This 4-day extension tour explores India's rich cultural heritage in the Central region. Visit Jaipur for a view of old and modern India, as well as numerous ancient ruins located throughout the city. Make a list of all your experiences and use them to inspire you to write your own version of The Jungle Book. Visit Varanasi, the greatest Hindu pilgrimage site for centuries, and watch the Ganges for a magnificent Aarti (prayer) ceremony, the shimmering bacon of devotion, before returning to New Delhi.
Highlights
Visit the Amber Fort, the most iconic monument in Jaipur.
Walk through the mystical landscape of poets, sacred temples, holy ponds near Assi ghat, in the southernmost of the Ganga river.
Ride a boat for a spiritually enlightening and picturesque Varanasi leading down to the water on the western bank of the Ganges.
Witness religious rituals being performed in Varanasi and Ganges.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Jaipur: The capital city of Rajasthan, also known as "Pink City" owes its name, its foundation, and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city sits on a dry lakebed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenelated walls.
After the city tour, transfer to Jaipur Airport for a flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi or Benaras (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. The Varanasi's Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages and believes to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.
In the evening, visit the Ganges for a glittering Aarti (prayer) ceremony and witness the ceremony as a shining beacon of devotion and bliss the divinity in and around us. Witness this religious ritual is performed and a truly unique experience. The magical quality of the evening begins with a slow upriver float from Assi Ghat as the sun cascades across the city skyline. Aarti ceremony begins with lighting up the multi-tiered ceremonial brass lamps and a well-synchronized and rhythmic chanting of the holy mantras. While some priests blow the conch shells to sanctify the atmosphere, other priests begin waving the incense sticks to worship Mother Ganga.
The Subah or morning Banaras! Get up early at the crack of dawn with us for this boat journey. Spiritually enlightening and fantastic photogenic, Varanasi is at its brilliant best by the ghats, the long stretch of steps leading down to the water on the western bank of the Ganges. Observe the living traditions of one of the oldest religions. Ride a boat from Assi Ghat to Manikarnika ghat will be conducted to enjoy a beautiful & colorful view of River Ganga in mellow light and watch pilgrims perform morning -a prayer to the rising sun. Be amazed by the color palette that surrounded, like the red and golden color of the water of the Ganges, temples, ‘ashrams’, and pavilions. Venture again down the Ghats as much less crowded than the evening before, going back to Assi Ghat to witness the morning Aarti (prayer). Get back on the boat and cruise down to Kedar Mandir. As Varanasi wakes up, watch the many priests coming to the banks for their rituals and many children taking their morning baths.
Historical Walk – Southern Temples & Sacred Ponds Walk A walk through the mystical landscape of poets, sacred temples, holy ponds near Assi ghat, the southernmost embankment of the Holy Ganga river, walk in the footsteps of 16th century Banaras poet and mystic PanditGoswamiTulsidas, translator of the sacred Ramanyana text. Listen about the history and unique culture of Varanasi while visiting the Southern temple established by Tulsidas! The walk ends with a special darshan, meaning (taking sight) of a hidden sun temple behind his home. In the late evening, walk through the city of learning & burning and see Banaras when it is known as (Mahashamstana), the great cremation ground of Shiva.
Early morning yoga session at Ghat: Yoga presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical, and supernatural elements. According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates the soul from the human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. Experience early morning Yoga sessions on these Ghats by the yoga masters of Varanasi. Be ready to witness the liberating embrace of Mother Nature as you breathe the fresh early morning air and practice yoga which in itself is rejuvenating for the senses.
On-time departure transfer to airport to board the flight for New Delhi.
Day 4: New Delhi | Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight going home/onward journey.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% (20% is non-refundable at the time of booking), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.