Destinations Covered: Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Mumbai

Overview

Ganesh Chaturthi very popular and famous Hindu festival in India It is biggest is the biggest festival celebrated in western India in honor of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha. In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated primarily at home and in public by local community groups in the southern and western and some part of Kokan Regions, (states – Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, and Kerala).

The funds for the public festival are collected from the members of the association that can organize it, local residents and businesses. Ganesha idols and statues are installed in the home and temporary shelters near to the street, inside the home. these shelters called pandals / Mandaps. As per the calendar this festival celebration between the month of August – September. The celebration is going for  1, 1 1/2, 3, 5, 7, or 11 days. The end of Puja Ganesha statues is taken to water (such as a lake, river, or sea) for immersion.

Highlights of Tour

Tour to Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Jama Masjid

Sun Set visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Stopover at Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri Village

Excursion to Amber Fort

Enjoy Elephant ride in Jaipur

Visit City Palace, Observatory, and Hawa Mahal

Enjoy a Boat cruise on Lake Pichola.

Excursion to Elephanta Cave

Guide Tour to Mumbai City

Enjoy Ganesh Festival in Mumbai

DAY 1:  Arrival at Delhi

Reach Delhi and Transfer to Hotel.

DAY 2: Delhi

Breakfast. In the morning we head to the modern part of Delhi; New Delhi. We visit Qutub Minar, a gigantic 72m tower, built by the first Muslim ruler of India; Qutub-ud-din Aibak. We continue the visit with visit Humayun’s Tomb, Walk through the diplomatic area, government buildings, Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India), the Parliament with its beautiful surroundings, and the India Gate (Arc of Triomphe) that always has guests in the form of the countrymen with their Dear/families, etc. In the afternoon we enter the Old part of Delhi where the environment is completely changed with crowded streets, places Going through the Red Fort, built by Mogol Emperor Shah Jahan and we enjoy a ride on a rickshaw (bike cart, pulled by man) in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest bazaars in India. We got off the rickshaw and climbed the stairs a bit to enter the Jama Mosque, The day ends with a visit to Rajghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on January 31, 1948.

DAY 3: Delhi – Agra

Breakfast. In the morning departure by road to Agra (Approx. 200 km, 4 hours), Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), the most fascinating and beautiful monument in India. Then visit the Fort of Agra, an imposing fortress on the banks of the Yamuna River, built by Emperor Mogol Akbar, in 1565 AD.

DAY 4:  Agra – Jaipur

Breakfast, In the morning departure by road to Jaipur (Approx. 240 km, 5-6 hours), visiting on the Fatehpur Sikri route. Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals and was built by Emperor Mogol Akbar in 1564 AD. We will continue by road to Jaipur visiting the Abhaneri route, known for the imposing Boris Temple (built underground) and the Harshat Mata Temple. We will continue by road Jaipur, Transfer to the hotel.

DAY 5: Jaipur

Breakfast in Morning and visit Amber Fort and enjoy a Jeep ride till the top of the Hill. The Amber Fort, located on the picturesque and rugged hill, is a fascinating mix of Hindu and Mogol architecture. Then walk through the beautifully restored Jal Mahal, In the afternoon visit the City Palace and the museum. Visit the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds  Also visit the Jantar Mantar or the Astronomical Observatory.

DAY 6: Jaipur – Udaipur

Breakfast. In the morning departure by road to Udaipur (Approx. 360kms, 6-7 hours). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Udaipur, a city also called “the Venice of the East” and the “city of lakes.” Udaipur is also the center of performing arts, crafts, and its famous miniature paintings. Afternoon free for independent activities. Hotel accommodation.

DAY 7: Udaipur

Breakfast. In the morning visit the City Palace that was built in a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles on top of a hill and offers panoramic views of Lake Pichola and Monzón Palace. . The 300-year-old complex is actually made up of 11 palaces built by its successive Maharanas, making it the largest complex among the Rajasthan palaces. Later, visit the Jagdish Temple, a temple of God Visnú. Afterward, a tour that includes the walk on Fateh Sagar Lake and visits the Sahelion-ki-Bari or the ‘ladies’ garden’, built in the middle of the 18th century. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the lake Pichola with a visit to Jag Mandir Palace. Hotel accommodation

DAY 8: Udaipur – Mumbai

In the morning after breakfast, you will transfer to Udaipur airport for your flight to Mumbai.

Departure:  Udaipur at 1000 hours with 6E 748.

Arrival:  Mumbai at 1135 hours.

Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Mumbai is an attractive city, a compact mix of traditional and modern.

In the afternoon visit the city of Mumbai and visit the Gate of India, a famous monument of the city, built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Maria to India in 1911. Walkthrough the luxurious Colaba, the Kala Ghoda area and visit the Prince of Wales Museum (closed on Mondays), one of the best examples of Victorian architecture in Mumbai. Walk through the University of Mumbai, the High Court, to the Flora Fountain, Victoria Terminus, an outstanding example of neo-Gothic Victorian architecture in India, Later visit Mani Bhawan – between 1917 and 1934 Mahatma Gandhi whenever he visited Mumbai, he stayed in this house, it is the very simple and beautiful house now it is converted in Museum. Enjoy a walk in the Crawford Market and also visit the “dhobi ghats” (public laundry).

DAY 09: Mumbai

Breakfast. In the morning excursion to the caves of Elephant (closed on Mondays). In the afternoon walk through the bazaars and the Pandals (temporary sanctuaries). During the festival, stalls suddenly appear to sell Ganesh idols, a variety of floral decorations, and other items to decorate the pandals. The cloth stores or particularly Saree (a fabric of 5 meters minimum that the best ones are wrapped in her body) that the Indian women decorate with an ornament and look very elegant. We continue the walk to see the different pandals that are temporary sanctuaries that several groups of friends, colleagues, family, and so on founded by associations build with Ganesh idols and often try to represent the most revered Ganesh idol, temples, places of prayer Create that environment. We go through several to know the art, dedication, and love that the people of Mumbai have for Ganesh.

DAY 10: Mumbai

Breakfast. Free morning for your independent activities.  (This we will walk a lot so you better rest in the morning). We are already on day 11 at the festival. On day 01 the festival begins with bringing home the idol one day before Ganesh Chaturthi, revealed the next day when a priest performs Prana Pratishtha puja, invoking Ganesh’s soul. Verses of Rig Veda, Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, Ganesha Stotra, etc. are sung, while offerings are made in the form of coconut, modak (particular sweet of this festival made from rice flour)), durva (grass), flowers red, etc. Today with day 11, Ganesh is sent to his abode of Mount Kailash (Kailash Parvat), accompanied by songs and dances in a great immersion or visarjan (Hindi word for immersion). We finish the afternoon with the immersion of the idol to the river/well. Return back to your booked hotel with an unforgettable experience.

DAY 11: Mumbai (Departure)

Breakfast. Room available until 1200 noon hours. At a convenient time transfer to the international airport for your return flight (must be presented at the airport 3 hours before the flight departure time).

Inclusions

Accommodation on twin/double sharing on Bed & breakfast basis.

All transfers, tours, and excursion as per itinerary using air-conditioned AC Vehicle

Local English Speaking Guide as per itinerary

Shared boat ride at Udaipur

Enjoy Elephant / Jeep ride at  Amber Fort, Jaipur

All taxes, tolls, parking fees, and service tax.

Exclusion

Any airfare (International or domestic).

Passport and Visa fees for India.

Any Lunch / Dinner is not Include

Any Monument Entrances ( Tickets)

Any meals OR options not mentioned in the itinerary/cost inclusion.

Any item of personal nature and Gratuities.

Any insurance.

Additional nights for participants, which are offered at additional cost to individual participants.

All personal expenses such as medical expenses, laundry, drinks, telephone and fax services, and all other services not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary.