| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
[top] |
Depart Home / Arrive Mumbai (Bombay), India
Your included international flight takes youto Mumbai via New York. Arriving on Day 2, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower  |
3
[top] |
Mumbai
Your first taste of India is this scenic island city, which encompasses both the Victorian grandeur of British-colonial India and the energy of Asia’s newest economic dynamo. Following a mid-morning Welcome Briefing and breakfast at the hotel, enjoy an afternoon city tour of Mumbai, with visits to the Hanging Gardens; the Dhobi Ghats on the river; sweeping Marine Drive; upscale Malabar Hill; and Mani Bhavan (the Gandhi Museum). In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the renowned Khyber Restaurant.
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower (B,D) |
4
[top] |
Mumbai / Udaipur
Enjoy the morning at leisure, or join an optional boat trip to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Trident Udaipur Hotel  (B) |
5
[top] |
Udaipur
After the bustle of Mumbai, this ancient city on a lake reveals an entirely different India. On this morning’s city tour, visit the fantastic City Palace, as well as the Crystal Palace, a glittering gallery of crystal furnishings. In the afternoon, enjoy a short cruise on lovely Lake Pichola, followed by an included dinner at your hotel.
Trident Udaipur Hotel (B,D) |
6
[top] |
Udaipur / Jodhpur
Begin the day with a visit to the “Garden of the Ladies,” where a maharaja once entertained ladies of his court.
Cultural Connections: You’ll then drive to Ranakpur, visiting a local school enroute. In Ranakpur, tour the elaborate 15th-century Jain Temples with a Jain priest who will discuss his ancient religion. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Jodhpur, the maze-like desert city of blue-painted houses. Your evening is at leisure.
Taj Hari Mahal  (B,L) |
7
[top] |
Jodhpur
Your city tour of Jodhpur takes you to Jaswant Thada (The Memorial) and the sprawling Mehrangarh Fort.
Cultural Connection: You’ll also ride in a tuk-tuk motorized rickshaw, to the colorful Old Bazaar. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional jeep safari to the desert Bishnoi Community, a unique trade cooperative. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Taj Hari Mahal (B,D) |
8
[top] |
Jodhpur / Ranthambhore
Arise early for your rail trip to Ranthambhore National Park, the heart of India’s “tiger country,” and enjoy an included lunch. Cultural Connection: A lecture and film introduces you to the park and to the Project Tiger conservation effort. Dine at the hotel, a former royal lodge.
Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge (B,L,D) |
9
[top] |
Ranthambhore
On an early morning safari, take in the park’s spectacular scenery, as your guide helps you seek out tigers, leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, wild boars, and Indian gazelles. You’ll have breakfast after you return from your safari, then enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure.
Cultural Connection: In the afternoon, visit a women’s cooperative, where you can try the art of batiking. Dinner is included at the lodge.
Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge (B,D) |
10
[top] |
Ranthambhore / Jaipur
The morning is at leisure. After an included lunch, depart by motorcoach for Jaipur, named the “Pink City” after a 19th-century maharaja had the entire Old City painted pink to honor the Prince of Wales. Cultural Connection: In the early evening, you’ll depart for Bhim Singh’s farm, where you’ll see local artisans at work, including a bangle maker and a puppeteer. Then, savor an authentic Indian barbecue, accompanied by music and dancing.
Trident Jaipur Hotel (B,L,D) |
11
[top] |
Jaipur
Your full day of sightseeing begins with a visit to magnificent Amber Fort and the Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory, with its intricate medieval sun dials.
Cultural Connections: You’ll arrive at the fort by elephant, as maharajas once did. You’ll also visit Jaipur’s Old Bazaar, a center of India’s gem trade. Continue on to the Palace of the Winds, followed by an included lunch at a local restaurant. Then, tour elegant rooms within the City Palace, including the Chamber of Mirrors. Afterwards, visit a jewelry factory and observe a gem cutter at work.
Trident Jaipur Hotel (B,L) |
12
[top] |
Jaipur / Agra
After breakfast, you’ll depart for the eerie “ghost city” of Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned 16th-century Mughal city. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, then continue to Agra, where you’ll visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by two miles of red sandstone wall.
The Gateway Hotel Fatehabad Road Agra (B,L) |
13
[top] |
Agra
Early today visit the Taj Mahal, the delicate mausoleum of white marble built as a testament to love. Cultural Connection: Then visit a marble inlay workshop. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Itmaddaulah Gardens overlooking the Taj Mahal.
Cultural Connection: Enjoy tea at a local home this afternoon with the rest of the day free, or join an optional Taj Mahal Sunset tour.
The Gateway Hotel Fatehabad Road Agra (B,L) |
14
[top] |
Agra / Delhi
Today’s transfer to Delhi takes you to the tomb of the emperor Akbar in Sikandra.
Cultural Connection: Before an included lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Mother Teresa Foundation.
Hotel Hyatt Regency Delhi (B,L,D) |
15
[top] |
Delhi/Return Home
Begin with a city tour of Old Delhi that takes you to Raj Ghat; the huge Jama Masjid mosque; and the historic Red Fort (A UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Cultural Connections: Tour by rickshaw, then enjoy lunch in a local Indian home. In the afternoon, tour New Delhi, driving along the Rajpath (Kingsway). You’ll also visit Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutab Minar complex.
Buffet dinner at hotel.
Check out hotel, and transfer to airport for return flight to the U.S., or begin optional 4-night Khajuraho and Varanasi post-trip extension.
(B,L,D) |
Please note: This itinerary includes several very early morning transfers and tours.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: These day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager.
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