Extended Art & Culture of Northern India (09 Nights / 10 Days in India)

Visit north India’s most famous and magnificent sites. Wonder at the British colonial architecture of the nation’s capital, New Delhi. Enjoy a Rickshaw ride in the narrow alleys of 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 Kachwaha 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 Varanasi. The intricate sculptures of Khajuraho Hindu temples are amazing. Relish a relaxing boat ride on Pichola Lake in Udaipur. Choose your style of hotel from the world’s most luxurious to conveniently located comfortable hotels to suit your budget. Continental, vegan and vegetarian cuisine can be especially arranged for you.

Day 01 // Delhi:

Arrive in Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Traditional welcome with “Tilak” and fresh flower garland and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

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. Proceed to airport to board flight to Varanasi. Transfer to hotel. Visit the Man Mandir Palace with astronomical observatory and other Hindu temples on the Ghats – steps leading to the river.  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 to view sunrise on River Ganga and the Hindu morning rituals. 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. Overnight in hotel.

Day 04 // Khajuraho/Varanasi:

After breakfast check-out and proceed to Sarnath, the place 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 temple groups. Overnight in hotel.

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

After breakfast proceed to Orcha. After lunch at Orcha Resort, sightseeing of Orcha 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 1530 Hrs and arriving in Agra at 2010 Hrs (train runs daily except on Fridays, on Friday Taj Express Train will be used). Arrival & transfer to hotel and overnight in hotel.

Day 06 // Agra:

Early in the morning drive a short distance to the parking lot of the Taj Mahal. Ride Battery Cars or Horse Tongas to the eastern gate of the world famous monument to love. Ample time to enjoy the vast walled enclosure of the world famous Taj Mahal. After breakfast at hotel there marvel at the craftsmanship at marble factory where traditional artisans still work using similar hand operated implements similar to those that their forefathers used more than 300 years ago when they worked to build the Taj Mahal. Later drive to the Red Fort of Agra to visit the red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and the white marble palaces that his grandson Emperor Shahjahan replaced in Red Fort of Agra. 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, Emperor Akbar’s deserted capital. Visit the palaces complex and the mosque with the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie after driving 40 kilometers or 25 miles further from Agra. Later proceed to Jaipur & check into hotel. After lunch sightseeing of the Kachhwaha Maharajas’ City Palace to visit 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 we will 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. Overnight in hotel.

Day 08 // Jaipur–Amber-Udaipur:

After breakfast check-out and visit Amber Fort to enjoy the Elephant ride ascending to the hilltop palaces of Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Maharaja Mansingh. Return by Jeep after sightseeing. Afternoon free to relax on your own. After dinner transfer to railway station to board the overnight train in first class compartment to Udaipur. Overnight in train.

Day 09 // Udaipur:

Arrival at Udaipur Railway Station at 6.10 AM. Transfer to hotel. After breakfast sightseeing of Udaipur City Palace of the Maharanas and Jagdish Temple. After lunch boat ride on Pichola Lake to view Jagniwas Lake Palace and sightseeing of Jagmandir Island Palace. Overnight in hotel in Udaipur.

Day 10 // Udaipur-Delhi-USA:

After breakfast transfer to airport to board the morning flight to Delhi. 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 designed by the British architects, Edwin Lutyens and James Baker. Later farewell dinner and transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board the flight back to USA.

The following prices include:

Deluxe Class Hotels with air-conditoned Toyota Innova van for transportation:

First Class Hotels with air-conditioned Toyota Innova van for transportation:

Tourist Class Hotels with air-conditioned Tata Indigo car for transportation:

Included in the above mentioned prices:

·          Accommodation on Double/Twin Room Sharing basis for 09 nights at the above mentioned hotels / similar category hotels will be offered incase of non availability at given hotels

·          Based on room with breakfast basis

·          Transfers and sightseeing by chauffer driven air-conditioned mid size car or van as per hotel category

·          Two bottles of water per day available in car or van

·          All Government taxes, Road tax and tolls, parking fees and driver’s overnight wages

·          Tours with professional English Speaking Local Guide as per itinerary.

·          Entry fee to all monuments and places of interest as per the itinerary (One Time)

·          Elephant ride in Jaipur, Boat ride on River Ganga in Varanasi and on Pichola Lake in Udaipur

The rates are valid till April 2010.

Not included in the prices:

·          Cost of international airfare, we will be glad to get you the best airfares through our international flight consolidator

·          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 $ 370 for 1^st Class and tourist class hotel accommodations and with an advance payment of $ 570 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 2.75% 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.