South Asia Explorer – India & Sri Lanka Guided Tour

Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Colombo - Anuradhapura - Habarana - Sigirya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla - Kandy - Pinnawela

Duration

18 days

Tour Type

Private

Price From

£4,680 pp

Overview: South Asia Explorer – India & Sri Lanka Tour

This 18-day guided tour combines the historic cities and royal heritage of northern India with Sri Lanka’s Buddhist temples, scenic landscapes, and wildlife. The itinerary takes in historic forts and palaces, colourful markets, the Taj Mahal, and Lake Pichola before continuing to Sri Lanka for further cultural and scenic experiences.

Tour Highlights:

Discover Delhi’s historic and modern character, including Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar, and India Gate
Experience the Taj Mahal alongside Agra Fort, with the opportunity to admire the iconic monument at sunset
Explore Jaipur’s colourful traditions and watch local artisans creating jewellery, pottery, embroidered fabrics, and carpets
Visit Mehrangarh Fort and the marble cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada
Explore Udaipur’s City Palace and Jagdish Temple before enjoying a boat cruise on the serene Lake Pichola
Discover Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage, tropical scenery, and wildlife following the journey south from India

From the royal heritage of Rajasthan to Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist traditions and tropical landscapes, this 18-day tour offers a fascinating journey through two distinctive countries.

Day 1 - UK - Delhi

Day 1 - UK departure

Depart the UK with international economy flight to Delhi. We can also arrange departures from your local airport at no extra cost.

Day 2 - Arrive in Delhi

Day 2 - Delhi arrival

Upon your arrival in New Delhi, the capital city of India, you will be met by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. After a warm welcome, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 3 - Delhi

Today, enjoy the day discovering Delhi, pacing through the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin! Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj. While returning back to New Delhi make a brief stop at Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Later in the afternoon, discover the modern city of New Delhi, visiting Humayun’s Tomb, the first tomb in India with beautiful gardens, continue visit to Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship. Drive past President’s House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate.

Breakfast

Day 4 - Delhi - Agra

Day 4 - Delhi to Agra

After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal

This afternoon visit the splendid Agra Fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens. Then, witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may choose to stay back to see the glistening white marble beauty at sunset.

Breakfast

Day 5 - Agra - Jaipur

Day 1 London Heathrow to Tokyo

After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Jaipur – land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India’s most well planned cities. En route to Jaipur, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Continue drive to Jaipur and upon arrival check in at your hotel for 2 nights stay.

This evening explore the many facets of Jaipuri crafts such as semi precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.

Breakfast

Day 6 - Jaipur

Rise early this morning to visit Jaipur’s famous Amber Fort. En route, take a guided walk through the flower market of Jaipur seeing the beautiful yellow and orange marigolds and other seasonal flowers being traded. In close vicinity is also the wholesale vegetable market where farmers bring fresh produce to begin the days trading. Walking through the markets brings you to a junction where you will find the interesting and unusual milk traders of Jaipur, who bring their cattle’s fresh milk to be tested for quality, priced and traded on the spot. Be amazed at the primitive technique of testing quality of milk by dipping hands into large metal milk containers and evaluating the creaminess of milk supplied! After a brief walk through the local trading markets, drive onwards to visit Amber fort, built in the 16th century. The fort is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The Amber Fort was used by the Rajputs for the dual purpose of defense and private residence. The fort encompasses charming gardens and magnificent palaces made from marble and precious stones, richly decorated with intricate stonemason works and paintings, which represented royal splendor and luxury of the Rajput era. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride.

This afternoon take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, with its unique layer-cake honeycomb windows designed to enable erstwhile women of the royal court to observe passing life without being seen; Jantar Mantar, the largest astronomical observatory built in stone, and the City Palace complex with its impressive gardens and museums.

Breakfast

Day 7 - Jaipur - Jodhpur

Day 7 - Jaipur to Jodhpur

This morning, drive to Jodhpur, a city ringed by high stone walls with seven gates and several bastions. This second largest city of Rajasthan was founded by RaoJodha in 1459 A.D. Owing to its unique pale blue architecture, Jodhpur is often referred as the ‘blue hued city’ of Rajasthan. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and freshen up.

Breakfast

Day 8 - Jodhpur

Today, visit the rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort, and the grand palaces within the fort – MotiMahal, Sheesh Mahal, PhoolMahal, SilehKhanaand DaulatKhana, which are impressive examples of architectural excellence. Near the fort complex stands the JaswantThada, and a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble. While in Jodhpur shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles such as embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics.

Breakfast

Day 9 - Jodhpur - Udaipur

Day 9 - Jodhpur to Udaipur

This morning, drive to Udaipur, a serene city set in the scenic valley of Aravalli hills, surrounded by three lakes – Lake Pichola, FatehSagar and UdaiSagar. En route visit the famous Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Built in the 15th century, Ranakpur temples are one of the largest Jain temples in India. The temples are known for their architecture, grand structures and exquisite sculptures.

Continue drive to Udaipur. Upon arrival at Udaipur, check in at your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Breakfast

Day 10 - Udaipur

After breakfast, visit the 16th century City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan comprising residence of the current Maharaja, heritage hotels, museums and galleries, courtyards and reception halls where royal events take place even today; Jagdish Temple, the 17th century Indo Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe; Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, garden of the maids of honour, with beautiful green lawns, flower beds, water pools, marble elephants and bird fountains.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. In the evening we take a boat cruise on the serene Lake Pichola (boat ride is subject to water level).

Breakfast

Day 11 - Udaipur - Colombo

Day 1 - Udaipur to Colombo

Enjoy the morning at leisure at your hotel in Udaipur. This afternoon, transfer to the airport to catch your flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, connect to flight for Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Upon your arrival at Colombo airport, you will be met by our representative and escorted to your hotel for overnight.

Breakfast

Day 12 - Colombo

Today, take a city tour of Colombo visiting Kelaniya Buddhist temple, believed to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment. The temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and paintings which depict important events in the life of the Buddha.

Then visit the commercial city center area known as the “Fort” built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. See the busy markets and bazaars of Pettah and visit the Hindu temple with magnificent stone carvings. Also visit the old Dutch church built in the 18th century and drive past the Town Hall, Independence Square and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall to see the replica of Avukana Buddha.

Breakfast

Day 13 - Colombo to Habarana via Anuradhapura

After breakfast embark on your drive to Habarana in north central Sri Lanka.

En route visit Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya River. Anuradhapura, an ancient city founded in the 05th century B.C., is home to the largest number of monuments of the great Sinhala civilisation. Visit the ancient royal palaces, shrines, dagobas and Sri Mahabodhi. Also visit the “Bodhi tree” which is over 2200 years old, grown from a branch of the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Afterwards continue your drive to Habarana.

Breakfast

Day 14 - Habarana - Excursion to Sigirya & Polonnaruwa

Day 14 - Habarana - excursion to Sigirya & Polonnaruwa

After breakfast visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya Rock, built by King Kassapa in the 5th century AD. Today the rock is a treasure trove of rare art. In a pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the heavenly maidens of Sigiriya. Also called ‘the Lion Rock’ or the ‘Rock Fortress’ this citadel rises more than 1000 ft from the jungles below. If you wish to climb Sigiriya Rock, there are approx. 1200 steps and on an average it takes approx. 1.5 hrs to climb the rock (actual time varies from person to person).

Later embark on your scenic drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital of Sinhala kings dating back to 11th & 12th century A.D. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the ‘Parakrama Samudra’. Numerous monuments are found in this city & ‘Gal Vihara’ complex is one of the best among them with fine sculptures of standing and seated Buddha. Also visit the Polonnaruwa museum here.

Return back to Habarana for overnight.

Breakfast

Day 15 - Habarana to Kandy via Dambulla

After breakfast, embark on your drive to Kandy.

En route visit another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rock Cave Temple of Dambulla, which dates back to the first century BC. The temple consists of a series of 5 caves of statues and paintings, including a 47 ft. long statue of Lord Buddha. This is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. (approx. 27 Kms / 45 Mins from Habarana)

Continue drive to Kandy, en-route visiting the Spice Garden at Matale.

Breakfast

Day 16 - Kandy

After breakfast, explore the sacred city of Kandy, one of Sri Lanka’s 8 UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today we will visit the Temple of Tooth Relic of Buddha, located in the royal palace complex which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Visitors are not allowed inside the inner chambers and cannot see the tooth relic.

Also visit Natha Devale, located in front of the Palace complex of Kandy. Natha Devale, built in the 14th century, is said to have been in existence even before the Tooth Relic was brought to Kandy.

This evening enjoy a cultural dance show to see the popular Kandyan dancing and drumming of Sri Lanka.

Breakfast

Day 17 - Kandy to Colombo via Pinnawela

After breakfast embark on a drive to Colombo

En-route to Colombo, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, which are spread over 67 hectares of exquisite beauty and contain more than 4000 species of flora, a haven for Scientists and nature lovers.

Drive further to visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, set up by the Sri Lankan government to rehabilitate orphaned elephants. Spend some time at the orphanage, seeing elephants being fed and bathed by the orphanage staff (Open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m daily. Feeding times – 9.15 a.m., 1.15 p.m. 5.00 p.m. Bathing times – 10.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m.).

Upon arrival in Colombo, check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast

Day 18 - Colombo - UK