India, From Delhi to Colombo

Enchanting Getaways in India and Sri Lanka

Upon arrival at Delhi Airport (DEL), once you have cleared immigration and customs, our staff will meet you in the visitor arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it. They will then transfer you to your hotel, where you can check in from 2 p.m.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, set off on a tour of Old and New Delhi.

Old Delhi – visit Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Pass by the magnificent Red Fort, built on the banks of the Yamuna River by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Stroll through Chandni Chowk to experience the atmosphere of an oriental bazaar. Enjoy the main shopping centre at the lowest prices. Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Delhi to reach Jama Masjid, a World Heritage Site and the largest mosque in India, completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal.

New Delhi – Our tour of New Delhi includes visits by car to the Gateway of India (a war memorial dedicated to the lives of Indian soldiers), the President's House, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings – an ancient blend of Victorian and 20th-century architecture – and the Lotus Temple.

Later, drive to Agra. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, take a tour of the city of Agra, famous not only for the Taj Mahal, but also for the impressive Mughal Red Fort, known as the Agra Fort. This impressive red sandstone fort was built by Akbar between 1565 and 1573 AD. With its gates, pillared halls, mosques, marble latticework and geometric gardens, the fort showcases the pinnacle of Mughal architecture.

Taj Mahal: This 17th-century masterpiece is a monument of unparalleled beauty, renowned as one of the most perfect buildings in the world, built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of Emperor Shah Jahan of the Mughal Empire (Please note: the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays).

Later, departure for Jaipur. En route, visit Abhaneri, a village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, India. It is located 95 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road. The place is famous for the Chand Baori stepwell.

Continue your journey to Jaipur and, upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, set off on an excursion to Amber Fort: the former capital of the royal Rajputs. Few people are left unmoved by the spectacular grandeur of this Rajput palace-fortress perched on a hill 11 km north of Jaipur. Located in the dry, wrinkled hills of the Aravali range and surrounded by fortified ramparts, the palace straddles two sepia-toned hills overlooking Lake Maota, and its sprawling crenellated walls encircle the surrounding hills. Pass by the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, a five-storey pink sandstone structure with semi-octagonal, delicately honeycombed windows. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal women could look down without being seen by the world through its 593 stone screens. We continue with a guided tour of the City Palace - The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The centre of the palace is a seven-storey building called Chandra Palace, with beautiful views of the gardens and the city.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, spend the morning shopping at leisure. In the afternoon, departure for Delhi. Arrival at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Delhi Airport. Please note that you must be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.

Upon arrival at Colombo Airport (CMB), you will be met and transferred to your hotel by one of our representatives.

You can begin your exploration by walking a few streets from the hotel to the Negombo Fish Market.

Negombo fishing village: Take a transfer to Negombo Harbour and visit the nearby fishing villages to experience daily life. Visit the fish market to see the day's catch. You will also have the opportunity to see the vegetable market and the traditional fishing catamarans returning to shore. Take a boat trip to see the modern fishing boats anchored in the lagoon against the backdrop of the old Dutch fortress. This canal was once an important transport route for the Dutch colonial administration. In the evening, enjoy the local bus experience with the other passengers.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to Dambulla and visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on the way.

Elephant Orphanage (Optional visit US$18 per person): The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding centre for wild Asian elephants located in the village of Pinnawala, 13 km northeast of the town of Kegalle in Sabaragamuwa Province. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world.

Transfer to the hotel and check-in. In the evening, visit Minneriya National Park.

Minneriya National Park: The park is located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa. Covering an area of 8,890 hectares, the park is an ideal place to observe elephants and leopards. During the dry season, the Minneriya basin becomes the ideal place to observe natural wildlife. The park is home to 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 75 species of butterflies, 9 species of amphibians, 26 species of fish and 25 species of reptiles.

Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, depart for Sigiriya.

Visit Sigiriya: This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a spectacular rock fortress, is one of Sri Lanka's main attractions. The most impressive features of this unique complex are the water gardens, the frescoes of beautiful maidens, the mirror wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion Platform and the 1.6-hectare summit, which was entirely covered with buildings during Sigiriya's heyday. Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD), the ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres above the shrubby jungle.

Village Trek: Take a stroll through this traditional Sri Lankan village. The trek begins with a picturesque walk along an artificial reservoir dam, known as a 'wewa'. The amazing birdlife, butterflies and potential crocodile sightings only add to the trek's charm. Watch the villagers going about their morning tasks, such as fishing or washing clothes on the edge of the lake. You will then wade through a shallow stream and cross a wider tributary. Enjoy the humble hospitality of the farmer, who will advise you on picking fresh vegetables from the plot.

Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, continue on to Kandy and visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and Spice Garden along the way.

Dambulla Cave Temple: Dating back to the 1st century BC, this remarkable complex of five caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Used as a refuge by an ancient king, the caves are adorned with images of Buddha carved into the living rock, including a colossal 15-metre figure. Rock inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BC and murals, mostly from the Kandy period in the early 19th century, further enhance the historical significance of this impressive site.

After completing the tour, continue to Kandy and visit the Matale Spice Garden on the way.

Spice Garden: The island has been famous for its spices since medieval times, which is considered one of the main reasons why the island was conquered by Europeans and why Arabs traded there from the 14th century onwards. One of the most interesting features is the opportunity to identify the real spice plants that you know so well from your daily life. A qualified guide will give a tour of the garden and present its products. You can also enjoy a special head and shoulder massage at the spice garden.

Check in at the hotel.

In the evening, you can take a tuk-tuk ride and tour the city of Kandy. Visit a batik factory, a gemstone museum and the ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’ in Kandy.

Temple of the Tooth Relic: This beautiful, exotic city is the capital of the hills and the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that retains an aura of grandeur unaffected by time. Surrounded by hills and boasting a tranquil lake at its centre, the city is home to the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses a sacred tooth relic of Buddha, as well as the Royal Botanical Gardens, which boast one of the world's finest orchid collections. You can also enjoy traditional dance performances in Kandy.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After a fresh breakfast, head to Nuwara Eliya where you can see tea pickers at work in the tea plantations. You can visit the tea plantation and experience walking among the soft tea bushes and talking to the tea pickers.

Tea factory: Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest tea exporters, with a thriving tea industry dominating the central highlands of the island. Introduced to the country by British tea planter James Taylor in 1867, tea has irreversibly changed the topography and even the demographics of the country. You can experience tea picking with rural tea pickers. PLEASE NOTE: factories are closed on Sundays and full moon days. On Mondays, activities are limited, as picking does not take place on Sundays because an extra day is needed to collect the tea leaves.

Check in at the hotel.

In the evening, you can take a guided tour of Nuwara Eliya, including Victoria Park, the pink post office and St. Claire's Falls.

Boat trip on Lake Gregory: This is a major attraction used for water sports and recreational activities. Holidaymakers can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the park's paved walkways, boat rides or swan-shaped pedal boats. There are pony rides around the lake and numerous fast food stalls.

Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, continue to Yala and visit Ravana Falls on the way.

Check in at the hotel.

In the evening, enjoy the wild experience of Yala National Park in a 4x4 jeep.

Yala National Park: The park is a huge area of forest, grasslands and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean in the south-east of the country. It is home to wild animals such as leopards, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of species of birds. Magul Maha Viharaya is also home to ancient Buddhist ruins. Both are places of pilgrimage.

Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Galle and visit the Kataragama Temple along the way.

Turtle hatchery on the beach: The turtle hatchery project on Bentota Beach is another important attraction. Up to five endangered species of turtles have long frequented part of this unspoilt beach. The turtles are allowed to hatch and thrive in a protected area before being released.

Check in at the hotel in Galle. In the evening, you can take a walk around Galle Fort.

Galle Fort: The fort was built in 1588 by the Portuguese and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural monument which, even after more than 432 years, retains a well-kept appearance, thanks to the extensive reconstruction work carried out by the Sri Lanka Department of Archaeology.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Colombo Airport (CMB).

Please note: You must be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure. Please check your flight schedule in advance to arrange your transfer to the airport accordingly.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation in double rooms.

Hotels are classified as 4-star and 5-star according to local standards. The services provided may not be equivalent to European 4-star and 5-star standards.

Hotels may be changed depending on availability. However, we always endeavour to re-accommodate you in hotels of a similar category.

Please note that triple rooms are usually double rooms with an extra bed. This type of bed may be less comfortable than a standard bed and reduces the space available in the room.

TRANSPORT / TRANSFERS

The flight from Delhi (DEL) to Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB) is included.

Airport/hotel/airport transfers in the programme are included.

Transfers included in the programme are in air-conditioned vehicles.