From East to West: Highlights of the Gangetic Plain Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

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This holiday is designed for travellers with an adventurous spirit who like to get away from the tourist trail, who have a desire to explore eclectic, busy and ever evolving Indian cities, but who also want to contrast immersive city life with some unique, rural experiences.

Take time to delve into Kolkata and Varanasi with our signature experiences in each. You’ll journey by car, train and minimal internal flights so that you can experience the beautiful rural life and landscape of the Gangetic Plain as you move around. You’ll spend 4 days exploring northern Madhya Pradesh and 3 days in a remote valley of Uttar Pradesh; allowing completely different rural and wildlife experiences in each.

Highlights include:

Taking lunch with an art collector in his home in Kolkata
Watching sunrise from your private boat on the River Ganges
Exploring the ornate cenotaphs and temples of relaxed Orchha
Experiencing life in remote hamlets of the Chambal Valley

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK for Kolkata.

DAYS 2 - 3 Kolkata Old and new India

On arrival at Kolkata airport, you will make the short journey by car to a renowned hotel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure to recover after your flights.

Over the next few days you will get a real insight into Kolkata; the former capital of British India - a riot of colour and a hub of Bengali culture where slums and shopping malls are interspersed with beautiful colonial architecture and green spaces. Highlights include a walking tour around Bow Barracks and Burrabazar neighbourhoods, lunch with an art collector and a private river boat journey on the River Hooghly complete with Indian snacks and Darjeeling tea! You’ll also spend a morning at the Victoria Memorial, Kolkata’s most famous monument and walk through the Gariahat Food market with its array of street food.

DAY 4 - 6 VaranAsi The holiest of Hinduism's seven cities

This morning, rise early for a private transfer to Kolkata airport for your short flight to the holy city of Varanasi. On arrival you’ll be picked up by your driver and taken straight to a hotel right on the famous atmospheric Ghats. Relax in the afternoon before watching the sunset by boat and witness the unique Aarti ceremony that Varanasi is so known for.

Early the next morning cruise down the sacred Ganges on a small private boat to witness the devotion of pilgrims who bathe in the holy water from sunrise. In the afternoon you’ll dive head first into the frenzy of Varanasi’s markets and alleyways – a true assault on the senses!

The next day is for relaxation (people-watching whilst sipping a lemon soda on the Ghats is well worth it!) or with your new-found knowledge of this is incredible place, independent exploration. A visit to the important Buddhist centre of Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon is also well worth it for time out of the city.

DAY 7 KHAJURAHO MEDIEVAL EROTIC ART

Take a 3-hour midday flight to the city of Khajuraho today, home to the largest group of medieval Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples in the country, famous for their ornate and intricate sculptural detail. It is these incredible carvings and designs - many of which are highly erotic - that makes this UNESCO World Heritage site that you'll explore this afternoon so fascinating and unusual.

DAY 8 - 9 Orchha ATMOSPHERIC AND BEGUILING ORCHHA

Travel west (4-5 hours) today with your driver to reach the laidback town of Orchha, where tales of feudal chivalry and romance abound among its many beautiful temples and cenotaphs which are waiting to captivate you just as they are said to have beguiled Lord Ram. This almost hidden part of Madhya Pradesh is a lovely place to relax, sip chai, or venture into the surrounding countryside for walking, cycling or even canoeing. In the evening admire the gloriously setting sun from a riverside cenotaph, in the company of the resident kingfishers and parakeets or take in an Aarti ceremony in town.

DAY 10 GWALIOR Forts and palaces

Drive north to Gwalior today (about 3 hours). After exploring the fort for which this town is famous and discovering its glorious history dating back more than a thousand years, enjoy an overnight stay in a former palace that is now a beautiful heritage hotel.

DAY 11 - 13 CHAMBAL Hamlets and habitats of chambal & the yamuna

3 hours drive north of Gwalior is the remote Chambal Valley. The Chambal river is one of the cleanest rivers in India and home to turtles, dolphins, crocodiles and exotic birds, with remote hamlets and ancient temple complexes located along its banks. The best way to appreciate the wonders of this particular landscape is to take to the calm waters in the company of a skilled Chambal Safari boatman and an expert naturalist - you'll have a fascinating journey through a world that is strangely connected to and at the same time removed from modern India.

DAY 14 - 15 Back to Delhi and Fly home (or Stay!)

Today you will be driven back to Delhi, which will take around 5 hours, ready for your flight home tomorrow (you can even fit in a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal on route if you haven’t been before!). But if this is too much to all do in a day, you might like to add another night into Delhi, or perhaps go to the beach in Goa or Kerala to fully relax.

All of our tours are tailor-made, which means it’s easy to change them to suit your requirements. Please do call one of our India specialists on 0207 924 7133 to discuss in more detail.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, two-week holidays range from roughly £2,500 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,300. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

Fill in our Quote Request form to get your quick, no-obligations proposal.

As every holiday is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates or use the quote request form below...

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Amar Mahal, Orchha

In the style of an Indian country palace, the wide arches and open spaces make this a comfortable option from which to explore remote Orchha.

Chambal Safari Lodge, Chambal

A remote, beautifully restored colonial era property offering a special insight into rural Indian life and wildlife.

Kenilworth Hotel, Kolkata

The Kenilworth Hotel is a good central accommodation option for a Calcutta trip, with royal inspired décor and three restaurants.

Lalit Temple View, Khajuraho

Spacious, modern property set in sprawling gardens overlooking the Khajuraho temples.

Surya Uday Haveli, Varanasi

This courtyard-style hotel on the Shivala Ghats is an intimate hideaway in Varanasi with lovely Ganges views and comfortable rooms.

Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior

Built in 1880, Taj Usha Kiran Palace, is surrounded by beautifully landscaped lawns with arched bridges and gleaming fountains. The place to stay in Gwalior.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Early Morning Ganges Boat Ride, Varanasi

Board a private boat at sunrise to witness the living traditions of pilgrims on the River Ganges.

Explore Sarnath, Varanasi

Take a guided tour of Sarnath; one of the most important Buddhist centres.

Gariahat Food Market Walk, Kolkata

Walk around a local bazaar with your guide and sample the delights of the Bengali cuisine.

Sunset Cruise on the River Ganges, Kolkata

An atmospheric boat ride on the River Ganges and one which really puts the city in the context as an historic port city.

The Kolkata City Experience, Kolkata

Experience dignified and historical town of Kolkatta - from the Victoria Memorial to 'Black Town' and traditional bazaars.

Walking tour around Varanasi, Varanasi

Step into 'real' Varanasi with this walking tour around the markets and alleyways.

Customer Feedback

The one-on-one guide arranged with Experience Travel Group enabled me to get so much more from my trip to India. As well as the almost compulsory visits to the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, I was shown a variety of busy towns and mall villages, traditional crafts and skills, religious buildings and practices, architecture and wildlife, finishing with a very relaxing stay in Tikli Bottom.

- Heather Hodgson, February 2015

Customer Protection

The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.

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