SPLENDORS OF NORTH INDIA LUXURY TOUR
with stay in heritage palaces and luxury 5-star hotels

Destinations: Delhi – Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Abhineri - Jaipur - Deogarh - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa  - Delhi

Tour Schedule: September 29 to October 16, 2012

Relish the luxury of five of the India’s most exclusive heritage, palace hotels. The 269 years old Taj Lake Palace Hotel is considered the world's most luxurious palace hotel. Other hotels are all renowned five-star hotel. The price includes transfers from and to Fresno, round trip international flights, all meals, transportation with deluxe air-conditioned coach, entrances to monuments & museums and much more! Rajasthan is the most colorful, historically important state of India. The culture and traditions evolved over centuries under the mighty Maharajas still remain an integral part of the life of people in Rajasthan. Witness the finest in art, architecture and culture of India in this fascinating journey. The Taj Mahal in the mild glow of sunrise is a sight you will never forget. A thrilling Rickshaw ride in old Delhi, a 20 minute ride on decorated elephants at Amber, a boat ride on Pichola Lake in Udaipur and Camel ride followed by a dinner on the sand dunes at sunset near Jaisalmer are some of the highlights of this luxurious tour of India!

DAY 1, Saturday, September 29, 2012, Fresno - Seattle - Dubai:
Board the flight in Fresno and change plane in Seattle, Washington.

DAY 2, Sunday, September 30, 2012, Dubai: Change of plane.

DAY 3, Monday, October 1, 2012, Delhi:
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 2.40 AM. Our representative will welcome you with marigold garlands and arrange transfer to The Grand Hotel near Diplomatic Enclave in New Delhi for overnight. After late breakfast start the first day in India with a memorable sightseeing tour of New Delhi - visit the Qutub Minar (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) and surrounding monuments that were built at the end of 12th. century CE when the first Islamic Sultanate was established. This is the site of Lalkot, the second of the nine capitals that were built in the greater Delhi area. The new Islamic rulers did not have trained craftsmen to build Islamic monuments, they employed Hindu sculptors and masons under Muslim supervisors, which resulted in a unique blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture and art forms. They destroyed the Hindu and Jain temples in the area and used some of the sculpted stones and other articles from these temples in the Islamic monuments. Later visit the Baha'i Lotus Temple, the most photographed monument in Delhi, that was built by followers of Baha'i Religion, a very liberal religion founded by Bahaullah, a Persian from Tehran in mid-nineteenth century. Lunch at Park Balluchi, inside Deer Park, Hauz Khas. In the afternoon visit the tomb of 2nd. Mughal Emperor Humayun (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) that was built under supervision of his widow Hamida Banu Begum during the reign of the 3rd. Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is the first Mughal Mausoleum in India and could have influenced the architecture of all later Mughal tombs. Later visit the Jama Masjid (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1648. End the day with a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk Bazaar. Enjoy a special north Indian cuisine at the legendary Moti Mahal Restaurant in Daryaganj. Overnight in The Grand Hotel.

DAY 4, Tuesday, October 2, 2012, Delhi / Agra (210 kilometers, 5 hour's drive):
After breakfast drive through the important buildings of government of India that were designed by Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens, the two British architects of the new capital of British colonial rulers when they moved their capital from Calcutta (now Kolkata). Stop at the India Gate for photography. Later visit the National Gallery of Modern Art to explore the evolution of modern painting and sculpture in India from 1857 to the present. After lunch at Gulati's Restaurant, drive to Agra with stop at Sikandara, the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Before dinner enjoy a concert of Indian classical music in the hotel. Overnight in Trident Hotel (5-star hotel near Taj Mahal).

DAY 5, Wednesday, October 3, 2012, Agra:
Today is the Highlight of the tour - sightseeing of the world famous Taj Mahal in mild glow of morning sunlight. Ample time to explore the vast garden complex, the main white marble mausoleum and peripheral buildings. Arjumand Bano Begum married Prince Khurram who succeeded to the Mughal throne. He honored her with title of Mumtaz Mahal or crown of the palace. During the 18 years of their marriage they never parted, she accompanied him even on the battle field. She died delivering their 14th. child at Burhanpur where the Emperor was fighting the Marathas. Only 4 sons and 3 daughters survived till adult age. The youngest son, Aurangzeb, killed all his brothers in the battles of succession and imprisoned his own father, Shahjahan in his palaces at Agra Fort for the last 8 years of his life. After 17 years of construction the Taj Mahal was completed in 1648 according to an inscription on its main gate. After breakfast enjoy a demonstration of the inlay of semi-precious stones in marble done by craftsmen whose forefathers had worked to decorate the Taj Mahal about 380 years ago. They still use the similar hand driven tools to create works of Pietra-dure that are even more intricate than the workmanship in the Taj Mahal. Lunch at Shivakash or Pinch of Spice restaurant. Later visit the red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar in his Agra Fort and the white marble palaces of Emperor Shahjahan in the same fort. Emperor Akbar was an unique ruler in world history to have a vision of uniting the world's religions while in contemporary Europe the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre by a mob of Roman Catholics against the Huguenots, the French Calvinist Protestants in 1572 was being perpetrated. Rightfully Emperor Akbar is referred to as 'the Great' in the world history. Through his tolerant and liberal policies towards his subjects who were mostly not Muslims, he created a vast and rich empire on the Indian sub-continent. Even in 21st. century the exceptionally successful business leaders are referred to as 'Moguls'. Later visit the 'Itmad-ud-Daulah' the mausoleum of Mirza Ghiaz Beg and Begum Asmat, the parents of Queen Nur Jahan and grand-parents of the Arjumand Bano Begum, the queen for whom the world famous Taj Mahal was built later. This mausoleum was designed by Queen Nur Jahan and was the first Mughal monument in which the art of Pietra-Dure was used on an extensive scale. Dinner and overnight in Trident Hotel

DAY 6, Thursday, October 4, 2012, Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Abhineri Village / Jaipur / (245 kilometers, 5 hour's drive):
After breakfast drive about an hour to Emperor Akbar's deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri - The capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar from 1571 to 1584. Emperor Akbar went to a Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie when he did not have a male heir to the throne. The saint correctly prophesied that the Emperor would have three sons. When his Hindu queen, Jodha Bai, became pregnant, the emperor moved with her to Sikri village to be near the saint. Gradually a whole new capital evolved with an exceptional and unprecedented blend of religious and secular architecture. The emperor invited Jesuit monks from Goa to teach him about the Christian religion. In the palaces and the mosque in Fatehpur Sikri one witnesses a blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic architecture. After the demise of saint and perhaps because of many other reasons Emperor Akbar moved from Fatehpur Sikri. The city was deserted for almost 400 years until the beginning of the 20th. century when Archaeological Survey of India started the renovation of the capital, which is still continuing. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel in Bharatpur. Drive further west to Abhineri Village for sightseeing of the 9th. century CE Chand Baori, the deepest step-well in the world. Drive another hour to the pink city, Jaipur. In the afternoon arrive in Jaipur and check into hotel. Later proceed to enjoy the demonstrations of wooden block textile printing, woolen carpet weaving and cutting & polishing of colored precious/semi-precious stones. Dinner and overnight at Trident Hotel.:

DAY 7, Friday, October 5, 2012, Jaipur / Amber:
After breakfast enjoy a morning excursion to Amber the old capital of Kachhwaha Rajput rulers. Crossing the Pink City stop at the Hawa Mahal, a royal parade viewing gallery for the women of Maharaja's family. Enjoy the leisurely ride on back of an elephant from the foot of the hill up to the hilltop palaces of Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Maharaja Man Singh in Amber Fort. The palaces of Maharaja Man Singh originally had fresco paintings on the walls, fragments of some of them are still visible. The palaces of Mirza Raja Jai Singh have decoration with convex mirrors in the ceilings and beautiful stained mica windows. Lunch in Surabhi Restaurant in Jaipur city. In the afternoon enjoy the visit to Chandramahal residence of royal family, Sarvatobhadra hall of private audience, Diwan-e-Am art gallery and Mubarak Mahal garment gallery in the Jaipur City Palace. All but one of the 17 instruments of Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory of Sawai Jai Singh are still functional. The Samrat Yantra sundial in this observatory is the largest in the world and has accuracy of 2 seconds. The observatory is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The astronomer ruler also built India's first planned city, Jaipur in 1727. In honor of the visit of Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Edward, son of Queen Victoria, in 1876, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II had the external facades of the entire city painted in Geru (Rose-Pink) color. Since then Jaipur has remained in this color. Dinner and overnight at Trident Hotel.

DAY 8, Saturday, October 6, 2012, Jaipur / Deogarh (275 kilometers, 6.5 hour's drive):
After breakfast drive to Deogarh Mahal Palace (built in 17th. century), located on the boundaries of Mewar, Marwar and Merwara, about 80 miles north-east of Udaipur in the state of Rajasthan. Deogarh is a famous for its unique style of miniature painting and some of the Deogarh miniatures adorn the personal collection of the present Rawat Sahib in this historic palace. Frescoes of this art form can also be seen on the castle walls. On arrival check into hotel. Explore the ancient palace and the surrounding village bazaar lanes. Dinner and overnight stay at Deogarh Palace Hotel.

DAY 9, Sunday, October 7, 2012, Deogarh / Devigarh / Udaipur (135 kilometers, 4 hour's drive):
After breakfast drive to Devigarh Palace (built in 18th. century) for sightseeing and lunch. Drive further to Udaipur. On arrival at Pichola Lake embark on the grand Taj Lake Palace Boat for a ride to the island marble palace built in 1743 as a summer palace of the Maharana Jagat Singh. In the afternoon enjoy a demonstration of the ancient art of miniature painting in the Maharana's Miniature Painting School in City Palace premises. Later relax with boat ride on Pichola Lake with a stop at Jag Mandir Island Palace. Dinner and overnight in Taj Lake Palace Hotel.

DAY 10, Monday, October 8, 2012, Udaipur:
After breakfast sightseeing of the City Palace of Udaipur, one of the largest palaces in Rajasthan. Later visit the Jagdish Temple outside the main gate of City Palace. Lunch at Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel. In the afternoon visit the Saheliyon-ki-Bari royal fountain garden and Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk Art Museum). Dinner and overnight in Taj Lake Palace Hotel.

DAY 11, Tuesday, October 9, 2012, Udaipur / Ranakpur / Jodhpur (260 kilometers, 5.5 hour's drive):
After breakfast drive to Ranakpur which is famous for its Chaturmukh Jain Temple with its exquisite architecture in granite and white marble. Lunch at Maharani Bagh Hotel. Afternoon arrive Jodhpur and check into the heritage Ajit Bhawan Palace Hotel. After fresh up visit Mehrangarh fort – unsurpassed in beauty & grandeur, it is one of the largest forts in India. Innumerable palaces in the fort, interspersed with sprawling courtyards, are intricately carved Jaswanthada – The 19th century royal cenotaph, a creation in white marble Clock tower – The timely treasure of Jodhpur. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Ajit Bhawan Palace Hotel.

DAY 12, Wednesday, October 10, 2012, Jodhpur / Jaisalmer (280 kilometers, 6 hour's drive):
After breakfast depart by surface for Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is a tiny jewel in the heart of the Thar, the Great Indian Desert. On arrival check into Suryagarh Palace Hotel. After fresh up enjoy a camel ride on the sand dunes at Sam village and later dinner accompanied by Thar Desert Folk Dance, on sand dunes at sunset. Overnight stay at Suryagarh Palace Hotel

DAY 13,. Thursday, October 11, 2012, Jaisalmer:
After breakfast proceed for city sightseeing of Jaisalmer covering Jaisalmer Fort – built on the highest point of the Tricuta hill, Sun Gate. Outstanding features are Megh Durbar & various temples, Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli & Patwon–Ki-Haveli – some of the beautiful mansions with stone carving and lattice work of breath taking intricacy. Dinner and overnight stay at Suryagarh Palace Hotel.

DAY 14, Friday, October 12, 2012, Jaisalmer / Bikaner (330 kilometers, 7 hour's drive):
After breakfast at hotel drive to Bikaner. On arrival transfer to Hotel. After fresh up half day city tour including Junagarh Fort, Camel Breeding Farm & Temples. Dinner and overnight stay at the heritage Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel.

DAY 15, Saturday, October 13, 2012, Bikaner / Mandawa (170 kilometers, 4.5 hour's drive):
After breakfast drive to Mandawa, India. It is part of the Shekhawati region. It is midway between Jhunjhunu and Sikar. Arrive and check into Hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Castle Mandawa Hotel.

DAY 16, Sunday, October 14, 2012, Mandawa:
After breakfast visit Nawalgarh Fort (Bala Kila Fort) -built by Thakur Nawal Singh founded in 1737 AD followed by Roop Niwas Palace - about one km from the Nawalgarh fort is the salubrious Roop Niwas Palace built by Thakur Roop Singh Ji and Rawal Madan Singh Ji. The palace is enchanting with a well-laid garden and fountains.  Visit the Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Murarka Haveli, Aath Haveli Complex etc.

DAY 17, Monday, October 15, 2012, Mandawa / Delhi (260 kilometers, 5.5 hour's drive):
AM: sightseeing in Shekhavati. After lunch at Roop Niwas Palace drive to Leela Kempinsky Hotel in Gurgaon for farewell dinner. Around mid-night transfer to transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to board the flight to Dubai and further to Seattle with change of plane. Arrive in Fresno at 9.47 PM.

DAY 18, Tuesday, October 16, 2012, Delhi / Dubai / Seattle / Fresno:
Departure from Delhi around 4 AM to Dubai. After change of plane in Seattle arrive in Fresno at 9.47 PM.

Price: US$ 5,395 for the tour from September 29 to October 17, 2012 (Please call Brij at (559) 446 0499 for flight schedule)

Above prices include:

• Roundtrip international flights with connection from Fresno (flight schedule subject to change)
• 15 Night's accommodation on double or twin occupancy basis. 
• Daily buffet breakfast and dinner at your hotels.
• Lunches in selected, exclusive restaurants during sightseeing.
• Deluxe air-conditioned coach for airport & intercity transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Bottle water 2 per day in coach
• Entrances to monuments and museums
• English speaking local guides at each city for city tour and tour escort
• Assistance at each city by our company representative.
• Rickshaw ride at Jama Mosque in Delhi.
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur.
• Boat ride in Pichola Lake in Udaipur.
• Camel ride at the dunes in Jaisalmer
• Farewell dinner in Gurgaon near Airport
• Tips to driver and guides
• All taxes, parkings, interstate taxes, state taxes, driver’s allowance etc.

Not included in the price:

• India Visa Fee. The Visa application can be filled online at: https://www.indian-visa.com/select-application
• Vaccination: Please consult your personal doctor or visit Department of Community Health Immunization Program/Travel Clinic at Fulton Mall (1st. Floor office), Telephone: (559) 445 3550
• Travel Guard Plan insurance is required
  

• Single room supplement for September-October Tour is $ 1,935
• Still and Video camera fees
• Tips to porters in hotels
• Any costs of personal nature like room service, telephone charges, laundry etc. in hotels

Payment terms:

By personal check payable to India Traveller, mailing address: 973 E. Chennault Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720

For the group departing on September 29, 2012, a non-refundable advance deposit of $ 600 plus Travel Guard Insurance Premium will be due with registration. Balance tour price will be due on August 1, 2012.

Optional extension tour of Kathmandu-Nagarkot with Mount Everest Flight

Day 1: Mandawa - Delhi:
After farewell dinner transfer to Peppermint Hotel (4-star) in Gurgaon for overnight.

Day 2:Home-Kathmandu:
After breakfast, around 10.30 AM transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board the JetLite flight # S2-501 departing at 12.30 PM. Arrive in Kathmandu at 2.10 PM, transfer to hotel. After check in sightseeing tours.

Boudha Nath Temple- the world’s largest stupa. a sight of great veneration to the Buddhists, is a colossal stupa north east of Pashupatinath. The origin of this stupa is rather obscure. A legend says that a woman named Kangma was banished from heaven by Indra for stealing flowers and was reborn on earth as a swineherd’s daughter. Rearing and selling geese, Kangma accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. One day, she went to request the king for a plot of land to build a temple dedicated to the Buddha Amitabha. She asked that she be given land the size which a buffalo’s hide would cover. The king agreed to what he thought was a harmless request, but Kangma very shrewdly cut the hide making it into one very long strip of leather. Stretching it out to form a very large circle. She asked for and was given this huge plot where Boudhanath stands today.

If time does not permit after check in we arrange visit to THAMEL which is touristy place. In this case we will include above place in other days. Overnight in Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Day 3: Full Day tour of Patan & Bhaktapur-Nagarkot:

Sightseeing tour of the Patan - a city of heritage wooden architecture and fine arts. Visit Tibetan Handicraft center at Jawalakhel to watch carpet weaving. Patan Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of Patan city, also known as Lalitpur, houses the residence of the former Patan royal family. Patan Square and its surroundings are good specimen of ancient Newari architecture. There are three main courtyards in the palace: Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Mul Chowk, the oldest one, is at the centre of Patan square. Several multi-sized and multi-styled temples occupy the western part of the complex. Main among these are Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple and the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna.

Bhaktapur city- Kathmandu valley's most medieval city also known as Bhadgaon and was one of the three Kingdoms of Mallas. It is famous for Lion gate, the picture gallery, the Golden gate and palace of 55 windows. Lunch break in Bhaktapur before sightseeing and finally transfer to Nagarkot for sunset view. .

Nagarkot is situated 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m above sea level. Nagarkot is a popular tourist spot of Nepal. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest-if weather permits), can be seen from here). The Himalayan peaks Like Manaslu (8463 meters). Ganesh Hinial (7111 meters), Langtang(7246 meters), Choba Bhanre (60l6 meters), and Gaurishanker (7134 meters) are all visible from Nagarkot in clear sky). Overnight at Hotel Club Himalaya in Nagarkot.

Day 4: Nagarkot - Kathmandu - Sightseeing ( 9 Am to 5 Pm):

In the morning enjoy sunrise mountain view. After breakfast drive to Kathmandu. After check in sightseeing tours:
Sightseeing of Pashupatinath Temple- the most sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicaed to lord Shiva, first established in 5th century. The holiest Hindu pilgrimage place in Nepal Pashupati has received the attention of worshippers for at least fifteen hundred years. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati river. A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth century statue of the Buddha an eighth century statue of Brahma the Creator freshly painted skeletal images guarding temple gates, and other magnificent temples dedicates to various deities in the complex.
Swayambhunath temple - the oldest Buddhist shrine. Looking east from here, one can see the entire Kathmandu valley spread out below. and lunch break in Kathmandu durbar square. Swayambhunath is a best place to observe religious harmony between Nepalese Buddhists and Hindus.  The stupa is one of the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers come from diverse ethical backgrounds. Situated on the top of a hill. It provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu Valley. Huge prayer wheels and fine Buddhist paintings are displayed in the monasteries as well as the largest Buddha statue in the country. Special butter lamps can be lit after monetary gifts are offered to the images.
Kathmandu Durbar Square– the temple of the Living Goddess and the old Royal Palace. Finally, visit Kasthamandup – a temple built from a single tree from which the city of Kathmandu derives its name.
The Square teems with life as vendor’s, children, tourists and other crowed around the temple of the Living Goddess Kumari. Goddess Taleju and the Kastamandap Resthouse. Many pay homage to the monuments of Kal Bhairab Lord Hanuman and to the images of Shiva and Parbati. The buildings here are the greatest achievement of the Malla dynasty and they resulted from the great rivalry between the three palaces of Kathmandu Patan and Bhakatpur. Most wood carvings statues and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine.
Kathmandu became the seat of Valley’s royalty when King Jayasthiti Malla unified the valley in the 14th century (although it was divided later by his descendants). The Malla kings’ royal palace was located at Hanuman Dhoka, and it is still retained as the ceremonial palace of the present Shah dynasty. Although the present King Birendra does not reside there, important traditional royal ceremonies including the crowning of the king are still conducted at Hanuman Dhoka.
Hanuman Dhoka (literally, Hanuman Gate) takes its name from the monkey god Hanuman, whose idol lies at the entrance of the palace. Kneeling in his usual posture on a pedestal, Hanuman is a hero from the Hindu epic Ramayana, who endows military success to his devotees - the reason why he has been placed there. Transfer to hotel. Evening dinner with cultural show. Overnight in Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Day 5: Mountain Flight & Departure
Early morning before breakfast drive to domestic airport. Experience the awesome and unforgettable sight of Mount Everest in close-up, on this flight. All the peaks in Himalayan mountains are visible in this flight. Then drive to Hotel. Breakfast and transfer to international airport for boarding the JetLite flight # S2-502 departing at 3.10 PM to arrive in Delhi at 16,25 PM. Transfer to Leela Kempinsky Hotel for dinner at Diya - Indian cuisine restaurant. Later transfer to Indira Gandhi International airport to board the flight back to San Francisco.

Price of US$ 1,425 includes:

Transfer from Leela Kempinsky in Gurgaon to Peppermint Hotel
One overnight in Peppermint Hotel in Gurgaon
Transfer from Peppermint Hotel to Indira Gandhi International Airport
Arrival/departure transfers in Kathmandu, Nepal
Private transport throughout the tour in Nepal
English speaking local guide
Hotels on double or twin-room occupancy basis
All meals in Nepal
All entrance fees for mentioned places
One dinner with cultural program
All applicable hotel taxes in Nepal
Dinner at Leela Kempinsky Hotel, Indian cuisine restaurant Diya

Excludes:

Lunch on Day 2 (Arrival in Kathmandu) and on Day 5.
Tips, personal expenses such as bottled drinks, laundry etc
Any insurance, tour escort