The ”Exotic Marigold” India Adventure

Depart Canada for India. Your international flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.

Welcome to Delhi, a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. On your arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport, you will meet our representative who will transfer you to your hotel.

After breakfast, we will start our morning tour with a visit to 17th century Old Delhi. Visit the Jama Mosque, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. We will take a bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi that houses the spice market and jeweler’s lane and then drive past Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) followed by a visit to Humayun’s tomb. Emperor Humayun’s was the second Mughal Emperor of India. The tomb was built by his widow in 1569-70, 14 years after his death, at a cost of 1.5 million rupees. It was later used for the burial of various members of the ruling family and contains some 150 graves. It has aptly been described as the necropolis of the Mughal dynasty.

Later, we will visit a Sikh temple and then enjoy a welcome dinner in Connaught place.

The Sikh temple we will visit is Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and is one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. This incredible temple is known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan and, also notable if the beautiful pool inside its complex, known as the “Sarovar.

Overnight stay at the hotel

After breakfast, you will leave for Agra, a city which has the legacy of white grandeur. Agra is home to one of the world’s most recognized monuments, the incredible Taj Mahal. Arrive and check in at your hotel.
Your afternoon is free for your own time and personal activities.

Optional live show performance for those who would like to watch an amazing 75-minute live show. In the early evening, you will enjoy a live play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into history. This fascinating drama portrays the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is a series of plays depicting the true and immortal love of Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era; and the hardship of the artisans who worked for 22 years to create a most breathtaking work of craftsmanship. Overnight stay at the hotel

The live performance is optional at a cost of CAD $55.00 per person

This is an exciting day! Despite the early morning start which is at sunrise, we visit one of the most incredible monuments ever built in the world, The Taj Mahal. This monument of love which was built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the most highly revered masterpieces in the world.

After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site with imposing walls of red sandstone. The fort is almost two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls, and mosques.

tIn the afternoon we will visit an amazing marble factory to experience the creation of fine inlaid stonework and translucent marble native to the region. The craftsmen of Agra are, even today, renowned for the exquisite marble-inlay work that has made Agra’s monuments famous.

After breakfast leave for Kanota with a stop en route to visit the Abhaneri step well.

Abhaneri is the Chand Baori. The massive step well-built to conserve rainwater is 20 m deep with 13 levels and is considered deepest and largest stepwell in India. Marvelous carvings on the steps transform into pieces of excellent architecture. The stepwell stands as an amazing display of ancient engineering and the geometric step pattern gives a fascinating insight into this architectural masterpiece.

Later, check in at heritage hotel Castle Kanota which is the filming location of the ‘Viceroys Club’ in ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie’
Castle Kanota, being an old castle, has lots of open space and fragrant fruit orchards. Guests will enjoy the experience of an Indian home while they are here as everything is being personally looked after by the family members. During your stay at Castle Kanota, you will discover the secret of the grandeur of the Rajput royalty, when you see the exquisitely decorated walls and ceilings that are fully covered with frescoes and paintings. With period furniture throughout the hotel, it is an authentic experience as well as a visual delight.

Later in the afternoon, we will visit a local village to experience the day-to-day beauty of rural India You will have the opportunity to chat with the locals who will barely be able to suppress their delight and surprise at sitting next to a foreigner from far-away lands.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy and relax as you please

After breakfast, you will explore the museum in the hotel

Later you will be driven to Jaipur where, upon arrival, check in to our next hotel

The origin of Jaipur’s nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter through the old city walls where we are greeted with peaceful pink-coloured buildings that can be seen from every turn. The city of Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II.

Visit the famous Hindu Temple in Pink City of Jaipur.
In the evening, enjoy an authentic dining experience with a cultural Rajasthani traditional dance and music.

In the morning, enjoy an excursion to the majestic Amber Fort Palace by Jeep which was built in 1593. Enjoy the architecture, lattice screens, and paintings which appear to be coloured with jewel dust. Later, drive through the old city where we will make a photo stop at the Palace of Winds. Your tour also includes a visit to the City Palace, a home of the current Maharaja of Jaipur and its museum. This is the perfect time to shop for exclusive gems that Jaipur is famous for and also see some fascinating block printing fabrics.

Optional Cooking with a local family for those who would like to spend an interesting, educational and social evening at a house that belongs to a well-known Rajput family. Learn some great cooking techniques about Rajasthani Indian Cuisine in coordination with your in-house chefs which takes approximately 2 hours. You’ll be taken to their kitchen where the cooking demonstration will commence. You will be shown how each dish is made as your hosts describe the incredible ingredients of fresh organic foods cooked to perfection with the foods of the region, leaving you with a complete experience that you can try when you are home, a truly authentic Indian cooking experience.

Optional CAD $125.00 per person (Limited guests – subject to availability)

After breakfast drive from Jaipur to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner at hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel. Later, you are transferred to the international airport to board your flight for home.

Extend your trip to Varanasi, formerly known as Kashi, the oldest living city of India & home to one of the worlds’ most time-honored and mysterious cultures. Experience TRUE India in a way only a select few have the opportunity to do.

(Two Nights in Varanasi and one night in Delhi with local air, transfers, tours, meals, and taxes for $899.00)