DAY 1: Depart from USA
- Board your international flight from USA to start your journey back on time to the ancient land. 2 Meals will be served on board of your overnight flight.
|
DAY 2: Arrive Delhi
- Upon arrival, garland welcome greeting at airport. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy VIP check-in, with a refreshing welcome drink.
- Delhi- The capital of India, serves as a kaleidoscope, depicting the beautiful country of India. It also houses a treasure of monuments expressing the saga of a bygone era. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors, and the poor equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of Dilwalas or people with heart. From a string of historical monuments to modern commercial centers, Delhi has evolved into an exceptional and dynamic city, offering a wealth of shopping and sightseeing activities. Overnight at your hotel.
|
DAY 3: Delhi, Full Day Tour
- After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Old Delhi. Visit The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and Raj Ghat. The magnificent Red Fort (Lal Qila) was built in the 17th century, and constructed by the Mugal Emperor Shahjahan. It served as the Capital city of the Mugal Empire until 1857.
- Also visit Jama Masjid, considered to be the largest Mosque in India. Walk down the narrow lanes of a typical Indian Bazaar, Chandni Chowk where traditional wholesale traders still thrive selling their goods to major retailers.
- Later visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
- Afternoon, enjoy a tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutub Minar, India Gate, Parliament House, Laxmi Narayan Temple [Birla Mandir], Connaught Place, and Government buildings. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 4: Delhi, Agra By Surface (204 KMS / 4.5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Agra. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the finest examples of Mughal architecture. The Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) stands serene and awesome on a raised marble platform by the banks of the Yamuna, testifying to the timelessness of art and love. Shahjahan built the monument in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love.
- The construction of the Taj commenced in 1631, and was completed in 1653. Workers were gathered from all over the country and from Central Asia, and about 20,000 people were recruited to translate this wild dream into a reality. Its pure white marble shimmers silver in the soft moonlight, exudes a shell - pink glow at dawn, and at the close of the day, takes on the tawny, fiery hue of the majestic sun. Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565, under Akbar, and continued till the time of his grandson, Shahjahan.
- Armed with massive double walls, punctuated by four gateways, the fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens and gracious pavilions within its premises.
- Among the fascinating structures that are to be found within the fort is the red sandstone, Jehangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen Jodhabai, was one of the earliest constructions illustrating the forts change from a military structure into a Royal palace. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
|
DAY 5: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur By Surface (250 KMS / 5 HRS)
- After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Enroute, visit Fatehpur Sikri. Phantoms of ancient pomp and splendor fill the deserted city, which was once a grandeur Capital city of the great Emperor Akbar, and now a silent witness to a vanished dream. Shortly after it was completed, this magnificent fortress was abandoned by Akbar, due to lack of adequate water supply.
- Upon arrival in Jaipur, enjoy VIP check-in at the hotel, with a refreshing welcome drink. Jaipur, also referred to by its rsquo romantic nickname, The Pink City because of the pink color of its royal buildings. It boasts the grand Amber Fort, the first royal residence of the Maharajas of Kachchwaha. Jaipur is also famous for the regions handicrafts and jewels. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 6: Jaipur, Full Day Tour
- After breakfast, visit Amber Fort. Ride up to the fort on a decorated elephant, similar to the ones used by the Maharajas in bygone eras. Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, Amber Fort was the old capital before the city of Jaipur was built. Ride on a decorated elephant to ascend the hill to the Palace. The construction of the Amber Fort began in the year 1592 and was started by Man Singh I, but it was later completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. The Palace is laid out at different levels on the hillside and surrounded by a fortress.
- The exterior of the fort is very imposing and rugged looking whereas the inside is a comforting and warm interior which is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation. On the walls, are paintings depicting various hunting scenes, intricate carvings, mosaics, and minute mirror work that make the halls look majestic and imperial.
- Afternoon, visit Jantar Mantar- Jai Singhrsquos observatory, and Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, The City Palace, Mubarak Hall, Chandra Mahal and Pothikhana, which house collection of paintings and manuscripts as well as the museum of Arms and Armory.
- Later, explore the colorful markets of Jaipur. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 7: Jaipur, Mumbai By Flight (Spicejet-SG#343 10:10 am - 11:55 am)
- After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai Upon arrival in Mumbai, meet and greet assistance at airport. Transfer to your hotel, and check-in. MUMBAI (also known as BOMBAY)- The City of Dreams - The commercial capital of India, is a fast paced and cosmopolitan city. Mumbai is the gateway, and chief entry port of India. It boasts a beautiful natural harbor and one of the finest waterfronts in the country, studded with emerald islands and a palm-fringed shore rising gradually to the mountain peaks. This historic city is also the center of Indias Hindi famous film industry, Bollywood.
- Afternoon, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of the famous Elephanta Caves. ELEPHANTA CAVES ndash Also called Gharpuri, is an hour rsquos trip by motor launch from the Gateway of India. The name Elephanta was given by the Portuguese from an elephant-like stone found there. The Elephanta Island is known as Gharapuri (fortress city). The 7th century cave temple complex, which has been carved out of rock under two small halls, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was a flourishing place of pilgrimage until a few centuries ago. It boasts a magnificent 18 feet high, three-headed bust of Shiva- the Maheshmurti. The main cave is supported by massive pillars, each resting on a square base with fluted shafts. Inside is the main hall housing sculptures of various gods in the Hindu mythology. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
|
DAY 8: Mumbai, Aurangabad By Flight (Jet Airways-9W#2014 6:55 am - 7:40 am)
- Early morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival in Aurangabad, meet and greet assistance at airport. Aurangabad was founded in 1610 A.D. by Malik Ambar, and is considered to be a city of great historic value and rich cultural heritage. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ruled the country from Aurangabad until his death, and this is where the city gets its name. Aurangabad has also become the gateway to the famous ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora.
- Afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Ellora Caves (Closed on Tuesday). The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, represent the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. The structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri Hills were built between the 5th Century and the 10th Century. There are 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, and 5 Jain caves with demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. Transfer, check-in, and overnight at your hotel.
|
DAY 9: Aurangabad, Half Day Tour
- After breakfast, enjoy a half-day tour of the Ajanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ajanta Caves (Closed on Monday). These caves depict the finest examples of religious art and architecture from the 22nd Century BC to the 7th Century, AD.
- The walls, ceilings, and pillars of these caves are adorned with fresco paintings and rich sculptures portraying the life of Buddha before his enlightenment. Later, enjoy a sightseeing city tour of Aurangabad. Visit Aurangzeb Tomb and Panchakki. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 10: Aurangabad, Mumbai (Jet Airways-9W#2015 8:10 am - 8:55 am) MUMBAI - GOA (Jet Airways-9W#475 12:10 pm - 1:05 pm)
- After early breakfast, transfer to the airport in time to board your flight to Goa via Mumbai. Upon arrival in Goa, meet and greet assistance at airport. Transfer to your hotel, and enjoy VIP check in. Goa, an endearing abode of scenic charm is a paradise, squeezed between the seas and the lush forested hills. Offering glistening sands, swaying coconut palms, and ultra fresh seafood. A former Portuguese colony, Goa offers visitors a unique mix of native and Portuguese cultures, and architecture. Later, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Goa. Visit the local churches and market. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 11: Goa, Free to enjoy the beach
- After breakfast, the day is free at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, or to explore Goa further on your own. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 12: Goa
- After breakfast, the day is free at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, or to explore Goa further on your own. Overnight at your hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
DAY 13: Goa, Mumbai By Flight (Jet Airways-9W#476 1:40 pm - 2:40 pm)
- After breakfast, morning at leisure.
- Early afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai.
- Upon arrival in Mumbai, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visits include Gateway of India, Hanging Gardens, the bustling Crawford Market, Flora Fountain, and the famous Dhobi Ghats of Mumbai.
- Later, transfer back to the Mumbai international airport for you flight back to the U.S.
- Meal: Breakfast
|
