Holi, Tigers & Taj Mahal Photography Tour
TORONTO – DELHI – UDAIPUR – JAIPUR – RANTHAMBORE – AGRA – DELHI – TORONTO
We bring you an exclusive photography tour where you will explore majestic palaces, massive forts, vivid markets, and indigenous culture along with the wildlife of Ranthambore and the colourful Holi Festival.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- Discover the diversity of Old and New Delhi
- See the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
- Explore the ruined Mughal Dynasty at Fatehpur Sikri
- Wander at Magnificent Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Game drives at Ranthambore
TOUR PRICE:
| Departure Date (price per person double occupancy) | Toronto | Single Supp. |
| 14 March 2022 | CAD 3649 | CAD 699 |
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS: 12
SPOTS REMAINING: 10
TOUR LODGING INFO: 09 Nights Hotels + 01 night on board flight
Accommodation will be provided on a twin sharing basis
CITIES NIGHTS DELUXE HOTELS
Delhi 02 Nights Radisson Blu hotel Dwarka
Udaipur 02 Nights Fateh Niwas
Jaipur 02 Nights Radisson Blu hotel
Ranthambore 02 Nights Jungle vilas resort
Agra 01 Night Radisson hotel
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 09 Nights’ accommodation at listed hotels or similar
- Daily Breakfast
- 2 lunches and 2 dinners at Ranthambore
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Transportation in an AC deluxe vehicle
- Services of an English-speaking tour director
- Sightseeing & entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Guided visit of Taj Mahal
- Demonstration of Marble craftsmanship in Agra
- Excursion to Amber fort
- 2 game drives in Ranthambore in shared canter
- International return airfare from Toronto
- Domestic airfare Delhi – Udaipur and Udaipur to Jaipur
- Air taxes and fuel surcharges
- All local applicable taxes
TOUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Items of a personal nature, tips & gratuities
- Visa application and fees
- Travel insurance
- Optional tours
- Items not mentioned as being included
- Baggage fees may apply and vary by carrier
TOUR ITINERARY:
14th March 2022: TORONTO DEPARTURE
Make your way to Toronto International airport to board your flight to India. Enjoy in-flight meals and services. Overnight onboard the flight
15th March 2022: DELHI ARRIVAL
Welcome to Delhi, India! a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples, and tombs. On arrival at Delhi international airport, you will be met and assisted by our company executive and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Delhi
16th March 2022: DELHI
(B/-/-)
After breakfast tour Old and New Delhi. Visiting Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s serene and evocative cremation site, India Gate (the War Memorial) and the Presidents House (from the outside), the Baha’i Lotus Temple (closed on Mondays) – this distinctive lotus shaped marvel in marble is a symbol of peace, then continue to the Qutub Minar a stunning 240-foot minaret, the tallest in the world surrounded by an elaborate complex built in the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition.
Overnight in Delhi.
17th March 2022: DELHI – UDAIPUR
(B/-/-)
After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight for Udaipur.
Upon arrival meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest of time at leisure.
Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of Udaipur is built around three interconnected lakes – Lake Pichhola, Fateh Sagar Lake and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake – and encircled by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. It is home to an array of ancient temples and fairy-tale palaces (several of the latter have been converted into luxury heritage hotels) and is known as one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful and romantic cities.
Evening visit Holika Dehan place (setting the fire on the eve of Holi)
Overnight stay at hotel
Optional: Saheliyon-ki-Bari: USD 40 Per person based on minimum 2 pax
Available: Every day
Departure Time: 1500 *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point.
Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby
Saheliyon-ki-bari, is situated in the northern part of the bustling city. The garden is popular amongst local and tourists offering lush green gardens and beautiful fountains. The garden was built by King Rana Sangram Singh for his wife and her 48 maids, to keep them far from political enticements. A small museum can be found on the property which was once a safe haven for the queen and her main servers.
Optional: Boat ride at Lake Pichola: USD 60 Per person based on minimum 2 pax
Available: Every day
Departure Time: 1500 *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point.
Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby
Enjoy sharing boat ride at Lake Pichola (Subject to water level), sailing past picturesque Ghats and palaces, stopping at the island of Jag Mandir, a 17th century water palace.
18th March 2022: UDAIPUR
(B/-/-)
After breakfast, today is the day of Holi celebration (monuments will be closed) You can either watch Holi from windows or a private Holi celebration can be arranged for at a private residence which is safe and comfortable.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.
19th March 2022: UDAIPUR – JAIPUR
(B/-/-)
Today post breakfast, proceed for the city tour of Udaipur.
City Palace, situated above Lake Pichola, Udaipur City Palace has housed many royals over four centuries who have each added their own unique preferences to the establishment. The palace is a one of a kind in Rajasthan. Udaipur City Palace was constructed entirely out of marble and granite which makes it highly luxurious. The inside is even more so with its inlays of coloured glass, engravings, towers, and balconies.
Jagdish Temple, a 16th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur. Drive past Fateh Sagar Lake and visit Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids-of-Honor, which has numerous fountains in four pools, embellished with delicately chiseled kiosks and elephants.
Board evening flight to Jaipur.
Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur is the capital and largest city in India’s northern state of Rajasthan. This city is famed for being India’s first planned city featuring a multitude of pink terracotta buildings within the walled historic centre, earning it the nickname, ’The Pink City’.
On arrival Check in and Overnight stay at hotel.
20th March 2022: JAIPUR
(B/-/-)
After breakfast, enjoy the day sightseeing.
Visit Amer Fort . Surrounded by fortified battlements, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. At the foot of the hill you will be taken on the jeep up to the main gate. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration.
City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiselled handles. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here. It also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.
You can enjoy a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) – a five-storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging
Overnight stay at hotel.
21st March 2022: JAIPUR – RANTHAMBORE (145 KMS / 2 HRS)
(B/L/D)
After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive towards Ranthambhore.
On arrival at Ranthambhore. Check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Ranthambhore National Park is a vast wildlife reserve near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, northern India. It is a former royal hunting ground and home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. Its landmarks include the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, on a hilltop, and the Ganesh Mandir temple. Also in the park, Padam Talao Lake is known for its abundance of water lilies.
Enjoy afternoon game drive into Ranthambhore National Park with naturalist in sharing Canter
Evening enjoy the Tiger talk show with documentary on tiger conservation in the country.
Overnight stay in Ranthambhore.
22nd March 2022: RANTHAMBORE
(B/L/D)
After breakfast, relax until lunch.
It is a dry deciduous forest replete with several lakes, rivulets and a magnificent ancient fort overlooking the park. The wildlife that one can see here are a large variety of birds, including an impressive number of waterfowl and birds of prey. The water bodies are home to marsh muggers, turtles and pythons. The park also has an abundant population of Sambhar and cheetal as well as nilgai. The more rare sightings are the leopard, sloth bear and the majestic tiger. The core of the park is one of the finest places in India to witness wild tigers in their natural habitat. Once the hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur, the park became a designated sanctuary in 1955 and a Project Tiger conservation area in 1973 and now boasts a stable population of tigers.
Optional: Visit to Ranthambore fort: USD 20 Per person based on minimum 2 pax
Available: Every day
Departure Time: 1000 *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point.
Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby
Ranthambhore Fort ,this fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, the park being the former hunting grounds of the Maharajahs of Jaipur until the time of India’s Independence. It is a formidable fort having been a focal point of the historical developments of Rajasthan
Overnight at Ranthambore.
Enjoy afternoon game drive into Ranthambhore National Park with naturalist in sharing Canter
Overnight stay in Ranthambhore.
23rd March 2022: RANTHAMBORE – AGRA (185 KMS / 3 HRS)
(B/-/-)
After breakfast, check out from hotel and drive towards Agra.
The yesteryear capital of the mighty Mughal Empire, Agra is currently home to some of the world’s top tourist sites. The dusty little town was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other fascinating examples of Islamic architecture commissioned by Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Enroute Fatehpur Sikri– the deserted city, India’s “Pompeli” once a glittering imperial capital, later mysteriously abandoned. Today you will see the remarkably well preserved building and red sandstone palaces.
Agra Fort, another UNESCO heritage site built and added to between the 16th and 17th centuries by successive rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan upgraded it to a palace and later it became his gilded prison for 8 years after his son Aurangzeb seized power. The elegant building inside reflects an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles.
On arrival check in at hotel and rest of the day free for leisure.
Optional: Visit to Sheroes hangout Café: USD 50 Per person based on minimum 2 pax
Available: Every day
Departure Time: 1700 *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point.
Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby
Sheroes Hangout Café – A rehabilitation centre for girls who are surviving the heinous chemical attacks. You can interact with these girls, share their stories and future planning. They run a café where you can have beverages and/or snacks. Their menus have no cost mentioned but it is encouraged to “pay as much as you wish”.
Overnight at hotel.
24th March 2022: AGRA – DELHI – TORONTO (205 KMS / 4 HRS) (B/-/-)
Early morning visit to Taj Mahal, leave hotel by 5.30 AM – Visit Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), often considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a world heritage site, UNESCO described it as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. There are few words that can describe the magnificence of this monument. Marvel as light and colours transform this stunning monument in the beautiful dawn glow. Return to the hotel and later take a Marble craftsmanship demonstration
Return to hotel for breakfast
After breakfast leave Agra by road to Delhi to reach international airport of Delhi to connect your international return flight to Toronto or onward to Varanasi if you have chosen the post-tour extension.
VARANASI EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)
Visit to the oldest living city of India, Varanasi, based on the banks of sacred river Ganges hosting the gamut of mythological stories of Indian culture
TOUR SUMMARY:
On this 3 day tour enjoy and explore the history and culture of India while visiting the oldest living city of India, enjoy the boat rides on the sacred river Ganges and walk in the lanes of the city witnessing temples and local lifestyle.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- Boat ride on river Ganges
- Visit Varanasi city
- Visit of Sarnath
TOUR LODGING INFO: 02 Night’s Hotels
Accommodation is provided on a twin sharing basis
CITIES NIGHTS SUPERIOR HOTELS
Varanasi 02 Nights Hotel Madin
DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES:
| Departure Date | Ex DELHI/AGRA | Single Supp. |
| 24th March 2022 | CAD 749 | CAD 249 |
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 02 Night’s accommodation at listed hotels or similar
- Daily breakfast
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Transportation in an AC deluxe vehicle
- Services of an English-speaking local guides
- Sightseeing & entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Domestic flight Delhi/Agra – Varanasi – Delhi
- All taxes & fuel surcharges
- All locally applicable taxes
TOUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Items of a personal nature, tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional tours
- Items not mentioned as being included
- Baggage fees may apply and vary by carrier
TOUR ITINERARY:
24th MAR: DELHI/AGRA – VARANASI
(B/-/-)
After breakfast travel to Varanasi by flight.
On arrival at Varanasi, assisted transfer to hotel for check-in. Later in the evening, we enjoy rickshaw (Tricycle) ride passing through the busy streets and bazaars of Varanasi takes us to the holy river Ganges where we cruise to witness the ’Aarti’ ceremonies amidst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings. Overnight stay at Hotel.
25th MAR: VARANASI
(B/-/-)
Early morning we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. We rise before dawn and step gingerly onto a rickety old boat as the wizened boatman coasts off. You wait, still, for the daily miracle to unfold. Just then, as if having waited for the audience to settle reverently in their assigned places, the Sun God appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches and temple bells rent the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas, now rises, in one voice, to a crescendo of unparalleled piety and joy. Then return back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we visit city tour of Varanasi where we visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.Evening visit of Sarnath, an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Sarnath’s temples and Archaeological Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures.
Overnight stay at hotel.
26th MAR: VARANASI – DELHI – TORONTO
(B/-/-)
After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to Varanasi airport for flight to Delhi and stay in transit at international airport of Delhi until your flight back to Toronto.
END OF OUR SERVICES
PASSPORTS & VISA FEES:
All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding Visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contains between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages.
SEAT RESERVATIONS:
We understand that our guests would like to confirm seat reservations for their flights. Please note that some airlines don’t allow seat requests until the time of check in whether that is online or at the airport. When an airline does allow seat requests in advance there is often a cost associated with this. Each airline has its own fees, and this can often depend on the length of the flight or destination etc. If you would like us to pre-book a seat for you and it is possible for us to do so, we will charge $25 per person plus any airline fees.