DELHI, AGRA and RAJASTHAN MARCH 23 – APRIL 4, 2020 12 DAYS
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979 West Painted Clouds Place, Oro Valley, AZ 85755 www.handson.travel • [email protected] • 520-720-0886 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • INDIA: DELHI, AGRA and RAJASTHAN MARCH 23 – APRIL 4, 2020 12 DAYS A enchanting experience seeing historical buildings and monuments in Delhi. The majestic Taj Mahal and imposing Agra Fort. A grand tour of 4 colorful cities of Rajasthan. The pink city of Jaipur, including Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal. The white city of Udaipur where the picturesque Jag Niwas sits in middle of Lake Pichola. The beautiful Jain temple in Ranakpur with 1,444 uniquely carved columns. The blue city of Jodhpur with the massive Mehrangarh Fort rising on a sheer rocky ridge. B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner MARCH 23 • • • Late night arrival into Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Stay in Delhi for 3 nights. MARCH 24 • • • After breakfast, we head over to Raj Ghat, the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past the majestic Red Fort. Afterwards, we ride on cyclo-rickshaws through Chandni Chowk, which is the nerve center of Old Delhi with its narrow lanes kept alive by traditional workmanship. We remove our shoes and put on robes before entering Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India with three imposing black and white marble domes. Visit the inspiring house museum of Indira Gandhi (including the memorial site where she was assassinated). Drive past the impressive India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace), and Sansad Bhawan (House of the Parliament). Welcome dinner. B,L,D MARCH 25 • • • In the morning, we visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, which is one of historical pilgrimage shrines of the Sikhs. Have hands on experience in the communal kitchen. 30 minute drive to visit Akshardham Temple, which took over 2 years to build and cost over $29 million dollars. Afterwards, we visit the graceful Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar, a 12th century Islamic tower. B,L MARCH 26 • • • YAWN! With packed breakfast, we hit the road for 4 hours: Delhi Agra, which was the Imperial Mughal capital during the 16th and 17th centuries. The imposing red sandstone Agra Fort, on the left bank of River Yamuna, will be our first visit. After lunch, we proceed to the Taj Mahal. Weather permitting, we will have a breathtaking sight as the Taj Mahal change colors while the sun sets in the horizon; from yellow white to blazing orange to flushed pink. A fitting tribute to love and romance. Overnight in Agra. B,D HANDS ON TRAVEL • INDIA • UPDATED as of 17 JANUARY 2020 MARCH 27 • • • PINK CITY! 6 hour bus ride: Agra Jaipur, which lies to the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert with stops at Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri Step Well. Stay in Jaipur for 2 nights. B,D MARCH 28 • • • Morning interactive visit with students and staff at Poddar Deaf School. See the “floating palace” of Jal Mahal at the center of Sagar Lake. Experience the unique thrill of walking up to Amer Fort. The beautiful maze-like fortress complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples will enchant and entice our morning. After lunch, we head over to the Maharaja’s City Palace and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with 953 windows in flushed pink. In the evening, we interact with elephants at Dera Amer. B,D MARCH 29 • • • 9 hour drive: Jaipur Udaipur through a rural countryside dotted with temples, forts, fields and villages. Check into hotel. Late afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola and see Gangaur Ghat, Jagmandir and Jag Niwas (Lake Palace). Sleep in Udaipur for 3 nights. B,D MARCH 30 • • • WHITE CITY! Udaipur was the capital of Mewar Kingdom, and the present ruler is the 76th in the unbroken line of Mewar suzerains, which makes the Mewar household one of oldest dynasties in the world. In the morning, we visit the majestic City Palace including the Crystal Gallery. Afterwards, we visit the Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon Ki Bari – a spectacular garden of the maids of honor. Drive past Fateh Sagar Lake. B,D MARCH 31 • • • After breakfast, we have a 2.5 hour bicycle ride through the countryside. Lunch at Devi Garh, which is a transformation from a ruined fort into a grand heritage hotel clinging to a rocky hill like a fairy tale fortress with innumerable bay windows, canopies, terraces and balconies. After lunch, we walk around the 450 year old Delwara Village, which boasts four exquisitely carved 14th century Jain temples. B,L APRIL 1 • • • 5 hour drive: Udaipur Jodhpur. Enroute, we stop at Ranakpur with a complex of Jain Temples. The main temple, which is dedicated to the first tirthankara Adinath, consists 29 halls and 1444 columns; each sculpted with unique designs. Sleep in Jodhpur for 2 nights. B,L APRIL 2 • • • BLUE CITY! Jodhpur was the home of the ancient Marwar Kingdom, and is dominated by a massive fort that sits atop a sheer rocky ridge right in the middle of the city. Try to figure out where the hills end and the walls begin at the Mehrangarh Fort during our visit in the morning. Afterwards, we visit Jaswant Thara, a marble cenotaph built in 1899. Then hop onto the waiting jeeps for a safari to Bishnoi Villages. Steeped in history, this 450 year old tribe has a distinctive way of life – preserving the wilds and living in harmony with nature. Visit the villages of craftspeople – pottery, weaving and metal wares. If time allows, we have a Blue City walk in the evening. B,L,D APRIL 3 • • • 1.5 hour flight: Jodhpur Delhi. Transfer to our hotel. Farewell dinner at a deaf family home or a local restaurant. Late night transfer to airport for your flight back home. B,D HANDS ON TRAVEL • INDIA • UPDATED as of 17 JANUARY 2020 INDIA TOUR PRICE $2,880 per person (for a group of 9) CONTACT: [email protected] GROUP LEADER: Dan Brubaker WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE? • 11 nights at 3 star accommodations. • 24 meals: Breakfast (11), Lunch (5), Dinner (8) • Services of a deaf group leader on call 24 hours a day. • Services of local deaf and hearing guide(s). • All transportation expenses connected with the tour itinerary. • All admission fees for activities, attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary. • Most tips connected with the tour itinerary, except for your group leader. • Informative travel preparation packet. • Assistance with travel preparation. IMPORTANT POINTS: • Airfares at the start and end of the tour are not included. • Indian e-visa is not included. Currently at $125. • Travel protection insurance is not included. • All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses are not included. • Average price for lunch & dinner meals range from $5 to $15. • Be aware of the HOT school tour terms and conditions before booking. • Extensive walking expected during the tour. Appropriate physical fitness is required. • Tour itinerary and price are subject to change. HANDS ON TRAVEL • INDIA • UPDATED as of 17 JANUARY 2020 .