10D9N WELLNESS IN NORTHERN INDIA
This perfect journey will give you the best that India has to offer – culture, delectable cuisine, the one and only Taj, spirituality in Varanasi, and rejuvenation in the Himalayas.
Exceptional Experiences:
- Stay overnight in the former residence of Jaipur royalty, the breathtaking Rambagh Palace.
- Take an exciting rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys and also visit India’s largest mosque, built by the Mughal Emperors.
- Take part in a hands-on lesson in ancient Indian astrology
- Participate in the holistic wellness programmes offered by Ananda.
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Itinerary:
DAY 1 SINGAPORE – DELHI
Arrive Delhi by SQ 406 at 19:55 hrs. Upon arrival, you will be met by local representative at arrival hall, who be holding placard with your name on it. You will be assisted and transferred to your hotel. After going through the next day program he will sign off for the day.
Overnight at 5* Taj Palace or similar
https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/
DAY 2 DELHI (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will visit the walled city of Old Delhi. In contrast to the newer city, the former Imperial capital is a maze of lanes crowded with shops, crumbling havelies (mansions), in the midst of which lies one of the country’s largest mosques. You will walk through the narrow lanes of the 300-year-old Chandni Chowk market. Today it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewelry, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables. Apothecaries sell home grown medicinal items, and roadside dentists display their bizarre array of equipment and false teeth. This is an excellent introduction to the organized chaos which is quintessentially Indian. You will disembark at the Jama Masjid, believed to be the largest mosque in India and which was Shah Jahan’s last architectural legacy. You also have an opportunity to experience rickshaw ride. Lunch will be served at local restaurant
Post lunch, you will explore the New Delhi - As a complete contrast to the medieval Old Delhi. New Delhi stands in formal splendor. It is a city of wide boulevards which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens) and India Gate. In New Delhi you will also visit Humanyun's Tomb which was built in the 16th century and architecturally considered the fore runner of the Taj Mahal.
Overnight at 5* Taj Palace or similar
https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/
DAY 3 DELHI – AGRA (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, you will be met and transferred to train station to board the train to Agra.
By Train: Gatimaan Express (12050) – Depart Delhi 08:10hrs / Arrive Agra 09:50hrs – Executive Class
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and guide and proceed to visit Agra Fort (Red Fort) and Itmad-Ud-Daula.Agra Fort, which started as a fort but was completed as a beautiful fort palace. The work highlights the Mughal’s ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in a part of this fort that Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters where he was confined, has a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna. Later visit Itmad ud Daulah, which is the third of Agra’s great monuments. It was the first Mughal building to use the craft of facing buildings with white marble and decorating them with inlaid semi-precious stones, and art which reached its zenith in the Taj Mahal. Though lacking the grandeur and artistry of the Taj Mahal, Itmad ud Daulah it is small, intimate and serene. Transfer back to hotel, lunch will be served at hotel / local restaurant.
Evening visit The Taj Mahal at sunset – a monument of love built by Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years 20,000 men labored day and night to build this masterpiece, which has held the world awe struck ever since. The Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world.
Overnight at 5* IT C Mughal or similar
DAY 4 AGRA – JAIPUR (B/L/D)
0730hrs: Breakfast at hotel. Early morning re-visits The Taj Mahal at sunrise before returning to hotel for breakfast, after breakfast drive to Jaipur which takes approx. 5 hours. En route you may stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri – a deserted erstwhile Mughal capital, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to a scarcity of water. Here you will see the city's many graceful buildings, which include the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti and the Panch Mahal. Lunch at local restaurant. Post lunch, continue drive onto Jaipur. Check-in at hotel upon arrival.
Overnight at 5* Samode Haveli or similar
http://www.samode.com/samodehaveli/
DAY 5 JAIPUR (B/L/D)
Morning after breakfast, excursion to visit Amber Fort. Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers. Belonging to the Hindu “Kshatriya” or warrior class, they believed in the line from the sacred holy book, the Purana that “a fort is the strength of a king”. They built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan; some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces. Amber is one of the finest examples of a fort palace, built similar in style to the surrounding richly decorated Mughal courts. Continue your tour to Anokhi Museum. Lunch at local restaurant. Post Lunch city tour of Jaipur. Visit the sprawling City Palace, it is a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The seven stories Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems). Within the palace complex are several museums including an interesting textile gallery exhibiting a fine selection of textiles and costumes from the royal collection.
From the City Palace you enter the extraordinary “Jantar Mantar”, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1827. Roughly translated the name means “The Formula of Instruments”. This is one of five observatories he built in northern India. The instruments resembling massive futuristic structures are actually highly sophisticated instruments which are accurate even today. Evening private cooking session followed by dinner at a local family.
Overnight at 5* Samode Haveli or similar
http://www.samode.com/samodehaveli/
DAY 6 JAIPUR – DEHRADUN – ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS (B/L/D)
Morning after breakfast, you will be met and transferred to airport for your Spice Jet flight to Dehradun.
By Flight: Jaipur / Dehradun – SG3467 – 06:45 / 08:15 hrs – Economy Class
On arrival in Dehradun, you will be met by your chauffeur from Ananda –In the Himalayas and driven approx. 45 minutes to Ananda. Lying in the shadows of the Himalayan Foothills, Ananda is a luxury destination spa. The main building which houses the public area and the restaurants was the former palace of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, as this area is called. Arrive and check-in at your hotel
Overnight at 5* Ananda – In the Himalayas
https://www.anandaspa.com/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GoogleMyBussiness
DAY 7 ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS (B/L/D)
Afternoon, you will have option of exploring Rishikesh. Cradled by forested hills, the Ganges cutting across the town on the start of its long journey through the plains of India, Rishikesh is known as the home of yoga. The ashrams, temples, and Ghats are popular with both local and overseas pilgrims. There is much to see in Rishikesh, and the most peaceful stretch is across the suspension bridge. The Lakshman Jula. It’s a pleasant 2km walk along the banks to Shivanad jhula. You will pass many shops selling Hindu items used in worship, pleasant cafes, see Sadhus and yogis mediating on the banks. You will watch the beautiful evening “aarti” ceremony on the banks of the Ganges before returning to your resort.
Overnight at 5* Ananda – In the Himalayas
https://www.anandaspa.com/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GoogleMyBussiness
DAY 8 ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS (B/L/D)
Full day at the retreat.
Overnight at 5* Ananda – In the Himalayas
https://www.anandaspa.com/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GoogleMyBussiness
DAY 9 ANANDA – DEHRADUN – DELHI (B/-/-)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Dehradun airport by chauffeur from Ananda for your Indigo flight to Delhi.
By Flight: Dehradun / Delhi – 6E 963 – 18:10 / 19:05 hrs – Economy Class
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by local representative at arrival hall, you will be assisted and transferred to your airport hotel.
Overnigt at 5* Pullman Aerocity or similar
https://www.pullmannewdelhi.com/
DAY 10 DEPART DELHI (B/-/-)
Day at leisure (Late check-out at 1800hrs). Evening departure transfer to airport for your flight SQ403 at 21:45hrs.
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Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect on the tour but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored based on the interests of the group.
This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.