Essential India (trip)

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Essential India

  • Mumbai Airport, Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Active & Adventure
India, Asia

To check availability or book,
contact Destination Himalaya:

Period offered: October-February. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $5,085* per person17 DaysOctober-February
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Destination Himalaya 12 people max
The jewel in the crown of the British Empire was not India, it was Rajasthan.  Rajasthan is the fabled land of the Maharajas of India and of the Rajputs for which it is named. In days of old, the Rajputs’ highly-evolved code of honor and chivalry probably rivaled that of the medieval European knights and Rajput people to this day take great pride in their ancestry. Their sense of etiquette and valor remains alive and well and you will undoubtedly be invited, as an honored guest, into a Rajput home.

This two week in-country itinerary explores the cultural heritage of India under the Rajput, Mughal and British influences before delving into ancient India with visits to the millennium old temples of Khajuraho and religious Benares (also known as Varanasi). Built on the banks of the holy river Ganga (Ganges), Varanasi is the "oldest" living city of the world and could well be thought of as the "Soul of India".

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Locations visited/nearby

India, Asia

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Destination Himalaya:

  • Reviewer: Sandra M located in Palo Alto, CA USA
    “Sanjay Saxena’s willingness to work with us and make changes we asked for was above and beyond, as was his availability….This is the best travel agency I have ever worked with and I’ve worked with many!”
  • Reviewer: Bob & Marlene located in Ukiah, CA USA
    " Various Tour Companies have taken us to 17 countries and all 7 continents. None has been better than our tour of Rajasthan with Destination Himalaya."
  • Reviewer: Susan located in Foster City, CA USA

    Last year I signed up to travel to Tibet (Sept 26 - Oct 11, 2009) to Everest North Face Base Camp with Destination Himalaya . This was my first trip traveling with DH. I was well informed on the difficulty of the trip and how physically fit I needed to be, including a medical checkup, vaccinations and evaluation by their medical consultant. We were supplied with an extensive list of ‘to does’: including visa, medical, insurance information and a very complete packing list including all the prescription and non prescription medications and medical supplies to bring. I did not have several expensive items (sleeping pad, sleeping bag & hiking poles) and rather than have me purchase them for a one time use, they were loaned to me at no charge!

    Less than a week before departure, China closed the border of Tibet to foreigners. I thought the trip would be canceled. But no, Sanjay Saxena was able to change the itinerary to Nepal: Trekking to Everest: A Walk in the Khumbu Himal. They rearranged air flights & hotels & partnered with Peak Promotions in Katmandu, who did an outstanding job.

    Mingmar Sherpa, who has summitted Everest three times, was our head guide. I always felt I was being watched over by all our sherpas, especially on difficult sections of the trail. The first day was particularly difficult for a few of us and it was going to be difficult for us to safely make our intended destination, so Sanjay arranged for us to spend the night in a closer lodge.

    To top things off, our last day in Katmandu, we planned to take an early morning flight to view Everest. Since this was not included in our itinerary, we expected to pay for it, but Destination Himalaya paid for it!

    Another unexpected surprise were the Dispatches from the Field: daily updates (photos & text) of our trip to their website so our friends and family could follow our trip! See them at:http://www.peakpromotionnepal.com/cybercast/dh/

    I hope to travel with Destination Himalaya again this year - they have added Machu Picchu in Peru as a travel destination.

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

Day 1: DEPART USA

Day 2: ARRIVE MUMBAI - Non-stop flights from the USA arrive tonight, while connecting flights arrive early morning hours of Day 3.  Met on arrival and escorted to your hotel.

Day 3: EXPLORING MUMBAI – Relaxed morning to get over jet lag.  Afternoon set out to explore Mumbai, with visits to Victoria Terminus and other colonial-era sites, Prince of Wales Museum and Gateway of India.  Special “Welcome Dinner” and stroll on the promenade along Marine Drive.

Day 4: TO AURANGABAD & EXPLORING ELLORA – Take the early morning flight to Aurangabad and drive to Ellora.  Visit the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave complex, which date back to the 6th Century C.E.  Highlight is the massive Kailasnatha Temple, carved from a singe rock formation.  Return to Auranagabad.

Day 5: EXPLORING AJANTA & TO UDAIPUR – This morning make the short journey to the World Heritage Site at Ajanta, beautifully situated in a rocky gorge on the Waghora River.  We will fully explore the caves with their exquisite murals, many of which depict the Buddhist Jataka Tales.  Return to Aurangabad for the flight to Udaipur.

Day 6: EXPLORING UDAIPUR - We have the day to explore the “City of Sunrise.”  Visits to the Jagdish Temple and City Palace complex, explore the bazaar and other sites in and around Udaipur, and take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola.

Day 7: TO JAIPUR - In the morning we will fly to Jaipur, the “Pink City”.  This afternoon we will explore the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Jaipur’s colorful bazaars.

Day 8: EXPLORING JAIPUR - Early morning excursion to Amber Fort.  Balance of the day at leisure.  In the evening we will have a special Rajasthani dinner with members of one of Jaipur’s noble families.

Day 9: TO KALAKHO VILLAGE AREA – Journey into the heart of rural Rajasthan and the agricultural village area of Kalakho.  Take a camel safari and meet and interact with the local villagers.

Day 10: TO AGRA - Today we will drive to Agra, en route visiting Fatepur Sikri. Watch the sunset on the Taj, one of the architectural wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site.

Day 11: EXPLORING AGRA - We have the day to explore the Mughal Capital.  After watching the sunrise on the Taj Mahal, we visit the Red Fort and Itmad ud Daula, among other sites.

Day 12: TO KHAJURAHO - Today you will experience the quintessential Indian mode of transport and take the early morning train to Jhansi.  We then drive to historic Orchha to have lunch and visit the Bundela temple site.  Continuing on we reach Khajuraho where, time permitting, we will visit the smaller temple complex.

Day 13: EXPLORING KHAJURAHO & TO VARANASI – We rise early this morning to explore the famous 10th Century Chandela temple complex, made famous for their erotic carvings.  Taking the early afternoon flight, we reach the ancient city of Varanasi the "Soul" of India.  With over 500 hundred temples, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the country.  This afternoon take a walking tour of the ghats followed by a sunset boat cruise on the sacred River Ganga.

Day 14: EXPLORING VARANASI - Witness devotees performing their morning religious rites on the “ghats” of the river, as we take a sunrise boat cruise up the Ganga. We then visit Sarnath, the site where Buddha gave his first sermon.  This evening we will have special dinner at a private home with a performance of classical music and dance.

Day 15: EXPLORING VARANASI & TO DELHI - We will have our morning in Varanasi and then fly on to Delhi where we will dine together for our sumptuous “Farewell Dinner” at one of Delhi’s finer restaurants.

Day 16: EXPLORING DELHI & DEPART TO USA - In the morning we visit sites in “Old” Delhi, followed by sites in “New” Delhi.  Late checkout (6:00 p.m.) at the hotel.  Transfers to international airport for return flight back to the USA.  Departures will leave Delhi late night Day 16 or early morning Day 17.

Day 17: ARRIVE USA

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