Northern India Jewels

Welcome to Delhi! The capital of India is a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples, and tombs. Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be met and assisted by our company representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in.




Overnight in Delhi

This morning after breakfast, your adventure will begin in Old Delhi, the Mughal capital established by Shah Jahan in 1638. At the famous Red Fort, where Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the flag of newly independent India on August 15th, 1947, trade the vehicle for bicycle rickshaws. Weave through the warren of crooked, congested alleys off Chandni Chowk, one of Indias oldest and busiest bazaars, where you will see the traditional workmanship for which India is well known and continues to thrive. Visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhis serene and evocative cremation site, and the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. This afternoon you will visit the Qutb Minar, a stunning 240-foot brick minaret, the tallest in the world, surrounded by an elaborate complex built in the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition.




Overnight in Delhi

This morning you will be transferred to Delhi Airport to catch your flight to the ancient city of Varanasi, the center of Hindu culture. A holy city dedicated to Shiva; Varanasi has survived the centuries due to its sanctified place in Indian religious life. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day excursion to Sarnath (closed on Fridays) to visit the tranquil Deer Park where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, or as the Buddhists say, set the 'wheel of dharma' or law rolling. At sunset, cruise the Ganges River to see the evening Aarti prayer rituals.




Overnight in Varanasi

Enjoy an early morning boat ride to discover pilgrims gathering on the ghats to bathe in the sacred Ganges as the city begins to come to life. Early this morning, before sunrise, drive to the Ghats on the Ganges for a boat ride on the river. Witness the fascinating early morning rituals performed by Hindu devotees along the riverbank which includes the cremation Ghats. People bathe early in the morning to offer prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation ghats are Manikarnika and Harishchandra, where funeral pyres burn day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Return to your hotel for breakfast.




Overnight in Varanasi

In the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.




Overnight in Khajuraho

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to explore one of the most popular destinations in India. Khajuraho is home to Indias largest group of medieval Hindu temples. In the morning, visit the Eastern and Western group of temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a scholar. These temples were built by Chandela rulers out of sandstone in the 10th century and decorated with superb carvings and sculptures — some of the erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra. They represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India. The remote location of Khajuraho meant the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders, and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven. The temples were built between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty, which dominated Central India at the time. They represent the brilliant burst of artistic flowering that took place under the generous patronage of the powerful Chandela rulers who made Khajuraho their peacetime capital.




Overnight in Khajuraho

Have breakfast and enjoy your morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will be driven to Jhansi to board the evening express train to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.




Overnight in Agra

Early in the morning, you will visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a World Heritage Site, UNESCO described it as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. Few words can describe the magnificence of this monument. Marvel over the transforming light and colors of this breathtaking monument under the sun's rays. After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, which was built and added to between the 16th and 17th centuries by successive rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan upgraded it to a palace and later it became his gilded prison for 8 years after his son Aurangzeb seized power. This afternoon, cross the Yamuna River to visit Itmad ud Daula. The mausoleum was built by Queen Nur Jahan in 1622 in memory of her father. Many historians believe that this monument was Shah Jahans inspiration for building the Taj and is often described as the “petite Taj.”




Overnight in Agra

After breakfast, continue overland to Jaipur, Rajasthans capital with an en-route visit to Fatehpur Sikri, the eerily abandoned capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the throne, Emperor Jahangir. While Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, he took great interest in the arts and architecture; Fatehpur Sikri is one of his masterworks. Sadly, it served as a capital for little more than a decade as it was eventually abandoned for the lack of accessible water. The origin of Jaipurs nickname will become immediately apparent as we enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings rising at every turn. Jaipur is an excellent place to enjoy unparalleled shopping and people-watching. Spend time in the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city at Johori Bazaar, a true feast for the senses. Aromatic spices fill the air, while oxcarts, rickshaws, cows, bejeweled women, and men with colorful turbans jostle through the labyrinthine streets.




Overnight in Jaipur

In the morning you will begin your tour with an exhilarating excursion to Amber Fort perched on top of a hill. Enjoy a royal ride on an elephant (subject to availability) up the hill, like the Maharajas of past times, and visit the Jagmandir (the hall of victory). Perched on a hillside on the outskirts of town, the palace was constructed in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh, the commander of Akbars army, and was largely motivated by the highly defensible location. This is a beautiful and very well-preserved structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love.” In the afternoon we will return to the city for a look at the grand Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This magnificent structure was built for the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street. Se the City Palace and impressive Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name.




Overnight in Jaipur

Today you will continue your journey to Udaipur, founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and fondly referred to as Rajasthans most romantic city. Its rich history is matched by its picturesque setting among the Aravalli Mountains and three manmade lakes.




Overnight in Udaipur

We will begin our day at the City Palace, overlooking the blue waters of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai Singh initiated construction in 1559 A.D., and it was subsequently expanded, with impressive uniformity, by several succeeding Maharanas. The palace consists of many beautiful courtyards and gardens. The main hall has been converted into a museum, housing opulent artifacts and original works of art. Inside the complex we will find the exquisite crystal gallery, exhibiting 19th-century pieces including crystal chandeliers, tables, sofas, and beds. We will continue walking towards the Jagdish Temple to study its many remarkable friezes. Lavishly built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, it is easy to understand why Jagdish is the most venerated Hindu temple in Udaipur. Afterwards, we will explore the Old City, wandering through the bustling streets lined with art shops, spice vendors, tailors, and more. Early this evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola, sailing past picturesque Ghats and palaces, stopping at the island of Jag Mandir, a 17th-century water palace that witnessed two important historical events. It was the refuge for Prince Khurram, later known as Shah Jahan when he was exiled by his father. Later during the uprising of 1857, the island offered safety to several British families who fled from nearby Néemuch.




Overnight in Udaipur

Today you will be transferred to the Udaipur domestic airport for your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check in. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour of Mumbai where you will discover the fascinating Dhobi Ghat. Each morning laundry from all over Mumbai is brought here soaped, soaked, boiled, and thrashed. The next day, after being aired, pressed, folded, and wrapped, the bundles are returned to where they came. The secret that keeps the operation running smoothly is the coded symbol that each dhobi-wallah places on every item. From there you will visit the Prince of Wales Museum (closed on Mondays). Housing many interesting artifacts, the museum structure itself is a work of art. Designed by architect George Wittet, who also designed the Gateway of India, the museum is crowned by an impressive white dome. During your visit, admire the displays of jade work, weapons from the Mughal Empire, and clay and terracotta figures from the 3rd century BC. The main sculpture room contains excellent Greek influence 4th and 5th-century heads and figures from the Buddhist state of Gandhara, a former colony of Alexander the Great. The main attraction, however, is a superb collection of Indian paintings, including manuscripts and miniatures. Continue your journey to Mani Bhawan, the Gandhi Museum, for an intriguing visit. Serving as Mahatma Gandhi's Bombay base between 1917 and 1934, Mani Bhawan is now a museum and memorial. A series of tiny dioramas depict Gandhi's life story; photos covering the walls capture historic events; a sitting room and bedroom preserved behind glass will take you back through time, and personal artifacts offer insights into Gandhi's hopes and struggles. One letter is addressed to Hitler, asking him to refrain from war. Gandhi also corresponded with Roosevelt, Tolstoy, and Einstein. End the tour on Marine Drive dubbed as the Queens Necklace, Mumbais most popular promenade, and a favorite sunset watching spot.




Overnight in Mumbai

This morning you will be transferred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for your onward flight home.