India 17-Day Tour Package with Luxury Hotels: See & Do Almost It ALL
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International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging
Male or Female Tour Guides
Tours in English
All Ground & Water Transportation
All Activities in the Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Your Own On-Call Concierge
Breakfasts
Our tour to India starts in Amritsar, home to one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites. This northern city is famous worldwide as the spiritual center of the Sikh religion and is best known for the holiest shrine in Sikhism, the colorful Golden Temple. Amritsar also lies close to the Indian-Pakistani border, giving it a unique cultural and historic importance. In the evening, we are taken to the Golden Temple. Its complex is surrounded by a sacred pool of water, and its golden facade is wonderfully lit up at night. There, we watch religious rituals.
Our morning is free. In the afternoon, we return to the Golden Temple. There, we witness the preparation of meals that feed an estimated 100,000 pilgrims each day! We tour the kitchen area, the cleaning area, and the dining area. Next, we are taken to the Indian-Pakistani border. There we see the “Beating the Retreat” ceremony. This is an energetic display of military showmanship filled with patriotic crowds. Soldiers from India and Pakistan lower their flags in a dramatic fashion.
Our day starts with a flight to Varanasi, India’s holiest city, located on the Ganges River. In the afternoon, we walk along the ‘ghats’. This is where cremation ceremonies often take place in the open air. As the sun sets, we watch a ritual called ‘Aarti’. This is a Hindu ceremony of fire, chanting, and prayer performed by spiritual leaders.
We do not take a flight to Delhi just yet. That’s for later this evening. We still have the day to explore Varanasi. We start the morning with a private boat ride along the river, likely passing by cremation ceremonies. Next, we visit a temple called Kashi Vishwanath. This is one of Hinduism’s most important shrines. In the afternoon, we head to the site where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. It is called ‘Sarnath’. There we explore a stupa, ruins of ancient monasteries, an archaeological museum, and an 80-foot-tall Buddha statue.
Our day begins at Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia. From there, we ride rickshaws through the narrow lanes of a neighborhood called Chandni Chowk. It is famous for its spice markets and street food stalls. Next, we tour the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once housed Mughal emperors. We then continue on to Akshardham Temple, an enormous modern complex filled with intricate carvings. Our next stop is at a historic stepwell called Ugrasen ki Baoli. Our final stop is at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of the city’s most important Sikh temples.
We fly from Delphi to the city of Kochi and then drive into the lush mountains of a town called Munnar. Along the way, we stop at a chocolate factory to sample what it has to offer. After checking in at our hotel, we head to a viewpoint called Goproad. There, we watch the sunset over the rolling mountains.
Before dawn, we set out on a 4×4 safari to Kolukkumalai, the world’s highest tea plantation. There, we get a dramatic sunrise above the clouds. Note that the likelihood of seeing the majestic cloud formation at Kolukkumalai is most promising in the months of August and September. Next, we visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr (in the family of sheep). Next, we take a tour at the Lockhart Tea Factory and are provided with samples of its popular teas. We then take a stroll through the surrounding tea estates. We then continue through the Lockhart Estate tea fields before ending the day at the Government Botanical Garden. There, we watch the sun set over manicured landscapes.
We do not fly back to Delhi just yet. In the morning, we explore Fort Kochi. It was once a hub for Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders. Next, we walk along Princess Street. It is lined with colonial houses. We then visit Saint Francis Church. It is the oldest European church in India. Next, we see the iconic Chinese fishing nets. This is a centuries-old method of catching fish still practiced today. We then visit the Santa Cruz Basilica. There, we see vibrant murals. Finally, we fly back to Delhi and relocate by land to the city of Agra.
At sunrise, we tour the Taj Mahal, India’s most iconic monument. This marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. After visiting it, we continue to the Red Fort. This is another UNESCO site. We then visit a mausoleum called ‘Itmad-ud-Daula’. It is also known as the ‘Baby Taj’ because of its detailed marble inlay. Next, we take photos of the Taj Mahal from across the river, at a place called Mehtab Bagh. In the evening, we attend a theater show at the Kalakriti Cultural Center. The show recounts the love story that inspired the building of the Taj Mahal.
We relocate by road from Agra to Ranthambore National Park. This was once a royal hunting ground. Today, it is a famous reserve famed for its Bengal tigers as well as deer, monkeys, and marsh crocodiles. After going on a 4×4 safari, we head to the city of Jaipur, also known as the Pink City.
Our morning begins with a photo stop at a scenic spot called ‘Hawa Mahal’. Next, we tour Amber Fort and see its grand courtyards and hilltop views. We then stop to take photos of Jal Mahal, a palace floating on water. We then continue to the City Palace for an in-depth guided tour. Next and nearby, we visit the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar. This is an 18th-century astronomical observatory. We then visit the Albert Hall Museum, whose Indo-Saracenic architecture makes it one of Jaipur’s most striking landmarks. The day ends after watching the sunset from Nahargarh Fort. Its views over the city of Jaipur are quite nice.
We check out in the morning and fly from Jaipur to the city of Jaisalmer. It is known as the Golden City due to its yellow sandstone that glows at sunset. We start our walking tour at the Chandraprabhu Jain Temple, decorated with detailed carvings. We then explore the lavish ‘Nathmal and Patwa Havelis’. These were once mansions of wealthy merchants. Today, they are historic homes. Next, we stop for sweeping views over the city. In the evening, we drive out of the city so we can enjoy a camel ride in the desert. There, we watch the sunset before heading back to town.
We relocate by road from Jaipur to Jodhpur, which is known as the Blue City. Upon arrival, we tour Mehrangarh Fort. It rises 400 feet above the city and is filled with ornate palaces and galleries. This is one of the largest forts in India. Next, we visit the white marble cenotaph at a historic museum called Jaswant Thada. Next, we explore Umaid Bhawan Palace, which is part residence and part museum. We finish the day after visiting a stepwell called Toorji Ka Jhalra, as well as the clock tower market area.
We leave Jodhpur and first head to an ancient temple called Chandraprabhu Jain. It’s known for its incredibly ornate carvings. We then continue to the city of Udaipur, often called the City of Lakes. In the evening, we stop at a lake called Fateh Sagar Lake so we can take photos of the scenery. We then take a cable car up to Karni Mata Temple. The day ends with watching the sun set across Udaipur’s palaces and lakes.
We do not relocate by flight back to Delhi just yet. Our morning begins with a boat ride on Lake Pichola. There, we see palaces rise straight from the water, including Jagmandir Island Palace. Following the boat tour, we visit the City Palace, one of the country’s finest. Later in the afternoon, we relax with a traditional massage at a local spa. We then fly back to Delhi.
Our day starts with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb. This is a 16th-century masterpiece that inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. We then head to Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, standing among medieval ruins and intricately carved stone pillars. Both of these monuments offer a glimpse into the grandeur of India’s imperial past.
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Delhi.
If you are seeking an adventurous yet luxury tour in which you see and do it all stress-free, in which all the planning is done for you by experts, in which 5-star hotels, ground transportation, tour guides and entry fees are all included in the package, then you have come to the right place. Welcome to CharlieTheTraveler, an international tour operation company providing tailormade or packaged tours. Read some of our over 800 5-star reviews found across the Internet.
We are open to customizing this tour to your liking, even though the itinerary we recommend is rock solid. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
All participants are required to book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays and 24/7 assistance.
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “India in 17 Days” tour is available for $2,946 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except airfare. It also includes English-speaking tour guides, all activities mentioned in the standard itinerary and all entry fees. If you would like lodging included for all nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guides, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $4,651 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that there is a $30 USD fee if paying by bank transfer or a 4.6 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. We do not accept checks. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1. Do you prefer getting domestic airfare through us or directly with the airlines? You have both options. Either way, we tell you the exact flights you would need for this tour. Note there is a $150 USD ‘booking fee’ which guarantees not only booking airfare but also that a CharlieTheTraveler representative would be on the phone and/or using live chat with the airlines should there need to be a possible change to your flight(s).
2. Also, our tour starts in the city of Amritsar, reached usually through the city of Delhi. Would you like a pre-tour day in Delhi so you can adjust to the time difference before starting our tour in Amritsar?
3. Also, do you have a preference between male and female tour guides? We can provide female tour guides specifically in the big cities.
4. Not least, would you like to add a few days to this multi-day tour package so you can visit the state of Goa? The purpose of going isn’t so much for culture and even nature (the landscape is nice enough but arguably is not extraordinary) as it is for relaxing and/or partying.
5. Lastly, many of our customers combine our India tour with our Nepal and/or Sri Lanka tours. You can find our tours here: charliethetraveler.com/our-multiday-tours Would you like to combine India with Nepal and/or Sri Lanka?
Any airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour:
Day 1: Delhi to Amritsar (only if you cannot arrive directly in Amritsar)
Day 3: Amritsar through Delhi to Varanasi
Day 4: Varanasi to Delhi
Day 6: Delhi to Kochi
Day 8: Kochi to Delhi
Day 12: Jaipur to Jaisalmer
Day 15: Udaipur to Delhi
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Nights 1-2: Amritsar, Preferred Accommodation: Taj Swarna or Hyatt Regency or Courtyard
Night 3: Varanasi, Preferred Accommodation: Taj Ganges Hotel
Nights 4-5: Delhi, Preferred Accommodation: The Connaught
Nights 6-7: Munnar, Preferred Accommodation: Fragrant Nature Hotel & Spa
Nights 8-9: Agra, Preferred Accommodation: Trident 292 or Tajview Agra IHCL Selection's
Nights 10-11: Jaipur, Preferred Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Jaipur City Center or Shahpura House or Niravi Jaipur
Night 12: Jaisalmer, Preferred Accommodation: Taj Gorbandh Palace
Night 13: Jodhpur, Preferred Accommodation: Ajit Bhawan
Night 14: Udaipur, Preferred Accommodation: The Ananta
Nights 15-16: Delhi, Preferred Accommodation: The Connaught
The hot-air balloon ride is shared with other travelers. The rest of the tour is exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.
*Note that you are not with the same travelers and tour guides throughout your trip. Instead, you usually meet and engage with new people.
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation.
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email gives details mostly about the hotels.
Bring a strap for your sunglasses, to wrap around your head while on the hot-air balloon. Also, bring a mobile hand/wrist strap, to prevent it from falling while in the air. Not least, bring a mask, to be used to block inhaling ashes at cremation sites (yes you heard that right!). On a different note, you may need to bring adapters for your electronic devices.
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Please visit CharlieTheTraveler.com/Tours-Terms-and-Conditions
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