18 Days in India and Sri Lanka Cultural Tour

About the destination: Located on the banks of river Yamuna and in the northern part of the country, Delhi is India's capital city and the home of the Government. Delhi is a huge chaotic city, full of contrasts. While Delhi is in many ways the essence of modern India, because of its long history, it has many ancient and medieval monuments, archaeological sites and important remains and it is considered one of the oldest existing city in the world. Delhi is divided between the narrow, overcrowded alleys of Old Delhi, including its main street Chandni Chowk, where not much has changed in recent times, and the wide, clean tree-lined streets of New Delhi. The government and its offices reside in New Delhi, the official capital, while most of its historic neighborhoods and monuments lie in Old Delhi. Delhi inherited an astonishing number of splendid monuments from various architectural periods and it is just a joy to wander around this fascinating metropolis. Nonetheless, the main touristic sights not to be missed are the Red Fort, the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub complex, the National Museum, the largest mosque in India Jama Masjid, the India Gate, Gandhi Smriti, Lodi Gardens and the Lotus Temple. Mysterious and magical, Delhi is today a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis with trendy lounge bars, theme restaurants, nice shops and everything there is to expect of a modern capital city. Delhi is a city of the present and future, but it is deeply steeped in history and has a lot to show for it.

About the destination: Agra is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is the state’s third biggest city. Part of the city lies on the banks of the Yamuna River. The biggest attraction in Agra is the magnificent Taj Mahal, the 7th Wonder of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other UNESCO World Heritage sites found in Agra are the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife. The Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, it combines elements from Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architecture. The city was once the capital of Mughal Empire and is a picturesque riverine city along the Yamuna River enriched with Mughal's palaces, forts, tombs, beautiful gardens and the old Mughal Bazar. The old part of the city is a very interesting place to stroll around its narrow lanes and just observe the people. Agra is an amazing and very interesting city, home to very important monuments, like the world’s famous Taj Mahal or the fantastic Agra Fort, places that will remain in any visitor’s memory for life.

About the destination: Jaipur, also known as 'the Pink City,' is the capital of Rajasthan in India. Jaipur is often called the Pink City in reference to its distinctly coloured buildings, which were originally painted this color to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. The present earthy red color originates from repainting of the buildings undertaken for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and was built in the eighteenth century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city. Jaipur is a major tourist attraction amongst Indian as well as international travelers. It belongs to the tourist Golden Triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. It hosts several attractions like the City Palace, Govind Dev ji Temple, Vidhan Sabha, Birla Temple, several massive Rajpur forts and so on. It also serves as a stepping stone for travelers heading to the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

About the destination: Chaotic, cosmopolitan Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is India's commercial and cultural center and its most dynamic city. The city's colorful mix of cultures, ethnicities, religions and languages makes it the most cosmopolitan city in India. Bollywood or the Indian Hollywood is here in Mumbai and hundreds of films are made every year in Mumbai studios. Mumbai is a city of contrasts. The skyscrapers of its skyline, the Gothic and Art Déco architecture of its colonial past and the Indo-Saracenic buildings of the city’s more traditional side give it an eclectic vibe that makes the city quite unique. There is a lot to see in Mumbai, but the main sights are concentrated in South Mumbai. The main attractions to see in Mumbai are the Gateway of India on the seafront, where you can take a day trip to the famous Elephanta Caves, the Prince of Wales Museum, which houses a lot of artefacts worth seeing, the Jehangir Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Banganga Tank, the Walkeshwar temples, the Hanging Gardens, the Parsi Towers of Silence, Mahatma Gandhi's residence, now converted into a museum, and the Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Exotic Mumbai is a fantastic and exciting destination and India's most culturally active, lively and happening city.

About the destination: Colombo, located on the banks of the Kelani River and spread along the coast looking out onto the Indian Ocean, is the largest city and the financial and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is considered the country’s capital, but the administrative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb east of Colombo. The streets of Galle Fort have a lot to show for the city’s colonial heritage, Portuguese, British and Dutch left their mark here. To learn more about the Dutch-era in Colombo, visit The Dutch Period Museum. The city offers a fascinating blend of cultures and religions, around the city you’ll find mosques, churches and temples. The Gangaramaya Temple is the best-known Buddhist place of worship in Colombo. It includes a museum that houses a huge collection of Buddhist relics from around the world. The Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil Hindu temple is a colorful and embellished temple worth a visit. The Wolvendaal Church, a church built by the Dutch settlers, is an impressive building and a must-see of Colombo. Colombo is often overlooked by tourists who come to the country to hit the beach, but the city is the most happening place in the country and offers high-end shopping, a lively nightlife, tasty restaurants and interesting historical sights.

About the destination: Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka, located in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka.The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and is also the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988

About the destination: Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. Is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka. The town's attractions include the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Victoria Park is an attractive and well-used oasis. The city is a base for visits to Horton Plains National Park. The plains have a well-visited tourist attraction at World's End — a sheer precipice with a 1050 m drop. 'Lovers Leap' is a spectacular waterfall set among tea plantation a short walk from the town of Nuwara Eliya. It falls a height of 30m in a long cascading sheet of water.