GRAND INDIA TOUR – 14 days / 13 hotel overnights in India

New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Khimser, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Aurangabad

Explore India's two largest metropolitan cities - New Delhi & Mumbai along with the historical and colorful state of Rajasthan and the world famous Taj Mahal. New Delhi is the latest of 9 capital cities that were founded in the greater Delhi region, the oldest of which was Lalkot, the area surrounding the Qutub Minar. The last was the New Delhi designed by Edwin Lutyens and James Baker for the capital of the British India. The fifth Mughal Emperor Shahjahan moved his capital to Delhi while the construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra was still going on. The Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk Bazaar were the focal points of his capital Shahjahanabad, present day Old Delhi. Enjoy the thrill of a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk Bazaar. The sharp difference in architecture style of Emperor Akbar and his grandson, Shahjahan are conspicuously visible in Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Enjoy an elephant ride to the hilltop palaces of Amber Fort built by the Kachhwaha Maharajas in mid-16th. century CE. The architecture of the Fort and Havelis of Jaisalmer in yellow sand stone is astonishingly beautiful. A camel ride followed by dinner on the sand dunes of Thar Desert at sunset is an unforgettable experience. You have a panoramic view of the Mumbai skyline along the Arabian Sea while enjoying a boat ride to Elephanta Caves, about 7 miles off the coastline of India. A colossal elephant statue was originally on the island, because of that the British named it Elephanta Caves. The statue is now placed in Jijamata Gardens in Mumbai City. The Cave Temples date from 6th. and 7th. centuries CE. At Ellora successive rulers built the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples that are in remarkable state of preservation. At Ajanta the Buddhist monks meditated, carved and painted monumental 30 cave Viharas (residential monasteries) and Chaityas (prayer halls) between 2nd. and 9th. centuries CE. Long before Renaissance in Europe, already in 2nd. Century CE, the Buddhist monks were using the Contraposto in sculpture and painting in these caves. All art in far-east and south-east Asia originated from the Ajanta Caves. Please click on India City Descriptions to read details of each of the cities included in this fascinating journey.

Day 1 // Delhi:

Welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi with marigold Garland, transfer to and overnight in Ramada Plaza Hotel.

Day 2 // Delhi:

After breakfast sightseeing of Old Delhi including Raj Ghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, drive past Red Fort of Delhi, visit the Jama Masjid built by Emperor Shahjahan. After lunch sightseeing of New Delhi including Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Bahai Lotus Temple, drive by India Gate, Parliament House and Government ministries. Overnight in Ramada Plaza Hotel.

Day 3 // Delhi - Agra:

After breakfast drive to Agra. In the afternoon sightseeing of Agra Fort and Taj Mahal by sunset. Overnight in Taj Gateway Hotel.

Day 4 // Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur:

After breakfast drive about one hour to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital city of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Visit the red sandstone palaces that were designed to reflect the religious tolerance of Emperor Akbar. The architecture of these palaces is predominantly Buddhist, Jain and Hindu although Emperor Akbar was a liberal Muslim who later converted to Din-i-Ilahi religion that he himself started. In the courtyard of the Jami Masjid is the white marble mausoleum of Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chistie who had prophesied that Emperor Akbar would have three sons. Prince Salim, the heir to the Mughal throne, was named after the saint. He later became fourth Mughal Emperor with the title of Jahangir. Drive about four hours further to Jaipur. On arrival check-in hotel. In the afternoon enjoy demonstrations of wooden block print textiles, woolen carpet weaving and cutting & polishing of precious/semi-precious stones. Overnight in Narayan Niwas Palace Hotel.

Day 5 // Jaipur:

After breakfast drive to Amber Fort where you will be riding about 20 minutes on decorated elephants up to the hilltop palaces of Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Maharaja Man Singh. In the afternoon sightseeing of the City Palace of Maharajas of Jaipur and the Yantra Shala Astronomical Observatory of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Overnight in Narayan Niwas Palace Hotel.

Day 6 // Jaipur - Khimser:

After early breakfast drive to Khimser. Enjoy a walk in the village outside the Fort hotel. Overnight in Khimser Fort Hotel.

Day 7 // Khimser - Jaisalmer:

After breakfast a drive 302 kilometers or 188 miles to Jaisalmer in about 6 hours. In the evening enjoy camel ride on sand dunes and dinner at sunset on the dunes. Overnight in Royal Court Hotel.

Day 8 // Jaisalmer:

After breakfast full day to explore the Jaisalmer Fort, the aristocratic Havelis and the Chattriyans memorials of former rulers of Jaisalmer in a guided tour. Overnight in Royal Court Hotel.

Day 9 // Jaisalmer - Jodhpur:

After breakfast drive about 290 kilometers or 180 miles in about 6 hours to the Jaisalmer. In the afternoon sightseeing of Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. Overnight in Ranbanka Palace Hotel.

Day 10 // Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur:

After breakfast drive to Ranakpur for sightseeing of the Chaturmukh Jain Temple and other Jain & Hindu temples nearby. Drive further to Udaipur. Overnight in Devra Resort.

Day 11 // Udaipur - Mumbai:

After breakfast sightseeing of the City Palace of Maharanas of Udaipur and Jagdish Temple that is just outside the palace gates. In the afternoon boat ride on Lake Pinhole to view the two white marble island palaces, Jagniwas Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir Palace. Transfer to airport to board the Jet Airways flight departing at 7.20 PM to arrive in Mumbai at 9.15 PM (flight carrier and schedule subject to change). Transfer to Suba Palace Hotel and overnight.

Day 12 // Mumbai - Aurangabad:

After breakfast private cruise through Mumbai Harbor to the 6th century rock-cut Elephanta cave temples that are located on an Island about 10 kilometers or 7 miles from Mumbai shore. These historical caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The rock-cut temple complex covers an area of 60,000 square feet consisting of a main chamber, two lateral ones, courtyards and subsidiary shrines. These magnificent caves are hewn from solid granite rock and contain beautiful reliefs, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu god Siva. In the afternoon city sightseeing of Mumbai. Later transfer to airport to board the Jet Airways flight departing at 6.25 PM or Kingfisher Airlines flight departing at 6.20 PM (flight carrier and schedule subject to change). On arrival transfer to Lemon Tree Hotel and overnight in Aurangabad.

Day 13 // Aurangabad:

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ellora Caves, 29 kilometers or 18 miles northwest of Aurangabad. These caves are located in the west-facing rocks that relate the story of the evolution of Buddhism from its Hinayana phase with no statues to Lord Buddha to its Mahayana phase when a whole mythology was developed. The caves number 1 to 12 are all Buddhist. The cave number 13 to 29 are Hindu including the cave number 16 that is the Kailash Temple. It is the largest monolith rock-cut cave in the world. The caves number 30 to 34 are the Jain religion cave temples. The caves in Ellora were also originally painted but almost all paint in these caves has eroded. In the afternoon visit Khuldabad to view the historic water-wheel called Panchakki and the very simple mausoleum of Emperor Aurangzeb. The tomb of his queen called Bibi ka Rauza is a poor copy of the world famous Taj Mahal and was built under the patronage of his son. Later visit the Aurangabad caves. Overnight in Lemon Tree Hotel.

Day 14 // Aurangabad - Ajanta - Mumbai - USA:

After breakfast full day excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ajanta Caves located 109 kilometers or 68 miles northwest of Aurangabad. . They were carved out of a steep rock side in a horseshoe shaped gorge below which the Waghora River flows. Its source is just near the caves. Of the 29 caves here 8 were never completed. They are all Buddhist chaityas, the prayer halls or viharas, the residential monasteries. These caves were carved out of the rock side, sculpted with intricate statues etc. and some were also painted by Buddhist monks who lived and prayed here from 1st century BCE to the 9th century CE. They were covered in foliage and were rediscovered by a group of British soldiers who were hunting in this region. They were originally restored by the archaeological department of the Nizam of Hyderabad and are now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. After farewell dinner, transfer to airport to board the Kingfisher Airlines flight departing at 8.30 PM to arrive in Mumbai at 9.40 PM (flight carrier & schedule subject to change). Transfer to international airport to board the flight back to USA.

PRICE (Please call Brij for price of specific schedule) with following deluxe hotels: Ramada Plaza, New Delhi; Taj Gateway, Agra; Ramada Hotel, Jaipur; Khimser Fort Palace Hotel; Royal Court, Jaisalmer; Ranbanka Palace Hotel, Jodhpur; Devra Resort, Udaipur; Lemon Tree Hotel, Aurangabad and Suba Palace, Mumbai.

INCLUDES:

• Accommodation for 13 overnights on double or twin room occupancy basis.
• Buffet breakfast at all hotels.
• Air-conditioned Tata Indigo for 2 persons or Toyota Innova for up to 4 persons for transfers, intercity drive and sightseeing.
• Local English speaking guides in each city for all sightseeing tours.
• Entrances at the monuments & tourist sites.
• Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk Bazaar in Old Delhi
• Boat ride in Mumbai & Udaipur.
• Elephant ride at Amber.
• Camel ride on sand dunes at Jaisalmer
• All applicable state, transport & luxury tax.

Tour cost does not include:

• Cost of single room supplement (Please call Brij)
• Three domestic flights in India - Udaipur-Mumbai & Mumbai-Aurangabad-Mumbai - $ 260 (subject to change, we will confirm this at the time of your booking)
• Premium of Travel Insurance by Travel Guard (highly recommended), please inquire the premium amount
• Cost of lunches and dinners
• Cost of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Expenses of personal nature like tips to hotel baggage handlers, guides and drivers; telephone calls, laundry, and room service in hotels.

PAYMENTS:

Please fill out the registration form, sign it and mail it with an advance payment of $ 570 for luxury class hotel accommodations. The balance is payable 60 days before departure date. We will inform you the premium for travel insurance on receipt of your registration form. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit and debit card payments. There is an extra charge of 3.75% for payment with Visa, MasterCard or Discover cards because credit and debit card commissions are not included in the price.

Travel Guard Group Insurance: is highly recommended, please inquire for premium amount.