The Taj Mahal, temples and tigers — experience all the spice of India on this 15-day tour. See the Taj Mahal bathed in the light of sunrise and sunset. Embark on an evening cruise across Lake Pichola. Enjoy magnificent views of the Jag Mandir Palace. Participate in a yoga class, a cooking demonstration, bindi tying, even get a henna tattoo! See the City Palace in Jaipur. Experience two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. Tour Mother Teresa's Charity Home. Visit the site of Buddha’s first sermon. Take an early morning ride on the holy River Ganges.
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Day 0
Overnight Flight
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Day 1
Delhi, India - Tour Begins
Welcome to Delhi, India’s capital city that sports a rich history spanning over 2,000 years.
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Day 2
New Delhi
Ease your way into the local culture as your tour manager teaches you a few key phrases of the native language • Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi • Visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque • Explore Old Delhi’s narrow streets by rickshaw, the traditional mode of transportation • Tour New Delhi, visiting Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world • Visit Humayun's tomb – considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal for its Indo-Persian design; it was built by the widow of a great Mughal Emperor • Behold the India Gate war memorial, the Parliament and the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan – the President's residence.
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Day 3
Delhi - Udaipur
Fly to Udaipur this morning, your gateway to Rajasthan • Check into your hotel, a restored palace overlooking the lake • This evening, cruise by boat along Lake Pichola taking in views of the Jag Mandir Palace and the City Palace.
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Day 4
Udaipur
Participate in a relaxing yoga class, learning basic exercises and breathing techniques from a local expert • Visit the exquisite City Palace • Its main entrance, Tripolia, was built in 1725 • Set off to see the largest temple in Udaipur – Jagdish Temple – dedicated to Lord Vishnu after its construction in the 16th century • Stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids of Honour • Learn about the lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these gardens.
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Day 5
Udaipur - Jaipur
This morning, depart on a scenic drive through the countryside to the “Pink City” of Jaipur • After having lunch and checking into your hotel head out for a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, home to a former Maharaja, beholding its façade of 953 windows • Visit the City Palace, finding gardens, courtyards, intricate decorative art and carved doorways • Marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh.
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Day 6
Jaipur
Ride an elephant* to the top of Amber Fort, India’s former seat of power • Visit a local school** where the children are part of a midday program supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation • Tap into local customs during lunch as you learn about turban and sari tying • Stroll through a flower market for a glimpse into the art of making garlands used in traditional Indian welcome ceremonies • Enjoy a henna tattoo and bindi demonstration • Sit down tonight for a home-hosted dinner, observing daily life inside the old city.
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Day 7
Jaipur - Ranthambore
You may choose to learn more about the non-profit effort that provides thousands of local schools with a mid-day meal during an early morning guided tour of their facility • Travel to Ranthambore National Park, learning of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in the country • A naturalist discusses the wildlife of the country with a slideshow and discussion • Embark on a game viewing drive by canter, an open air vehicle • Watch for marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears, and even tigers.
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Day 8
Ranthambore
Rise and shine early for a game viewing drive • Afterwards, enjoy breakfast at your hotel • Visit the Ranthambore School of Art which recruits students from neighboring villages and trains them to be self-sufficient artists • Next, visit Dastkar Ranthambore Project, founded in 1981 by six women united to protect India’s traditional artisans • Dive into the local cuisine with an interactive cooking demonstration followed by dinner.
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Day 9
Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra
An early morning train brings you to Bharatpur • Enjoy brunch • Set off for Fatehpur Sikri, a red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century; boasting palaces and mosques, this city was larger than London when it was constructed • Your day ends in Agra.
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Day 10
Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise aboard a tonga – or horse carriage – that takes you to its gates • The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 20,000 men to build • Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world • Visit Agra Fort, the seat of the Mughal Empire.
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Day 11
Agra - Jhansi - Occhra - Khajuraho
Board your train for Jhansi • Continue to Occhra and visit Jahangir Mahal • Notice the palace's aura of grandeur and opulence representative of Bundela School of Architecture • Continue to Khajuraho, your home for the evening.
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Day 12
Khajuraho - Varanasi
Visit the Chandel Temple complex and behold some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India • Fly to Varanasi, a simplistic and charming city with a universal mystique • Tonight, visit the Ghats – the banks of the river – witnessing the illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony • A Hindu scholar discusses the philosophy of Hinduism with you.
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Day 13
Varanasi
Cruise along the River Ganges past various Ghats where you’ll see people ritually cleansing themselves of their sins, hoping for salvation • A city tour of Varanasi includes Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva; Benaras Hindu University; and Bharat Mata Temple • Continue to Sarnath where Siddarth Gautama, later known as Buddha, gave his first sermon on a quiet grove in the 6th century BC • Join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner this evening.
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Day 14
Varanasi - Delhi - Tour Ends
Enjoy a morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi • Later, depart for the international airport for your flight home.
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