Holi Festival tour India

Holi Festival tour India: Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur and Ranakpur

Duration
11 days
Group size
15 people
Country
India

Holi Festival tour India Overview

Holi Festival tour India: Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur and Ranakpur

Holi Festival tour India: Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur and Ranakpur

Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India. The festival originated in India and is marked by dance, food, music and colours. It takes place every year at the end of February or in early March, when nature is in full bloom.

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, and the colours used during the festival reflect the colours of the season. You can join our Holi festival tour of India and also combine it with a visit to Nepal.

Holika Dahan and the Holi festival
Holika Dahan, the lighting of the bonfire, takes place on the eve of Holi. This day is also called Chhoti Holi, or Small Holi. The main event, when people play with colours, takes place on the following day. The tradition is celebrated widely across India and Nepal and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. There are many legends connected with it, and it is not known exactly when it began. Holi is also known as the festival of colour and friendship.

You can combine the Holi festival tour of India with Nepal or Bhutan to trek in the Himalaya or to see Mount Everest from the plane. Please write to us to customise your travel plan.

Key highlights of the Holi Festival tour India

Itinerary

  1. Our representative will meet you at the international airport in Delhi and transfer you to your hotel.

    Altitude
    215 m (710 ft)
    On foot
    None, arrival day
    Night in
    Hotel, Delhi
    Meals
    None
  2. After breakfast, drive to Agra, which takes about 4 hours through scenic countryside. After you arrive in Agra, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, you visit the Agra Fort. The best-known landmark in Agra is the Taj Mahal. It was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and is known worldwide as a monument to love. The white marble mausoleum took about 20 years to complete and involved thousands of artisans and architects.

    Altitude
    170 m (560 ft)−45 m
    On foot
    None, 4 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Agra
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. The drive from Agra to Jaipur takes approximately 5 hours. Leave for Jaipur after breakfast. On the way, we make a short detour to Fatehpur Sikri, a small city in northern India just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal Emperor. It has many forts and monuments built of red stone. We then continue to Jaipur.

    Altitude
    430 m (1,410 ft)+260 m
    On foot
    None, 5 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Jaipur
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. After breakfast, we go to the Amber Fort, where you can ride up on the back of an elephant. We then continue into Jaipur city to visit its main monuments. You will see the Hawa Mahal, built in 1799 AD. It has 953 windows and is shaped like the crown of Krishna. You will also visit the Chandra Mahal, which combines Mughal and Rajasthani architecture, as well as the Shri Gobind Deo Temple and the City Palace Museum.

    Altitude
    430 m (1,410 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Jaipur
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. After breakfast, drive to Udaipur by private vehicle. The journey takes about 7 hours.

    Altitude
    600 m (1,970 ft)+170 m
    On foot
    None, 7 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Udaipur
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Today you explore Udaipur, a city known for its marble, lakes, mosques and gardens. You visit the City Palace, which stands on a hill overlooking Lake Pichola. The palace shows Mughal architectural influence and was built about 400 years ago. We then go to the top of Pearl Hill to see the memorial to the Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap. Its historical paintings explain parts of Indian history. You also visit the Jagdish Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and built in the Indo-Aryan style. Its main features are the carved pillars and decorated ceilings.

    Altitude
    600 m (1,970 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Udaipur
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Travel from Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh Fort. You can also visit the Jain temple at Ranakpur. After lunch, return to Udaipur.

    Altitude
    600 m (1,970 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Udaipur
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Drive to Pushkar by private vehicle. The journey takes about 6 hours.

    Altitude
    510 m (1,670 ft)−90 m
    On foot
    None, 6 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Pushkar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Holi, the festival of colours, is one of the most important festivals in India. In Pushkar, we take an evening walk through the bazaar and visit the well-known Brahma temple. You will also see Pushkar Lake.

    Altitude
    510 m (1,670 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Pushkar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. In the afternoon, we travel from Pushkar to Delhi by train. The journey takes about 7 hours, and departure times can vary.

    Altitude
    215 m (710 ft)−295 m
    On foot
    None, 7 hr train journey
    Night in
    Hotel, Delhi
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Today you visit the main landmarks of Old Delhi. • Red Fort: The Red Fort (Lal Qila) is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and combines Hindu, Timurid and Persian traditions. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century. The fort has red sandstone walls and took almost a decade to complete. • Jama Masjid: This mosque stands above Old Delhi and is the largest mosque in India. It is built of red sandstone and white marble in the Mughal style. • Raj Ghat: Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is a black marble platform built at the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. • India Gate: India Gate is an arch-shaped war memorial dedicated to the 70000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War. The names of the soldiers are engraved on the gate, and it is illuminated at night. • Rashtrapati Bhavan: This building is the official residence of the President of India, the world\'s largest democracy. It was designed by Sir Lutyens and built by thousands of labourers. It opened to the public in August 2012, and visitors can now see its halls and gardens. It has hosted many important state occasions. Our representative will then drop you off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

    Altitude
    215 m (710 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    No overnight
    Meals
    Breakfast

What's included

  • Three-star hotels, and heritage hotels in Rajasthan.
  • Accommodation on a twin-share basis.
  • Breakfast.
  • Private air-conditioned car or bus for the entire tour.
  • Train ticket in AC chair class from Pushkar (Ajmer) to Delhi.
  • English-speaking tour guide for the entire tour.
  • All applicable taxes.

Not included

  • All flight fares.
  • Indian visa.
  • All entrance fees (USD 60 per person).
  • All meals except breakfast.
  • Elephant ride at Amber Fort ($20).
  • Hire of your own car (optional).
  • Boat ride on Lake Pichola in Udaipur ($10).
  • Photo and camera fees.
  • Personal expenses such as bar, laundry and phone.
  • Tips for guides and drivers.

Reviews

Exceptional5.0 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
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Showing 10 reviews from 901 on Tripadvisor

Expedition par excellence

June 2026, Tripadvisor

The expedition with earthbound to Kailash and Manasarovar was excellent. The attention to details provided by the ownership and the team was exceptional. They showed complete professionalism in handling any exigencies and situation that arose during our travel. They took care of every individual personally and provided necessary remedies immediately without hesitation. They also took care of individuals to make them acclimatize for higher altitudes, to prepare them for the expedition. Overall I consider them as family and would recommend them for anybody in future for future expedition with them. Thanks 🙏

The Mountain Called. Earthbound Made Sure We Answered.

June 2026, Tripadvisor

I'll be honest — I didn't fully know what I was stepping into when we boarded that flight to Kathmandu. Fifteen days later, I came back a different person. The first sight of Kailash stopped me cold. No warning, no buildup prepares you for it. You just see it — and something inside you goes quiet. The kind of quiet you've been searching for without knowing it. Manasarovar in the afternoon was something else entirely. The sun was high, the water a deep, impossible blue — almost like the sky had melted into the earth. I sat there for a long time, not thinking, not praying in any formal sense, just present. Completely, fully present. That doesn't happen often in life. It happened there. What made all of this possible was the Earthbound team. We were 45 people — strangers at first, a family by the end. Keeping that many people safe, fed, comfortable and happy across such a demanding journey is no small thing. But Arjan, Arjesh, Rajanji and the whole crew made it look effortless. Every single meal was freshly cooked and served with love. But honestly, what I'll remember most is just how looked after we felt. Every single day. These people genuinely cared. You could feel it. If Kailash is on your heart, let Earthbound take you there. You'll be in good hands — and even better, good company. Pranam to the whole team. 🙏

An unforgettable spiritual journey of lifetime.

June 2026, Tripadvisor

Keep it up Earthbound Expeditions.. You are in a league of its own..🙏 Had a wonderful tryst with your team during Kailash Mansarovar yatra. Each member of your team starting from the cook to the helpers were amazing and gave us undivided attention to each of our needs which made this trip bearable under difficult circumstances of high altitude and difficult terrain to deal with. Right from medical needs, to trip advisory to religious rituals to understanding of spiritual backgrounds of all those places we visited, it was an unforgettable journey of our lifetime of which your team played a very important part. Thank you for giving us beautiful memories to hold on to and a long lasting relationship with your team for all such future endeavors 🙏 Om Namah Shivay..🕉 Lord Shiva bless your team.

Pioneer39406440596Read on Tripadvisor

An Unforgettable Journey with a Team That Feels Like Family

June 2026, Tripadvisor

Words truly cannot do justice to the experience we had with Earthbound Expeditions on our recent Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Yatra. From the very beginning to the emotional final goodbyes, this wasn't just a beautifully managed tour—it felt like a journey taken with extended family who cared for our safety, comfort, and souls every single step of the way. Right from the start, Rajan, his sons, and the entire crew welcomed us with the warmest smiles. That warmth never faded, not even for a single moment. Throughout the entire trip, it never felt like a transaction, a business, or a standard service. They took care of us as if we were their own flesh and blood. The logistical planning was flawless. We were accommodated in incredibly comfortable 3+ star hotels for most of our stays, giving us the perfect sanctuary to rest. The food was a massive highlight—three incredibly delicious, well-balanced meals every single day, cooked entirely by Earthbound’s own expert culinary crew. It was pure comfort food when we needed it most. But what truly sets Earthbound Expeditions apart is their deep sense of responsibility and genuine care for their clients' well-being. High-altitude trekking is no joke, and they treated our health with the utmost seriousness. They were wonderfully strict about our gear—ensuring we always wore our hats, gloves, and jackets out in the open so we wouldn't fall sick before the *parikrama*. They also meticulously checked our health vitals every single day. Because of their strict acclimatization schedule, by the time we reached Darchen, our bodies were perfectly prepared for the big hike day. They carried us through the physical challenges with their expertise and unwavering support. I left Nepal with a profound realization: if I ever set foot in this beautiful country again for any adventure—whether it’s to tackle the Everest Base Camp trek or the Annapurna Circuit—it will *only* be with Earthbound Expeditions. If you are planning your own sacred Mt. Kailash Yatra, or looking to conquer the iconic trekking trails of Nepal, do yourself a favor and trust Earthbound Expeditions. You will start the trip as a client, but you will leave as family. Thank you, Rajan and the incredible crew, for a lifetime of beautiful memories!

Venki RamanathanSeattle, WashingtonRead on Tripadvisor

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11 days

$1,387 per person

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