Day 1

Arrive Delhi

Welcome to India’s capital city! Upon arrival you are welcomed with a traditional Indian greeting before being escorted to your hotel.

Day 2

Akshardham Temple Sightseeing

After a leisurely morning, visit the beautiful Akshardham Temple. Built without steel, it consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 statues of India’s great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the hotel. (BD)

Day 3

Old & New Delhi Sightseeing

Take a morning tour of Old Delhi. Your visit includes stops at the Red Fort (Drive-by), Raj Ghat – a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Ashoka Pillar and the mile-long Chandni Chowk bazaar. In the afternoon, embark on a tour of New Delhi driving past the Parliament House, the President’s House and India Gate. Later visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and Birla Temple. (B)

Day 4

Delhi / Agra Sightseeing

This morning drive to Agra, to visit the architecturally marvelous tomb of Emperor Akbar. This afternoon, spend time exploring Agra and the 16th century Agra Fort with its battlements, apartments, gardens and audience halls. The day ends with a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, monument to love, where you will witness the warm glow as the sun sets over the monument. (B)

Day 5

Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Ranthambhore

Visit the Taj Mahal early this morning as the rays of the rising sun bathe the marble with a divine glow, before departing for Ranthambhore. On the way you will visit the 16th century abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, once ruled by Emperor Akbar. This ghost town is remarkably well preserved and presents a perfect synthesis of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architecture. The sculptured columns bear mute testimony to this gallant experiment to unite Hindus and Muslims. Once you arrive in Ranthambhore. Spend the night at your luxury camp. (B)

Day 6

Ranthambhore Game Reserve

Ranthambhore Game Reserve is one of the few preserves, where the nocturnal camera-shy tigers may be seen in daylight. Almost hunted to extinction by the local royalty and their British overlords, the population of the Bengal tiger is slowly increasing, thanks to the efforts of “Project Tiger” and the World Wildlife Fund. You’ll take thrilling game drives in the morning and evening to scour the jungle for wildlife. (B)

Day 7

Ranthambhore / Jaipur

Start off your day with a morning game drive. After, leave for the “Pink City” of Jaipur, where the old city is surrounded by a massive wall pierced by magnificent gates. (B)

Day 8

Amber Fort Excursion & Jaipur Sightseeing

Visit the mountain fortress of Amber, a superb example of Rajput architecture with its complex of palaces, temples, and ornate apartments. In the afternoon you will tour Jaipur City and visit Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of Winds”. Continue on to City Palace, with its latticed balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances. A stop at the ancient observatory concludes the tour. (B)

Day 9

Jaipur / Udaipur

Drive this morning to Udaipur. On your arrival in Udaipur, check-in at your hotel. (B)

Day 10

Ranakpur Excursion

Today’s excursion brings you to the beautiful 15th century sculpted Jain temples of Ranakpur. The intricately carved white marble temple of Adinath is perhaps the most well preserved and impressive examples of Western Indian Temple architecture. The temple dedicated to the Sun God is famed for its erotic sculpture. Enjoy lunch at Maharani Bagh where you can see a mango grove and private gardens of the Maharajah of Jodhpur. (BL)

Day 11

Udaipur

Spend the morning at the romantic and picturesque “City of Lakes,” before visiting City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, or Garden of Maids and the folklore museum. You will also have the opportunity to view a presentation of string puppets typical to this area. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 12

Udaipur / Mumbai (Bombay)

Fly to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), and proceed on a tour of this cosmopolitan city. Sights include the British-built arch “Gateway of India,” the Hanging Gardens and Malabar Hills where Mumbai’s rich and famous live, the Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple. (BD)

Day 13

Elephanta Caves / Depart

Explore amazing Elephanta Island and its famous caves, with carvings and sculptures dating back to 550 A.D. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities. You’ll be provided a late evening transfer to the International airport for your flight home. (B)