Mysteries of India
Day 1: Overnight Flight Day 2: Delhi, India - Tour Begins Your tour begins in Delhi, the capital of India and a city of great character, whose history dates back over 2,000 years. Many ancient monuments and archeological sites are found in this city which held the seat of government through several great empires. Day 3: New Delhi *LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.* After a welcome briefing you will depart on a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. *Visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then, explore the city's narrow streets the traditional way…by rickshaw!* After lunch, a tour of New Delhi includes a visit to Qutub Minar which, at 237.8 feet, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Next, visit Humayun's tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. This outstanding monument, constructed in the Indo-Persian style, is a precursor of the Taj Mahal. You'll pass the imposing India Gate war memorial, the Parliament building and the palatial Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence, before returning to the hotel for a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers. (B, L, D) Day 4: Delhi - Udaipur This morning fly to Udaipur, your gateway to Rajasthan. This romantic land is home to tales of valour and chivalry, with a history that brings to life forts, palaces and stories of court intrigues. This evening, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola to visit the Jag Mandir Palace which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and imposing dome. (B, D) Day 5: Udaipur Visit the vast and exquisite City Palace, a well-fortified, majestic white monument. The main entrance, a triple-arched gate named the Tripolia, was built in 1725 and is a marvel. Continue to Jagdish Temple, a 16th century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur. Stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids of Honour, and learn about the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these exquisite gardens. (B, L) Day 6: Udaipur - Jodhpur Depart for Jodhpur this morning. *En route, visit Ranakpur Jain Temple, one of the best complexes of Jain religion and noted for the grandiose scale of architecture illustrated in this temple’s 1,444 distinctive pillars.* Later this afternoon you will arrive in the old city of Jodhpur, founded in 1459 and protected by ancient walls over 100 feet tall. (B, L) Day 7: Jodhpur Proceed to Mehrangarh Fort, the citadel of the Sun. Visit the various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the Royal family. Proceed to Jaswant Thada, a pillared marble memorial to the popular Jaswant Singh II (ruler from 1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits (armed gangs), initiated irrigation systems, and boosted the economy. Descend the fort and board a tuk tuk (auto rickshaw) and continue to the bazaar in the city for a walking tour. *The afternoon includes a visit to Bishnoi Village by jeep. The Bishnoi communities are staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life.* You will visit traditional villages and see local handicrafts, men in traditional attire and women clad in ancestral jewellery. Visit the home of a potter family and learn about and participate in making pottery. (B, D) Day 8: Jodhpur - Jaipur Travel this morning by train to Jaipur, the "Pink City," where the romance and mystery of Rajasthan continues. You will make a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, with its striking façade of 953 windows. This massive "Palace of the Winds" is still the home of a former Maharaja (great king). You will visit the City Palace, a complex of exquisite palaces, gardens, and courtyards with decorative art and carved doorways. *Lunch will be served at Chandra Mahal Verandah, an exclusive and private area of the palace.* Next, marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory. Built in 1726, the observatory is one of five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions of eclipses and other celestial events, even to this day. (B, L) Day 9: Jaipur Board your elephant (or Jeeps if elephants are not available) and ascend to the top of Amber Fort. Construction began in the 17th century by Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar's most successful General. Before the City Palace, Amber was the seat of power. You will have time to stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B) Day 10: Jaipur - Ranthambore This morning's drive will bring you to Ranthambore National Park, near the township of Sawai Madhipur. The national park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in the country. The forests around the park were once the private grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. *A slide presentation and lecture by a naturalist will provide you with a brief description on the wildlife of the country in preparation for your game viewing drive by canter (open air vehicle).* The residents of the park include marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears and more…if you are lucky, you may see a tiger! (B, L, D) Day 11: Ranthambore An early morning game viewing drive is an exciting way to begin the day. Following the visit to the park, you will return to the hotel for breakfast. The afternoon includes a visit to the Ranthambore School of Art. This noble venture revolutionized the concept of wildlife painting in India. This school was formed with only one purpose: to save the tigers. Students are recruited from neighbouring villages and towns to be trained as self-sufficient artists. These students are sensitized to the dismal plight of the quickly disappearing Indian tiger. Next, visit Dastkar Ranthambore Project where, in 1981, six women came together to deal with the problems of traditional artisans in contemporary India. Crafts are the second largest source of income for the rural people in India today. (B, L, D) Day 12: Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra The day begins with an early morning train ride. Upon arrival in Bharatpur, enjoy brunch before continuing to Fatehpur Sikri. This deserted red sandstone city was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It is complete with palaces, mosques, and was larger than London when it was constructed. Continue your drive to Agra, your home for the next two evenings. (B, L) Day 13: Agra *Your sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal begins with a tonga (horse carriage) ride to the gates.* Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported by a fleet of 1,000 elephants. Built in the mid-17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Next, visit Agra Fort, the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. You then continue for a visit to Mother Teresa's Charity Mission* - a home for orphans which is supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation. This home hosts children of all ages. Here, Sisters fill children’s lives with affection, providing them with clothing, food, and quality education in order to make them self dependant as adults. This evening, visit Mehtab Bagh for a sunset view of the Taj Mahal. Then, visit Kalakriti, a house of traditional handicrafts of the region, and witness a sound and light presentation which showcases the construction and history of the Taj Mahal. (B) Day 14: Agra - Jhansi - Occhra - Khajuraho This morning board the train for Jhansi, continuing to Occhra for a visit to the Fort. The intricately carved Jahangir Mahal has an aura of grandeur and opulence and is representative of the Bundela School of architecture. After lunch, continue to Khajuraho. This evening an optional tour to the Sound & Light show at the Temples of Khajuraho is available. (B, L) Day 15: Khajuraho - Delhi Visit the Chandel Temple Complex which represents some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. The remote location of the temples, said to represent life in heaven, prevented them from being harmed by Muslim invaders. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being the path to nirvana. Your afternoon flight brings you back to Delhi. *This evening you will have a special farewell dinner at the farmhouse of a retired serviceman, General Urban, and his family. You will have an opportunity to discuss life in India and how upper middle class Indians live in a country where there is such a gap between the extremely rich and the extremely poor.* (B, D) Day 16: Delhi - Tour Ends (B) Optional 3-Night Rate: $819.00 - $939.00 CAD per person, Double, Land Only, Air
add-ons apply Your
Hotel: Taj Ganges Hotel, 4 Meals: 3 Breakfasts,
1 Dinner Day 16:
Note: This extension will be
hosted by a local representative if fewer than 10 passengers. |
 
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
*Rates are per person based on double occupancy and include hotel transfers. Air rates include inter-air. Taxes and fuel surcharge extra. Air rates and availability are subject to change until paid in full. Air rates vary by departure and season. Call for other rates and gateways. COLLETTE EXPERIENCES * View the Taj Mahal at sunrise. * Experience two game drives
in * Enjoy lunch on a private veranda of the City Palace of Jaipur. * Visit Mother Teresa's Charity Home and witness how her work is carried on in her memory. |