Visit New Delhi and take a tour of Old Delhi. Explore the storybook town of Mandawa known for its colourful frescoes, and see Jaipur's bazaars. Ride by elephant up to the Amber Fort, and visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Visit Orchha, a city frozen in time, founded by the Bundela chieftain, Rudra Pratap Singh and see the Ganges river some of the Temples in the surrounding area.
Depart to Delhi with Etihad Airways. *Chance to add on ABU DHABI stop over*
Delhi (and vicinity), IndiaUpon arrival to Delhi airport, you will be met and assisted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in your hotel (B)
Delhi (and vicinity), IndiaIn the morning we’ll visit New Delhi, a city designed and built by the British in the 1920s. Take an afternoon tour of Old Delhi, exploring the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid mosque with its marble domes and splendid minarets, Raj Ghat (where Gandhi was cremated), the Ashoka Pillar and Chandni Chowk Bazaar, where craftsmen sell their wares. This evening you will enjoy a welcome dinner with entertainment. Overnight in your hotel (B)
Delhi (and vicinity), IndiaAfter buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Delhi to Mandawa (280 Km), a remote feudal principality in the centre of Shekhawati region. The Rajput ruler of Mandawa built a fort in 1755 to protect this trading outpost that fell in the ancient caravan routes from China and Middle East. Due to this, the traders created business empires in other parts of the country, but returned to Mandawa to build mansions in their hometown. This afternoon, you will explore this storybook town of Mandawa known for its colourful frescoes. Every home here is adorned with daily-painted murals that illuminate the arid landscape. Overnight at the hotel at Mandawa (B)
Mandwa, India Delhi (and vicinity), IndiaAfter buffet breakfast, you will be driven to Jaipur (151 Km). The rest of the day is given to leisure, providing a chance to see the lifestyles of the people at the "pink city". Time to explore Jaipur's bazaars or add Optional tours. Overnight at our hotel at Jaipur (B)
Jaipur, India Delhi (and vicinity), IndiaTake an early morning ride by elephant up to the Amber Fort, a spectacular fortress that protects a complex of palaces, temples, and exquisite marble and mirror halls and apartments. You will see the “Hava Mahal” (Palace of the Winds), a high and intricately carved wall, behind which women of the court were sequestered while watching processions. You will also visit the City Palace, which contains an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armoury of Rajput weapons. Overnight in our hotel (B)
Jaipur, IndiaAfter buffet breakfast, you will be driven to Bharatpur (180 Km). Upon arrival there will be check-in at the hotel. Later you will proceed to visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary which many consider to be the house of a great variety of bird species and the ornithologist's paradise. It is 57 km from Agra on Delhi-Jaipur highway. Upon arrival at Bharatpur, hop on your bicycle to visit the sanctuary. Overnight at the hotel (B)
Bharatpur, India Jaipur, IndiaAfter buffet breakfast, you will be driven to Agra (55 Km), en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, to see the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. After your visit, continue your drive to Agra. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Later you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Agra, where you will visit the Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays.) Midway, Tonga’s “horse carriages” will be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj Mahal. After a visit to the Taj, you will be returned to the hotel. Later you will visit the Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire. In the evening you will be taken to the residence of an Indian Family for Hi-tea. Overnight at hotel (B)
Agra, India Bharatpur, IndiaBy: Train/Surface After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to the Railway Station for your train to Jhansi (Depart Agra at 0810 hours, Arrive Jhansi at: 1025 hours). Upon arrival to Jhansi you will be driven to Khajuraho (170 Km) en-route visiting Orchha, a city frozen in time, founded by the Bundela chieftain, Rudra Pratap Singh, who built this new capital. Places of interest in Orchha include the multi-tiered Jehangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal noted for its fine murals, and the Rai Praveen Mahal, a palace set in the gardens of Anand Mahal. Orchha has tall-spired temples that are certainly worth a visit. Notable among them are the Ram Raja Temple, Laxminarain Temple with its exuberant frescoes, and the Chaturbhuj Temple. After your visit, continue your drive to Khajuraho and upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel where the remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy and explore on your own. Overnight at the hotel (B)
Khajuraho, India Jhansi, India Agra, IndiaAfter buffet breakfast at the hotel, visit the Chandela Temple Complex. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Airport for your flight to Varanasi (Depart Khajuraho at 1330 hours and arrive at Varanasi by1410 hours). Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transfered to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel at Varanasi (B)
Varanasi, India Khajuraho, IndiaVery early in the morning you will take a boat on the Holy River Ganges. You’ll be able to view some of the Hindu faith as you continue cruising on the Ganges river. After sunrise you will visit some of the Temples in the surrounding area. Visit "Bharat Kala Bhavan" at Banaras Hindu University. In the afternoon, you will proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, a major Buddhist center in the world. **Evening a lecture by a renowned Hindu scholar, who will explain the philosophy of Hinduism. Hinduism is also referred to as Vaidika Dharma, meaning "religion of the Vedas", (for group 10 People and more)**. Overnight at the hotel (B)
Varanasi, IndiaMorning at leisure. Transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Departure Varanasi at 14:40 hours by 9W 724, arrive Delhi at 16:00 hours. Overnight Hotel at Delhi (BD)
Varanasi, India Delhi (and vicinity), IndiaNOTE: Flights back to North America normally leave in the early morning hours on this day.
Delhi (and vicinity), India
per Land only
A 13-day tour if India: New and Old Delhi, Mandawa, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra, Jhansi, Khajuraho, Varanasi
Single - $795 CAD Extra Night - $135 CAD ** Please Note: Prices do not include internal flight **
