Spirit of India Tour (09 Nights / 11 Days)

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 eternal Hindu holy city where 2500 years ago the Buddha came to learn scriptures after renouncing his worldly life. The intricate sculptures of Khajuraho Hindu temples are amazing. Relish a relaxing boat ride on Pichola Lake in Udaipur. Stay in centrally located luxury hotels. Continental, vegan and vegetarian cuisine can be especially arranged for you.

Itinerary: New Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur and Udaipur.

• Day 1, DEPARTURE US AIRPORT.

• Day 2, Delhi:
  Arrive in Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Traditional welcome with “Tilak” and fresh flower garland and transfer to Ramada Plaza Hotel.

• Day 3, 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 Chandni Chawk Bazaar in Old Delhi. In the afternoon transfer to airport to board the Spice Jet flight to Varanasi (arrival 3.45 PM). Sightseeing of Man Mandir Palace with astronomical observatory. Later enjoy the Ganga Aartee ceremony at the banks of the holy river. Overnight in Ideal Tower Hotel.

• Day 4, Varanasi - Khajuraho:
  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. In the afternoon sightseeing of Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha preached his first sermon to start the wheel of religion, the Dharmachakra. Overnight in Ideal Tower Hotel.

• Day 5, Khajuraho:
  The morning is free to relax. Later transfer to airport to board the Kingfisher flight to Khajuraho. In the afternoon visit the three groups of Hindu and Jain Temples. Overnight in Usha Bundela Hotel

• Day 6, Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra:
  After breakfast proceed 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 1530 Hrs and arriving in Agra at 2010 Hrs (train runs daily except on Fridays, on Friday Taj Express Train will be used). On arrival in Agra, transfer to and overnight in Howard Park Plaza Hotel.

• Day 7, 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 Howard Park Plaza Hotel.

• Day 8, 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 Ramada Plaza Hotel.

• Day 9, 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 10, 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. Later transfer to airport to board the Jet Airways flight at 5.30 PM to arrive in Delhi at 6.40 PM. Overnight in Ramada Plaza Hotel.

• Day 11, 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.

Included in the price (please call Brij @ (559) 446 0499:

• Round trip international flight from New York to Delhi (Please ask for departures from other US airports)
• Accommodation on Double/Twin Room Sharing basis for 09 nights at the above mentioned hotels / similar category hotels will offered in case of non availability at given hotels
• All meals (Breakfasts and Dinners in hotels, lunches in city restaurants)
• 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

Not included in the prices:

• Single supplement of (please call Brij @ (559) 446 0499
• 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 (fax) it with an advance payment by personal check of $ 500.00. The balance amount is due 90 days before departure date. The Travel Guard insurance premium is compulsory and payable with advance payment - premium costs: up to 34 years of age: $ 92, from 35 to 59 years of age: $ 112 and over 60 years of age: $ 149. Payments can be made by personal check, Visa and MasterCard credit & debit cards. Please call Brij at (559) 446 0499 for payment by credit or debit cards. There is an additional charge of 3.75% for payments by credit or debit cards.