Holi Festival in India

Take in the various sights, smells, and sounds as you step out of the airport in New Delhi where your shuttle will be waiting to transport you to your hotel. Get checked in to the hotel, drop off your bags, and take some time to get settled before venturing out into the city.

Get to know your group over lunch with your local guide and indulge in authentic Indian dishes such as chicken tikka masala, biryani, chaat, and others that are guaranteed to satisfy the senses. Your local guide will teach you some basic phrases in Hindi to help you communicate with the locals. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to spend as you wish. 

After breakfast, explore Old and New Delhi on a tour with a local guide. First, head over to Old Delhi to marvel at one of the largest mosques in India, known as Jama Masjid. Take a photo tour of the spectacular Humayun’s Tomb, UNESCO World Heritage Site and tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun. Visit the historic monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site The Red Fort and then take a stroll in nearby Chandi Chowk, one of the oldest markets in Delhi!

In New Delhi, take a step back in time as you honor the India Gate memorial dedicated to the 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. Then take a quick escape into the serene and remarkable Lotus Temple that doubles as an architectural wonder, so get your camera ready!  

Depart Delhi early in the morning for Agra, a city in northern India and home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World you will be visiting, the Taj Mahal! Spend the day in awe over the spectacular Taj Mahal as you learn about one of the most beautiful yet tragic love stories in history. After the tour of the Taj Mahal, spend some time relaxing in the lush surrounding gardens.

Rise early for your departure from Agra to Jaipur. Upon checking into the hotel, head over to the stunning Pink City of Jaipur. Get your camera ready as you visit picture-perfect attractions that make up the pink city! Visit the majestic 16th-century Amber Fort and Palace for a tour of one of Jaipur’s most visited attractions. See how the royals live at The City Palace where you can take selfies in front of one of the jaw-dropping doorways and take in the intricate designs of the palace.

Holi is a two-day celebration, with the second day being Dhulandi and the day that the color festivities begin. After breakfast, you will take to the streets of Jaipur to celebrate Holi! Witness the beauty of Jaipur as locals decorate their houses with colorful flowers and draw traditional rangolis in the entrance of their homes.

Celebrate Holi at the beautifully decorated local temples and at The Elephant Festival where elephants will be beautifully painted and decorated in rugs and ornaments as they parade around the city of Jaipur. Be sure to wear old clothes and bring baby oil to get the colors out of your skin and hair later!

Rise early for the drive back to Delhi where you will spend the afternoon in a cooking class with local chefs learning how to make Delhi’s most savory dishes before heading back to the hotel where you will have the option to get henna tattoos from a local artist.

After one last breakfast with the group, say your goodbyes and head to the airport for your journey home.