Tour route: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Chandigarh - Shimla
Welcome to India! Our tour guide will meet you at India Gandhi International Airport, escort you to hotel for check-in and brief you about the following tours. Then enjoy free time to recover from the jetlag.
Overnight: Delhi
After breakfast, visit Old Delhi for India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid, before taking an exploration to the bustling local bazaar of Chandni Chowk on rickshaw. Pass by the fantastic Red Fort, drive to New Delhi for a unique glance at the 800-year-old Qutub Minar, the tallest ancient Hindu stone tower in India. Continue to Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive along the city landmarks of the India Gate, President's House, Parliament House & Government Secretariat Buildings before ending today’s tour with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple to appreciate the local religion.
Tips: Before entering Jama Masjid, female tourists are required to cover up their body. You can rent a scarf at 50 rupees from the temple.
Overnight: Delhi
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, head for Agra by car. You can stop to take a coffee break or take photos at any time en-route. After arrival in Agra, transfer to hotel for check-in and afternoon is free time for a good rest.
Note: Driving time of the journey is only estimation due to the road condition and weather.
Overnight: Agra
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, visit the glorious Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), a marvelous world wonder which was built by an emperor in ceremony to his beloved. Later, take an insight into the royal Mughal lifestyle by exploring the palatial Royal Pavilions at the red sandstone, Agra Fort. The rest of day is at leisure and the vehicle with driver is at your disposal.
Tips: Visitors need to pass strict security check before entering Taj Mahal. Prohibited things include foods, plastic bags, chargers and the like. It’s suggested to catch the sunrise in the early morning as the temperature is cooler and there are less tourists than in the daytime.
Overnight: Agra
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, head east to Jaipur. Stop at the former royal city of Fatehpur Sikri (about 1.5 hrs) en-route to admire Mughal architectural splendor built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. Check into the hotel on arrival and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast
Start today with a jeep ride full of unbeatable views and fun to the ancient Amber Fort to experience the kingly palaces such as the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors).
Drive back to the pink city of Jaipur, you can take a perfect picture at the best angle by a stopover at façade of the famous Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Then, visit the City Palace Museum displaying superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury, especially Jantar Mantar, the largest stone observatory in the world that is still in use. Later, ride through the pink rose residential and business areas by car.
Tips: If you have no desire to buy from the hawkers at Amber Fort, don't pay any attention to at the very beginning. Prepare sun protection when taking the jeep ride to Amber Fort.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast
This morning, board a flight for Chandigarh. Arrive and be transferred to hotel. The rest of day is at leisure.
Overnight: Chandigarh
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast drive to Dharampur (about 4 hrs driving) and visit the Pinjore Garden en-route. Afterward you will board the Toy Train to Shimla (Himalayan Queen at 13:42-17:20). This scenic train ride is interesting and an unique experience. On arrival in Shimla you are greeted at the railway station (assistance) and transferred to hotel.
Overnight: Shimla
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, visit India Bungalow & the Himalayan Zoo on the way of a half day excursion to Kufri. You have the options of taking a hike or ride a pony up to Mashu Peak (pony rides at Kufri are on direct payment basis). Explore the Shimla Mall Road in the afternoon. Attractions of the mall road include Shimla Church, Scandal Point, Gaiety Theatre, Town hall where you can have a shopping spree.
Note: There will be no guide service for Kufri Excursion.
Overnight: Shimla
Meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free morning before our driver meet you at hotel lobby and drive you to Kalka (about 2.5 hrs) to catch the Shatabdi train for Delhi (leaves at 17:45, 17:45- 21:55). Upon your arrival, you will be met by representative and stay overnight at Delhi.
Overnight: Delhi
Meal: Breakfast
Today is at your own leisure before being escorted to the airport for your flight to next destination.
Meal: Breakfast
Recommended Accommodation for Your Journey
Good accommodation choice will in no doubt enhance your tour experience. Our well-established partnership network with key hotel chains in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri-Lanka will bring you the benefits of competitive hotel rate and guaranteed room availability.
We pick hotels for you based on:
Location: geographically convenience values for your precious holiday time. So properties we use are either in downtown area close to main city attractions and amenities, or convenient for sightseeing or transportation.Hotel Criteria for Each Tour Class
Note: Bhutan is less developed with fewer hotels criteria for choice, and most of the hotels there aren't as high standard as those in Western society.
Hotel Arrangement for Standard Tour Class
Usually conveniently located and meet the basic requirements of a comfortable stay: decorative lobbies and nice guest rooms with AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms. On-site restaurants may be average in size but offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. In most cases, staffs have basic command of English. Usually 3 star hotels are adopted.Hotel Arrangement for Comfortable Tour Class
Normally you'll stay at formal and large hotels conveniently located with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby. Quality service, fully furnished rooms, restaurants, room service, fitness center and swimming pool (in some cases there is no pool) all together offer an above-average accommodation experience.
Usually good 4-star hotels are adopted or boutique hotels at request. Hotels best available will be arranged if no qualified choice, e.g. in remote area.
Hotel Arrangement for Superior Tour Class
Usually properties are conveniently located with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby and offer a better service and hotel facility than that in hotels of Comfortable Tour Class. Usually 4-4.5 star hotels or boutique hotels are adopted.
Hotel Arrangement for First Tour Class
Deluxe hotels with high-end service and an extensive range of facilities for an excellent accommodation experience. Multiple restaurants on site with extensive menus for choice, room service available 24/7, fitness center and concierge service round out the experience. Usually 5 star hotels are adopted.
Hotel Arrangement for Deluxe Tour Class
The most luxury hotels are used and only available in some particular cities. These properties have top-notch service and unique location, such as a lake or a historic site, and usually incorporate some of the country’s most exquisite architecture traditions. Usually top 5 star or the best available hotels are adopted.
Meals
Normally, India Odyssey Tours put breakfast in your itinerary except for in Bhutan (all meals included). Lunch won’t be included for the sake of tour convenience, while dinner is also excluded as some travelers might want a little culinary adventure themselves. But surely your tour guide/driver is always glad to offer their advice.
It is normally served at the hotel where you stay. Depending on the hotel, the breakfast would be in western style, local style, or a combination.
Usually lunch won’t be included considering the fact that sometimes travelers may want to stay somewhere longer/shorter or need other minor changes during daily sightseeing, and it’s better to decide the lunch site then rather than pre-arranging it. For sure our tour guides/drivers will be happy to advice good places to you, and we strongly suggest qualified local restaurant or hotels around the scenic spots for the sake of your health.
Dinners will not be included in your meal plan unless you have that requirement. Enjoying the local food could be one of your best experiences in the incredible India & South Asia. This is why we offer you this flexibility of food choice, and you can always get advice from your tour guides/drivers.
If you have certain food allergies or special requirements such as vegetarian food, let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Private Guide & Transfer
You will have a private tour guide, private driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle escorting you at every destination you travel across South Asia. This will provide you with maximized personal care, security, and flexibility.
All tour guides of India Odyssey Tours are qualified professionals and registered English Speaking Tourist Guides who are reassessed annually. All of our tour vehicles are clean and in excellent condition, manned with licensed & experienced drivers.
You will always be greeted punctually on arrival at each destination airport. At every departure, you’ll be escorted & assisted until you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint.
All of our tour guides in every destination are locals. Knowing the area well, they are good at guiding you around and telling background stories of the tour sites, as well as showing you the secret spots for best photos.
If any change of itinerary is needed for unexpected reasons, your private tour guides will be more than accommodating in suggesting alternatives to ensure that you always have a wonderful experience.
With our comfortable and safe private transportation, your tour will be more relaxing and less tiresome, keeping you in the best spirits to make the most out of your journey across South Asia.
Your vehicle in each destination is air conditioned, insured, clean, and regularly maintained. Your private driver is licensed and always put your safety first.
Reviews on: India Essences with Taj Mahal & Toy Train
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May 7th, 2017 Any part of this itinerary can be altered to fit your need, e.g. accommodation, add/skip city, tour length.
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