India Snapshot - 6 Days

Welcome to India, a country that requires little introduction. This vast subcontinent is a tapestry of unrivaled cultures, offering phenomenal cuisine, warm hospitality, remarkable diversity, and immersive architecture shaped by religion, pride, patriotism, and history.

Arrive throughout the day, get an airport transfer and meet your group leader at your hotel in the heart of New Delhi. Tonight, you’ll venture out as a group for your welcome dinner and your first chance to sample that famous Indian cuisine.

After breakfast, you'll head out with your local guide through the streets of Delhi and get your first real introduction to Indian life. The first stop is a beautiful Sikh Temple, where your local legend will educate you on this important religion and culture. Next, step into the huge community kitchen, where Sikhs provide free meals to residents of the city, every day. Watch how thousands of chapatis are made and stir the giant curry pots yourself.

After lunch, you'll visit the illustrious Lotus Temple and wander through the gardens. You'll head inside the Temple for a moment of silence and reflect on your reasons for visiting this great country.

In the evening, you will be transferred to Old Delhi, a chaotic city lost in time. Your guide will educate the group on the area and fill your bellies with Indian sweets and snacks. You will then be taken by rickshaws (similar to Tuk-Tuks) through Chandni Chowk to Mutton Street. Chandni Chowk, known as the "Moonlit Market," is a bustling hub of vibrant bazaars, eclectic stalls, and historic shrines, embodying the essence of Old Delhi's dynamic lifestyle. During the tour, you'll enjoy some of the most delicious skewers and Islamic food available.

After breakfast, you'll transfer to Agra by train and check into your hotel. In the afternoon you will take Tuk Tuks to a quiet garden south of the Taj Mahal to view this magnificent structure away from the crowds at sunset. This serene setting offers a much quieter and unique way to appreciate this spectacular building.

Tomorrow, you'll head inside, but today is all about enjoying the beauty that this monument has to offer. You'll grab dinner in the evening and get an early night as we are up for sunrise tomorrow.

It's an early start today as you wake up at the crack of dawn to head to the Taj Mahal to beat the crowds and experience it in almost perfect silence. Your new local guide will show you the best spots to see the building, where Princess Diana took that famous shot and of course the fascinating story of romance behind one of the world’s most recognisable buildings. As you head inside, learn all the secrets that most people don’t know about what makes the Taj Mahal so special. Afterwards, you'll head back to the hotel for breakfast and then take a bus to Jaipur.

Jaipur, also known as the pink city, is truly a feast for the eyes. The stunning palaces, majestic forts, and lush royal gardens showcase the grandeur of this 18th-century city. The pastel pink heritage buildings are set against vibrant bazaars. The local food is equally colorful with unique flavors. The locals' colorful outfits, unique jewelry, and love for folk songs and dances make this Pink City a treasure of Rajasthani culture.

This evening, watch a Bollywood movie the way the director intended it to be watched, in one of the grandest theatres in the world.

After breakfast in the hotel, your guide will take you on an orientation walk of the old town. You'll visit the local market, understand the origins of the “Pink City,” meet some locals and market traders and learn all about the spices that are synonymous with Indian cooking. You'll also view the excellent Palace of the Winds - Jaipur's signature palace made of red and pink sandstone.

Next, jump in some Tuk Tuks to visit Galta-Ji, also known as the Monkey Temple. This temple, built into the hills, is home to hundreds of grey long-tailed Asian monkeys. You will have the rest of the day free to explore the other sites of Jaipur.

After breakfast, your Snapshot India tour come to an end. It’s time to say goodbye to the rest of the group who are on our 14-Day Tour and will be heading to the holy city of Pushkar today. If you're not continuing your journey from here you'll have the option of jumping on the train back to Delhi. (This can be pre-booked when you book your Snapshot tour)