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Home , Jag Mandir, Taj Mahal

Mysteries of

January 9 - 23, 2020 The Taj , temples and tigers – experience all the spice of India on this comprehensive tour. Explore Old ’s historic streets by rickshaw. See the bathed in the light of sunrise. Embark on an evening cruise across . Enjoy magnificent views of the Jag Mandir Palace. Participate in a cooking demonstration, try your hand at sari tying, even get a henna tattoo! See the Palace in . Experience two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. Visit the site of Buddha’s first sermon. Take an early morning ride on the holy River Ganges. Discover the many ways in which this mysterious land dazzles the senses.

Day 1: DEPART USA DAY 2: ARRIVE DELHI DAY 3: DELHI Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest . Explore Old Delhi’s narrow streets by rickshaw, the traditional mode of transportation. Next you’ll tour New Delhi, visiting Qutub Minar, the tallest brick in the world. Behold the India Gate war memorial, the Parliament and the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan – the President's residence. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: DELHI - Fly to Udaipur, your gateway to , where chivalrous tales come to life at forts and palaces. Settle into your hotel, a carefully restored palace perched on a hill and overlooking the lake. (B, D) DAY 5: UDAIPUR It’s your choice! Participate in a relaxing yoga class and learn basic exercises and breathing techniques from a local expert. Or, enjoy a morning walking tour of Udaipur just as the city is waking up. Later, we visit the exquisite City Palace – its main entrance, Tripolia, was built in 1725. Stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari, the of the Maids of Honor, and learn about the lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these . This evening, cruise along Lake Pichola and take in views of the Jag Mandir Palace and the City Palace. (B)

Tour Cost: $5,199, per person based on double occupancy INCLUDES ROUNDTRIP INTERNATIONAL AIR FROM NEW YORK

INCLUSIONS: Meals: 26 Meals -13 Breakfasts -7 Lunches -6 Dinners Hotels: 14 nights in 4 - 5 star hotels Internal Flights: All domestic flights included Transportation: All transportation, including airport transfers AND HOME TO AIRPORT TRANSFERS via private sedan or coach DAY 6: UDAIPUR - JAIPUR Depart for a scenic drive through the countryside to the “Pink City” of Jaipur. After having lunch and checking into your hotel, head out for a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, home to a former Maharaja, with its façade of 953 windows. Visit the City Palace and find gardens, courtyards, intricate decorative art and carved doorways. Marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh. DAY 7: JAIPUR Board a vintage jeep and ascend to the top of the majestic Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and India’s former seat of power. Visit a local school* where the children are part of a midday program supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation. Tap into local customs during lunch as you learn about turban and sari tying. Stroll through a flower market for a glimpse into the art of making garlands used in traditional Indian ceremonies. Delve deeper into Indian culture during a henna tattoo and bindi demonstration. Tonight, sit down for a home-hosted dinner and observe daily life inside the old city. (B, L, D) DAY 8: JAIPUR - RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK Travel to Ranthambore National Park to learn about Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in India. Meet a naturalist who will discuss the wildlife of the country with you during a sideshow presentation. Embark on a game drive by canter (an open air vehicle). Watch for marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears and even tigers. (B, L, D) DAY 9: RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK Rise and shine early this morning for a game drive. Afterward, enjoy breakfast at your hotel. 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 by six women united to protect India’s traditional artisans. Dive into the local cuisine with an interactive cooking demonstration followed by dinner. (B, L, D) DAY 10: RANTHAMBORE - BHARATPUR - An early morning train brings you to Bharatpur. Disembark and continue your journey to Agra, a city rich with the splendors of the past, where you will enjoy a relaxing lunch. (B, L) DAY 11: AGRA Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, witnessing the first rays of sun glistening on the white — a truly memorable moment. The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 20,000 men to build. Built in the by Mughal Emperor as an expression of his love for his wife , the Taj Mahal is truly one of the . Later, visit , the seat of the . (B) DAY 12: AGRA - JHANSI - ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO Board your train for Jhansi and continue to Orchha for a relaxing lunch. Arrive in Khajuraho, your home for the evening.(B,L) DAY 13: KHAJURAHO - Visit the Chandel Temple complex and behold some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. Fly to Varanasi, a simplistic and charming city with a universal mystique. Tonight, visit the Ghats – the banks of the river – witnessing the illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony. DAY 14: VARANASI Cruise along the River Ganges past various Ghats where people ritually cleanse themselves of their sins, hoping for salvation. A city tour of Varanasi includes the 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 B.C. A Hindu scholar discusses the philosophy of Hinduism with you. Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner this evening. (B, D) DAY 15: VARANASI - DELHI - TOUR ENDS - Enjoy a morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi, where a day room has been reserved for you to freshen up prior to the departure of your return flight home.