DAY 01
USA - MUMBAI
Depart the USA on your
flight to Mumbai.
DAY 02
MUMBAI
Upon arrival at the
airport you are met by our representative and transferred to
the hotel TAJ MAHAL.
DAY 03
MUMBAI
Morning: At your leisure.
Afternoon:
Tour the bustling city of Mumbai and enjoy the following
sights: The Gateway of
India,
the Fish Aquarium, the Jain Temple with its superb exterior
wall carvings, Kamala
Nehru Park, and the Hanging Gardens on the slopes of Malabar
Hill. The Hanging Gardens offer a superb view of Marine
Drive and Chowpaty Beach. Visit Mani Bhawan where Gandhi
stayed during his visits to Bombay between 1917-1934 and
which is now a remarkable memorial. Visit The Prince of
Wales Museum and view their excellent examples of Indian
miniature paintings. Drive past the Flora Fountain Bombay
nerve center to Victoria Terminus train station, Mumbai’s
finest High Victorian Gothic architecture. Finally, pass
through the colorful Crawford Market and the long gracefully
curving
Marine Drive.
DAY 04
MUMBAI - UDAIPUR
Morning: Board a ferry for an
excursion across the harbor to the world famous Elephanta
Caves, site of the magnificent 1200 years-old series
of rock-cut cave temples with large sculptured interiors
dedicated to Lord Shiva. The carved figures of Hindu deities
include an 18-foot high Trimurti sculpture signifying the
trinity of the creator, the preserver and the Destroyer.
Afternoon: Board your
flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival transfer to the
hotel LAKE PALACE.
DAY 05
UDAIPUR
Morning: Visit the Maharana’s City Palace, which
boasts a labyrinth of courtyards richly
decorated
with inlaid mirror-work, galleries covered with frescos,
temples and kiosks. Proceed to Jagdish temple which houses a
remarkable bronze statue of Garuda the mythical bird. Visit
Sahellyon Ki Bari the garden
of the maids of honor with its exquisite fountains.
Enjoy Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal the folk arts museum, and a
scenic drive around Fateh Sagar Lake.
Afternoon: Visit to the
Crystal Gallery, a private collection with an outstanding
display of
crystal ornaments, including fountains, vases, crockery,
furniture and beds, custom-made for the palaces of Udaipur
in 1877. Observe also the silver beds, chairs, brocade, and velvet
seating. Enjoy traditional British afternoon High Tea
followed by an exquisite private boat cruise on Lake Pichola,
surrounded by splendid Hills and Palaces.
DAY 06
UDAIPUR - RANAKPUR - JODHPUR
Morning: Depart
to Ranakpur. Visit the Jain temples. The temples,
built in
the mid-15th century with intricately sculpted
white marble, are extremely well preserved. Take special
note of the Rishabji Temple, supported by 1,444 distinct
pillars. Stop for lunch at the Maharani’s Orchard.
Afternoon:
Continue to Jodhpur. Upon arrival check in at the hotel UMAID BHAWAN
PALACE.
DAY 07
JODHPUR - JAISALMER
Morning: Drive deeper
into the Thar Desert to visit a Bishnoi Village. The
Bishnois are a conservationist, wealthy community of pure
vegetarians who are orthodox and observe principles laid
down by their enlightened Guru Jambhoji. This community,
which has survived for five centuries, is known for
protecting endangered species of animals and plants. Since
the Bishnois make it impossible for the poachers to kill,
the rare blackbuck thrives in this region.
Afternoon: Depart to
Jaisalmer. Upon arrival check in at the hotel FORT
RAJWADA.
DAY 08
JAISALMER
Morning: Tour Jaisalmer, a city
of gilded magic. Visit the Citadel, the fort built by Rawal
Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. Visit also
the Jain Temples of the 12th to 15th
centuries; Patwon Ki Haveli, a five-story mansion with
carved pillars and murals; Salim Singh Haveli, with its
peacock-motif arched roof; and Nathmalji Ki Haveli, guarded
by elegant sandstone elephants.
Evening: Drive to a
scenic vantage point in the desert for a spectacular sunset
view of the fort.
DAY 09
JAISALMER - JODHPUR
Morning: Depart to Jodhpur. Upon arrival check in at the
hotel
TAJ HARI MAHAL.
Afternoon: Visit
Meherangarh Fort, Rajasthan’s finest. Strategically located
on a mighty sandstone rock, the Meherangarh Fort was never
captured. Palaces within are meticulously carved from hard
sandstone. Paintings, thrones, banners, doors, weapons and a
spectacular 17th century royal tent are displayed
in the fort’s museum. Also visit Jaswant Thada, the
cremation ground of the royal family, with magnificent
translucent marble tombs. Proceed to the Umaid Bhawan Palace
museum with its rare collection of clocks and watches, fine
china, ornate mirrored furniture, glass and crystal ware,
and photographs.
DAY 10
JODHPUR - JAIPUR
Late morning: Board
your flight to Jaipur. Upon arrival, transfer
to the hotel RAMBAGH PALACE.
DAY 11
JAIPUR
Morning: Drive to
Amber Fort the ancient capital of the state, where the
Jaipur royal house held court for seven centuries. Board a
splendidly arrayed elephant to ascend the rugged
hill. Visit
the magnificent gateways, courtyards, and pavilions,
Jagmandir the Hall of Victory glittering with inlaid
mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. Next visit Jaigarh
(Tiger) Fort, one of the few military structures of medieval
India. Jaigarh Fort is preserved almost intact, containing palaces, gardens,
open and covered reservoirs, a granary, an armory, a canon
foundry, the world's largest cannon on wheels and several
temples. Jaigarh Fort has been the royal treasury for several years. Enjoy
the
breathtaking views of Amber Palace and the surrounding area.
Afternoon: Tour the
city of Jaipur. Visit the Maharaja’s City Palace with its
fabulous museum. Inside the museum find textiles, arms,
carpets, paintings, and manuscripts, along with the Maharaja’s two
large urns, the largest silver vessels in India. Proceed to
Jantar Mantar the Observatory of Maharaja Jai Singh II,
constructed in 1716. Drive past Hawa Mahal Palace of
Winds, which was used by the ladies of the palace to view the outside
world. Continue through the rose-pink residential and
business areas of the city.
DAY 12
JAIPUR - AGRA
Morning: Drive to the
magnificent deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by
Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of
water. Remarkably well- preserved are the graceful buildings
within the city, including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti, Panch Mahal, and other palaces. The red sandstone
palaces are in such a perfect stat of preservation that it
seems as if they were never left alone. After the visit continue
to Agra. Upon arrival, check-in at
the hotel AMARVILAS.
Afternoon: Visit Agra
Fort, which evolved under the reigns of
three Mughal Emperors. Note the apparent transition
from the military might of the stern citadel raised by
Emperor Akbar to the lavish beauty of shimmering white
marble palaces built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Later visit the
tomb of Itmad-Ud-Dulah. This small mausoleum was built by the
Mughal empress Noor Jahan for her father. Completed in 1628,
it was the first Mughal building constructed entirely of
white marble and was a forerunner of the Taj Mahal. Its
marble surface is almost completely covered by inlaid
semi-precious stones.
Evening:
Board a Royal Buggy (Decorated Horse Cart) for
a
ride to one of the most fabled sights in on earth - The TAJ
MAHAL, the legendary monument to love built by Emperor Shah
Jahan in 1630 to enshrine the mortal remains of his Queen
Mumtaz Mahal. This architectural marvel is a perfectly
proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble. It
stands testimony to the skill of craftsmen brought in from
Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy and to 17 years of labor by
20,000 workers. Stroll the grounds and view this most
magnificent monument at the magical moment of sunset.
DAY 13
AGRA - KHAJURAHO
Morning: board your flight to
Khajuraho. Upon arrival, transfer to the
hotel TAJ CHANDELA.
Afternoon: Visit the world
famous temples of Khajuraho, built by the Chandela Kings
between 950 and 1050 AD. In a mere hundred years this small
village saw an architectural renaissance of no parallel.
Eighty-five
ornately carved temples were built for the glory of God.
Today twenty-two survive. Our tour includes visits to Chaunsat Yogini
Temple, the
oldest of the surviving temples dedicated to
goddess Kali; Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest and best
example of the Central Indian style of temple architecture,
dedicated to Lord Shiva; Chitragupta Temple or Bharatji
Temple with a lovely 11 headed Vishnu image; Vishvanath
Temple, lined by lions on the northern side, elephants on the
southern side, and impressive three-headed image of Brahma
inside. Facing the shrine is Nandi Temple with a massive
six-foot-high Nandi bull. Lakshmana Temple, the finest of the
western group of temples is attached to four shrines.
Finally, Visha Temple dedicated to Shiva, is the largest and
most typical of the temples. After a busy day of
sightseeing, wind down with a relaxing
pure oil massage treatment at an Ayurvedic Health Spa.
DAY 14
KHAJURAHO - VARANASI
Morning: At your leisure.
Early Afternoon: Board your
flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to the
hotel
TAJ GANGES.
Afternoon:
Visit Bharat
Mata Temple, which features a big relief map of Mother India engraved
in marble. Also visit the 18th century Durga temple, commonly
known as Monkey Temple due to its population of monkeys.
Proceed to Tulsi Manas Mandir, crafted from white marble,
which features
the entire Ramayana inscribed on its walls. Also see Benares Hindu University, considered the largest residential
university in Asia. The university houses an Art Gallery and the Mosque
of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
DAY 15
VARANASI - KATHMANDU
Early Morning: Take a
private boat excursion on the holy river Ganges and enjoy
sitar recital on board. See the bathing Ghats and cremation
site. Watching people bathe and worshipping at the Ghats
is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to
India.
Afternoon: Board your
flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to the
hotel YAK & YETI.
DAY 16
KATHMANDU
Morning: Visit the Durbar
Square at the centre of old Kathmandu. See temples and
shrines
with intricately
carved roofs, doors and windows dating all the way back to
the Twelfth century. In the remarkable ancient royal
residential quarter, visit Hanuman Dhoka, the Mahadev and Parvati
temple, and Machhender Bahl - Holy place for the Buddhists and Hindus. Proceed to the Temple Of Kumari, residence of the Living Goddess
(also known as the Virgin Goddess). The building has profusely
carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari
acknowledges greetings from her balcony window. Walk around
the local Bazaars.
Afternoon: Visit the Old
Newar city Patan, also known as Lalitpur. See the historical
Durbar square, the golden gate, sky piercing temple of Telaju and the statue of Yogendra Malla.
Also visit temples and old windows and carved balconies of
wood, curio shops and bazaars. Continue to Swayambunath, one
of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas, and believed to
be 2000 years old, with the eyes of the Buddha pained on all
four sides. It is the oldest of its kind in Nepal.
DAY 17
KATHMANDU
Early
Morning: Take a flight
over the imposing Himalayan range for a breathtaking view of
Mount Everest.
Afternoon: Visit Bhadgaon,
also known as Bhaktapur - another Newar city founded in the 9th
century. Visit the ancient gateway. Also visit Durbar Square, the royal
residential quarter of Bhupatindra Malla, and the famous five-storied
pagoda style temple of Nyatapola. Later visit Bodhnath, the 2500 years-old Buddhist
stupa. Bodhnath is one of the largest stupas in the world
and a holy place for
Buddhist pilgrims From Tibet. Continue to Pashupatinath, the
temple of Lord Shiva. With its two- tiered golden roofs and
silver door, Pashupatinath is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal.
DAY 18
KATHMANDU - DELHI
Late Morning: Board your
flight to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to the
hotel TAJ MAHAL .
DAY 19
DELHI
Morning: At your leisure.
Afternoon:
Visit Qutab
Minar, the soaring tower of victory. The construction of
Qutab Minar began in 1193. Visit also
Humayun's Tomb, an early example of Mughal architecture that
served as the model for the Taj Mahal, and the Red Fort on
the west bank of the Yamuna River, constructed by emperor
Shah Jahan as a royal residence and official complex. The
palaces, mostly in marble, are along the river front. See
the Halls of Public and Private Audience, the Royal Baths
with inlaid floors, the Pearl Mosque, the private palace of
the king, and the ornamental canal. Some of the finest
aspects of Mughal art can be seen in the pietra dura
panels in the royal mansions. Proceed to Jama Masjid, India’s
largest mosque built by Shah Jahan, and Chandni Chowk the
principal marketing street of Shahjahanabad, and still a
colorful commercial area. Also visit Raj Ghat the
cremations sites of Mahatma Gandhi, and India Gate, the memorial
of the First World War. Drive past the landmarks of
Lutyens-Baker New Delhi; This include Rashtrapati Bhawan,
the official
residence of India’s president and the former Viceregal
Lodge, the Parliament House, and the Secretariat buildings.
DAY 20
DELHI
Enjoy a full day at leisure.
DAY 21
DELHI - USA
Transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward destination...TOUR
ENDS
