Tour Details
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Starts any day except Mondays. January to December
10 days from $5295.00Arrive Delhi, India
Welcome to India. You are met on arrival in at Delhi airport, and then transferred to your luxury hotel located in the heart of New Delhi.
Delhi Sightseeing
This morning, relax after your long flight, and then begin your sightseeing of this fascinating city.
Today explore New Delhi, an area designed and built by the British in the 1920's. Drive past the government buildings and diplomatic enclave along the broad and majestic Rajpath. Visit Parliament House, or Sansad Marg, the legislative assembly of India. It is a huge circular structure designed by Herbert Baker in 1927, with 247 pillars and a 90-foot tall dome. Next, continue to tour the imposing India Gate, a war memorial dedicated to 70,000 the Indian soldiers killed in WWI.
Your tour also includes a visit to the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture, and Qutab Minar, with its graceful 12th century hand carving, and its iron pillar that has not rusted after 1500 years. (B)
Delhi Sightseeing
Today see the fascinating and historical sights of Old Delhi. Tour the magnificent Red Fort, built in 1648 on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan; it is a marvel in red sandstone. Visit Jama Masjid, built in 1656 it is the largest and the most splendid mosque in India. The mosque is made of glowing red sandstone inlaid with marble and brass, and has three majestic black and white marble domes.
In the afternoon, see Raj Ghat, a memorial to the great Mahatma Gandhi, and visit the Crafts Museum, a collection of traditional Indian crafts in textiles, metal, wood and ceramics. Next, explore Chandni Chowk (Silver Street), once the imperial avenue today bustling colorful market. (B)
Delhi to Agra
Arise early this morning to take the train to Agra. You are met upon arrival at the station and taken on a tour of Agra. See the symbol of India - the Taj Mahal. A poem in white marble, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (and 20,000 workers) to honor the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Today India's most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day.
This afternoon, journey outside the city to visit the Agra Fort, a massive red sandstone Mughal Fort built on the banks of the Yamuna River in 1565 by Emperor Akbar. The fort is surrounded by a 70-foot high wall, and houses a beautiful Pearl Mosque. (B)
Agra to Jaipur
Arise early to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise right from your hotel. After breakfast depart Agra for a half-day drive to Jaipur.
En route stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. The complex consists of religious, residential and administrative buildings. Tour the colonnaded red sandstone Panch Mahal Palace, and see the Mama Masjid and Tomb of Salim Chishti.
Early this afternoon, arrive in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, and India’s first planned city. Designed by the 18th century warrior-astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II, Jaipur is a walled city with rectangular blocks. Most of the buildings in the city were made from pink sandstone and hence Jaipur also came to be called the “Pink City.” The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore the city at your leisure. (B)
Jaipur Sightseeing
Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing. This morning see the Hawa Mahal - the Palace of the Winds. Built in 1799, this five-story building is a pink sandstone masterpiece with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows.
Next, visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Next, enjoy an elephant ride to visit the Amber Fort. This is a classic Rajasthani fort palace, with time-ravaged exterior walls hiding lavish courtyards and beautiful interior plaster walls that are embedded with precious stones and mirrors.
In the afternoon, visit the City Palace, the royal residence of the King of Jaipur, examine a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and an armory of Rajput and Mughal weaponry, much of it inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels. (B)
Jaipur to Udaipur
This morning, transfer to the Jaipur airport for your flight to Udaipur, known as the “Venice of the East.” Upon arrival, visit the City Palace, built on the bank of Pichola Lake in 1570 by Maharana Udai Singh. Within the palace is all the magnificence of the East – peacocks in mosaic on the walls, floors inlaid with tiles of rare beauty, and roof gardens with thrilling views of the panorama below. The palace has been preserved as a museum with a large and diverse collection of artifacts.
This afternoon take a private boat cruise on the Lake Pichola. The rest of the day and evening are at leisure to relax and enjoy your luxury accommodations. (B)
Udaipur Sightseeing
This morning, tour the Jagdish Temple; built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651. The temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu, and a brass image of Garuda the Lord bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers.
The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)
Udaipur to Delhi
Relax and enjoy time at leisure in this fascinating city until time for your flight to Delhi.
You are met upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to your airport area hotel. Enjoy a chance to rest and freshen up before your late-night transfer to the airport. (B)
Depart Delhi
Early this morning (or late night on day 9) you are taken to the airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B)
The Imperial, New Delhi
The Imperial is a legend that offers a unique experience embracing facets of India's history, and stands witness to the birth of the capital city of New Delhi. Built in 1931 by Blomfield; one of Sir Edwin Lutyen’s associates and inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936, the Hotel is known for its contemporary colonial style. As New Delhi’s landmark Hotel, it is located on Janpath, the erstwhile Queensway, steps away from the renowned shopping district and major attractions of the city. A 2015 Travel+Leisure World's Best Hotel
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
The Oberoi Amarvilas is the only hotel with direct, uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The breathtakingly luxurious hotel is a haven that reflects the exotic grandeur of the monuments and provides guests with every modern service in luxury and comfort. Straight out of an Indian fairytale, the Oberoi Amarvilas is set among lush and serene Mughal-inspired pools and terraced gardens. In the spectacular cobalt blue and gold domed entrance hall, the windows frame a fabulous vista of the Taj Mahal. Sixty-four fountains, filigreed stone bridges, and pillars greet guests as they cross the torch-lit forecourt of the ceremonial entrance pavilion of what appears to be a Mughal palace. Set in a terraced garden and lit with torches, the beautiful white marble colonnaded swimming pool is straight from the fairytale pages of the Arabian Nights. All 105 bedrooms enjoy breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal. Ancient and traditional Persian and Moorish influences combine with the very best in modern Indian interior design. The rooms have 24-hour butler service and feature a separate walk-in closet with electronic safe, color satellite TV, DVD/CD player, full mini-bar, tea and coffee. The beautiful marble bathrooms have bathtub, separate shower and deluxe toiletries. A 2015 Travel+Leisure World's Best Hotel
The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
Recreating the magnificence of princely Rajasthan in a beautiful fort setting with Jaipur as its backdrop, this resort is set in 32 acres of landscaped gardens with pavilions and reflection pools that create the romance and grandeur of Rajasthan. At Rajvilas, superb attention to detail creates a soothing blend of warm, effortless service and harmonious spaces. A full service spa, gym, steam room, Jacuzzi, beauty salon, boutique, and laundry service are among the various facilities and service available. The hotel offers distinctive dining experiences, exploring the nuances of the finest Indian and international cuisines in its two restaurants and two bars. Reflecting the best in Indian craftsmanship, each one of the 54 rooms at Oberoi Rajvilas Hotel has a sumptuous four-poster bed and an indulgent sunken bath that looks out onto its own private walled ornamental garden. There is also a walk-in closet, personal bar, satellite TV, in room safe, an electric kettle, internet access, as well as an en suite spacious marble bathroom with a double vanity counter. A 2015 Travel+Leisure World's Best Hotel
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
The Oberoi Udaivilas stands on the banks of Lake Pichola facing Udaipur, with views across the water to the 17th century palaces of Jagmandir and Jagniwas. A fabulous resort hotel set among thirty acres of former hunting grounds, Udaivilas is nothing short of palatial. A pristine version of an original Rajasthani Mewari moated palace, Udaivilas incorporates every conceivable modern comfort. Visual treats include open-air colonnades flanked by 450 hand-carved stone columns covered in gold leaf, hand-painted murals, arches and fountains, landscaped terraces and acres of white marble, a decorative pool of giant marble lotus flowers and the superb Banyan Tree Spa. A 2015 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List & Travel+Leisure World's Best Hotel
The Oberoi Gurgaon, New Delhi
This boutique hotel is located in the prime business and shopping district of Gurgaon in the Delhi National Capital Territory, and only 15 minutes from Delhi International Airport. It is also within easy reach from the Delhi city center, and entertainment, shopping and recreation hubs in Gurgaon city. The hotel presents numerous features and services including a heated Olympic size outdoor pool with open decks, first 24 hours spa in Delhi, a fitness center, a business center with wired and wireless internet, a beauty salon, retail arcade, and laundry and valet service. The restaurants offer world cuisine with live show kitchens and alfresco dining, plus there is a fine dining Indian coastal cuisine restaurant and a bar with live music and an exclusive indoor Cigar Lounge. The 202 guest rooms and suites offer a host of innovative features including landscape windows that bathe every room with abundant daylight offering a view of the serene reflection pools and landscaped gardens. Other room amenities include 24 hour personal butler service, atellite TV, iPod docking station, wired and wireless internet, an electronic safe, mini bar and hairdryer. A 2014 Travel+Leisure World's Best Hotel