Jewels of North India - 14D/13N

Delhi, Varanasi. Khajuraho, Orchha, Agra, Rural Rajasthan Village, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Mumbai.

photo of Rajasthan, courtesy of Tourism Board of IndiaTour North India in absolute style, visiting some of the world’s most famous physical, cultural and religious landmarks including the Taj Mahal, the River Ganges, the bazaars of Old Delhi and the World Heritage erotic temples of Khajuraho to name only a few. Add the color and heritage of Rajasthan’s Jaipur and Udaipur and this really is the trip of a lifetime.

G.A.P. Adventures Tours
To emphasize our eco-friendly approach even more, we have elected to operate many programs with G.A.P. Adventures, a leader in eco tourism operation, committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike, working with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. These adventures offer travelers a grassroots, small group adventure vacation, with a focus on culture, nature and active travel.

Comfort Tour
By day, dart around markets, explore the heritage sites and hike through the jungle to discover rare flora and fauna; by night, cozy up in a comfy bed or have a nice dinner with new found friends. Authentic experience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a good night’s sleep. Comfort is ideal for travellers looking for a little extra cushiness from their adventure, while maintaining the grassroots travel experience. Comfort adventures make use of upgraded hotels with continental breakfast, travel by private and first class transportation, and include your arrival transfer.

Local Payment - Helping to keep the cost to you down…
Most of our adventure tours involve a Local Payment that is paid to the Leader/Representative in cash on day 1 of your tour. This Local Payment is put towards local expenses, such as arranging internal flights as well as entrance and guide fees. Local Payments also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become very expensive. This lowers our operational costs so we can pass the savings on to you. The local payment is in addition to, and is not included in, the base tour price.

Included: Hotels (12 nights), sleeper train (1 night), Arrival transfer - Tour of Old Delhi Tour including Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk - Sunrise boat ride and sunset candle flower ceremony - Palace complex Orchha - Western Temple complex - Taj Mahal - Red Fort - Amber Palace including elephant ride - City Palace and boat ride on Lake Pichola - Gateway of India and Dhoby Ghaut

Not Included: International Airfares - Local payment - Passport and visa expenses - Government arrival and departure taxes - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is compulsory) - All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

Departure Dates: Sep 13, 2008 ; Oct 11, 2008 ; Nov 08, 2008 ; Dec 13, 2008 ; Jan 10, 2009 ; Feb 07, 2009 ; Mar 07, 2009 ; Apr 11, 2009 ; May 09, 2009 ; Jun 13, 2009 ; Jul 11, 2009 ; Aug 08, 2009 ; Sep 12, 2009 ; Oct 10, 2009 ; Nov 07, 2009 ; Dec 12, 2009.

Tour rates from: $ 1,440.00 + Local Payment 250 USD.

photo of the Taj Mahal in Agra, courtesy of Tourism Board of IndiaDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 Arrive Delhi - Arrive in Delhi at any time.
  • Day 2 Delhi (B) - Visit Delhi’s Jama Masjid and climb the minaret for a view of the old city. Walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest markets. Discover New Delhi including Connaught Place, a remnant of British rule.
  • Day 3-4 Varanasi (2B) - Varanasi is the quintessential Indian holy city. Explore the thousands of temples and shrines and experience the famous dawn rituals of bathing and burial, floating past the famous ghats of the Ganges on a sunrise boat excursion.
  • Day 5 Khajuraho (B) - Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho, and example of Chandela art.
  • Day 6 Orchha (B) - Travel into the state of Madhya Pradesh and then continue on to the small town of Orchha, a real hidden gem. It owes its popularity to an architectural heritage as the oldest and highest in rank of all the Bundela states.
  • Day 7-8 Agra (2B) - Travel to Agra, home to India’s most famous landmark: the Taj Mahal and be sure to bring lots of film!
  • Day 9 Rural Rajasthan Village (B, D) - Explore Bhandarej where you get a glimpse of the rural India of today, while staying at an ancient Fort.
  • Day 10 Jaipur (B) - Clothed in pink stucco, Jaipur is home to India’s second most visited site, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. Follow in the footsteps of the royal harem, watch the spectacle that is a Bollywood film or ride an elephant to the entrance of Amber Fort Palace.
  • Day 11-12 Udaipur (2B) - Continue to Udaipur, famous for its plethora of breathtaking lakes and Raj-era palaces. Most famous of these, and certainly the most photographed, is the Lake Palace, an island-palace made of white marble buildings sitting in the middle of Lake Pichola.
  • Day 13 Mumbai (Bombay) (B) - Mumbai, the home of Bollywood, the world-famous Hindi-language film industry, is also the most happening cosmopolitan city of India. Here you can find people of every religion, from every part of world. This city is lively, young and it never sleeps.
  • Day 14 Mumbai (B) - Depart.

Insure My Trip We provide, through “Insure My Trip” comparison site, travel insurance policies from Access America, AIG Travel Guard, CSA Travel Protection, Global Underwriters, HTH Worldwide, International Medical Group, MEDEX, MedjetAssist, MultiNational Underwriters, On Call International, RBC Travel Protection, Seven Corners, Travel Insured, Travelex and TravelSafe. Click to compare the policies available.

Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Asia, India, Educational, Cultural, Special Interest, Art / Architecture, Special Train, Join-In Tour, Classic Visit, Hosted Tours, GAP