Art & Culture of North India Tour - 8 days - 7 Overnights

New Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra and Jaipur

Visit north India’s most historical and enchanting sites. Wonder at the British colonial architecture of the nation’s capital, New Delhi - designed by Edwin Lutyens & James Baker. Enjoy the thrill of a rickshaw ride in the narrow alleys of the historic old Delhi. Be amazed by the serene beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Wonder the blended Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic architecture in the palaces of Emperor Akbar’s deserted city, Fatehpur Sikri. Relish the glory of Kachhwaha architecture and culture in the City Palace of the pink city, Jaipur. The masonry instruments of the astronomical observatory of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh still function. Enjoy a ride on beautifully decorated elephants up to the hilltop palaces of Maharaja Man Singh and Mirza Raja Jai Singh at Amber Fort. Experience the ancient Hindu rituals on the banks of River Ganga in the Varanasi boat ride at sunrise. Visit the birthplace of Buddhist religion at Sarnath - Buddha preached his first sermon to the initial five disciples in the deer park in Sarnath. The intricate sculptures of Khajuraho Hindu temples are amazing. There is a choice of Deluxe and First Class hotels to suite your preference. Continental, vegan and vegetarian cuisine can be especially arranged for you. Please click on India City Descriptions to read details of each of the cities included in this fascinating journey.

Day 01 // Delhi:

Arrive in Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Traditional welcome with fresh marigold flower garland and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 02 // Delhi – Varanasi:

After breakfast drive to Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial on the banks of River Yamuna), drive past Red Fort, with stop for photography, to Emperor Shahjahan’s Jama Masjid. Later Rickshaw ride in old Delhi. After early lunch proceed to airport to board flight to Varanasi, arrival & transfer to hotel. Visit the Man Mandir Palace with astronomical observatory of Sawai Jai Singh of Amber and Jaipur, and temples on the ghats. In the evening enjoy the Ganga Artee, a unique oil lamps prayer ceremony on the banks of the River. Overnight in hotel.

Day 03 // Varanasi:

Early morning boat ride on River Ganga to view the Hindu rituals at sunrise. Later sightseeing of temples on the banks of the river in the ancient city and the New Vishwanath Temple in the Banaras Hindu University campus area.

Day 04 // Varanasi - Khajuraho:

After breakfast check-out and drive a short distance to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon 2500 years ago. Later transfer to airport to board the flight to Khajuraho. After arrival transfer to hotel and half day sightseeing of the three Hindu and Jain temple groups and overnight in hotel.

Day 05 // Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra:

After breakfast drive to Orchha. After lunch at Orchha Resort, sightseeing of Orchha Fort and the two Hindu Temples on the way to Jhansi. Transfer to railway station to board train # 2002 Bhopal Shatabdi Express departing from Jhansi at 3.30 PM and arriving in Agra at 8.10 PM (train runs daily except on Fridays, on Fridays the transfer to Agra will be by Taj Express Train). Arrival & transfer to hotel and overnight in Hotel.

Day 06 // Agra:

Early in the morning we drive a short distance to the world famous Taj Mahal. Ample time for sightseeing in the vast walled complex. After breakfast at hotel marvel at the craftsmanship at a marble factory where traditional artisans still work using similar hand operated implements that their forefathers had used more than 300 years ago when they worked to build the Taj Mahal. Drive to the Red Fort of Agra for sightseeing of the red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and the white marble palace that his grandson Emperor Shahjahan replaced. Emperor Aurangzeb, the son of Emperor Shahjahan kept him a prisoner in his own palaces for the last 8 years of his life. Overnight in hotel.

Day 07 // Agra - Fatehpur Sikri- Jaipur:

Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Jaipur with stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar. Visit the palaces complex and the mosque with white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie after driving 40 kilometers or 25 miles from Agra. Later proceed to Jaipur & check into hotel. After lunch sightseeing of the City Palace of Kachhwaha Maharajas to view the fascinating textiles gallery in Mubarak Mahal, the Sarvatobhadra (Hall of Private Audience) with the two famous Gangajallis (Silver Urns to carry Ganga River water), the colorful courtyard of Chandra Mahal with its Peacock Gate and the “Diwan-i-Am” Art Gallery that houses some of the most famous Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. Stepping out of the City Palace visit the Astronomical Observatory that is largest one built by the founder of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh. All except one of its 17 astronomical instruments are still functional. Dinner & Overnight in hotel.

Day 08 // Jaipur – Delhi - USA:

After breakfast check-out and visit the hilltop palaces of Amber Fort on Elephant back ascending and return by Jeep. Proceed to Delhi with a drive 258 kilometers or 160 miles to Jaipur in about 5 hours. After lunch start the New Delhi sightseeing including Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, a brief stop at Baha’i Lotus Temple for photography and drive past President’s Mansion, Prime Minister’s office, Parliament House and India Gate in the part of New Delhi planned by the British architect, Edwin Lutyens. Later farewell dinner before transfer to airport to board the flight back to USA.

Price of US$ 1,454 with following deluxe hotels: Ramada Plaza, New Delhi; Ideal Towers, Varanasi; Taj Gateway Chandela, Khajuraho; Taj Gateway, Agra; Ramada Hotel and Jaipur

Price of US$ 1,200 with following 1st. class hotels: Florence Inn, New Delhi; Ideal Towers, Varanasi; Surya Hotel, Khajuraho; Hotel Taj Resorts, Agra and Jas Vilas Hotel, Jaipur

THE ABOVE PRICES INCLUDE:

• 07 overnight- accommodations in the mentioned or similar hotels inclusive of Taxes on double or twin room occupancy basis
• Daily buffet breakfast at your hotels.
• Chauffeur driven air-conditioned Tata Indigo car for 2 persons or Toyota Innova van for 4 persons on full time basis
• Daily bottled water in car
• English speaking local guides at each city as per program
• Assistance at each city by our company representative
• Train tickets in air-conditioned chair car from Jhansi – Agra
• 1 rickshaw ride at Jama Mosque in Delhi.
• Boat ride at River Ganges Varanasi
• 1 Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
• Farewell dinner in Delhi
• All taxes, parking fees, interstate taxes, state taxes, driver’s allowance etc.

NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE PRICES:

• Cost of international airfare, we will be glad to get you the best airfares through our international flight consolidator
• Single room supplement of US$ 835 with deluxe hotels
  or US$ 524 with 1st. class hotels
• Cost of domestic flights: New Delhi-Varanasi; Varanasi-Khajuraho & Udaipur-New Delhi: US$ 148 (subject to change)
  (We will inform you the latest, lowest domestic airfare at the time of booking the tour)
• Cost of Travel Guard Group Insurance, please inquire the premium amount and coverage details (highly recommended)
• Cost of lunches and dinners
• All drinks in hotels & restaurants etc.
• Still and Video Camera Fees at monuments
• Tips to drivers and guides as well as any item not included in the above (included) list
• All expenses of personal nature like telephone calls / laundry / room service charges in hotels etc.

PAYMENTS:

Please fill out the registration form, sign it and mail it with an advance payment by personal check of $ 470 for 1st. class hotels accommodations or with an advance payment by personal check of $ 670 for luxury class hotel accommodations. The balance is payable 60 days before departure date. On receipt of the form I will be glad to inform you the travel insurance premium amount. There is an extra charge of 3.75% for payment with Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit and debit cards because credit and debit card commissions and fees are not included in the price. Please call or email us for credit or debit card payments.

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