India | Golden Temple of Amritsar and Rajasthan

Departure from Montreal to Delhi via Doha.

Stopover in Doha and flight to Amritsar.

Welcome and assistance on arrival in Amritsar and transfer to your hotel.

Hotel: Holiday Inn or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day.

In the evening visit the Golden Temple and attend the evening ceremony.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Holiday Inn or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast and visit to the Golden Temple then stroll through the colorful market of Amritsar.

Then city tour of Amritsar (Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple).

Lunch at the hotel.

Transfer to the railway station to take the train to Delhi.

Assistance on arrival in Delhi, transfer and installation at your hotel.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Welcomhotel By ITC Dwarka or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel and visit of Jama Masjid, the biggest mosque of the country. From the top of the southern minaret, you will dominate the whole city and discover a magnificent panorama.

You will pass in front of the Lal Qila (the Red Fort): it owes its name to its building material: the red sandstone.

Visit of Raj Ghat and Gandhi Museum: this square black marble plaque marks the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, discovery of New Delhi and its surroundings. Humayun’s Tomb: Built in the middle of the 16th century by Haji Begum, the first wife of Humayun, the 2nd Mughal emperor. It is a fine example of Mughal architecture that is said to have inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Welcomhotel By ITC Dwarka or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the Shekhawati region, nicknamed the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan.

Lunch en route and check in at your hotel.

Departure for the visit of Mandawa. It is in these villages surrounded by sand dunes that we find the havelis, houses of the rich merchants who lived formerly from the camel trade between India and Pakistan. These small palaces with walls decorated with painted frescoes are real illuminated works. The havelis are houses built by prosperous merchants. They are covered with frescoes. These murals date on average from the 19th century.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Grand Haveli or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Bikaner.

Check-in at your hotel and lunch.

Visit the Junnagarh Fort, a fortress built in the 16th century that contains various palaces and temples. It is a maze of corridors, stairways and courtyards. Visit the Coronation Hall, the Ice Palace, the Maharaja’s chamber, the Museum of Arms which also contains elephant pods, the Conference Hall with a silver throne and the first nail boards of the fakirs.

Tuk Tuk ride in the picturesque bazaar, then Heritage walk in the old city to explore its narrow streets and visit some old havelis.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Heritage Resort or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel then departure to Jaisalmer.

Lunch at the hotel.

Arrive in Jaisalmer and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, discovery of the Cenotaphs of Bara Bagh during the sunset.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Trulyy Desert Palace or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at hotel then visit Jaisalmer.

Walk in the citadel of Jaisalmer. The havelis, the Jain Temple and walk in the bazaar.

Return to the hotel.

Lunch at the hotel.

In the evening you will attend a magnificent evening in the heart of the dunes of the Thar desert, camel ride and barbecue dinner accompanied by a dance and music show.

Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Hotel: Trulyy Desert Palace or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel then departure to Jodhpur.

Check in at your hotel.

Lunch and visit of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, a real eagle’s nest built on top of a hill overlooking the city. It can be accessed through seven monumental gates, some of which still bear the marks of the enemy’s cannonballs. Inside there are many inner courtyards, surrounded by palaces with sculpted facades.

The fort’s museum contains palanquins, gondolas used to move around in elephants, weapons, sabers, swords, daggers and small cannons. Many rooms contain collections of miniatures, the Takhat Mahal room is entirely decorated with mirrors and paintings, with colored glass balls hanging from the ceiling and the Jankhi Mahal contains an amazing collection of royal cradles. From the top of the ramparts defended by impressive cannons, a splendid view is offered to you on the blue city 120 m below and, in the distance, on the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Then, walk in the base city or old town and discover the old town and the colorful market (about 2 hours walk).

Hotel: Park Plaza or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour in the village of Bhanswara to see the daily life. Departure for Ranakpur, passing by roads lined with acacias, where one can see norias, pump wells, as well as women walking on the road carrying golden or silver jugs on their heads.

Lunch.

In the afternoon you will also discover the great Jain temples, which seem to be hidden in the Aravelli mountains. A spellbinding charm emanates from this lonely place; you will be surprised and admired by the sculptures of the different temples. It is the most beautiful Jain sanctuary.

Then continue by road to Udaipur and check in at the hotel.

Dinner and accommodation.

Hotel: Comfort Inn or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel then discovery of the City Palace, former palace of Mahajanas of Udaipur. Built in the XVllle century, this palace of which a part is still inhabited by the descendants of the Mahajanas dominates the lake Pichola. It is a labyrinth of marble halls, decorated salons, courtyards, numerous ceramics and gardens. Visit Sahelion Ki Bari or Garden of the Damsels, a superb park with numerous fountains.

Lunch and visit of a silk painting center, specialized in miniatures.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the pier and mini-cruise on Lake Pichola to admire the magnificent facade of the Udaipur palace and stop at the island of Jag Mandir.

Dinner and overnight stay.

Hotel: Comfort Inn or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue by road to Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, owes its nickname of “pink city” to the pink paint that covers the buildings of the old city. Built on the bed of a dry lake in an arid landscape, the city is surrounded by bare hills, topped by fortresses and crenellated ramparts.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Dinner and return to the hotel.

Hotel: Royal Orchid or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Amber Fort, about 10 km from Jaipur. Amber is the ancient capital of the state founded by the Minas and then abandoned a few centuries later when its maharajah Jai Singh moved to Jaipur. Located at the entrance of a rocky gorge, overlooking a beautiful lake, the strategic location of this fortress is highlighted by the beauty of its architecture. It is a labyrinth of walls and towers which, from one hill to another, formed an incomparable alarm and defense system. Here, everything has remained exactly as it was centuries ago.

Climb in a 4X4 to the ramparts of the fort.

The interior of the fort has many arcaded courtyards and beautiful gardens invaded by monkeys. The Palace contains walls of Persian style mosaics, doors with ivory and wood filigree. Visit the fairy-tale rooms of the Palace, set with mirrors, as well as the temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. The Rajputs took over the fort in 1037 and kept it until 1728, when they deserted Amber for the new city of Jaipur.

Lunch in a local restaurant then discovery of the city.
The City Palace, palace of the Maharajah, part of which is still inhabited by him and which houses Mughal miniatures.
The Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, an extraordinary wall of an old baroque palace.
Rickshaw ride and discovery of the Jaipur market.

Free time.

Dinner and return to the hotel.

Hotel: Royal Orchid or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Jaipur and visit Fatehpur Sikri en route. Fathepur Sikri, former capital of the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Of more baroque architecture than the Red Fort, this capital was abandoned a few years after its construction. Resulting from the synthesis of various styles, Indo-Muslim and Hindu, it is one of the most spectacular sites. Visit of : The Great Mosque, with the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, The Jewel House also called Diwan-I-Khas (Hall of Hearings) containing the pillar of Akbar, The Giant Chessboard.

Lunch in the local restaurant.

Continue to Agra.

Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and return to the hotel.

Hotel: Royal Regent or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit of the sublime Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) one of the most famous monuments in the world, built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan as a testimony of an eternal love.1631, Shah Jahan lost his favorite wife Mumtaz-i-Mahal (the chosen one of the palace) while she was giving birth to their fourteenth child. The emperor then decided to build her a mausoleum to match his grief, a sort of palace of love. Transfer by carriage to the entrance of the Taj Mahal, a huge red sandstone door covered with verses of the Koran in Arabic. Once crossed this monumental red sandstone gate inlaid with white marble and covered with verses of the Koran, the Taj Mahal appears, unreal, in all its whiteness. Standing on a marble platform, at each of its corners stand high white minarets. The central structure of the Taj is made of white semi-translucent marble carved with flowers and inlaid with semi-precious stones in beautiful patterns. Under the central dome are the cenotaphs of the emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal his wife

visit of the Red Fort: it had an essentially military function, then, it was partially transformed into palace. To visit in particular the Machchi Bhavan (Palace of the fishes) and the Saman Burj: tower from the top of which one sees the Taj Mahal. Behind these walls, it is a real city in the city, that you will discover.

Lunch in the local restaurant.

Departure to Delhi. Arrival and installation at the hotel. Room at your disposal until transfer to the airport.

Farewell dinner.

Hotel: IBIS Hotel or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Transfer to the international airport for the flight to your destination.

Transfer to the airport (around midnight on the night of February 10 to 11, 2024)

Night on board.

Déjeuner à l’hôtel.Transfert à l’aéroport pour le vol vers Varanasi. Assistance et transfert à l’hôtel.Dîner et après-midi libre.Fin d’après-midi: Promenade sur les ghâts en rickshaw à l’heure de la Puja : les prêtres prient devant le Gange et bénissent les pèlerins. Assistez à la cérémonie (Puja) du soir pour Ganges sur les Ghats au bord de la rivière.Souper et retour à l’hôtel.

Déjeuner à l’hôtel.Aux premiers rayons de soleil, transfert à l’embarcadère pour une promenade en barque sur le Gange où des milliers de pèlerins viennent se purifier dans l’eau sacrée.  Le Gange est adoré par les Hindous qui accomplissent les cérémonies de dévotion sur les marches qui descendent jusqu’au fleuve.  Vous pourrez observer le fascinant spectacle des ghats, marches qui descendent jusqu’au bord du fleuve, où grouille une foule de dévots, de fidèles, de prêtres, de marchands, d’hommes, de femmes et de pèlerins.Débarquement, puis balade dans les ruelles pour découvrir le temple d’or, principal sanctuaire dédié à Shiva et dont l’entrée est réservée aux Hindous.Retour à l’hôtel pour le déjeuner.Puis, départ et visite de la ville de Varanasi – Temple de Tulsi Manas, temple de Durga et temple de Bharat Mata.Dîner et départ pour la visite de Sarnath, berceau de l’enseignement bouddhiste. C’est ici que Bouddha prêcha son premier sermon en 528 avant notre ère. Visite de son musée qui abrite de remarquables représentations de Bouddha, le chapiteau de la colonne de l’Empereur Ashoka et de nombreuses statues.Visite de Musée et Temple Bouddhiste. Souper et retour à l’hôtel.

Déjeuner à l’hôtel et matinée libre.Dîner puis transfert à l’aéroport pour le vol à Kolkata et transfert à l’hôtel.Souper et retour à l’hôtel.

Déjeuner à l’hôtel.Toute la journée est consacrée à la visite de la ville.Marché aux fleurs : sous l’extrémité est du pont de Howrah, Mullick Ghat Kolkata Flower Market est le plus grand marché aux fleurs de l’Inde orientale avec des centaines de stands. Environ 2000 producteurs de fleurs en provenance des régions avoisinantes viennent vendre leurs fleurs pendant la saison des mariages et des fêtes.Howrah Bridge aussi nommé Rabindra Setu. Pont reliant Howrah à Calcutta, il s’étend sur la rivière Hooghly et est considéré comme un ouvrage de génie merveilleux par les Britanniques. Le pont Howrah est énuméré parmi les plus achalandés pont cantilever au monde. Il a fallu environ 7 longues années pour construire le pont Howrah. Il a été achevé en 1943 et ouvert au public dans la même année.Kumartuli : Ce village artisanal unique a plus de 400 ans, ce qui en fait peut-être le plus ancien de ce genre dans le monde. Il est la pierre angulaire du plus grand festival du Bengale et maintient la ferveur de Puja (Prière) vivant au sein des communautés bengalis dans d’autres pays. Près de 250 artistes travaillent pour produire 40 000 statues par an, dont 3 500 images de Durga. Avec plus d’un millier de travailleurs en plus des artisans, Kumartuli est une mini-industrie. Elle exporte 50 statues de déesse Durga à presque tous les coins du monde, y compris aux États-Unis, Canada, Allemagne, Suisse et ailleurs.Dîner en cours de visite.Jain Temples : Le temple est dédié à Paresnath et il est adoré par les jaïns. C’est l’un des temples jaïns les plus importants de Kolkata. L’endroit est célèbre partout, c’est pourquoi le temple se compose de quatre temples. La divinité du Seigneur Sitalnathji est assise dans le saint des saints et son front serti de diamants est une attraction majeure pour les visiteurs.Palais de Marbre: Situé dans la partie nord de la ville, il abrite une galerie d’art séculaire appartenant à la famille de Mallick Chorbagan. Construit en 1855 avec du marbre  italien par l’un des plus riches propriétaires Raja Rajendra Mallick Bahadur du Bengal.

College Street Book Market: Kolkatans sont bien connus pour leur passion pour les livres et ce quartier est un trésor pour les amoureux des livres de la ville. Certains des établissements universitaires les plus renommés du Kolkata comme l’Université de Calcutta, Presidency College, Calcutta Medical College et Sanskrit College sont également situés dans cette rue.

Indian Coffee House: Aussi connu sous le nom Albert Hall c’est l’endroit le plus apprécié par les écrivains, intellectuels, artistes et étudiants. De nombreuses discussions et débats sur des sujets divers constituent l’activité sociale préférée de tout le bengali.

Souper et retour à l’hôtel.

Déjeuner à l’hôtel.Le matin, balade dans le quartier du square Dalhousie. La zone couverte par cette promenade est nommée d’après Lord Dalhousie qui était le gouverneur général en 1850.Dans ce quartier vous découvrirez : Raj Bhawan – Treasury Building – L’église Saint-Jean – Bureaux du Secrétariat – Kolkata GPO et Musée Postal – Bâtiment Collecterait – Bâtiment d’Écrivains – Eglise Saint-André – Old Currency Building  – Bureau central des télégraphes – Grand Eastern Hotel.Dakshineswar Kali Temple est célèbre pour son association avec Ramakrishna qui a réalisé la vision spirituelle de cet endroit. Rani Rashmoni a construit ce temple en 1847. Entouré par 12 autres temples dédiés à Shiva, il s’agit d’un célèbre lieu de pèlerinage. C’est ici que le penseur religieux Rama Krishna Paramhansa a réalisé sa vision spirituelle et a prêché l’unité de toutes les religions.Dîner.Dans l’après-midi, visite de Musée Indien et  du Mémorial de Victoria.Musée Indien : L’un des plus anciens musées d’Asie, le Musée Indien a été fondée en 1814. Découvrez fossiles, pièces de monnaie, pierres, art Gandhâra, météores, momie vieille de 4000 ans et bien plus encore.  On peut y contempler une urme qui prétend contenir les cendres de Bouddha…Mémorial de Victoria, est l’un des plus beaux monuments de l’Inde construit entre 1906 et 1921 sur les lignes de marbre blanc. Ce mémorial a été pensé par Lord Curzon qui, en 1901, a estimé que la Reine Impératrice devrait posséder un monument approprié à sa mémoire. Il abrite des peintures, manuscrits et autres objets de valeur historique.

Souper d’adieu et transfert à l’aéroport international pour le vol de retour.

Départ du vol pendant la nuit et retour à Montréal.