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INDIA 2010 (PLUS KHATMANDU EXTENSION)
Delhi, Jaipur Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi
India is a land of magic, of contrasts, of extremes and a puzzling paradox.
This continent of a country has a culture uniquely its own. We begin in
Delhi, visiting graceful and opulent sights from Delhi’s past. In the “rose pink city of Jaipur, see the exquisite panorama of the city at sunset. You’ll be awe struck in Agra by the world-famous Taj Mahal, which took over 17 years to complete. After a visit to the Khajuraho Temples, we continue to the holy River Ganges observing devout Hindus performing their rituals. Join us on this illuminating journey.
Our optional extension to Khatmandu in Nepal will enchant and amaze – stand in awe at the breathtaking view of the Himalayas.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• 20 Meals-including Breakfast daily, 5 lunches & 5 dinners
• Professional Visits in Agra & Delhi
• Attend the Sound & Light Show at the Red Fort
• Stay in the rose-pink city of Jaipur
• Tour the Amber Fort
• Visit the “ghost city” of Fatehpur
• See the world-famous Taj Mahal
• Ride in a Tonga (horse driven carriage)
• Visit Khajuraho Temples featuring Kama Sutra carvings
• Boat ride on the Ganges River
ITINERARY
Day 1, Sunday - Depart
Evening departure from New York.
Evening departure from New York.
Day 2, Monday - Dehli
Late evening arrival in bustling Delhi. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Late evening arrival in bustling Delhi. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Day 3, Tuesday - Delhi
Morning at leisure. Our afternoon sightseeing of Old and New Delhi includes the gracefully hand-carved 12th century Qutab Minar, the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla Temple. Drive past the India Gate War Memorial, the President’s House and Parliament House. In Old Delhi, see the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and to Jam Masjid, India’s largest mosque. View the ramparts of the Red Fort, symbol of Mughal elegance. Welcome dinner celebrates your arrival. BD
Morning at leisure. Our afternoon sightseeing of Old and New Delhi includes the gracefully hand-carved 12th century Qutab Minar, the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla Temple. Drive past the India Gate War Memorial, the President’s House and Parliament House. In Old Delhi, see the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and to Jam Masjid, India’s largest mosque. View the ramparts of the Red Fort, symbol of Mughal elegance. Welcome dinner celebrates your arrival. BD
Day 4, Wednesday - Delhi
Depart Delhi for Jaipur, the “Rose Pink” city surrounded by rugged hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by embattled walls. This evening, you’re invited to an “aarti” (prayer ceremony) at the Birla Temple. BL
Depart Delhi for Jaipur, the “Rose Pink” city surrounded by rugged hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by embattled walls. This evening, you’re invited to an “aarti” (prayer ceremony) at the Birla Temple. BL
Day 5, Thursday - Delhi/Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, a magnificent fusion of Mughal and Hindu style architecture. Ascend to the fortress-palace by elephant – a royal experience - ! See the exquisite interior, decorated with ivory, wall paintings and mirror chips. After lunch, visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence. On to Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble observatory in the world. BL
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, a magnificent fusion of Mughal and Hindu style architecture. Ascend to the fortress-palace by elephant – a royal experience - ! See the exquisite interior, decorated with ivory, wall paintings and mirror chips. After lunch, visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence. On to Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble observatory in the world. BL
Day 6, Friday - Jaipur
Head eastward to Agra. En route, stop in Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Visit the remarkably well preserved, graceful buildings within the “Ghost City”. Arrive in Agra, famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. Later, a sunset visit to the astounding Taj Mahal – perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. BL
Head eastward to Agra. En route, stop in Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Visit the remarkably well preserved, graceful buildings within the “Ghost City”. Arrive in Agra, famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. Later, a sunset visit to the astounding Taj Mahal – perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. BL
Day 7, Saturday - Jaipur/Agra
Today, re-visit the Taj Mahal, built by Sha Jahan in memory of his queen to enshrine her mortal remains; it took over 17 years to complete. Time to stroll the beautiful gardens and contemplate its beauty. See Agra Fort, built during the reign of three Mughal Emperors. This afternoon a Professional Visit is scheduled. Tonight, the ladies are invited to attend a demonstration of “henna” painting. Dinner. BLD
Today, re-visit the Taj Mahal, built by Sha Jahan in memory of his queen to enshrine her mortal remains; it took over 17 years to complete. Time to stroll the beautiful gardens and contemplate its beauty. See Agra Fort, built during the reign of three Mughal Emperors. This afternoon a Professional Visit is scheduled. Tonight, the ladies are invited to attend a demonstration of “henna” painting. Dinner. BLD
Day 8, Sunday - Agra
Morning transfer to the Railway Station; board the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi. Continue on a drive from Jhansi to Khajuraho, stopping in the medieval city of Orchha for lunch. Late afternoon arrival in Khajuraho. BL
Morning transfer to the Railway Station; board the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi. Continue on a drive from Jhansi to Khajuraho, stopping in the medieval city of Orchha for lunch. Late afternoon arrival in Khajuraho. BL
Day 9, Monday - Agra/Khajuraho
Visit to the world-famous Khajuraho temples with their erotic carvings, built by the Chandela Kings.You’ll see the Eastern and Western Temples, including the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest and most artistically and architecturally perfect. All of the temples are splendid examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, with extraordinary decorations and exceedingly fine and artistic stonework. Afternoon is at leisure. Dinner. BD
Visit to the world-famous Khajuraho temples with their erotic carvings, built by the Chandela Kings.You’ll see the Eastern and Western Temples, including the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest and most artistically and architecturally perfect. All of the temples are splendid examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, with extraordinary decorations and exceedingly fine and artistic stonework. Afternoon is at leisure. Dinner. BD
Day 10, Tuesday - Khajuraho/Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining Nirvana; the major events of Buddha’s life are depicted here in colorful wall paintings. Visit the Buddhist temple, Museum, ruins and the Deer Park before returning to your hotel.Dinner. BD
Fly to Varanasi. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining Nirvana; the major events of Buddha’s life are depicted here in colorful wall paintings. Visit the Buddhist temple, Museum, ruins and the Deer Park before returning to your hotel.Dinner. BD
Day 11, Wednesday - Varanasi/Delhi
Rise before dawn for a boat ride on the holy River Ganges. Here you’ll observe devout Hindus performing their early morning rituals. Sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience. Return to your hotel for breakfast, followed by a tour of the city then transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi for dinner and overnight. BD
Rise before dawn for a boat ride on the holy River Ganges. Here you’ll observe devout Hindus performing their early morning rituals. Sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience. Return to your hotel for breakfast, followed by a tour of the city then transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi for dinner and overnight. BD
Day 12, Thursday - Delhi
Morning Professional Visit is scheduled. Balance of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. B
Morning Professional Visit is scheduled. Balance of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. B
Day 13, Friday - En Route
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to New York, arriving later the same day.
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to New York, arriving later the same day.
Includes local internal air.
Plus U.S. departure taxes
Visa is required for U.S. citizens
2011 PROJECTED DATES
Jan 9-21, Feb 6-18, Mar 6-18, Sep 4-16, Oct 2-15, Oct 23-Nov 4, Nov 20-Dec 2 &
Dec 18-30
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO KHATMANDU, NEPAL
Day 11, Wednesday - Varanasi
At end of tour, remain in Varanasi for dinner and overnight.
At end of tour, remain in Varanasi for dinner and overnight.
Day 12, Thursday - Varanasi-Khatmandu
Fly to Khatmandu, the kingdom of Nepal’s fabled capital, situated in the mighty Himalayas. A visit to Nepal is like taking a trip in a time machine, back to a land which in so many ways has yet to emerge from the Middle Ages. It is one of the few unique travel experiences left in the world. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day and evening at leisure. B
Fly to Khatmandu, the kingdom of Nepal’s fabled capital, situated in the mighty Himalayas. A visit to Nepal is like taking a trip in a time machine, back to a land which in so many ways has yet to emerge from the Middle Ages. It is one of the few unique travel experiences left in the world. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day and evening at leisure. B
Day 13, Friday - Khatmandu
Awake to the breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Visit the Dakshin Kali Temples. Kali is considered to be one of the most important Hindu Goddesses. Pilgrims visit the temple with sacrificial offerings. Continue to Kirtipur, just outside the city, where you will marvel at the old shrines, temples and where local people continue to wear their traditional costumes. Tonight, Dinner. BD
Awake to the breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Visit the Dakshin Kali Temples. Kali is considered to be one of the most important Hindu Goddesses. Pilgrims visit the temple with sacrificial offerings. Continue to Kirtipur, just outside the city, where you will marvel at the old shrines, temples and where local people continue to wear their traditional costumes. Tonight, Dinner. BD
Day 14, Saturday - Khatmandu
This morning, visit Patan, known as the “city of grace and fine arts” to admire the beautiful art and architecture of the city’s palaces. Returning to your hotel, you will pause at the 2,000 year-old-stupa or Swayambunath. Visit Hanuaman Dhoka, a historical palace and temple complex. B
This morning, visit Patan, known as the “city of grace and fine arts” to admire the beautiful art and architecture of the city’s palaces. Returning to your hotel, you will pause at the 2,000 year-old-stupa or Swayambunath. Visit Hanuaman Dhoka, a historical palace and temple complex. B
Day 15, Sunday - Khatmandu-Delhi
Fly to Delhi for overnight. Professional Visit is scheduled. B
Fly to Delhi for overnight. Professional Visit is scheduled. B
Day 16, Monday - En Route
Fly to New York, arriving later the same day. B
Fly to New York, arriving later the same day. B
NEPAL EXTENSION: $995 per person sharing twin: Single room, add $300.
Includes local air
