Surrounded by six acres of lush greenery in Delhi’s Diplomatic Enclave, the Taj Palace features contemporary décor accented by marble and brass. The 422-room hotel offers four restaurants, two bars, and a lounge; fitness center with Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and spa treatments; outdoor pool; beauty salon; and laundry service. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
Reservations:
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Mystical India
With Ranthambore Tiger Preserve
Tour membership limited to 12-24 guests
18 days from $4,688 total price from New York
($3,995 air & land inclusive plus $693 airline taxes
and departure fees)
Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confounding, India overflows with riches. While staying at excellent hotels, we travel the classic Golden Triangle: bustling Delhi; Agra, home of the sublime Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, great city of the Rajput. Plus, we search for elusive Bengals at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve; admire Khajuraho’s ancient temples; and absorb the holiness of Varanasi.
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India
Day 2: Arrive Delhi We arrive in India’s hyperactive capital late evening and transfer to our hotel.
Day 3: Delhi After a morning briefing with our tour director, this afternoon we tour Delhi, including the 16th-century Tomb of Humayun; Qutab Minar, the 234-step tower dating to 1193; and India Gate, honoring the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. B,D
Day 4: Delhi Today we explore Old Delhi, beginning with the Gandhi Memorial, the simple black marble slab honoring Mahatma Gandhi. Next, two renowned 17th-century landmarks: Lal Qila, the Red Fort palaces where we stop for photos; and the red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Then we ride rickshaws through Chandi Chowk market; visit a Sikh temple; and tour the National Museum. Tonight we dine in the homes of urban Indian families. B,D
Day 5: Delhi/Jaipur Today we travel by coach to the “pink city” of Jaipur, one of the great cities of the Rajput, with historic forts, palaces, and gardens. We reach our hotel late afternoon. B,L,D
Day 6: Jaipur Our first stop is the stunning Hawa Mahal, the elaborately carved pink sandstone "Palace of the Winds." We continue on to Amber Fort, built by the Kkachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728; Jantar Mantar, the open-air observatory; and City Palace Museum, housing the magnificent art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. B,L
Day 7: Jaipur/Sanganer This morning we visit the village of Sanganer to see traditional block printing and handmade paper industries. Later we tour a local market then take a traditional rickshaw ride. Tonight we are dinner guests in the home of a multi-generational Rajasthan family. B,D
Day 8: Jaipur/Ranthambore We travel today to Ranthambore National Park, the former hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur and now a 512-square-mile natural preserve that is home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and of course, Bengal tigers. This afternoon we take our first game drive through the park. B,L,D
Day 9: Ranthambore We take both morning and afternoon game drives today to see not only game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed), but also picturesque ruins of forts and palaces. B,L,D
Day 10: Ranthambore/Kalakho We depart early for Kalakho, where we embark on a camel safari to meet the local Meena tribespeople in their homes. B,L,D
Day 11: Kalakho/Fatehpur Sikri/Agra Today we travel to Fatehpur Sikri, the late 16th-century city of red sandstone that is an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Early afternoon we reach Agra, the ancient Mughal stronghold. B,D
Day 12: Agra This morning we visit the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Then we take an Indian cuisine cooking lesson and enjoy the results for lunch. Later we venture to the imposing Agra Fort complex. B,L
Day 13: Agra/Khajuraho We travel by train to Jhansi, then continue by coach to the village of Orchha. After lunch here we travel on to Khajuraho, whose collection of 22 medeival Hindu and Jain temples dating to the 10th century is a UNESCO site. B,L,D
Day 14: Khajuraho Today we tour several of Khajuraho’s well-preserved temples (many adorned with erotic sculptures), considered the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. B,D
Day 15: Khajuraho/Varanasi We fly today to Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city and a sacred place of pilgrimage. This evening we attend a traditional aarti offering ceremony as we cruise along the Ganges. B,D
Day 16: Varanasi Early this morning we return to the Ganges, where Hindu pilgrims perform their rituals along the ghats (steps) leading to the river. We visit several ghats by boat as we experience for ourselves the spiritual mystique of these hallowed waters. Next we visit the Vishwanath temple of white marble at Banaras Hindu University, then travel to Sarnath, birthplace of Buddhism. Tonight we celebrate our journey at a farewell dinner. B,D
Day 17: Varanasi/Delhi We fly this afternoon to Delhi, where the evening is at leisure. B
Day 18: Return to U.S. Early today we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
Special Festival Departures
These select departures will be 20 days in duration, with the two additional nights spent at the festivals - after the stay in Delhi and prior to arriving in Jaipur.
Dussehra Festival: Oct 19, 2012; Khatu Shyam Ji Festival: Mar 19, 2013. The joyful conclusion of the nine-day Hindu festival of Navarati. We spend the two nights in a nearby hotel.
Pushkar Camel Fair: Nov 16-18, 21, 2012; Nagaur Camel Fair: Feb 13, 14, 2013. Lively and exotic fairs, where thousands spend their days trading camels and livestock; evenings come alive with feasts and entertainment. We spend the two nights in a comfortable tented camp.
Please note: This tour involves considerable walking, as well as some lengthy coach rides. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
Included
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within India
- 16 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels
- 34 meals: 15 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 12 dinners
- Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
- Rail transportation Agra/Jhansi
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
- $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)
Dates & Prices
2012/2013 Tour Dates & Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
| 2012 Oct 7 Oct 11 2013 Mar 28 Apr 4 |
2012 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 29 Dec 6 2013 Mar 10 |
2012 Oct 19* 2013 Jan 13, 20 Jan 27 Feb 3, 10 Feb 24 Mar 19++ |
2012 Nov 16+ Nov 17+ Nov 18+ Nov 21+ 2013 Feb 13** Feb 14** |
|
| New York | $4,688 | $4,888 | $5,088 | $5,488 |
| Balt, Boston, Washington, DC |
$4,988 | $5,188 | $5,388 | $5,788 |
| Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa |
$5,088 | $5,288 | $5,488 | $5,888 |
| Cincinnati, Cleve, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Ang, Minneapolis |
$5,188 | $5,388 | $5,588 | $5,988 |
| Phoenix, Port (OR), San Fran, Seattle |
$5,288 | $5,488 | $5,688 | $6,088 |
Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $693, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
Single travelers please add $1,795. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2012/2013 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees) are guaranteed.
*Dussehra Festival; +Pushkar Camel Fair; **Nagaur Camel Fair; ++Khatu Shyam Ji Festival
Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $4,895 per person ($5,395 on post-tour extension)
Accommodations
-
Taj Palace, Delhi / Days 2-4 / Deluxe
-
Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur / Days 5-7 / Deluxe
A certified environmentally-friendly hotel and the former home of maharajahs and the prime minister of Jaipur, the 255-year-old Jai Mahal Palace sits amidst 18 acres of beautifully landscaped Mughul gardens. The hotel has several restaurants and lounges, safe deposit boxes, laundry service, badminton, croquet, and an outdoor pool. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge, Ranthambore / Days 8-9 / First Class
Built in the 1930s by Indian royalty, the Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge is located just a short distance from Ranthambore National Park. The rustic-style lodge offers a restaurant and bar, croquet, badminton, and outdoor pool. Each of the 30 air-conditioned guest rooms has private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Dera Village Retreat, Kalakho / Day 10 / Not rated
Off the beaten track of rural Rajasthan sits Dera Village Retreat, a rustic yet comfortable haven of guest cabins set amidst a series of traditional villages. Sitting on the banks of a seasonal “monsoon” lake, the camp offers a unique opportunity to witness how much of India lives, away from the cities. During our stay we visit a local school, take a camel safari, and meet local Meena tribespeople in their homes. Along with a restaurant, gardens and bonfires add to the retreat’s ambience. Air-conditioned guest cabins have private bath with hot and cold running water and hair dryer. This remote location has no telephone service.
-
Taj Gateway Agra, Agra / Days 11-12 / Superior First Class
Nestled amid six acres of landscaped gardens close to the Taj Mahal, the 100-room Taj Gateway Agra offers two restaurants and a lounge; shopping arcade; recreational facilities including badminton, gym with jogging track, tennis courts, and outdoor pool; spa with steam room and massage; and an in-house astrologer. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, coffee- and tea-making facilities, in-room safe, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Taj Chandela, Khajuraho / Days 13-14 / First Class
This 94-room oasis of calm sits on 11 acres of landscaped gardens close to the city’s famed temples. Hotel facilities include several restaurants and a bar, an art gallery, shopping arcade, beauty parlor and barber shop, laundry service, safe deposit boxes, fitness center, croquet, mini-golf, and outdoor pool. Air-conditioned rooms have private bath with hair dryer, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Taj Gateway Ganges, Varanasi / Days 15-16 / Superior First Class
Set amidst 40 acres of landscaped lawns, the Taj Gateway Ganges offers a host of amenities including a restaurant, coffee shop, and bar; laundry and dry cleaning services; astrologer; outdoor pool, croquet, badminton, and yoga; and spa services. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-bar, in-room safe, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Crowne Plaza Gurgaon, Delhi / Day 17 / Deluxe
The 234-room Crowne Plaza Gurgaon is conveniently located near the airport and the local business district. Hotel amenities include two restaurants and a bar, fitness center with spa, and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Crowne Plaza Soaltee, Kathmandu / Extension / Superior First Class
The 282-room Crown Plaza Hotel Kathmandu-Soaltee stands amidst 11 acres of gardens in the shadow of the Himalayas. The hotel offers several restaurants and a bar; safe-deposit boxes; fitness center with sauna and steam bath; outdoor pool; and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, Internet access, TV, and phone.
-
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
Extension
Post-Tour Extension
Nepal
5 days/4 nights for $1,280 total price
($1,195 air & land inclusive plus $85 airline taxes and departure fees)
Single Supplement: $295
Absorb the beauty of the Himalayan kingdom - and the warmth of its people - on this special journey featuring sacred shrines, royal cities, and indigenous lifestyles.
Your Tour Price Includes
- Air transportation: Varanasi/Kathmandu
- 4 nights’ accommodations in Kathmandu at Crowne Plaza Soaltee (Superior First Class)
- 8 meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
- Extensive sightseeing, including Pashupatinath shrine (UNESCO site); Boudhanath monument; colorful Bhaktapur, "city of Devotees;" Swayambhunath Temple, royal city of Patan; and Kathmandu and environs
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private motorcoach transportation
- Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Please note that guests on this extension will leave the India tour on Day 17 at the conclusion of the Varanasi stay.
Please see the Accommodations tab for hotel information.
Small Group Tour Highlights
- Tours of Old Delhi and New Delhi
- Home-hosted dinners with Delhi and Jaipur families
- Magnificent Taj Mahal
- Two-night stay at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve
- Kalakho camel safari and tribal home visit
- “Pink City” of Jaipur
- Temples at Khajuraho
- Holy city of Varanasi
What people are saying about us
“Odysseys picks the best hotels in the best locations...”
Rita Lefler
Alexandria, VA
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Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Eastern Time
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