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Trip Itinerary
At-a-Glance
Day 1 |
Depart U.S. for Delhi |
Days 2-4 |
Delhi Hyatt Regency (Deluxe) |
Days 5-7 |
Agra Taj View Sup. (First Class) |
Days 8-9
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Ranthambore Dev Vilas (Not rated)
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Days 10-12
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Jaipur Jai Mahal Palace (Sup. First Class)
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Day 13
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Delhi Hyatt Regency (Deluxe)
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Day 14
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Depart Delhi for U.S.
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Ratings in parentheses are based on the Hotel & Travel Index (website), the travel
industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too
new, too small, or too remote to be listed. |
Full Details
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India
Day 2: Arrive Delhi
Depending on airline
schedules, we arrive in India’s hyperactive capital
and check in at our hotel after midnight.
Day 3: Delhi
This afternoon we embark on an
orientation tour of New Delhi. At least eight
cities have stood here; the current one reflects
a mix of indigenous and Western architecture,
including Sir Edwin Lutyens’ 1920’s Imperial
City of broad boulevards and stately government
buildings. We see the 16th-century Tomb
of Humayun, with its groundbreaking Mughal
design; and Qutab Minar, the 376-step tower
begun in 1193. Before tonight’s welcome dinner,
we enjoy a reception in the home of a local
Indian family. B,D
Day 4: Delhi
The capital of Moslem India from
the 12th to 19th centuries, Old Delhi boasts two
renowned 17th-century landmarks which we see
on this morning’s tour: the Red Fort complex of
palaces, and the sandstone and marble Jama
Masjid, India’s largest mosque. We also walk the
narrow lanes of the colorful Chandni Chowk
marketplace. Later we visit the National
Museum, housing a superb collection of Indian
and international art and artifacts. B,D
Day 5: Delhi/Agra
On our way from Delhi to
Agra this morning we visit the inspiring S.O.S.
Children’s Village where abandoned and
orphaned children live in a family-like setting.
Later today we reach ancient Agra in India’s
heartland, once a stronghold of Mughal rulers
who built elaborate forts, tombs, and palaces of
sandstone and marble inlaid with semi-precious
gems. We dine at our hotel tonight. B,D
Day 6: Agra
A travel highlight today as we
tour the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb built
by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his
beloved wife Mumtaz. Some 20,000 laborers
spent 17 years on the white marble mausoleum,
which was begun in 1632. Besides its exquisite
symmetry, the Taj features striking ex-amples of
pietra dura, where skilled artisans embed semiprecious
stones in marble to form dazzling patterns.
Nearby we also visit imposing Agra Fort,
comprising palaces, pavilions, courtyards, and
gardens surrounded by a massive wall. Both the
Taj Mahal and Agra Fort are preserved as
UNESCOWorld Heritage sites. B,D
Day 7: Agra/Sikandra/Itmad-ud-daulah
Our full day of touring includes Mughal
Emperor Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra, a harmonious
blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic,
Buddhist, and Jain motifs; and the beautiful
tomb at Itmad-ud-daulah, believed to have been
an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. B,D
Day 8: Agra/Ranthambore
Leaving Agra
this morning we stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the elegant
late 16th-century city of red sandstone
built by the Emperor Akbar. Though the
inhabitants deserted Fatehpur Sikri for lack of
fresh water after a mere 15 years, it remains
largely intact, an outstanding example of
Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Mid-afternoon we reach
Ranthambore National Park, a 512-square-mile
nature preserve that is home to a rich diversity
of flora, as well as hundreds of species of birds,
reptiles, mammals, and of course, tigers and
leopards. B,L,D
Day 9: Ranthambore
We take both morning
and evening game drives through the former
hunting grounds of Maharaja of Jaipur. We see
game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not
guaranteed) and also picturesque ruins of old fortifications,
lake palaces, and an ancient fort.
During the day we visit the Ranthambore
Foundation, which works to protect and preserve
India’s rapidly dwindling tiger population. Here
we meet local villagers and see their artwork
depicting the region’s animals. B,L,D
Day 10: Ranthambore/ Jaipur
Following an
early morning game safari we enjoy some free
time and lunch at our lodge before departing for
Jaipur, one of the great cities of Rajasthan, home
of India’s legendary Hindu warriors. We reach
our hotel, a 250-year-old palace, late afternoon.
B,L,D
Day 11: Jaipur
Built by the Kkachhawah
Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728,
Amber Fort is considered the pinnacle of Mughal
architecture; indeed, this hilltop palace stands
among the most impressive in the land. We tour
the opulent and uninhabited citadel this morning,
approaching on elephant-back to admire the
magnificent fresco-covered portal, the opulent
room of mirrors, walls of jewel-encrusted marble,
and the royal apartments offering beautiful
panoramic views of the surrounding valley. This
afternoon we’re free to explore Jaipur itself, called
the “pink city” for its buildings of rose-hued
sandstone. B,D
Day 12: Jaipur/Sanganer
This morning we visit the nearby village of Sanganer to see the
traditional block printing and handmade paper
industries here. Using processes that date back
centuries – and very few machines – villagers
craft coveted hand-printed textiles and unique
paper goods. We return to Jaipur for an afternoon
at leisure; perhaps to visit Jantar Mantar,
the open-air royal observatory with huge astronomical
instruments; or the City Palace Museum
housing the priceless art collections of the
Maharajahs of Jaipur. B,D
Day 13: Jaipur/Delhi
We return by coach to Delhi today and check in at our hotel. There’s
free time for last-minute shopping before we
gather for tonight’s farewell dinner. B,D
Day 14: Depart for U.S.
We depart early
today for our connecting flights to the U.S.
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