DAYS 1 & 2 UK/Delhi
We take the overnight flight to Delhi, arriving on Day 2, and transfer to our hotel for a two-night stay.
DAY 3 Delhi
Today we step back in time with a tour of Old Delhi. This is the city of the Mughal emperors. As we tour the city we experience some of the traditions of Indian life, particularly in the teeming Chandni Chowk bazaar. We also see Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and pay a visit to Raj Ghat, the site of Gandhi’s cremation.
We continue to New Delhi, where the broad avenues and noble buildings of the British Raj contrast with a host of historic treasures. Discover the impressive Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the president of India, and the imposing India Gate.We also see the exquisite tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and the tapering Qutab Minar tower. This evening we enjoy a special Indian welcome dinner with stories from a retired army general.
DAY 4 Sikandra
Leaving Delhi behind, we travel to Agra, the home of the spectacular Taj Mahal. En route, we pay a visit to the Tomb of Akbar the Great at Sikandra, an incredible blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain architecture and decoration. We stay in Agra for two nights.
DAY 5 Taj Mahal
This morning we include a visit to the one and only Taj Mahal. Set in classical gardens with rippling pools, its white marble walls and decoration of semi-precious stones are truly breathtaking. We then pay a visit to the mighty Agra Fort. This evening, we offer the opportunity to attend a dance performance that tells the story of the Taj Mahal.
DAY 6 Fatephur Sikri & Jaipur
This morning we drive to Jaipur, visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Built in 1568 and abandoned a mere 13 years later, the city is famed for its pink and red stone architecture, pillared pavilions and the wonderful palace of Panch Mahal. We continue to our hotel in Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’, for a two-night stay.
DAY 7 The Amber Fort & Jaipur
Today we include a morning visit to the ancient Amber Fort. This 17thcentury stronghold occupies a hilltop overlooking the parched desert. During the afternoon we take a tour of Jaipur visiting the City Palace, an impressive complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards. The palace has been home to the royal family of Jaipur for many years and is still the residence of the Maharaja. We also make a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds, with its famous elaborate facade.
DAY 8 Colombo
We return to Delhi this morning for our flight to the Sri Lankan city of Colombo. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 9 Colombo & Habarana
Colombo is a city of contrasts, with colonial architecture and bustling bazaars. The elegant yet eccentric architecture has a charm all of its own, which stems from its long and varied history as an Arab, Portuguese and Dutch trading town as well as being a British colony until its independence in 1948.
Join our included city tour this morning, when we see sights such as the commercial district, known as the Fort, the Wolvendaal Church, Independence Square, Jami-Ul Afar Jumme Mosque and the Gangarama Temple. Leaving Colombo behind we journey to Habarana, where we stay for the next two nights, visiting the Pinnewala Elephant Sanctuary en route.
DAY 10 Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Polonnaruwa
The staggering Sigiriya Rock Fortress rises majestically 600 feet from the jungle floor. It’s a truly ancient palace whose name translates as ‘The Lion’. Originally built around AD 780 it was used as a monastery until the 14th century, and then abandoned before the ruins were rediscovered by a British explorer in 1907. During the afternoon we visit Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
DAY 11 Kandy
Leaving Habarana this morning our journey through the Sri Lankan landscape continues as we head to the city of Kandy, where we stay for the next two nights. En route we pay a visit to the five caverns of the Dambulla Rock Temple. The largest of the caverns is illustrated with superb paintings, and there are some beautiful carvings to be found here. The views from the top of the rock are simply breathtaking. Join us this evening as there is the opportunity to attend a traditional Sri Lankan dance show.
DAY 12 Kandy
Our included tour of the city takes us to sights such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the shores of beautiful Lake Kandy. Everywhere you travel in the city, you can’t help but notice elements of Buddhism, from temples and shrines to monasteries.
DAY 13 Royal Botanical Garden & Nuwara Eliya
No visit to Kandy would be complete without a trip to the stunning Royal Botanical Garden and its spectacular Orchid House. Incredibly, the garden formed the naturally well-camouflaged headquarters of Lord Mountbatten during World War II. We then continue to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, where we stay for the next two nights.
DAY 14 Horton Plains
Today you are at leisure in Nuwara Eliya; alternatively why not join our optional excursion to the nearby Horton Plains for a little wildlife spotting – you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Sambhar deer or leopard. Literally translated, Nuwara Eliya means ‘City of Light’, and with its spectacular position in a mountain valley 6,000 feet above sea level, it’s not difficult to see why. It is also famous for producing some of the country’s best tea in the plantations that surround the city.
DAY 15 Colombo/UK
We return to Colombo for our return flight to the UK. As we are flying westwards we arrive later the same day.