- India Private Tours
- REVAMP Grand Tour of Rajasthan with Delhi City Stay - Private Tour
Explore the iconic monuments of India’s Golden Triangle, from the ancient and colonial-era landmarks of Delhi to Agra’s timeless, breathtaking Taj Mahal and the rose-hued ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Travel into the enchanting northern province of Rajasthan, a lesser-visited region of India where camel-train trade routes, royal cities, and shimmering lakes bring centuries of history and tradition vividly to life. Unique experiences await as you journey through the vast Thar Desert, the magnificent architecture of Jodhpur, and magical Udaipur, known as the ‘Venice of the East’.
After your Escorted Tour, spend two days at leisure in Delhi, giving you time to explore the historical sites and diverse culture.
Lunch & Dinner
After arriving in Delhi, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel where you will have lunch and enjoy some free time to relax before a welcome dinner.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning take a tour of the beautiful city of New Delhi. See the contrast between Old Delhi’s historic charms and New Delhi’s detailed colonial town planning. Drive past the India Gate, President’s House, and Parliament Building, and visit the Birla Temple, made out of 2,000 tons of Rajasthani white marble. Ride a rickshaw to Old Delhi through narrow, crowded streets, passing vibrant food markets and chai wallahs brewing their sweet tea. Visit the regal Red Fort for a sense of the lavish life once led by former Mughal rulers, before continuing to New Delhi to see the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and 12th-century Qutab Minar with its fine examples of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Delhi for a leisurely train journey to Agra. Despite being a small city, Agra was once the capital of the mighty Mughal dynasty whose strength manifested itself in the huge forts and buildings designed to maintain its power. On arrival, visit the vast red sandstone Agra Fort: this colossal walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Mughals in 1573, and boasts gigantic pavilions, grand palaces and spectacular courtyards. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This magical day starts with a tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. Words do not do this remarkable palace justice: taking 17 years and 20,000 men to build, the heartbroken Mughal Emperor Shahjahan dedicated this stunning marble monument of love to his deceased wife to enshrine her mortal remains. Later, proceed to Sariska. Sariska Tiger Reserve is renowned for its diverse wildlife and landscapes, covering mountains, grasslands, dry deciduous forests, and cliffs housing tiger and leopard populations, sambar and chital deer, wild boars, and primates including langurs and macaques. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Awake early for a morning canter safari through Sariska Tiger Reserve, spotting beautiful animals going about their day. Having lost all of its tigers due to poaching in 2005, conservation efforts saw three tigers relocated from Ranthambore to Sariska in 2008: the population has made a successful comeback, and now stands at around 50 tigers, some of whom you will hopefully see as you venture through the reserve. Bird watching is also an enjoyable part of safaris here -the reserve is home to more than 220 species of birds, plus migratory birds from Europe, Central Asia, and other regions. Embark on a further afternoon safari, with the rest of the day free at your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, proceed to visit Bhangarh Fort, rumoured to be India’s most haunted location – legend states that a rejected sorcerer cursed the fort, leading to its abandonment. After time to explore, continue to Jaipur, nicknamed the ‘Pink City’ due to its distinctive earthy, red-coloured buildings, painted to emulate the sandstone architecture of ancient Mughal cities. This evening, spend some time shopping among vibrant local bazaars and stalls - try the Jal Mahal Road and Bapu Bazar for jewellery, handicrafts, textiles, and more. Return to your hotel for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin your day in Jaipur with a visit to the spectacular Amber Fort, ancient capital of the royal family until 1728. Spanning over four huge courtyards, travel to the centre of the fort by Jeep, passing snake charmers and the harems of the Maharajah along the way. An afternoon tour of Jaipur brings you to the UNESCO-listed astronomical observatory of Jantar Mantar and the picturesque Hawa Mahal, known to many as the Palace of the Winds.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, travel to Pushkar. After lunch and relaxing afternoon, enjoy an evening visit to the Brahma Temple, famous for its unique architectural style, and Pushkar Lake, one of India’s most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites. Browse Pushkar’s bustling bazaars for souvenirs.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, proceed to Udaipur, affectionately known as 'The Venice of the East'. A city of romance, Udaipur is home to beautiful lakes and fantastical palaces, all bordered by lush forested hills. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, visit Udaipur’s vast City Palace, on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, with its balconies gazing out towards the stunning Lake Palace which seemingly floats on the waters of the shimmering lake. Next, stop at the celebrated Jagdish temple, the largest in the city, whose 79-foot sculpted spire dominates the skyline. Here you can see a three-storied temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, preserver of the Universe.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
En route to Jodhpur, explore the world-famous Ranakpur temple complex. Acclaimed for their intricate architectural style, these temples are the largest of the Jain cult and form one of five major pilgrimage sites. Wholly constructed in marble with more than 1,400 exquisitely carved pillars, the complex contains numerous beautiful, delicately carved sculptures - a true highlight of any visit to the region. Continue to Udaipur where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, the buzzing 'Blue City'. Start at the mighty 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, a magnificent architectural masterpiece which towers above the sandstone hills of the city and boasts huge courtyards and palatial apartments within. Continue to Jaswanth Thada, the traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur’s rulers. Walk through ornamental gardens containing a fabulous white marble memorial to the Maharaja, Jaswanth Singh II. This afternoon, visit to a tribal village in nearby Bishnoi, offering an insight into the rich heritage and culture of the region: inhabited by a community of nature worshippers, the scenic village contains a natural lake surrounded by Khejri trees, where migratory birds, antelope, and other wildlife come from nearby areas to drink and graze.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to Dechu, arriving in time for lunch, before enjoying an unforgettable desert Jeep safari to discover the rural life of the surrounding areas. Later, a unique experience awaits as you take a camel ride into the Thar Desert, the most densely-populated desert in the world renowned for its cultural vibrancy and unique biodiversity. This evening, witness a stunning sunset, and watch a cultural performance as you savour dinner under the starlit skies.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, drive to Bikaner. Bounded by sand dunes and situated on an elevated plain, this vibrant desert town is fondly known as India’s 'camel country'. In the afternoon, tour the 16th-century Junagad Fort. With its unique and formidable structure, spend time discovering the fort’s amazing network of havelis—mansions with courtyards and balconies of red sandstone and marble. The fort also contains numerous monuments of gold plaster, exquisite mirrorwork, and hidden chambers.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer to Bikaner Railway Station to catch a high-speed train to Delhi. On arrival, the remainder of the day is free to unwind after your adventure or explore the city at your own pace.
Breakfast
Enjoy time at leisure to explore the sites of Delhi.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.K.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will need to obtain a tourist visa. You can apply for an E-visa no more than 30 days in advance. Your E-visa must be valid for your whole trip so please ensure the expiry date is for the whole duration of your stay. Alternatively you can visit The Indian Visa Application Centre in London: 142-148 Goswell Road, London, EC1B 7DU. We also work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. Additionally, you will need to complete an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival. This can be done on the Indian visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before you enter India. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, early mornings, long days of driving, some days with lots of walking and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in India is the Rupee. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of India. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in India should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. There are restrictions on taking Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to take any amount of Indian currency into the country. You can take cash or travellers' cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £400 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour.
Tipping
It is customary to tip your guide and driver. This is at your discretion, but we recommend you allow approximately £4-£5 for each guide and £2-£3 for each driver per person per day. It is asked that you tip in pounds and not local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange. Your guide will also ask you for £1 or £2 a day to add to a kitty this is for the porters, waiters etc throughout your tour.
This is a fully escorted tour. A national guide will meet you on arrival and accompany you throughout your trip. In certain cities, local guides will join you to provide expert insight based on the sites visited.
For private tours, you will travel with either a Driver Guide or a Driver plus local guides. They will accompany all sightseeing. Private tours can depart any day of the week, subject to transport schedules and attraction opening times. These tours follow the brochure itinerary unless otherwise advised and include all listed meals, sightseeing, and excursions.
Your Delhi extension is not escorted. You will be transferred to your hotel after the Grand Tour of North India and will receive transfers to the airport at the end of your stay.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and India. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. A triple room is available but please note that this will be a twin room with a fold away bed for the 3rd passenger.
Breakfast is always a combination of Indian and western style and served in the hotel each morning (sometimes a packed breakfast depending on train journey). Lunch and dinner where applicable will be taken in hotel/wayside restaurants. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Two bottles of water are supplied per person per day on your tour.
There are some dry hotels in India, and some hotels where alcohol can be consumed on the premise but must be brought in from outside. Your guide will pre-warn you of this and if anyone in the group would like to purchase drinks before getting to the hotel then we will arrange for you to visit a local shop and get what you need wherever possible.
Dry days are when the sale of alcohol is not allowed. Most of the Indian states observe these days on major national festivals/occasions such as Republic Day in January, Independence Day in August and Gandhi Jayanti in October. Dry days are also observed during elections in India.
During visits to Churches/Temples please note long trousers or skirts should be worn to cover knees, Long sleeved tops should be worn to cover shoulders and ladies should bring a scarf to cover your head. In the Golden Temple and any other Gurudara visit it is also mandatory for men also to cover their head with a scarf.
Please note that plastic bottles are banned in the national parks so keep a reusable water bottle for your tour.
Please note that all mobile phones are banned from India’s National Parks and Tiger Reserves. Phones will need to be left at the hotel when you are on safari. You will still be able to bring cameras into the parks and reserves to take photos.
On your arrival in Delhi you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Jayasree, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Jayasree representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.
If you need to contact Jayasree Travels and Tours, during your stay the details are:
F 341-Ground Floor, Lado Sarai, New Delhi, 110030.
Contact number: 0091 9526188860/ 0091 995 898 8719
Emergency contact information
Telephone number 24 hr:
Biju Unnikrishnan 0091 952 618 8860, Ms Jayasree Vikraman 0091 974 700 5888, Mrs Samitha Azhar 0091 974 471 3380, Mrs Rekha Anil 0091 9744813380, Mr Amit Bhardwaj 0091 995 898 8719
E-mail: biju@jayasreetravels.com
