India

Starting Price: $2450 (land cost only)
Trip Length: 9-11 days

Start in the capital city of Delhi, where you'll visit the old walled section of the city with its brilliant mosques and colorful bazaars, and also New Delhi, with its modern skyscrapers and House of Parliament. Proceed to the holy city of Varanasi, where you embark on a boat ride on the Ganges River, an incredible scene as multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Next visit Khajuraho, with its magnificent temples and exquisitely carved sculptures.

Continue to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Jaipur, called the "Pink City" because of the distinctive color of its old buildings, attracts visitors with its stunning Hawa Mahal, which was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. Optional extension visits the romantic city of Udaipur, renowned for its long artistic history.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi, India
Arrive Delhi. Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight Dehli (Breakfast).

Day 02: Delhi
Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi. Your tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid; Chandni Chowk "Moonlit Street," Old Delhi's main street and colorful shopping bazaar; a drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi sightseeing includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal; a drive down the spectacular Rajpath - the Kingsway, passing the India Gate (the memorial built on behalf of the unknown soldiers), the President's House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colorful Hindu temple. Visit the local market and nearby neighborhood.
Overnight Dehli (Breakfast)

Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi
Transfer to the Delhi airport for your flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel for check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of one of the holiest cities in India; Varanasi - probably the oldest living city in India, and one of the world's most ancient. Later, visit the Bharat Mata Temple, which is a big relief map of India in marble, the Banaras Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu Temple.
Overnight Varanasi (Breakfast)

Day 04: Varanasi - Khajuraho
Early morning boat ride on holy river Ganges. Witness an incredible scene as multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of Khajuraho. The capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain saints. The most important are the Chausath Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev Temple, and the Chitragupta Temple with an 11-headed statue of Vishnu depicting his ten incarnations.
Overnight Khajuraho (Breakfast)

Day 05: Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra
This morning visit Orchha, the former capital of the Bundelas. Orchha is now just a village, set among a wonderful complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. Continue to Jhansi Railway station where you board a super fast train to Agra. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight Agra (Breakfast)

Day 06: Agra
The morning is at leisure. This afternoon enjoy a half-day tour of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and an optional visit to Itimad Ud Daulah. Take a horse carriage ride from the nearest parking to the Taj Mahal. Stroll around the lovely gardens before entering this intricately carved marble structure. Next visit the Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. It has imposing gates, walls of red sandstone, and a moat. Finish your tour at the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah, sometimes called the "Baby Taj," was built by Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father, Ghiyas Beg, who was also the Chief Minister in the Court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
Overnight Agra (Breakfast)

Day 07: Agra - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Jaipur is an exuberance of color, dance, and song. The "Pink City," so called because its buildings are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. It's one of India's most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues and lanes in a grid system.
Overnight Jaipur (Breakfast)

Day 08: Jaipur
Half-day excursion to the Amber Fortress. Experience the majesty of a bygone era, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Later you will visit Jaipur City. Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually little more than a façade. Continue to the City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and also houses an interesting museum. Also visit the adjacent Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh.
Overnight Jaipur (Breakfast)

Day 09: Jaipur - Delhi Departure
Transfer to the Jaipur airport for your flight to Dehli. Upon arrival in Dehli you will be collected from the Domestic airport and transferred to the International airport in time to connect with your onward flight home.
(Breakfast)

Optional Udaipur Extension

Day 09: Jaipur - Udaipur
This morning transfer to Jaipur airport for your flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. The enchanting city of Udaipur was once the lakeside capital of Mewar. Often called the Venice of the East, Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan. This morning, enjoy a city tour. Visit the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum. Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, or "Garden of the Maids of Honor" is a small ornamental garden with fountains, kiosks, marble elephants, and delightful lotus pools. Jagdish Temple is an Indo-Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe.Continue to the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum which houses an interesting exhibition of folk arts including dresses, dolls, masks, and musical instruments. This evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola, surrounded by splendid hills, palaces, temples and bathing ghats. Visit the island Palace of Jag Niwas which is beautifully set in the middle of the Lake.
Overnight Udaipur (Breakfast)

Day 10: Udaipur
Morning excursion to Rankapur for a visit to one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India. The temple complex lies in a remote valley of the Aravalli range in Southern Rajasthan. The white marble temples were created in the 15th century AD and remain in near perfect condition. Return to Udaipur late this afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight Udaipur (Breakfast)

Day 11: Udaipur - Delhi Departure
This morning you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Dehli. Upon arrival in Dehli you will be collected from the Domestic airport and transfer to the International airport in time to connect with your onward flight home.
(Breakfast)

Trip Prices

2008:

SILVER: Prices featuring accommodation such as Japee Siddharth, Radisson Hotel, Jass Radisson, Trident Hilton- Agra, Trident Hilton-Jaipur.

May-August
$2450 per person, double occupancy, based on 2 persons traveling together
$2295 per person, double occupancy, based on 4 persons traveling together
$595 single supplement
$3550 solo traveler

GOLD: Prices featuring accommodation such as Imperial Hotel, Taj Ganges, Taj Chandela, Jaypee Palace, Jai Mahal Palace.

May-August
$3250 per person, double occupancy, based on 2 persons traveling together
$2850 per person, double occupancy, based on 4 persons traveling together
$795 single supplement
$4650 solo traveler

Inclusions:

• Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers
• Transfers as indicated by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Accommodations as specified in the itinerary sharing double room
• Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Domestic air as indicated in the itinerary
• Executive class train ticket from Jhansi to Agra
• Sightseeing as indicated on a private basis with English-speaking local guides and private vehicles
• Entrance fees for all included sightseeing
• Cycle rickshaw ride in Delhi
• Boat ride on River Ganges in Varanasi
• Horse carriage ride from the nearest parking to Taj Mahal in Agra
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
• Taxes and service fees

Exclusions:

• International airfare and taxes
• Meals other than those indicated
• Additional sightseeing excursions not outlined in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature
• Travel Insurance
• Departure tax
• Holiday surcharges
• Gratuities
• Visa fees

Udaipur Extension

SILVER: Trident Hilton Hotel

May-August
$900 per person, double occupancy, based on 2 persons traveling together
$800 per person, double occupancy, based on 4 persons traveling together
$150 single supplement
$1250 solo traveler

GOLD: Devigarh hotel

May-August
$1250 per person, double occupancy, based on 2 persons traveling together
$1050 per person, double occupancy, based on 4 persons traveling together
$420 single supplement
$1925 solo traveler

Inclusions:

• Airport assistance on all arrival and departure transfers
• Domestic flights as indicated in the itinerary
• Accommodation as specified in the itinerary sharing double room
• Boat ride on Lake Pichola in Udaipur
• Sightseeing as indicated on a private basis with English-speaking local guides and private vehicles
• Taxes and service fees

Departure Dates

Departures on request, please call for details.

Please contact us for more details.