Festival Tour of India (Holi Festival of Mathura)

Duration- 9 Nights / 10 Days

Places- Delhi-Mathura-Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Jaipur-Delhi

Mode of Transportation- Private vehicle with experienced English-speaking chauffer

Meals- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Tour Manager- Available at your service right from your arrival till departure

Tour Guide- Local tour guide will be made available at all the locations

Inclusions- All-inclusive except expense of personal nature like laundry, entry fee of camera etcetera

Hotel Category- Category of your choice. We recommend palatial / boutique properties wherever Available

Holi- The Holi festival has a cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It is the festive day to end and rid oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and forgive. People pay or forgive debts, as well as deal anew with those in their lives. Holi also marks the start of spring, an occasion for people to enjoy the changing seasons and make new friends. It is a playful cultural event and an excuse to throw coloured water at friends or strangers in jest.

Holi is a popular and significant festival celebrated as the festival of colours, Love and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the god Radha and Krishna. Additionally, the day also signifies the triumph of good over evil

Day 1– Arrival Delhi

A very warm welcome to India’s capital city!!! Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your English speaking tour manager and chauffer. Tour manager will help you with hotel check in and discuss the tour details. Depending upon your flight timings local excursions can be planned for the day.

Today’s Excursion- It can be discussed and planned as per your arrival in Delhi

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 2– Delhi

Post relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a full day city tour. We will cover / pass through all the below listed places of importance. You have option to add / omit places.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Qutub Minar- Built in 1193, it is the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The compound also has an iron pillar famous for the rust resistant composition and is an excellent specimen of ancient metallurgy
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  • Humayun Tomb- The tomb of Humayun construction was completed in 1572. The building was the first to use its unique combination of red sandstone and white marble. The tomb was declared a  UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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  • Agrasen Ki Baoli- Agrasen Ki Baoli is a 60-meter long and 15-meter-wide historical stepwell built in 14th century.
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  • Jama Masjid- It was built between 1650 and 1656.At the time of its construction, it was the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent. The mosque predominantly uses red sandstone & Black marble. The courtyard can accommodate 25,000 worshippers.
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  • Red Fort- The Red Fort historically served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. Its design is credited to architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who also constructed the Taj Mahal.  It was completed in 1648. The World Heritage Convention characterises the Red Fort as representing “The Zenith of Mughal Creativity”
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  • Raj Ghat- It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s Cremation. It is on the west bank of the Yamuna River 
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  • Rickshaw Ride- The Old Delhi Rickshaw Tour is special as it is royal and regal. Hop on board our cushy rickshaws and explore the Mughal-built Walled City in a comfortable, eco-friendly and  adventurous way. This tour is a mix of Old Delhi Heritage and culture. Immerse yourself in this  enigmatic experience and have the best of this Old City.
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  • Drive through / Photo stop- President house / Parliament house / India Gate
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Night Stay- Delhi

Day 3– Delhi to Barsana (100 miles / 3:30 hours) to Mathura (30 miles / 1 hour)

After early breakfast at hotel, we will depart for Barsana for our first Holi celebration. We will take part and click pictures of Holi celebration in Barsana and later drive down to Mathura for overnight stay.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Barsana- Barsana is believed to be the birthplace of Radha Rani, the companion of lord Krishna. We will stop few miles ahead of the temple because of huge crowd. So, we will have to walk some distance to reach the temple. People gather here to take Darshan of deity and rush with the crowd to catch the Laddoo (Sweets) which Pujarijis (Priest) throw from temple as a form of prasad (Offering). The Laddoo Maar starts roughly around 3-4 pm. We will be ahead of time to watch people playing with colors and enjoying on the tune of drums and songs.
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Night Stay- Mathura

Day 4– Mathura to Barsana (30 miles / 1 hour) to Mathura (30 miles / 1 hour)

Post relaxing breakfast we will drive towards Barsana to celebrate the most famous celebration of Holi Festival, Lathmaar Holi at Barsana. Post celebration we will return back to our hotel in Mathura for overnight stay.

Today’s Excursion-

• •  Lathmaar Holi in Barsana- On this particular day, the men of Nandgaon come to Barsana. They intend to take over the temple of Shri Radhikaji. But the women of Barsana are reluctant to allow them to do so. They resist them with bamboo sticks. The men are unable to strike back. All they can do is splash colors on the women. The men who are caught are rather unfortunate. The men are forced to clad themselves in women's clothes, apply cosmetics, and dance like ladies in front of everybody. It is indeed a delight to watch all the people participate in this unrestrained merrymaking. It is pleasantly entertaining and provides everyone with a lot of joy.
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Night Stay- Mathura

Day 5– Mathura

Today we will be part of celebration in and around Mathura. Post relaxing breakfast we will step out to and drive towards Vrindavan. Later we will return to our hotel for overnight stay.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Phoolon waali Holi- Krishna Janma Bhoomi is a huge temple built at the place where the Lord Krishna was born. On this day of the temple compound is jam packed with people who come to witness a complete touristy event that sums up everything from Latha Maar to Flower to colourful Holi. It also includes dance performances by local artists. This thorough engaging event commences at around 1 pm and culminates again with the Latha Maar Holi at around 5pm.
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  • The second place to be covered on this day is the Flower Holi or Phoolon wali Holi that takes place at Banke Bihari, the most famous temple in Vrindavan. Here the worshipers are showered with flower petals throughout the day. Although this continues for couple more days here this day is the grandest with use of around 1500 kgs of flowers.

Night Stay- Mathura

Day 6– Mathura to Agra (40 miles- 1 hour)

After relaxing breakfast at hotel, we will depart for Agra. Upon arrival at Agra check in and relax for a while before we proceed to take a spectacular view of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Agra Fort- Also known as Agra’s Red Fort was built by the Mughal emperor in 1573.It served as the main residence of the rulers of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. The 40-hectare fort has a semi-circular plan, its chord lies parallel to the river Yamuna and its walls are seventy feet high.
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  • Taj Mahal- The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare complex. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around ₹32 million, which currently would be approximately USD $1 billion. The construction project employed some 20,000 artisans. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
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Night stay- Agra

Day 7– Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (150 miles / 5 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at your hotel we will drive to Jaipur, visiting the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri enroute.

Upon arrival at Jaipur check in and relax for a while before we embark on half day city tour.

Jaipur is also known as the Pink City, due to the dominant colour scheme of its buildings. During the year 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII). It is also known as the Paris of India, and it was founded in 1727 UNESCO World Heritage Committee inscribed Jaipur the Pink City of India & among its World Heritage Sites. It is among the top 10 places of tourist attraction in Asia.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Fatehpur Sikri- It is an abandoned palace city which sits on rocky ridge, 1.9 miles in length and 0.62 miles wide and palace city is surrounded by a 6 km (3.7 mi) wall on three sides with the fourth bordered by a lake. Some of the important buildings in this city holds both religious and secular importance. The city was built massively and preferably with red sandstone.
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  • Guided Tour of Old Jaipur City
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  • Visit Shops for Souvenir Shopping
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Night stay- Jaipur

Day 8– Jaipur

Post relaxing breakfast at your hotel we will embark on our full day local tour of Jaipur.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Amer Fort- Amer Fort is great example of architecture. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. Its construction ensured that a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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  • Jaigarh Fort- The Amer Fort along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Hill of Eagles. The Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort are considered one complex, as the two are connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort
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  • Nahargarh Fort- Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defence ring for the city. Nahar in local language means abode of tigers. The popular belief is that Nahar here stands for the kind named Nahar Singh Bhomia, whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort. Nahar’s spirit was pacified by building a temple in his memory within the fort, which thus became known by his name
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  • Hawa Mahal- The structure was built in 1799 from red and pink sandstone. Its five-floor exterior is akin to a honeycomb with its 953 highly decorated small windows. The original intent of this design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen. This architectural feature also allowed cool air to pass through, thus making the whole area more pleasant during the high temperatures in summer
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  • City Palace- The City Palace, Jaipur was established in 1727. It now houses the Museum and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family. The royal family has around 500 personal servants The palace complex has several buildings, various courtyards, galleries, restaurants, and offices 
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  • Jantar Mantar- A Jantar Mantar is an assembly of stone-built astronomical instruments, designed to be used with the naked eye. The instrument can be used with an accuracy of about 20 seconds by a skilled observer & to measure the time of day, and the declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies. It is the world’s largest stone sundial. The Jaipur Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Optional Activity

• • Elephant Ride to Amer Fort
  • Jeep Ride to Amer fort
  • Hot Air balloon – Jaipur City view from the top
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Night stay- Jaipur

Day 9– Jaipur to Delhi (190 miles / 5 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel we will proceed to Delhi for our Holi celebration in private farmhouse. Post arrival in Delhi, check in and day at leisure.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Jal Mahal-The palace, built in red sandstone, is a five-storied building, of which four floors remain underwater when the lake is full and the top floor is exposed
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Night stay- Delhi

Day 10– Delhi- Holi Celebration

Post relaxing breakfast at hotel we will proceed to for our Holi celebration in private farmhouse. Post celebration, check out and transfer to Airport for your onward Journey.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Holi Celebration- Enjoy the color-throwing antics of India’s annual Holi festival experience in Private Farmhouse. Meet local families, and after a traditional welcome and flower garland greeting, join in a frenetic color bombardment: splashing and throwing wet and dry powders over the family and fellow guests. Refuel with snacks and drinks, and after the colorful cat-and-mouse game, savor a traditional Indian lunch.

Night stay- Delhi (Depending upon your onward journey)

Note: This is just a time bound sample itinerary indicative of how and what all could be explored. We can customise the tour as per your requirements. Set your expectations and we will offer memorable experience. Please reach out to us for personalised holiday experience.

All Meals- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation for 9 Nights / 10 Days

All mode of domestic transportation

All the entry tickets

English speaking tour guide at all the locations

Holi arrangements

International flight

Travel insurance

Any service / activity not mentioned in Itinerary

Expense of personal nature like laundry, entry tickets for camera etcetera

Optional tour / activities