Discover India, a diverse country filled with a long history, a variety of languages, amazing monuments, and a rich cultural heritage. On this vacation, you’ll visit some of India’s most famous sights and experience some of its fascinating rituals. Of course, you’ll visit the Taj Mahal, built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife. Built from 1631-1648 AD, he employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen as well as a labor force of 20,000. You’ll get the chance to see this amazing structure plus Agra Fort, the 16th-century fortress of red sandstone where Moghul rulers lived.

The remarkable structures are just part of India’s appeal. On this tour, you’ll also get a chance to take game drives in Ranthambore National Park to see sambar deer, marsh crocodiles, sloth bears, tigers, 272 species of birds, and more. Or if you’re interested in the different religions in India, you’ll get a chance to learn more. Visit Sarnath, the “Cradle of Buddhism,” where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. In Varanasi, board a boat to watch the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges. Observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge—some practicing yoga, others meditating, and others bathing fully clothed.

These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this marvelous trip. You’ll also visit Mumbai, home to “Bollywood,” and Kerala, where you’ll take a cruise on the backwaters to witness life along the scenic and serene waterways. If you’re a traveler looking for a new adventure, this is the vacation for you!

Day 1 Arrive in Delhi, India
Welcome to India’s capital city of Delhi! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 Delhi
The morning is at your leisure 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. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner, including a COOKING DEMONSTRATION followed by a talk on Indian cuisine. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 Delhi
This morning’s sightseeing will focus on “New Delhi.” Visit the GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Then, visit HUMAYUN’S TOMB and Qutab Minar followed by 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: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Your Tour Director has suggestions for other activities. (Breakfast)

Day 4 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 fascinating religious rituals being performed—a truly unique experience. (Breakfast)

Day 5 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 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. (Breakfast)

Day 7 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-drawn 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 Agra–Ranthambore National Park
Today, take a short drive to Bharatpur, where you will board a train headed south to Ranthambore National Park. This renowned park is home to sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, and more. This afternoon’s GAME DRIVE is your first chance to glimpse the park’s wildlife, including its most famous resident—the elusive tiger! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Ranthambore National Park
Today, enjoy two separate GAME DRIVES: at dawn when animals are most active and in the late afternoon. In between, enjoy free time to relax at your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Ranthambore National Park–Jaipur
This morning, travel to Jaipur. In 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II and it has been known as the “Pink City” ever since. This afternoon, 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). Tonight, enjoy a SARI- and TURBAN-TYING LESSON followed by a HOME-HOSTED DINNER with an Indian noble family. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11 Jaipur–Udaipur
Today, visit the amazing AMBER FORT, built entirely of white marble and red sandstone. Tour the interior with its intricate mosaics, carvings, paintings, and mirror works. In the late afternoon, fly to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes.” (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12 Udaipur
Discover the massive granite and marble CITY PALACE with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors. Then, visit the adjacent CRYSTAL GALLERY and MINIATURE-PAINTING COMPANY. Your sightseeing finishes at SAHELION KI BARI. Today’s highlight is a CRUISE on Lake Pichola with a short visit to the island palace of JAG MANDIR. Tonight your Tour Director will host a festive farewell dinner to celebrate an unforgettable journey through India. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast)

Day 14 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. (Breakfast)

Day 15 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. (Breakfast, Lunch)

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 and MANI BHAWAN (former residence of Mahatma Gandhi). (Breakfast)

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 Elephanta Island, a labyrinth of cave temples carved into the island’s basalt rock. In the evening, why not take an open horse-drawn carriage ride along the seafront promenade? Your local host will help you with suggestions. (Breakfast)

Day 18 Mumbai
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED FEATURES

Delhi
Guided sightseeing; visit the Jama Mosque, rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar, Gandhi Memorial Museum, and Humayun’s Tomb; welcome dinner with cooking demonstration

Varanasi
Guided sightseeing; visit Sarnath; boat tour on the Ganges

Khajuraho
Visit the Khajuraho Temples with a Local Guide

Orchha
Visit the Medieval Palace Complex

Agra
Guided sightseeing; visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and Agra Fort

Ranthambore National Park
Three game-viewing drives

Jaipur
Guided sightseeing; visit the City Palace & Museum, and Hawa Mahali; home-hosted dinner with sari- and turban-tying lesson; visit the Amber Fort

Udaipur
Guided sightseeing; visit the City Palace, the Crystal Gallery, a miniature-painting company, and Sahelion Ki Bari; cruise on Lake Pichola with a stop at Jag Mandir; farewell dinner

Cochin
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Chinese fishing nets, St. Thomas Church, the Hill Palace Museum, and Dutch Palace; cruise the backwaters of Kerala; Host service during your stay

Mumbai
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Gateway of India, a Dhobi Ghat, Hanging Gardens, and Mani Bhawan; Host service during your stay

Note: Lake Pichola cruise operates depending on water levels.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS
American breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 8 dinners including a welcome dinner in Delhi, home-hosted dinner in Jaipur, and a farewell dinner in Udaipur.

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
DELHI Suryaa New Delhi (SF), VARANASI Radisson Hotel (F), KHAJURAHO Radisson Jass Hotel (F), AGRA Trident Agra (MF), RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK Tiger Den Resort (F), JAIPUR Trident Jaipur (MD), UDAIPUR Trident Udaipur (F), COCHIN Trident Cochin (F), MUMBAI Trident Mumbai (MD)

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Cochin

Kathakali Dance Show
Enjoy an amazing performance of Kathakali dance.
Approximate value: USD $20 per person

Cooking Demo and dinner at local House
Enjoy a cooking demonstration, the hospitality of your guests and the typical local cuisine.
Approximate value: USD $50 per person

CITY: Delhi

Temple Tour
Enjoy a half day guided temple tour of Delhi.
Approximate value: USD $28 per person

CITY: Mumbai

Evening Victoria Ride on the sea side
Take a ride in a Victoria around downtown Mumbai.
Approximate value: USD $25 per person

Elephanta Caves
Discover the 'City of Caves', which contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva.
Approximate value: USD $45 per person

CITY: Varanasi

Evening Aarti Ceremony in Varanasi
Enjoy a striking religious ceremony and a sunset cruise on the Ganges.
Approximate value: USD $15 per person

PRICES
From approx  $4,989 US per person double occupancy