INCREDIBLE INDIA MARCH 3 - MARCH 14, 2017 w/3 day optional extension to Dubai EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.
INDIA: THE LAND OF DIVERSITY
What better way, than to travel to the sub-continent for the ultimate vacation. There is perhaps no other place on earth, with such a gamut of variety and long history of civilization. As you go through the pages of our history books, it will unveil different stories on culture and romance with tales of Kings and Queens, warriors and princesses etc. that have lived through the ages. Get ready for an exciting interlude in India; discover the delights across exotic & incredible India. Marvel at the architectural masterpieces, the warm hospitality of Indian people, be spellbound at kaleidoscope of colours, and not to forget -mesmerize your- self with the soul stirring cuisine of the land. At Asian Vistas, we understand the value of your vacation with our seamless handling, by our Concierge, who remains at your beck & call 24x7 for the entire duration of the trip. Savour the finer nuances of life of the maharaja's, exquisite settings of your carefully chosen Hotels. Right from the time you arrive into Delhi, the capital of India, you will be treated as a royal. DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1 MARCH 4: ARRIVE DELHI Arrive in Delhi at Indira Gandhi International airport. After immigration and customs formalities as you step into the ‘Meet & Greet Hall’, you will meet our airport representative waiting for you, who will give you a warm welcome with fresh flower garlands. You will then be escorted to your chauffeur driven vehicle to your hotel. At the hotel, our concierge will assist you with the necessary check-in formalities.
Delhi remains one of the oldest surviving cities in the world today. It is, in fact, an amalgam of eight cities, each site being built in a different era by a new dynasty/ruler. through its 1000-year-old history. It has evolved into a culturally secular city – absorbing different religions, diverse cultures, both foreign and indigenous, and yet functioning as one organic entity.
Overnight at Le Meridien Hotel
DAY 2 MARCH 5: IN DELHI After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of historical Delhi, beginning with a stop at Qutub Minar- a UNESCO world heritage site, one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India by Qutab-ud-Din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and the inspi- ration for several monuments including the Taj Mahal, followed by a drive to India Gate – a memorial raised in the honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war. Drive past the tree-lined area of the plush Lutyens Delhi and explore the government buildings, and photo stop at the President’s House and Parliament House.
Lunch at an INDIAN HOME with Cooking Demonstration.
After lunch visit the Akshardham, one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. A visit to this monument is a journey though the gateway to the essence of ancient India and the best of Hindu culture and Vedic civilization. The monument is a fusion of pink stone and pure white marble, where pink stone symbolizes bhakti in eternal bloom and white marble represents that of absolute purity and eternal peace.
Return back to your hotel for dinner & overnight stay
DAY 3 MARCH 6: DELHI-AGRA After buffet breakfast check out from the hotel and drive a little over 3 hours to arrive at the city of Taj Mahal- Agra.
Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shah Jahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.
On arrival check in at hotel ITC Mughal Lunch at ITC Mughal-Peshwari serving Mughali Cuisine Post lunch visit the Mehtab Bagh The place is an ideal spot for it provides picturesque view of Taj Mahal. The name Mehtab Bagh means 'Moon Lit Garden' and the same was testified by the beautiful reflection of Taj Mahal in the pool at night in Mahtab Bagh. The place has a history of its own. It is believed that the great emperor Shah Jahan who built Taj Mahal for his queen wanted an identical one for himself at Mehtab Bagh. However the archaeological findings have proved the existence of garden complex. Whatever the popular beliefs be, the place is worth a visit as it provides bewitching image of Taj Mahal.
Celebrating Real Heroes – Sheroes Hangout-Agra Visit a unique café in the city of Taj Mahal – a café run by 5 acid attack survivors or should we say fighters? This is the first time in India that survivors of such attacks have come forward, breaking society’s stereo- types which have tried to force them to live their lives in a closet. Sheroes Hangout is located on the road leading to Taj Mahal and includes a café which serves some wonderful snacks, a library that has been set up with contributions, a section for handicrafts and a boutique where one of these survivors will stitch her dreams. The café has been set up entirely through crowd funding as the campaign behind this initiative believe in the power of humanity. This café is a centre for activism for various types of campaigns related to sale of acid or creat- ing awareness for issues concerning acid attacks and other kind of discussions based on feminism, women empowerment, personality development, skill enhancement, and different kind of youth oriented and cultural events are organised here.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4 MARCH 7: IN AGRA Visit Taj Mahal at SUNRISE when Taj is at its most alluring in the relative quiet of early morning, shrouded in mists and bathed with a soft red glow. As its vast marble surfaces fall into shadow, or reflect the sun, its colour changes from soft grey and yellow to pearly cream and dazzling white. This play of light is an important decorative device, symbolically implying the presence of Allah who is never represented in anthropomorphic form.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
Later visit the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings includ- ing the Moti Masjid, Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner.
Lunch at local Bon Bar-Be-Que serving unlimited Kebabs menu.
Evening watch Watch ‘Mohabbat-the-Taj’ – a series of plays depicting the saga of love. The true and immortal love of Shajahan for Mumtaj Mahal- his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of mughal era; immaculate hardship of the artisans for 22 years that created the most precious specimen of craftsman- ship ‘Mohabbat-the-Taj’ at ‘Kalakriti is exceptionally inviting. The effort to hold up the cultural and historical legacy of India is worth a glance. So, be with us to witness the Indian heritage come alive.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5 MARCH 8: AGRA-FATEHPUR SIKRI-ABHANERI-JAIPUR After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Jaipur, enroute stopping at Fatehpur Sikri- which was the political capital of India’s Mughal Empire under Akbar’s reign from 1571 till 1585. It is regarded as the crowning glory of his architectural legacy.
Continue your drive to Abhaneri-the wonder of Wells-.The first visual effect on setting sight of the stunning architecture is that of jaw dropping awe- an Egyptian pyramid turned upside down! Chand Baoli is a stepped well built by Raja Chand in the 8th/ 9th century AD for harvesting rainwater. Built on a square plan, the stepped well comprises incred- ible 3,500 plus symmetrically laid out steps going all the way down to the pit. The steps surround the well on three sides, having 13 stories while the fourth side has set of pavilions built one on top of another. It is a 100 feet deep. Water was drawn by means of a Persian wheel rotated by an ox from within a pavilion. A relic from our glorious past, Abhaneri is truly a destination worth a visit.
Lunch at Abhaneri Village Safari Camp.
Time permitting explore the village and sight of rural India where life still continues at the pace with which it has been for thousands of years.
On arrival in Jaipur you will be met by our representative and be assisted for check in at the hotel.
Dinner & overnight at hotel Taj Jai Mahal Palace
DAY 6 MARCH 8: IN JAIPUR After breakfast at the hotel, we head to visit the Amber Fort. This is one of the most fascinating of the Indian forts comprising the Palace of Mirrors, Hall of Public Audience and the beautiful gardens, all of which give a glimpse into the majesty of days gone by. The fort can be reached by riding on an Elephant’s back or by Jeep.. On your way back to the city stop by at Jal Mahal for a photography opportunity followed by Lunch at a local restaurant.
Post lunch visit to the City Palace to visit its many palatial structures. Also, drive past the Hawa Mahal. The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life, and royal processions of the city. Lastly visit the Jantar Mantar - the Observatory that incorporates multiple buildings of unique geometrical forms, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement.
Later visit NGO LAADLI-This organization works for the less privileged. It has separate centers and hostels for boys and girls. It also runs street-point education programs for the slum children at 15 odd points, where it imparts informal education to slum children for 2-3 hrs each day and provides a midday meal (Annapurna) thereafter. The girls under- take vocational training and make various jewelry and bead products, cards and other small curios. Every girl is paid for the work she does per month. Besides the above emoluments the children are given meals and uniform.
Enjoy Dinner with a local family with Cooking demonstration of LAAL MAAS (Red Meat) a very famous dish in Rajast- hani cuisine DAY 7 MARCH 10: JAIPUR-UDAIPUR After an early breakfast at the hotel, check out from hotel and drive to airport to board flight for Udaipur. Departure Jaipur at 0820hrs Arrival Udaipur at 0920hrs
On arrival, drive to Eklingi temple which houses 108 temples chiseled out of sandstone and marble dedicated to Lord Eklingi (a form of Lord Shiva). At Nadga visit the ruins of the Vishnu, Shiva, Jain temples that reflect the great architecture of the past days.
Lunch at Devigarh Palace an 18th century Palace now turned into a luxury Heritage hotel. Later in the day, drive to Udaipur city.
The most romantic city of Rajasthan, Udaipur’s beauty lies in its rolling hills, serene lakes and palatial splendor. Udaipur with its marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes seems almost like a mirage in the desert. The city hailed as the 'Venice of the East
On arrival you will be met by our representative and be assisted for check in at the hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy your beautiful hotel. Dinner & overnight at hotel Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace
DAY 8 MARCH 11: IN UDAIPUR Morning participate in the YOGA session at your resort (optional).
After breakfast, proceed on a city tour visiting City Palace which is the largest in Rajasthan. In size and outline the City Palace and its subsidiary palaces bear a resemblance to the Windsor castle in England. This is followed by private tour of Crystal Gallery- probably the largest single private collection of crystal anywhere in the world. Continue with a visit to the medieval Jagdish Temple with its meticulously detailed carvings and take the blessings of Lord Vishnu (deemed as the preserver of the Universe by Hindus).Time permitting visit the contemporary Art Gallery Bougainvillea
Enjoy sunset cruise on Lake Pichola- The picturesque boat ride on Lake Pichola not only provides the best scenic view of the lake and the mountains in the city, but also presents some of the most important historical monuments dotted along the lakeside or submerged within the lake. The most resplendent sights on the boat ride are the island palaces. The 17th century Jagmandir Island Palace is one of the oldest and most grandiose palace that is legendary as place of refuge to Prince Khurram . The other island palace of Jag Niwas, now the Lake Palace Hotel is an 18th century creation of Rana Jagat Singh II. It is said that he constructed the palace in response to his father's statement that 'if he wanted to stay in an island palace like Jagmandir
Dinner at Udaivilas or Leela Palace Open Air restaurant overlook- ing the Lake and Heritage monuments DAY 9 MARCH 12: UDAIPUR-JODHPUR After a leisurely breakfast, proceed by surface to Jodhpur. This involves a drive of approx. 6hrs., enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples. Considered an architectural gem of the area, the intricacies of the carvings belie the austerity practice by the religion, The main temple in the complex is the Chaumukha (four-faced) temple, built in 1439.
Lunch at Mountbatten Lodge-an exclusive 4 suite property in a stunning location. Enjoy lunch al fresco under the old sprawling Banyan Tree with a wonderful setting.
Arrive Jodhpur. On arrival you will be met by our representative and be assisted for check in at the hotel
Jodhpur was founded in 1459, where every building in Old town is painted the same light blue hue, earning Jodhpur the nickname "blue city". Towering above are the impenetrable walls of the Mehrangarh Fort. From its ramparts, enjoy post- card views of the ancient blue city below and the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace, residence of the current Maharaja and a magnificent heritage hotel
OPTIONAL : Participate in an excusive guide tour of magnificent Palace with a glass of champagne
Overnight at Vivanta by Taj Hari Mahal
DAY 10 MARCH 13: JODHPUR-OSIAN-JODHPUR After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, begin the sightseeing with a visit of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. The Fort stands a hundred feet in splendor on a perpen- dicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Later visit the Jaswant Thada. This milky - white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II is a peaceful array of whimsical domes, The royal crematorium and three other ceno- taphs that stand nearby, built in 1899
Afternoon you will be taken to The Osian (approx.1.5hrs drive from Jodhpur). Osian was an ancient town in the Thar Desert. It was a great trading center between the 8th and 12th centuries when it was dominated by the Jains. Osian has a wealth of lavish and exquisitely sculptured temples, most of which have with- stood the ravages of time. Osian is a great location for camel safaris, sunset dune cocktails, photography, etc. Mount camels and head off for a short ride into the dunes and surrounding villages. Later enjoy sundown at the dunes. After sunset return to the camel camp and get ready for a farewell dinner with folk entertain- ment, cocktails and BBQ dinner.
Return back to your hotel in Jodhpur for overnight stay
DAY 11 MARCH 14: JOHDPUR-DELHI After a leisurely breakfast, spend the rest of the morning at your beautiful resort and enjoy its facilities.
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi.
On arrival, collect your luggage and take an elevator to arrive at the departure terminal T3 to connect flight for onward destination. 3 day optional extension to Dubai
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DUBAI EXTENSION
DAY 1 MARCH 14 DUBAI • Arrival transfer and check in to hotel - Zabeel Saray on Palm Island • This evening, our guide takes us to have dinner at a Lebanese Restaurant, in downtown Dubai, with views over Burj Khalifa and the water fountains. Overnight at our hotel in Dubai. (D)
DAY 2 MARCH 15 DUBAI • We have entrance, on our own, to Wild Wadi Water Park. Shuttle service is provided. • This evening, our guide takes us to have dinner at Pier chic restaurant, at the Al Qasr Hotel, with a set menu (no beverages included). • Overnight at our hotel in Dubai. (B,D)
DAY 3 MARCH 16 DUBAI • Today, our guide takes us to a catamaran cruise, for four hours, including lunch. Later, we have sunset drinks at Al Sarab roof top, followed by dinner at Al Hadeerah with live entertainment and fireworks.(B,L,D)
DAY 4 MARCH 17 DEPARTURE • Check out Hotel • Group departure transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)
*All guests are covered by the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program* State of California Registration #: 2020203-20 COST BREAKDOWN INDIA TOUR Price based on Double Occupancy Land-Only Tour, 4-Star Accommodations $3,800.00 (including meals, entertainment & tours)
DUBAI EXTENSION: Price per person double occupancy – $1780.00 pp Need 10 rooms to get group rates Single Supplement: $665
Emirates Airlines Round Trip Economy Class Air Fare $1,300.00 ** Best Value ** Land & Air Fare Included $5,100.00 Business Class Upgrade $5,000.00
Land & Business Class $8,800.00 Single Supplement $1170.00 Price subject to change depending on airline fee changes and currency fluctuation
D E P O S I T S Land - $700 Air - $200 to reserve air fare
To ensure comfort and exclusivity for each guest, the size of this group will be comprised of approximately 22 adventurers. We invite you to join us for this unforgettable adventure of a lifetime by placing your deposit early to secure your reservation since space is limited. Reservations will be accepted through December 2015.
INCLUSIONS Accommodations: Twin sharing basis, 10 nights stay at 4 & 5-Star hotels mentioned in the program, bed & breakfast basis Meals: Breakfasts 10 * Lunches 7 * Dinners 8 (few meals at local restaurants, local homes & at hotels of stay) Transport: By air-conditioned private coach Meeting and assistance on arrival/departure at the airports. All sightseeing tours/excursions as per program mentioned above. Guide: Services using English speaking local guides in each city Supplement for services of accompanying guide is quoted separately. Please advise if required. Entrances: Rates include entrance fees to all paid monu- ments and one time visit to places mentioned in the program Porterage: Included at the airports & hotels All prevailing taxes including GST.
EXCLUSIONS Rates do not include any airfare, any item not mentioned above, any items of personal nature such as table drinks, laundry, telephone bills, video camera fees, tips to guides/escort, drivers, bell boys, etc. Any Travel Insurances Any other expenses of personal nature BEST VALUE INDIA LAND & AIR $3800 + $1300 = $5100 DEPARTURE
MCO DXB MARCH 3 EK 220 120P 1220P DXB DEL MARCH 4 EK 514 310P 750P Return DEL DXB MARCH 14 EK 515 920P 1150P DXB MCO MARCH 15 EK 219 250AM 1040AM
ACCOMMODATIONS
Dates City Hotel # of Nights March 4 - 6 Delhi Meridien 2 March 6 - 8 Agra ITC Mughal 2 March 8 -10 Jaipur Taj Jai Mahal Palace 2 March 10 -12 Udaipur Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace 2 March 12 -14 Jodhpur Vivanta by Taj Hari Mahal 2
DUBAI EXTENSION
March 14–17 Dubai Zabeel Saray on Palm Island 3
MEALS Breakfasts 10 * Lunches 7 * Dinners 8 SIGHTSEEING Sightseeing is in deluxe private air-conditioned motor coaches with the services of a licensed English-speaking guide. All entrance fees are as per the itinerary.
TRANSFERS AND PORTERAGE Roundtrip group arrival and departure transfers include assistance by our representative on the start and end dates of the tour on the designated flights. Porterage of one average sized piece of luggage per person is included.
NOT INCLUDED Passport & insurance fees; visas; border crossing fees: tips to guides, drivers and hotel personnel; costs for items not on table d’hôte menus and any other items of a personal nature such as gratuities, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
INCREDIBLE INDIA MARCH 3 - MARCH 14, 2017 w/3 day optional extension to Dubai