Festival of Lights

…a Travel Associates first

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Travel Associates is proud to present our first Signature Collection itinerary... the ultimate 14-day journey showcasing many of India's finest experiences, including celebrating Diwali in the magnificent Blue City of Jodhpur.

Incredible India. A big, beautiful, maelstrom of colour, culture and majesty. It is significant that Travel Associates has chosen India to be their first Signature itinerary, a tour that is exclusive to discerning Travel Associates’ clients wanting to dig deeper in a destination, experiencing hidden gems and staying in lavish luxury properties. The icing on the cake, is that this itinerary includes experiencing India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year – Diwali.

DAYS 3 – 4 AGRA

Travel to Agra and see the achingly beautiful Taj Mahal at sunset, and again at sunrise, and soak up every minute of seeing it with your own eyes. This striking marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan to show his eternal love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, his love evident in every piece of marble and in every shining jewel. Afterwards, explore the bazaars, temples and mosques of old Agra.

Signature Experience: Nothing can top seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise. This ethereal building is something to behold.

Accommodation: Taj Hotel & Convention Centre

DAYS 1 – 2 DELHI

After arriving and recovering on day one, day two will see guests enjoying a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid, the Red Fort and Raj Ghat, before seeing the sights of New Delhi, from the India Gate to the Qutab Minar – an 11th century tower.

Signature Experience: Visiting Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. It’s an architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan, with its vast marble domes and minarets.

Accommodation: The Taj Mahal Hotel

New Delhi

DAYS 5 – 7 JAIPUR

Travel to the Pink City with a stop at a hidden gem – Fatehpur Sikri –an abandoned red sandstone city complete with palaces and mosques built three centuries ago. Then uncover some of the best kept secrets of Jaipur, the famous walled city, on a walking tour where you’ll meet artisans, shop owners, temple priests and locals before exploring the City Palace and later, doing a cooking class and dining with a local family. The next day, visit the Amber Fort, and wear traditional Indian attire for an exclusive dinner at the City Palace.

Signature Experience: The 16th century Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and will give insight into the life of the Moghuls.

Accommodation: Rambagh Palace

DAYS 8 – 9 JODHPUR

Enjoy the sights and sounds of India as you travel to the Blue City, and the next day, visit Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, before taking a tuk-tuk to Sadar Bazaar to meet fascinating local characters like the Omelette Man. That evening, it is time to celebrate wealth, auspicious beginnings, and the triumph of good over evil, for Diwali. As the grounds are set aglow with the light of diyas, (lamps) you will enjoy a sumptuous Gala Diwali dinner, where you will be made to feel like Royalty as you watch the cultural performances.

Signature Experience: The sumptuous Gala Diwali dinner will have guests feeling like royalty.

Accommodation: Umaid Bhawan Palace

DAYS 1 2 – 14 MUMBAI

Travel from Udaipur to Mumbai, and the next day enjoy the excellent Five Senses Tour, with five different experiences on this chaotic and cultural city. This tour pays homage to Mumbai, not just its history, taking a walk through the colonial precinct of Mumbai and the famous Mumbai Spice Market, tasting Indian food, and dancing to Bollywood music with a Bollywood dance choreographer.

Signature Experience: The Five Senses tour will bring ancient and modern Mumbai to life.

Accommodation:

Taj Mahal Palace

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DAYS 10 – 1 1 UDAIPUR

Farewell the Blue City and travel to Udaipur stopping enroute to admire the Ranakpur Temples – the largest and most important temples of the Jain religion, built in the 15th century. The next day, be awed by the City Palace overlooking Lake Pichola, visit the three story Jagdish Temple, Gangaur Ghat, and Sahelio-ki-Bari (The Garden of the Maids of Honour). Enjoy an afternoon with High Tea on the Gangaur, the 150-year-old barge of the Royal Family of Mewar. The views over the lake will be mesmerising.

Signature Experience: City Palace – the largest palace in Rajasthan. It is a majestic marvel of marble and granite overlooking Lake Pichola.

Accommodation: Taj Lake Palace