Delhi – Kolkata Overland Trip
Trip Info
- Oct – Mid June
- New Delhi International Airport
- New Delhi International Airport
- 4 to 12 People
- English, French
- Required for India
Trip Overview
Delhi - Agra - Lucknow - Allahabad (Prayagraj) - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir - Deogarh - Shantiniketan - Bishnupur – Kolkata
On this seventeen-day trip to India, we travel between the megacities of Delhi and Kolkata. Designed for India connoisseurs and lovers, the focus of this trip is on getting to know the Nawabi culture in Lucknow and the religious traditions of Buddhism. Of course, an insight into Hinduism is also a must. We experience this up close in Varanasi, which lies on the Ganges. The Ganges - affectionately called "Mother Ganga" by the locals - is the holiest river in India and is home to some of the holiest cities in the country on its banks. At the same time, it is the lifeline of one of the most densely populated areas on earth and is closely linked to the lives of the people of India. Every devout Hindu should travel to Varanasi at least once in their life to take part in a ritual ablution. We experience the contrast between large metropolises and rural life on our purely overland tour through four Indian states, including the less tourist-visited states of Bihar and Jharkhand. Decent to good hotels and authentic meals from the excellent local cuisine round off the program. All in all, a fantastic travel experience, especially for India lovers who are looking for that special "something".
Trip Highlights
- Seventeen-day intensive study trip overland from Delhi to Kolkata
- In a pleasantly small group
- Many top-class sights off the beaten track
- Detailed presentation of Lucknow with the highlights of the Nawab culture
- Including dinner with the royal family in Lucknow with an introduction to Awadhi cuisine
- Visits to spiritual places near Allahabad
- Boat tours on the Ganges in Varanasi
- In the footsteps of Buddha in Bodhgaya, Nalanda and Rajgir
- Detailed visit to the Vishwa Bharati University in Shantiniketan
- Bishnupur with its filigree terracotta temples
- With the highlights of the megacities Delhi and Kolkata
- Early booking discount
Itinerary
Upon arrival at New Delhi international airport meet to our representative and transfer to your prebooked hotel. After enough time to rest, we start our city tour of Delhi. We visit the Akshardam Temple, the Lodhi Garden, the large Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and the Birla Temple.
Overnight at Delhi
Meal: No meal included today (depend on your arrival time)
Early morning drive to Agra (204km, approx. 4-5 hours). After our arrival we visit the famous and uniquely beautiful Taj Mahal. Afterwards we explore the mighty Red Fort and visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. In the afternoon we get to know the old town of Agra on a heritage walk and fortify ourselves with an Indian chai.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
We set off for Lucknow (335km, approx. 5-6 hours). After our arrival we visit the impressive tombs of Saadat Ali and Begum. We drive past the Chattar Manzil, which once served as a palace for the rulers of Awadh, and visit "The Residency" - a complex of several buildings, once the residence of the British general. In the evening a very special experience awaits us: we are guests of the former royal family of Lucknow and enjoy an Awadhi dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
Today we have a detailed tour of Lucknow on our agenda. Among other things, we will see the Turkish Gate, the Asfi Mosque, the Hussainabad complex, the largest clock tower in Asia and the Kotwara House. We will also visit the La Martinière College and the Dilkusha Palace and gardens. In the afternoon we will walk directly to the Chowk, the oldest marketplace in the city, and meander through the narrow alleys. We will watch how vendors offer their goods.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
Our journey takes us further to Allahabad (200km, approx. 5-6 hours). At Triveni Sangam we see the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna with the mystical river Saraswati. Later we explore Hanuman Mandir, Khusro Bagh and the All Saints Cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
We set off for what is probably the holiest city in India: Varanasi (120km, approx. 3-4 hours). After our arrival we have free time until we take cycle rickshaws to Dasaswamedh Ghat in the early evening. Here we change to small boats from which we watch the nightly prayer ceremony.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
Another boat trip on the Ganges awaits us before sunrise. On our way back to the hotel we see the Kasji Vishvanath (Golden Temple) from the outside. Later we visit the Bharat Mata and the Durga Temple. In the afternoon we take a trip to nearby Sarnath, the place where Buddha gave his first sermon, with the museum and the Damek Stupa.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
Today the longest stage of our journey awaits us. On our way to Bodghaya (255km, approx. 6-7 hours) we stop in Sasaram, one of the oldest cities in India. Here we visit the Sher Sha mausoleum. Later in the day we visit the Mahabodhi Temple with the Mahabodhi tree. This place is an important place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
A relatively short route takes us to Nalanda (80km, approx. 2-3 hours). Here we visit the ruins of the oldest Buddhist university. Later we look at the Venu Van bamboo garden, a gift from King Bimbsar to the enlightened Buddha.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
On our way to Deogarh (195km, approx. 6 hours) we visit Pavapuri, a holy site of the Jain religion. Here we visit the Jal Mandir (water temple). Another stop is a school visit in the village of Purna Kaira, where we have the opportunity to talk to students and a class teacher. After arriving in Deogarh we visit the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
Today we cross the border into West Bengal (180km, approx. 5-6 hours). After arriving in Shantiniketan we visit the campus of the Vishwa Bharati University, including China Bhawan (the Chinese faculty), Sangeet Bhawan (the college for dance and music) and the Uttarayan complex.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
In the morning, we stop in Sonajhurii. There we can take part in the traditional life of the Santhali. In the afternoon we discover Kankalitha, a place sacred to Hindus on the banks of the Kopai River.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
On our way to Bishnupur (150km, approx. 4 hours) we visit Panchmura, known for its extraordinary terracotta work.
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
Early in the morning we see the beautiful terracotta and stone temples in Bishnupur: Radhamadhab Temple, Kalachand Temple, Radhagovina Temple and the Jor Bangla Temple. Afterwards we drive to Kolkata, the last stop on our fascinating journey (160km, approx. 5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, & dinner included
We have a whole day to get to know the beauties of Kolkata: Dalhousie Square, the flower market, Howrah Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral and St. John's Church as well as the Victoria Memorial. Of course, a visit to Mother Teresa's House is a must.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
In the morning, transfer to the airport and return flight to home, direct or via Delhi.
Trip Cost Includes
- A traditional welcome on arrival at New Delhi International Airport.
- All in out transfer, sector drive and city sightseeing as per above program
- All toll tax parking fuel and driver’s allowance
- English Speaking City Guide (as per above program)
- One time monuments entrance
- Train or domestic flight fare (if any)
- Entire trip with breakfast & dinner only
- Two time boating at Varanasi
- Tea preparation at Agra or another city
- Cooking classes with traditional dinner
- Village walking tour
- Mineral water bottle (1Lt) per day.
Trip Cost Excludes
- Any personal expenses
- Any Domestic or International flight fare
- Tip, laundry, lunch en route, table drinks,
- Any suppliant (guide, activities, park ride etc.) price.
- Anything else that is not mentioned in the “Price Includes” section.
- Best Price Guaranteed - ( You can add information like this to further explain value that you provide to your travel clients. )
- No Booking Fees - ( You can add information like this to further explain value that you provide to your travel clients. )
- Professional Local Guide
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