Day 1 - Welcome to Delhi!
Check in to the stylish and luxurious Le Meridien Hotel, ideally situated near Connaught Place in the bustling center of New Delhi.
Day 2 - Explore Delhi from a variety of perspectives
Your comprehensive full-day tour includes Raj Ghat, the evocative memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and Chandni Chowk, the colorful Old Delhi Market. Step aboard a rickshaw to explore through the colorful streets of the city, ride past the imposing façade of the Red Fort , a powerful symbol of the Mughal Empire, and visit Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in all of India.
Then join city residents aboard the efficient Metro for a quick ride to New Delhi, designed and built by the British in the 1920’s with palatial-sized buildings set on broad tree-lined streets. Drive along the famous Rajghat, see the India Gate and Parliament House, and visit Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Meals B
Day 3 - Onward to Agra
Travel through the colorful countryside to Agra this morning and check in to the lovely Trident Hotel, set on landscaped garden grounds. Your afternoon tour features the iconic Taj Mahal, built by the grief-stricken Emperor Shah Jahan as an everlasting tribute to his beloved wife. Then tour the Agra Fort, a hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates. Meals B
Day 4 - By rail to Ranthambore National Park
This morning you’ll visit the spectacular red sandstone "ghost town" of Fatehpur Sikri. Once a mighty Mughal capital of the 16th century, this deserted citadel has taken on a Sleeping Beauty quality, lying quietly but beautifully preserved. Continue to the Bharatpur Rail Station and board the early afternoon Shatabdi Express Train for your scenic journey to Ranthambore. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to the inviting Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge, set amidst 12 acres of lush gardens. You’ll have time to relax and refresh before sitting down to dinner at your hotel. Meals B,D
Day 5 - In search of the Bengal tiger!
Most travelers visit the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in a traditional Indian canter, an open-air bus that seats 25 people. By special arrangement, you’ll explore the Reserve in open-air jeeps that seat only 4 to 6 guests. Our vehicles are much more maneuverable than the canter and can even go off-road. With our experienced trackers in these intimate 4x4 jeeps, you’ll embark on early morning and late afternoon safari excursions when the animals are most active. With luck, you might even encounter the elusive Bengal tiger. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 - From Ranthambore to Jaipur
Enjoy another thrilling safari drive in the Tiger Reserve early this morning and then return to your Lodge for breakfast. After lunch, journey through the colorful Rajasthani countryside to Jaipur. Check in to the 5-star Trident Hotel overlooking Mansagar Lake and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. Meals B,L
Day 7 - Sightseeing in Jaipur
Ascend to the Amber Palace atop an elephant and tour this grand monument, legacy of the never-conquered Rajput Kingdom, with its lavish courtyards, beautifully decorated halls and the lovely Chamber of Mirrors. In the afternoon, visit the Palace Museum to admire its extensive display of miniature paintings, weapons and traditional Rajasthani royal costumes. Then see the lovely Palace of the Winds, built at the end of the 18th century so that women of royal families could conceal themselves behind its latticed façade as they watched the hustle and bustle of the street activity below. You’ll also visit Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in 1726. You’re sure to be astounded by these architectural stone instruments - ingeniously designed and meticulously constructed to measure time, predict eclipses and track the movements of the stars and planets. The largest instrument stands 90 feet tall and all are amazingly accurate! Meals B
Day 8 - Journey to Jodhpur
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Then travel the scenic roads to Jodhpur and check in to the deluxe Taj Hari Mahal. The balance of your day is free to enjoy as you wish. Meals B
Day 9 - Explore Jodhpur
Once the capital of the state of Marwar, Jodhpur is home to impressive monuments. Your morning sightseeing tour begins at the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, which stands atop a 400-foot hill overlooking the city. Behind these massive walls which soar up to 120 feet is an extraordinary complex of ornate places decorated with carved panels, delicate lattice windows and beautiful stained glass. Fist established in 1459, many of the fort’s current structures were built in the 17th century and today Mehrangarh is one of the largest forts in all of India. You’ll also see the immense Umaid Bhawan Palace, built between 1928 and 1943, and Jaswant Thada – an imposing, beautifully carved white marble cenotaph which seems to glow in the bright Rajasthani sun. Then walk through the bustling Clock Tower Bazaar before returning to your hotel. Meals B
Day 10 - Through the Aravalli Hills to Udaipur
Visit Ranakpur Temple, one of the biggest and most important Jain temples in India, set in a remote and peaceful valley of the Aravalli Hills. Founded in the 15th century, this immense and breathtaking complex covers more than 45,000 square feet. Within, there are 4 shrines and 24 pillared halls of exquisitely carved sandstone columns and domes. Each of the 1,444 columns is unique, with intricate designs and ornamentation – no two are exactly alike! Continue on to romantic Udaipur and check in to the Trident Hotel, an inviting 5-star resort surrounded by park-like grounds on the tranquil shores of Lake Pichola. Meals B,L
Day 11 - Explore The City of Dreams
Udaipur has been called India’s “City of Dreams” and you’ll see why as you explore the immense City Palace with its courtyards and grand halls, all wonderfully ornamented with pillars, balconies, towers and cupolas. At the City Palace Museum, you’ll find a superb collection of Mogul paintings and carvings. Then visit Jagdish Temple. Built in 1651 and decorated with towering tiers of bas relief carvings, this temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle, a mighty bird called Garuda. Then join your Trip Leader to wander in the enchanting garden of Sahelion Ki Bari, a tranquil refuge with beautiful pools and fountains graced by pavilions and surrounded by carefully landscaped flower gardens and shade trees. Later, relax on your exclusive boat excursion across the placid waters of Lake Pichola. Meals B
Day 12 - Return flight to Delhi
After breakfast, fly to Delhi where you’ll be met and escorted to the 5-star Le Meridien Hotel. The balance of the day is free to enjoy the city at your own pace. Meals B
Day 13 - Delhi
Your program with us finishes this morning after breakfast. Meals B
