Tour Itinerary for India
Jan 31st - Tuesday - Day 1: Board plane in JFK Your Temples and Holy Sites of India Adventure begins as you board your flight at JFK (New York City). An overnight flight will take you to New Delhi for a journey through time to India's holy land. Feb 1st - Wednesday - Day 2: Arrive Delhi Today you will arrive in Delhi, India's bustling capital city. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your HOTEL VIKRAM. Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines both the ancient and the modern aspects of Indian culture. The city's many monuments, located amidst tall, modern skyscrapers, stand as silent reminders of the region's ancient legacy. Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising that today Delhi is actually a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old, walled city and what is known as New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles. The walled city retains its past traditions, and when visiting, one can get a glimpse of its many facets. In contrast, New Delhi strives to match the pace of the twenty-first century.  Thur, Feb 2nd - Day 3: Delhi sightseeing
This morning your visit will focus on Old Delhi, the seventeenth-century walled city of Shahjahanabad. Visit the Red Fort, or Lal Quila, situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. Its thick, red-sandstone walls bulge with turrets and bastions that have withstood the ravages of both time and nature. Within the walls lie halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, Lal Quila remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur. Its magnificence leaves many awestruck and breathless. Later, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride walk through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahjahanabad, which is now a picturesque bazaar. It consists of many narrow lanes that are crowded with shops selling everything from authentic Indian food and clothing to electronics. Next, visit the Raj Ghat, a memorial erected on the site where Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, was cremated.
Post lunch at a good local restaurant, embark on a tour of New Delhi, driving along Rajpath, the capital's broadest avenue. Along the way, you will see Parliament House, now known as Sansad Bhavan, a low, circular structure that covers more than five acres of land.
 You will also see Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President's Palace, the official residence of the president of India. Constructed on Raisina Hill, this imposing structure was initially built as the official residence of the British Viceroy of India. You will also see India Gate, a 138-foot-high arch that stands at the eastern end of Rajpath. It is inscribed with the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives in World War I, the North-West Frontier operations that occurred at the same time and the 1919 Afghan fiasco. Below burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the Eternal Flame, in tribute to all martyred soldiers of India. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was lit after the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.  Next you will proceed to Humayun's Tomb. The tomb, an elegant example of early Mughal architecture, was commissioned by Humayun's widowed queen, Haji Begum, in the sixteenth century. Architecturally it is the forerunner of
the world-famous Taj Mahal. You will also have a chance to visit Qutab Minar, a soaring, 238-foot-high stone tower, which was built by Qutab-Ud-Din Aibak in the twelfth century. The tower has five distinct stories, each with a projecting balcony. At its base is the Quwwat-Ul Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A twenty-three-foot-high iron pillar, which was built in the fourth century, stands in the courtyard of the mosque. After viewing Qutab Minar, you will move on to Birla Temple, which is one of the major landmarks of New Delhi. The temple, built in 1939, is dedicated to Vishnu and enshrines almost all the deities of the Hindu pantheon. The entire temple is decorated with relief carvings of mythological scenes. The temple reaches an impressive 165 feet at its highest point. Dinner is at Hotel. (day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner)  Fri, Feb 3rd - Day 4: Delhi/Haridwar
This morning post breakfast leave for Haridwar or Hari-dwar in Hindi literally means Gateway to God; Hari is synonymous to God and Dwar means gate! Situated in the state of Uttarakhand, this holy place is a famous religious destination that invites people of various faiths and background. It is considered one of the seven holiest places in India. Arrive and check in at HOTEL COUNTRY INN & SUITES. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city. Dinner is at Hotel (day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner)  Sat, Feb 4th - Day 5: Haridwar / Delhi / Varanasi Early morning today leave for Delhi in time to connect your flight to Varanasi. (formerly Benares), India's holiest city, which is located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Upon your arrival you will be met and transferred to THE GATEWAY HOTEL. Later in the evening visit ghats and witness the evening aarti ceremony. Dinner is at Hotel (day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner) Sun, Feb 5th - Day 6: Haridwar / Delhi / Varanasie Early morning today leave for Delhi in time to connect your flight to Varanasi. (formerly Benares), India's holiest city, which is located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Upon your arrival you will be met and transferred to THE GATEWAY HOTEL. Later in the evening visit ghats and witness the evening aarti ceremony. Dinner is at Hotel (day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner)  Mon, Feb 6th - Day 7: Varanasi
Early this morning, embark on a sunrise boat cruise on the Ganges River, during which you will be presented with an incredible tableau as you watch multitudes of devotees paying homage to the Sun God.
The cruise will be followed by a walking tour of the old city. After breakfast at hotel you will tour Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon. While there, you will visit the museum, one of the most important in India. You will also see the many stupas, or shrines, and Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, a Tibetan Buddhist shrine, which was built by the Mahabodhi Society and contains a life-size golden image of the Buddha and colorful murals and frescoes painted by a Japanese artist.
Dinner is at Hotel (day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Tue, Feb 7th - Day 8: Varanasi / Khajuraho Morning is free to relax. Later today you will fly to Khajuraho, the religious and political capital of the Chandela Dynasty. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to HOTEL TAJ CHANDELA. Later, you will get a chance to visit the Western group of temples in Khajuraho. The Western group contains the largest and loveliest temples of the area. Of this group, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is the most perfect. With its elaborate 100-foot-high spire and bands of beautiful carving, it represents Chandela art at its best. Kandariya Mahadev shares a high terrace with the older and simpler Devi Jagadamba temple. This evening enjoy a Sound and light show. Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner)  Wed, Feb 8th - Day 9: Khajuraho / AgraThis morning you will visit the main temples in the Eastern group. These temples are more modest and less ornate than the Western temples, their architectural style reflecting the simplicity inherent in Jainism. Later in the day you will drive to Jhansi, stopping en route in Orchha to visit the medieval city founded by Bundela rulers. Orchha contains palaces and temples built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that have withstood the onslaught of time remarkably well. Continue on to Jhansi to board the train to Agra, the last capital of the Mughal Empire and home of the one and only Taj Mahal. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Arrive Agra and check in at HOTEL MANSINGH PALACE.
Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner)  Thurs, Feb 9th - Day 10: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur
An early-morning visit to the Taj Mahal, or "crown of buildings", presents an opportunity to admire this dream in marble as it welcomes the rising sun. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." After breakfast you will visit Agra Fort, a huge red-sandstone structure built by the famous Mughal emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and many other noteworthy structures. Afternoon is free to relax. Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner) Fri, Feb 10th - Day 11: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur 
This morning you will be driven to Jaipur, en route visit the abandoned but nearly intact Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. This amazing city, a masterpiece of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architecture, was built by Akbar the Great in the sixteenth century. Comprised predominantly of red-sandstone buildings that sprawl over a huge area, the architectural style of the city is very much in tune with Akbar's vision. A shortage of water was one of the main reasons the site was abandoned. Continue overland to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. As you catch your first glimpse of the capital, you will learn why Jaipur is also called the "Pink City". All of the houses in the old city were painted pink in 1905 to honor the visiting Prince of Wales. Since that time, the color pink has become equated with the hospitality for which the city is known. Interspersed throughout the various shades of pink, you will see white-painted borders and motifs, which painstakingly outline the architectural highlights of Jaipur's buildings. Surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort and dotted with beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens, Jaipur simply and elegantly exemplifies the lifestyle of an amazing people. Upon arrival, check in to HOTEL HOLIDAY INN (Superior). Your afternoon is free to relax. Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner) Thurs, Feb 11th - Day 12: Amber Fort Excursion / Jaipur Sightseeing  This morning you will enjoy the unique experience of riding a caparisoned elephant from the foothills to the ramparts of the ancient Amber Fort.
The fort was once the capital of the Mina tribes, believed to be the original inhabitants of the area. Tales of the fort recall the glory and wealth of its association with the Mughals. Once inside, you will explore the Sheesh Mahal, or "Palace of Mirrors", which is inlaid with millions of tiny, glistening mirrors. You will also see the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens. Later proceed for a City Tour of Jaipur to visit the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur's central landmark, which boasts an extraordinary fa�ade comprised of many airy sandstone windows that were used by the court ladies to watch royal processions without being seen by outsiders. Next, explore City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entryways. The palace now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and weaponry. Adjacent to the City Palace lies Jantar Mantar, the largest and best preserved of the five observatories built by Jaipur's founder, Jai Singh. At first, the observatory appears to be merely a scattering of abstract sculptures, but it is in fact a collection of huge masonry instruments used by medieval scholars to study and measure the positions of the stars, sun and planets. Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner)  Fri, Feb 12th - Day 13: Jaipur /Jodhpur
This morning you will be driven to Jodhpur, one of the most distinctive princely settlements in Rajasthan. Jodhpur, a 500-year-old settlement, was the headquarters of the Rathore Rajputs, who were famous for their acts of daring. Located in the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is known for its impressive fortified bastions and the many battles associated with the tumultuous history of the region. Upon arrival in Jodhpur, you will be checked into RANBANKA PALACE. Rest of the day is at leisure. Sat, Feb 13th - Day 14: Jodhpur/Ranakpur/Udaipur  This morning you will visit Mehrangarh Fort, an impregnable fortress with soaring archways that towers above a six-mile-long wall. From the ramparts of the fort, you can see the city beyond. Musicians often serenade visitors as they stroll through the fortress, which enhances the atmosphere of the historical site.
Rudyard Kipling described Mehrangarh Fort as a mythical world of angels, fairies and giants. Inside the walls are several palaces constructed from marble so thin that it allows sunlight to filter through. Housed in the fort is a museum that displays an unusual collection of miniature paintings, gilded palanquins, howdahs (covered seats or pavilions) and an armory. Later you will be driven to Udaipur, traveling through beautiful mountains before stopping en route at Ranakpur. Set in a remote and peaceful valley, Ranakpur is the site of the largest and most beautifully preserved Jain Temple in India. The main temple dates back to 1439 and is called the "four-faced temple". It is dedicated to Adinath, one of the founders of the Jain religion, and has 29 halls supported by 1,444 carved pillars, no two of which are alike. The play of light and shadow on the minutely carved figures offers an effect that tantalizes the senses.  As you continue your journey to Udaipur, you will stop on the way to have lunch at Maharani Bagh, a delightful mango grove retreat and the location of the private gardens of the Maharani of Jodhpur. Upon arrival in Udaipur, you will be met and transferred to HOTEL SHIKARBADI.
Founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh, Udaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in India. It contains lakes that, in arid Rajasthan, are a refreshing sight, as well as forested hills where wildlife still abounds. The old city was defensively designed, fortified with bastions and eleven guarded gates through which people could enter the city. Ruins of these ancient fortifications are still in evidence. Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner) Sun, Feb 14th - Day 15: Udaipur Sightseeing  Today you will tour Udaipur, the "City of Lakes", which is one of the most picturesque and romantic cities in India. You will visit City Palace, which stands, white and majestic, on a hill, surrounded by crenellated walls and overlooking an immense esplanade edged by archways. Its main entrance leads to a series of courtyards, which overlap pavilions, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens, creating a harmonious fusion of architecture and flora that is hard to describe. You will also visit, the "Garden of the Maids," which brings to mind the unique lifestyle of the ladies of court. Your final stop will be Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandala, a museum of folk art, which displays a rich collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, musical instruments and paintings. You will have an opportunity to watch a presentation of the world-renowned puppeteers of Udaipur, who are custodians of an ancient tradition. Your afternoon will be at leisure, during which time you can pursue independent activities. Dinner is at Hotel (meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner Mon, Feb 15th - Day 16: Udaipur / Delhi / Home Morning is free to relax. Later fly to Delhi, upon arrival connect your flight back home (meals include breakfast) | 
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