Essence of India

24 Nov –3 Dec, 2024

Delhi – Varanasi – Taj Mahal – Ranthambore National Park – Samode – Jaipur – Mumbai

Overview

• Delhi ( The Claridges Hotel - Luxury Heritage hotel - Cabana room )
• Varanasi ( Taj Ganges - 5 star hotel - Deluxe room )
• Agra ( Taj View - 5 star hotel - Deluxe room )
• Ranthambore ( Khem Vilas - Safari lodge - Luxury cottage )
• Jaipur (Kukas) ( Dera Wilderness Camp - Tented camp - Deluxe tent )
• Jaipur ( Samode Haveli - heritage hotel - Deluxe room )
• Mumbai ( Taj Mahal Palace and Tower wing - Luxury hotel - Superior city view room )

KERALA POST TOUR EXTENSION South India
• Cochin ( Forte Kochi hotel - Heritage hote - Premier room )
• Backwater ( Overnight Cruise - Premium Houseboat - AC Cabin )
• Marari ( CGH Marari Beach Resort & Spa - Luxury Beach Resort - Garden villa )

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Delhi  VIP meet & greet service at airport. Transfer and check in to heritage hotel. Rest of day and evening at leisure. Overnight at the Claridges hotel.

Day 2

Delhi Breakfast at the hotel. Morning heritage walking tour in Old Delhi and enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk. Visit to New Delhi, India gate, government buildings, Sikh temple Bangla Sahib & community kitchen. Leisure time at popular Khan Market  with lots of shopping opportunities. Welcome Dinner at local favourite Indian restaurant. Overnight at the Claridges hotel.

Day 3

Delhi / Varanasi Transfer to Delhi Airport to board flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, transfer to your deluxe  hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore this ancient city. Witness evening ‘Aarti Fire Ceremony’ at the famous ghat. Overnight at the Taj Ganges hotel.

Day 4

Varanasi Early morning boat ride along the river from a Ghat. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are used exclusively as cremation sites. Later visit Sarnath Stupa. Lunch at Local café and then explore local markets. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight at the Taj Ganges hotel.

Day 5

Varanasi / Agra Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Varanasi Airport for a local flight to Delhi. Drive 4 hrs to Agra and check in to 5-star hotel. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Taj View hotel.

Day 6

Agra / Ranthambore Sunrise visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. In total, some 20,000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building. Specialists were brought in from as far away as Europe to produce the exquisite marble screens and pietra dura (marble inlay work) made with thousands of semiprecious stones. The Taj was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983 and looks nearly as immaculate today as when it was first constructed. Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to the 17th-century World Heritage-listed Agra Fort. Drive 2 hrs to for Bharatpur for lunch at Laxmi Vilas Palace hotel. After lunch transfer to Bharatpur railway station for the train to Ranthambore. Check in to safari lodge. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at Khem Vilas.

Day 7

Ranthambore Morning jeep safari to Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore National Park is famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers. Spot the tigers in their natural habitat and see the park’s wildlife up-close during the expertly-guided jeep rides. Breakfast and lunch at the hotel. Afternoon jeep safari. Dinner and overnight at Khem Vilas.

Day 8

Ranthambore / Jaipur (Kukas Valley) Breakfast at the hotel. Drive 5 hrs to the outskirts of Jaipur and check in to the wilderness camp in time for lunch. Afternoon activities with resident rescue elephants and Henna decorative session for guests in the afternoon. Bush dinner under the stars and overnight at Dera Wilderness Camp.

Day 9

Jaipur (Kukas Valley) / Jaipur Breakfast at the camp. Morning walk and jeep safari to explore local farms and village. Drive 45min to Jaipur, marvel at the city known as ‘The pink city’. Free time for lunch. Check in to the heritage hotel. Rest of afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Samode Haveli.

Day 10

Jaipur Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh in the 16th-century. ‘Pink city’ auto rickshaw ride around the city. Later continue on to visit the impressive Hawa Mahal, constructed of red and pink sandstone. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon leisure time for shopping and to explore the local markets. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Day 11

Jaipur / Mumbai Breakfast time and morning at your leisure. Transfer to the airport for local early evening flight to Mumbai. Check in to the luxury hotel. This pulsating and cosmopolitan city is home to 14 million people and famous for its movie making industry known as ‘Bollywood’. Free time for dinner. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

Day 12

Mumbai Go on a Mumbai by dawn tour. Breakfast at the hotel. Ferry ride to Elephanta caves, UNESCO World Heritage site which is a collection of cave temples which contain rock cut stone sculptures predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Afternoon city tour visiting heritage buildings including Dhobi Ghat and the Hanging Gardens. Rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Farewell dinner at Souk Restaurant to celebrate memories made. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

Day 13

Mumbai / Departure Breakfast at the hotel and morning at your leisure. Transfer to Mumbai Airport. On arrival connect with international flight for departure.

KERALA post tour EXTENSION
6 Days /5 Nights

Kerala The scenic backwaters of Kerala comprise of serene stretches of lakes, canals and lagoons located parallel to the coast of the Arabian Sea. The backwater regions of Kerala are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The tranquil backwater cruises are a once in a lifetime experience. One the best known areas is Alappuzha, called the 'Venice of the East'. The entire region is especially popular for houseboat cruises where you can float along and soak in the peaceful nature surrounds.

Day 1

Mumbai / Cochin Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Mumbai Airport for flight to Cochin. Check in to your heritage hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight at Forte Kochi hotel.

Day 2

Cochin Breakfast at the hotel. Morning heritage walk of the former Dutch colonial port city of Fort Cochin, originally known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. Late afternoon, visit the cultural Kathakali performers during their elaborate make-up session, followed by the serenity of a relaxing sunset boat cruise and see the city’s famous Chinese fishing nets. Welcome dinner at Seafood Restaurant. Overnight at Forte Kochi hotel.

Day 3

Cochin / Houseboat Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Alleppey and board your overnigh houseboat. Enjoy lunch aboard. Cruising along the palm tree-lined backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat, watching local villages and lush jungle slip by while your on-board chef cooks up a storm. Enjoy dinner and overnight aboard the houseboat. This is an essential South Indian experience.

Day 4

Houseboat / Marari Breakfast on board. Disembark back at Alleppey and drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is full of country crafts, mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals. Country boat transfer to Philipkuty's Farm. Cooking class followed by a traditional lunch prepared in the demonstration. Situated along the backwaters, this organic farm grows coconut, nutmeg, bananas, cocoa and spices. Transfer to Marari and check in to beach resort. Evening to explore the resort at your leisure. Dinner at resort. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

Day 5

Marari Breakfast at the resort. Enjoy a full day and evening at your leisure to enjoy the beach resort & facilities. Farewell Seafood dinner at resort. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

Day 6

Marari / Cochin / Departure Breakfast at the resort and morning at your leisure. Transfer to Cochin Airport. VIP departure assistance at airport upon arrival.

Prepare for your trip

 India is everything, and more, all at once.

It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.

As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.

A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.

As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country.

WHERE TO SHOP

Rajasthan is famous for its colourful embroidered textiles, clothing, homewares, gemstones, silver & gold jewellery, pottery, carpets and durrie rugs, antiques and furniture. As well as miniature paintings, papier mache puppets and embroidered leather shoes.

To buy precious and semi-precious gemstones head to the "pink city" of Jaipur, where gorgeous blue-glazed pottery is also made. Jodhpur holds a treasure trove of shopping bounty.

Marble wares inspired by the Taj Mahal, some of them exquisitely detailed and inlaid with semi-precious stones, can be sourced in Agra, while Varanasi is a popular place to pick up silk and saris.

Delhi is globally recognised for quality and very affordable pricing across a variety of goods.

Mumbai take your pick of jewellery, Sarees or block-printed fabric, Art and of course Retro Bollywood posters and postcards.

Goa is well known for its beautiful variety of decorative Azulejos Tiles. cashew nuts and spices, coconut decor, beachwear, bags and accessories. As well as a variety of hats and musical instruments.

Kerala is known for oils and essence. The best and purest forms of oils and essence are found here. Kochi’s options to shop almost rivals its obsession with food. Pick up an array of packaged spices on offer, such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, tamarind, cloves and bay leaves… let the wafting aromas guide you there.

In Cochin there are many varieties of cotton clothes and silk emporiums... you can’t leave without buying at least one traditional saree. Along with colourful bead handicrafts, brass bangles, metal mirrors, silver and gold jewellery.

Always a trade destination, from tradtional merchants to hip, young designers who create modern, fresh styles and fashion.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include domestic flights, accommodation, transport, air conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides, most meals and tipping (includes: baggage at airport, bell boys at hotel, any activities, paid meals, driver and his assistant and accompanying local guide). Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.

TOUR PRICE

10 Days /9 Nights
$13,490 ( twin share per person )*
$1,820 ( single supplement )*
Fully escorted small group tour
( Based on 8–12 passengers )

KERALA SOUTH INDIA post tour EXTENSION
6 Days /5 Nights
$3,950 ( twin share per person )
$1,750 ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )