13-Day India & Sri Lanka Highlight Tour

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at India Gandhi International Airport, you will be greeted by your chauffeur guide and then be escorted to you hotel where your guide will help you check in and brief you about the following tours. The rest of the day is yours to relax and adjust to the new time zone.

Overnight: Delhi

Pass by Red Fort before drive to New Delhi for the tallest stone tower in India, 800-year-old Qutub Minar surrounded by ancient Hindu and Muslim complex. Continue to Raj Ghat - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Drive along the city landmark of India Gate, President's House, Parliament House & Government Secretariat Buildings. Finish today with an insight into the local religion at a colorful Hindu temple-Laxmi Narayan Temple.

After breakfast, head to Jaipur by private A/C car, stopover for coffee break or photo opportunities are at your request any time en-route. On arrival check in at hotel, afternoon is free for your rest.

Note: Driving time in the program is approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.

Tips:Be careful for the hard sell from hawkers all along the way - it's strongly suggested to just ignore them completely if you have no interest to buy; don't talk to them, no 'no thanks' either.

Overnight: Jaipur
Meals:Breakfast

Breakfast then head east to Agra, en-route a brief exploration to the former royal city of Fatehpur Sikri (about 1.5 hrs), one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor at its height, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Lunch time after that and then proceed to Agra. Upon arrival, be met and check in hotel.

Today you start with an early morning visit to Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) which frees you from the crowds and heat in daytime. This white-marble world wonder was built by a great emperor in memory of his beloved.

Later visit the palatial Royal Pavilions at the red sandstone Agra Fort for a glimpse of the royal Mughal lifestyle. 

Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we escort you to Delhi airport in time for your flight to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your chauffeur guide, who will take care of you during your tour in Sri Lanka, and then be transferred to Negombo to check in the hotel.

Note: Buddhism is extremely respected in Sri Lanka, any disrespectful words or acts may cause deportation or denial of entry, e.g. Buddha tattoos, kissing/climbing/riding Buddha statue, drinking inside a temple, etc. 

After breakfast, check out and head for to Pinnawala where you can visit the Elephant Orphanage and get in close proximity with semi-wild elephants during their morning feeding and river bathing. After lunch, proceed to Sigiriya known as the country’s rich cultural triangle. Upon arrival check in to hotel, the rest of the day at your leisure.        

Breakfast at hotel, then we take a morning excursion to Sigiriya for its 5th-century legendary sky citadel of “Lion Rock”, discovered in 1907 by British Explorer John Still, the citadel is arguably the most impressive site in Ceylon; although a steep climb is requested, the views and frescoes are definitely worth the effort. In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel and free to relax. 

Breakfast at hotel, today will start with a visit to the famous Dambulla Cave Temple which is noted for magnificent Buddha Images and rock painting dating back to 2nd century BC. 

Later continue to one of the best preserved ruins of ancient Ceylon - the UNESCO World Heritage City of Anuradhapura - for 15 centuries, it was the capital of Sri Lanka. In the afternoon engage in a city tour of Anuradhapura including the Abayagiri complex.

After breakfast continue to Kandy , en route stop by a Spice Garden at Matale, where you will learn a variety of spices, even taste an herbal brew, and communicate with a local cooker during the Cookery Demonstration in the garden; you can also try an Ayurveda massage based on natural herbs if time allows. When arrive in Kandy in the afternoon, check in to hotel and take some rest. 

Later in the evening, a cultural Dance performance & amazing Fire eating will put a perfect end to today’s sightseeing. 

Later in the afternoon take a visit to local gem museum & lapidary, highly reputed for quality Ceylon blue sapphire and delicate handicraft. Evening is your free time; a leisure walk around the city lake might sound good to you.

After breakfast, check out on time, you will be transferred to the Colombo International Airport for your departure flight.