India's effervescence surpasses the simple combination of the beauty of its landscape and the intricacy of its ancient architecture. Mystical and spiritual, India is a land of rich contrasts. Its complexity makes it indelibly spiritual at one moment, then architecturally glorious, then astonishingly natural, then culturally fascinating. A country by name but by its scope, it's a continent, incredibly diverse and enveloped in color, texture and scents woven into its mind-boggling richness. India's cultural tapestry unveils a country with many faces, each unraveling a feast of fresh experiences, infused with a kaleidoscopic blend of enchantment and sensual indulgence. From the clothing that pops with bright blues and yellows to the glowing pink architecture, and from the golden desert to the emerald jungle, India is all about color. And just when you think that the countryside or cityscape couldn’t get any more exciting, you’ll be presented with another captivating burst of life and color. Many see India as the blueprint of the world we live in, and having been ruled by hundreds of kings and emperors, its history reads like a vivid fairy tale, with some episodes straight from a horror novel. It is so wonderfully different, with no other place to compare it to, that it's hard to find words to describe it without resorting to the cliché "you have to see it to believe it". It's mesmerizing, exotic, exciting and mystical, but also frustrating, confusing and chaotic. No matter how much you've traveled, how many countries you've visited, when you first arrive in India, it will hit you like a gale force wind, a hurricane of sounds, smells, and color where nothing is as it seems. The Mystical India tour covers the most iconic sights of Northern India, the classic Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) with the additions of the lakeside jewel city of Udaipur and India's spiritual capital of Varanasi, while offering experiences that go deeper and beyond the typical first-time India visit. The tour's carefully designed itinerary presents multiple aspects of India, a microcosm of cultures, combining its cinematic sights and landscapes, its forts, palaces and temples, as well as the eternal Taj Mahal, a kaleidoscopic culture, head-spinning history, and constant expressions of joie de vivre. In addition, the tour is timed to coincide with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights which symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance" and we'll celebrate it with an Indian family.
HIGHLIGHTS
Delhi: Humayun’s Tomb ● Jama Masjid ● Raj Ghat ● India Gate ● Indira Gandhi Memorial ● Parliament ● Qutub Minar ● Rickshaw ride through the bazaars of Old Delhi ● Bollywood inspired theatre performance
Udaipur: City Palace ● Jagmandir ● Bagore ki Haveli ● Private boat ride on Lake Pichola ● Dharohar Dance Show
Jaipur: Amber Fort ● Jantar Mantar ● City Palace ● Palace of the Winds ● Elephant ride at Amber Fort
Agra: Taj Mahal ● Agra Fort ● Fatehpur Sikri ● Visit to a local orphanage ● Cooking presentation, henna painting and Saree draping demonstration ● Diwali celebrations
Varanasi: Spiritual Varanasi and the holy Ganges River ● Sarnath Buddhist holy site ● Yoga and meditation session
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
