The great Indian festivals of Holi 2025.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  March 10, 2025: arrival in Delhi by international flight.

  

  Arrival in Delhi by international flight. Meet and assist on arrival, with a traditional welcome including a garland and a bottle of water at the airport, then transfer to the hotel. Arrival at the hotel at 14:00. Delhi, the capital of India, is a unique and fascinating blend of two very different cities, each with its own flavor and character. No visit to India is complete without discovering these two complementary halves of its capital: Delhi, the old and the new. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  March 11, 2025 Delhi

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Later in the morning, visit of Old and New Delhi. Take the Delhi metro from the city center and travel to Old Delhi. It is a wonderful experience to travel with the locals of Delhi. Upon arrival in Old Delhi, visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Pass by Chandni Chowk, once the imperial avenue of Mughal royalty, today the busiest commercial area of the city. Visit Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). Continue your visit of New Delhi by visiting the Qutab Minar, dating from the 12th century, gracefully hand-carved along its entire height of 234 feet, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and has not rusted, even after 1500 years. Pass by the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives sacrificed by Indian soldiers), the President's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace -, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, an interesting blend of Victorian and 20th-century architecture. On the way to the hotel, visit the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh temple) and observe the prayer ceremony and rituals. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  12 March 2025 Delhi - Jaipur

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Jaipur is a city of history and tradition, dating back to its founding in the 17th century by Sawai Jai Singh, from whom it takes its name. Jai Singh meticulously planned the urban layout of Jaipur, with wide roads and impressive architecture, which is still painted pink today. After a short break, you head towards the old city. Rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys and the colorful bazaar of the old city. The lively bazaar of Jaipur is like diving into a sea of colors and sounds. The narrow alleys are bustling with vendors of spices, textiles, and trinkets, creating an unforgettable sensory experience. On the way back to the hotel, visit the Hindu temple and observe the evening prayer ceremony with the locals. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  March 13, 2025 in Jaipur

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, Jeep excursion to the Amer (Amber) Fort. The Amber Fort is a classic and romantic palace of Rajasthan. The fort's rough walls, ravaged by time, may not be very beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a true paradise. The miniatures painted on the walls depict scenes of hunting and war, as well as festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are inlaid in the plaster. Inside the fort, visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famous Sheesh Mahal, a room whose four walls and ceiling are entirely inlaid with sparkling mirrors, specially imported from Belgium at the time. On the way to Amber Fort, you will make a brief photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. The city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former royal residence, part of which has been converted into a museum. A small part is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers nearly one-seventh of the city's area. One of the main attractions of the museum is the part known as the armory museum, which houses an impressive array of weapons: pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles, and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble observatory in the world. Located near the City Palace gate, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of which are still in working condition. This evening, visit a local Indian community for the Holi Puja ceremony and observe the traditions and rituals during the ceremony. On the eve of the Holi festival, the night of the full moon, joyful bonfires are held, where women and people come to sing with newborn boys, worship the fire, and share the new harvest with others. Like all festivals, the meaning of Holi is very complex. In the spiritual realm, as shown by the accompanying mythology, it conveys the message of the triumph of good over evil. In nature, however, it marks the victory of spring over winter, as the festival begins with the blossoming of nature. An important aspect for people is also that of reconciliation, as it is said that during these days, old disputes must also be buried. On the first day, a fire is lit during the night and a straw effigy is burned in it, symbolizing the demoness Holika. Several myths revolve around this demoness. One of the most famous stories tells: The young prince Prahlada was persuaded by his father to worship him with all divine honors, but the boy continued to worship only Vishnu. By various means, the king tried to kill his son, but each time, Vishnu intervened and saved the child. Finally, the king resorted to a trick: his sister Holika, who was protected from fire by special powers, was to jump into the fire with Prahlada on her lap and burn him. But the flames spared the child and Holika was reduced to a pile of ashes. Since then, people celebrate the festival of Holi in memory of the destruction of the demoness. Return to the hotel for the night. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  March 14, 2025 Jaipur - Holi Celebration

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. "Holi is one of the oldest festivals in India. On this day, all barriers seem to be lifted, whether it is caste, gender, age, or social status. It is celebrated with joy, people sprinkling and smearing each other with colored water and colored powder, called Gulal. Even those who refuse excessive festivities at least lightly sprinkle each other with colored powder. Despite all the changes that have occurred in modern Indian society, the sacred significance remains clearly visible; for example, the colors are often blessed beforehand on the altar, and people exchange blessings. Originally, the colored powders were made from flowers, roots, and herbs known for their healing properties. Today, synthetic colors are often used. This morning, all participants receive white "Kurta & Payjama" (traditional attire for Holi celebrations) and go to a place where Holi will take place with colors, music, and dances. One of the most popular Holi festivals is celebrated in Jaipur. There you can enjoy an excellent buffet and attend cultural performances. Of course, there is no shortage of color throwing. If you want to discover the culture and traditions of Holi, Jaipur is one of the best options. Holi in Jaipur will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience." At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel and free time. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  15 March 2025 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

  

  After breakfast, drive to Agra, with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri on the way. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to a lack of water. Visit the graceful, remarkably well-preserved buildings of the "ghost city," including the tomb of Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal palace, and other palaces that bear witness to the grandeur and splendor of the Mughal Empire at the height of its power. Upon arrival in Agra, visit the majestic fort containing the private and public audience halls, as well as other palaces. Check-in at the hotel and rest. This evening, visit the home of an Indian family to learn how to cook delicious curry dishes! You will take part in preparing the dishes and can try making a dish yourself. Then, we will all enjoy the evening meal together. It's a fun way to discover Indian cuisine! After dinner, you can chat with the family to learn more about their daily life in India. We will finish with tea or coffee. Return to the hotel for the night.

• day 7

  16 March 2025 Agra - Delhi

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit of the famous Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to lay her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a masterpiece of white marble with perfect proportions, which demonstrates the skill of 20,000 artisans from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy, who took 17 years to complete this "poem of love in marble." (The Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.) This afternoon, drive to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to Delhi International Airport.

• day 8

  March 17, 2025 Departure from Delhi

  End of the visit.