On this exciting vacation, explore fascinating India! Begin your trip in India’s capital city, Delhi, where you visit the Jama Mosque, the largest and best-known mosque in India; Humayun’s Tomb, A UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1570; and the Gandhi Memorial Museum. You’re sure to enjoy a rickshaw ride through a local bazaar in Delhi. Free time in Delhi leaves you time to join an optional visit to three famous temples for an introduction to India’s most popular religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Sikh.

Next, fly to the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, Varanasi. Your sightseeing tour includes a visit to Sarnath, the cradle of Buddhism, where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. At dawn, board a boat and view the devotional bathing ritual in the Ganges. Observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, still others fully clothed. Then fly to Khajuraho, where your tour takes you to the mysterious Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the impressive Medieval Palace Complex, once the capital of a locally powerful Rajput kingdom. Then travel by train to Agra, where you see the legendary Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, a red sandstone fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue to the “Pink City” of Jaipur with its amazing Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal, also known as Palace of the Winds, built with pink and red sandstone. Enjoy a sari- and turban-tying lesson and a home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family. A walking tour in Jaipur takes you through a local market known for its arts and crafts.

Next, fly to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” where you see some of India’s most beautiful palaces. See Eklingi Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and Jain Temples of Nagda that date back to the 11th century. Take a cruise on Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir, an island palace built in the 17th century. Marvel at the City Palace with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors.

Finally, travel to Cochin in India’s southernmost state. In Cochin, visit St. Thomas Church, Hill Palace Museum, and Dutch Palace. Experience a cruise in the backwaters of Kerala past palm trees and paddy fields. Finally, fly to Mumbai, India’s premier seaport, center of culture and industry, and home of “Bollywood.” Enjoy guided sightseeing tours to the Gateway of India monument, the Hanging Gardens, Mumbai Museum, and Mani Bhawan, former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. This amazing journey to India is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Days 1-2
Board your transatlantic flight and skip a day en route to India.

Day 3 Arrive in Delhi, India
Welcome to India’s capital city of Delhi! After an early morning arrival you will have time to rest before meeting your traveling companions and Tour Director for sightseeing in the afternoon. Your Local Guide will show you the sights of “Old Delhi.” Start with a visit to the JAMA MOSQUE followed by a RICKSHAW RIDE through Chandni Chowk, a colorful local bazaar. You’ll also visit the GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner including a COOKING DEMONSTRATION followed by a talk on Indian cuisine. (B,D)

Day 4 Delhi
This morning’s sightseeing will focus on “New Delhi.” Visit HUMAYUN’S TOMB and Qutab Minar. Then, see the grand government buildings, the President’s House, and Parliament House. The afternoon is at leisure. Consider an optional visit to three famous temples for an introduction to India’s most popular religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Sikh. Your Tour Director has suggestions for other activities. (B)

Day 5 Delhi–Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Sightseeing today visits SARNATH, the cradle of Buddhism, where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. For a truly memorable experience, join tonight’s optional tour: a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets of this unique city followed by a sunset cruise on the Ganges. Here you will witness striking religious rituals being performed—a truly unique experience. (B)

Day 6 Varanasi–Khajuraho
Around dawn, board a BOAT to watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges. You’ll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. A late-morning flight takes you to Khajuraho, where sightseeing focuses on the mysterious TEMPLES, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that have been isolated for centuries. Art historians have long puzzled over myths and legends in an attempt to understand the bizarre combination of prolific religious and erotic temples. (B,D)

Day 7 Khajuraho–Orchha–Jhansi–Agra
Today, enjoy the scenery as you pass through rural areas en route to Orchha. Upon arrival, visit the impressive MEDIEVAL PALACE COMPLEX, once the capital of a locally powerful Rajput kingdom. Later, arrive in Jhansi to board your train to Agra, where much of the city’s impressive past is still evident today in the majesty of her buildings. (B)

Day 8 Agra
Start your day with a sunrise visit to the incomparable TAJ MAHAL, an extravagant marble monument to love. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth. To add to this memorable experience, you’ll also travel by tongas (horse carriage) during your visit. Later, visit AGRA FORT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, this impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces. (B,D)

Day 9 Agra–Jaipur
Today, visit FATEHPUR SIKRI (the City of Victory) en route to Jaipur, known as the “Pink City.” This evening, enjoy a SARI- and TURBAN-TYING LESSON followed by a HOME-HOSTED DINNER with an Indian noble family. (B,D)

Day 10 Jaipur
The highlight of today’s sights includes the amazing AMBER FORT. Later on, visit the CITY PALACE and the adjoining MUSEUM, which houses a collection of rare manuscripts. You will also stop at the famous HAWA MAHALl (Palace of the Winds). In the late afternoon, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through a local market, known for its arts and crafts including jewelry, enamel work, hand-painted fabrics, and stone sculptures. (B,D)

Day 11 Jaipur–Udaipur
A short early morning flight brings you to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” where you will see some of India’s most beautiful palaces. Your sightseeing includes a visit to EKLINGI TEMPLE, dedicated to Shiva, the guardian deity of Mewar, followed by the JAIN TEMPLES OF NAGDA that date back to the 11th century. Today’s highlight is a CRUISE on Lake Pichola with a short visit to the island palace of JAG MANDIR. (B)

Day 12 Udaipur
This morning, discover the massive granite and marble CITY PALACE with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors. Then, a visit of the adjacent CRYSTAL GALLERY and MINIATURE PAINTING COMPANY. Your sightseeing finishes at SAHELION KI BARI. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight your Tour Director will host a festive farewell dinner to celebrate an unforgettable journey through India. (B,D)

Day 13 Udaipur–Mumbai–Cochin
Today, fly to Cochin, the “Gateway to Kerala,” via Mumbai. Located on the Arabian Sea in Kerala, India’s southernmost state, Cochin is the perfect starting point to explore the region’s natural beauty. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 14 Cochin
Enjoy an unforgettable full-day CRUISE in the backwaters of Kerala. Explore and witness local life along these serene waterways surrounded by lush palm trees and paddy fields. (B,L)

Day 15 Cochin
Today’s sightseeing includes the CHINESE FISHING NETS that are the livelihood of many fishermen in the area. You will also visit ST. THOMAS CHURCH, the HILL PALACE MUSEUM, DUTCH PALACE, and will walk through the Jewish quarter. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 16 Cochin–Mumbai
Today, fly to Mumbai, a multicultural metropolis with a colorful history. This vibrant city is now India’s premier seaport, center of culture and industry, and home to “Bollywood.” This afternoon’s sightseeing includes the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s most famous monument commemorating the visit of Queen Mary. Then, drive along Marine Drive—a seafront promenade—and see a traditional DHOBI GHAT. You will also visit the HANGING GARDENS, MANI BHAWAN (the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi), and the MUMBAI MUSEUM. (B)

Day 17 Mumbai
Full day at your leisure. You may want to do last-minute shopping at one of the many local bazaars or consider visiting the Elephanta Island, a labyrinth of cave-temples carved into the basalt rock of the island. In the evening, why not take an open horse-drawn carriage ride along the seafront promenade? Your Local Host will help you with suggestions. (B)

Day 18 Mumbai
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

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PRICES
From approx  $3,809 US per person double occupancy