A PORTRAIT OF INDIA ITINERARY:
Flying to India
Flying time to Delhi averages about 18 hours from gateway
cities in the United States, and may include a stop-over in
Europe; most international flights arrive between 11:00 PM and
3:00 AM local time, 101/2 hours ahead of the United States’
Eastern Standard Time. To ease the effects of jet lag, please
consider traveling to India a day early, rather than arriving
late at night on Day 1. Tauck can book your international
flights for travel originating in the United States, including
arranging a pre-stay at The Oberoi, New Delhi, giving you time
to rest and relax before sightseeing starts on Day 2. Ask for
details upon booking.
1. Arrive New Delhi – The Oberoi
Tour begins: The Oberoi, New Delhi. A transfer is included
from Delhi International Airport to The Oberoi, New Delhi,
conveniently located in the heart of the city. Unless you have
arranged for a pre-stay, you will most likely arrive at the
hotel well after midnight local time, giving you just a few
hours to rest before your first full day of sightseeing begins
early in the morning.
2. New Delhi / Mahatma Gandhi Museum
Experience the contrasting images of Delhi, old and new, as
you explore India’s capital city with an insider guide. View the
Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, the Presidential Palace
and the India Gate on a sightseeing tour. See the five-storied
Qutb Minar Victory Tower and visit Humayun’s Tomb and the
Mahatma Gandhi National Museum. Join us for a welcome dinner
tonight. Meals BLD
3. Exploring Old Delhi
Travel by rickshaw through labyrinthine streets of Old
Delhi, amidst colorful bazaars, sacred temples and colonial
monuments. Visit the magnificent Red Fort, a powerful symbol of
Indian nationhood, and tour India’s largest mosque, the
white-marbled Jama Masjid. See Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s
cremation site, before spending the afternoon exploring on your
own. Meals BD
4. Fly to Varanasi / Ceremonial Rituals
Fly to Varanasi this morning, one of the world’s oldest
living cities. Nestled on the sacred River Ganges, Varanasi has
welcomed pilgrims since the sixth century BC, blessing and
purifying them with the river’s “holy waters” in sacred daily
ceremonies. A sightseeing tour of this eternal city takes you to
Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, and the National
Museum, home to a superb collection of sculptures dating from
the third century BC. Tonight, take a boat ride and witness
pilgrims and holy men “putting the river to sleep.” Meals BLD
5. Ganges River Cruise / Khajuraho
Rise early for a cruise on the Ganges, followed by a lecture
on the spiritual rituals of the Ganges and Varanasi in Hindu
life. Fly to Khajuraho for an overnight stay. A UNESCO World
Heritage Site, this little town showcases temples built in the
Chandella dynasty. Meals BLD
6. Orchha / Train to Agra
Visit Orchha today, one of India's most fabulous Mughal
heritage sites; once home to royalty, the ancient temples,
palaces, and cenotaphs are now inhabited by emerald parakeets
and black-faced langurs. Take a train to Agra for a two-night
stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas. Meals BLD
7. Wondrous Taj Mahal / Agra Fort
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, before taking
an excursion to the walled imperial city of Fatehpur Sikri. This
afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Agra Fort, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Meals BLD
8. City Palace Museum in Jaipur
Continue on to Jaipur for two nights at one of the top ten
hotels in the world. Sightseeing includes the magnificent City
Palace Museum and the renowned Jantar Mantar Observatory. Join
us for a special evening tonight that celebrates India’s
cultural festivities. Meals BLD
9. The Gems of Jaipur
Journey to the Amber Fort this morning to admire the massive
gateways, pillared pavilions and palaces that pay lasting
tribute to ancient kingdoms, and tour the Amber Palace. Spend
the afternoon at leisure. Meals BLD
10. Fly to Udaipur / Lake Cruise
Fly to Udaipur for an unforgettable stay at The Oberoi
Udaivilas; take a cruise on Lake Pichola. Meals BLD
11. Discover Udaipur
Explore Udaipur, seeing the 18th-century fountain gardens of
Saheliyon ki Bari, Jagdish Mandir Temple and the City Palace, a
labyrinth of richly decorated courtyards and marble temples.
Learn the art of dressing in a sari and turban this afternoon.
Meals BLD
12. Fly to Cochin / Tropical Kerala
Fly to Cochin, Kochi, in the enchanting state of Kerala, on
the southern tip of India. Enjoy a cruise along its inland
waterways, followed by a spectacular sunset cruise on the
Arabian Sea. A performance of the world-famous Kathakali Dancers
precedes dinner tonight. Meals BLD
13. 15th-Century Kochi
Attend a lecture on the unique history and diversity of
southern India before exploring Kochi (Cochin). Visit its
ancient Jew Town, the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church and Fort
Cochin, India’s oldest European settlement. This evening, go
“inside” the private home of a Kerala chef for a cooking
demonstration and dinner. Meals BLD
14. Kumarakom Lake Resort at Leisure
Drive through the small villages of coastal Kerala en route
to your lakefront resort on the island of Kumarakom for a
two-night stay. Join us for an evening of authentic cultural
entertainment. Meals BLD
15. Cruise Aboard Kerala Houseboats
Board a traditional houseboat for a luncheon cruise through
the beautiful canals of the “Venice of the East.” Attend a
martial arts demonstration tonight, showcasing a highly revered
ancient tradition. Meals BLD
16. Fly to Mumbai (Bombay)
Fly to Mumbai (Bombay), surrounded on three sides by the
Arabian Sea. Your hotel is an architectural masterpiece,
blending Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. Meals BLD
17. Gateway of India / Elephanta Island
Visit the Gateway of India before taking a cruise to
Elephanta Island to see rock-cut caves, sculptures dating to 600
AD and the triple-headed Mahesamurti. Join us for a farewell
cocktail reception this evening. Meals BL
18. Journey Home
Tour ends: Mumbai (Bombay). Fly home anytime. A transfer is
included from the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower to Sahar
International Airport. Most international flights depart between
2:00 – 3:00 AM.
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