Himalayan Clouds, India 2025 (Team Peacock)

Important information about the Taj Mahal (Pre) & Jaipur (Post) Combined Extensions extension

The Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri (Pre-Challenge Extension)

Come and marvel at the beauty of the Taj Mahal by taking the opportunity to explore this modern wonder of the world at sunrise. During your stay, you will also visit the inner citadel of Fatehpur Sikri, which boasts some of India’s best Mughal architecture including temples, monuments and a huge mosque. 

Day 1 (Thur 10th Apr) - Meet and Greet in Delhi Hotel by 5pm

Meet at the Delhi Hotel by 5pm for dinner and briefing on the next couple of days. (D) . Accommodation: Delhi 5* Hotel 

Day 2 (Fri 11th April) - Fatehpur Sikri & Optional Keoladeo NP Tour

A very early train transfer with breakfast on route from Delhi to Agra on the luxury early morning fast train. Your first stop is Fatehpur Sikri. This magnificent city was the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 before it was dramatically abandoned just 14 years later. Despite the desertion by its inhabitants, the city is perfectly preserved and the heart of the citadel remains very much alive. Lunch and then check in at the Maharaja Palace Hotel. Relax this afternoon enjoying the hotel grounds and pool or choose an optional tour (additional cost and paid on site) to Keoladeo National Park. 

Optional Tour: Keoladeo National Park which boasts 10,000 nests and 400 varieties of birds including spoonbills, kingfishers and painted storks. You will also spot mammals like the sambhar, Nilgai and fishing cat roaming freely. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the star of the show, the National Bird of India, the peacock.

This evening come together for a deliscious dinner at the Palace Hotel.  (B,L,D).

Day 3 (Sat 12th April) - Transfer back to Delhi

This morning rise early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise where you will have a couple hours to explore. The Taj Mahal is the marbled mausoleum of Emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife. Having been described as ‘the tear-drop on the cheek of time’, it is no surprise that the Taj Mahal was declared one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ in 2007. 

Transfer to the train station for the journey back to Delhi to meet the group in the Delhi Hotel.

Inclusions and Exclusions:

Included:
•    Taj Mahal entrance fees
•    Services of qualified English-speaking driver/guide
•    2 nights’ accommodation on a twin share on a full board basis (5* Hotel in Delhi and Maharaja Palace Hotel)
•    Transfers to and from each place of interest including Train Tickets (Full Passport details needed to book 5 months prior to departure)

Excluded:
•    Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
•    Tips for local team (we recommend you allow $6 per person for tipping your guide)
•    Transfer to Delhi hotel on arrival
•    Optional Keoladeo National Park Tour (Book and Pay on Site) 

Jaipur Extension (Post Challenge Extension)

Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the “pink city”. Jaipur is surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes.
Vegetable laden camel carts thread their way through the streets jam-packed with rickshaws, bicycles, tempos, motorcycles and pedestrians dodging the crazy traffic. Traditionally dressed Rajput men sporting bright turbans and swash-buckling moustaches discuss village politics outside restaurants and roadside stalls. Staying in a Heritage Maharaja’s Palace in Jaipur, you will spend a couple of days sightseeing and shopping in Jaipur. 

Day 9 (Sun 20th April)- Jaipur City Sightseeing 

Early morning transfer (4am) to Jaipur by Train. The city owes its name, its foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior- astronomer, Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743). In 1727, Jai Singh decided that the time was ripe to move down from the hillside Amber Fort to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls, according to principles set down in the “Shilpa-Shastra”, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. In 1728, he built the remarkable observatory (Jantar Mantar) which is still one of Jaipur’s main attractions. At first the Jantar Mantar appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and calculating eclipses. The most striking instrument is the sundial, and is incredibly accurate. The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, constructed in 1799, is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. You can climb to the top of the Hawa Mahal for a fine view over the city. In the heart of the old city, is the City Palace, an incredibly well preserved and interesting palace to view with museums and artifacts. The enormous 5’ high solid-silver urns that another Maharaja had got made to carry the sacred Ganges water with him on his trip to England, are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest silver objects in the world. The Raj Mandir cinema is one of the most opulent and famous in all India, a great place to take in a Hindi film, the audience being a major feature themselves! Stop for refreshments at the Polo Bar of the opulent Rambagh Palace. The royal sport of Polo is synonymous with Jaipur, catch a game if our timing is right. Tonight enjoy a Rajasthani Banquet and overnight in the palace. (B,L,D). Accommodation: Heritage Maharaja’s Palace in Jaipur

Day 10 (Mon 21st April) - Explore Jaipur and Amber Fort 

Jaipur is the place to shop until you drop, with so many handicrafts ranging from papier-mache puppets to exquisitely carved furniture. Jaipur is well known for precious and semi-precious gems, marble statues, costume jewellery and textile prints are other Jaipur specialities. We shop in the Johri Bazaar with local handicrafts, jewellery and local sweets (which Jaipur is famous for). About 11km North of Jaipur is Amber, the ancient capital. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, built in 1592, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. The picturesque capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur is colour washed pink - the colour associated with hospitality. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairytale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colourful bazaars selling trinkets and handlooms. Part of the famed golden triangle, visiting the beautiful gardens, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels in Jaipur is an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D). Accommodation: Heritage Maharaja’s Palace in Jaipur

Day 11 (Tues 22nd April) - Depart for Delhi 

Following breakfast, take a train back to Delhi (times to be confirmed). On arrival into Delhi the transfer will run to the The Park Hotel for those that will be booking themselves an additional night and then onto the airport.

Please note: Arrival into Delhi Airport will be approx. 3pm so please book flights no earlier than 7pm or request an extra night’s stay at the Delhi Hotel.  

Inclusions and Exclusions:

Included:

•    2 nights’ accommodation on a twin share on a full board basis
•    Transfers to the airport on the 22nd April 
•    Services of qualified English-speaking driver/guide 
•    Train Tickets (Please submit full valid passport details no later than 5 months prior to departure so we can book trains)                    

Excluded:
•    Personal expenses (i.e.: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
•    Tips for local team (we recommend you allow $6 per person for tipping your guide)