Kaleidoscope North India

Trip Overview

Delhi - Agra - Abhaneri - Jaipur - Karauli - Orcha - Khajuraho - Varanasi – Delhi

This tour is more than an adventure trip - it is a discovery. We venture into the labyrinth of the Indian kaleidoscope of colors, customs, and traditions. We visit villages, interact with locals, and take part in their daily lives. This tour also includes the most important highlights and sightseeing. Our tour offers us a deep insight into the multilingual and multicultural spectrum of India, where all the world's major religions have coexisted for centuries. A country where legends such as Gautama Buddha were born, who spread Buddhism around the world, and Mahatma Gandhi, who became known worldwide with his non-violent movement. The list of philosophers and saints who have shaped India is endless. India has been an attractive destination for many explorers for centuries - and we too discover the many facets of this country, which couldn't be more different. We mingle with the middle class, who often speak English, and with the poor, who can barely write their names in their language. We experience the upper-class, Indians who buy expensive internationally branded products, and see how India is growing as an economic global power. This country is a boiling pot - something is always happening - be it religious rituals, festivals, or spiritual discourses. At the end of this journey, we will discover that there is an “India within India”.

Trip Highlights

• In-depth Indian cultural experience with great encounters along the way.
• Rickshaw ride in the market of Old Delhi and a boat trip in the Akshar Dham temple complex in Delhi.
• Visit to the legendary Taj Mahal and a private and a public school.
• Meditation, yoga and introduction to Indian classical music.
• An overnight stay on the train from Varanasi to Delhi.
• Cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family in Jaipur or Varanasi.
• Visit to a glittering shopping area in contrast to old traditional village markets.
• Experience a metro ride in Delhi.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival in Delhi

Arrive in Delhi early in the morning and transfer to our hotel. We take the metro, which brings us closer to the everyday life of this mega city, to the Akshar Dham Temple. This beautifully carved stone temple stands in the middle of lush, green gardens. The trip to Akshar Dham is a deep insight into the Hindu religion. After a walk through the temple complex, we take a boat trip in an artificial canal that lies beneath the huge temple complex. Later, we go to visit Qutab Minar - the largest stone tower in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 2 : Delhi Sightseeing

We explore some of the many markets in the Chandni Chowk district of Old Delhi on foot. Our sense of smell is put to the test in the Khari Baoli spice market. In the so-called "bread alley" we try freshly baked "paranthas", unleavened flatbreads with various fillings. Our tour takes us to a Jain temple, the Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara Sikh temple and the Friday Mosque. After experiencing the exoticism of Old Delhi in abundance, another Indian experience awaits us: we visit the crowded New Delhi train station. We walk from the Ajmeri Gate (eastern entrance) to the Paharganj (western entrance) and become part of the endlessly flowing human wave.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 3 : Delhi - Agra

Early morning train journey to Agra. After our arrival, we visit the Taj Mahal, a highlight in the life of every traveler, even if you visit it repeatedly, followed by the Red Fort. After our sightseeing tour, we stroll through local markets and stroll through some Petha shops with their delicious pumpkin sweets. Agra is also known for its shoe manufacturing. We visit a factory to see how the shoes are produced. Later, we visit a "lehenga shop," where we watch seamstresses sewing Indian wedding dresses.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 4 : Agra - Jaipur

After breakfast, we drive to Jaipur (230 km, approx. 6 hours). On the way, we visit Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned capital of Akbar, built from sandstone. Afterwards, we stop in Abhaneri, a small village known for its stepwells.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 5 : Jaipur

Today, we have some sightseeing in Jaipur on the program. We visit the City Palace, the Palace of the Winds "Hawa Mahal" (from the outside), and the stone observatory Jantar Mantar. We drive up to Amber Fort in a jeep and experience a fascinating mix of Mughal and Hindu architecture. In the evening, we watch a cooking demonstration with a family.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 6 : Jaipur -Karauli

We continue our journey to Karauli (180 km, approx. 5 hours), a picturesque township in a rural setting. Karauli is famous for its pale red stones used to make monuments. In the afternoon we visit the organic farm and stables of the Maharaja of Karauli.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 7 : Karauli

In the morning, the 500-year-old city palace full of frescoes, fine stone carvings and paintings is on our itinerary. We travel to the city palace on a camel cart. Later, there is time to stroll through the local bazaar.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 8 : Karauli - Orchha

After breakfast, we set off towards Orcha (265 km, approx. 7 hours), a sleepy but beautiful town, picturesquely located in the middle of nowhere. The rest of the day is free.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 9 : Orchha

After breakfast, a one-hour walk along the Betwa River. Later, a tour of the temples and monuments of Orcha. A trip to the nearby village of Azadpura gives us the opportunity to come into contact with locals.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 10 : Orchha - Khajuraho

We continue to Khajuraho (170 km, approx. 4 hours). Here is a detailed tour of the temples built in the Chandela dynasty. The "erotic" temples are a highlight of Indian temple culture, with unsurpassed sculptural decoration on the outer walls.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 11 : Khajuraho – Prayagraj (Allahabad)

After breakfast commence drive to Prayagaraj (Allahabad) (around 254 km., approximate 5 hours) the confluence of three holy rivers, Ganga, Yamuna & invisible Saraswati. On arrival check in hotel. Later visit Anand Bhawna, Triveni Ghat by boat and local market.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 12 : Prayagraj – Varanasi (120 Km/ 3 hrs drive)

Breakfast at hotel, later proceed to Varanasi. Varanasi, one of the holiest and oldest cities in India. First, we explore Varanasi on foot and visit the Bada Bazar, known for its silk textiles. In the evening, we watch the Ganga Aarti (Ganga ceremony) from our boat, which we use to travel along the ghats on the Ganges.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 13 : Varanasi

Another boat trip on the Ganges at sunrise. Later we go for a walk, followed by a relaxing hour of yoga with easy exercises for beginners. After a fortifying breakfast we drive to the nearby Sarnath Temple, where Buddha gave his first sermon. In the evening, we transfer to the train station. We take the night train back to Delhi.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included

Day 14 : Varanasi – Delhi (Flight)

In the morning, we arrive in Delhi and drive to our hotel. After enough time to freshen up, we visit two schools in Vasant Kunj, one private and one public school. Afterwards we stroll along a shopping street. Here we experience a completely different India. The huge modern shopping centers show us a completely new facet of this country characterized by contrasts. We continue to the Dilli Haat handicraft market and then we end our program with a walk in the Lodhi Gardens. The well-kept garden, which extends over an area of ​​100 hectares, has many monuments from the 15th and 16th centuries of the Sayyad and Lodhi dynasties. In the late evening transfer to the airport and return flight shortly after midnight.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.

Trip Cost Includes

• Transportation (Ac Vehicle as per group size)
• Traditional welcome on arrival at New Delhi International Airport
• English Speaking Assistance 24 x 7
• All in-out transfer, sector drive & City sightseeing as per above program
• All toll tax parking fuel and driver’s allowance
• All activities mentioned in the above program
• Meal as per mentioned above
• Mineral water bottle (1lt) per day per pax.
• One time monument entrance
• English speaking tour guide at Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Karauli, Orchha, Khajuraho, Prayagraj & Varanasi.
• 2-time boat ride at Varanasi
• Village walking & Cooking class at Khajuraho with dinner
• Sarnath excursion
• Silk weaving factory visit at Varanasi.
• Heritage walks at Varanasi
• Varanasi – Delhi flight fare in Economy class.

Trip Cost Excludes

• Any personal expenses
• Any meal apart mentioned above
• Tip, gratitude, laundry, table drinks etc
• Any emergency services, visa fee
• Any International flight fare
• Anything else that is not mentioned in the “price includes” section.