17 DAY INDIA UNCOVERED DESTINATIONS — DELHI JAIPUR UDAIPUR ĀGRA JODHPUR PUSHKAR VARANASI AMRITSAR The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 0470693231 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Destination Home Delhi Meals included Accommodation N/A Get ready to be inspired. Depart today on your adventure to India. DAY 2 Destination Delhi Meals included Hotel 5 Oberoi Maidens, or similar Welcome to India! Today begins your journey through this incredibly diverse and sensational country. Upon arrival at the Delhi International Airport you will be warmly greeted by our representative who will assist by transferring you to your hotel. Take the evening to relax and prepare for your first day of touring tomorrow. Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion. DAY 3 Destination Delhi Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Hotel 5 Oberoi Maidens, or similar Today we enjoy a full day in India’s National Capital Territory. Time travel truly seems possible here, as we wander from the modern metropolis of New Delhi to the ancient neighbourhood of Old Delhi. Your adventure begins with a morning welcome meeting led by your expert tour guide. Following the meeting we'll begin our sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, a positively remarkable area dating back to the 1600s. Our tour begins at the Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, which stands across the road from the historic Red Fort. This glorious mosque was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who also commissioned the Taj Mahal. Built with red sandstone and white marble, Jama Masjid can accomodate up to 25,000 worshippers. Next, we will experience an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride in the busy market area of Chandni Chowk. Within the market's narrow lanes the traditional workmanship for which Delhi is famous is still very much alive. Originating from the times of the Mughal Empire, it is said that the descendants of royal chefs still work in the market. Later, we will visit the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, a magnificent place of worship where we will learn about the history of the Sikh religion. En route back to our hotel we will stop at the India Gate, a war memorial dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died during WWI, as well as Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official home of the country's president. This evening you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers as you enjoy a lovely buffet dinner at the hotel. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 0470693231 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P1 TOUR ITINERARY Tonight you'll be welcomed to India in style, with our Inspiring Stay at the Oberoi Maidens. A heritage hotel that offers luxury of a bygone era, the Oberoi Maidens has spacious rooms and legendary hospitality, making it one of the best in Delhi. DAY 4 Destination Delhi Agra Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Hotel 5 Trident Hotel Agra, or similar This morning we depart Delhi and travel onwards to Agra, arriving in the late afternoon. This magnificent city is home to the iconic Taj Mahal, a monument to love and one of, if not the, most beautiful building in the world. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried in from more than 300 kilometres away and transported by a fleet of 1,000 elephants. We'll visit the Taj Mahal at sunset, a truly magical hour, and witness this flawless architectural creation as it becomes awash in an ethereal golden light. This evening we'll jump on a 'Chaat Crawl' through the city thought to serve up the country’s best. Chaat are savoury snacks (like fried potatoes, or samosa broken into pieces and served with chutney) typically served roadside from stalls or carts; it is the Indian equivalent to fast food. Though chaat is said to originate in Uttar Pradesh, the food has become immensely popular in the rest of India and the Indian subcontinent. Once your appetite has been piqued we'll enjoy another delicious buffet dinner at our hotel. DAY 5 Destination Agra Jaipur Meals included Breakfast, Lunch Hotel 4 Narain Niwas Palace, or similar This morning you'll have the opportunity to join a truly unforgettable optional Inspiring Sight in which we visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Later this morning we'll depart from Agra and travel towards our next destination, Jaipur, the so- called 'Pink City'. En route to Jaipur we'll visit Fatehpur Sikri, the one-time capital of the Mughal Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient city's stunning mosque incorporates Persian architectural elements, as well as more traditional local design. Lunch will be included at Laxmi Vilas Palace, close to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary on Agra Jaipur Highway, where you will enjoy a sumptuous meal. Later, we continue on our way to Jaipur. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure: relax or enjoy one of our bonus Inspiring Sights to enhance your experience. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 0470693231 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P2 TOUR ITINERARY OPTIONAL INSPIRING SIGHT -TAJ MAHAL AT SUNRISE - 17 DAY INDIA UNCOVERED You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. A spectacle to behold at any time of day, it takes on a whole new life when bathed in the early morning light. This experience will leave you feeling awakened and inspired. Starts: approx: Between 6:00am- 7:00am Duration: approx: 3 hours Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have. DAY 6 Destination Jaipur Jodhpur Meals included Breakfast, Lunch Hotel 5 Ajit Bhawan, or similar After breakfast this morning our local guide will take us on an informative sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Our tour will begin at the magnificent City Palace, now converted into a museum, save for a small portion that is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Built in the fortified 'campus' style, the palace covers an area equal to almost one- seventh of the city. Here we will tour the beautiful Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces within, as well as the intricately decorated Peacock Gate. Following this we will visit the Jantar Mantar monument and observatory, constructed between 1727 and 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur and one of India's five observatories. Jantar Mantar is home to an ancient collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments and features the world’s largest stone sundial. The site has also been recognised by UNESCO. Upon completion of our guided tour here, we bid farewell to Jaipur and begin our drive to Jodhpur. Along the way we'll stopp for a delectable buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Once we reach Jodhpur, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure. Tonight, enjoy an Inspiring Stay at the incredible Ajit Bhawan in Jodhpur. With some 100 years of history, Ajit Bhawan is said to be the first heritage hotel in the country, allowing you a taste of the once kingly lifestyle of its mahrajas and maharanis. DAY 7 Destination Jodhpur Meals included Breakfast, Lunch Hotel 5 Ajit Bhawan, or similar This morning you'll have the opportunity to rise with the sun and join our incredible optional Inspiring Sight and gain a deeper understanding into the local culture by visiting a nearby Bishnoi village. Later this morning we'll visit Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the walled city. From here you can see the beautiful and iconic shade of blue that the city buildings have been painted. Mehrangarh Fort is one The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 0470693231 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com P3 TOUR ITINERARY of the largest forts in India. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces within the fort narrate a saga of hard sandstone yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptors. Inside the fort, witness a series of stunning courtyards and palaces. After our tour here we'll enjoy a lovely buffet lunch at our hotel.