Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond with Dubai & Varanasi

16 days
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Group Tour
Discover India, a diverse country filled with a long history, a variety of languages, amazing monuments, and a rich cultural heritage. But first, stop off in Dubai to spend time discovering its many souks (markets) and explore this exciting city on your own. Then, head to India to visit some of its most famous sights and get to know the culture through specia...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Dubai : Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the spice souk, the gold souk, and the Burj Khalifa; Host service during your stay
    • Delhi: Visit Qutub Minar, Humayan’s Tomb, and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar; welcome dinner with Indian cooking demonstration
    • Agra : Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise by tonga, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri
    • Bharatpur–ranthambore national park: Travel by train
    • Ranthambore national park : Three game drives by open-air, 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle
    • Jaipur: Home-hosted dinner with Indian noble family featuring a sari- and turban-tying demonstration; visit Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, the City Palace & Museum, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal
    • Varanasi : Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the ghats for the Ganga Aarti; boat ride on the Ganges to see the Hindu bathing ritual; excursion to Sarnath; Host service during your stay
    • Discover India, a diverse country filled with a long history, a variety of languages, amazing monuments, and a rich cultural heritage
    • But first, stop off in Dubai to spend time discovering its many souks (markets) and explore this exciting city on your own

What's this trip about?

    Discover India, a diverse country filled with a long history, a variety of languages, amazing monuments, and a rich cultural heritage. But first, stop off in Dubai to spend time discovering its many souks (markets) and explore this exciting city on your own. Then, head to India to visit some of its most famous sights and get to know the culture through special experiences. Of course, you’ll visit the Taj Mahal, built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife. Built from 1631-1648 AD, he employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen as well as a labor force of 20,000. You’ll get the chance to see this amazing structure at sunrise, plus Agra Fort, the 16th-century red sandstone fortress where Moghul rulers lived. In 1876, Jaipur was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, and it has been known as the “Pink City” ever since. Here, visit the Amber Fort, built in 1592 with white marble and red sandstone. Remarkable structures are just part of India’s appeal. On this India tour, you’ll enjoy a rickshaw ride through a colorful local bazaar (a unique adventure included by Globus), a cooking demonstration of Indian food, and a home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family—an out-of-the-ordinary experience offered by Globus. Another tour highlight is a visit to Ranthambore National Park. Here, three game drives give you an opportunity to see native wildlife, including the elusive leopard and Bengal tiger. If you’re interested in the different religions in India, you’ll get a chance to learn more. Visit Sarnath, the “Cradle of Buddhism,” where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. In Varanasi, board a boat to watch the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges. Observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge. These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this spectacular India tour with Dubai and Varanasi. It’s a dream vacation!

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Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityARRIVE IN DUBAI
End CityDELHI

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

ARRIVE IN DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Welcome to Dubai! Your hotel room is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

DUBAI. This morning, your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING begins with a WALKING TOUR through the narrow lanes of the historic Bastakiya Quarter. Next, explore the souks (markets), including the SPICE SOUK with its aromas of exotic spices, and the GOLD SOUK with its 220 gli...

Day 3

DUBAI. Enjoy a full day at your leisure. Your Local Host will be happy to make suggestions on how to make the most of your time. (B)

Day 4

DUBAI-DELHI, INDIA. Today, fly to Delhi, India’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. (B)

Day 5

DELHI. Today’s sightseeing starts with an orientation to see the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace. Afterward, take a [LF] RICKSHAW RIDE through Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Here, ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops...

Day 6

DELHI–AGRA. This morning, visit QUTUB MINAR, the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Next, visit HUMAYUN’S TOMB and GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB, Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship). After lunch, drive to Agra and settle in for the evening. (B,L)

Day 7

AGRA. Start your day with a sunrise visit to the incomparable TAJ MAHAL, an extravagant marble monument to love. Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth. Later, travel by TONGA (horse-drawn carriage) to AGRA FO...

Day 8

AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK. Today, stop at FATEHPUR SIKRI (the City of Victory), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century it was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years before it was completely abandon...

Day 9

RANTHAMBORE. Today, explore the park on MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES in open-air, 4-wheel-drive safari vehicles. In addition to Bengal tigers, the park is home to leopard, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyena, and more. Between game drives, enjoy free time to relax. (B,L,D)

Day 10

RANTHAMBORE–JAIPUR. Rise early this morning for one last GAME DRIVE in this magical land. Then, travel to Jaipur. In 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, and it has been known as the “Pink City” ever since. Tonight, enjoy a [LF] HOME-HOSTED DINNER with an Indian noble family, followed by a SARI- and TURBAN-TYING demonstration. (B,D)

Day 11

JAIPUR. Today, visit the amazing AMBER FORT, built entirely of white marble and red sandstone. Tour the interior with its intricate mosaics, carvings, paintings, and mirror works. This afternoon, visit the CITY PALACE and the adjoining MUSEUM, which houses a collectio...

Day 12

JAIPUR–DELHI. Fly back to Delhi this morning and prepare for your journey home. (B)

Day 13

DELHI–VARANASI. Today, fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. This evening, your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING witnesses the GANGA AARTI (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the Ganges. (B)

Day 14

VARANASI. Around dawn, board a BOAT and watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindus’ devotional bathing in the Ganges. Observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. Return t...

Day 15

VARANASI–DELHI. Enjoy the morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi. (B)

Day 16

DELHI. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,459
Price per day$216
Last Updated: 11/13/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Globus.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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When in Rome—or London, Paris, or Barcelona—we arrange for you to do as the locals do, not just what the tourists do. In every itinerary, we include hands-on, authentic experiences for a true taste of a day in the life. Board a private water taxi through the Grand Canal of Venice, bake scones in an Irish farmhouse, or sample Geysir Schnapps in Iceland. By striking a golf ball at St. Andrews or dancing the Sirtaki while sipping ouzo, you truly get to step into someone else’s shoes and experience the world from an insider’s perspective.

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Maybe you’re an art lover, a foodie, or a history buff. Perhaps you’re moved by music, art, cuisine, or theater. Or maybe making tracks in the great outdoors is more your speed. We offer a wide array of optional excursions and activities—tailored to a variety of fitness levels and interests—so you can customize your adventure with your own personal passions and preferences. Each Globus excursion and activity has been personally tested by us and handpicked to allow you to really get to know each destination. You never have to choose between included and optional excursions, since optional activities fit seamlessly with your vacation schedule!

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Logistics

Accommodation

Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road This centrally located hotel is just minutes from Dubai's famous sites. After a day of exploration, take in the impressive city views from the rooftop pool and lounge, or dine at one of several onsite international restaurants. Dubai United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Rd Le Meridien New Delhi Ideally located in the heart of New Delhi, the luxurious Le Meridien New Delhi stands tall over the historic landscape of Lutyen's Delhi. The hotel features a sophisticated and modern design, and sweeping views of New Delhi. Delhi India Windsor Place, New Delhi Trident, Agra The Trident, Agra is set amidst beautiful gardens, fountains, landscaped central courtyards, and built of red stone reminiscent of the Mughal era. The hotel is literally, a stone's throw away from one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Agra India Tajnagri Scheme Dev Vilas Dev Vilas inspires romance and adventure, recreating the atmosphere of the hunting lodges of the Maharajas. Set amidst guava and mango orchards, and adjacent to 13th Century monuments, it offers breathtaking view of the Aravali hills of Ranthambore. Conscious of the environment, Del Vilas sourced all materials and craftspeople locally, allowing for a unique and memorable experience. Rajasthan India Village Khilchipur / Ranthambhore Road / Sawai Madhopur Jaipur Marriott Hotel Experience a winning combination of traditional luxury and modern convenience at the Jaipur Marriott Hotel. Entrenched in the cultural legacy of India's Pink City, Jaipur India Ashram Marg, Near Jawahar Circle, Rajasthan Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport This comfortable hotel is located near the airport and just a 5 minute walk to the Aero City metro station, offering convenient access to the city. Delhi India Asset Area 12, Hospitality District Aerocity The Gateway Hotel Ganges Varanasi Featured among the top hotels in the city, The Gateway Hotel Varanasi is nestled amidst 40 acres of lush gardens. Enjoy their outdoor pool, fitness center, restaurants and bar. De-stress with their rejuvenating Spa therapies. Inspired by the principles and practices of yoga and yogic lifestyle, the unique experiences infuses your mind, body, and soul with positive energy. Varanasi India Nadesar Palace Ground Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Transportation & Flights

Participation in this tour requires a purchase of additional local flights. ,
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
OD|Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond ODY6|Add Southern India & Nepal to Your Vacation
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