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 travellers via the Atlantic.

EN ROUTE

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

DELHI

Arrive in Delhi, India's bustling capital city. 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.

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, Ashoka Pillar and Chandani Chowk Bazaars, one of the shopping arcades of Mughal royalty. Drive along Rajpath to photograph the Parliament House, President’s Palace and India Gate, a memorial to Indian soldiers. Visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib a place of worship for Sikhs. It was built on the site of a house where Guru Harkishen Dev, the eighth guru, stayed when he visited Delhi. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, a spectacular Mughal building, precursor to the Taj Mahal. Proceed to the Qutab Minar and ruins of Hindu temples destroyed during the Qutab Shahi era. Evening, enjoy Indian dances and music followed by dinner. BD

BOAT CRUISE & CITY TOUR - VARANASI/AGRA

Early morning, enjoy a boatride on the River Ganges, to witness many Hindus absolving themselves of sin and paying homage to the Sun God. After breakfast see Kashi Vishwanath, famous Hindu temple, Bharat Mata Temple, housing a large relief map of India in marble, Benares Hindu University with its art gallery and the Mosque built by Emperor Aurangzeb on the side of an ancient Hindu temple. Rest of the day is at leisure. Late evening, embark on the great Indian railways, an overnight journey to Agra. BD

Optional: Tour of rural weaving villages known for their distinctive styles and designs in weaving.

AGRA

Morning arrive at Agra. To the lover of art and the traveler seeking the wonders of India, Agra is the sublime destination. Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan lavished on this fabled city their love and riches immeasurable, to transform this land into one of the greatest centers of art, culture, learning and commerce. This afternoon, visit the Agra Fort built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. Continue to the Taj Mahal constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). Extended stay allows you the opportunity to witness the beautiful monument at the time of sunset. BL

FATEHPUR SIKRI/ ABHANERI/JAIPUR

Travel overland to Fatehpur Sikri, once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar around 1570. It was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built. Continue to Abhaneri, a small village known for Baoris (step wells), unique invention by the villagers for harvesting rain water. Chand Baori located in front of the Harshat Mata Temple is one of India's deepest and largest step wells, known for its delicate carvings. Continue to Jaipur, owing its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. This evening, dine and interact with three generations of Rajput family residing at their ancestral home. BD

JAIPUR TOURING

Proceed to the ancient capital of Amber, ascending the Palace Fortress on the back of a gaily-caparisoned elephant. Tour the intricate chambers and hallway of the palace. En route to Amber, a photo stop of a major Rajput landmark, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) built in 1799 AD. Afternoon tour the City Palace, once the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Next, visit Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory and largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of Indian astronomy. BL

Optional: Dinner with three generations of Rajput family living in their ancestral home.

ELEPHANTA

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel by boat to Elephanta Island, site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculpture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Elephanta Island, a commercial, military and religious centre for centuries, has traces of early Buddhist culture. These caves are believed to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between the 9th-12th centuries. The afternoon heritage walking tour showcases the city’s architecture and heritage monuments, architectural styles and ornamental details. Trace the social and cultural history of Mumbai through its monuments. BL

Optional: Night tour of Mumbai by horse carriage.

MUMBAI/KOCHI (COCHIN)

Fly to Kochi set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident and in its people. This afternoon visit a Rural Women’s Welfare Center a program dedicated to women in distress and their children or a cooperative to teach the local handicrafts to rural women for self reliance followed by a Kathakali Dance drama performance. BD

CITY TOUR & KOCHI BACKWATERS-HOUSEBOAT STAY

Kochi tour includes visit to Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557. Continue to St. Francis Church, constructed in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. See the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 and the Chinese Fishing Nets. Later, depart for Alleppey boarding a deluxe houseboat to cruise the backwater through the narrow canals, to glimpse into the unhurried village life of rural Kerala. See people engaged in building country boats, prawn cultivation, sand mining, coir manufacture, limestone collection, rice farming, duck farming, coir craft and straw mat weaving. Tour a coir and coconut farm, spice garden to see how black pepper, coffee, cashew nut cocoa and beatle nut are grown. See a variety of birds such as the White Breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, small Blue Kingfisher and much more. Overnight on the HOUSEBOAT. BD

KOCHI (COCHIN)/CHENNAI (MADRAS)

Disembark and travel to Kochi flying to Chennai, a metropolis city with a distinct old world charm. Visit Fort St. George, built in 1640 AD, St. Mary's Church the oldest British building. Mylapore, to see Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. San Thome Cathedral. Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna; Government Museum and Art Gallery to see collections from major South Indian periods. Continue to Mahabalipuram set on a boulder strewn landscape, the famous rock cut temples, secons capital of the Pallava kings. BL

KANCHIPURAM- MAHABALIPURAM

Full day excursions to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. First 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 works of the later Cholas and Vijaynagar kings. Kanchipuram is also famous for hand woven silk fabrics. Visit an agrarian village to learn their ancient agricultural methods and village life, which has hardly changed over the years. Continue to the famous shore temples at Mahabalipuram, 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 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

ARRIVE HOME

Your spectacular journey through Cultural Heritage of Northern & Southern India comes to an end as you arrive home with fond memories, momentous of the sights, sounds & spiritual facets of ancient India.

COLOMBO

Fly to Colombo. You will be met by A Classic Tours Collection’s representative and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon begin your city tour of Colombo. Like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example there is a 100 year old rock clock tower and several British colonial buildings. Other places of interest are Pettah Bazaar, where one can shop for bargains, a Hindu and Buddhist temples, residential areas where one can find stately homes of the affluent, Colombo Museum, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), a gift to Sri Lanka by the People’s Republic of China, new Parliament and the Dutch Museum.

COLOMBO/ANURADHAPURA/KANDALAMA

Travel overland to Anuradhapura, the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. It is home to two World Heritage sites. Sri Maha Bodhi (sacred Bo Tree) was brought over as a sapling under which Prince Sidhartha attained enlightenment. At Brazen Palace (2nd century BC), the 1600 stone columns are the remnants of a magnificent multi-storied residence for the monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century BC) is the most famous Dagobas. The Samadhi Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues depicting Buddha in a state of deep Samadhi or meditation. Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd century BC) is known for its rock carvings.

KHANDALAMA/MATALE/KANDY

After breakfast, travel overland to Kandy via Matale. En route, stop at a spice garden to see the various spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Continue to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, a World Heritage site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still kept alive. Drive around Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala King, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. Proceed on a tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In the evening witness a cultural show of Kandyan dancers and music.

PERADENIYA EXCURSION

After breakfast, embark on a short excursion to Peradeniya. Visit the Botanical Garden, initially built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Stay overnight at the hotel.

KANDY/COLOMBO

Return to Colombo. Stay overnight or connect with your international flight.