Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Mumbai, India.

Welcome to India! Following Customs, Immigration formalities and baggage collection, our Airport Representative will meet you outside the Arrival Hall, after which you will be transferred to the hotel.

Mumbai is a city of dreams, the glamour of the movie world, the razors edge of the skyscrapers to the mainland of the harbor, people here come from diverse ethnic backgrounds yet nurture the dream of success, their undying spirit adds color and flavor to this multicultural city. A throbbing, cosmopolitan metropolis, it still retains the glory of the past, the colonial legacy that coexists with the Maratha influence. Still considered as the heart of business India, Mumbai houses the country's vibrant Stock Exchange. The Gateway of India is almost literally a symbol of entry into the country by sea or air.

Hotel: Taj Mahal Palace★★★★★
Room: Superior City View Room – Tower Wing
Meals: None

Breakfast is at the hotel. This morning start with a special tour of Mumbai! This specially curated tour offers an immersive perspective of the city in its entirety through a combination of fun and engaging experiences that don’t dwell on just history lesson but go beyond.

We take you on a walk through the colonial precinct of Mumbai covering major landmarks such as Gateway, VT, Taj, Yacht club etc. While hearing stories about Mumbai's history, you will stumble upon the dabbawalass scampering through to maintain those six sigma ratings. Mumbai being a coastal city, sample costal Konkan cuisine and then take a walk down the famous Spice Market. Here, you can not only buy the spices, but can also get them dry roasted and ground into the masala mix of your choice before your own eyes.

This evening meet for a Welcome Dinner at a specialty Indian restaurant.

Hotel: Taj Mahal Palace★★★★★
Room: Superior City View Room – Tower Wing
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to the airport and fly to Udaipur. (Please note the luggage allowance on this flight is 15kg/33lb checked in baggage and 7kg/15lb hand luggage).

Arrive Udaipur and check in for your stay.

Udaipur: Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refuge of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal.

Rest day at leisure to explore the city by own or enjoy the hotel facilities.

Hotel: The Oberoi Udaivilas★★★★★
Room: Premier Room
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart on a city tour, starting with the opulent City Palace. Standing on a crest overlooking Lake Pichola, this majestic palace is a stunning blend of medieval European and Chinese architecture, surmounted by balconies, towers, cupolas and terraces with wonderful views of the city and lake. The entrance is through Hathi Pol (elephant gate) along the main street of the old city. The main part of the palace is now a museum with a large and eclectic collection.

Stop off next at the three-storey Jagdish Temple, a wonderful Indo-Aryan temple built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651. Climb up stone steps flanked by sculpted elephants and admire the intricate pillars, carved ceilings, stunning frescoes and the massive black, stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe.

Break for lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue on to the Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Handmaidens), a good example of the Hindu art of landscape gardening on a princely scale. Ornamental pools with finely sculptured cenotaphs of soft black stone are surrounded by a profusion of fountains.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the facilities at hotel. Transport is available should you wish to explore the shopping options.

Hotel: The Oberoi Udaivilas★★★★★
Room: Premier Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we will fly to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check in for your stay.

This afternoon embark on a guided tour of Jaipur visiting City Palace and Observatory. City Palace is now converted into a museum to showcase the royal life style. Additionally, in a private visit of City Palace you will also explore the private rooms in the Palace, which is a part of royal family residence till date. This private visit of City Palace would indeed add a royal flavor in the journey.

Also visit Observatory - a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the world's largest stone sundial. The instruments also allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan province is known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures. It’ old town is one of North India’s finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Hotel: Rambagh Palace★★★★★
Room: Palace Room
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Morning, start on an excursion to Amber Fort. Jaipur’s Maharaja Man Singh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started constructing Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The Fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Once you are on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. Lunch is included today.

Returning to the hotel, there’ll be time to relax and unwind for the reminder of the day.

This evening, enjoy a special home-hosted dinner and learn about daily life inside the old city from your local hosts.

Hotel: Rambagh Palace★★★★★
Room: Palace Room
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Agra. En route visit Chand Baori, an extraordinary stepwell that dates from the medieval era and even before. The well consists of 3500 narrow steps over 13 stories. This unique and beautiful construction is located in small village, allowing us an opportunity to walk through the village and experience rural Indian life.

Stop for lunch before continuing our drive to Agra.

Agra - Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th & 17th century. A world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys, bustling streets and small buggies, Agra retains the irresistible charm that made this the favorite city of the Mughals.

Before checking in to the hotel, visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Approachable by two imposing gates and constructed of red sandstone, the citadel was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar between the years 1565 and 1573. Encircled by a moat, this dramatic city within a city was the palace of three emperors, Akbar, Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb, each of whom made significant contributions to the wonderful architecture of the inner buildings – a combination of Persian (Islamic) and local Hindu styles. 

Continue to the hotel for check in.

Hotel: The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra★★★★★
Room: Premier Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Early in the morning visit Taj Mahal.

Said to be one of the most elegant and a harmonious building in the world, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1630 AD to enshrine the mortal remains of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal manifests the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in architecture and garden design, painting, and calligraphy. The 144 foot double dome of the Taj is capped with a finial and the four minarets each 131 ft. high and crowned by an open octagonal pavilion highlight the perfect symmetry of the tomb.

After our visit drive to Delhi. Check in to the Leela Palace Hotel. Enjoy an afternoon & evening at leisure.

Hotel: The Leela Palace★★★★★
Room: Deluxe Grand View
Meals: Breakfast

Morning start on an exploration of Old Delhi, the capital of Mughal dynasty between the 16th and 19th centuries. In Old Delhi, visit Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in year 1650 AD and completed in the year 1656 AD. Then set off on an exciting rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, also known as The Moonlit Square. As you drive through the narrow lanes, witness the architectural marvels, the multi-colored facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed men and women and get bombarded by the cries of hawkers and fragrances emanating from the potpourri of eateries that line these historical alleys. Stop for lunch at a popular restaurant.

Next drive through New Delhi, passing by Presidential Palace - the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate - a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war, Parliament house and other government buildings built in the first quarter of the 20th century by two famous English architects, Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was during this time period that the capital of the British Empire was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

Later embark on a guided visit of Humayun’s Tomb – one of the finest example of Mughal architecture, built by Hamida Banu Begum for her husband. Unlike most of the other Mughal monuments which were built by men for their wives, this one was built by the lady for her husband.

This evening we will dine outside the hotel at Masala Library.

Hotel: The Leela Palace★★★★★
Room: Deluxe Grand View
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning fly to Varanasi (Note, luggage allowance on this flight is 15 kg checked in baggage and 7 kg hand luggage).

On arrival, visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Here our lucky group members will have an exclusive meeting with a Buddhist Monk to learn more about the religion from a monk’s perspective and observe a small prayer ceremony.

Continue to the hotel and on arrival, check in to The Gateway hotel Ganges Varanasi – a modern hotel set amidst 12 acres of beautiful greenery.

Evening, drive to the ghats (banks of river Ganges) to watch illuminated aarti ceremony at Dasahwamedh Ghat. In this century old ritual, the holy river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganges accepts the worship. This is a passionate and divine journey as the music and the oil lamps create a trance-like experience. You will get the chance to float your own illuminated lamp down the river too!
Tonight our Farewell Dinner in the haveli on the waterfront. Note that his restaurant specializes in vegetarian Satvik cuisine (food based on the concept of Yogic philosophy).

Hotel: The Gateway Hotel Varanasi★★★★★
Room: Deluxe Room
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early this morning, experience a boat ride on the sacred Ganges at dawn. Witness thousands of devotees performing century old rituals at the ghats along the way. Also visit the funeral ghat and understand the after death concept in Hinduism. From here continue on to visit Vishwanath Temple and take a walk through the old city bazaars.

Return to hotel for breakfast and rest of the morning is at leisure for independent exploration.

Afternoon fly to Delhi (Please note, luggage allowance on this flight is 15 kg checked in baggage and 7 kg hand luggage).

Arrive Delhi and check in to your flight for onward destination

Meals: Breakfast

Arrive Saturday, March 18.