Flavours of India & Sri Lanka
Itinerary
Day 1 – India: arrival in Delhi
After your international flight, you’ll arrive in the heart of India, Delhi. Our driver will collect you from the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the Karol Bagh area. You can freshen up at your hotel and then head out to visit the local area, either by foot or by utilising the local metro station.
Day 2 – India: arrival in Agra
Today, it’s time to experience the famous Indian Railway! You’ll be transferred from your hotel to the station where you’ll board the train to Agra. This day train is comfortable, and the journey is relatively short (approx. 2 hours). In Agra, you will be staying at a vibrant, boutique hotel, surrounded by lush gardens in a peaceful neighbourhood not too far from the Taj Mahal.
Day 3 – Taj Mahal and Agra’s highlights
Today, you’ll visit two breathtaking sites. First, in the morning, you’re free to visit the Taj Mahal – a highlight of any trip to India. Standing serenely in the first light of the morning, we’re sure that this building will beat all your expectations. No postcard can possibly do it justice. Built by Shah Jahan as a token of his love for his deceased wife, it is the most romantic burial site in the world.
After visiting the Taj Mahal by yourselves, you’ll be collected and taken to Agra Fort. In the golden light of the afternoon, you’ll see the sunshine slant through the pillars and galleries. From its majestic walls and through its arches, you can see the Taj Mahal, just as Shah Jahan would have done centuries ago, when he was imprisoned here by his son.
From here you’ll cross the River Yamuna and visit Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb – better known as the Baby Taj. Albeit not on the scale of the Taj Mahal itself, this peaceful building also features the marble inlay work for which Agra is famous. Finally, you’ll visit Mehtab Bagh, a formally laid out Mughal garden which offers stupendous views of the Taj Mahal.
Days 4 & 5 – Agra – Jaipur
Your driver will collect you from your hotel in Agra and transfer you to Jaipur, which takes around five hours. On arrival in Jaipur, you’ll check into your accommodation for the next two nights, where you’ll be staying in a family-run hotel in a quiet area, with characterful rooms decorated in typical Rajasthani style. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool, unwind in the garden with a good book and enjoy a tasty dinner at the small on-site restaurant serving local dishes. The following day is free for you to spend as you wish, explore the majestic Amber Fort, visit the royal City Palace and take a stroll through the colourful bazaars this city is famous for.
Day 6 – Arrive in Pushkar
Today, you’ll leave Jaipur and head for Pushkar, built around a beautiful holy lake. On the Ghats leading down to the water, you’ll see pilgrims bathing and singing softly. Pushkar is a picturesque holy town in the desert, with pastel-coloured buildings lining narrow streets. Wander through the twisting alleys of the old centre and soak up the sacred atmosphere.
Day 7 – Pushkar to Jodhpur
Today, you’ll set off for Jodhpur, also known as ‘The Blue City’ and home of the dramatic Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most impressive Mughal forts in India. In Jodhpur, you can wander through the narrow alleyways of the city, where rope-makers colour their warps and spice-sellers display their aromatic wares.
Day 8 – Jodhpur to Udaipur
Next is Udaipur, and on the way, stop to visit the striking Jain temple of Ranakpur, nestled in a green valley. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in India and home to the Lake Palace. The legendary Lake Palace floats on an island in the centre of the glassy lake, lending the town a rich, fairy-tale feeling.
Day 9 – Udaipur city tour and boat ride
Today, you’ll spend the morning getting to know Udaipur with a local guide, exploring the lavish City Palace, where you’ll wander through the grand courtyards, museums and balconies overlooking the lake. Your guide will share stories of maharajas, architecture and local life. Later that afternoon, you’ll board a boat for a ride on Lake Pichola, where you’ll drift past the iconic sights of Udaipur, including the floating Lake Palace, Jag Mandir Island, against the backdrop of the scenic Aravalli hills.
Day 10 – Overnight in Delhi
It’s now time to leave Rajasthan and head back to Delhi. You’ll board a domestic flight from Udaipur back to India’s capital city. Spend one final night in Delhi tonight, before flying to Sri Lanka tomorrow.
Day 11 – Sri Lanka: Arrival in Kandy
Today, you’ll be collected and taken to the airport to catch your flight to Colombo, where you’ll be met and transferred to Kandy. When you arrive at your new home and meet your host in the afternoon, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. There’s a really relaxed atmosphere here and you’re sure to feel immediately at ease. You can spend your first evening relaxing in the garden with a good book or taking a look around the home – you’ll find plenty of interesting photos! In the afternoon, you’ll head out on a city tour and see the sights. We’d recommend visiting the Royal Botanical Garden and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 12 – At home in the curry kitchen
Today you’ll start your morning by heading for a stroll through the local villages before tucking into your breakfast. After you’ve eaten, you’ll weave between the stalls of the local markets where your senses will be awoken by the colourful sights and tantalising smells. On your return, it’s time to get your taste buds going as you join the local cook who’ll teach you how to make a delicious Sri Lankan curry, revealing all her tasty secrets.
Day 13 – Sri Lanka: tea hills and trails
With the unmistakable air of a quintessential English town, Nuwara Eliya is affectionately known as ‘Little England’, and it won’t take you long to see why. Colonial style buildings, rose scented flower gardens, red telephone boxes and even a church, all surrounded by a blanket of rolling tea plantations; this is a totally different side of Sri Lanka. You’ll head straight into the fields with a local tea plucker and, under her guidance, pick the tea yourself before enjoying a freshly brewed cup before arriving at your centrally located hotel right in the heart of the country.
Day 14 – Horton Plains, World’s End
It’s an early rise today and after a refreshing cuppa, you’ll be given a breakfast pack before jumping into your jeep for a trip to Horton Plains National Park. After an hour’s scenic drive, you’ll reach the plateau and soon be on your way along the beautiful 3-4 hour circular walk, taking in the many the highlights of this World Heritage national park, from wild grasslands to thick forests.
Eventually, you will discover the highlight of this trip; World’s End. As the dusty trail reaches an opening, you’ll be met by views of a spectacular gorge and sheer cliff that will leave you feeling that the world has come to an end. It’s the perfect place to tuck into your picnic breakfast and soak up the views before the white mist rolls in.
Day 14 – Sri Lanka: explore the emerald valleys of Ella
Next, you’ll travel by train from the tea hills in Nuwara Eliya to the mountains of Ella. We’ll buy 3rd class tickets for you so you have the chance to travel with the locals. The journey takes roughly 3 hours, and when you arrive at the station, your driver will already be there waiting. You’ll walk with him along the track to the hotel.
Known for its breathtaking mountain views and endless rolling hills, Ella is a peaceful village nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country. You’ll arrive by train as you pass scenic landscapes, and stay in a cosy hotel with sweeping views. Take a challenging four-hour hike to Ella Rock, or a more gentle trek to Little Adam’s Peak.
Day 15 – Hiking Little Adam’s Peak
This morning, you’ll wake up to the endless mountain views that surround you. Lace up your boots; it’s time for some hard work as you set off on a trek to Little Adam’s Peak! Armed with a map of the routes and a packed lunch that we’ll provide, you’ll begin your brisk walk for about two hours through tea plantations, beautiful train bridges and remote villages.
Once you’ve climbed the large steps to the summit, you can put your feet up at the top as you look out over the gigantic ridges. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous today, you could climb Ella Rock instead. This is a more challenging trek where you’ll walk for about 4 hours through winding jungle trails to reach the top.
Day 16 – Sri Lanka: the wild heart of Yala National Park
Next, you’ll drive towards Yala National Park, stopping off en route at the Elephant Transit Home where injured babies and orphans are cared for. You’ll visit around feeding time and watch as the young elephants wait patiently at the gate and tease each other for the first sip of milk. Your travelling time today is roughly 4.5 hours. After an exciting day, you’ll head back to your simple yet unique accommodation, located on the edge of the park. Your comfortable tent comes equipped with a bed, toilet and sink. In the evening, you can fall asleep to the sounds of the wild – an experience to make your Sri Lanka wildlife trip complete.
Day 17 – Jeep safari in Yala National Park
Yala National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Sri Lanka. Today, you’ll head out on a jeep safari where you can spot a kaleidoscope of colourful birds, monkeys, crocodiles, buffaloes and of course, elephants. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a leopard sneaking past, so make sure you have your camera ready!
Day 17 – Sri Lanka: Whale tails Ahoy!
Next, you’ll head towards the nearby Tissa Kataragama Temple, an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Here, you can see all these religions melt together in one place. After your temple visit, you’ll continue on to Mirissa. Your journey today should take around 2 hours.
Enjoy a tropical beach break at the bay of Mirissa for a dose of sunshine, sea and sand. Soak up the rays, sample freshly caught fish and perfect your downward-facing dog with a little yoga. Soon enough, you’ll arrive at your accommodation; we’ve found a cosy guesthouse tucked away down a quiet side street, just a five-minute walk from the beach.
Day 18 – Whale watching in Mirissa
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and taken to Mirissa port, where you’ll embark on a half-day whale watching trip with a small group of other international travellers. You’ll have a good chance of spotting whales from the ship, or maybe even dolphins; they like to frolic in the ship’s swell.
Day 19 – Departure from Sri Lanka
Next, it’s time to travel back to Colombo, and the journey time today is around 3 hours. Your driver will drop you at the airport where you’ll catch your international flight home, with plenty and stories, unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to the people and places you’ve seen along the way.
Accommodation
