A Private India Tour – Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Jaipur, Mumbai

Day 1 Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, be met by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2: Delhi 
Enjoy a morning tour of Old Delhi starting with the Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built of red sandstone that dates back to the very peak of the Mughal power.  Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the largest and most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13 meter high Ashoka Pillar, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Next, enjoy a stroll or rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi lined with stalls of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris. 

In the afternoon, proceed to New Delhi. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Finish the day with a visit to Qutab Minar – the 72 meter high ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque dating back to the 4th century that still stands today. (B) 

Day 3 Delhi / Varanasi
Transfer to airport for your morning flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Sarnath, a large complex of ruined monasteries covering the area north of the stupas, belonging to the Kushan and Gupta period, some dating back to 3rd B.C. Later this afternoon, observe Ganga Aarti, a ceremony that takes place every evening where devotees pay their homage to the Gods on the banks of the Ganges. Overnight in Varanasi. (B) 

Day 4 Varanasi
Enjoy an early morning boat trip on the holy River Ganges.  The Ganges is the river of India, which has held India’s heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history.  It has long been considered the holiest of all rivers by Hindus and worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism, where many former provincial and imperial capitals have been located on its banks throughout India’s history. Your two-hour journey spans three miles down the Ganges, offering an inspiring glimpse of rural life in India. Here, you will witness the daily rituals prevalent throughout India during the Aryan age dating back 3,000 years.  Return to Varanasi city for additional sightseeing. Visit Bharat Mata Temple, Emperor Aurangazeb’s Mosque, Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple), and Durga (Goddess of Power) Temple, popularly known as the Monkey Temple. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 5  Varanasi / Delhi / Agra
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Continue by road to Agra via private vehicle (approx. 4.5 hours). Agra was the capital of the Mughal court during the 16th and 17th centuries and its sublime monuments date from that era.  The resulting luxurious palaces, tombs, forts and gardens dot the picturesque riverside region along the Yamuna River; three of which, the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri have been declared World Heritage Sites. Check-in at your hotel in Agra and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 6 Agra
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal.*  With its incredible lacy white grandeur, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. In memory of his wife, the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan constructed this most extravagant and incomparable monument built for love.  Later, visit Agra Fort, situated on the banks of the river Yamuna.  Agra Fort is yet another monumental mission accomplished by the great Mughal visionary Emperor Akbar. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B) *Please note that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays*

Day 7 Agra / Bharatpur / Ranthambhore
Transfer to Bharatpur for a 2.5-hour train ride to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore), visiting the abandoned red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri en-route (time permitting). Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your resort. Dinner is served at your resort this evening. Overnight in Ranthambhore. (B,D)

Day 8 Ranthambhore
Enjoy a full-day jungle safari in Ranthambhore National Park with a park ranger. Over the past decades, Ranthambore has become internationally known as an exciting hub for research and conservation of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger covering an area of 400 square km.  There are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife. Tigers at Ranthambhore National Park have been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime too, due to their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This lack of fear of humans is excellent for visitors, as they get to see the tigers often. Includes lunch and dinner. Overnight in Ranthambhore. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Ranthambhore / Jaipur
This morning, enjoy additional game drives or a hike to Ranthambhore Fort.
Afterwards, depart to Jaipur by road. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City, built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century. It is surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses, dotted with fairy-tale palaces. Ambling camels and brightly-dressed peasants, reflect Jaipur’s desert heritage. The picturesque city, a fantasy in stone, sits in the desert land and is encircled by rugged ranges of the Aravallis. Check-in at your resort with the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B) 

Day 10 Jaipur
Enjoy a morning visit to Amer Fort, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Ascending the fortress by Jeep, wander around the beautiful palaces and visit the Shiladevi temple, with its exquisite marble carvings and silver door.  Visit the open-air royal observatory, “Jantar Mantar,” with its gigantic, astronomical instruments, the City Palace and Hawa Mahal.  Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax, shop and explore Jaipur on your own. This evening, enjoy a visit to a middle-class family’s home. Here, you’ll have a chance to mingle with the local people and learn about their customs and traditions.  Enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner together with the local family. (B,D)

Day 11 Jaipur / Mumbai
Morning transfer to airport for your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, be met and commence sightseeing of the city, visiting the Gateway of India. Drive past the Victoria Terminus, the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India opened during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Year. Visit the Hanging Gardens and Jain Temple before checking in to your hotel. (B)

Day 12 Mumbai
Morning excursion to the Elephanta Caves* with a one-hour boat ride through the forested island of Elephanta, one of the most atmospheric places in Mumbai. Populated only by a small fishing community, it makes a wonderful contrast to the seething claustrophobia of the city. One of the highlights here is the unique cave temple excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries, whose massive Trimurti Shiva sculpture is a fine example of Hindu architecture. Return to the city and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B) *Please note the Elephanta Caves are closed on Mondays*

Day 13 Depart Mumbai
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotel taxes & service charges
• Prices exclude transpacific airfares, personal expenses, gratuities to guides, drivers and bell persons
• Low Season (LS): April 16 – September
• High Season (HS): October – April 15
• *Taj Mahal in Agra closed on Fridays. Elephanta Caves in Mumbai closed on Mondays
• A visa is required for India (eVisa may be obtained online here ). NOT included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land arrangements are subject to availability at time of reservation.