Diwali lights in India

Diwali and Fabulous Rajasthan

New date coming soon!

Come to India with us and experience Diwali!

India for Beginners is proud to announce our Diwali and Fabulous Rajasthan Tour! Diwali is the biggest festival of India, a time of homecoming, when the night sky is lit up to welcome the return of Lord Rama from exile and to celebrate the victory of good over evil. You can read more about Diwali in India here.

The Diwali and Fabulous Rajasthan tour from India for Beginners is for travellers who want to experience the royal culture, chivalrous history, and colourful present of fabulous Rajasthan. This tour also gives participants an opportunity to experience the festival of lights, Diwali – one of the most exuberant, exciting, and colourful festivals of India.

This small group tour (maximum size 14 travellers) from India for Beginners is for travellers who have an adventurous spirit, who enjoy going off the beaten path, and want to immerse in the culture of India. There will be some walking, and it will be hot, so a moderate level of fitness and a healthy level of enthusiasm is required!

Diwali is November 12 – 16 in 2023.

NOTE: Please read our FAQ and Terms & Conditions page thoroughly before booking.

TOUR Dates: 

Diwali and Fabulous Rajasthan Tour: New date coming soon, 13 nights / 14 days

Khajuraho-Varanasi Extension: November 1 – 4, 3 nights / 4 days

TOUR COSTS:

Per person on shared room basis: TBD

Per person for single room: TBD

Approximate airfare Udaipur – Delhi: TBD*

*Airfare is subject to change without notice

Khajuraho – Varanasi EXTENSION:

Per person on shared room basis: TBD

Per person for single room: TBD

Approximate airfare Khajuraho – Varanasi: TBD*

*Airfare is subject to change without notice

to book:

Contact [email protected] for information regarding booking the tour and payment due dates or fill out the form below.

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First

India for Beginners tours

India for Beginners tours are designed around relationships — the relationships founders Mariellen and Anjani have nurtured with people they have met on their extensive travels across India over many years. The local experiences we recommend both support the community and offer you memorable experiences of incredible India.

To find out more about India for Beginners, please read about our Travel Philosophy and check out some of our glowing Testimonials.

Itinerary

 Day 01: TBD: Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi and we will meet you at the airport. We will also help ensure you get a local SIM card and set you up with our WhatsApp numbers so that we can be in contact 24/7.

There will be a private chauffeur driven car to take you to the hotel or guest house. Rest of the day is free to get over jet lag (depending on when you arrive).

Accommodation options in Delhi include staying with a local family in a safe, clean bed-and-breakfast or a boutique hotel.

Day 02: TBD: Delhi

Let’s get to know Delhi, one of the oldest and most historic cities on earth — which is also one of the greenest capital cities in the world.

We will start with a tour of Old Delhi that will take you into the heart of this fascinating and chaotic crowded area. We will see temples, mosques, and gurudwaras and explore the alleys of Chandni Chowk via bicycle rickshaw.   

Later drive through Lutyen’s Delhi — India Gate, Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhavan — and visit Humayun’s Tomb. If time permits, we can either stroll in Lodhi Garden or drive to Qutab Minar.

Day 03: TBD: Delhi – Agra (220 kms/ 4 hrs)

Drive to Agra visiting Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre en-route. Arrive Agra and visit the Taj Mahal during sunset. 

Two great Mughal rulers, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire, giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat (seat of the Emperor). It is not surprising that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.

The Taj Mahal needs no introduction of course. It is a must-see experience in India and most people report that the world’s most beautiful building (which is actually a tomb) exceeds their expectations.

Day 04: TBD: Agra – Sawai Madhopur (270 kms/ 5-6 hrs)

Start your day with a visit to Agra Fort. 

Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the Agra Fort is predominantly made of red sandstone. Akbar built it as his citadel in the finest architectural style, featuring imposing gates, a four-square formal garden, walls of red sandstone, the beautiful Pearl Mosque, and a moat. The fort lies on a bend of the river Yamuna, with a view of the Taj Mahal across the river.

Later drive to Sawai Madhopur. Arrive Sawai Madhopur and check-in at the lodge.

Day 05: TBD: Sawai Madhopur

Experience morning and afternoon jungle safaris with a naturalist. 
Ranthambore National Park is one of the most famous natural destinations of India. In ancient times, Ranthambore National Park was the hunting destination of the Jaipur royal family, and today it is famous as a haven for wildlife lovers. Ranthambhore is not only extremely picturesque, due to the presence of an imposing fort, active temple, evocative ruins, and charming lakes, it is also home to many of India’s iconic animals – including the Bengal tiger of course.

Day 06: TBD: Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur (175 kms/ 3 hrs)

Experience a morning jungle safari along with a naturalist. 

In the afternoon, drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check in at the hotel. 

From Sawai Madhopur, we will head to Jaipur, the capital city of the beautiful state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a favourite city for most tourists, full of palace hotels, hip cafes, cultural events, bustling markets, and amazing heritage sites. Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II. It has been known as the Pink City since 1856 when the city was given a wash of pink in honour of a state visit from Prince Albert. The tradition persists to this day and many walls and buildings are a distinctive pink / ochre / salmon colour.

Arrive Jaipur, check-in at the hotel. Rest of day is free to relax.  

Day 07: TBD: Jaipur

Visit the colourful markets of Jaipur on the auspicious day of Diwali for shopping day! Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise known for block-print textiles, gemstones and jewelery, handmade leather shoes, arts and crafts, furniture, and so much more. Enjoy Diwali festival with a local family in the evening and take a drive through the city, marvelling at the spectacular lights. Jaipur is famous for the elaborate lights used to festoon the city during Diwali.

Day 08: TBD: Jaipur

Start your day with a visit to Amer Fort. Later visit City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), and Jantar Mantar (Observatory). 

Day 09: TBD: Jaipur – Jodhpur (330 kms / 6 hrs)

Drive to Jodhpur and check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax. 

Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of chivalry. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama, the epic hero of the Ramayana. 

Jodhpur is called the Blue City, due to the indigo tinge of the houses around Mehrangarh Fort in the old city. The blue houses were originally for Brahmins only, but non-Brahmins soon joined in as the colour was said to deflect the heat and keep mosquitoes away. 

Jodhpur lies near the geographic centre of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists. 

Day 10: TBD: Jodhpur – Narlai (130 kms / 2-3 hrs)

Start your day with a visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Rao Jodha Park. 

Situated on the plateau of a hill in the centre of town, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and one of the most exciting for visitors. The fort is spread over five square kilometres and encloses grand palaces, exquisite carvings, latticed windows, and elaborately adorned rooms in the Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal. A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, royal costumes, furniture, and the cannons on the fort’s ramparts are all very well preserved.

Mehrangarh Fort was built on the advice of a saint in 1459 AD to establish an impregnable edifice for the rulers of the state. It can be seen from almost everywhere in Jodhpur and presents a majestic site. The beauty and the grandeur of the fort narrates a saga of hard work by skilled craftsmen, inspired chivalrous stories.

Later drive to Narlai.

Day 11: TBD: Narlai – Udaipur (125 kms / 3 hrs)

Start your day with a wildlife safari to spot leopards and afterwards drive to Udaipur, visiting Ranakpur Jain temple en-route. Arrive Udaipur and check in at the hotel.  

Udaipur is one of the world’s most romantic cities. The magical Lake Palace Hotel shimmers in the centre of Lake Pichola and graceful havelis line the banks. It’s a joy just to be in this illustrious city, to take a boat ride at sunset, or walk through the busy market in the morning.

Day 12: TBD: Udaipur

Start your day with a visit to City Palace, crystal gallery, and Jagdish temple. Later enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Rest of the day is free to relax. 

Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola, City Palace is a massive series of palaces built at different times starting from 1559 AD. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of Jag Niwas (aka the world wide famous Lake Palace Hotel) and Jag Mandir. The main entrance is through a triple-arched gate, the Tripolia, built in 1725. This leads to a harmonic profusion of courtyards, terraces, corridors, and gardens. 

Among the treasures you will see are the Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in times of trouble to the people to restore confidence, and the Mor-chowk (peacock courtyard), which gets its name from the vivid glass mosaics decorating its walls. There are numerous other palaces and many romantic stories within the walls of The City Palace, plus many antiques, paintings, and pieces of decorative furniture.

Day 13: TBD: Udaipur

Day is free to relax or you can choose amongst below mentioned optional activities at an extra cost.  

Optional activities:

  • Dhar-Ubeshwar Trek 
  • Old City Heritage walk
  • Jal Sanjhi workshop – Art of painting where water is the canvas 
  • Cooking demo along with dinner / lunch
  • Lake loop bicycle tour

Day 14: TBD: Udaipur – Delhi (By Flight, 1.5 hours)

As per your flight timings, you will be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Delhi. 

Khajuraho and Varanasi Extension

NEW DATE COMING SOON

Day 15: TBD: Delhi – Jhansi – Khajuraho ( kms/ hrs)

Take a morning train to Jhansi (Shatabadi 07:50-10:30 hrs). Arrive Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho visiting Orchha temple en-route. Arrive Khajuraho and check in at the hotel.

Khajuraho is famous for its enchanting temples and the legendary Khajuraho Dance Festival. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which is grown abundantly in the region. The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated to a celebration of life, designed and carved to lead the eyes from ground level upward until you seem to be looking at heaven. 

On the way up, many facets of life are depicted including the famous erotic carvings and many beautiful images of women. Women are seen writing letters, applying eye makeup, combing hair, dancing, and playing with children, all in exquisitely sculptured details.  

Day 16: TBD: Khajuraho – Varanasi (By Flight)

Visit Khajuraho temples in the morning.

Later take an afternoon flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and check in at the hotel. 

Day 17: TBD: Varanasi

Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. From time immemorial, it has been a religious centre for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage. Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts, and education. The city is especially known for the art of silk weaving, which manifests itself in precious Banarasi silk sarees and brocades – cherished as collector’s items across the world today. 

The name Varanasi is the compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city, respectively. Between them, the ghats line the Ganga River for about six kilometres, and this is the focus for much of the spiritual activity such as bathing, pujas, cremation, and aartis. 

Varanasi is an intense experience for visitors as it is first and last a pilgrimage centre. Hindus believe if they die here they will reach nirvana, and escape the cycle of death and rebirth. 

Start your day with a boat ride on the river during sunrise. After breakfast, enjoy wandering through the maze of alleys in the old city and visit the temples and ghats.

In the early evening, experience the spectacle of the Ganga aarti ceremony. 

Day 18: TBD: Varanasi – Delhi (By Flight)

Morning is free to relax. Later take a flight to Delhi to connect with your departure flight. 

Tour inclusions / exclusions

tour includes:

  • ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS OR SIMILAR
  • DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS WILL BE SERVED IN HOTELS,
  • ALL MEALS AT SAWAI MADHOPUR,
  • SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
  • PRIVATE CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR SIGHTSEEING AND TRANSFERS (NOT AT DISPOSAL),
  • ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDE FOR SIGHTSEEING IN DELHI, AGRA, JAIPUR, JODHPUR AND UDAIPUR ONLY,  
  • RICKSHAW RIDE IN DELHI,
  • VISIT OF WILDLIFE SOS
  • DIWALI CELEBRATION WITH A LOCAL FAMILY IN JAIPUR,
  • 3 SHARED JUNGLE JEEP SAFARIS AT RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK,
  • LEOPARD WATCHING SAFARI AT NARLAI,
  • BOAT RIDE IN UDAIPUR,
  • MINERAL WATER BOTTLES AND TISSUES DURING DRIVES,
  • 24X7 TOUR MANAGER WILL BE AVAILABLE OVER PHONE DURING TOUR,
  • ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES, AND
  • ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES.

TOUR EXCLUDES:

  • PERSONAL EXPENSES,
  • LUNCHES & DINNERS,
  • CAMERA FEES, TIPS ETC,
  • MONUMENT ENTRANCE,
  • GUIDE AT RANAKPUR
  • ANYTHING THAT IS NOT MENTIONED IN INCLUSIONS,
  • INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC AIRFARE,
  • VISA CHARGES.

Extension tour inclusions

  • ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS OR SIMILAR
  • DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS WILL BE SERVED IN HOTELS,
  • SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
  • PRIVATE CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR SIGHTSEEING AND TRANSFERS (NOT AT DISPOSAL),
  • ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDE FOR SIGHTSEEING IN KHAJURAHO AND VARANASI ONLY,  
  • AC CHAIR CAR TICKET FOR DELHI – JHANSI SECTOR,
  • VISIT TO ORCHHA TEMPLES,
  • BOAT RIDE IN VARANASI
  • EVENING GANGA AARTI CEREMONY IN VARANASI
  • BOAT RIDE IN UDAIPUR,
  • MINERAL WATER BOTTLES AND TISSUES DURING DRIVES,
  • 24X7 TOUR MANAGER WILL BE AVAILABLE OVER PHONE DURING TOUR,
  • ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES, AND
  • ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES.

IMPORTANT POINTS

  • Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • Early check-in and late check-out will be subject to availability.
  • Domestic airfare is subject to change at the time of issuance.
  • The company assumes no liability for personal loss of tourists, medical emergencies or other losses.