DATES:
Nov 10-21, 2008
Feb 23-Mar 6, 2009
Nov 16-27, 2009
Privately Anytime
This trip is the best way to experience the greatest number of northern India’s ancient sites as you immerse yourself in a variety of historical and cultural adventures and a myriad of archaeological and religious sites.
Brief Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi.
Day 3: Delhi/Udaipur.
Day 4: Udaipur.
Day 5: Udaipur/Jaipur.
Day 6: Jaipur.
Day 7: Jaipur/Agra.
Day 8: Agra.
Day 9: Agra/Khajuraho.
Day 10: Khajuraho/Varanasi.
Day 11: Varanasi/Delhi.
Day 12: Delhi.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi.
Arrive in Delhi, where you are met and transferred to your hotel for a trip orientation. Delhi, India's modern capital, is also an ancient city tracing its origin in legend. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and offers more than a millennium of history in stone. From here, various Hindu and Muslim dynasties, including the Moguls, ruled India. No fewer than 7 cities had stood on this site before the British rulers of India created their dream capital designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Day 2: Delhi.
Your morning tour of the sites of New Delhi will transport you from the modern day to the ancient past and then back to today in just minutes. See the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully fluteband hand carved for its height of 234 feet; nearby stands the Iron Pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted in 1,500 years. Visit the graceful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla temple. Drive past the India Gate war memorial, the President's House that was once the viceroy's place, the Parliament House and the Secretariat Building, all of which have an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture. An afternoon tour of Old Delhi takes you to the memorial of Mahatama Gandhi and to India's largest mosque, the Jama Masjid, built by the Moughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. Nearby is Chandni Chowk, once an imperial avenue down which Shah Jahan rode at the head of lavish cavalcades and today often the scene of one of the world's most picturesque traffic jams composed of every type of vehicle imaginable. Then view the massive walls and ramparts of the magnificent Red fort symbol of Mughal and elegance, built in 1648. Includes: (B)
Day 3: Delhi/Udaipur.
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight for Udaipur. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The first half of your day is spent sightseeing Udaipur: visiting the city palace, Jagdish temple, then driving around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki Bari and Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Pichola Lake and see the Jag Niwas Palace, which is beautifully set in the lake. Includes: (B)
Day 4: Udaipur.
Enjoy a full day excursion to temples of Ranakpur, built in the 15th century, situated in the quiet and picturesque valley of the Aravalis. Ranakpur has grand temples and beautiful sculptures. There are 1,444 pillars, none of which are similar, in one temple alone. The Surya temple and other Jain temples are side attractions. Includes: (B)
Day 5: Udaipur/Jaipur.
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for a flight to Jaipur where you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour visiting the Maharaja's City Palace and the Observatory. You will be driven past either the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds and then through the rose-pink residential and business areas of Jaipur. Includes: (B)
Day 6: Jaipur.
There is a morning excursion to Amer Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1728. You have the option of ascending the hill to the fort on elephant back (on request & not guaranteed). Visit Jai Mahal, the Temple of Kali, and the Jagmandir or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Later, visit Tiger Forts, also known as Jaigarh Fort. Includes: (B)
Day 7: Jaipur/Agra.
In the morning, you will be transferred to Agra, visiting Fatehpur Sikri from Agra. The deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. The graceful buildings within this city are remarkably well preserved, including the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and Panch Mahal. The red sandstone palaces are in such a perfect state that it seems as if Emperor Akbar left yesterday. Includes: (B)
Day 8: Agra.
In the morning, there is a half day sightseeing tour that takes you to one of the most fabled sights in the world. The Taj Mahal, the legendary monument dedicated to love, was built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 to enshrine the mortal remains of his Queen Mumtaj Mahal. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble. It stands testimony to the skill of craftsmen brought in from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy and to 17 years of labor by 20,000 workers. Also visit the Agra Fort, where the evolution took place within three Mughal Emperors. Here you will see the transition from the military might of the stern citadel raised by Akbar to the lavish beauty of shimmering white marble palaces built by Shah Jehan. Within the fort are palaces and the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Later, visit the Itmad-ud-Dalha. Includes: (B)
Day 9: Agra/Khajuraho.
You will travel from Agra to Jhansi by Shatabdi Express (ETD: 8:00 am/ETA: 10:40 am), with a stop in Orchha to see its interesting complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Some of the temples still receive Hindu devotees. Upon arrival in Khajuraho, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela Kings between 95AD and 1050 AD. The most important are: the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev Temple and the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with lovely images of 11 headed Vishnu, the Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, the Lakshmana Temple, and the Visha Temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of temples. Includes: (B)
Day 10: Khajuraho/Varanasi.
This morning is free for you to use as personal time to enjoy Khajuraho. In the afternoon, you will take a transferring flight to Varanasi. After you have been transferred to your hotel, spend the afternoon touring the city and visiting such places as the Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Durga temple, and the Tulsi Manas Mandir. Banaras Hindu University has an Art Gallery that you will visit, and a visit to the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb is also scheduled in your tour. Includes: (B)
Day 11: Varanasi/Delhi.
Enjoy an early morning boat excursion on the holy river Ganges to see the bathing Ghats and cremation site. Watching people bathing and worshiping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. After breakfast, you check out of your hotel and leave for the airport. On the way, you will visit Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was renowned for its school of learning around 6th century BC to 12th century AD. Here, you will visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the Museum. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for a connecting flight for Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Includes: (B)
Day 12: Delhi.
Today you have all day to experience Delhi on your own. Once you check out of your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Includes: (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Flights within India approx: $550
- 5 star hotel upgrade additional $900 (Costs are subject to change pending hotel availability)
Cost Includes:
- Meals as noted
- Each night in double occupancy accommodations
- Land transfers between components
- English speaking guides
- Park or site entry fees
- Surface transport
- Equipment other than personal gear
- Government tax
- Airport transfer assistance
- In-country ticket reconfirmation & check-in assistance (where permitted)
- Complete pre-departure packet, toll-free pre-departure phone assistance
Cost Excludes:
- Meals not noted as included
- Gratuities
- Beverages (except tea or coffee at meals)
- International or domestic airfare unless specified
- Airport departure taxes not included with air tickets
- Visas
- Itinerary changes after confirmation
- Any services not included in itinerary
- Any costs incurred due to canceled or delayed flights
- Acts of nature or other happenings beyond our control
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Ecotourism
Archeology/History
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