India and Sri Lanka share a common culture and influence each other, but each country has its own characteristics.
In this 15-day India and Sri Lanka tour we will take you to explore the fascinating history and experience the most colorful culture of both countries.
Days
15
Price
US$2,962 P/P
Best For
Discovery-seekers
Best Time
Otc. to Mar.
Tour Highlights
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our travel adviser Albee Ning prepared a wonderful itinerary taking us to great locations with creative activities highlighting local culture.
We traveled with Asia Highlights (Lissie was our agent) several years ago when we went to Saigon, and the experience was so positive, we automatically went to Asia Highlights again for an extensive trip to Southeast Asia.
Itinerary Details
All tours in our Global Highlights are flexible, please feel free to let us know if you think the itinerary needs adjustments or if you have new ideas about your trip. We will do our best to make changes to meet your needs in order to ensure a wonderful trip.
Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India. In this city, the modern culture of the 21st century harmoniously combines with hundreds of ancient cultures.
Upon your arrival, your guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Spend some time on your own for the rest of the day to adjust to the new time zone or wander around your hotel.
Start the day with a visit to one of the largest mosques in India — Jama Masjid. Founded in 1650, Jama Masjid is as important as Mecca in Saudi Arabia and the Al-Azhar Mosque in Egypt. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come here as a pilgrimage.
Hop onto a rickshaw and travel around the Chandni Chowk area, where you will get a real feel of the local way of life in Old Delhi.
Next, visit Qutub Minar, marked as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This will be followed by a tour of Humayun's Tomb in the afternoon, where you can appreciate the glory of the Mughal Dynasty in India.
Spend 4 or 5 hours on the road, transferring from Delhi to Agra. You can take a nap on the way or enjoy the scenery on both sides of the road.
Reach Agra by noon and go for lunch then visit Agra Fort. Also known as Red Fort, because the palaces and walls are all made of red sandstone.
Later, visit Mehtab Bagh and enjoy sunset views of the Taj Mahal.
Mehtab Bagh lies on the banks of the Yamuna River and is directly opposite the Taj Mahal. Away from the usual crowds, it provides a great place for tourists to enjoy a majestic view of the Taj Mahal.
Get up early and visit the Taj Mahal. The beauty of the grand mausoleum doesn't just come from its remarkable architectural form, but also from the epic love story between Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Today, the Taj Mahal is not only known world-over as a classical monument, but it has also become a symbol of love.
Next, head to Itmad-ud-Daula's tomb. Compared with the Taj Mahal, it's small and simple, but its building style was deeply influenced by the Taj Mahal.
You will be transferred to Ranthambore in the afternoon.
Hop in a Jeep and experience a safari adventure in the morning and the late afternoon when the animals are most active.
Besides tigers, there are deer, wolves, crocodiles, and other wild animals in the park. This magical experience will satisfy your curiosity about wildlife once and for all.
Day 6 will commence with a road trip to Jaipur, which will take around 5 hours from Ranthambore. Take a break and then head to Naharagarh Fort in the afternoon.
Naharagarh Fort, also known as Tiger Castle, was built in 1734 and expanded in 1868. The purpose of the construction of the Tiger Castle was to enhance the defense capabilities of Amber Fort. At the time, it had the longest cannons in the world, and their defense capabilities were very strong. It stands on a hill north of the Old City of Jaipur, overlooking the entire city. The scenery here is extremely magnificent and it is a good place to watch the sunset.
On day 7 you'll visit Amer Fort. Sheesh Mahal is the most famous pavilion here, with countless small mirrors on the palace walls, which shine brilliantly under sunlight. Just a little candlelight can reflect a thousand points of flickering light, making it a unique spectacle to behold.
Next, head to City Palace, from where you can capture panoramic views of the city. The palace has been converted into a museum for furniture and royal finery. Around the courtyard, the four gates represent the four seasons: the Green Gate represents spring, the Lotus Gate represents summer, the Peacock Gate represents autumn, and the Rose Gate represents winter — each having its own characteristics.
Visit Hawa Mahal on the way back, and take some great photos of this landmark.
Your driver will take you to the airport to catch the flight to Colombo with a layover in Bangalore. Your local guide in Colombo will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Visit Elephant Orphanage, one of only two elephant orphanages in the world. The orphanage was founded in 1975. Here are mainly adopted baby elephants who have been homeless, seriously injured in traps, separated from the group, or sick.
It has now become a new home for wild elephants. On the river bank, you can see adult elephants bathing and feeding baby elephants. More than 60 three-generation elephants live in this reserve. You will arrive Kandy in the afternoon.
Start day 10's trip at the National Museum of Kandy. The museum is part of the former palace and contains many rare exhibits. This is a good window for visitors who want to learn about Sri Lanka's culture.
Your next stop will be the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Built in the 17th to 18th centuries, it is home to the Sri Lanka-Buddha Tooth Relic.
Walk by Kandy Lake after lunch before a visit to the Royal palace of Kandy. It is the residence of the last King of Sri Lanka in Kandy. There are many luxurious palaces, which house a variety of exquisite crafts and royal household items.
Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in the morning. It was once the royal garden of the Kandy king, and has more than 4,000 tropical and subtropical rare plants.
Then go to the Peradeniya Junction railway station and hop on the train that will take you to the countryside. You will see the remarkable landscape, dotted with beautiful tea plantations with endless green, forests, waterfalls, and local people.
When you arrive at Nanu Oya railway station in the afternoon, you will be taken to your hotel by your driver and guide.
In the morning, you will transfer to Udawalawe National Park. Upon arrival to your hotel, check in and have some rest to prepare for the jeep safari in the afternoon. This is a natural park comparable to the African savannah. In addition to elephants, sambars, and wild buffaloes, the park also has meerkats, jackals, water monitors, crocodiles, sloth bears, and sometimes you can see the Sri Lankan leopard.
Get up early and join another jeep safari in the morning! After that you will go to Galle by car.
Galle is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is famous because of its castle, which is listed as World Cultural Heritage site. During the Dutch colonial period, in order to show that the rule of Sri Lanka was indestructible, a 360,000 square meter castle was built in Galle in standard European style. In addition to the castle, Galle has other relics from the colonial era, such as paths, houses, and unique doors.
Explore the old town with a knowledgeable tour guide who will guide you through Galle while explaining its fascinating history.
Slow your pace and discover the Galle Dutch Fort, the Dutch Reformed Church, Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum, and Community Tsunami Museum.
Board a train to Colombo. Enjoy the romantic train journey along the coastline. The wind from the Indian Ocean will be your last beautiful memory of Sri Lanka.
Your driver and guide will meet you at the station and transfer you to the airport to catch your flight home.
Price Includes
Price from: $2,962 (Tour code: gh-ah-in-88)
Why Travel with Global Highlights During the Pandemic
- Tailor-made experience: All of your ideas/needs will be carefully considered to create your ideal trip.
- Worry-free planning: Your 1:1 travel consultant in Asia will take all the uncertainty out of your planning, helping you navigate any travel restrictions.
- No-risk booking: 100% refund policy! (prior to 3 weeks before departure, more details)
