Highlights
- Beautiful & Unique 4-5 Star Accommodation
- Walking Tour of Bazaars of Old Delhi
- Visit to Hindu Home for an Indian Cooking Demonstration
- A Visit to the Village of Hauz Khas
- Visit the famous Mr K.D. Aryan of Sri Books
- Shopping Opportunities in Hauz Khas
- City Tour of New Delhi
- Visit to Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb
- Visit to Dashashwamedh Gaht to see Evening Aarti
- Boat Ride on the River Ganges to view daily life on the River
- Sunrise Visit to the majestic Taj Mahal
- Visit to Agra Fort
- Agra Heritage Walk in support of a community based tourism enterprise
- Visit to Fatehpur Sikri and ancient abandoned city
- Visit to Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Elephant Experience in Jaipur
- Evening Bazaar Tour of Cuisine & Crafts of Old Jaipur
- A Jeep Safair to Bishnoi Villages
- A Hands On Tour of The Bandhani Art of Jodhpur (Tie Dye)
- A Visit to the rural Rajasthan Village of Rawla Narlai
- A Visit to Sahelion-ki-Bari, Gardens of the Maids-of-Honour in Udaipur
- An Afternoon Cruise on Lake Pichola.
- A Cooking Demonstration with a Local Indian Family in Udaipur
- Meet the Women of Sadhna in the village of Delwara
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mumbai
- Visit to Mani Bhawn Museum
- The Queen of Suburbs Tour in Mumbai
Inclusions
- Personally escorted from Australia – Your tour hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
- Return Economy Airfares to India inc taxes with Singapore Airlines
- Specialist Tour Manager during Land Component
- 4-5 Star Beautiful and Unique Accommodation throughout itinerary
- All included sightseeing as per detailed itinerary
- All meals as per detailed itinerary
- Room Matching Service for Single Travellers
- Documentation Distribution Day (Meet & Greet) subject to minimum numbers
- Sisterhood Documentation and Travel Wallet
Notice
- Please note that some of the sights/itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays and special events.
- Check-In time is 1400 Hrs and Check-Out time is 1200 hrs noon in India.
- Rates include only those items which are specifically mentioned in the detailed itinerary.
- Please note, the names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels. It is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey the confirmations to you on receipt of your acceptance. However in the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not becoming available at the time of initiating the reservations. We shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement / reduction whatever applicable) to you.
- In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly. The due increase or decrease will be communicated accordingly.
Itinerary Open Printable Itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday 16 January 2016
Melbourne – Delhi (D)
Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport to depart on our flight to Delhi. An overnight flight so sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment and airline hospitality. Upon our arrival into Delhi we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel. Delhi, India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a spacious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks. With the day free to settle in, tonight we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner to see our first night in Delhi.
Day 2 – Sunday 17 January 2016
Delhi (B,L)
Today our culinary journey of Delhi starts with exploring then hidden sites of Old Delhi and tasting local recipes with a Food Expert. We’ll walk through the charming quarter of Old Delhi, experiencing the variety of food and visiting one of the best well maintained Haveli old-style 3-storied home (Private Mansion) with a central courtyard flanked by rooms with 58 doors. We’ll take a walk through a local bazaar, Old Delhi bazaars have colourful and interesting street food and is crowned with the oldest shops with many world originated delicacies. You will be encouraged to try few of the local delicacies from careful selected shops. The area is also home to several small temples, shrines, old mosque and protected monument sight. Cows wander the streets, small dharamshalas (rest-houses) and pyaus (water-stations) attest to the pious contributions of local merchants. After our walk, we will be taken to a Hindu home (Masterji Kee Haveli) in Old Delhi, for a demonstration and tasting of traditional home-style Indian vegetarian cooking. Afterwards the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 - Monday 18 January 2016
Delhi (B,L)
Today after breakfast we’ll begin our tour of Hauz Khas. Enroute we’ll visit an Oriya Temple, unique in its architecture. Then a ten minute walk and we are in the Hauz Khas village where we’ll meet the famous Mr. K.D Aryan of Sri Books selling antique maps, books and film posters. He has been featured in a BBC documentary and will very proudly tell us his story. Ethnic Silver and Plutus are lovely shops selling silver jewellery, but the effervescent Mrs Kusum Jain of Cottage of Arts & Jewellery is a must for her designer jewellery, old textiles, paintings & prints. After exploring, we’ll stop for a meal at one of the village's restaurants to enjoy lunch before our afternoon city tour of New Delhi. We’ll visit the Qutub Minar, then Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Our tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence. Dinner at Leisure.
Day 4 - Tuesday 19 January
Delhi / Varanasi (B,L)
After breakfast and check out, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight from Delhi to Varanasi. The antiquity of Varanasi is veiled in immortal times and has been the centre of religion, learning and civilization since ages. The city gets its inherent charm from the location as it’s situated on west side of the Holy Ganges and the principal attractions are the bathing ghats which are always bustling with life at any given time of the day. Upon Arrival into Varanasi and after lunch we’ll enjoy a Northern Bazaars & Hidden Alleys walk. Few tourists ever wind their way through the bazaars in the Northern gallis of the old city where you will find hidden alleys leading directly through the sacred zone of Banaras to the oldest buildings of the city. As we enter the lanes of the Northern part of the city we will get to peep inside the shops, temples and lives of people who have never left their street for years. This bazaar has so many twists and turns locals even get confused. This evening we’ll visit Dashashwamedh Ghat to see the Evening Aarti which is a musical ceremony performed to Goddess Ganga (river). It is a spectacular sight where hundreds of devotees throng the ghats to participate in this ceremony to worship holy river Ganga. Offerings of tiny oil lamps and flowers are made to the river at the end of this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps floating along with the flow of the river. Dinner Tonight at Leisure
Day 5 - Wednesday 20 January 2016
Varanasi / Agra (B,D)
Early this morning (before breakfast) we’ll travel by boat along the holy River Ganges and see the various Ghats (the banks of the river) with people ritually cleansing their sins’ in hope of attaining eternal salvation or ""Nirvana"". This will be the backdrop to our early morning boat ride when the river is bathed in a magical light and pilgrims come to perform pooja to the rising sun. At lunchtime we’ll transfer to our flight to Agra. Upon arrival into Agra we’ll be transferred to our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighbourhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The remainder of our day is at leisure with dinner tonight at our hotel.
Day 6 - Thursday 21 January 2016
Agra (B,L)
This morning (before breakfast) we’ll enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, built in the mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. We will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture before returning to our hotel for breakfast. Afterwards we’ll be taken on a tour of Agra Fort on the eastern bank of Yamuna River. A free afternoon to relax or discover your surrounds at leisure.
Day 7 - Friday 22 January 2016
Agra (B,L)
A morning free before we enjoy a Heritage Walk of Agra. This walk (about 1km) is a community based tourism initiative and designed with a view to improve livelihoods of households living in the shadow of the Taj Mahal and to showcase some lesser known monuments in Agra. Our walk will be facilitated by a youth from the local community. Dinner at Leisure tonight.
Day 8 - Saturday 23 January 2016
Agra / Jaipur (B,L)
After breakfast we will drive to the “Pink City” of Jaipur (253 Km / approx. 05 hours) where en-route we’ll visit Fatehpur Sikri, a visual experience of an ancient city abandoned by its ruler and yet well preserved to this day. Upon our arrival in Jaipur, we’ll check into our hotel with the afternoon free. Although most tourists visit Jaipur to view its grand monuments, there are as many who come to shop. And indeed a shopper’s paradise it is. The list of things available is endless, but the more popular items on the agenda of visitor to the city are jewellery, textiles and saris, goods made of marble, wood, stone, lac, clay, metal and leather. The city has, for long, been a traditional centre of the finest of jewellery bedecked with both precious and semi precious stones, enamelling of gold in green, red and white, the favourite colours of the Mughals. This city is known the world over for diamond and emerald cutting. Dinner at leisure tonight.
Day 9 - Sunday 24 January 2016
Jaipur (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort with its extremely intricate pink sandstone carving. After visiting Amber Fort we will enjoy an Elefantastic experience – spending time with elephants at a private estate near the Amber Fort. We will have the opportunity to see beautiful elephants up close and personal and go on an elephant-back safari throughout the nearby countryside. Our elephant safari will last between 50-60 minutes. The elephant will be fully decorated and painted on its face and front legs in keeping with the traditional elephant attire of our culture. Our mahoot (elephant handler) will also be in complete uniform with a traditional turban on his head. This will be an amazing experience. Dinner at leisure tonight.
Day 10 - Monday 25 January 2016
Jaipur (B,D)
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a ½ day sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Highlights included the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. We will then walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. We will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets. With an afternoon at leisure before an evening walking tour of Jaipur including the Evening Bazaar, Cuisine & Crafts of Old Jaipur. Dinner tonight at our Hotel.
Day 11 - Tuesday 26 January 2016
Jaipur / Jodhpur (B,L)
This morning after breakfast and check out we’ll drive to Jodhpur a city surrounded by a wall 10kms long built a century after the city was founded. The old city is fascinating jungle of winding streets of great interest to wander around. Eight gates lead out from the walled city. It’s one of the more interesting cities in India and those baggy-tight horse riding trousers, jodhpurs, took their name from this locale. Upon our arrival the rest of our day is at leisure.
Day 12 - Wednesday 27 January 2016
Jodhpur (B)
After breakfast this morning we’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur visiting Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort which is sprawled across a 125-meter high hill and is the most impressive and formidable fort in the fort-studded Rajasthan. This afternoon we’ll take a Jeep Safari to Bishnoi Villages. Jeep Safari is the most convenient and adventurous way to explore the desert land of Rajasthan. A fine blend of fun and excitement, Jeep Safari in Thar Desert provides us with a wonderful opportunity to explore the picturesque, tranquil and magical land of Rajasthan. It will take us to some of the remote villages to visit Dhanis and local lifestyle. Apart from exploring the destinations, we will also get to mix with the local people and experience traditional Rajasthan hospitality at its best.
Day 13 - Thursday 28 January 2016
Jodhpur / Narlai (B,D)
This morning after breakfast we’ll enjoy a unique experiential tour of “The Bandhani Art of Jodhpur. Beacon Holidays will take us into the back alleys of Ek Minar Masjid in Jodhpur to meet a family who has been involved in the art of tie and dye, called Bandhani, for generations. We’ll be amazed by the skills required to excel in this technique of decorating textiles. After our tour we’ll drive to Narlai (139 Kms / 03 Hrs). On arrival, we’ll check into our hotel then in the evening, we will enjoy a very special experience of The Step Well Dinner. Guests are taken on a magical journey from the Rawla through the village streets into the jungle before arriving at the 1100 year old “step well”. The magical setting is brought to life by dimly lit oil lamps that illuminate the setting through flickering light. A very private dinner is laid out in a traditional manner and the experience promises to be a memorable one. The entire evening is like a secluded sanctuary inspired by the mystical past, bracing Indian spirituality and the unique experience of one being completely with nature.
Day 14 - Friday 29 January 2016
Jodhpur / Udaipur (B,L)
After breakfast today we drive to Udaipur (122 Kms / 04 Hrs Hrs) including an enroute visit to Ranakpur Jain Temples. Ranakpur Temples built in the 15th century, are the largest temples of the Jain cult and are wholly constructed in light coloured marble and comprises a basement covering an area of 48000 sq feet. After our visit we’ll continue our journey to Udaipur to check in with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 15 - Saturday 30 January 2016
Udaipur (B,D)
This morning after breakfast we’ll visit the vast and exquisite City Palace, a well-fortified, majestic white monument where the main entrance, a triple-arched gate named the Tripolia, was built in 1725 and is a marvel. We’ll 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. The garden brings to the fore the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies, who once strolled through these gardens. Late this afternoon, we’ll take a boat cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola towards Jag Mandir Palace, which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and an imposing dome. This evening we’ll enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner with a local Indian Family. These Culinary Sessions are inspirational hands on experience, where you will work with fantastic fresh produce, cooking authentic Mewari food with Indian Family, who has zealously guarded their recipes for many generations now. You can appreciate the dinner and discover the delicious food of your hosts, and also enjoy a moment to discuss and interact with them.
Day 16 - Sunday 31 January 2016
Udaipur / Mumbai (B)
After breakfast we will meet the Women of Sadhna and visit the village of Delwara to gain firsthand knowledge into the lives of these women artisans. It is heartening to know that some of the women of Sadhna are now members of the local self-governance body and hold important positions and many have traveled to Europe and Asia to sell their products at international trade fairs. The women will share their wonderful stories about how their learning and confidence building within Sadhna has helped them evolve into playing an important role in their families and neighborhoods. After our visit we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Mumbai. Mumbai is a seething mass of humanity and unrelenting traffic. Ornate Victoria – Gothic buildings provide a backdrop for noisy street vendors and office wallahs rushing to work. Wide leafy boulevards are lined with monumental British construction but not all the grand architecture was courtesy of the Raj – wealthy Jains and Parsis have left their mark. Check in and dinner at leisure tonight.
Day 17 - Monday 1 February 2016
Mumbai (B,L)
Today we’ll enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Mumbai visiting this spectacular city of contrasts with its skyscraper skyline and traditional outdoor laundries, the Dhobi Ghats. Originally a group of islands inhabited by fisher folk, Bombay today is India’s busiest port and most affluent and industrialized city. We will visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum where wax miniatures depict scenes from Mahatma Gandhi’s life and India’s freedom struggle. We’ll also visit Marine Drive, Victoria Terminus, Crawford Market, Javeri Bazaar and Gate Way of India. This afternoon we’ll experience a Bylanes of Bandra tour. The Queen of Suburbs is a delightful mix of history, colour, warmth, and people. Behind the façade of glass and steel lie the well-guarded bylanes of its idyllic villages. It is here that the Goan style sosegad soul lives and contrasts with the buzzing, hip and happening suburb. With quaint houses sporting old-fashioned spiral stairways, the bustling Bazaar road village, and the Portuguese presence in the area with landmarks like St. Andrews Church and the chapel of Nossa Senhora de Monte to admire. Dinner at leisure tonight.
Day 18 - Tuesday 2 February 2016
Mumbai / Singapore (B,D)
Today after a late morning check out, we’ll visit the APB cooking studio for a cooking class with celebrity Rushina M Ghildiyal. With the remainder of the day at leisure then a farewell dinner with time to reminisce about our exotic Indian adventure. This evening we’ll be transferred to the airport for our flight back to Melbourne via Singapore. Relax and reminisce with friends whilst enjoying the inflight hospitality of Singapore Airlines as we begin our way back home leaving behind a place that for the past two weeks has woven a magical journey into our hearts and minds.
Day 19 - Wednesday 3 February 2016
Arrive Melbourne
Welcome Home! Arriving back into Melbourne at approximately 9.15pm, thank you for joining Sisterhood Womens Travel for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back.