Tour Itinerary

DAY 1, Thursday – Depart the USA
Depart the USA for India. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment

DAY 2, Friday – Arrive in Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by a representative and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Delhi

DAY 3, Saturday – Old & New Delhi City Tour
This morning starts with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager. Later, enjoy a tour of Old Delhi, an ancient historical city with more than 60,000 identifiable monuments. Visit the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, and view the famous Red Fort. Tour continues to explore New Delhi with a visit to the Mausoleum of Humayun and the 17th-century Birla Temple. Drive past India Gate, the President’s House, and the Indian Parliament House
Overnight: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday – Travel to Jaipur
This morning, en route to Jaipur take a brief stop for a photo opportunity at the UNESCO World Heritage Qutab Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret. Continue to travel to Jaipur, the famed Pink City of India. The entire city was painted its unique pink color in 1876 to celebrate the visiting Prince of Wales. Several legends exist to explain why the color pink was chosen, but no matter the reason, it has come to represent the welcoming hospitality of Jaipur. On the way to your hotel enjoy a stop at a Jewelry Shop
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday – Elephant Ride to Amber Fort & Jaipur City Tour
This morning’s excursion takes you to the 16th century Amber Fort. Ascend the hill to the fort by jeep or on the back of an elephant if available and admire views of Jaipur’s original city walls and the Maotha Lake below. At the conclusion of the morning’s tour, browse a local Rajasthan textile and handicrafts market. In the afternoon, tour Jaipur, including visits to the observatory of Maharaja Jaisingh and the museum at the Maharaja City Palace. Drive past the 18th -century Hawa Mahal (“Palace of Winds”), which has a streetside facade of 953 small windows designed to circulate wind throughout the palace, thus giving the palace its name
Optional: Dinner at a Local Jaipur Restaurant with Show
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Tuesday – Travel to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
Travel to the medieval city of Agra via the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Explore the well-preserved building of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Panch Mahal Palace, one of the largest and most impressive palaces in India
Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Wednesday – Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
This morning, visit the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved Queen Mumtaj Mahal. This monumental construction, which took 22 years to complete (1631-53), is most famous for its imposing white-marble dome, and is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture in the world. Continue to the Taj’s nearby sister monument, the Agra Fort, begun by Emperor Akbar the Great in the 16th century. View the palaces, mosques, and Halls of Public and Private Audiences of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way back to your hotel, enjoy a stop at a local marble store which offers incredible beautiful marble art and craft
Optional: Dinner at a Local Agra Restaurant with Show
Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Thursday – Sightseeing En Route to Khajuraho
This morning, board the Shatabdi Express train for Jhansi. Continue via motorcoach to Khajuraho, stopping at Orchha on the River Betwa to view some of the most noteworthy Hindu architecture in India
Overnight: Khajuraho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday – Chandela Dynasty Temples of Khajuraho & Flight to Varanasi
Enjoy an exciting morning tour of the Chandela Dynasty Temples. First visit the Western Temples including the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple to Lord Shiva and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple, dedicated to the 64 Yoginis of the Goddess Kali. Among the Western Temples you will view the Bharatji Temple, with its 11-headed sculpture of Vishnu. Next, visit the Eastern Temples including the Ghantai Temple, Javari Temple, and the Vamana Temple, dedicated to the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure
Optional: Evening Sacred Prayer Ceremony at the Ganges River
Overnight: Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Saturday – Ganges Boat Ride, Hindu Temples Visit & Sarnath Sightseeing
This morning, witness dawn on the Ganges, a time when the Ghats along the riverbanks hum with activity, as Hindu devotees perform their ablutions in the river or offer prayers to the rising sun. A boat ride through this serene setting offers you the perfect panoramic vantage for this extraordinary experience. Visit the Bharat Mata Temple, with its marble relief map of an undivided India, the Durga Temple, the exterior of the golden-spire temple of Vishwanath and Benaras Hindu University. After your early morning tour, return to your hotel for a breakfast. Enjoy time at leisure to shop for authentic silks and brocades. Later, drive to the city of Sarnath, the ancient deer park where Guatama Buddha gave his first divine sermon of Dharma, and view the ruins, the stupa, and the Buddhist Temple. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant.
Overnight: Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday – Travel to Delhi

Enjoy your morning at leisure. This afternoon, you will head to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to freshen up. Late evening transfer to the airport for all flights departing at or just after midnight
Day use: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday – Arrive USA

Pricing and Inclusions

• Round trip flights NYC-Delhi
  Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• Intra-flights
• 9 nights First Class accommodations
• 2 nights Delhi Eros Hilton Hotel, Delhi
• 2 nights Ramada Jaipur, Jaipur
• 2 nights Trident Agra Hotel, Agra
• 1 night Radisson Hotel Khajuraho, Khajuraho
• 2 nights Radisson Hotel Varanasi, Varanasi
• All transfers
• 14 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Entrance fees per itinerary

Special Features

• Taj Mahal
• Elephant-back ride to Amber Fort
• Boat ride at dawn on the Ganges

For More Info-http://www.gate1travel.com/india-travel/india-tour-12dkalin213.aspx