{"id":525,"date":"2025-07-30T10:37:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T10:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/travels\/?post_type=portfolio_page&p=525"},"modified":"2025-07-30T10:37:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T10:37:15","slug":"the-essence-of-life","status":"publish","type":"portfolio_page","link":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/portfolio_page\/the-essence-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"The Essence of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8px”][vc_column_text css=””]Explore the diverse cultural influences that have created the fascinating heritage of India. This tour encompasses holy cities, the resplendent Taj Mahal, Jodhpur\u2019s blue-washed houses, and the beautiful lakes and palaces of Udaipur. Go in search of the elusive Royal Bengal tiger and extend your journey in the idyllic backwaters of Kerala.<\/p>\n

16 Days & 14 Nights[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”8px”][vc_column_text css=””]Day 1: Fly to Amritsar via Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amristar via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)<\/p>\n

Day 2: Amritsar<\/strong><\/p>\n

On arrival, transfer to RanjitVilas<\/strong> (or similar) for 2 nights. Welcome dinner and evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony. The temple is profusely lit and the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks surrounding the sanctum. (D)<\/p>\n

Day 3: Amritsar \u2022 Wagah<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community kitchen called Langar. Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 4: Fly to Varanasi via Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at the Hotel Madin<\/strong> (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh ghats to witness the magical Ganga aarti ceremony from a boat on the Ganges<\/p>\n

Day 5: Fly to Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Serene early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by breakfast at Brijrama Palace overlooking the river. Walking tour of the Bengali Tola. Take the afternoon flight to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Trident Gurgaon<\/strong> (or similar). (B)<\/p>\n

Day 6: Old & New Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning tour of Old Delhi, including a drive past the Red Fort, a visit to the Jama Masjid, and a walking tour of Old Delhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past India Gate and the viceregal residence before visiting Qutb Minar and the tomb of the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 7: Agra<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take the Gatimaan Express<\/em> train to Agra for an overnight stay at Trident Agra<\/strong> (or similar). Visit the huge Agra fort and enjoy the highlight of sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 8: Fatehpur Sikri \u2022 Ranthambore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16th-century sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Swai Villas<\/strong> (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)<\/p>\n

Day 9: Ranthambore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. (B, L, D)<\/p>\n

Day 10: Jaipur<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and stay at the Trident Jaipur <\/strong>(or similar) for 2 nights. (B)[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Day 11: Jaipur<\/strong><\/p>\n

Optional early morning yoga session*. Morning tour of the ancient palace of Amber fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 12: Jodhpur \u2022 Rohet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Full-day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada cenotaph. Continue to Rohet and stay at Rohet Garh<\/strong> (or similar) for 2 nights\u00a0 (B,D)<\/p>\n

Day 13: Bishnoi tribal villages<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning at leisure. After lunch, take a 4×4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal villages. (B, D)<\/p>\n

Day 14: Ranakpur \u2022 Udaipur<\/strong><\/p>\n

Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Arrive at the Trident Udaipur<\/strong> (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Or upgrade to the Taj Lake <\/strong>Palace <\/strong>(luxury Lake View room) from \u00a3440 for 2 nights. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 15: Udaipur<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning tour of the City Palace, Jagdish temple and a miniature painting studio. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Bagore-ki-Haveli cultural show. Holi festival departures will witness the celebrations at the Maharajah\u2019s Palace. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 16: Fly to London via Mumbai <\/strong><\/p>\n

Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay) to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)<\/p>\n

Extension : Tour + Kerala <\/strong>5 Days & 4 Nights<\/p>\n

Day 16: Fly to Kochi via Mumbai<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fly to Mumbai (Bombay) to connect with the Jet Airways flight to Kochi. Drive to the backwater region of Kerala for a 2-night stay at the Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere <\/strong>(or similar). (B)<\/p>\n

Day 17: The backwaters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day at leisure. (B)<\/p>\n

Day 18: Kochi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy a backwaters cruise before travelling to Kochi for a 2-night stay at the Forte Kochi<\/strong> (or similar). (B)<\/p>\n

Day 19: Kochi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit the remarkable, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, explore the 16th-century Mattancherry Palace, the Church of St Francis and the world\u2019s oldest active Jewish synagogue. Later, visit the Kathakali dance studio.<\/p>\n

Day 20: Fly home<\/strong><\/p>\n

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London with Jet Airways. (B)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ut tempor lectus vel magna placerat, vitae sodales magna lobortis. Suspendisse sagittis lacus eget neque rutrum placerat nec eu nisi. Quisque interdum accumsan velit, in vestibulum nisi dictum accumsan. Aliquam non laoreet nulla. Phasellus at enim blandit, aliquam dolor et, varius lacus. Sed ultricies scelerisque mauris. Pellentesque non aliquet massa. Nam tincidunt lectus lacus, eu porttitor lectus consectetur eu. Donec pulvinar enim at eros tempor imperdiet. Nam ultricies, erat id porta sodales, arcu magna finibus nulla, et sodales libero ligula a nunc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":496,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","portfolio_category":[7],"portfolio_tag":[6,10],"class_list":["post-525","portfolio_page","type-portfolio_page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","portfolio_category-north-france","portfolio_tag-nature","portfolio_tag-seaside"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_page\/525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_page"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/portfolio_page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"portfolio_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_category?post=525"},{"taxonomy":"portfolio_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saffrontravels.org\/wpwebsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_tag?post=525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}