ESSENCE OF INDIA TOUR

 

STEP BACK IN TIME AS WE TRAVEL THROUGH HISTORY, DISCOVERING

ANCIENT SITES AND LEARNING ROYAL TRADITIONS. TRAVEL THROUGH

 

Rajasthan, filled with magnificent forts and palaces, each with their own fascinating royal history. Discover the beauty of the unique temples in Khajuraho before having our own spiritual experience in Varanasi, the center of the Hindu universe.  

 

Tour Information

 Amenities

Accommodation Categories and Descriptions

Specialty Package (Essence of India 2015-2016)

Miscellaneous Information

 

HOTEL AMENITIES

• Accommodations

• Meals

• Tour Guides

• Transfers

Please note: Some hotel amenities listed above may have an additional fee associated with them.  

 

ACCOMMODATION CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS

Early check-in and late checkout on request, and s

ubject to availability.  

Specific bedding and/or special requests are fulfilled based on availability and cannot always be guaranteed.  

 

SPECIALTY PACKAGE (ESSENCE OF INDIA 2015-2016)

ESSENCE OF INDIA ESCORTED TOUR PACKAGE 2015-2016 18 Days/17 Nights  

 

Travel Dates: 09/25/2015 - 10/12/2015

10/23/2015 - 11/09/2015

02/26/2016 - 03/15/2016

03/18/2016 - 04/05/2016

10/21/2016 - 11/08/2016  

 

Package Inclusions:  

• Days 1-2: Fly to Delhi Depart on your overnight flight from the US to India.  

 

• Upon arrival in Delhi, we are welcomed by our guide and transferred to our hotel.  

 

• Day 3: Delhi Tour the city of Delhi, starting with a drive past the Red Fort followed by a walk through Chandni Chowk Bazaar.  

 

• Visit India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid and visit the Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple. After lunch, view India Gate and visit Gandhi Smriti and Qutub Minar. This evening, dine at the Olive Bar & Kitchen, situated in an ancient Mughal mansion. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

 

• Day 4: Delhi to Udaipur Fly to Udaipur, a city of lakes, palaces and temples.  

 

• The afternoon is free at our leisure to relax or enjoy the facilities at our deluxe hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.  

 

• Day 5: Udaipur This morning drive around Fateh Sagar Lake and visit the Folk Museum, Mewar Art Gallery and Sahelion Ki Bari.  

• Tour the City Palace and enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Pichola. This evening, dinner will be on the Sunset Terrace at the Fateh Prakash Palace, with perfect views across Lake Pichola. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

 

• Day 6: Udaipur to Jodhpur This morning travel to Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City. Stop en route at Ranakpur, built in the 15th Century and is the largest temple complex of the Jain religion in India. Breakfast and lunch included.  

 

• Day 7: Jodhpur Tour the city of Jodhpur, beginning with the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and the museum located in the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Enjoy an auto rickshaw ride followed by a leisurely stroll through a local market, Subzi Mandi.  

• Later, travel out to the Hanwant Mahal, a former royal residence for an unforgettable dining experience.  

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

 

• Day 8: Jodhpur to Japiur Drive to Jaipur and enjoy shopping at a local bazaar located inside the walled city. Breakfast and lunch included.  

 

• Day 9: Jaipur Stop briefly at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) before continuing to Amer Fort, where jeeps will take us to the entrance. After lunch visit the City Palace and Jantar Mantar. This evening, return to the Amer Fort and dine at the 1135 AD restaurant, located inside the highest ramparts of the fort. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

 

• Days 10-12: Jaipur to Agra For the months of January through May - via Ranthambore:  

• Travel to Ranthambore National Park, one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts in Rajasthan. Explore the incredible wildlife and surrounding forest for the next two days on canter safari excursions.  

• On the third day, board our train to Bharatpur. Upon arrival we will have lunch and then visit Fatehpur Sikri.  

• Later this evening enjoy Mohabbat the Taj Show at Kalakirti.  

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

• For the months of September through December via Bharatpur:  

• On departures September to December, the alternative itinerary will spend two nights in Bharatpur with a day trip to Keoladeo National Park before arriving in Agra.  

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

• Day 13: Agra View the Taj Mahal in all its glory as the sun is rising.  

 

• Later, visit Agra Fort and Sadar Bazaar. Breakfast and lunch included.  

• Day 14: Agra to Khajuraho Rise early and board the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi.  

 

• Continue by road to Khajuraho, stopping in the medieval city of Orchha and later enjoy a cultural dance performance.  

• Breakfast and lunch included.  

 

• Day 15: Khajuraho to Varanasi Commence your tour of the Western group of Khajuraho temples and later, fly to Varanasi. Enjoy a rickshaw ride to the ghats of the River Ganges and witness the Puja ceremony. Breakfast and lunch included.  

 

• Day 16: Varanasi Enjoy an early morning boat ride along the River Ganges followed by a city tour of Varanasi. Later, drive to Sarnath and visit the Buddhist sites. Breakfast and lunch included.  

 

• Day 17: Varanasi to Delhi Fly to Delhi and enjoy the day at leisure in this dynamic city. Breakfast included.  

 

• Day 18: Depart Delhi Transfer to the Delhi airport for your flight back to the USA. Breakfast included.  

 

Package Minimum Stay: 17 Nights  

 

Please Note:  

• Insider Experiences  

• Cruise along the picturesque Lake Pichola  

• Take an exciting auto-rickshaw ride through Jodhpur  

• Enjoy a thrilling jeep ride at Amer Fort  

• Canter Safari excursions in Ranthmabore/Keoladeo National Park  

• View the majestic Taj Mahal change color at sunrise  

• Witness the beautiful Puja ceremony  

• Cruise along the legendary River Ganges  

 

Premier Collection Highlights  

• Luxury Accommodations: Delhi Kempinski Ambience, Udaipur Sheraton Hotel, Jodhpur Raas Hotel, Ranthambore Khem Villas, Agra Radisson Blue, Khajuraho Radisson Hotel, Varanasi The Gateway, Delhi Grand Hotel  

• Gourmet Dinners: Conde Nast winner Olive Bar & Kitchen in Delhi, Views at the Sunset Terrace overlooking Lake Pichola in

 

Udaipur, Dine at the formal royal residence Hanwant Mahal in Jodhpur, A royal meal at the 1135 AD at Amer Fort in Jaipur  

Included in package:  

• Accommodations  

• Select gourmet meals  

• Sightseeing with English speaking guide  

• Entrance fees for sights visited  

 

Not included in package:  

• Local tipping  

• Personal expenditures  

• Optional excursions or shows  

Package inclusions are subject to change.  

 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Tipping Guide:  

• Tipping is customary on Group Tours. In order to relieve customers to tip individual guides and service providers in each destination a tipping protocol has been established for each tour. Group passengers will contribute to a fund, paid at the beginning of the tour in US dollars. The National Escort will distribute the appropriate amounts throughout the trip to local Guides and Drivers. Amounts subject to change. This Guide is not for Private or Concierge Tours. Tip cost for this tour is $135.00 per person.