13 Day /12 Night Art & Culture India Tour Package

Day 1 – Sep 17, Sat
Los Angeles / Dubai
Depart Los Angeles today onboard your international flight. Relax and enjoy the ambiance and service provided before your amazing tour package in India begins.

Day 2 –Sep 18, Sun
Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, India’s capital city and a famous attraction for India tours. You are greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to the TAJ PALACE HOTEL(Superior Room). Delhi blends an historic past and a vibrant present. Legend has it that the Pandavas, the august heroes of the epic Mahabharata, originally founded Delhi, then called Indraprastha, around 1200 B.C. Present day Delhi is built around the ruins of seven ancient cities.

Day 3 – Sep 19, Mon
Delhi
The morning’s tour of Old Delhi includes a visit to Raj Ghat memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, and the mile-long Chandni Chowk bazaar and the Juma Masjid, where you will also have an opportunity to take a rickshaw ride. After sightseeing of Old Delhi proceed for sightseeing of New Delhi where you will first visit the Qutab Minar, followed by Humayun’s Tomb. Drive along Rajpath, the capital’s broadest avenue, for a view of the Parliament House, the President’s House and India Gate. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Indian music and cuisine. (BD)

Day 4 – Sep 20, Tue
Delhi
This morning visit the beautiful Akshardham Temple. Built without steel, it consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 statues of India’s great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities. Later, visit the National Museum, New Delhi, which has in its possession over 200,000 works of exquisite art, both of Indian and Foreign origin covering more than 5,000 years of cultural heritage. It’s rich holdings of various creative traditions and disciplines, which represents a unity amidst diversity, an unmatched blend of the past with the present and strong perspective for the future, brings history to life. You will enjoy a tour of the museum. After the tour you will meet with a member of the Ministry of Culture, India for an interactive session.(BD)

Day 5 – Sep 21, Wed
Delhi / Varanasi-Sarnath
Today fly to Varanasi, located on the sacred Ganges River. THE GATEWAY HOTEL (Standard Room). Visit the
stupas, ruins and the scene of Buddha’s first sermon in Sarnath. Later visit the Sarnath Museum. (Special visit hosted by the Curator). This evening take the rickshaws to the Ghat to view the evening Arti ceremony. Varanasi has an amazing display right on the Ganges. To enhance your participation and observation, we will embark on a boat and row into the area of main ghat where the ceremony takes place. Along the way you’ll be approached by vendors on their own boat selling lamps that one can light and release into the river. You will come across hundreds of lamps floating by. After the ceremony return to the hotel. (B)

Day 6 – Sep 22, Thu
Varanasi / Khajuraho
Early this morning enjoy a short boat ride on the Ganges and witness a spectacular sunrise and the sight of a multitude of pilgrims paying homage to the sun. The walking tour of the old city, with its temple bells inviting devotees
to worship leaves a lasting impression. Later fly to Khajuraho. THE TAJ CHANDELA HOTEL (Superior Room). Visit the Western group of temples containing the largest and loveliest temples with their detailed panels depicting the art of Kama Sutra. (B)

Day 7 – Sep 23, Fri
Khajuraho / Agra
Visit the principal Eastern group of temples built in typical Jain style of architecture. Later, drive to Jhansi to board the train to Agra, en route visiting Orchha, a medieval city with its ruins dating back to the 12th century. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the TAJ GATEWAY HOTEL (Superior Room). (BL)

Day 8 – Sep 24, Sat
Agra / Fatehpur Sikri
Experience an early morning sunrise viewing of the magnificent Taj Mahal, a monument to the memory of love. After breakfast visit the abandoned 16th century town of Fatehpur Sikri. 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. Later in the afternoon tour the exquisite 16th Century Agra Fort. (B)

Day 9 – Sep 25, Sun
Agra / Jaipur
After breakfast, leave for the “pink city” of Jaipur, where the old city is surrounded by a massive wall pierced by magnificent gates. Upon arrival check in at the TAJ JAIMAHAL PALACE (Luxury Room). (B)

Day 10 – Sep 26, Mon
Amber Fort Excursion & Jaipur Sightseeing
Today, you are transported back in time, riding royally atop elegantly draped and painted elephants to the mountain fortress of Amber, a superb example of Rajput architecture with its complex of palaces, temples and ornate apartments. Later your tour of Jaipur takes you to Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds,” and continues to the City Palace, with its latticed balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances. A stop at the ancient observatory concludes the tour. This evening enjoy a show featuring India Rajasthani Folk dance and music followed by a dinner featuring local cuisine. (BD)

Day 11 – Sep 27, Tue
Jaipur / Mumbai
This morning fly to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India’s most cosmopolitan city. Today’s tour of Mumbai includes the British-built arch “Gateway of India,” the Hanging Gardens and Malabar Hills where Mumbai’s rich and famous live. Drive along Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum. Later visit the Prince of Wales Museum, hosted by the curator. TAJ MAHAL PALACE & TOWER (New Wing Room). (B)

Day 12 – Sep 28, Wed
Elephanta Caves / Departure
Cruise across the harbor to Elephanta Island and its famous caves, filled with carvings and sculptures dating back to 550 A.D. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or pursue independent activities. Late this evening transfer to the international airport for the flight back home. (BD)

Day 13 – Sep 29, Thu
Arrive Los Angeles
Today arrive in Los Angeles during midday, carrying home treasured memories of your sojourn through Incredible India! Check out more of our tours of India!