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Diwali, Festival of Lights

8 days

Combine a tour of the famous Golden Triangle with the vibrant Festival of Light, Diwali. Celebrate the victory of light over darkness as India illuminates with colourful lights, lanterns and liveliness aplenty.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

8 days

Starts

Delhi

Ends

Delhi

Range

Signature

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 24

Minimum age

15 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

26th Oct 2024

Hotel Rating

3 - 4 star & heritage hotels

Countries

India

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 7, Dinner: 2
Per person from
R 23,005.00
Total From
R 46,010.00
Deposit From
Final payment
R 10,000.00
R 41,010.00

Tour Highlights

The Taj Mahal – Explore India’s most famous site with a guided tour of the legendary Taj Mahal, an enduring symbol of love
Diwali – Celebrate the colourful Festival of Lights with the locals in Jaipur and enjoy a delicious Indian dinner
Delhi – Ride on a rickshaw around the Chandni Chowk Bazaar and tour highlights of the city including Jama Masjid and the Rajpath
Jaipur – Visit the beautiful City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Space Observatory as we tour the Pink City
Amber Fort – Enjoy a visit to this impressive 16th century fortress and explore each of its four levels
Karauli or Dholpur – Spend the night at the Maharaja’s Palace Bhanwar Vilas in Karauli or the Raj Niwas Palace in Dholpur
Agra – Discover striking Agra Fort and explore behind its fortified sandstone walls

Included

7 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels
Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
Diwali - Visit to local markets and temple, fireworks and a traditional dinner
Guided sightseeing - Delhi, Jaipur and Agra
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
Travel by jeep to beautiful Amber Fort in Jaipur
Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more)
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 (For departures in 2024 a departure airport transfer is provided on day 8)
Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: USD$70-80pp, paid in local currency
Tipping Kitty: USD$20-30pp, paid in local currency
Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or unsure, about when, or how much, to tip. However, in the places you will visit, tipping makes up a significant part of many people's wages so it's important that we get it right. For this reason we've developed a very simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping. With our 'tipping made easy' policy, a nominal pre-determined amount is collected from all group tour participants to cover tips en route. This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support staff through the tour. Our 'tipping made easy' doesn't include a tip to your group tour leader. Naturally, though, the amount is up to you as tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi

Saturday 26th October 2024. On arrival in Delhi you are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore India’s capital at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel 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.

Overnight: Delhi

Day 2 - Old & New Delhi

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.

Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Taj Mahal

Agra. Today we will tour of the legendary Taj Mahal, India’s most famous site. This iconic white monument was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century in memory of his beloved wife. It is perhaps the most extravagant symbol of love the world has ever seen and has no rival. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the sunrise or sunset over the magnificent mausoleum so make sure to take plenty of photos!

We will also visit the impressive Agra Fort, which boasts some of India's finest Mughal buildings behind its fortified walls.

Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Karauli or Dholpur

Agra - Karauli/Dholpur. This morning, we drive to either Karauli or Dholpur. 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.

Overnight: Karauli or Dholpur
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Jaipur

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.

Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Jaipur

Jaipur. What better way to kick off the day with an optional hot air balloon ride? Booked and paid locally, see trip notes for further information.

Afterwards, enjoy a breezy jeep ride to Amber Fort, a 16th century fortress laid out over four levels, and overlooking the glistening Maota Lake. Known for its artistic architecture, the palace is built with pearly-white marble, and pale yellow and pink sandstone. The remainder of the day is at your own leisure, why not opt to explore the Johari Bazaar in the Old Pink City.

Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Diwali in Delhi

Jaipur - Delhi. Today we drive back to Delhi. This is what you've been waiting for - the Festival of Lights, Diwali. Diwali is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, so you can be sure to see every market and building adorned with colourful lights and lanterns. There's plenty to do - from perusing the markets, to visiting the nearby temple, where locals will be offering prayers to their deities.

After visiting a local temple, we enjoy a traditional Indian dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel and soak up the Diwali experience.

Overnight: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Delhi

Saturday 2nd November 2024. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer is included today for departures in 2024. If you are travelling in 2025 this can be booked for an additional supplement if required.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Reviews

I was picked up and dropped back to aerport. Perfect. The hotels excellent. All staff very accountable and accomondating. Overall no complaints.

The holiday was amazing, from beginning to the end. Yusof was so knowledgeable about the history and present time India. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He was still answering questions 10 o clock at night. He made the Diwali festival so enjoyable, he took us to a restaurant with entertainment, with dancers and fireworks. Yusof was brilliant.

Yusuf was one of the best part of the whole trip. He was knowledgable, professional and nothing was ever too much trouble.

Dear Charlie, I would like to say that I had a wonderful time in India with on the Go Tours and that Sammi was an excellent tour guide, he gave us lots of useful advice, an insight into Indian life and customs, and furthermore he also went out of his way to accommodate some people's needs. In addition, the people I shared the tour with were truly lovely. It was my first tour ever and I was truly happy with my choice, I will definitely recommend your company and Sammi.

Sammi was the perfect tour guide. I found his attentiveness very comforting and his knowledge of India really heightened my overall experience. He was always there to answer questions anyone had, and he was always very accommodating to the whole group. There were a few things that didn't go to plan but he always came up with alternatives that accommodated the group very well. He was very charming, polite and I enjoyed the stories he had to tell. I had a situation where my phone was lost on the last leg of the trip, and when the phone was found he arranged to have it delivered back to me. I was astonished by his efficiency and hospitality in this instance. On free time he was able to arrange any extra things we wanted to do and was happy to give any advice he thought we may have needed. I always felt safe and well looked after. Overall if I was to have Sammi as a guide again I would not be disappointed. If I was to choose to tour India again I would happily request Sammi as my guide. The tour itself was good for the amount of days we were on. The hotels were all of a good standard and I was happy of the amount I was able to see in such a short amount of time. All tour guides had a good knowledge of what was on the agenda and transport to and from locations was good. I would recommend this trip to others who wanted to see India on a budget and a short time frame.

Extras and add-ons

If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.

Pre-Tour Accommodation - Delhi

Double

R 1,025per passenger

Twin

R 1,025per passenger

Single

R 2,055per passenger

Post-Tour Accommodation - Delhi

Double

R 1,705per passenger

Twin

R 1,705per passenger

Single

R 3,205per passenger

Additional Excursions

Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.

Street food in Delhi | India
Backstreets of Delhi

Explore the vibrant and colourful streets of Old Delhi on this walking tour that takes you to some of the most famous and delicious spots in the city. This tour is the perfect way to experience the authentic, diverse cuisine and culture of Old Delhi.

R 2,415

per passenger

Delhi Airport Transfer One Way (per vehicle / max 2 persons)

R 1,065

per passenger

Tour Extensions

Extend your trip with our multi-day tour extensions, including accommodation, sightseeing and free time.

The Ganga River | Rishikesh | India
Gateway to the Gods

This add-on is a 4-day tour of Haridwar and Rishikesh that can be booked in conjunction with any of our India group tours, city breaks or private tours.

Double

R 8,775per passenger

Twin

R 8,775per passenger

Single

R 12,015per passenger

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.

Royale Regent Hotel
Agra

The stylish Royale Regent hotel offers views of the magnificent Taj Mahal from its rooftop pool, so guests can gaze at this World wonder while sipping on a cocktail and retreating from the hustle and bustle of the city. Each comfortable air-conditioned room features a minibar with tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV as well as excellent en-suite facilities. Guests can also enjoy an array of flavours in the onsite garden or mutli-cuisine restaurant.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Royale Sarovar Portico
Agra

Experience the best of Agra's offerings at Royale Sarovar Portico, located just a 10-minute drive from the iconic Taj Mahal. Indulge in rejuvenating massages or pampering manicures and pedicures. Enjoy delectable meals at Hibiscus, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. Unwind in the outdoor pool, socialize at the bar/lounge, or stay active at the fitness center. With free Wi-Fi throughout the property, this upscale property offers massage services, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center for a fulfilling stay.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Bhanwar Vilas Palace
Karauli

Built in 1938, this stunning property is the residence of the Maharaja (181st in the Royal Dynasty) and Maharani of Karauli. Both the architecture and furniture have been designed in fitting with colonial styles and the property offers a fantastic insight into the history and elegance of a bygone era. The property offers deluxe rooms and luxury suites, each including a range of modern amenities such as a mini bar, a well-appointed ensuite and a plush king-sized bed. In the evenings, guests can tuck into an array of regional specialties as well as international cuisine in the hotel's restaurant.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Standard Heritage
Raj Niwas Palace, Dholpur
Karauli

With vibrant history and a rich heritage, Dholpur Palace also known as Raj Niwas Palace, is a mesmerizing journey back in time. Once home to generations of Royals, this converted palace still reflects the magnificence of the Rajasthani architecture of that era. Guest rooms offer a refreshing mix of Indian heritage and modern facilities including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a mini bar. Set in 13 acres of garden, the Palace grounds are full of peacock and bird life that nip over from the National Chambal Sanctuary nearby.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Standard Heritage
Royal Orchid Central
Jaipur

The regal and grand Royal Orchid Central in Jaipur offers modern and elegant accommodation with a stunning rooftop pool an award winning Chinese restaurant. The comfortable rooms overlook the city skyline and are furnished in a contemporary fashion. Wi-Fi is available throughout and there is also an onsite coffee shop. Perfectly located in the centre of Jaipur close to the railway station and other transport hubs.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Park Inn by Radisson New Delhi
Delhi

Set in the heart of one of the most popular neighbourhoods of Delhi, the Park Inn by Radisson offers a comfortable stay in India’s bustling capital. With contemporary guestrooms which feature en suite bathrooms, high speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning and flat screen TVs. Enjoy al fresco dining and drinks at the 24-hour RBG Bar & Grill, which serves tasty traditional Indian fare and international cuisine. After a busy day of sightseeing, unwind with a swim in the hotel's sparkling pool or work up a sweat in the fitness centre. Ideally located just 20 minutes from the airport and a short walk from a metro station, it's easy to reach popular sites such as the Lotus Temple, India Gate and Connaught Place.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.

2025
Twin/Double
Single
16 Oct - 23 Oct
R 23,005
R 35,175

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