DEPART NORTH AMERICA

Board your flight for your first segment of your Exotic North India Tour. West Coast passengers will travel the Pacific route and East Coast passengers the Atlantic route.

ENROUTE

Relax and enjoy the in flight service en route to India. Cross the international dateline and loose a day.

ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive in Delhi, India's bustling capital city, where you will be greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to the hotel. New Delhi reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the segregation between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively.

OLD & NEW DELHI TOUR

Tour Old and New Delhi includes the exquisite audience halls, marble domes and slender minarets of the Jama Masjid, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat, the Ashoka Pillar and the famous Chandani Chowk Bazaars, once the royal Mughal shopping arcade. Drive along Rajpath to photograph the Parliament House, President’s Palace and India Gate, a memorial to India’s soldiers. Tour Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most popular place of worship for Sikhs in Delhi, built on the site of a house where Guru Harkishen Dev, the eighth Sikh guru, stayed here on his visit to Delhi. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, one of the most spectacular Mughal buildings. The mausoleum is known as the precursor to the Taj Mahal. Proceed to the Qutab Minar and ruins of the Hindu temples destroyed during the Qutabshahi period. BD

MANDAWA/SHEKHAWATI

Travel overland to Mandawa, see the countryside. En route, stop at villages to learn about rural life in India. Roop Niwas Palace is an architectural marvel displaying a harmony between Rajput and European architecture. Owned and operated by the descendents of the royal family with an opportunity to meet with them also see the rich collection of traditional ceremonial costumes and precious arms with jade handles. Evening, walking tour of the town bazaar or relax by the pool. BL

SHEKHAWATI - FRESCOE PAINTINGS

Often called the 'open air art gallery of Rajasthan' the land of Shekha's owes its name to Rao Shekha, ruling this area for 43 years. The earliest surviving examples of the Shekhawati Frescoes date back to 1750. Majority of the frescoes have been executed on the Haveli's (Mansions), cenotaphs, walls, forts and temples. Tour includes Chokhani, Saraf and Ladia Haveli's. Later, visit local villages of Dundlod, Nawalgarh and Mukandgarh to see more examples of frescoes and Rajasthani village life. Optional tour: Camel ride on the sand dunes. BL

MANDAWA/JAIPUR

Travel overland to Jaipur, owing its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior, astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Afternoon, tour the City Palace, once the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Continue to Jantar Mantar, the largest of Jai Singh's remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. BL

AMBER FORT EXCURSION

Visit the ancient capital of Amber, ascending the Palace Fortress on the back of a gaily caparisoned elephant. Tour the intricate chambers and hallways of the palace. En route to Amber, photograph the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) built in 1799 AD. Afternoon is at leisure to explore a shopper’s paradise. This evening’s dinner is at a traditional Rajasthani Haveli (mansion) meeting with resident Rajput family and learn about their customs and life. BD

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

Continue on your exciting journey through the countryside to Ranthambhore National Park. The Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts for conservation in the country. This afternoon embark on your first game drive to sight the big elusive cats. BLD

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

Ranthambhore is one of the few preserves where tigers are often seen in daylight. Morning, search for the elusive, big cats. Afternoon explore the imposing Ranthambore Fort, lake or take an optional evening game safari in the park. BLD

RANTHAMBHORE/BHARATPUR/FATEHPUR SIKRI/AGRA

Optional morning game drive before breakfast. Experience the great Indian railways as you journey this morning to Bharatpur. Continue overland to Fatehpur Sikri, an imperial capital frozen in time, was constructed by Akbar the Great around 1570. Continue to Agra where no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration as the Taj Mahal. BD

AGRA

Visit the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). Stop at the Taj Museum of Agra for a close look at the original pieces of drawings of this wonderful marble monument. A look at the drawings reveals the level of accuracy and precision that has gone in planning the structure of the Taj Mahal. The architect had also guessed that the construction would be done in 22 years. Drawings of the interiors show the position of the graves in such precision that the foot of the graves faces the viewer from any angle. Many more such breathtaking collections include royal ornaments, wonderful paintings, portraits of Mughal emperors etc. Continue to Agra Fort built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. Afternoon is at leisure to explore the city or revisit the Taj Mahal by sunset etc. Take advantage of an optional Discourse on Indian history and culture by an historian. BL

AGRA/JHANSI/ORCHHA/KHAJURAHO

Optional: Visit Taj Mahal by sunrise. Morning, board an express train to Jhansi. Drive to Orchha, once the capital of the formidable Bundela kings who ruled over a large tract between the Ganga and Narmada rivers. Visit the fort complex housing palaces, temples, cenotaphs and memorials. Raj Mahal or King’s Palace was built by King Madhukar Shah, a contemporary of Emperor Akbar. Jahangir Mahal was constructed by Raja Bir Singh Ju Doe in 1606 to commemorate Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s visit. Chaturbhuj and Laxmi Narayan temples are some of the other religious attractions in Orchha. After lunch continue to Khajuraho, India's unique gift to the world. Of the original 85 temples, 22 survive, enthralling visitors from all over the world. Tour the principal Eastern Group of Temples to see the exquisitely carved sculpture.

KHAJURAHO

Morning, visit the Western Group of Temples, the largest and loveliest temples including Kandariya Mahadev, Chandela art at its best with intricately carved erotic figures, representing life in heaven. Also visit the principal eastern group of temples this afternoon. The temples are noted for their exquisitely carved sculptures. Your afternoon is free for taking advantage of optional tours to Raney Falls, Diamond mines etc.

KHAJURAHO/VARANASI

After a morning at leisure a short flight brings you to Varanasi, a city that cannot be described but only experienced. This religious city is crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets with their throngs of people is exciting and enticing. This afternoon's tour includes an excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, after enlightenment. Here he revealed the eight-fold path, the Buddhist doctrine. Visit the museum and many stupas, ruins and Mulagandhakuti Vihara, containing relics found during the early excavations. B

OPTIONAL- Attend a colorful evening prayer ceremony at Ganges.

VARANASI/ DELHI

An early morning boat ride on the Holy River Ganges presents an incredible scene to witness the multitudes of Hindus absolving them of sin. Return to Hotel for Breakfast. Later visit a traditional weaving village known for its distinctive style and designs in weaving. This evening, fly to Delhi. Enjoy a farewell dinner before boarding your late evening flight. BD

ARRIVE HOME

Arrive home, bringing with you the timeless mystery and beauty of India.

VARANASI/ KATHMANDU

Fly to Kathmandu, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. HOTEL SHANGRI-LA Embark on a city tour, which includes the Durbar Square with its pagoda-shaped temples, bazaars and the Royal Residential Palace, Temple of the Living Goddess Kumari, worshiped as a deity by devout Nepalese. Bodhnath, home of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and Pashupatinath, the most sacred Lord Shiva's shrine in Nepal on the Banks of the Bagmati River. B

KATHMANDU/DELHI

This morning spend either at leisure, relaxing and savoring the memories or treasure hunt for Nepalese and Tibetan handicrafts. Depart for Delhi where you will connect with your international flight. B

ARRIVE HOME

Board your international flight, arriving home filled with wonderful memories of India and Nepal.