in and relax. Enjoy guided sightseeing through Khajuraho. Hinduism Temples include Kandariya Mahadeva, Matangeshwar, Laxmi Temple. Jainism Temples include Parsvanath, Adinath and Shantinath Temple. Southern Temples include Duladev and Chaturbhuja Temples, Visit Love Temple (Temple of Kama, Indian God of Love). Evening at leisure.
Drive to Orchha (188 km/3.30 hrs.). On arrival check in and relax. Explore guided sightseeing of Orchha. Visit Orchha Fort, Ram Raja Mandir, Chaturbhuj Temple and Laxmi Narayan Temple, site date back to Orchha Kingdom (1531-1802). After the sightseeing transfer to Jhansi Station to board evening train to Agra. Arrive at Agra, capital of Mughal Empire under Mughal emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Transfer to hotel, check in and relax.
Start your day withSunrise atTaj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. After breakfast, see live demonstration of inlay work. Head over to learn local Indian recipes and lunch with local family. In evening enjoy Taj Mahal Live Drama Show based on story behind construction of the love saga ‘Taj Mahal’ and experience traditional dance form from the North India.
Drive to Jaipur “Pink City” (188 km/3.30 hrs.) enroute visit abundant city of Fatehpur Sikri once capital of Mughal during rule of Akbar the great. Head over to lunch at heritage hotel. Continue journey to Jaipur, visit Chand Baori, approximately 30 mtr into ground, making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. Arrive in Jaipur, check in and relax.
Visit Amber Fort- Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, fort is example of Rajput architecture and Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is one of its beautiful buildings. Popular attraction at foot of the hill is elephant ride that takes tourists up to Amber Fort, while returning from fort enjoy Jeep Ride. After lunch head over to Jaipur's Royal City Palace and explore extravagant rooms and apartments. Enjoy black and white photograph taken by 150-year-old Camera while exploring local bazaar. Pass by Hawa Mahal and walking tour of local Bazaar full of jewellery, textiles and folk arts. Evening at leisure.
Transfer overland to Bikaner (335 km / 5.30 hrs.) surrounded by Thar Desert and shares east of border with Pakistan. Bikaner was important staging post along some of history’s great caravan routes. In evening, guided walking tour through local Bazaars.
Visit massive 16th century Junagarh Fort with local guide to learn about its impressive history. Visit Karni Mata Temple, home to many rats considered sacred by Hindu devotees. Moving ahead we will explore Sadual Museum, Lalgarh Palace and Laxmi Niwas Palace.
Transfer overland to Jaisalmer the Golden City (330 km / 4.30 hrs.) distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture. Dominating skyline is Jaisalmer Fort, sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions. Arrival check in and relax. Explore guided excursion through the snaking alleyways of Jaisalmer, filled with markets and intricately carved houses. Visit the Chaatris at the sunset.
Enjoy exploring Jaisalmer Fort on guided walking tour through a maze of houses, temples, shops and restaurants. You will feel amazed at spectacular facades of Patwa ki Haveli. Visit Gadi Sagar Lake and further chauffeur will drive you to Sam Sand Dunes. Evening at leisure.
Transfer overland to Jodhpur(265 km / 4.30 hrs.) Rajasthan`s second largest city, has earned the moniker 'Blue City' owing to its mesmerizing sea of azure-hued buildings. Check-in in hotel and relax. Evening at Leisure.
Explore Mehrangarh Fort, 15th Century fort- Set on rocky outcrop, fort overlooks walled city, where many buildings are painted the city’s iconic shade of blue. Visit Jaswant Thada and explore walking tour of Clock Tower and fruit/ vegetable/ spice markets. Evening at leisure.
Transfer overland to Narlai (128 km / 2.30 hrs.) a village in Desuri tehsil of Pali district in Rajasthan. Explore guided sightseeing – Leopard Safari, Elephant hill walk and Village walk. Here, you will meet and interact with Local villagers. Evening at Leisure.
Drive to Udaipur, Venice of India (114 km/2.30 hrs.) formerly capital of Mewar Kingdom and founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559. It’s set around a series of artificial lakes. Enroute visit beautifully carved white marble Jain Temple at Ranakpur. Arrive at Udaipur, check-in in hotel and relax. Evening at Leisure.
VisitCity Palace, monumental complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens, famed for intricate peacock mosaics. Enjoy your boat ride on picturesque Lake Pichola to marvel at island palaces of Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir. Visit Jagdish Temple, Crystal Gallery and Saheli Ki Bari. Evening at leisure.
Visit Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace (1884) which blends elements of Rajput and Victorian styles. Visit picturesque view of Ambrai Ghat, Karni Mata Temple and Bagore ki Haveli. Evening at leisure.
Transfer to Udaipur Airport to board flight to Delhi. Transfer to IGI Airport to board flight to Onward Destination / back home.
Hotel (19 nights)
Full time English Speaking Chauffeur Driven private transport with fuel from Arrival to Departure in SUV/ Van for comfortable transfers and drives.
Train
Airlines
Ans: Indian and subcontinent are now open for international travel.
Ans: New bookings made for travel through December 31, 2022, fall under our Booking policy, which allows you to change or cancel your reservation up to 30 days prior to departure in the event of a COVID-related reason (some exceptions apply).
Ans: For information on India Compass health and safety protocols, consult Safeguarding Your Health on Your India Compass Journey. Prior to travel, all guests are required to sign an online India Compass Health & Safety Acknowledgement attesting to their physical wellbeing prior to travel and willingness to comply with all health and safety protocols.
Ans: India Compass requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on all Journeys, for departures beginning September 1, 2022.
Ans: India Compass accepts all approved vaccines per the World Health Organization covid19.trackvaccines.org/agency/who. Guests must also comply with country vaccination requirements for entry.
Ans: Yes, all guests, including children, must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on all journeys.
Ans: All guests will be required to show proof of full vaccination at the Welcome Briefing. Guests are advised to carry both an original vaccination certificate and a picture on their phone. Digital passports are accepted for guests who were vaccinated outside of the U.S.
Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends, and should
have enough blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps from each country you visit.
If you require assistance obtaining a visa, contact our Cal India Tours Team.
India and subcontinent requires valid tourist visa to enter in country; see Essential
Information for details as it pertains to your journey.
Below are links of Consulates of India in U.S you can reach there directly for more information:
https://www.cgichicago.gov.in/
https://cgihouston.gov.in/
https://www.indiainnewyork.gov.in/
https://indiainatlanta.gov.in/
Be sure to register with your nearest embassy or consulate for the destinations included in your
journey. U.S. citizens can register through STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(step.state.gov/step). Canadian citizens can enroll in Registration of Canadians Abroad at
travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration.
Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health
Organization (who.int/en) for the latest on required and recommended vaccines for your
destination. You’ll want to visit your doctor or local travel clinic a couple of months before
departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions.
Be sure to pack your original COVID-19 and other vaccination certificates and required health
documentation in your personal carry-on baggage in case you are asked to show them on arrival.
Cal India Tours recommends travelling with some currency and at least three different major credit cards, such as
Visa, Mastercard and Amex, so you have backup if your card is not accepted or lost. Contact your bank
and credit card companies to let them know where and when you’ll be travelling, as well as
confirm any foreign transaction fees.
When carrying cash, try to travel only with recently issued currency in smaller denominations.
many merchants overseas won’t accept wrinkled or torn bills. Only exchange currency at
authorized outlets such as currency exchanges, ATMs or hotels and save receipts as they may
be required for exit.
While most smartphones work overseas, you might need to turn on international roaming service
before you travel. Contact your carrier for information on coverage and voice and data plan
options while travelling abroad.
Many hotels and public places have Wi-Fi and you’ll usually be able to stay connected throughout
your journey, although Internet access may be poor to non-existent in remote destinations. Note
there are restrictions on access to social media sites or what content you can view or send online.
Many websites and smartphone apps allow you to check the forecast and time zones for specific
destinations. We recommend weather.com and timeanddate.com/world clock. Upon arrival, the
time on most smartphones will automatically adjust to the local time.
Carry your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in their original containers in your
carry-on luggage. Pack a simple first-aid kit along with medicines for motion sickness and mild
upset stomach. As a precaution, use only bottled water and avoid foods from street vendors.
Take care to observe safe health practices when travelling: Wash or sanitize your hands often.
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. If
you begin to feel unwell at any point in your journey, please inform your guide.
Be sure to bring your own face masks and any other PPE you require during travel; a supply of
masks will be on hand where needed. We also recommend travel-sized hand sanitizer with at
least 60% alcohol, facial tissues and disinfecting wipes or spray.
Guests must wear a mask in accordance with local regulations and service provider
requirements. All protocols are subject to change in accordance with relevant guidelines, local regulations and
conditions.
Plan on packing light — many Cal India Tours journeys include domestic flights that impose much stricter
weight restrictions than your international carrier. Consult the Packing List and Baggage
Restriction’s specifics provided in Essential Information. Be sure to also confirm baggage
limitations with your international carrier before packing.
The typical attire on Cal India Tours journeys is relaxed and informal during the day. Choose comfortable,
versatile clothing that can be layered to account for changes in the weather throughout the day.
Smart casual is appropriate for evenings. Be sure to bring a global travel adapter set with you to
recharge your electronics at your hotel or aboard ship.
will provide you luggage tags at the time of arrival. Please use these tags, even if your
bags already have ID tags. This makes it easier for Cal India Tours staff to find and manage your luggage
for you.
Be sure to reconfirm your international flights 24 hours prior to your departure. Tickets for any
internal flights, if included on your itinerary, will be issued by Cal India Tours representatives at your
destination and presented to you as needed.
We strongly recommend leaving valuables such as jewelry at home as Cal India Tours cannot be
responsible. Use safes where available to secure your valuables, especially passports, money,
jewelry, electronics and medications. Replacing a lost or stolen passport is much easier if you
have a copy on hand. Pack a photocopy of your passport’s personal information page with your
luggage, and keep a photo of it on your smartphone.
Your Cal India Tours local representative meets you at the airport when you arrive .See your itinerary for additional arrival
instructions.
If you are interested in shopping, your Cal India Tours guide may recommend local shops; however, Cal India Tours is
not responsible for the quality or value of merchandise. Any purchases and shipping are at your
sole discretion.
Be sure to review your credit card receipts before signing, paying special attention to currency
conversion. We recommend taking items with you in lieu of shipping them whenever possible.
Keep receipts and items together.
Be sure to ask permission before taking pictures of local people, including small children. Note
photography is not permitted in some locations, which is usually clearly marked. If in doubt, ask
your guide to avoid having your camera confiscated.
Tipping on Cal India Tours journeys varies depending on where and how you travel. Consult the Tipping
Guidelines provided for your journey in Essential Information.
While decisions regarding tipping rest entirely with you, we suggest the following gratuities (noted in U.S. dollars).
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