DEPART NORTH AMERICA

Board your flight for your first segment of your Incredible 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.

MUMBAI (BOMBAY)

On arrival at Mumbai this evening, you will be greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to the hotel. Mumbai, a cluster of seven islands, derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folk, the oldest inhabitants.

MUMBAI (BOMBAY)

After a morning of leisure, tour Mumbai, a blend of East and West. A survey of the city will include the British-built Arch "Gateway of India" Bombay's landmark, built in commemoration of the visit of King George V in 1911; Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai's open air laundry, the Jain Temple, Marine drive, the Hanging Gardens; Malabar Hills and the stately domed Prince of Wales Museum. This evening dinner is at a local restaurant specializing in Northwestern Cuisine.  BD

ELEPHANTA CRUISE - MUMBAI/ JAIPUR

Travel by boat to the Elephanta Island, site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are located at a distance of 11 km from Mumbai and are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Elephanta, being a commercial, military and religious centre for centuries, has traces of early Buddhist culture. The Elephanta caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th - 12th centuries. Depart by air for Jaipur. Jaipur owes its name, foundations and careful planning, to the great warrior, astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. BL

AMBER & JAIPUR TOURING

Visit the ancient capital of Amber. Ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of a gaily-caparisoned elephant and tour the intricate chambers and hallways of the palace. Enroute to Amber, stop to photograph a major Rajput landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Tour the City Palace built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Continue on to the Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. BL

OPTIONAL: This evening offers a unique opportunity to interact with 3 generations of Rajput family living together and dinner at their ancestral home.

AGRA TOURING & DELHI

Morning optional tour- Itmud Daulah & Sikandra or visit Taj Mahal by sunrise. In the afternoon visit the Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. 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 the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. The tour allows extended stay at the world's most famous monument including an opportunity to view and photograph during the sunset. Experience the great Indian railways on your 2 hours express train ride to Delhi, sprawling on the banks of the River Yamuna, the capital of India, typifies the soul of the country. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left behind by the regents, each a chronicle of the glory of its time and an imprint of each ruler's character.  BL

DELHI TOURING

Tour of 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, one of the shopping arcade of Mughal royalty. Drive along Rajpath to photograph the Parliament House, President’s Palace and India Gate, a memorial to India’s soldiers. Visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most popular places of worship for Sikhs in Delhi. The Gurdwara was built on the site of a house where Guru Harkishen Dev, the eighth guru of Sikh, had stayed when he visited Delhi. Continue your visit to Humayun’s Tomb, One of the most spectacular Mughal buildings. The mausoleum is know to the precursor of world famous Taj Mahal. Visit the famous Qutab Minar and ruins of the Hindu temples destroyed during the Qutab Shahi period. BL

Optional- Attend a presentation of Indian Dances and music followed by Dinner.

DELHI / VARANASI

Fly to Varanasi, a city that cannot be described only experienced. Tour Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, after enlightenment. Visit the museum and many stupas, ruins and Mulagandhakuti Vihara, containing relics found during the early excavations. This evening attend a colorful prayer ceremony on banks on river Ganges. BL

BOAT CRUISE &  KOLKATA (Calcutta)

Early next morning take a boat ride on the Holy River Ganges, to witness the many Hindus absolving themselves of sin & pay homage to the Sun God. Return to Hotel for Breakfast. Rest of your day is free to take the optional City tour of Varanasi. Board overnight train this evening for Kolkata. BD

KOLKATA / BHUBANESHWAR

Morning at leisure to explore Kolkata on your own or take an optional tour of Belurmath. Take a short flight to Bhubaneshwar, abode of the terrestrial Lord. There were seven thousand temples of which 500 still stands as a testimony to the glorious past, built mostly during the 8th and 11th century, some of the best architecture the world has seen. This evening attend a presentation of Odyssey dances followed by dinner. BD

KONARK & PURI EXCURSION

Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark make up the glorious golden temple triangle of the Eastern India. The beautiful Sun Temple of Konark built in the 13th century in honor of the Sun God, contains exquisite carvings, life sized lions and elephants, colossal figures of warriors on horses, scenes of battle and chase, carved with great imagination and skill, testimony to the high standards of ancient Indian art and engineering skills. Puri, the pulsating city is situated on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The famous temple of Lord Jagannath and the annual Rath yatra festival here attract a large number of tourists every year. BL

BHBANESHWAR CITY TOUR & KOCHI (Cochin)

This morning visit the finest temples, Lingaraj, Rajarani, Mukteswar, Brahmeswar and Parasurameswar. Tribal Museum offers an insight into Orissa's rich tribal culture with a depiction of the lifestyle, housing and ornaments. Continue to the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri honeycombed with caves, built around the 2nd century BC, represent the architecture of ancient Orissan. Fly south this evening to Kochi set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Kochi and its people. BL

KUMARAKOM

Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with lilies. Spend your day bird watching or take an optional boat cruise or an Ayurvedic massage. BL

COCHIN / CHENNAI (Madras)/ MAHABALIPURAM

Travel to Kochi where you will board flight to Chennai, a metropolis with a distinct old world charm. Continue to Mahabalipuram home to world famous shore temples. BD

KANCHIPURAM- MAHABALIPURAM

Visit the textile and temple town of Kanchipuram, sometimes known as Siva Visnu Kanchi, one of the holiest Hindu cities and famous for its spectacular temple. Many of the temples are the work of the later Cholas and the Vijaynagar kings. Kanchipuram is also famous for hand woven silk fabrics. Visit an Agrarian village to learn about their ancient agricultural methods and village lifestyle which has hardly changed over centuries This afternoon tour Mahabalipuram, this was the second capital and seaport of the Pallava Kings of Kanchipuram. The first Tamil dynasty of any real consequence emerged after the fall of the Gupta dynasty. The shore temples in particular strike a very romantic theme and are some of the most photographed monuments in India. The sculpture here is particularly interesting because it shows scenes of day to day life. BL

MAHABALIPURAM / CHENNAI (Madras)

Travel to Chennai and visit Fort St. George, constructed in 1640 AD, St. Mary's Church, oldest surviving British building. Mylapore, the site of the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. San Thome Cathedral. Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna; Government Museum and Art Gallery see collections from the major South Indian periods. Continue to Mahabalipuram set on a boulder-strewn landscape, to see the famous rock cut temples, the 2nd capital of the Pallava kings. Enjoy a traditional South Indian cuisine at a local restaurant. BD