Excursion Overland experience: new delhi, agra & the taj mahal tour at Galle

A visit to India's treasured sites evokes images of erstwhile royalty and legendary tales of love and valour. There are few places in the world that compare with the mesmerising Taj Mahal and the awe-inspiring Agra Fort. These outstanding attractions are amongst the 'jewels in the crown', drawing thousands of visitors each year from all over the globe. From the magnificent and timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal and the massive Agra Fort to the architecturally avant garde Humayun's Tomb, guests can enjoy a treasure trove of unforgettable sights that will enthrall even the most jaded traveller.

03MIDGLE-B: New Delhi, Agra & the Taj Mahal

Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights

Departs from: Galle on 9 April 2026

Re-join ship: Cochin on 12 April 2026

Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Silver Shore Overland Experience requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment-in-full is due within 120 days prior to sailing. Booking made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme.

All Overland Experience fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Overland Experiences are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Overland Experiences are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Overland Experiences may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Guests must be in possession of Indian visa obtained prior to joining the cruise. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Indian Rupee; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

DAY ONE - Thursday April 9 -  Galle/Colombo/Delhi

Depart the ship in the morning and take an approx. 2.5 hour transfer to Colombo airport for a scheduled flight to Delhi of approximately 3.5 hours in length. Upon arrival you will be taken to The Oberoi New Delhi Hotel for check-in and dinner.  

Welcome to Delhi, the intriguing cultural and historical centre of India’s past and future. Delhi was built over 450 years by a succession of empires - first the Hindu and Muslim dynasties, followed by the powerful Mughal dynasty, which ruled until British colonisation.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi New Delhi.

DAY TWO - Friday April 10 - Delhi/Agra

After breakfast at the hotel, commence your journey to Agra, a drive of approximately 3.5 hours with a rest stop en route.

Welcome to Agra! As the capital of the Mughal dynasties in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra also was the repository of many of the Mughals most famous monuments. The city has long astonished visitors with sites that date back to the Mughal empire.

Proceed directly to Agra Fort, the town's second important attraction after the Taj Mahal. The massive fort contains within its 1.5 mile-long (2.5 km-long), red sandstone walls the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises fairy-tale palaces, audience halls and two beautiful mosques. Founded in the 16th century, the vast complex experienced many additions by subsequent rulers. Here Shah Jehan was held captive by his son and spent his days gazing out from his room towards the Taj Mahal across the river. Proceed to your hotel for lunch, followed by some time to settle in.

Your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal will be from across the River Yamuna, as Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. You will remain here until sunset to watch its effect on this awe-inspiring monument. The most unusual story about the Taj is that there might have been two of them. The emperor intended to build a second tomb in black marble, a negative image of the white Taj for Mumtaz. Tragically, before he could begin he was deposed by his son and imprisoned in Agra Fort where he remained until his death, spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting-place of his wife.

Following your visit, re-board your coach for the drive back to the hotel, with some free time to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra.  

DAY THREE -  Saturday April 11 - Agra/Delhi  

Early this morning, depart for a special sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Shah Jahan's enduring monument to love. this beautiful mausoleum of pure white marble is an architectural marvel of astonishing beauty. Its unique design and immaculately intricate execution combine to create a breathtaking first impression as soon as you emerge from the arched entry gateway.

Upon arrival, you can enter the mausoleum and stroll around the extensive grounds. Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth of the great Mughals, was devoted to his wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). She died at the age of 39, giving birth to her 14th child. He resolved to build his wife a memorial surpassing anything the world had ever seen in terms of beauty and extravagance. Twenty thousand labourers and skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy were put into work to construct this unrivalled masterpiece. The rays of the rising sun make this monument a wonder to behold.

Following breakfast, set-off on your 3.5 hour long return journey to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and proceed to your hotel The Oberoi New Delhi for check in and lunch.

This afternoon embark on a tour of New Delhi. Drive through "Lutyens' Delhi", commissioned in 1911 and inaugurated as recently as 1931. This magnificently planned area of Delhi is an architectural combination of British and Indian architecture. Travel past the War Memorial Arch, better known as India Gate, followed by a drive down Rajpath, past the Presidential House. Visit Humayun's Tomb - a magnificent monument built in red sandstone by Haji Begum, Humayun's first wife and mother of Emperor Akbar. Her design was way ahead of its times and is the basis for the design of the famous Taj Mahal, built almost a hundred years later!

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi New Delhi.

DAY FOUR - Sunday 12 April - Delhi/Cochin

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the airport for your afternoon flight to Cochin of approx. 3.5 hours. On arrival, proceed to the pier. to rejoin the ship.

Please note:  This Mid-Voyage Overland Experience requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven, cobblestone and gravel surfaces, with many steps to climb at visited sites. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair.  The driving distance between Delhi and Agra is approximately 3-3.5 hours in each direction. Coaches, guides and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Pack lightly; the luggage weight restriction is limited to 33 pounds (about 15 kilograms). Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Proper attire is required to enter the religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Shoe covers are provided at the Taj Mahal to enter the mausoleum. Shoes and hats must be removed prior to entering the temples. The tour itinerary and sequence are subject to change without prior notice, and airline alterations to the flight schedules may affect the tour itinerary, tour sequence and/or programme content.

Programme Includes:

· Two-night stay at The Oberoi - New Delhi 

· One-night stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas - Agra

· Scheduled flights, Economy-Class: Colombo/Delhi and Delhi/Cochin (Business-Class may be requested at a supplemental charge per flight, and is subject to availability. The availability of Business-Class flights is based on equipment utilised and each segment is quoted separately, if available)

· Three breakfasts, two lunches (plus two in flight lunches) and  three dinners

· Roundtrip transfer by battery operated vehicles to-and-from the Taj Mahal entrance gate

· Shoe covers at the Taj Mahal to enter mausoleum

· Still and video camera fees

· Bottled water on the coach

· All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

· Gratuities on meals

Not Included:

Indian visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.

Note