This 32-day itinerary has been custom-built to provide a comprehensive and in-depth immersion in India. The trip features private-guided transfers and touring, fantastic accommodation, and a compelling array of experiences that will fill your soul with all that this vibrant country has to offer!

The morning will be at leisure.

In the afternoon you will proceed for a private-guided New Delhi Sightseeing tour, which starts with a visit to Humayun’s tomb. The magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble, one of the finest examples of the garden tomb and a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

Visit Qutab Minar, which is Delhi’s Eiffel Tower, its Statue of Liberty and Nelson’s Column. Drive to one of the most colonial parts of New Delhi, called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Viceroy’s House, now the residence of the President of India and Lutyen’s magnum opus; the India Gate, a war memorial arch.

In the evening visit Dill Haat – A shopping arcade on the concept of old village style market area with shops and eateries from all the states of India. It’s a one-stop-shop for all the collections of arts, artifacts and clothes/cultures of the different states of India.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to continue your tour of Delhi. Begin the tour with a visit to a unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi, the capital of Mughal India during the 12th and  17th century. Drive past  the opulent  Red  Fort towards  the 17th century Jama  Masjid,  one of  Asia’s  largest mosques. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

Take a private tricycle ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk, also known as Silver Street. This is perhaps one  of  Delhi’s  most populated  areas and the largest  marketplaces. Conclude the  tour of  Old  Delhi with Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation.

Nizamuddin Basti walks: Visit the historical Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti where you will be taken on a tour by a resident of this 12th-century village, which grew around the shrine of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. On Fridays, after the visit to the Basti, you may want to go to the Dargah and listen to Qawwali, which is a vibrant musical tradition that stretches back more than  700  years.  Often listeners,  and even artists themselves,  are transported to a trance-like state where they feel at one with the Supreme.

After breakfast, assisted transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi Is the  religious center  of  Hindu religion. Situated on the banks  of the  holy river  Ganges,  Varanasi is considered to be among the oldest living cities in the world and has been a  center of learning and civilization for centuries. Varanasi holds special significance in the lives of the Indian people.

Every year hundreds of thousands travel  to  Varanasi  with  an  open  mind  and  see  what  faith  can  do  to individuals  and  what  their  devotion  to  God leads them to achieve. Look beyond the poverty into the eyes of the people and you will see a sense of enlightenment and peace  that their  belief in  a  God has given them. Varanasi  is  a  unique  city  that  vibrates with  cosmic  forces beyond comprehension.

On arrival in Varanasi, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon you will be taken on a half day excursion to Sarnath, which is around 10 Kms from the center of the city. Sarnath symbolizes  the birth of  Buddhism. It was  here that  Buddha revealed  his doctrine  and founded  his monastic community.  The museum  at  Sarnath  (closed on  Mondays) is among  the most  famous in  India. Contains carvings representing a   whole range   of styles   –   archaic, the   Mathura   School,   Gupta,   past   Gupta and Medieval  –  covering work  of sculptors  from the  3rd  century  B.C.  to the  12th  century  A.D.  Also seen  here is  the original lion’s heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic.

Early this  morning leave  your hotel  around  5:30  for an  early morning  sunrise boat  excursion on  the holy  River Ganges.

See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river. See people bathing in the holy water and worshiping the rising sun.  Witness the conclusion of life  at the river  bank holy  cremation grounds.  It is believed  if you die in Varanasi  you go  straight to  heaven.

Varanasi will  be one  of the  most extraordinary  experiences of  your visit  to India.  On return,  visit the  bazaars and  Kashi Vishwanath Temple – a  sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Afterward, return to your hotel for breakfast.The remainder of the day is at leisure to pursue independent activities. In the evening, you will come back to the Ganges to witness the Aarti ceremony.

After breakfast, assisted transfer to the airport to board your flight to Khajuraho. This afternoon  explore the  famed  Temples of  Khajuraho, a  UNESCO  world heritage  site.

Khajuraho– translated as Kharjur in Sanskrit, meaning date palm, was founded in the 9th and 10th century by the rulers of the Chandela Dynasty, and influenced by Tantrism. Eroticism becomes a theme of philosophical interest, and  the aim  is the sublimation  of sexual  relationship in the  Sexual act or “Maithun”,  women  being  regarded  as  the incarnation of the divine energy or  “Shakti”. It is also possible that the carvings of Khajuraho were influenced by “Kama  Sutra”,  the  famous  treatise  on  erotic  arts  written  by Vatsyayana  in the  time  of  the  Guptas. The  erotic  love making images of celestial nymphs, gods and goddesses sculpted in delicate detail have caught the imagination of people from all over the world.

The temples  are divided into three groups of which the Western is the largest and best known. All but three temples, which are built of local granite,  are  constructed with  hard  River  sandstone dug  from the  east  bank  of the  Ken  River,  13  miles  to  the  east.  None of the temples are enclosed; rather they are erected on high masonry platforms, each on an east-west axis. It is their detailed sculpture which gives Khajuraho its appeal and importance.

After breakfast, drive towards Jhansi (170 Kms/4.5 hrs), enroute visiting the temples of Orcha.

At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th & 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture. It came into prominence when a lavish patronage of Mughal rulers created forts, tombs, and palaces in red sandstone and marble inlaid with semi precious stones.

Today you will visit Taj Mahal at sunrise. Horse carriage will take you to the gates.

Built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen, construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day.

It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is envisioned as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of incomparable artistry.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later you will explore the Mughal legacy in Agra. Sites you will visit include:

• Agra Fort, built in the 16th century, this fortress of red sandstone known as the Red Fort of Agra, encompasses the imperial city of the Mughal rulers.
• Beyond The Taj Mahal –Kachhpura Walk: Afternoon proceed for Sita’s Heritage Trail of Agra brings you some incredible behind the scenes of life and times throbbing in the shadows of the Taj Mahal. Best part being, the trail is a community based enterprise where a youth from the local community will show you round. Whatever we charge for this trail goes directly to funding various welfare work such as upgrading schools, building toilets etc. in the area and in creating sustainable livelihoods.
• Marble Inlay workshop and Zardozi. Agra is known for its exquisite marble work which is made by some of the marble carver descendants who worked on the Taj Mahal. Various semi-precious stones are embedded in marble to create pleasing geometric and floral patterns, similar to those seen in the Taj Mahal. Zardoz, the craftsperson that sets seed pearls and precious stones with fine gold and silver wire, is part of a craft that has flourished within India and been revived over the past 50 years

After breakfast, drive towards Ranthambore (270 Kms/6-7 hrs), enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

The city of Fatehpur Sikhri was built of red sandstone by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century and deserted soon after because its water supply failed. It is a perfectly preserved ghost city characterized by a harmonious synthesis of Hindu, Mughal and Persian architectural style. After the visit, continue your drive towards, Ranthambore.

Located near the township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambhore is, perhaps, the best known of India’s tiger reserves and gets its name from the spectacular fort that dominates the park and the history of the area. The tigers of Ranthambhore are among the best documented and most photographed and filmed of any in India. It is also the park where a successful series of projects undertaken by the wildlife conservationists have benefited the surrounding villages through health projects, agricultural assistance and reforestation – all to deflect pressure from this private park.

Upon arrival, check in your hotel.

Enjoy early morning and evening game safaris into the Ranthambore National Park. Safaris in Ranthambhore are organized in jeeps and open air mini trucks, and local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience.

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur (120 Kms/2-3 hrs),

Jaipur presides over the new desert country and its people. It is surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions, and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that was  witness to  royal processions  and splendour are  now living  monuments,  accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the “pink city.”

Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed.  There is a timeless quality to Jaipur’s bazaars and its people.  With its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the ancient Rajputs.  The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men add colour to this fascinating city.

On arrival in Jaipur, check-in to your hotel.

In the afternoon visit the Temples  And  Havelis  Of  Old  Jaipur. Join us  on this  exciting walking  tour of  Jaipur;  a  unique way to explore the  living traditions  of the  city.  Experience  the spiritual life  of  local  communities  by  visiting  colourful temples, communicate with residents over lunch and snacks at their home and discover some of the architectural wonders of this fascinating aspect of Jaipur.

This  walk  has  been  carefully  designed  to  offer  a  rewarding and enriching  experience for  our guests.  Uncovering some  of  the  best  kept  secrets  of  the  walled  city  of  Jaipur  we  take  pride  in  sharing  a  warm  association  with  the resident  artisans,  shop  owners,  temple  priests, and  local  citizens. This  association  makes  our  walking  tours  more engaging; our clients have a genuinely interactive experience getting to meet the residents and as a result gain an insight into traditional ways of life.

After an early  breakfast at  the hotel,  take a  morning excursion to the Amber  Fort. Maharaja  Mansingh,  Mughal Emperor  Akbar’s  most successful  General,  started the  construction of  Amber  Fort in the  17th  century.  Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. With its honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli  Hills, which can be mounted on elephant back, Amber has been described as the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan.

Return to your hotel after the tour.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a half day tour of Jaipur. Sites we will visit include:

• Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies,  confined to their quarters,  could view the world outside.
• Jai Sing’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur, who, besides being a prince was also a soldier, astronomer, and builder.
• City  Palace,  a  part is now a  museum that contains beautiful  Rajput and  Moghul paintings,  rare manuscripts and an armory, old carpets, and embroidered clothes of the Maharajas and the Maharanis.

After breakfast, drive to Udaipur (Approx 415 Km / 06 HRS).

Udaipur is often called the “Venice of the East” and the most romantic city in the state of Rajasthan. Udaipur nestles like a gem in a valley surrounded by green hills, reflected smooth and white in the clear blue waters of Lake Pichola. The city is a kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples.

Afternoon is free for leisure.

Post breakfast enjoy a half day tour of Udaipur. Sites to visit include:

• City Palace, the majestic palace is actually a conglomerate of eleven palaces overlooking the sprawling Lake Pichola. Tour the private collection of precious and rare crystals from the Royal treasure. For more than 100 years the crystals remained underground, and the gallery was not open to public prospect due to its beauty and richness.
• Jagdish Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in the centre of the old city. The temple has a black marble image of Lord which is unusual for the northern part of the country, where statues of Gods are usually in white marble.
• Sahelion-ki-bari, the spectacular garden displaying the unique lifestyle of the Royal ladies who once lived in the Palaces.

Udaipur – Walk for the Tongawallahs: A Tonga is a light horse-drawn carriage used for transportation and an integral part of the culturescape of the Indian sub-continent. In Udaipur it was once the favourite mode of transport for the ladies of the royal house to travel between the City Palace and the Sahelio-ki-bari, the pleasure garden of the Queen, far away from political intrigues of the court.

The Walk for the Tongawallahs has been designed to help revive this once popular and eco-friendly mode of transport in Udaipur. Our aim is to create awareness among Sita’ s guests as we believe that their patronage will help stop this unique form of transportation from disappearing from Udaipur’s culturescape and will result in the horses being treated fairly by their owners who will benefit financially from this Walk . The Walk starts after your tour of the City Palace by taking in some of the known and lesser known sites of Udaipur in a thoroughly enjoyable half a day experience with a cause.

Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Udaipur.

Today  you  will  be  transferred  to  Udaipur  airport  to  board your  flight  to  Kochi.

Welcome  to  the  state  of  Kerala! Kerala is a beautiful place and the favored vacation destination in India. It is also a remarkably diverse place, with a balanced mix of cultures and religions actively practiced (Hindus represent the majority, but there is a substantial  Muslim and Christian presence and monuments / temples date back to the early days of all these religions).

With beautiful beaches, serene backwaters, the hill stations in the Western Ghat mountains complete with sculpted Tea plantations and rife with herbs and spices, it’s also an outdoor paradise!

Upon  arrival  in  Kochi,  you  will  be  met  by  your  guide  and transferred  to  Kumarkom  where  you  will  spend  two nights  at  the  lovely  Coconut  Lagoon –the  experience  at  Coconut  Lagoon  is  one  of  immersion  into  the  old  tribal culture of Malabar in the Kerala District of Kuttanad. Check-in, relax, and lose yourself in this oasis!

Today you will have a full day in the environs of Coconut Lagoon. Take a tour of the butterfly garden. Explore the onsite organic farm. In the evening, you will enjoy a sunset boat cruise.

Today you are in for a treat! Leave the lovely Coconut lagoon behind, and head to the Kerala Backwaters where you will  board  a  traditional  1  bedroom  houseboat  an  enjoy a  languid  cruise  and  overnight  aboard this  unique  vessel! Enjoy a bit of pampering from your staff of 3 –captain, chef, and waiter!

After breakfast, your houseboat will dock and you will alight yourself and return to your car and driver + guide for the  trip  up to  Thekkady  in  the  Western  Ghats. 

The  trip  up into  the  mountains  is spectacular –stop to  visit  a  Tea Plantation, or pull over to enjoy the  expansive views! Upon arrival in Thekkady, check-in at The Spice Village and explore  the  eco-resort.  You  may  choose  to  sign  up  for  a papermaking  workshop  or  one  of  the  other  activities offered at the property!

Head to  the  Periyar  Tiger  Reserve  (with its  large populations  of elephants  and monkeys)  and enjoy  a  tranquil bamboo rafting  expedition.  Later  in  the  day  return  to  Thekkady  and  enjoy  a  traditional  Kerala  martial  arts performance.

Bid  Thekkady and the  Western  Ghats farewell  and descend to the  Kerala coast  and the  commercial  (and in many ways, cultural) center of the state – Kochi.

After a scenic drive into Kochi, check into your hotel and relax.

Today you  will enjoy  a  private guided  tour of  old  Fort Kochi.  Among other  sites,  your tour  will include  an exploration of the Dutch Palace,  old Chinese Fishing net stations, and the Spice Markets.

You will also enjoy a cultural performance at Greenix Village, a treasure trove of Kerala culture!

After breakfast, your destination is Marari – a tranquil outpost on the Arabian Sea.

Settle in for 3 days / nights of rest and relaxation at the fabulous CGH Marari Beach resort!

Rest and relaxation at the resort. Each of your will enjoy a 1-hour Ayurvedic massage, in addition to relaxing and enjoying the property and its amenities.

Today the  Kerala segment  of your adventure  concludes.  You  will be  transferred back  to the  airport in  Kochi to connect with your flight to Mumbai.

On arrival, in Mumbai, transfer to your hotel.

Rudyard Kipling extolled Mumbai as the Mother of cities. The history of Mumbai as it is now known is the story of an incredible transformation from its foundation to its present day. The British built it expressly for trade and over the years, it changed hands from the fishing village of the Kolis, through the Portuguese conquest, to Catharine of Aragon who took the seven islands of Mumbai as her dowry to Charles II of  England. Mumbai was and still is the Gateway to  India,  commemorated by a  monument of that name built to mark the visit of  King  George and  his consort, Mary.

After breakfast, depart the hotel for a half day tour of Mumbai.

Morning tour includes a visit to the Gateway of India-erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911; the  collection of Indian painting and sculpture at the Prince of Wales Museum (closed on  Mondays), Mani  Bhawan –Mahatma  Gandhi’s memorial; Marine  Drive, Chowpatty  Beach,  the  Meticulously Hanging Gardens of Malabar Hill and the Crawford Market.

Rest of the day is at Leisure.

Begin your day with a morning cruise to Elephanta Island (closed on Mondays),  where you will see an 8th-century shrine cut from the hillside. Among the sculptures is the magnificent “Maheshmurti,” or Hindu Trinity, representing the three aspects  of  Shiva the  Creator,  the  Preserver and  the  Destroyer.

These caves  provide an  exciting glimpse  of Indian sculpture  dating from  about  600  A.D.    Huge panels  depict episodes  relating to  Lord  Shiva,  each executed with power, grace and an amazing sense of movement.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Today, you will be taken on a guided tour of the Dharavi slums –made famous in the movie Slumdog Millionaire, but a thriving society and economic center in its right.

Dharavi – An Entrepreneurs Entourage is a tour designed to show you the world of Dharavi –The industry, the people and their way of life.

The minds behind the greatest business ideas in the city are not found in big corporate boardrooms but inside tiny 100 so. Ft. homes. The epicenter of Mumbai’s dizzying economic growth doesn’t lie behind glass facades of skyscrapers but in a run-down neighborhood of Mumbai. The people of this community might not be your average suit-clad businesspeople, but are owners of multi-million dollar companies. These are the people of Dharavi –One of Asia’s largest slums.

In spite of the all the grunginess and squalor, Dharavi is the most bustling part of Mumbai. A former fishing village, Dharavi has over the years become the prime contributor to the GDP of Mumbai. Today, it generates revenue of almost a billion US Dollars annually, with the variable business ventures that people have started.

As history has it, Dharavi was a fishing village, with the kolis, or the fisher folks, as its main inhabitants. Due to the construction of a dam, the Dharavi creek dried up, making the fisher folk move to wetter pastures and paving the way for new settlements to come in. The Potters came in from Saurashtra; Muslim Tanners came from Tamil Nadu to start the famous and lucrative leather industry. The artisans of Uttar Pradesh came in and set up embroidery industries and bakers from South set up sweet and savory shops.

Other than the industries as mentioned above, you will also tour the cardboard industries, the recycle industry, the Papadam industry and finally take a walk down the winding route through the narrow residential areas –Truly utilitarian it terms architecture. The guides are the local folk for whom Dharavi has been home since childhood. Contrary to popular belief, they are educated, working, speak impeccable English and more importantly, are very happy.

We assure you, after the tour, you won’t call Dharavi a slum, but a land of opportunity.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Mumbai.

Proceed for a full day Bollywood tour with an accompanying guide.

Visit to Balaji films studios with a live shooting experience: Begin our Bollywood studio tours and also watch a live shoot. Sets which are built to resemble reality enthrall the audience with its minute detailing to showcase different cultures in India. Guests are shown sets chosen according to the schedule of shootings taking place.

Followed by  Post-Production  Module:  Get live into the editing/dubbing room and watch how things  become larger than life.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Our representative will transfer you to the International Airport for your homebound flight.