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Day
1
Arrive in New Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi, the bustling capital of India and
transfer to comfortable hotel in the city. Delhi is the
fastest growing of the large cities in India and is
rapidly catching up to the size of Mumbai (Bombay) and
Kolkata (Calcutta). In addition, Delhi has long since
eclipsed them in political importance. In some areas it
remains a spacious garden city, tree-lined with
beautiful parks, but it can also be crowded and raucous.
Turbanned Sikhs, colorfully dressed Rajasthani and
Gujarati women working as manual laborers on building
sites, Muslim shopkeepers along Janpath Road and
Kashmiris in the handicraft emporia around Connaught
Place, all add to the cosmopolitan feel of the city. The
rest of the day is free to relax or to explore.
Overnight in New Delhi.
Day 2
City Tour New & Old Delhi
We spend the day in Delhi, exploring some of the sights
in both the “Old” and the “New” cities. In Old Delhi, we
visit the Red Fort, built by Shah Jahan (builder of the
Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid, India’s largest Mosque, as
well as enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk,
Delhi’s famous “Silver Street”. In New Delhi, we see the
Qutab Minar, Ghandi’s tomb, the Bahai Temple and see
India Gate, the “Arc de Triomphe” that leads to the
Indian Parliament. Tonight we enjoy a cultural show and
dinner. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 3
To Varanasi, Visit Sarnath
We depart Delhi by plane to the “Eternal City” of
Varanasi, also known as Benares. The city lies on the
west bank of the Ganges at a point where it sweeps in a
great bend north before resuming its southeasterly
course to the sea. India’s most sacred city, it was
already an important town in the 7th century BC when
Babylon was at the peak of its power and was certainly
well established by the time Buddha arrived here in 500
BC. Varanasi is said to combine the virtues of all other
places of pilgrimage and anyone dying within the area is
transported straight to heaven. This is why many devout
Hindus move to Varanasi to end their days and have their
ashes scattered in the holy Ganges. In the afternoon, we
visit Sarnath, the ancient site where the Buddha gave
his first sermon. Today, the monks are long gone and the
buildings are in ruin but its setting among green grass
and beautiful trees makes it an ideal place to
experience India’s profound past. In the evening we
travel by rickshaw to visit a ghat at aarti (prayer)
time. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 4
Varanasi, Sunrise on the Holy
Ganges River; to Khajuraho
An early morning boat trip on the Ganges River takes us
past the ghats where pilgrims have come to purify
themselves and where bathing and cremations are regular
activities in these sacred waters. In the afternoon, we
take a short flight to Khajuraho, a medieval city filled
with intriguing temples. Overnight in Khajuraho.
Day 5
Khajuraho, To Agra
In the morning, we explore Khajuraho’s temples.
Intricately carved, these ancient temples depict human
and divine forms engaged in daily life. In the
afternoon, we drive to Jhansi where we board the train
for Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. We arrive in Agra in
the evening. Overnight in Agra.
Day 6
Agra, Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
We have a full day to explore the sights of Agra,
including the Taj Mahal. This white marbled jewel was
built over a 22-year period by Shah Jahan as a monument
to his great love for his wife. Later, we visit the Agra
Fort built by Akbar the Great, which includes the Pearl
Mosque, the Palace and the Halls of Private and Public
Audience. We also visit Sikandra and Itmad-Ud-Daulah
tomb. Overnight in Agra.
Day 7
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary,
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
In the morning, we depart Agra for Jaipur, stopping en
route to visit the ancient ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri,
and wander amongst its beautiful stone buildings set in
the desert. Onward, we stop at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary,
we explore the park by rickshaw, a 20 sq. mile
marshland, reputed to be one of the best bird
sanctuaries in the world — over 360 bird species have
been recorded here. We enjoy lunch in Bharatpur Forest
Lodge and continue to Jaipur. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 8
Jaipur, Amber Fort and Palace
of the Winds
Jaipur, the “Pink City” of Rajasthan, was built in 1728
and holds many attractions for the traveler. It earned
its moniker as the Pink City because the rock that was
used in the city’s construction has a pink hue. In
Jaipur, we visit the Amber Palace and Fort, the City
Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and the famous
Astronomical Observatory. Lunch in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 9
To Ranthambhore National Park
We depart Jaipur for Ranthambhore. We arrive in time for
lunch followed by an afternoon visit to the Fort and the
surroundings of Ranthambhore National Park. Overnight in
Ranthambhore.
Day 10
Ranthambhore National Park —
Jeep Safaris
We spend the day in this park, famous for its tiger
population. Here we learn about these elusive creatures
as we travel by open vehicle. There are two safaris: one
in the early morning and one in the late afternoon.
Lunch is at the hotel. The chances of seeing a tiger in
the wild are small, but it provides a great opportunity
to learn about them and to take in the beauty of the
park at the same time. Other wildlife includes deer,
crocodiles, Asian Sun Bears, leopards, monkeys and a
wide variety of birds. Overnight at Ranthambhore.
Day 11
Pushkar
Today, we go overland to the idyllic desert town of
Pushkar. Situated on the edge of the Thar Desert in
Rajastan, the town of Pushkar is a peaceful oasis where
travelers escape the bustle of big city India — a place
frozen in the ancient days of India. We stop in Jaipur
for lunch on the way to Pushkar. We arrive in the
afternoon, after settling into our hotel we can sit by
the lake and watch the pious perform their ablutions in
the holy waters, or wander through town and watch the
troops of monkeys perform their antics. Pushkar also has
India’s one and only temple of Lord Brahma, Creator of
the Universe in Hindu Mythology. Overnight in Pushkar.
Day 12
Pushkar Camel Festival
We have planned our departures around one of India’s
largest festivals, the Pushkar Camel Festival. Pushkar
is an oasis in the desert and is a special place in its
own right. Every year Pushkar becomes a world class
spectacle during the Camel Festival, whose dates are
timed with the lunar calendar. There are competitions,
camel safaris, street theatre and a variety of vendors
selling interesting handicrafts. For centuries, traders
have been coming to this event to buy, sell and trade
oxen, cattle, mules and even elephants, but it is camels
who hold center stage at Pushkar. It is estimated that
up to 50,000 camels are bought, sold and traded every
year at the Camel Fair. Overnight, Pushkar is
transformed. Devotees, traders, musicians and jugglers
flock to the town. Pushkar bursts with color, people and
gaiety during the week of the autumn full moon. Held for
five days and culminating on the auspicious Purnima
(full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik), the Pushkar
Camel Fair is one of India’s greatest festivals.
Overnight in Pushkar.
Day 13
To Jodhpur — Mandore Garden,
Jodhpur Fort, Royal Palaces, Maha Mandir Temples
Today we depart Pushkar for Jodhpur, arriving at our
hotel in time for lunch. The former capital of Marwar
state, Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha who
claimed descent from Lord Rama (the hero of the epic
Ramayana). The massive fort — Mehrangarh — came first
and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected by a
high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions.
Today, the city has grown to become the second largest
city of Rajasthan while still maintaining its medieval
character. As in the past, Jodhpur is still one of the
leading trading centres of wood, cattle, camels, salt
and agricultural crops. However, the past is never very
far behind and Jodhpur boasts of some very fine
reminders of this glorious past — palaces, forts,
temples and other elegant monuments of architectural and
historical value. We spend the afternoon sightseeing in
Jodhpur, including Mandore Garden, Jodhpur Fort and
Royal Palaces. Dinner and overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 14
Village Safari Tour
This morning, we visit the villages of Bisnois —
protectors of wild life and trees. As we drive in our
jeeps, we can see men and women in colorful attire and
plenty of wild life, such as, peacocks, chinkaras, black
buck and partridge along the way. We have free time in
the afternoon to explore the old city of Jodhpur. In the
evening we have dinner at Meherangarh Fort. Overnight in
Jodhpur.
Day 15
To Udaipur
After breakfast, we depart Jodhpur for Udaipur, stopping
en route to see Ranakpur Jain Temples and have lunch. We
arrive in Udaipur late afternoon and settle into our
hotel. Dinner and overnight in Udaipur.y 16
Day 16
Udaipur Sightseeing — Sahelion
Ki-Bari, Jagdish Temple, Gulab Niwas Temple
After breakfast, we depart for a sightseeing tour of
Udaipur City. Set in the Girwa Valley amidst the
Aravalli Hills of south Rajasthan, Udaipur is a
beautiful city, regarded by Indians and foreigners alike
as one of the most romantic in India. It is a lovely
city to explore with fairy tale white marble palaces,
placid blue lakes and green hills that create a feeling
of serenity. Udaipur is undoubtedly an oasis of color in
an arid region of India.
Today, we take in Sahelion Ki-Bari, the City Palace,
Jagdish Temple and we take a drive around the Fateh
Sagar Lake. In the afternoon we enjoy a boat ride on the
lake, with views of the Lake Palace and dependent on
time maybe the sunset. Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 17
New Delhi
We have the morning free and have lunch in Udaipur
before we are transferred to the airport for our flight
to New Delhi. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our
hotel. This evening attend our farewell dinner, in a
local family home, where we will savor our adventures in
this spectacular country. Overnight in New Delhi.
Day 18
Depart New Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, spend the day at leisure
until your departure transfer to the airport, or connect
to our Backwaters trip in Kerala |
