Spirit of India

B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner

Day 1 Delhi (D)

Arrive in Delhi at any time. Settle in and plan to meet your group in the evening. Following the meeting we will have our first Indian feast.

Day 2 Varanasi (B)

In the morning, we will embark on a walk of Old Delhi, visiting Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid (Great Mosque), walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest local markets and learn the history of the Sikh religion at the important Gurduwara, a Sikh place of worship. In the afternoon we fly to legendary Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city, where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn or to die. Wander through the narrow twisting alleys, poke around some of the literally thousands of temples and shrines and experience the energy of the dawn rituals of bathing and burial as we float past the famous ghats of the Ganges.

Day 3 Varanasi (B,L)

During our stay in Varanasi we will have time to shop, wander and absorb the atmosphere of this unique city. This morning we explore the old city and walk along the ghats. In the afternoon we visit the ruins and monasteries of Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon. Later in the afternoon, we take boats out onto the sacred Ganges River at sunset, enjoying a candle flower ceremony accompanied by sitar and tabla playing, and observe an evening Arti ceremony.

Day 4 Khajuraho (B,L)

Wake up early to enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River before we continue to Khajuraho - one of the most popular destinations in India. Khajuraho is home to India’s largest group of medieval Hindu temples, famous for their erotic sculptures depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra. Learn the history of these world-famous temples on a guided tour and take a historic look at erotica from the Middle Ages. Optional activities include a nearby seasonal waterfall, evening dance performances and a sound and light show within the temple complex itself.

Day 5 Bandhavgarth National Park (B,D)

Today we travel to Bandhavgarth National Park to begin our two day safari for a glimpse of some of India’s finest wildlife. In the afternoon, we take our first safari with a local guide.

Day 6 Bandhavgarth National Park (B,L,D)

We continue our adventure, with the hope of spotting tigers on morning and evening safaris, cushioned by relaxation and delicious meals.

Day 7 Rural Villages and Overnight Train (B,L)

Today we go into a local village to learn a little more about the rural way of life in India. We meet with local artisans and observe weaving and pottery making, as well as a cooking and tasting demonstration. In the evening, we board our overnight train to Agra.

Day 8 Agra (B,D)

Today we take a cyclo-rickshaw ride and visit the walled city of the Red Fort. We also have some free time to wander around and take in views of the Taj Mahal.

Day 9 Agra/Jaipur (B,D)

This morning we visit the Taj Mahal - India’s most famous landmark and testament to love. We also visit Fatephur Sikri, the crowning architectural legacy of Akbar. In the afternoon we proceed onwards to Jaipur.

Day 10 Jaipur (B,L)

Today we explore the city of Jaipur - "The Pink City" and capital of Rajasthan. The entire town was planned according to the principles of Hindu architectural theory, and built in the form of a nine-part mandala known as the Pithapada. Our visits also take us to the City Palace, Palace of the Winds and impressive Amber Fort.

Day 11 Pushkar (B)

Today we travel to the holy town of Pushkar where we will have an orientation walk, including Pushkar Lake, ghats and the 14th century Brahama temple. Wander around the markets and bazaars of this sacred city famous for its textiles, jewelry and crafts.

Day 12 Udaipur (B,L)

Today we travel to Udaipur, famous for its lakes and Raj-era palaces. Most famous of these is the Lake Palace, an island-palace where the white marble buildings entirely cover a small island in Lake Pichola. Enjoy an orientation walk which will include a visit to Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace. There are plenty of options for free time - journey out to the hilltop Monsoon Palace, the summer resort of the Maharajas, sit atop a hill with a panoramic view of the city’s lakes or enjoy a lazy boat ride on lake Pichola.

Day 13 Udaipur (B)

Today we tour the amazing City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India, full of unbelievable treasures. We also visit Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 AD, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.

Day 14 Delhi / Gurgaon (B,D)

We take an afternoon flight back to Delhi, staying in the modern suburb area of Gurgaon where our only obligation is to relax over a final delicious meal.

Day 15 Delhi (B)

After choosing your desired tour, you will need to select a departure date that works for you. You can view all of our dates and prices on any tour page. You may also want to consider the need for a private room during the tour. Please remember to ask for an air quote. It is important however that you do not purchase tickets that carry cancellations penalties until your trip is guaranteed to run.

Availability Options

• Available – Trips marked as available means there are at least 4 spots left on your tour.
• On Request– Less than 4 spaces are left, or we need to contact a local supplier, especially in the case of independent tours.
• Waitlist – There is currently no space available, but you can ask to be contacted if anything opens up.

Guaranteed - We guarantee our tours 60 days before departure. Some popular tours are guaranteed before this date. If your tour indicates it is guaranteed, you can proceed to book your international airfare once you receive your booking confirmation.

Inca Trail Status - For Peru trips that involve hiking the Inca Trail permits often sell out many months in advance. Permits can either be available, on request or sold out. If sold out, then you can either take a different hiking route to Machu Picchu or extend your stay in Cuzco and visit Machu Picchu by train. We recommend the sooner you book your trip the better.

Book your Tour Online

When you decide to “book now” you will proceed to our secure, online booking pages that are encrypted for online purchases. The processing steps are explained below. Essential information comes first. Let us know who you are and whom you are traveling with.

• Add your personal information for our “passenger” section, such as name (as it appears on your passport), email, date of birth and save that information.
• Please advise us of any medical or meal requirements at this time.
• If you are travelling with anyone else, enter their personal information next, and continue doing this for any passengers you are booking and paying for.
• Review our insurance section so that you’re aware of our requirements.

Note: Discovery Adventures can book your insurance for you.

Proceed to the checkout...

• Please refer to your invoice for a recap of the total cost of services and tours you have requested. Once you have confirmed that your booking details are correct, it is time to book.
• “Hold an option,” means you will have 48 hours to decide, without being charged on your credit card. If you do not confirm, we will release your space for someone else.
• On most tours you can “hold an option” with a credit card or “confirm a booking”.
• Confirming a booking means your credit card will be charged the deposit amount of your tour. The following are the amounts: CAD 250, AUD 250, NZD 250, USD 250, GBP 100, EUR 250.
• Note that you will be charged the full tour amount if your booking request is within 60 days of departure.
• Enter your credit card information as requested and submit the booking to complete your transaction!
• It is a good idea to record your Booking Number and ID for future reference.

We'll be in touch!

Upon receipt of your request, our reservations team will prepare your invoices and documents, and review any special requirements for the tour(s) and services you have requested. You will hear from us within 24 hours of your request by email.

• Please note, even if your online booking went through and you’ve received your booking number, a quality control check is required for all bookings before we can advise to book airfare or extra services.
• We will answer any questions you may have, and provide competitive quotes on both insurance and airfare over the phone.

Any other questions you may have before then can probably be answered by visiting our FAQs and links to our Terms and Conditions.

Good things to know before you go on your Discovery Adventures trip.

Our Discovery Adventures Specialists will take care of all the details of your trip, however some travelers enjoy doing a little research on their own to be ahead of the game. Here are some tips and links to get you started.

• Passport: Make sure your passport is valid up to 6 months from your return date.
• Travel Visas - Requirements change frequently and are dependent upon your nationality and your destination. You are responsible for obtaining your own Visas. Check the Plan Your Trip page to determine if a Visa is required for your specific trip.
• Travel Reports: Most governments have websites dedicated to providing the most up-to-date travel information including recent news and background information on every country. Please visit the US State site for information about your destination and international travel
• Arrival and Departure taxes/fees: Check your tour confirmation documents and speak with a Discovery Adventure Specialist if you have any questions.
• Immunizations and travel health issues: Be sure to get the most accurate and up-to-date health information for the region you will be visiting. Check with your general physician or a specialist from your local travel health clinic.
• Good Health Practices: Adjusting to new climates and cultural conditions can cause some minor complications. This guide will help you stay healthy while you travel.
• Travel Insurance: Be sure to acquire the necessary travel insurance before your trip. You will not be allowed to participate without showing proof of adequate coverage.
• Packing Tips: Create your own packing list based on your destination, accommodations, weather and tour activities. Leave jewelery at home and keep makeup to a minimum. Travel size toiletries stored in a waterproof kit are recommended. Pack once…divide it in half and pack again. (Please verify weight and carry on restrictions with your airline carrier.)