India: Mind, Body and Soul

Day 1 – Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport, on completion with immigration, custom clearance and luggage collection you will be received by our Sky Vacations ambassador who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. Sprawling on the banks of the River Yamuna, the capital city of India – Delhi typifies the soul of the country. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left behind by a line of Kings and Emperors – each a chronicle of the glory of its time and an imprint of each ruler’s character. Today, the city is a curious blend of modern and traditional- skyscrapers, beautiful gardens and wide tree-lined avenues that perpetuate. Rest of the day at will be at leisure. Stay Overnight at The Oberoi Hotel (Premier Room).

Day 2 – Delhi

This morning, proceed for tour of Delhi starting with Old Delhi. Your first stop for the day will be Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid, which can hold a mind- blowing 25,000 people.  Towering over Old Delhi, this 17th century mosque has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m high.  It is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble.  Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaars, once the shopping avenue for Mughal royalty and the oldest marketplace of the city. Later drive past the Red Fort, also built by Emperor Shahjahan.

Afternoon proceed for tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutab Minar is built in Indo- Islamic style and has five stories. It is one of the highest stone towers in India and has a diameter of about 14.32 meters/47 feet at the base and about 2.75 meters/9 feet the top, Humayun’s Tomb, built by the orders of Humayun’s widow, Hamida Banu Begum, starting in 1562. Later proceed for drive past tour of  India Gate, The war memorial arch, India Gate, was built by the British in the honor of the 70000 Indian soldiers, who lost their lives in the First World War and Second Afghan War, Rashtrapati Bhavan (President Palace) and adjoining Government Buildings, Parliament house. Post the sightseeing return to the hotel. Stay Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 – Delhi / Agra

Drive to Agra this morning. Agra is a medieval city, located on the banks of the Yamuna River, founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in 1506. It was during the Mughal reign, began the golden age in Agra. It remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan later shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad in 1649. Arrive and check in the hotel.

Afternoon proceed to visit The Agra Fort. The Fort was built by Akbar in 1565 and further developed by successive generations. This well-preserved fortress built of red-sandstone dominates a bend of the river Yamuna– with a magnificent view of the Taj. The interior boasts of many grand buildings which include the Royal Pavilions, the Diwan-e-Am (hall of public audience) and Diwan-e-khas (hall of private audience) usually reserved for other kings and dignitaries. Post the sightseeing return to the hotel for overnight stay. The Oberoi Amarvilas (Premier Room).

Day 4 – Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur

At sunrise visit The Taj Mahal – a monument of love from the Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān, which took 22 years to build and was completed in 1653, in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, also known as Mumtāz Mahal. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal stands at the northern end of formal gardens. The white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan and the red sandstone from Fatehpur Sikri. Precious stones like jade, crystal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, sapphire, jade, coral and diamonds were brought from far-flung places in Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, Persia and Afghanistan. It is believed that a fleet of 1000 elephants was used to transport the material.

Return to the hotel for breakfast. Continue to  drive to Ranthambhore. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri – the Ghost Capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.  The fortress is a UNESCO world heritage site and built entirely of red sandstone, except the tomb of the saint Salim Chisti, which in stunning contrast, is made of pristine white marble. Arrive Jaipur and check in the hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Stay Overnight at The Oberoi Rajvilas (Premier Room).

Day 5 – Jaipur

This morning proceed to visit Amber Fort, enroute visiting the honeycomb designed Hawa Mahal [Stop for a Photo Shoot] also known as the “Palace of Winds” built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. The “Palace of Winds” was built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the processions passing on the street without showing themselves. Continue to Amber Fort. The Fort is known for its exquisite mirrored halls and lofty ramparts and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.

Afternoon continue your sightseeing trip and visit The City Palace, the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.  A complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the impressive City Palace is a center-point of the Old City.  The outer wall was built by Jai Singh.  The interior of the palace has been enlarged and adapted over the centuries.  Continue to the amazingly accurate Jantar Mantar Stone Observatory, the largest of Maharaja Jai Singh’s remarkable Observatories – still in perfect working condition. Stay Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 – Jaipur / Udaipur

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to board Spice Jet Flight SG 6632 for Udaipur, departing Jaipur at 10:00 am, arriving Udaipur at 11:10 am. On arrival at Udaipur airport you will be met upon and transferred to the hotel.

In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the old town where you can walk around and see the artists painting the famous miniatures depicting the glory of the Mughals , we shall arrange for a short tuk tuk ride in the old town. This evening enjoy boat ride [sharing basis] on the Lake Pichola (subject to water level in the Lake permitting). View the Lake Palace from outside the Palace – a Palace established at the center of Lake Pichola, now converted into a luxurious heritage. After the boat ride return to the hotel for overnight stay. The Oberoi Udaivilas (Premier Room).

Day 07 – Udaipur

Morning visit the grand large City Palace complex which stretches along the eastern shore of Lake Pichola and encompasses several palaces added by the various Maharanas between the 16th to 20th centuries. Also visit the lively Jagdish Temple built in 1651 with an entrance flanked by stone carved elephants. Your next visit will be to Sahelion Ki Bari built by Maharana Sangram Singh, which is a beautiful garden with large flowerbeds, lawns, pools, fountains and trees. It offers fantastic glimpses of the lifestyle of the yesteryear court ladies. In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the old town where you can walk around and see the artists painting the famous miniatures depicting the glory of the Mughals.

This afternoon proceed for tour of Udaipur visiting the Crystal Art Gallery, the world’s single largest private collection of crystal under one roof, housed in the Fateh Prakash Palace is the world-famous Crystal Gallery. It’s spread across the upper-gallery of the glittering The Durbar Hall Sabhaghar. Crystal Gallery has been hailed as probably the single largest private collection of crystal anywhere in the world. The visitors here are privy to one of the most exclusive and exquisite crystal collections. Later at around 4 pm we shall arrange for a short Vintage car ride around Fatehsagar Lake. Post the ride return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08 – Udaipur / Delhi

This morning will be at leisure. This afternoon you will be transferred to the airport to board Indigo Airlines Flight 6E 2315 for Delhi, departing Udaipur at 2:10 pm, arriving at 3:35 pm. On arrival at Delhi airport you will be met upon and transferred to hotel . Rest of the day will be at leisure. Stay Overnight at Hotel The Oberoi Gurgaon.

Day 09 – Depart Delhi

This day you will be transferred to the airport to board flight for onward destination

Prices are land only per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions apply. For our complete terms and conditions, click here.

Day 1:  Delhi

Arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our Sky Vacations representative who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. 

Day 2:  Delhi

Early morning you will be transferred to Lodhi garden to experience the Yoga with a Yoga expert. Experience and indulge in the age-old holistic healing and wellness methods of India. India is not a country but a continent and travelling through it is an experience like no other. Overwhelming in its chaos at first, it gradually unfolds unique delights. After breakfast proceed for guided tour of Old Delhi. Start with the visit of Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  After this visit, hop on to your rickshaws and enter the colourful, narrow alleys and gullies of Old Delhi.  Discover the gems of the main street of Chandni Chowk. Then proceed into busy streets which are forever bustling with the clamour and routine of daily trade, offering a glimpse of life back in the day and age when the city started out as a commercial hub. Proceed to a food walk curated and lead by a renowned Chef through crowded markets of Old Delhi, a unique change to understand and savour street food available in Delhi from some of the oldest food places in the city. Continue to visit two monuments from Delhi’s past – Qutub Minar and Humayun’s tomb. Drive along India Gate, President House and Parliament House.

Day 3:  Delhi – Agra 

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will drive you to Agra. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel. Later proceed to visit Agra Fort, where you are taken through the chambers of this royal residence. As you drive through the city, witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Post Agra Fort visit, visit the bazaar to taste the local delicacy (sweet)- Petha.  This evening, witness, a live show – Mohabbat The Taj

Day 4:  Agra – Jaipur 

Wake up early morning today to visit the Taj Mahal during the sunrise. Post breakfast you will be driven to Jaipur; enroute visit Abhaneri Stepwell. Continue your drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.  Later this evening, visit the spice market. This market is also home to spice mixes so authentic, which the pickiest grandma would approve. Here, you can not only buy the spices, but can also get them dry roasted and ground into the masala mix of your choice before your own eyes. It’s not uncommon to see ladies patiently waiting, with bagful of spices and a recipe that has been handed down since generations.

Day 5:  Jaipur

After breakfast, proceed for a half day excursion to inspiring Amber Fort.  Amber Fort is a marvellous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glass work complemented by exquisite wall paintings. As you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure feel the history and visualise the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom which was never conquered. Later proceed for a tour of City Palace & Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD). Also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) – a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Later today, enjoy a ride by Pink City Rickshaw  and explore the secrets hidden in the walled city of Jaipur on these uniquely designed, eco-friendly e-rickshaw rides through the city. The hospitality of the Indians is legendary and you get to experience this first hand today with a cooking demonstration & dinner with a local family.

Day 6: Jaipur – Mumbai 

After an early morning yoga session at your hotel, its time for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore and unwind.

Day 7: Mumbai

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel followed by excursion to Elephanta caves known for its rock-cut temples on peaceful Elephanta Island. Thought to have been carved between 450 and 750 AD, the temples survived Portuguese vandalism (one cave was reputedly used by a Portuguese battalion as a shooting gallery) and remain equal in size, beauty and power to the caves at Ajanta and Ellora. This afternoon, proceed for a city tour of Mumbai – visit iconic Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark. Continue to Dhobi Ghat, a unique feature of Mumbai, the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. Proceed to visit the famous Prince of Wales Museum and Victoria Terminus, one of Mumbai’s most prominent buildings and architecturally one of the finest stations in the world.

Day 8:  Mumbai – Atmantan Wellness Resort Mulshi Lake, Pune 

After breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to drive to Atmantan Wellness Resort, Pune, nestled on a unique crystal hill, (that lends the land healing frequencies), Atmantan spans 42 acres of lush green valley, & has it abode in the Majestic Sahyadris, overlooking the pristine Mulshi Lake. This award winning wellness resort, is truly the holistic amalgamation of the atma (soul), mana (mind) and tann (body). With integrated and customized wellness programs, Atmantan offers its guests result oriented wellness experiences, such that they return to their daily lives healthier, happier and transformed. After lunch at the resort, the rest of the day is at leisure to rejuvenate yourself.  This evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the property.

Day 9 & 10:  Atmantan Wellness Resort 

Your stay here includes all meals at the resort.  Take advantage of the various activities and facilities at the resort.

Day 11: Atmantan Wellness Resort – Mumbai 

What better way to invigorate your senses – this morning enjoy yoga at the hotel.  After breakfast, its now time to say goodbye to India. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Prices are land only per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions apply. For our complete terms and conditions, click here.