Delhi to Colombo

Saturday. Namaste! Welcome to Delhi. On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel to spend the rest of today at leisure. This evening meet the guide and rest of the group at the hotel lobby at 18:00 for a welcome meeting.

For those able to arrive very early today or the day prior, why not get off the beaten track and explore Old Delhi with us on our optional 'Backstreets of Delhi' add-on tour. You will get to relish the taste of various street foods, from savoury to sweet. Along the way, visit Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in India and the colourful Bazar Matia Mahal, located opposite the majestic Jama Masjid Mosque. The tour will combine a mixture of metro, electric rickshaw and walking to get around.

Delhi - Agra. This morning we enjoy a packed day of sightseeing in Old and New Delhi. Check out the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb and Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque. Visit the iconic Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its community kitchen feeding 25,000-30,000 people daily. We also enjoy a thrilling rickshaw ride around the Chandni Chowk bazaar and explore New Delhi. Walk down the Rajpath, formerly known as the ‘King’s Way’ and see the famous India Gate monument.

This afternoon, we will drive to Agra. After checking into the hotel, enjoy a group Namaste dinner for departures in 2024. Please note there is no dinner included for departures in 2025.

This morning, we'll visit the legendary Taj Mahal, India's most renowned monument. Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tribute to his beloved wife, this iconic white marble mausoleum is an unparalleled symbol of love and devotion, standing as one of the most extraordinary architectural masterpieces in the world. Be sure to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience with plenty of photos!

Following our visit to the Taj Mahal, we’ll journey to the impressive Agra Fort. This massive red sandstone fortress houses some of India's most exquisite Mughal buildings, all safeguarded behind its towering fortified walls. It’s a site rich with history and grandeur, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Mughal era.

Agra - Karauli/Dholpur. This morning we journey to either Karauli or Dholpur stopping for lunch en route.

In Karauli, we will stay in the beautiful Palace Bhanwar Vilas. An eclectic melding of both Oriental and Art Deco architecture, the heritage-listed hotel was built in 1938 as a family home of the Maharaja of Jaipur. In Dholpur, we will stay at the magnificent Raj Niwas Palace, which is known for its red sandstone, traditional Rajisthani architecture, and European-style ceramics. It's said that this heritage-listed hotel was built by the Maharaja to welcome HRH Albert Edward, who visited in 1876.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring the grounds, perhaps check out the vintage cars or take a dip in the swimming pools. This evening, you can also opt to attend the evening Aarti (prayer).

Please note: Lunch will be included in 2024. Please note there is no lunch included for departures in 2025, instead you will have time to enjoy lunch at your own expense.

Karauli/Dholpur - Jaipur. This morning we hit the road towards the vibrant UNESCO listed Pink City of Jaipur. On arrival, we will spend the afternoon on a tour of the illustrious City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Space Observatory, which features 19 separate astrological instruments.

Jaipur. Early this morning why not experience an optional hot-air balloon ride (booked and paid locally, see trip notes for further information). Later, enjoy a jeep ride to Amber Fort for a guided tour and visit a cotton weaving house for an authentic demonstration of fabric dyeing. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, why not opt to explore the Johari Bazaar in the Old Pink City.

Jaipur - Delhi. This morning we return to Delhi where the rest of the day is free to relax in the hotel or explore. Perhaps visit the impressive Red Fort and see its famous Sound and Light Show after dark.

Delhi - Colombo. We say goodbye to India today. Make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. On arrival you’ll be transferred to our hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Please note: The flight from Delhi - Colombo is not included in the cost of this tour. Sri Lankan Airlines fly direct. If you provide us with your flight details, we will be there to meet you at Colombo airport and transfer you to your hotel.

A departure transfer from Delhi to the Airport is included today for departures in 2024. If you are travelling in 2025 this can be booked for an additional supplement if required.

Colombo - Dambulla - Sigiriya. Visit a local market in Naramwela this morning and continue to the Dambulla Rock Temple, the largest and best-preserved temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are hundreds of paintings and statues of Buddha spread over the five impressive caves. The largest of these is a 14-metre statue, carved straight from the cave rock.

After our visit we continue to the iconic UNESCO-listed Sigiriya rock fortress, which is more than 1,500 years old. Explore the impressive Lion Gate, the upper palace and the mirror wall, which was once polished so clean that the king could see his own reflection. You can also see the famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens, reached by climbing a spiral stairway.

Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Kandy. Our first stop today is the ancient UNESCO-listed city of Polonnaruwa. See the 12th century Royal Palace and the famous rock cut temple of Gal Vihara. Admire the four giant rock carvings of Buddha in different positions - sitting, standing and reclining.

Later, enjoy a local hand tractor ride and a canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala and join a cookery demonstration in a local mud brick house. Feast on a delicious lunch of curry, dahl and spiced rice and then visit a spice garden in Matale. We’ll tour the gardens and there is the opportunity to buy local spices in the shop, which make excellent souvenirs. After our visit we continue to Kandy for the night.

Explore Kandy today with a guided sightseeing tour and take in highlights including the Temple of the Tooth - allegedly home to the relic of the tooth of Buddha. The tooth was historically important in local politics in Sri Lanka, as whoever held the relic oversaw the governance of the country. We also drive around Kandy Lake, visit a gem museum and stroll through a bustling local bazaar. We then enjoy an exhilarating tuk-tuk ride in the surrounding hills and marvel at the incredible scenery. Our final stop of the day is at Geragama Tea Factory to learn about the tea making process and taste a delicious cup of local tea

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. There is free time this morning to relax before we embark on a scenic train journey to Nuwara Eliya. The train winds along mountain passes and from lush jungle to sprawling tea plantations. Pass waterfalls and see beautiful suspension bridges before we arrive in Nuwara Eliya. The region is a popular hill resort and Sri Lanka’s most important tea producing region. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, known as ‘Little England’ due to its colonial past, which is still clearly visible.

Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Leaving Nuwara Eliya today, we travel to Udawalawe National Park and join a wildlife game drive this afternoon. The park is largely made up of grassland plains and you have a good chance of spotting rare species including elephants, leopards and the elusive Sri Lankan Sloth Bear.

Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. This morning we visit the Gem Mine and Museum at Ratnapura on our way back to Colombo. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gems in the world. We then enjoy a guided tour of Colombo and discover highlights of the Fort area including the government buildings. See the stunning Gangaramaya Temple and take a stroll through Galle Face Green, a popular park on the coast.

Saturday. Our tour comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to the airport.