Essential India (14 days)

New Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur – New Delhi

With a focus on culture, history and good food, this premium small-group tour takes in some of India’s finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal in Agra and Amber Fort in Jaipur. Other highlights include the bustling bazaars of Old Delhi, magnificent stone carvings at Khajuraho’s medieval temples, and the sacred Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi.

Important Features

• Small group size – average 15, maximum 20
• Multilingual expert guides
• Quality Indian & Western cuisines
• No annoying forced shopping stops
• Unlimited supply of bottled water during group activities
• Free Wi-Fi in all hotels

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Tour Itinerary

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Day 01/Thu: Departing for New Delhi
The trip begins with your international flight to New Delhi from a city of your choice. You will arrive the following day.

Day 02/Fri: Arrival in New Delhi
Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel in a private vehicle. No activity is scheduled for today and no meal is included.

Day 03/Sat: New Delhi (B/L/D)
Delhi is both a city and a national capital territory. Delhi encompasses historic Old Delhi and New Delhi, the area developed as the capital of British India. Old Delhi is where most of the historical landmarks are located while New Delhi serves as the seat of India’s national government. Among the locals, Delhi and New Delhi are used interchangeably but this often leads to confusion among foreign visitors. Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India.

Our full-day sightseeing takes in Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial), Jama Masjid (one of the largest and most important mosques in India), Qutub Minar (minaret, UNESCO Heritage Site), and Humayun’s Tomb. Our schedule also includes a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk – a traditional market district of narrow streets crowded with shops selling all kinds of spices, dried fruits, jewelry, saris and other goods.

Day 04/Sun: New Delhi – Varanasi (B/L/D)
The morning flight to Varanasi takes about an hour and a half.

Located in the middle-Ganges valley, Varanasi is one of Hinduism’s holiest cities and an important centre of pilgrimage and religious learning. The city’s population is currently estimated at around 1.2 million.

After lunch, we explore the archaeological site of Sarnath. Located 10 km northeast of Varanasi, Sarnath is the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon to his followers. The site contains ruins of Buddhist buildings, a 39-metre-high stupa, and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, which houses the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, now India’s national emblem.

Witnessing the evening prayer ceremony on the banks of the Ganges this evening is a major highlight of our trip. Performed by Hindu priests, this ritual begins at dusk every day and draws large crowds.

Day 05/Mon: Varanasi (B)
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganges. Observing cremation ceremonies along the river while devotees bathe in the sacred Ganges can be an emotional experience.

After a walking tour through parts of the ancient city, we spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 06/Tue: Varanasi – Khajuraho (B/L/D)
The morning flight to Khajuraho takes one hour.

Khajuraho, a small town, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India owing to its large group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site collectively known as the Khajuraho Group of Monuments. Most of the temples were built between approximately 950 and 1050 CE. Some of them are better known for their erotic sculptures although such sexual themes make up less than 10% of the temples’ sculptures.

We spend the afternoon exploring the main Hindu and Jain temples.

Evening entertainment is an outdoor sound and light show if available. The show introduces visitors to the history and legends associated with the Khajuraho temples.

Day 07/Wed: Khajuraho – Orchha (B/L/D)
Our sightseeing in Khajuraho continues this morning.

After lunch, we drive approximately 200 km to Orchha.

Orchha is a sleepy little town nestled on the banks of the Betwa River. It was founded in 1531 by Rudra Pratap Singh, the first raja of the kingdom of Orchha, who also started the construction of the magnificent Orchha Fort complex. Once the power centre of Bundela Rajputs in the 16th century, the town seems to be frozen in time. Only through the grandeur of its old palaces and temples can the visitor sense its past glory.

Day 08/Thu: Orchha (B/L)
Our sightseeing in Orchha today consists of Raja Ram Temple, Jahangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple and the impressive Royal Cenotaphs.

Day 09/Fri: Orchha – Agra (B/L/D)
We transfer to the train station in Jhansi (20 km northeast of Orchha) following breakfast for our three-hour rail journey to Agra.

Situated by the Yamuna River and about 200 km southeast of Delhi, Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum complex built in the 17th century for Mumtaz Mahal, consort of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Agra has a long history preceding the arrival of the Mughals. However, the historical monuments we see today in Agra are almost exclusively associated with the Mughals who established an early modern Islamic empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Afternoon sightseeing introduces us to the massive Agra Fort, also known as Red Fort, which was built between 1565 and 1573 for Akbar (1542-1605), the greatest of the Mughal emperors of India.

Day 10/Sat: Agra (B/L)
Our sightseeing today begins with a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal early in the morning. Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, this poignant Mughal mausoleum has become the de facto emblem of India’s tourism. Commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his consort, Mumtaz Mahal, the ivory-white marble mausoleum has to be seen in person for its beauty to be truly felt.

Other sites we visit today include Emperor Akbar’s Tomb, and Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb (nicknamed Baby Taj, often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal).

Day 11/Sun: Agra – Jaipur (B/L/D)
After breakfast we travel overland to Jaipur (250 km/4 hours).

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan as well as the state’s largest city with a current population of over 3 million. It is known as the Pink City due to the dominant colour scheme of its buildings. Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who moved his capital from Amber because of limited space and water shortages. Construction of Jaipur began in 1727, and much of the new city was completed within four years. It was one of the earliest planned cities of modern India with a grid system interpreted in the light of Vedic architecture.

After lunch, we visit a social enterprise engaged in the provision of vocational training to Jaipur’s street children. The goal of the nonprofit, non-governmental project is to equip marginalized kids with valuable skills so that they can join mainstream society.

A visit to Birla Mandir follows dinner. This Hindu temple was built in 1988 and is constructed solely of white marble. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (Narayan), whose images adorn the inside along with other Hindu gods and goddesses.

Day 12/Mon: Jaipur (B/L)
We begin today’s sightseeing at Amber Fort, a sprawling palace complex originally built by Raja Man Singh (r. 1589-1614) and expanded by Jai Singh I (r. 1621-1667). Successive rulers expanded and improved the complex. Amber Fort was built primarily of sandstone and marble. The opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard, and serves as a great example of Rajput architecture.

We spend the rest of the day exploring the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), and Jantar Mantar, the early-18th-century astronomical observatory.

Those wishing to check out a night market can go with the guide following dinner.

Day 13/Tue: Jaipur – New Delhi (B/L)
The drive back to Delhi (300 km) including a lunch stop could take up to 6 hours. After hotel check-in, guests interested in shopping will have a vehicle and driver at their disposal.

Day 14/Wed: Departing for Home (B)
The memorable India tour comes to an end this morning. The local guide will escort you to the airport in a private vehicle at a time suitable for your flight.

Dates & Prices

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. International airfare is not included.

* Land Only price does NOT include international airfare. Please contact us for a fare quote.

Know Before You Go

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months when applying for an Indian e-Visa and have at least two blank pages. We recommend six months’ validity beyond your departure from India. Travellers holding passports other than Canadian or American should verify requirements applicable to their nationality.

Visa – India

Canadian and American passport holders require a visa to visit India. Eligible travellers can apply for an e-Tourist Visa through the official Indian government website.

India offers 30-day, one-year and five-year tourist e-Visas, with different conditions and fees. Apply well ahead of departure, within the permitted application window. Once approved, carry a printed copy of your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

Foreign travellers must also complete an electronic arrival card within 72 hours before arriving in India. This is separate from the visa.

Vaccinations & Health Requirements

Consult a travel medicine clinic or healthcare professional at least four to six weeks before departure. Routine vaccinations should be current. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are generally recommended; other vaccinations or malaria prevention medication may be advisable depending on your health and itinerary.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required if arriving from or transiting through certain countries where yellow fever is a risk.

For current advice, consult the Public Health Agency of Canada or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tips for Staying Healthy

Food and Water

Avoid tap water, including when brushing your teeth. Drink sealed bottled water or properly treated water. Laurus Travel provides bottled drinking water during group activities.

Eat freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked food. Exercise caution with raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, street food and ice made from untreated water.

Personal Hygiene

Wash your hands frequently, especially before meals. Carry hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol and a small supply of tissues, as public washrooms may lack toilet paper.

Air Quality and Mosquitoes

Air pollution can be severe in some Indian cities, particularly during winter. Travellers with respiratory or heart conditions should consult their physicians. Consider carrying an N95 mask.

Mosquito-borne diseases occur in India. Use repellent containing DEET or picaridin and wear protective clothing when appropriate.

Medication

Bring enough prescription medication for the entire trip, in its original labelled packaging. Keep essential medication in your hand luggage and carry copies of prescriptions. Travellers with chronic medical conditions should seek medical advice before departure.

Local Currency and Credit Cards

India’s currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Rupees are readily available from ATMs at airports and in major cities, although fees may apply.

Most major expenses are included in your tour fare, so you will need relatively little cash. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and established shops, but small businesses may accept cash only.

Check foreign transaction fees with your bank. When paying by card, choose Indian rupees rather than your home currency to avoid potentially unfavourable conversion rates.

Travel Insurance – When to Buy

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance when your final balance is due, if not sooner.

Your policy should cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption and travel delays.

Check coverage limits, exclusions and provisions concerning pre-existing medical conditions. Some benefits are available only when insurance is purchased shortly after the initial deposit.

Laurus Travel can provide information about travel insurance options upon request.