The Tea Centre has teamed up with Dex India Holidays, to offer a vibrant 17-day holiday to the sub-continent. Getting you to the heart of India, exploring mouthwatering sites like the Taj Mahal and the Pink City of Jaipur, they also visit the tea plantations of Darjeeling and Assam, staying at authentic tea bungalows.
Namaste! Welcome to India. They will be there to collect you as you arrive in New Delhi for your transfer to the hotel. Overnight – Delhi
Over the next two days, they will explore all that Elderly & New Delhi must offer. Modern New Delhi is a striking contrast to the unorganized chaos of the Elderly City although both are appealing. Our tour of Elderly Delhi begins with a visit to Raj Ghat, a quiet & simple memorial that pays homage to the Mahatma Gandhi & marks the spot where they were cremated. They continue on to Red Fort, a magnificent complex overlooking the Jamuna River. Next, they jump aboard local rickshaws & make our way to Jama Masjid, of Asia’s largest mosques. Later on, they visit the famous Khari Baoli Spice & Food Grain Market where they have the privilege of a short interactive session with a local spice & grain merchant who will report to us lots of fascinating facts about spices & tea in India. On day three they explore New Delhi, kicking off with Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India before paying a visit to Humayun’s Tomb – the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent & inspired the construction of the legendary Taj Mahal. They finish off the tour with a trip to India Gate, the Parliament building & Rastrapathi Bhawan – the President’s residence. This afternoon they relax at The Atrium in the Hotel Imperial and enjoy a pleasant Afternoon Tea. Overnight – Delhi
Delhi – Agra. This morning they travel to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal! Our first cease of the day is the Tea Lounge at the Radisson where they will indulge in an exquisite tea & coffee afternoon. Later on, they visit the lofty Agra Fort, an impressive red sandstone structure that surrounds the beautiful Pearl Mosque. From here it is possible for you to see your first glimpses of the Taj. In the early evening, they make our way to India’s most popular tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal. Constructed over a period of 21 years, this stunning monument was built as a memorial for Shah Jehan’s spouse Mumtaz Mahal. They spend our time here exploring the wonderful monument whilst enjoying a stunning Indian sundown at night draws in. Overnight – Agra
Agra – Jaipur. After breakfast they start our journey to Jaipur, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri en route. This sprawling sandstone city was built in the 16th Century & housed Emperor Akbar, his three wives Muslim, Hindu & Christian), his lots of staff & limitless concubines. This afternoon they drive to the final part of the Golden Triangle, the brilliant Pink City of Jaipur. Overnight – Jaipur
We start the morning with a visit to striking Amber Fort. Arriving at the fort in style atop an Indian elephant, as the royal families would have done. This afternoon they embark on a city tour taking in the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal & Birla Hindu before being treated to High Tea at the stunning Rambagh Palace which was the home to generations of royals for centuries & is now a luxury hotel, fondly often called the ‘Jewel of Jaipur’. Overnight – Jaipur
Jaipur – Dibrugarh. Today they take a flight to Dibrugarh by Delhi and Guwahati. Dibrugarh is called The Tea Capital of Assam, is the gateway to of the largest tea producing districts. Overnight – Dibrugarh
We spend the next two days touring tea factories and tea gardens. They start with a visit to a tea factory that makes use of the CTC (Crush, Tear, and Curl) process of producing tea. We also visit the Mancotta Tea Estate which practices the orthodox method of producing tea. Whilst here they take a walk around the plantation, visit the tea factory and sample the different types of tea that Mancotta produces. Overnight – Dibrugarh
Darjeeling – Salim Hill Estate. After breakfast, they visit the Makaibari Tea Estate for a morning tea experience before continuing on to Salim Hill, a sprawling organic tea estate. At Salim Hill, they spend some time in the tea garden & the factory. In the evening they take a leisurely stroll along the tea gardens to sundown point. They also have the chance to visit of the Tea Picker’s homes in the local village. Overnight – Darjeeling
Salim Hill – Dam Dim Tea Estate. After breakfast, they travel to Dam Dim Tea Estate in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, for a tea experience followed by a Planter style lunch at Dam Dim tea bungalow with appetizing local recipes carefully handed down through generations. They then visit the tea gardens as well as a huge commercial tea factory including the tea packing units. Overnight – Dam Dim Tea Estate/Zurantee Tea Bungalow.
Your tour concludes after breakfast and onward transfer to the airport.
Inclusion:
Little gifts from Travel East:
Exclusion: