North India with Varanasi

- Arrival in Delhi. - Welcome with a flower necklace and Mauli. Welcome with a flower garland and Mauli upon arrival at Delhi airport, meet Sentiers DuMonde representative and your guide who will accompany you during the tour.. MAULI The red thread or Kalava symbolizes longevity and protection against enemies. This is why it is also called "thread of Raksha". Many attributes are associatedwithMauli, it is known as the protective shield that keeps evil/negativeenergies and problems from the world at bay. The Mauli is also tied to receive the blessings of the deity worshiped during the puja (prayer) or havan (sacred fire) ceremony. Transfer to the hotel and installation (rooms will be available from 2:00 p.m.) Night at the hotel.

- Introduction of Hindi - Optional: Kabootarbaazi On the roof of old Delhi - Optional: Discover the street food of Delhi - Visit to Delhi - Taste Jalebi - Visit to Bangla Sahib Gurdwara (Sikh temple) Breakfast at the hotel. Introduction of Hindi: Learn a few Hindi words from your guide, which will help you understand and communicate with the locals. Optional: Kabootarbaazi On the roof of old Delhi: Get an up-close look at the fascinating flight of pigeons on an Old Delhi resident's roof. Enjoy Indian hospitality in the warm surroundings of a family home. Magnificent viewofoldDelhi froma rooftop. Feed healthy pet pigeons, understand their lifestyle and habits. Wave flags, blow whistles and help direct the pigeon formation. Understanding the sport's user-friendly awarded reward system. OR Optional: Discover the street food of Delhi: Discover the other cultures of India in the footsteps of Delhi through food and your taste buds. An unknown experience that takes you away from the mainstream of Delhi. The activity is unique because through the flavors you will be able to understand the history and culture of the migrants fromthe northeast. The activity is designed to allow you to taste food and culture that is hidden from the general public. The activity focuses on telling stories through theconsumption of food and ingredients, giving you an eventful experience. Different types of street food are offered. The streets of Delhi are all about food. We have therefore selected some good local, safe and delicious addresses for taste explorers. Delhi, around 20 million people clearly divided between the old and new cities. NEWDELHI with some large spaces, and OLD DELHI with its bustling little streets. After lunch at the hotel, you will explore OLD DELHI, pass by the RED FORT and enter the always bustling main shopping street ChandniChowk. Enjoy a pedicab ride and see some of the best silver jewelry, craft and candy stores. This place four thousandpeopleday and night. Later, visit the JamaMasjid, the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent. Taste Jalebi: The South Asian variety is prepared by frying a doughmade frommaida flour (plain flour or all -purpose flour) into pretzel or circular shapes, which are then dipped in sugar syrup. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then visit Raj Ghat and discover the enchanting Humayun's Tomb, surrounded by lush gardens and built in memory of theMughal EmperorHumayun by his devotedwife. Passby the IndiaGate,the Parliament Building, the President's House and finally Bangla Sahib Gurdwara (Sikh Temple). Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Road to the SHEKHAWATI region - Visit Mandawa - Optional: Visit a villager's house Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for SHEKHAWATI region: the region of Rajasthan nicknamed “the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan”. Lunch enroute. Transfer to the hotel, installation. Later departure for the visit of Mandawa. It is in these towns surrounded by sand dunes that we find the havelis, houses of rich merchants who formerly used the camel trade between India and Pakistan, small palaces with walls decorated with painted frescoes, real works illuminated. Havelis are houses built by prosperous merchants. They are superficial frescoes. These wall paintings date on average from the 19th century. Optional: Visit a villager's house: Interact with family members and understand their daily life along with a Kulhad tea prepared by a family member. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Depart for Bikaner - Visit of Bikaner - Visit Bikaneri Namkeen Store - TUK TUK ride Breakfast at the hotel. Then continue to Bikaner. On arrival check-in at the hotel and lunch. Then visit Junnagarh Fort, a fortress built in the 16th century which contains various palaces and temples. It is a maze of corridors, staircases and interior courtyards. You can visit: the coronation hall, the Palace of Mirrors, the Maharaja's bedroom, the weapons museum also containing elephant pods, the "conference room" with a silver throne, as well as the first drawing boards. nails of the fakirs… Then take a “Heritage walk” in the old town to explore its small streets and take the opportunity to visit some old havelis. Visit Bikaneri Namkeen shop, Bikaneri namkeen, often called simply bhujia, is a crispy snack prepared from moth flour, gram flour and spices, originating from Bikaner, a city located in the western state of Rajasthan, India. It is light yellow in color. Bhujia is not only a characteristic product of Bikaner. You will get a small sachet of namkeen that you can taste or a large sachet that you can enjoy with a cup of tea at home. TUK TUK ride (This is a motorized version of the towed rickshaw or cycle rickshaw) in the local market and explore this bustling market and its colorful shops. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Road to Jaisalmer - Visit Jaisalmer - Optional: In the evening, attend a puppet show Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Jaisalmer. This fascinating military outpost projected in the middle of the desert owes its nickname of “Golden City” to the color that takes on the stone of the ramparts at sunset. The citadel, similar to an immense sandcastle, seems straight out of The Thousand and One Nights. On arrival, check-in at your hotel and lunch. The Haveli, ancient palace residences with correspondingly ornate balconies, built in the 18th century by wealthy merchants. Visit the Jain Temple (interior) andwalk through the bazaar. Late afternoon discovery of the Cenotaphs of Bara Bagh during the sunset. Optional: In the evening, attend a puppet show: Rajasthani puppets are one of the most popular entertainments in the state. The art of puppetry is practiced by a community of agricultural workers in Rajasthan. Known as Bhats, these people were associated with the string puppets of Rajasthan to perpetuate their traditional occupation. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Road to Dechu - Departure by jeep to discover the sand dunes and village visit. - Then camel ride and sunset view. - Music with cultural dance during dinner. Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to the Thar desert for the unforgettable life experience. Lunch at camp. Departure by jeep to discover the sand dunes and visit to a local village to experience the opium ceremony. Then camel ride and sunset view. Music with cultural dance during dinner. Overnight at tented accommodation

- Departure by road to Jodhpur - Optional: the culinary trail (between Dechu and Jodhpur) Breakfast at the hotel. Optional: the culinary trail (between Dechu and Jodhpur): “Our plant-based dining experienceconsists of a7-course make-aheadmeal that is an amalgamation of artistry, freshness and flavor. We take the hyperlocal and seasonal approach to the next level, bringing your table to the farm –– over 90% of the produce used is produced fresh on our farm itself, having seen the sun and the earth and never a truck refrigerated! Determined by the availability of products in the fields and the number of consumers on a given day, the menu is decided. For diners, it remains a blind menu. However, we can accommodate various dietary restrictions and must be informed of this when booking. Lunch at the hotel and departure for Jodhpur. Nestled at the foot of an enormous fortress of dark red sandstone where the forcesof many conquerors werespent, JODHPUR, also called "blue city", appears like a comforting oasis to the travelerwho has just crossed the Thar desert. The old town is surrounded by a surroundingwall with seven gates, whichwas established around the middle of the 16th century over a perimeter of almost 10 km, which protects it from the sand. Check-in at the hotel and dinner. Free end of the afternoon to enjoy the swimming pool. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Optional: Safari in a Bishnoi village - Visit to Jodhpur - Lassi tasting - Optional: You will see the manufacturing process of lacquer bracelets. Breakfast at the hotel. Optional: Safari in a Bishnoi village: Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, with many palaces, forts and temples, but it is the village visits that are the most interesting. 70% of Indians live in villages. 80% of villages have a population of less than 1,000 inhabitants and each of them is made up of a series of hamlets. In every place we visit you will see real people, real nature and real artisans. Bishnoi village. Some use the term Vishnoi, meaning follower of Vishan (the name of Vishnu in the local dialect), while most refer to themselves as Bishnoi. Le Morning visit Mehrangarh Fort, with its dizzying arcades, which contain a series of palaces, each decorated with carved stone lattice balconies and mirrored walls. Other highlights of the city include Jaswant Thada, the Clock Tower and the bustling Sardar Market, known for its spices. Tasting Lassi is an Indian yogurt-based drink with a smoothie-like consistency. It has been called "India's most popular and traditional yogurt drink". You can watch the demonstration and snack at the local market in Jodhpur. Optional: You will see the manufacturing process of lacquer bracelets. Normal lacquer is glued in a thick layer to a wooden rod and rolled on a flat surface to give it a cylindrical shape. This lake is then slowly heated over a coal burner. The heated lacquer is continuously pressed and rolled onto the iron plate using a wooden tool. Youwill receive a small set of bracelets as a souvenir. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Departure for Udaipur - En route visit the Rankpur temple - Optional: Visit to the village of Samal Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for RANAKPUR, passing through roads lined with acacia trees, where you can see water wheels, pump wells, as well as womenwalking on the road carrying golden or silver jugs on their heads. You will also discover the great Jain temples, which seem to be hidden in the Aravelli Mountains. A bewitching charm emanates from this solitary place; youwill be surprised and admired by the sculptures of the different temples. It is the most beautiful Jain sanctuary. The most grandiose temple is that dedicated to Adinath and which was built in 1439. It is supported by 1444 marble columns, only one of which is inclined. The marble vaults are chiseled in an extraordinary manner and dominate 29 rooms containing Jain saints. Lunch and continuation to UDAIPUR, a city with narrow and lively streets, whitewashed houses, balconies and tiny windows. Optional: Visit to the village of Samal: The excursion to Samal village near Udaipur is specially designed for those looking for non-touristy spots and untouched rural tourism. You will discover the daily life of the villagers which has not changedmuch over the centuries. Our village tour allows you to discover the real India. Explore the picturesque village of Samal, near Ranakpur, which remains rustic and has retained its rural character intact. This walk allows visitors to stretch their legs, interact closely and observe rural life. Part of the income from this walk is dedicated to improving sanitation and hygiene facilities in the village of Samal. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Visit Udaipur - Optional: Introduction to classical music - Optional: Puppet making workshop - Boat ride on Lake Pichola (subject to water level) Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the city tour. Optional : Introduction of classical music: Today youwill enjoy differentmusical instruments (such as tabla, santoor, sitar, etc.) which will be played by a musician and given a brief introduction. You discover the City Palace, former palace of the Maharajaof UDAIPUR. Built in the 18th century, this palace, part of which is still inhabited by the descendants of the Maharaja of UDAIPUR, overlooks Lake Pichola. It is a maze of marble rooms, decorated lounges, courtyards, numerous ceramics and gardens. Visit SahelionKi Bari or “Garden of the Young Ladies”, a superb park with numerous fountains. Lunch in a local restaurant. At the end of the afternoon boat ride (depending on the water level), transfer to the jetty. Optional: Puppet making workshop In this class youwill learn how to make a traditional Rajasthani puppet. This is a course that combines three key formsof crafting such as wood carving, fabric cutting and painting. You start by choosing the kind of puppet you want to make, which will determine how you carve the wood and fabrics you choose. The most difficult part of the class is at the beginning of the class, when youwork on a block of wood to carve facial features. Once the sculpt is complete, you will need to paint the base colors on the face and let it dry. While the paint dries, you'll move on to fabrics, which involves cutting and sewing clothes for the puppet. There is quite a bit of "stuffing" (i.e. plush toys), as the carved block of wood is only for the torso of the puppet and not the entire body. Once the fabric, stuffed body and painted face are ready, the assembly process begins and you will see an entire puppet come together! - Meet the local family of puppet makers - Enjoy a cup of tea - Learn the basics of puppet making - And enjoy a short puppet show Boat ride on Lake Pichola to admire the magnificent facade of the Udaipur Palace and stop at the island of JAG MANDIR. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Optional: 1 hour Yoga session - Departure for Deogarh - The culinary demonstration - Evening walking tour in the local market Optional: 1 hour Yoga session Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but became popular as a way to promote physical and mental well-being. Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Deogarh. Deogarh, another beautiful village located along the Aravalli Hills and home to this magnificent palace, Deogarh Mahal is a grand heritage palace built during the 1st royal Mewar. Upon arrival, check-in and lunch at the hotel with culinary demonstration. Evening walk in the local market you will see the real daily life of the inhabitants who manufacture small products for daily use on site to sell and earn a living. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- You take a local train - Departure for Jaipur - En route visit Pushkar Breakfast at the hotel. You take a local train fromthe 1930s and embark on atwo-hour journey throughrolling landscapes and local villages. It's a good way to meet locals while admiring scenes of Indian village life. Then departure for Jaipur, enroute to lunch and visit to this high place of pilgrimage dedicated to the god Brahma. Pushkar Lake is considered sacred. Continue towards Jaipur. Jaipur – The vibrant capital of Rajasthan, owes its nickname “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 with fortresses and crenellated ramparts. Installation at the hotel Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Visit of the splendid Amber Fort - Optional: Walking on water in Nahargarh OR - Optional: The Elephantesque experience - Electronic rickshaw ride in the old market of Jaipur - An evening of Bollywood cinema Breakfast at the hotel. A visit to the splendid Amber Fort overlooking a lake. Climb to the top of the ramparts on the back of an elephant (subject to availability) led by a mahout. Inside the palace, a religious ceremony takes place every morning in the Kal temple. Optional: Walking on water in Nahargarh During this 2-hour guided tour, you will discover ancient hydraulic structures - canals, Roman aqueducts, steppedwells, storage tanks - and learn their function, architecture and history. You will discover ancient hydraulic structures - canals, Roman aqueducts, stepped wells, storage tanks - and learn about their function, architecture and history. The tour is peppered with facts, anecdotes and stories that make the experience fun and entertaining OR Optional: The Elephant Experience:- Encountering elephants in their natural habitat is an experience worth having. Vedic Walks offers a responsible way to spend quality time with these gentle giants rather than bothering them forwalks. Take a subtle walk around the village surrounded by the Aravali mountains and an elephant bathing water body in between.Explore the elephant shelter and share smiles with their keepers and family. We have plenty of bananasfor you to become friends with. A unique opportunity to learn the sign language used by their keepers and dry rub them to strengthen your friendship. You have time ! Why not bake a loaf or two and feed themfresh! The day with the elephants is a memorable experience forwildlife enthusiasts, who can get closer to elephants and participate in responsible tourism. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, walk in the “pink city” so full of life. In the streets, cows, elephants, bicycles and taxis meet with a loud noise of horns. Youwill pass by the famous HawaMahal (house of the wind), later visit the City Palace and also the Jantar Mantar observatory. E-rickshaw ride in the oldmarket of Jaipur, the bazaars of Jaipur are legendary. In 1729, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II sent letters to famous trading houses across India, inviting them to settle in Jaipur. They received prime locations, free land and concessions on taxes. Situated on important trade routes, Jaipur quickly became a major center for trade and commerce, home to a large number of artisans and merchants. An eveningof Bollywood cinema then awaits at the RAJ Mandir, the largest cinema in Rajasthanwith a capacity of 2,500 seats, with small waiting rooms, a bar and very chic decor. Even if you don't understandHindi, this experience will leave you with a certain amount of astonishment. Bollywood is part of the Indian way of life and practically the only entertainment for the majority population of India. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Depart for Agra - On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri - Visit the Red Fort - In the evening, you will attend a magic show (private) Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Agra then en route to your final destination of the trip (ormaybe not). On theway to Agra, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the magnificent walled ghost town. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then continue to Agra, visit the Red Fort, whose military might cannot be doubted. It was the residence of the Mughal emperors. Everyonehas left theirmark, the red sandstone of Akbar and Jahangir, the white marble of Shah Jahan. The fort extends on the banks of the Yamuna surrounded by a wall 20 to 33 meters high and 2500m in perimeter. Late check-in at your hotel. In the evening, you attend a magic show (private) Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Morning visit to the famous Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) at sunrise. - Departure by road to Delhi to take the flight to Varanasi. Morning visit to the famous Taj Mahal (closedon Fridays) at sunrise. It was built by theMughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of this magnificent mausoleum dedicated to love was completed in 22 years. After spending a few unforgettable hours . Return to the hotel for breakfast. Then departure by road to Delhi airport to take the flight to Varanasi, enroute lunch in the local restaurant. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel with the help of Sentiers Du Monde Representative who will give you an overview of the city and the program for the next day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Early morning boat trip on the Ganges - The visit to Sarnath - Chaat tasting in Varanasi in the local market - Dinner (Thali specialty dinner) - In the evening to witness the fascinating Arati Early in the morning, head to a Ghat for a boat ride on the Ganges where you can see at sunrise women bathing discreetly in their saris, men practicing yoga exercises and Brahmin priests offering their blessings. Located on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is the holy city of Indiawhere Hindus come to seek spiritual de liverance. Pilgrims flock to the ghats as well which lead to the river. The great attraction of Varanasi is the long chain of ghats which border the west bank of the Ganges. Continuation of the walk along the banks of the ghats as well as the small streets of the old town and visit the Bharat Mata temple. Then, departure fromthe hotel to visit Sarnath, one of the high places of Buddhism. It was there, in fact, that Buddha came to set in motion “The Wheel of Law”, his first sermon. At the site there are still remains of the buildings equipped by Ashoka himself, with the main temple from the 6th century, the Ashoka Column and the Lady Stupa. Tasting Chaat in Varanasi in the local market, Chaat, or Chāt, is a family of savory snacks of Indian origin, usually served as hors d'oeuvres or on the side of the road in stalls or food floats throughout South Asia in India. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, India, the cat has become extremely popular throughout the rest of South Asia. Lunch (Thali Specialty Dinner) will be hosted in a unique restaurant where many meal courses will be served in authentic Indian tradition, using antique plates and cutlery. Later in the evening Proceed to the ghats in the evening to witness the fascinating Arati (elaborate prayer ceremony). Brahmins (priests), oil lamps in hand, pray in front of the Ganges and bless the pilgrims. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

- Optional: 1 hour Yoga session - Optional: Visit to a Gaushala (cow shelters) - Then head to the airport to take the flight to Delhi. - After arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel, time to relax, followed by dinner at the hotel. Optional: 1 hour Yoga session Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but became popular as a way to promote physical and mental well-being. Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free. Optional: Visit to a Gaushala (cow shelters) Cow shelters, also known as goshalas, are facilities designed to provide shelter, care and support for cows, especially those that are elderly, sick or abandoned. These shelters are of great importance in various cultural, religious and practical contexts. Visitors can learn about how the facility works, the importance of cow protection in local culture or religion, and the role of cows in sustainable agriculture. Knowledgeable guides can provide insight into the shelter's history, traditions, and daily activities. Depending on shelter policies and safety considerations, tourists may be allowed to interact with the cows. This may involve petting, grooming or feeding the cows under the supervision of shelter staff. Overall, visiting a cow sanctuary can provide tourists with a unique and educational experience, allowing themto better understand the relationship between humans and animals, sustainable farming practices, and cultural traditions. It can also be an opportunity for meaningful engagement with local communities and support for important conservation efforts. Then head to the airport to take the flight to Delhi. After arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel, time to relax, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal. ***END OF TOUR***