HIGHLIGHTS OF INDIA THE NORTH Delhi Jodhpur Jaipur Agra Varanasi DAY 1 - THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2016 - ARRIVE DELHI > Arrive Delhi > After clearing immigration and customs, you are met by a representative and transferred to hotel, a drive of about 40 minutes > Two nights in Delhi DAY 2 - FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2016 - DELHI > Morning tour of Old Delhi: begin at Rajghat, the site of Gandhi s funeral memorial, before travelling by cycle rickshaw through the crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk market (closed Sundays/holidays), over 350 years old with shops and people of almost every description > End the morning at the medieval Jami Masjid, India s largest mosque > In the afternoon, view the India Gate war memorial, North & South Block secretariat, visit Indira Gandhi s house where she lived as Prime Minister of India and was assassinated and Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) and Parliament
> Continue to south Delhi to visit the late 12th century QutbMinar tower before returning to the centre again to visit the mid 16th century Humayun s Tomb, considered to be the forerunner of the Taj Mahal and now splendidly restored by the Aga Khan Foundation > An after sunset visit to Nizamuddin for a Sufi evening, a medieval village highlighted by various shrines and particularly the Tomb of Nizamuddin Auliya. DAY 3 - SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2016 - DELHI / JODHPUR > Leisure time during the morning > In the afternoon, fly Delhi/Jodhpur (Jet Airways 9W721 2:00PM/3:00PM) > You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, a drive of about 25 minutes > Later, visit to the old city bazaar, noted for its crafts ateliers where silver jewellery, lacquer ware, tie dyed fabrics, bangles and pottery are manufactured > Two nights in Jodhpur DAY 4 - SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 - JODHPUR > Tour of the gigantic Mehrangarh Fort, which spreads over nearly three miles on and rises vertically from a rocky hill and now magnificently restored after several years of painstaking effort, its sheer cannon festooned ramparts are straight out of a Kipling fable. > It also has a museum with a rich collection of palanquins, royal cradles, and miniature paintings of various schools, folk music instruments and costumes. > Near the fort complex lies Jaswant Thada memorial, a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble. > In the late afternoon, tour of the old city bazaars and explore old royal buildings and havelis, lanes and public squares, street side markets and workplaces of local artisans. > Maharani, a fantastic store the collection of textile and antiques are unmatchable both in terms of quality and prices. DAY 5 - MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2016 - JODHPUR / PUSHKAR / JAIPUR > This morning, drive eastwards to Jaipur (330 km/6 hours plus stop) > Lunch will be arranged en route in Ajmer > Optional stop can be made in the sacred town of Pushkar, set around a small, picturesque lake. Pushkar is one of the very few sites in India with a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. > Two nights in Jaipur
DAY 6 TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2016 - JAIPUR > This morning, drive to Amber, a half hour north, site of the old settlements and fortress that preceded Jaipur and explore the interiors of the fortress; > This afternoon will be spent touring through the country s first planned city, with the graceful City Palace as its centre piece and the old quarter spread on a grid around it, with the distinctive orange coloured wash adorning most buildings. > Around the City Palace s courtyards are a clutch of private museums displaying royal memorabilia armaments, arts, books, manuscripts, paintings and textiles. Adjacent to the City Palace, is the royal Jantar Mantar observatory whose curiously shaped and oversized instruments are astonishingly accurate till today. DAY 7 - WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2016 - JAIPUR / AGRA > Transfer to the Railway Station this morning for a train ride to Agra (Shatabdi Express 7:05AM/10:35AM) > Transferred to hotel, a drive of about 20 minutes > A visit is arranged to the Taj Mahal. Built by the grieving emperor Shah Jahan in tribute to his favourite wife, it was 22 years in the making (1631-53). It is described as a vision, a wonder, a poem, a dream. > Nearby is the Agra Fort, strategically situated along a bend in the Yamuna River. Built by three generations of Mughal emperors, starting with Akbar, it combines and contrasts stern military fortifications with delicate interior detail. > One night in Agra DAY 8 - THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2016 - AGRA / DELHI / VARANASI > A sunrise visit is made to the Taj Mahal > Drive to Delhi airport (223 km/3 hours) > Fly Delhi/Varanasi (Indigo Airlines 6E#118 1:10PM/2:10PM)
> You are met by a representative in Varanasi and transferred to hotel, a drive of about an hour > One of the world s most ancient cities, already in existence when the Buddha first visited around 500BC, it is the citadel of Hinduism, enlivened by the throngs of pilgrims who congregate to bathe and worship in the sacred waters of the river Ganges. > In the evening, a walk through the old brass and sari markets, before viewing the evening prayer ceremonies on the banks of the Ganges. > Evening, welcome dinner at hotel, hosted by Project Mala. > Three nights in Varanasi DAY 9 - FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2016 - VARANASI > Just before dawn, guided private boat cruise on the Ganges. This a magical time, pilgrims trickle out from the labyrinthine lanes and head for the Ghats (steps leading to the river) at dawn. Here they wash clothes, perform yoga asanas, offer prayers and take ritual dip. > Return to your hotel for breakfast > Later, visit the Project Mala schools - programme arranged by Project Mala DAY 10 - SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2016 - VARANASI > Visit Project Mala schools and see rural India -programme arranged by Project Mala DAY 11 SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2016 - VARANASI / DELHI; DEPART DELHI > More time in the morning to explore Varanasi and its surroundings > In the afternoon, fly back to Delhi (Jet Airways 9W2424 2:50PM/4:25PM) > You are met and assisted with your homeward flights NOTE Tour Guide Price:
Five star standard hotels Twin sharing: USD 3,000 per person **Single room supplements: USD 900 INCLUSIONS: > 10 nights at hotels, in room categories, as indicated in the itinerary - Delhi/The Lalit (Deluxe Room 2 nights) - Jodhpur/ITC Welcome Hotel (Deluxe Room 2 nights) - Jaipur/ITC Rajputana (Rajputana Chamber 2 nights) - Agra/ITC Mughal (Mughal Chamber 1 night) - Varanasi/The Gateway Hotel Ganges (Standard Room 3 nights) > All meals from breakfast on February 12th through dinner on February 21st > All overland transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, with soft drinks/bottled water provided > Private boat ride in Varanasi > Sightseeing with a local English speaking guide as mentioned in the itinerary > Welcome dinner on February 18th in Varanasi > Economy class airfare Delhi/Jodhpur + Delhi/Varanasi/Delhi >Railfare Jaipur/Agra (air-conditioned chair car) > All applicable taxes Five star LUXURY hotels: Twin sharing: USD 5300 per person INCLUSIONS: > 10 nights at hotels, in room categories, as indicated in the itinerary - Delhi/The Imperial (Imperial Room 2 nights) - Jodhpur/Raas (Luxury Fort View Room 2 nights) - Jaipur/Oberoi Rajvilas (Premiere Room 2 nights) - Agra/Oberoi Amarvilas (Premiere Taj Facing Room 1 night) - Varanasi/The Gateway Hotel Ganges (Executive Suite 3 nights)
> All meals from breakfast on February 12th through dinner on February 21st > All overland transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, with soft drinks/bottled water provided > Private boat ride in Varanasi > Sightseeing with a local English speaking guide as mentioned in the itinerary > Welcome dinner on February 18th in Varanasi > Economy class airfare Delhi/Jodhpur + Delhi/Varanasi/Delhi >Railfare Jaipur/Agra (air-conditioned chair car) > All applicable taxes Exclusions Flight from home country to India