Itinerary
DAY 01 – FLY TO MUMBAI
Fly to Mumbai today for the start of our Diwali in Udaipur & Rajasthan Heartlands Tour. Speak to Mystic India about your prefered departure airport and choice of airlines.
DAY 02 – ARRIVE MUMBAI – Taj Mahal Hotel
Arrive Mumbai with our VIP meet & greet at your aircraft door, assistant through immigration, then meet & greet at the airport departures door where Mystic India representatives will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
DAY 03 – MUMBAI (B)
Half-day sightseeing tour of Mumbai. On your half-day city tour, you will visit the Prince of Wales Museum built in a grand Indo-Saracenic style, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade. Later you will see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty beach. Visit the Jain temple, Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, and the Dhobi Ghat. Also, drive past the Flora Fountain, the colourful Crawford Market and Victoria Terminus train station.
DAY 04 – MUMBAI (B)
Today we can arrange either a visit to Dharavi Slums as seen in Slumdog Millionaire or experience half a day with the famous Dabbawalas and see how they manage to deliver customers lunches from their homes right to their offices, a very interesting experience.
DAY 05 – MUMBAI- UDAIPUR (B) – Udai Kothi
Transfer to Mumbai airport in time to board the flight for Udaipur. Upon arrival at Udaipur airport and transfer to your hotel, then at leisure to relax or take a walk out into town on your own. Set amidst the Aravalli hills of south Rajasthan, Udaipur is a beautiful city regarded as one of the most romantic in India. Presenting an enchanting image of marble palaces, lakes, attractive gardens and green hills, it has been called “the Venice of the East”. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568 as a traditionally planned, fortified city full of palaces, temples and Havelis. The city also became a centre for the performing arts, painting and crafts.
DAY 06 – UDAIPUR (B)
Half-day sightseeing tour of Udaipur and Evening boat ride on Lake Pichola. Begin your half-day sightseeing tour of Udaipur with the City Palace and Museum. The largest palace complex in India, it is a blend of Mughal and Rajput influences. Also, see the 17th century Jagdish Temple, drive around the Fatehsagar Lake, and visit the Sahelion ki Bari (the Garden for the Maids of Honour), an ornamental pleasure garden with fountains and marble kiosks. Later visit the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir or the Folk Art Museum. Later take a boat ride on the 4 km long and 3 km wide Lake Pichola, which is fringed with hills, Palaces, Havelis, ghats, embankments and temples and offers spectacular views of the city. Visit the Jag Mandir Island with its exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion.
DAY 07– UDAIPUR (B)
A day at leisure to relax or explore the town on your own.
This evening take a walk out into town to enjoy the Diwali festival, with fireworks over Lake Pichola.
Diwali Dates
Sunday 27th October 2019
Saturday 14th November 2020
Thursday 4th November 2021
DAY 08 – UDAIPUR TO SARDARGARH (B) – Sardargarh Heritage Hotel
Drive to Sardargarh (1 Hour). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. The magnificent fort of Sardargarh is situated 94km north from Udaipur. The emblem of the Sardar Singh family was a rising sun and a sword. Beneath that, they always wrote, “Work is thy duty, the reward is not thy concern”. Sardargarh is one of the magnificent forts of Rajasthan. It is an extravagant creation by men of a bygone era, placed amidst the mountains and deep forests of Chuppun.
DAY 09 – SARDARGARH (B)
A day at leisure to relax or why not go out and explore the town and meet the locals, they love interacting with visitors from overseas.
DAY 10 –SARDARGARH TO BHILWARA (B) – Shahpura Bagh
Drive to Shahpura (3 Hours.) Upon arrival check-in at your resort. A trip into Bhilwara reveals the town’s rich multi-cultural vibrancy and its fascinating arts and crafts tradition. Sit with the Joshis and watch a traditional Phad, a painting depicting mythology and history, come to life. Visit Ram Dwara, the revered ancient temple. The old city palace reveals the integration of Rajput & Mughal traditions in architecture while the geometrical symmetry of the Baoli (stepwell) inspires a serenity that lingers. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 11 –BHILWARA (B)
A day at leisure to relax by the pool, take a walk in the grounds or out and explore the local people in the daily market. We can also arrange for you to visit the local school.
DAY 12 –BHILWARA TO JAIPUR (B) – Samode Haveli Heritage Hotel
Drive to Jaipur (5 Hours). Upon arrival check-in at your hotel. Jaipur, the City of Victory, was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. It is the only city in the world symbolising the nine divisions of the Universe through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. The architect who formalised the city’s plans on the Shilpa Shastra, the epic Hindu treatise on architecture, mixed it with the Mughal and Jain influences of those times. The city was painted pink in 1853 in honour of the visit by Prince Albert. Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed.
DAY 13 –JAIPUR (B)
Full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur with Elephant ride to Amer Fort, then this afternoon sightseeing of the city. Visit the ancient Rajput capital of Amber, 11 km from the city. This fort palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. See the Diwan I Am or hall of public audience, Kali temple, Jai Mandir or hall of victory with its inlaid panels and mirror ceiling, and Sukh Niwas. The fort provides breathtaking views of the lake below. This afternoon continues with your tour of the city visiting the Maharaja’s City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Jaipur’s walled City Palace (1732 AD) occupies one-seventh of the city’s area. See the Mubarak Mahal, museums of textiles and armoury, etc., and the Diwan I Khas and Diwan I Am. Jantar Mantar, literally meaning “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens” is the oldest in India. Each instrument has a specific purpose and gives an accurate reading. Photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Also, drive past the rose-pink residential and business areas of Jaipur.
DAY 14 –JAIPUR (B)
A day at leisure. We have left today free for you to go out and explore on your own, although we can arrange extra sightseeing if you wish. You may like to take a Baloon Ride over Amer Fort at sunrise which is operational subject to weather conditions. Perhaps you would like to visit the Monkey Temple, spend a day with elephants, or visit Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort or the Massive Jaigarh Fort built-in 1726. Other exciting things can be arranged today, like learning to cook with a local Indian family. Speak to us about what else can be added to your day today.
DAY 15 –JAIPUR TO DELHI (B) – Haveli Dharampura
Drive to Delhi (5 Hours). Upon arrival check-in at your hotel. Late this afternoon we will take you out to see the Akshardham Temple where you have time to look around at the amazing carvings then see the sound and light show this evening.
DAY 16 –DELHI (B)
Full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. New Delhi is built in a typically British colonial style with tree-lined avenues and colonial bungalows. See the Laxminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu Temple, and India Gate, the 42 m high War Memorial Arch. Drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India. You will also visit Qutab Minar – what was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world and was to be the prototype of all minar’s in India. Then, this afternoon you will explore Old Delhi, visit the 17th century Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. See Chandni Chowk, the shopping centre of old Delhi and drive past the Red Fort for a photo stop, also visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
DAY 17 – DELHI HOMEBOUND (B)
Today you will be transferred to the international airport for your homebound flight. India bids you farewell until next time.
Special Value
- A gift when you book your tour with us, a DVD film called ‘Mystic India’
- International flights included
- VIP meet at aircraft door on arrival
- Useful gift is given to you on arrival
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- Private car & driver for all road transfers
- Snack Hamper, with juice and water in your private car
- Mobile phone to use while in India to keep in contact with our local office and your driver
- Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast) (HB = breakfast, lunch or dinner) (FB = breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Private guide for sightseeing in all major cities
- Entrances to all monument and places of interest included
- Sightseeing in Mumbai
- Sightseeing of Udaipur and boat ride on Lake Pichola
- Visit the lesser known rural heartlands of India
- Sightseeing in Jaipur
- Visit Amer Fort with Elephant ride.
- Leisure day in Jaipur to explore on your own
- Optional extra – A special day with elephants in Jaipur
- Optional extra – Sunrise Baloon ride over Amer Fort in Jaipur
- Full day sightseeing of New & Old Delhi
- Visit Akshardham Temple with Sound & Light Show
Our Tour features the following locations
MUMBAI: Mumbai the city of dreams. One of the best and most cosmopolitan cities in Asia. The commercial lifeline of India. Home to Bollywood, the second largest film industry in the world. A place where some of the biggest slums share the area with sprawling metropolises. The epicentre for fashion and Indian wine. A trip to Mumbai is everything you’d expect from a major metropolis, yet so much more. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. But it’s also fascinating, edgy and exciting. Those colonial-era relics, incredible bazaars, hidden wine cafes and enclaves of peace and serenity really do have a way of putting you at ease.
UDAIPUR: Udaipur is considered to be the most romantic destination in India, and no matter how much you hear about this legendary city, it always manages to leave you stunned and speechless. The glittery Lake Pichola is as beautiful as they get and those temples, grand palaces, shimmering Havelis and colourful streets set the scene for one of the most memorable holidays of your life. You’d remember some of its sights from the 007 movie Octopussy when our hero swims up to a heavenly palace in the midst of an incredibly romantic lake. You’d expect a city so popular to lose its charm, but Udaipur holds onto its magic, that sense of mystery surrounding its monuments and palaces and the sense of tranquillity that simple boat rides on the lake are bound to offer. Udaipur also enjoys a lively arts scene, exciting shopping and delightful countryside destinations that promise memorable day tours.
SARDARGARH: Sardar Singh, one of the most powerful Dhodhias, built the Sardargarh Fort from 1738 to 1743. You can see the ramparts of the mystery filled Sardargarh, like a great ship anchored at outer sea, much before you get close to the gigantic walls soaring high above the low-lying village of Lawa. Magnificent fort of Sardargarh is situated 94km north from Udaipur. The emblem of the Sardar Singh family was a rising sun and a sword. Beneath that, they always wrote, “Work is thy duty, the reward is not thy concern”. Sardargarh is one of the magnificent forts of Rajasthan. It is an extravagant creation by men of a bygone era, placed amidst the mountains and deep forests of Chuppun.
BHILWARA: A trip into Bhilwara reveals the town’s rich multi-cultural vibrancy and its fascinating arts and crafts tradition. Sit with the Joshis and watch a traditional Phad, a painting depicting mythology and history comes to life. Visit Ram Dwara, the revered ancient temple. The old city palace reveals the integration of Rajput & Mughal traditions in architecture while the geometrical symmetry of the baoli (stepwell) inspires a serenity that lingers.
JAIPUR: The Pink City, the largest city of Rajasthan, is an epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. This city was established in 1727 by Jai Singh II and is India’s first planned city. It is known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city.
The Pink City stands out as one of the most spectacular and vibrant destinations on the planet, its rich lineage, striking culture and beautiful architecture painting a vivid picture of Indian society. Missing out on The City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh or the Amber Fort is a big no-no, but make sure you reserve time for those chaotic bazaars and delicious cuisines. Jaipur is also known for its traditional handicrafts and unique souvenirs such as camel-leather slippers. The John Madden 2012 hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (You can link this to your Best Marigold tour) stole our heart presenting India in an entirely new light, one that suddenly catapulted some of its more exotic destinations like Udaipur and Jaipur to instant stardom.
DELHI: The largest mosque, the biggest temple, honky auto-rickshaws; it’s easy to distinguish Delhi. The city has been at the centre of the Indian civilisation for centuries and a major seat of power ever since the Mughals built their capital here. Modern Delhi presents a mix of colonial-era architecture, Mughal forts, and mausoleums, ancient bazaars, glitzy malls and world class restaurants. It often feels overwhelming, but given a chance, it always grows onto you. Be sure to visit Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century Mughal wonder inspired by the iconic Taj Mahal and Lodi Gardens, the best spot for sunsets in Delhi. There’s also the Hauz Khas Village, a throbbing hub that gained popularity with its Open Nights when those narrow alleys are transformed into cultural wonders, adorned with lights and decorated with streamers. There really is no better place to discover Delhi’s rich culture and mingle with its locals.
What our clients say
It’s a shame we only had a weeks holiday available but your Golden Triangle Tour was a great introduction to India, we have fallen in love and shall return one day. All the hotels you suggested to help us keep the cost down were great, you were right as we were out sightseeing most of the day so just needed a bed for the night. Thank you for working to our budget and making such great suggestions and including so much. The mobile phone was an added bonus as we could contact our driver when we got lost shopping in the old lanes of Jaipur.
Livy & Nigel – Colchester, UK
