Day 01: Arrive Hyderabad

Arrive Delhi by flight. Welcome to India- a country where hospitality is a way of life; to a culture steeped in tradition, a land where history lives in music and dance. You will be received at the airport in a traditional manner with garlands and proceed to your hotel.

Overnight in Hyderabad.

Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Hyderabad

Morning you will proceed for full day visit to International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics at nearby Patancheru. ICRISAT spearheads the international research effort on crops which are suited to semi-arid environments, especially in the developing countries of Africa and India. The focus on crops such as chickpeas, pigeon peas, groundnuts, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet.

Overnight in Hyderabad.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 03: Hyderabad – Varanasi

Early morning you will transfer to Hyderabad airport where you will board flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, you will proceed straight to visit Sarnath, a religious Buddhist site. Post visit, you will transfer to hotel for check in. Later, after freshening up you will proceed for walking tour to old city. You will be visiting the Ghats or banks of the River Ganges (by walk).  This is a fascinating experience as you witness the cultural and spiritual ethos that guides the life of the faithful. Every evening a very special aarti or ‘prayer to Mother Ganga’ is performed by specially-chosen priests.  This is a passionate and divine journey as the music and the oil lamps create a trance-like experience and we float our own lighted lamps down the river.  We will return to our hotel after the evening prayer ceremony.

Overnight in Varanasi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 04: Varanasi – Agra

We take an early morning boat excursion on the holy river Ganges to see the bathing Ghats and cremation site. Watching people bathing and worshipping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Later we return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast check out at hotel and you will transfer to the Varanasi airport where you will board flight to Agra. Assistance upon arrival in Agra, you will transfer to hotel for check in. Evening you will proceed to visit Mehtab Bagh across the river to view Taj Mahal.

Overnight in Agra

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 05: Agra

Morning visit the world-famous Taj Mahal built by Moghul Emperor Shahjahan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Afternoon, you will pay visit to Agra Fort.

Overnight in Agra

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 06: Agra – Jaipur

Today morning after breakfast drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Chickpea and Soybean farms. In the morning we will depart Agra for Jaipur visiting chickpea and soybean farms near Bharatpur along the way. This is a highly productive area for pulse crops. Also get chance to meet with local agronomists and researchers. Continue your drive towards Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur, you will transfer to hotel for check in & relax.

Overnight in Jaipur

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 07: Jaipur

Morning half day excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1728. Visit the Jag Mandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai mahal and temple of Kali. Ascend the hill on which the fort is situated by elephant (subject to availability or alternatively by jeep). Afternoon proceed for lunch at local restaurant. We will also have a Turban tying demonstration and competition for the group over lunch. Post lunch, you will proceed to visit City Palace and later take leisurely walk through local colorful market.

Overnight in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 08: Jaipur – Neemrana

This morning we board our charter coach and continue 2–3 hours north to the farming village of Samode where there should be some cotton and corn crops emerging. Also meet local farming family and spend time to explore the village around before heading towards Samode Palace for Lunch. Post Lunch, continue your drive towards Neemrana. Upon arrival in Neemrana, you will transfer to hotel for check in & relax. If time allow, proceed to visit farming village around Neemrana.

Overnight in Neemrana

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 09: Neemrana – Delhi – Ludhiana

This morning we will proceed to AMUL MILK PLANT, Manesar located at approx. 70Kms from Delhi then continue driver towards Indira Gandhi airport where you will board flight to Ludhiana. Assistance upon arrival in Ludhiana, and you will transfer to your hotel for check in . Evening at leisure

Overnight in Ludhiana.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed cold) and Dinner.

Day 10: Ludhiana

The Punjab is one of the most fertile regions on earth. Both East and West Punjab produce a relatively high proportion of India and Pakistan’s food output respectively. The region has been used for extensive wheat farming, white rice, cotton, sugarcane, fruit, and vegetables are grown. Indian Punjab has been estimated to be the second richest state in India and is called ‘the granary’ or ‘bread basket’ of India. In the morning we will visit the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana and meet with researchers – some of whom having studied in Australia. In the afternoon, visit farms in the area including a huge family run operation, productive cereal farms and a village with a co-operative agricultural bank. This is a bank which looks after the interest of farmers, helping them keep their money in a savings account and providing loan finance.

Overnight in Ludhiana

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 11: Ludhiana – Shimla

Today morning after breakfast, check out at hotel and you will proceed for Shimla (approx. 6-7 hrs drive). Lunch will be served in local restaurant around Kandaghat or Solan. Later we will depart on one of the world’s great train journeys – Kandaghat to Shimla ‘Toy Train’. Famous for its 102 tunnels, 87 bridges and 900 curves, the 96 km track was built in 1903 so members of the British Raj could take their leave of the heat and ‘summer’ more comfortably in Shimla. Himalayan Queen 52456, Kandaghat-Shimla 1515-1730Hrs. The track winds through spectacular mountain scenery and farming villages. Upon arrival in Shimla, you will transfer to hotel for check in. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Shimla

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Shimla

Morning after breakfast, you will proceed for walking tour around Shimla. Shimla was discovered in 1819 by the British, who were seeking respite from the baking plains. Three years later, the first British house was erected, and in 1864 Shimla became the summer capital of India. Set among cool pine-clad hills with plenty of crumbling colonial charm, Shimla is for many people the archetypal hill station. There are stunning views all the way to the Himalayas. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Shimla

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 13: Shimla – Chandigarh

Today early morning around 0500 hrs, you will transfer to Chandigarh airport (around 4hrs drive) where you will board flight to Delhi. Assistance upon arrival in Delhi airport and proceed for lunch. Later, transfer to hotel for check in. Later you will proceed for the meeting at Austrade office briefing on Indian Agriculture.

Overnight in Delhi

Meals: Breakfast (packed), Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Delhi

Morning after breakfast, you will proceed to visit Chickpea factory. Afternoon, you will proceed for old Delhi rickshaw ride visiting Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk market, photo stop at the Red Fort. In the evening, proceed for your Farewell Dinner .

Overnight in Delhi

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner ( at home for Captain Kumar)

Day 15: Delhi Departure

Morning at leisure. Afternoon checking out at hotel and you will proceed for lunch at local restaurant (standard check out timing at hotel is 1200 hrs however we will put request for later check out). Afternoon and evening at leisure. Later in time transfer to Delhi international airport for connecting flight for onward destination.

Meal: Breakfast