Itinerary

Days 1-2 En Route/Delhi
Fly U.S. to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, meet your
tour leader and transfer to the hotel to enjoy a
welcome drink. First among the legendary “Four
Maidens of the East,” the Imperial is reckoned
among the finest hotels in Asia. Overnight
Imperial Hotel.

Day 3 Delhi
Perhaps no other city in the world is so
steeped in history and legend as the Indian
capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew
the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans,
Mughals and finally the British, all of whom
contributed to its glorious but turbulent history.
We’ll depart on a morning exploration of
Old Delhi including the Red Fort, a UNESCO
World Heritage site and the 17th century Jama
Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. After
lunch, visit the Sikh temple of Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara, then the newly opened Akshardham
Temple Monument to World Peace, one of the
largest and most intricate religious places of
worship ever constructed. It combines several
contrasting architectural styles of Hindu temple
architecture. This wonder of the modernday
world took five years to build and opened
January 2006. Enjoy cocktails and a welcome
dinner tonight. Overnight Imperial Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 4 Delhi/Varanasi
This morning we’ll fly to Varanasi, one of the
oldest cities in the world. After
lunch we’ll take a short drive to
Sarnath. Buddha preached his
first and most sacred sermon
here after achieving enlightenment:
the myriad temples,
shrines, stupas and monasteries
to be found here commemorate
the historic event. We’ll
visit a museum that houses
the Ashoka Pillar, with its four
guardian lions, the national
emblem of independent India.
Back at the hotel, enjoy a
haven of peace and tranquility.
The Taj Ganges offers five-star
elegance and timeless hospitality
set amidst 40 verdant
acres of garden. Overnight Taj
Ganges (B,L,D)

Day 5 Varanasi/Delhi
At dawn we will make our way to the banks of
the most sacred river in India, the Ganges, to
visit the famed ghats (steps leading into the
river), of Varanasi. We’ll board a private boat
and cruise the river, to witness the thousands
of devout Hindus gathered to perform bathing
rituals in its waters. A cacophonous jumble of
merchants, barbers, wandering ascetics and tea
stall proprietors provide a backdrop for the surreal
rites of life and death taking place on the
sandstone steps. We’ll fly to Delhi this afternoon.
Overnight Trident Hilton (B,D)

Day 6 Delhi/Agra
This morning after
breakfast we’ll drive
towards Agra, in
the colorful state of
Uttar Pradesh. We’ll
visit the Itimad-ud-
Daula and the Agra
Fort—a UNESCO
site—in time for a
sunset view of the
Taj from Mehtab
Bagh. Dinner will be
on your own tonight,
offering opportunities
to explore or relax at
our incredible hotel.
Overnight Oberoi
Amarvilas (B,L).

Day 7 Agra/
Fatehpur Sikri/Jaipur
At dawn we’ll take cycle rickshaws to the incomparable
Taj Mahal. Twenty-two years, twenty
thousand workers, a thousand elephants, an
incalculable cost: the tale of the Taj can begin
with statistics, but numbers can’t begin to
capture the poetry of the great Taj Mahal. This
monument to love is perhaps the most wondrous
structure on earth, dazzling at first sight, and
marvelous upon close inspection, inlaid with
precious stones on nearly every surface. We’ll
return to our hotel for breakfast before our drive
to Fatehpur Sikri. This UNESCO site is an epic
poem in red sandstone, frozen in time. Larger
than contemporary London in its day, it was
abruptly abandoned when the wells went dry.
We’ll continue on to the famed “Pink City”of
Jaipur. The pink sandstone reflects an almost
ethereal glow as the setting sun colors its walls
a darkening, dusty rose. Our accommodation
in Jaipur is a fabulous palace hotel set amidst
beautifully landscaped Moghul gardens. This
incomparable property dates back to 1745 A.D.
A masterpiece in the Indo-Saracenic style of
architecture, it blends opulence and comforts
with Rajasthani magnificence. Dinner will be on
your own tonight. Overnight Taj Jai Mahal Palace
(B,L)

Day 8 Jaipur
We’ll drive just outside Jaipur to Amber to view
the impressive Amber Fort, stunningly situated
on a hillside overlooking a lake that reflects its
towers and terraces. We’ll then depart for Dera
Amber camp for a private elephant safari followed
by a delicious feast. The afternoon will
be free for you to explore on your own before
reconvening for a special dinner at our hotel.
Overnight Taj Jai Mahal Palace (B,L,D)

Day 9 Jaipur
Today we’ll explore Jaipur, visiting the
Astronomical Observatory and City Palace.
The palace museum houses rare manuscripts,
costumes, carpets, miniature paintings and
an armory. This afternoon you’ll have time to
explore on your own. Enjoy a special dinner at
Loharu House, where we’ll dine with a local
family. Overnight Taj Jai Mahal Palace (B,D)

Days 10-11 Jaipur/Pushkar
This morning we’ll drive to Pushkar, arriving
at the height of the festivities. The Camel Fair
draws livestock traders from all over western
India, but that isn’t all. Like nearly every gathering
large and small across the country, the lunar
calendar dictates the date of the festival, thus
transforming a mere livestock show into an auspicious
spiritual confluence of man and beast
ordained by the heavens. There will be mystics
and musicians, camel-wallahs and priests, and
vendors plying their wares from the far corners
of Rajasthan. It’s a riot of color and activity,
from sacred bathing rituals to camel races. Our
tented camp will provide a comfortable and
secure haven for our two nights here. Overnight
Tented Camp, Pushkar (B,L,D)

Day 12 Pushkar/Deogarh
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore
before our drive towards Deogarh. Spend the
night at Deogarh Mahal palace, our stunning
accommodation for the evening. This imposing
17th century fortess-palace stands atop a hill,
affording a commanding view of the Aravalli
range. With its graying battlements, domes, turrets,
jharokhas (windows) and huge gateways,
it is a picturesque site from the town below.
Traditional Mewari hospitality is lavished on
guests, overseen by the resident royal family.
Dinner will be on your own tonight. Overnight
Deogarh Mahal (B,L)

Day 13 Deogarh
This morning we’ll board our train through the
Aravalli Hills. We’ll visit the hamlets of the Rabari
tribes in Jojawar by 4WD. We’ll enjoy a vegetarian
lunch at beautiful Rawla Jojawar Heritage Hotel,
and drive back to Deogarh for time to relax. This
afternoon we’ll enjoy an excursion to a beautiful
lake at sunset, in converted
trucks that were used in World
War II, in which India was a
key allied nation. Overnight
Deogarh Mahal (B,L,D)

Day 14 Ranakpur/
Udaipur
This morning we will drive to
the spectacular Jain Temples at
Ranakpur, the most important
Jain temples in India. This
marble complex is noted for the
29 halls supported by 1,444
pillars, each adorned with
hundreds of carved figures,
no two alike. Light streams in,
creating wondrous patterns and
an ethereal ambiance. Enjoy
lunch today at Fateh Bagh, a
gorgeous haveli (country mansion)
hotel.
Arrive in Udaipur. Laced with waterways, it is
known as the “Venice of the East,” a cultural
and artistic center housing extravagant palaces.
You may recognize Udaipur’s palaces as sets
from a James Bond movie. Dinner will be on your
own tonight, offering opportunities to explore or
relax at our fabulous hotel. The regal Udaivilas
embodies the romance and splendor of India’s
royal era. A grand setting combines with palatial
architecture to create a superlative experience.
It has been deemed the number one hotel in the
world in Travel & Leisure World’s Best Hotels
rankings on at least one occasion. Overnight
Oberoi Udaivilas (B,L)

Day 15 Udaipur
This morning we’ll tour the City Palace, set on
lovely Lake Pichola, which was built during the
18th century renaissance in the arts. It is one of
the largest palace complexes in the world and
boasts extraordinary craftsmanship. It houses
priceless antiques, paintings, furniture, and
everyday objects dating from the 18th century.
This afternoon is free to browse the shops, or
simply relax at our lovely hotel. Tonight enjoy a
farewell dinner at our hotel. Overnight Oberoi
Udaivilas (B,L,D)

Day 16 Udaipur/Delhi
This morning will be free to explore independently,
losing yourself in the many alleys and
temples, or simply enjoy our beautiful hotel.
We’ll enjoy lunch before our flight to Delhi. For
those departing late tonight, we’ll have use of
our rooms until our transfer. Overnight Trident
Hilton (B,L)

Day 17 Fly Home or Extend
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport.
Fly home, or enjoy a private custom extension to
another great destination in Asia. (B)

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