MiraCosta Community Services

Day 1: Thursday, November 04, 2010
Overnight Flight

Day 2: Friday, November 05, 2010
Delhi, India - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Delhi, India’s capital and a city rich with history spanning over 2,000 years.

Day 3: Saturday, November 06, 2010
New Delhi
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the Hindi language, teaching you key words and phrases that will help you communicate with locals. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then, explore the city's narrow streets by rickshaw, the traditional mode of transportation! Later, tour New Delhi, visiting Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. Visit Humayun's tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, and considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal for its Indo-Persian design. See the imposing India Gate war memorial, the Parliament and the palatial Rastrapathi Bhawan – the President's residence.
Today Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 4: Sunday, November 07, 2010
Delhi - Udaipur
This morning fly to Udaipur, your gateway to Rajasthan, where chivalrous tales come to life at forts and palaces. Check into your hotel for the next two nights, a lovingly restored palace overlooking the lake! This evening, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola for lovely views of the Jag Mandir Palace and the City Palace.
Today Breakfast and Dinner is included.

Day 5: Monday, November 08, 2010
Udaipur
Visit the exquisite City Palace whose main entrance, a triple-arched gate called the Tripolia, was built in 1725. Continue to Jagdish Temple, the largest temple in Udaipur, built in the 16th century and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari – the Garden of the Maids of Honor – to learn about the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these exquisite gardens.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 6: Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Udaipur - Jaipur
This morning fly to the “Pink City,” Jaipur. Make a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, taking in its striking façade of 953 windows. This “Palace of the Winds” remains the home of a former Maharaja. Visit the City Palace, comprised of palaces, gardens and courtyards, and boasting intricate decorative art and carved doorways. Marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh, which still makes accurate predictions of eclipses and celestial events.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 7: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Jaipur
This morning, participate in a relaxing yoga class and learn basic exercises and breathing techniques from a local expert. An elephant* takes you to the top of Amber Fort, once the seat of power in India. Stroll through a local flower market and learn the art of making the garlands used in traditional Indian welcome ceremonies. This evening, enjoy a home-hosted dinner and learn about daily life inside the old city from your local hosts.
Today Breakfast and Dinner is included.

Day 8: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Jaipur - Ranthambore
Travel to the famous Ranthambore National Park, an 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. Learn from a naturalist about the wildlife of the country – through a slideshow and lecture – in preparation for your game viewing drive by canter, an open air vehicle. Keep your eyes open for marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears and even tigers!
Today Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 9: Friday, November 12, 2010
Ranthambore
Start your day early with a game viewing drive. Return to the hotel for breakfast. This afternoon, visit the Ranthambore School of Art which recruits students from neighboring villages and trains them to be self-sufficient artists. Next, visit Dastkar Ranthambore Project, founded in 1981 when six women united to protect traditional artisans in contemporary India.
Today Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 10: Saturday, November 13, 2010
Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra
All aboard! An early morning train brings you to Bharatpur. After brunch continue to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbarin in the late 16th century. Complete with palaces and mosques, this marvel was larger than London at the time it was constructed. Your day ends in Agra.
Today Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 11: Sunday, November 14, 2010
Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, riding a tonga – or horse carriage – to the gates. The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 20,000 men to build; its white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported by 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. Next, visit Agra Fort, the seat of the Mughal Empire. Continue to Mother Teresa's Charity Home, a residence for orphans of all ages which is supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation. Here, the sisters provide children with clothing, food, affection and quality education.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 12: Monday, November 15, 2010
Agra - Jhansi - Occhra - Khajuraho
Board your train for Jhansi, continuing to Occhra for a visit to the fort. The intricately carved Jahangir Mahal has an aura of grandeur and opulence representative of Bundela School of Architecture. Continue to Khajuraho, your home for the evening.
Today Breakfast and Lunch is included.

Day 13: Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Khajuraho - Varanasi
Visit the Chandel Temple complex and behold some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India and a reminder that all senses are the path to nirvana. Fly to Varanasi, a simplistic and charming city with a universal mystique. This evening visit the Ghats – the banks of the river – to witness the illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony. Later, enjoy a lecture by a Hindu scholar who discusses the philosophy of Hinduism.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 14: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Varanasi
An early morning boat ride on the holy River Ganges takes you past various Ghats where you’ll see people ritually cleansing themselves of their sins, hoping for salvation. A city tour includes Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva; Benaras Hindu University; and Bharat Mata Temple. Continue to Sarnath where Siddarth Gautama, later known as Buddha, gave his first sermon on a quiet grove in the 6th century BC. Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner this evening.
Today Breakfast and Dinner is included.

Day 15: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Varanasi - Delhi - Tour Ends
Enjoy a morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi. After dinner, depart for the airport for your flight home.
Today Breakfast and Dinner is included.

EXTEND YOUR VACATION WITH...
optional 4-Night Nepal Post Tour Extension
Rate: $1149 USD per person, double, land and air included
5 Meals 4 Breakfasts, 1 Dinners

Day 15 Delhi
Spend the night in Delhi before traveling to Nepal in the morning.

Day 16 Delhi - Kathmandu, Nepal
Take an early morning flight to Kathmandu. This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Patan city, the old Newar city; see the Patan Durban Square, an enchanting combination of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda-style temples. Listed as a World Heritage site, the complex is the center of Patan’s religious and social life.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 17 Kathmandu
Enjoy a tour of Kathmandu city and Swoyambhuanth Stupa, a famous monkey temple, one of the most identifiable symbols of Nepal with the painted eyes of Buddha watching all who ascend the steps. Continue on to visit such sights as the 17th century Durbar complex (royal palace), Hanuman Dhoka, the temple of the living goddess, and Kasthmandap – a wooden temple built from a single tree. Also see the Shiva Paravati temple, the Seto Bhairav and Kal Bhaira temple. Proceed to Swoyambhunath, a Buddhist stupa (temple) for views overlooking the entire Kathmandu valley. This evening enjoy a Nepali dinner at a local restaurant.
Today Breakfast and Dinner is included.

Day 18 Kathmandu
Visit Pashupatinath Temple, situated on the banks of the River Baghmati, and the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. The presiding deity is Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of the lingam. Also see Boudnath, one of the largest stupas in the world and a sacred place to Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet. Embrace the bustle of the city when you see carpet manufacturers at work and prayers being held at the monasteries belonging to different sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Travel to Bhadgaon, a city of devotees, known for its incredible architecture and art.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 19 Delhi - Tour Ends
Take a flight to Delhi where you have leisure time in Old Delhi for some last minute shopping and dinner on your own before transferring to the airport for your return flight home.
Today Breakfast is included.

Please Note:
• Internal flights that are purchased will be ticketed and distributed on tour by your Tour Manager.

• This extension will be fully hosted by a local representative. Extensions not purchased at time of deposit are subject to availability and applicable charges at time of request.

• Maximum elevation is 6,000 feet.

• A Passport and Visa is required at your own expense. The approximate cost of a Nepalese visa is $75.00 USD.