Tour Day

Day

Date

Location

Click individual photo below to view photos from that day (photos start on 11/24)

Web References/Travel Plans

Tuesday

11/21

Leave DC Dulles at 9:55 PM via British Airways Flight 292 (Boeing 777, Business Class).  Arrives London Heathrow at 10 AM Wednesday, 11/22 (3,672 miles, 7 hours, 5 minutes)

Wednesday

11/22

Leave London Heathrow at 11:40 AM via British Airways Flight 143 (Boeing 747-400, Business Class). Arrives Delhi at 1:25 AM, 11/23 (4,169 miles, 8 hours, 15 minutes) 1 night at Radisson Hotel.

Thursday

11/23

Leave 1:10 PM on Jan Shatabdi Express train to Ranthambhore National Park. Arrive 6 PM. Stay 2 nights at Tiger Den Resort.

Friday

11/24

Morning and afternoon game drives in 4-6 passenger open jeeps. 

Saturday

11/25

Morning game drive by either jeep or small bus. Return to Delhi at 12:50 PM on Golden Temple Mail Train. Arrive Delhi at 7:05 PM. Taj Mahal Hotel, Delhi (3 nights)

Sunday

11/26

After a relaxed morning, visit the sights of New Delhi including the "Raj" buildings of Lutyens and Baker, the Qutub Minar, built by the slave king Qutub-uddin Aibak in the 12th century, and Humayun's Tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal. In the evening a welcome dinner in ethnic setting has been arranged.

Monday

11/27

Morning visit to the busy bazaars of Old Delhi, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the "samadhi" of Mahatma Gandhi. The afternoon is at leisure.

Tuesday

11/28

Leave Delhi at 10:40 AM via Jet Airways Flight 723 (Boeing 737-400).  Arrive Varanasi at 11:50 AM(1 hour, 10 minutes, 415 miles) for a night at the Taj Ganges . Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon. In the evening, a cycle rickshaw ride is planned to the Ganges to witness ceremonial worship on the riverbanks.

Wednesday

11/29

Early morning boat-ride on the Ganges to see devotees at prayer along the "Ghats" or riverbanks. Leave Varanasi at 12:20 PM on Jet Airways Flight 723 (Boeing 737-400) to Khajuraho (40 minutes, 189 miles). Stay 2 nights at the Taj Chandela Hotel.

10

Thursday

11/30

Visit the famous Chandela temples in the morning. Built between 950 and 1050 AD these are known for erotic sculpture. Afternoon free to explore the village.

Friday

12/1

Morning drive to Orchha, dotted with temples and palaces of Bundela kings. Lunch has been arranged at Orchha Resorts, overlooking the Betwa River. Leave Jhansi aboard the Shatabdi Express train (Air-conditioned chair car) at 6:05 PM and arrive at Agra at 8:35 PM (2 hours, 30 minutes, 137 miles). Transfer to the Mughal Sheraton for 2 nights.

Saturday

12/2

The morning city sightseeing includes the poetry in marble - the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Afternoon at leisure.

Sunday

12/3

Morning drive to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary visiting deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Explore the sanctuary on cycle rickshaw and have lunch at the Laxmi Vilas Palace. Proceed to Jaipur for 2 nights at the charming Samode Haveli, a royal mansion.

Monday

12/4

A morning excursion to the hilltop Amber Fort, climbed on caparisoned elephants, is arranged. Visit a small factory for hand printed fabrics on the return. The afternoon sightseeing includes the Palace of Winds, Jantar Mantar, the City Palace, the museum and the colorful bazaars of Jaipur, considered a shopper's paradise. Invited this evening to a traditional meal with a local family at their residence.

Tuesday

12/5

Drive to Rohetgarh (6-7 hours), on the outskirts of Jodhpur. Stay two nights at the royal residence of Rohetgarh, with options for horse riding and camel safaris.

Wednesday

12/6

Enjoy a village safari by jeep in the morning. In the afternoon visit Jodhpur to see the Meherangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada.

Thursday

12/7

Morning drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur, to visit the beautiful Jain Temple complex, built in 1439. After lunch in the pleasant surroundings of Maharani Bagh orchards, drive on to the romantic city of Udaipur for two nights at the Trident Hilton Hotel.

Friday

12/8

The morning city sightseeing includes the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, Jagdish Temple and Sahelion-ki-Bari, a garden built for the Maids of Honor. The afternoon is at leisure.

Saturday

12/9

Leave Udaipur via Jet Airways Flight 709 (Boeing 737) at 8:20 AM to Mumbai at 9:35 AM (one hour, 15 minutes, 495 miles). Transfer to the celebrated Taj Mahal Palace & Towers for 2 nights in a Deluxe Tower Wing room with sea view. Afternoon city sightseeing will include Crawford Market and Dhobi Talao.

Sunday

12/10

Morning cruise to the Elephanta Caves and later visit to the Prince of Wales Museum. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Monday

12/11

Leave Mumbai at 1:40 PM via British Airways Flight 198 (Boeing 777, Business Class).  Arrives London Heathrow at 6:00 PM (4,469 miles, 9 hours, 50 minutes). Transfer to London Putney Bridge Premier Travel Inn.

Tuesday

12/12

Leave London Heathrow at 5:00 PM via British Airways Flight 293 (777-200, Business Class). Arrives Washington Dulles at 8:05 PM (3,672 miles, 8 hours, 5 minutes).