Vacation Overview

On this exciting vacation, explore fascinating India! Begin your trip in India’s capital city, Delhi, where you visit the Jama Mosque, the largest and best-known mosque in India; Humayun’s Tomb, A UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1570; and the Gandhi Memorial Museum. You’re sure to enjoy a rickshaw ride through a local bazaar in Delhi. Free time in Delhi leaves you time to join an optional visit to three famous temples for an introduction to India’s most popular religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Sikh.Next, fly to the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, Varanasi. Your sightseeing tour includes a visit to Sarnath, the cradle of Buddhism, where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. At dawn, board a boat and view the devotional bathing ritual in the Ganges. Observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, still others fully clothed. Then fly to Khajuraho, where your tour takes you to the mysterious Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the impressive Medieval Palace Complex, once the capital of a locally powerful Rajput kingdom. Then travel by train to Agra, where you see the legendary Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, a red sandstone fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the “Pink City” of Jaipur with its amazing Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal, also known as Palace of the Winds, built with pink and red sandstone. Enjoy a sari- and turban-tying lesson and a home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family. A walking tour in Jaipur takes you through a local market known for its arts and crafts. Finally, fly to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” where you see some of India’s most beautiful palaces. See Eklingi Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and Jain Temples of Nagda that date back to the 11th century. Take a cruise on Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir, an island palace built in the 17th century. Marvel at the City Palace with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors. Your India trip concludes with a farewell dinner in Udaipur and a flight back to Delhi. This amazing tour to India is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Vacation Highlights

NCLUDED FEATURES

Delhi: Guided sightseeing; visit the Jama Mosque, rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar, Gandhi Memorial Museum, and Humayun’s Tomb; welcome dinner with cooking demonstration

Varanasi: Guided sightseeing; visit Sarnath; boat tour on the Ganges

Khajuraho: Visit the Khajuraho Temples with a Local Guide

Orchha:Visit the Medieval Palace Complex

Agra: Guided sightseeing; visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri

Jaipur: Guided sightseeing; visit the Amber Fort, City Palace and Museum, and Hawa Mahali; walking tour through a local bazaar; home-hosted dinner with sari-and turban-tying lesson

Udaipur: Guided sightseeing; visit Eklingi Temple, Jain Temples of Nagda, the City Palace, the Crystal Gallery, a Miniature Painting company, and Sahelion Ki Bari; cruise on Lake Pichola with a stop at Jag Mandir

All Intra-Tour FlightsNote:

• Lake Pichola cruise operates depending on water levels.

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Days 1-2

Board your transatlantic flight and skip a day en route to India.

DAY 3 Arrive in Delhi, India

Welcome to India’s capital city of Delhi! After an early morning arrival you will have time to rest before meeting your traveling companions and Tour Director for sightseeing in the afternoon. Your Local Guide will show you the sights of “Old Delhi.” Start with a visit to the JAMA MOSQUE followed by a RICKSHAW RIDE through Chandni Chowk, a colorful local bazaar. You’ll also visit the GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner including a COOKING DEMONSTRATION followed by a talk on Indian cuisine. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 Delhi

This morning’s sightseeing will focus on “New Delhi.” Visit HUMAYUN’S TOMB and Qutab Minar. Then, see the grand government buildings, the President’s House, and Parliament House. The afternoon is at leisure. Consider an optional visit to three famous temples for an introduction to India’s most popular religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Sikh. Your Tour Director has suggestions for other activities. (Breakfast)

DAY 5 Delhi–Varanasi

Fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Sightseeing today visits SARNATH, the cradle of Buddhism, where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. For a truly memorable experience, join tonight’s optional tour: a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets of this unique city followed by a sunset cruise on the Ganges. Here you will witness striking religious rituals being performed—a truly unique experience. (Breakfast)

DAY 6 Varanasi–Khajuraho

Around dawn, board a BOAT to watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges. You’ll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. A late-morning flight takes you to Khajuraho, where sightseeing focuses on the mysterious TEMPLES, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that have been isolated for centuries. Art historians have long puzzled over myths and legends in an attempt to understand the bizarre combination of prolific religious and erotic temples. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 Khajuraho–Orchha–Jhansi–Agra

Today, enjoy the scenery as you pass through rural areas en route to Orchha. Upon arrival, visit the impressive MEDIEVAL PALACE COMPLEX, once the capital of a locally powerful Rajput kingdom. Later, arrive in Jhansi to board your train to Agra, where much of the city’s impressive past is still evident today in the majesty of her buildings. (Breakfast)

DAY 8 Agra

Start your day with a sunrise visit to the incomparable TAJ MAHAL, an extravagant marble monument to love. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth. To add to this memorable experience, you’ll also travel by tongas (horse carriage) during your visit. Later, visit AGRA FORT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, this impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 9 Agra–Jaipur

Today, visit FATEHPUR SIKRI (the City of Victory) en route to Jaipur, known as the “Pink City.” This evening, enjoy a SARI- and TURBAN-TYING LESSON followed by a HOME-HOSTED DINNER with an Indian noble family. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10 Jaipur

The highlight of today’s sights includes the amazing AMBER FORT. Later on, visit the CITY PALACE and the adjoining MUSEUM, which houses a collection of rare manuscripts. You will also stop at the famous HAWA MAHALl (Palace of the Winds). In the late afternoon, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through a local market, known for its arts and crafts including jewelry, enamel work, hand-painted fabrics, and stone sculptures. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 Jaipur–Udaipur

A short early morning flight brings you to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” where you will see some of India’s most beautiful palaces. Your sightseeing includes a visit to EKLINGI TEMPLE, dedicated to Shiva, the guardian deity of Mewar, followed by the JAIN TEMPLES OF NAGDA that date back to the 11th century. Today’s highlight is a CRUISE on Lake Pichola with a short visit to the island palace of JAG MANDIR. (Breakfast)

DAY 12 Udaipur

This morning, discover the massive granite and marble CITY PALACE with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors. Then, a visit of the adjacent CRYSTAL GALLERY and MINIATURE PAINTING COMPANY. Your sightseeing finishes at SAHELION KI BARI. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight your Tour Director will host a festive farewell dinner to celebrate an unforgettable journey through India. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 Udaipur–Delhi

Today, fly back to Delhi. We have reserved hotel rooms for your use before transferring to the airport later this evening to board your homebound flight. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 Delhi

Your homebound flight arrives the same day.

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class

Delhi Crowne Plaza Delhi (SF), Varanasi Radisson Hotel (F), Khajuraho Radisson Jass Hotel (F), Agra Trident Agra (MF), Jaipur Trident Jaipur (MD), Udaipur Trident Udaipur (F)

Dates and Prices

Prices do not include airfare. We will be glad to help you find the least expensive airfare, or you can use mileage if desired.  When you Book Online, please enter your departure city on the "SPECIAL REQUESTS" field and we will get back to you immediately with an air quote. Thank you.

Depart Date   Vacation Start Date       Return Date     Land Cost

10/30/2010         11/1/2010                  11/11/2010      $2,849.00

11/6/2010           11/8/2010                  11/18/2010      $2,889.00

11/20/2010         11/22/2010                 12/2/2010       $2,849.00

1/15/2011           1/17/2011                   1/27/2011       $2,519.00

2/12/2011           2/14/2011                   2/24/2011       $2,519.00

3/12/2011           3/14/2011                   3/24/2011       $2,519.00

Single Room Supplement: $1050

Triple rooms are not available.

Extra nights per person in Delhi:Jan.-Mar. & Oct.-Dec.: in single room $227; in twin room $125Apr.: in single room $153; in twin room $87

2011 prices and itineraries are subject to change. Details will be available in August 2010.

Sun Holidays Discount Policy (Club Members Only)

• 5% Automatic Club Member Discount
• 3% Additional Discount for Early Birds (*)

(*) Early Bird Discount is valid for reservations made at least 120 days prior to departure and paid in full within 7 days.

To qualify, please join our Travel Club. Thank you.

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