Observe the remnants of 5,000 years of history and the kaleidoscope of cultures, religions and landscapes in Northern India. Attend lectures on women's initiatives, go on shopping excursions, visit a bead-making venue in Varanasi and witness an Aarti ceremony on the Ganges. Join socialite art collector Mrs. Poonam Sarin for cocktails and dinner in her gallery and Design Your Day in Jaipur.

Day 1
Board an overnight flight to London.
In Flight

Day 2
London/Delhi, India
Connect with a flight to Delhi, where your room is ready for immediate occupancy when you arrive early tomorrow morning.
The Taj Mahal Hotel

Day 3
Delhi
Your day is at leisure to rest after your long journey. A sprawling metropolis, Delhi is divided into two parts, Old and New Delhi, and is steeped in history that dates back 3,000 years. This evening, join well-known art collector and socialite Mrs. Poonam Sarin for a welcome cocktail and dinner at her Ati Arts Gallery.
The Taj Mahal Hotel B, D

Day 4
Delhi
Visit Old Delhi, pausing on the way at Raj Ghat. This monument to Mahatma Gandhi was erected on the site of his funeral pyre and is an important place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world. In Old Delhi, see the Jama Masjid Mosque and the Red Fort, both built by the Emperor Shah Jahan. Then walk through the winding, narrow walkways of the Chandni Chowk bazaar, where entire streets are devoted to the sale of a particular item. After lunch, tour New Delhi, a city established by King George V as a new capital for the Indian Empire. Begin at Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in the 16th century as a monument to the Mughal Emperor Humayun. In the former Seven Capitals, visit the Qutub Minar (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a five-story sandstone tower inscribed with quotations from the Koran and built to commemorate the victory of Muhammad Ghuri and Qutub ud Din over the infidel Chauhans of Prithvi Raj in 1192. Then drive along the Rajpath and Janpath, past the India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President's Palace). Mrs. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandh, joins you tonight for dinner and an informative talk about the life and philosophy of her grandfather. She is actively involved in various programs for the benefit of the spinners and weavers of Khadi.
The Taj Mahal Hotel B, L, D

Day 5
Delhi/Udaipur
Fly to the serene desert city of Udaipur on the shores of Lake Pichola. If water levels permit, board a motor launch for a cruise on the lake. Observe the city as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Stop to visit the Jag Mandir Palace on the island of the same name. Built in the 17th century by Maharana Karan Singhji in 1622 AD as a pleasure palace for royal parties and functions, this magnificent monument is supported by domes and marble pillars and adorned with fountains and a row of marble elephants that seem to guard the island. (Please note: water levels at Lake Pichola can vary widely and may affect some sightseeing options. Alternative sightseeing options may be necessary.)
Taj Lake Palace B, D

Day 6
Udaipur
Explore Udaipur's highlights, beginning with the opulent City Palace that towers over Lake Pichola. Its balconies, towers, cupolas and terraces offer beautiful views of the city and lake. Enter the palace (now a museum) through Hathi Pol (elephant gate) along the main street of the old city and past Jagdish Temple, which enshrines a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. Then explore the Crystal Gallery, a grand collection of more than 600 rare objects obtained from different parts of the world. Continue to the Sahelion-Ki-Bari Park or the "Garden of the Maids of Honor," located along the shores of Lake Fateh Sagar. Conclude your sightseeing with an exclusive visit to an NGO (non-governmental organization) operated by the Seva Mandir organization, which helps in natural resource development and health and women's empowerment. Long-time Seva Mandir representative Deepti Ameta hosts your visit and discusses their involvement in women's initiatives.
Taj Lake Palace B, L

Day 7
Udaipur/Jaipur
Fly to Jaipur and check in to your grandiose hotel, once the palace of the Maharajah of Jaipur. In spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, Jaipur, the "Pink City," still retains its character and history as well as its extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone used in its architecture. During a sightseeing tour, stop at the famous Hawa Mahal, the pink sandstone façade of a palace built for the ladies of the harem by Swai Pratap Singh, and the City Palace, a huge walled complex that covers one-seventh of the area of Jaipur.

At the Jantar Mantar Observatory, see precise instruments used for measuring "the harmony of the heavens." Join your guide tonight to visit Johari Bazaar (jewelers' street).
Taj Rambagh Palace B, L, D

Day 8
Jaipur
Travel outside the city to the Amber Fort, its architecture a melding of Mughal and Raiput styles built between the 12th and 18th centuries. Wander through the chambers and hallways of its palace, including the spectacular Hall of Mirrors. Journey to a local village for an opportunity to experience an elephant interaction and ride with a professional mahout. Return to your hotel to relax or visit an exclusive jewelry store and attend a lecture on precious and semi-precious stones.
Taj Rambagh Palace B, L

Day 9
Jaipur/Agra
An all-day journey to Agra, home of the renowned Taj Mahal, gives you a glimpse into rural Indian village life. Stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was a veritable fairytale city, and its ruins are still in pristine condition. Then visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. When you arrive in Agra, check in to your hotel that is just 600 yards from the breathtaking Taj Mahal. As a visitor you are caught in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and the irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously as you walk down the narrow bustling streets, wafting with the aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Tonight visit the ethereal Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to watch the beautiful white marble turn slowly to soft, rosy pink as the sun sets.
The Oberoi Amarvilás B, L, D

Day 10
Agra
Weather permitting, return for a sunrise visit to see the glorious Taj Mahal, the "world's monument to love," in a different light. This mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal was built over the course of 22 years by her beloved husband, Shah Jahan. Continue to another World Heritage Site, the Agra Fort that lies on a bend of the River Yamuna. Explore the citadel of Akbar: its imposing gates, red sandstone walls and moat. Design Your Day this afternoon with options that include henna hand painting, a meeting with an astrologer or shopping.
The Oberoi Amarvilás B, L

Day 11
Agra/Jhansi/Khajuraho
Board the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi and continue overland by coach to Khajuraho, stopping in Orchha en route. View the long-abandoned Hindu temples that stand along the river just outside the city, and visit the 17th-century complex of three palaces. After lunch, continue to Khajuraho and your hotel. The city's temples are India's unique gift to the world and represent every conceivable form of life, immortalized in stone.
Taj Chandela B, L, D

Day 12
Khajuraho
Explore the various temples of Khajuraho today, including Kandariva Mahadeo, dedicated to Shiva; Lakshmana, showing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi; Varaha, with a boar incarnation of Vishnu-Varaha; Patasyanath, a large Jain temple; and Adinath, a lavish dedication to a Jain saint that echoes the true spirit of the khajuraho temples.
Taj Chandela B, L

Day 13
Khajuraho/Varanasi
Start the day with an exclusive yoga session at your hotel or enjoy a leisurely morning. Later, board a flight to Varanasi, a city of more than a thousand temples and shrines and resting on the holy Ganges River. Miillions of Hindus come here to wash away their sins in the bathing ghats that line the river. Renowned for its silk saris and carpets, Varanasi draws huge crowds of people who throng the shops to buy the famous Benarasi saris. This afternoon, visit the buried Buddhist city of Sarnath, as important to Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. See the ruins of a once-flourishing Buddhist monastery and visit a museum housing a collection of Buddhist art and sculpture. Join fellow travellers this evening for a farewell dinner. Later, you may participate in a spiritual Aarti ceremony on the Ganges, during which deepas (oil lamps) are offered to God in thanks for the light given to the people throughout the day.
Taj Ganges B, D

Day 14
Varanasi/ Delhi
Drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges River. Watch people walk down steps into the river to perform their religious ablutions. You may also see a funeral pyre that is a part of the traditional Hindu funeral ceremony. This afternoon, visit a unique bead-making factory before flying to Delhi.
The Taj Mahal Hotel B, D

Day 15
Delhi/USA or Canada
Board an early morning departure flight.
B

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

10/08