Tour route: India: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi, Sri Lanka: Negombo - Sigiriya - Kandy - Galle - Colombo
Welcome to India! Upon arrival at India Gandhi International Airport, greeted by Odyssey representative and escorted to your hotel with your private driver. Our representative assists you to check in and brief you about the following tours. Have some free time on your own to adjust to the new time zone.
Overnight: New Delhi
After breakfast enjoys your private tour of the capital today. Start with the visit to Old Delhi to see Jama Masjid and then a unique glance at local life by an exploration to the bustling local bazaar of Chandni Chowk on rickshaw.
Pass by Red Fort before driving to New Delhi for Qutub Minar. Continue to Raj Ghat, drive along the city landmark of India Gate, President's House, Parliament House & Government Secretariat Buildings and stop for photo opportunity there. Finish today with an insight into the local religion at a colorful Hindu Temple - Laxmi Narayan Temple.
Overnight: New Delhi
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast head to Agra by private AC vehicle (4-5 hours) with your private driver. Stopover for coffee break or photo opportunities at your request any time en-route. On arrival, check in at hotel. Later enjoy high tea at Hotel Khema with the brilliant Taj Mahal backdrop.
Overnight: Agra
Meal: Breakfast
Rise early for a visit to the Taj Mahal in all its glory as the sun is rising, which is the best time to see this world-famous manmade wonder. Return to your hotel for breakfast and freshen-up. This afternoon visit Agra Fort and end your day at Mehtab Bagh (moonlight garden), on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, which is a nice place to witness the sunset at Taj Mahal.
Overnight: Agra
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, head west to Jaipur (approx. 5 hours) stopping en route to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the former royal city and capital of Emperor of Akbar, boasting one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor at its height. Check in to hotel upon your arrival at Jaipur. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast
Today you have a full day private tour of Amber Fort and Jaipur city. The morning journey starts with a jeep ride ascend to the entrance of Hillside Amer fort, located in Amer, a town 11 km away from Jaipur city. Inside also visit the fabulous Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors).
Return to Jaipur city you will be taken to Maharaja City Palace, a royal palace with seven storeys as well as Jantar Mantar, the observatory. Another palace, Hawa Mahal is popular all over world for it magnificent architecture. You will be taken through pink rose garden as well business centers of Jaipur.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meal: Breakfast
After check-out from the hotel, transferred to Delhi (4.5-5 hours). Upon arrival, you may take advantage of this time for a last minute gift shopping before our representative escorts you to the international airport for your flight to Sri Lanka.
Welcome to Sri Lanka, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’! On arrival in Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, you're met by your private chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotel in Negombo, a seaside town which is only 20 minutes away from airport. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Negombo
Meal: Breakfast
In the morning, start your exploration of Negombo, this historical commercial centre surrounded by a fascinating network of canals teeming with rural life. Wake early and catch the action at the Negombo fish market. The market is situated at the northern end of a lagoon renowned for lobsters, crabs and prawns. Weave through stalls piled with shark, squid, barracuda and unheard of sea creatures as the sellers call out their wares, and get a great insight into local commerce.
In the afternoon, head inland to Dambulla (approximately 5 hours), home to vibrantly decorated cave-temples and a great base to explore the wide array of natural wonders and historic sites in this fascinating area.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Meal: Breakfast
In the morning, start with a visit to the Landmark of this country, the 5th-century legendary sky citadel of "Lion Rock" - arguably the most impressive site in Sri Lanka.
In the afternoon, continue your exploration in the rural village of Hiriwadunna. Travel into the lush Sri Lankan countryside by a jeep or a tuk tuk. At dusk, take a boat ride and sail to the other side of a lake, enjoying the fantastic sunset view, and looking out for birds, butterflies, as well as the villagers fishing or washing clothes at the lake.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Meal: Breakfast
Today, get started with the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, home to many magnificent Buddha images and rock painting dating back to 2nd century BC. Then head for Ceylon's old capital of Kandy, en route stop for an interesting visit to learn a wide range of spices at one of spice garden, whose 15-minute complimentary Ayurveda Massage is recommended.
After arriving in Kandy (approx. 3.5 hrs by road), appreciate a vivid and traditional Rangahala Cultural Dance (Kandyan Dance) before walking to the nearby Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic - Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine, the Puja Ritual held in the temple with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly colored Monks definitely shows you how special and spiritually important the temple means to Sri Lanka.
Overnight: Kandy
Meal: Breakfast
In the morning, take an interesting visit to Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya which boasts 300+ varieties of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. This afternoon is at your leisure. You could either rest at your lovely hotel, or explore the city with your chauffeur, like walking around Kandy Lake in city centre or go some shopping in the downtown markets.
Overnight: Kandy
Meal: Breakfast
Ceylon tea is known as one of the best teas in the world and is crucial to the Sri Lankan economy. Today you will take a morning half day excursion to Geragama Tea Estate, 20 minutes away from Kandy city, where you could visit see the tea plantation, visit a tea factory and are treated to a lesson in the intricate steps required to process tea leaves into tea. After enjoying a cup of estate grown and processed tea, you will be driven to Galle (approx. 6 hours). Upon arrival at Galle, check in to the hotel and rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Galle
Meal: Breakfast
Today your guide will show you around the Dutch Fort, the colonial heart of Galle. It is regarded as one of the Sri Lanka's best preserved fortress, where you will see a few small museums and imposing Dutch churches; Later, you could wander the rampart walls and enjoys the views. In the evening, it is suggested that you try one of the local restaurants for dinner in the fort, is lit up at night and many of the small boutiques stay open into the evening.
Overnight: Galle
Meal: Breakfast
Today you will board on a train at Galle Railway station northwards to Colombo City, the capital of Sri Lanka. The railway from Galle to Colombo follows the coastal route and is scenic and enjoyable. The 3-4 hours journey offers chances of photos with locals, as well as beautiful views of ocean and some spectacular places the train passes by.
Upon your arrival, be picked up by your chauffeur guide at Colombo railway station. Transfer to your hotel and rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Colombo
Meal: Breakfast
Morning after breakfast, take a guided city tour to explore Colombo's colonial legacies including the Independence Square, Gangarama Temple of Colombo, mile-long promenade of Galle Face Green and Colombo's National Museum etc. Stop for taking pictures when drive by the former British Administrative Center etc.
In the late afternoon, you will be escorted to CMB airport (1-hour drive from Colombo city) for your onward flight.
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 & Sri Lanka Highlight Tour
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May 14th, 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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