Begin your adventure in the bustling capital of Delhi, where ancient monuments and modern marvels coexist in perfect harmony. Experience the spiritual aura of Varanasi as you glide along the sacred waters of the Ganges, soaking in the profound rituals and beliefs that have echoed through millennia. At the Ranthambhore Reserve, the tigers roam free, admire their majestic presence. Explore the majestic forts and palaces of Jaipur, immersing yourself in the grandeur of bygone eras. No journey to India is complete without beholding the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love and architectural perfection. Finally, indulge at a timeless palace steeped in history and charm with jaw-dropping frescoes, grand courtyards and magnificent dining arcades.
Activity Level 3
Early Booking Discount - Book by 27 Aug, 2025 and save an extra $100 per person
- Home pick up and return within the Auckland Metropolitan area (if applicable).
- Services of Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
- Economy class air fares - Auckland/Singapore/Delhi/Auckland flying Singapore Airlines including all airfare and airport taxes. Domestic India flight Varanasi/Delhi.
- Train service Varanasi/Delhi.
- High quality 4-5 Star hotel accommodation throughout including buffet breakfast daily, dinners as specified and porterage assistance.
- Sightseeing tours in India and Singapore as detailed in the tour itinerary.
- All airport and hotel transfers throughout.
- Travelwise Holidays documentation and travel bag.
FRI 27 FEB – AUCKLAND/SINGAPORE
Depart Auckland on SQ286 at 3.15pm. Arrive Singapore 8.55pm. Stay Grand Park City Hall Hotel, Singapore, 2 nights.
SAT 28 FEB - GARDENS BY THE BAY, COOKING CLASS
Witness and learn from a chef as they create famous local dishes. Enjoy the class and a delectable lunch. Afternoon sightseeing including Gardens by the Bay, a stunning fusion of nature and technology. Stroll beneath the towering Supertrees, marvel at exotic blooms in the Flower Dome, and explore the misty Cloud Forest with its indoor waterfall. A leisurely afternoon and dinner in a local restaurant. Included: B, L, D
SUN 01 MAR - SINGAPORE/DELHI
Depart Singapore at 4.25pm and arrive in Delhi at 8.00pm. It is not a single city but a combination of eight cities that have been established from as early as 900 BC to 1930 when the British completed the construction of New Delhi as the capital of Imperial India. Stay Taj Palace Hotel, Delhi, 2 nights. Included: B
MON 02 MAR - DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy a full day city tour of Old and New Delhi including Qutub Minar, a minaret and "victory tower" at the site of Delhi's oldest fortified city, Jama Masjid. Travel past the India Gate, Red Fort, Parliament and the President's House. Visit the Spice Market and take a Rickshaw ride. Stroll through Khari Baoli - Asia's largest wholesale spice market. A Welcome dinner tonight. Included: B, D
TUE 03 MAR - DELHI/VARANASI
Rail service to Varanasi. Known for the art of silk weaving and it‘s rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts and education. In the evening witness the Grand prayer (Aarti) ceremony conducted on the Ghats of River Ganges. You will be transferred to a surreal world, where dozens of big lamps are lit and sway in tandem at the hands of the priests. They offer prayers, sing Vedic hymns, and play traditional instruments. Visitors release 100's of small earthen lamps with flickering lights. Stay Taj Ganges Hotel, Varanasi, 3 nights. Included: B, D
WED 04 MAR - VARANASI, HOLI FESTVAL
Today enjoy the colourful festival of Holi. Also known as the Festival of Colours, it’s one of the most vibrant and joyous festivals celebrated across India and in many parts of the world. It marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and is a celebration of love, laughter, and togetherness. celebration and be part of an ancient tradition. Rest of day free to relax or own activity. (Bring a set of throwaway clothes as you’ll get smeared with colours and splashed with water. Its crazy, traditional fun). Included: B, D
THU 05 MAR - VARANASI
Enjoy a heritage walk and sunrise boat ride on river Ganges. Visit the Banaras ghat, Assi ghat, and various others. The river will be thronging with early-morning bathers, raising their faces to the rising sun and reciting the sacred mantra. Varanasi is associated with spiritualism, mysticism and Sanskrit, yoga and the Hindi language. Visit various temples, including the 18th century Bharat Mata Temple and later visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Included: B, D
FRI 06 MAR VARANASI/DELHI/AGRA
Fly to Delhi and coach to Agra, a city steeped in Mughal grandeur and timeless romance. Home to the Taj Mahal, this UNESCO World Heritage city offers far more than just one iconic monument. Agra promises a memorable journey into India’s imperial past. Stay Taj Hotel, Agra 2 nights. Included: B, D
SAT 07 MAR - AGRA
Incredible sightseeing today - visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itimad-Ud-Daulah. India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The most perfect marble-built monument in the world - an exquisite mausoleum and enduring monument to the love of a husband for his wife. Later visit the red sandstone Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar and Itimad-Ud-Daulah Tomb, nicknamed the Baby Taj, said to have had an important influence on the design of the Taj Mahal. Included: B, D
SUN 08 MAR - AGRA/RANTHAMBHORE
Travel to Ranthambhore, one of the biggest and most renowned National Parks in Northern India popular for the Tiger sightings, also several species of mammals, predators, reptiles and avian wildlife. Stay The Tigress, Ranthamhore, 2 nights. Included: B, D
MON 09 MAR - RANTHAMBHORE Jeep safaris
Enjoy the first game drive this morning. The park is spread over an area of 1,334 sq km and is famous for its tigers, providing one of the best locations in India to see the majestic predators in their natural habitat, together with many other reptiles, birds and
wild animals. Return to the hotel. Later enjoy another game drive through the National Park in the afternoon, get your chance to explore the diverse wilderness and spot more wildlife.
Included: B, L, D
TUE 10 MAR - RANTHAMBHORE/JAIPUR
Travel to enchanting Jaipur, a treasure trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colourful markets, and Rajasthani cuisine. En route see Abhaneri stepwell, in an ancient village in Rajasthan renowned for its early medieval monuments, Chand Baori, one of the largest step wells in India and Harshat Mata temple, which dates back to 10th century. Stay Hilton Hotel, Jaipur 3 nights. Included: B, D
WED 11 MAR - JAIPUR
Full day city tour. Tour The Amber Fort in a jeep. The stunning complex is built of red sandstone and marble and presents a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. View Jal Mahal, built in the middle of a lake and visit City Palace, which boasts some priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures, miniature paintings, preserved painted ceilings and elephant saddles. The day ends with a visit to Jantar Mantar; the famed observatory. Included: B, D
THU 12 MAR - JAIPUR
Morning visit to a block printing workshop, later cook and dine with Indian family. Block printing is an ancient art where skilled craftsmen carve intricate designs onto wooden blocks. Learn the rich heritage and significance of this timeless craft firsthand. In the evening dine with a local family, where you will learn the art of Indian cooking. Choose to participate in the cooking or merely watch and learn. Enjoy the family dinner. Included: B, D
FRI 13 MAR – JAIPUR/ALSISAR
Travel to Alsisar located in the Shekhawati region. An 18th century caravan trade route now known as an open art gallery. Within this land raises a magnificent and breathtaking 17th-century battle-hardened Alsisar Mahal. Check in to the hotel and in the evening immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Stay Alsisar Mahal Heritage Hotel, Alsisar, 2 nights. Included: B, D
SAT 14 MAR - ALSISAR
Enjoy a walk to discover the heritage of Alsisar with its magnificent Havelis and cenotaphs. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the grandeur of the Palace. Included: B, D
SUN 15 MAR - ALSISAR /DELHI
Drive to Delhi. Rest up before your flight home tomorrow morning. Stay Novotel Aerocity Hotel, Delhi 1 night.
Included: B, D
MON 16 MAR - DELHI/AUCKLAND
Depart Delhi on flight SQ401 at 9.45am, arrive Singapore at 6.00pm. Depart Singapore on SQ 285 at 10.25pm. Included: B
TUE 17 MAR - AUCKLAND
Arrive Auckland at 1.20pm.
Deposit: $2,000pp
