17 Days Temples & Tigers Tour Package
Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights
Priced From: $ 12190 pp dbl.occ.
Date: Jan - Mar , Oct - Dec

Highlights

-Venture out on an India jungle safari in a 4 x 4 open safari vehicle or on elephant back in search of tigers and other animals, along with  a naturalist guide inside Bandhavgarh National Park
-Enjoy a boat excursion to the fascinating Elephanta Caves to investigate a cave temple, its exact origins lost to history
-Discover India through her spellbinding cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi
-Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho’s Chandela temples, famed for their erotic sculptures
-Relish a special farewell dinner in Delhi at the home of Country Manager, where you meet his family, share a wonderful traditional meal, and learn about India and its people in a one-on-one exchange of ideas

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA
Begin your thrilling journey to India today.

Day 2: Arrive Mumbai, India
Arrive in Mumbai (Bombay). Your representative welcomes you and escorts you to your hotel. Taj Mahal Hotel (Grand Luxury Seaview Room)

Day  3: Mumbai
This morning, your guide introduces you to this tropical and frenetic city that was once the dowry of a Portuguese princess. Today, Mumbai is new skyscrapers and old neighborhoods, ancient traditions and high fashions. The first landmark visitors see when arriving by ship is a 26-meter-tall stone archway built in 1911, located directly in front of your hotel. It commemorates the visit of England’s King George V and Queen Mary. Tour the collections at the Prince of Wales Museum, as well as the hanging gardens perched above Malabar Hill. Visit Mahatma Gandhi's home and local bazaars. Taj Mahal Hotel (Grand Luxury Sea View Room) (B,D)

Day 4: Mumbai / Udaipur
Travel by boat to the island caves of Elephanta, named for a huge carved elephant found there. Climb over a 100 hundred steps to the entrance. Inside, rows of columns dot the cavern and nine sculptured panels are set on the walls. Fly to Udaipur, where you are welcomed and driven to Lake Pichola and your exquisite hotel. Built over 250 years ago, this former summer palace of Mewar rulers is now a renowned heritage hotel set on the lake itself. Experience what was once the sole reserve of princes. Taj Lake Palace (Deluxe Lake View Room) (B,D)

Day 5: Udaipur
Savor a lavish leisurely breakfast. Then meet your guide for a tour of the city of lakes founded in 1567. City palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Jagadish temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu. Cruise the serene lake this evening to see why the island palace inspired the builder of the Taj Mahal. Taj Lake Palace (Deluxe Lake View Room) (B,D)

Day 6: Udaipur
This morning, enjoy the facilities of the hotel, or walk along the tranquil lake. Later, watch artisans at work, using techniques handed down by their elders. The folk toys, brightly colored garments, hand-printed textiles, batiks, and metal images will enchant even casual shoppers. Taj Lake Palace (Deluxe Lake View Room) (B,D)

Day 7: Udaipur/ Jaipur
After breakfast, fly to Jaipur, where you are escorted to your sumptuous hotel, the 19th century garden house of a favored royal maid. Enjoy your lavish surroundings. Rambagh Palace (Luxury Room) (B,D)

DAY 8: JAIPUR
Amber Fort, set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, is a superb example of Rajput (medieval Hindu) design. Ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant. Pass through the ancient gate where maharajas have entered for four centuries. Tour Palace of the Winds, circa 1799, a five-story gem of pink sandstone. Its delicately honeycombed windows feature 593 stone screens that allowed royal women to watch the street without being seen. Investigate City Palace in the old city, seven-story Chandra Place, and the Solar Observatory. Rambagh Palace (Luxury Room) (B,D)

Day 9: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
After breakfast, travel by road to Agra, stopping at the eerie deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri. This perfectly reserved Mughal city was abandoned at the height of the empire’s splendor in the 15th century. In Agra, your hotel offers breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal from your bedroom. Enjoy sunset at this legendary landmark. Oberoi Amarvilas (Premier Room with Balcony) (B,D)

Day 10: Agra / Jhansi / Khajuraho
This morning, you are in for a special cultural encounter as you board the Shatabdi Express for a two-hour train ride to Jhansi. With your guide,drive to Khajuraho to the famed Chandela temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its medieval Hindu and Jain temples. Erotic sculptures and other scenes are carved on the outside of the temples, which date from 950 to 1050. A dramatic sound and light show traces the story of these temples. Taj Chandela (Superior Pool View Room) (B,D)

Day 11: Khajuraho / Bandhavgarh National Park
Leave early this morning for Bandhavgarh National Park and an Indian safari experience.Your lodge sits on 40 acres. Set out to discover the rich biodiversity of central India.With a trained naturalist, travel in comfort in specially designed open 4x4 vehicles. Although tiger sightings can never be guaranteed, the park supports one of the highest numbers of tigers in India. Its hilly, open terrain includes large grassland meadows that offer good opportunities to spot one of these magnificent animals. Dense jungle and grasslands make this one of the most beautiful parks in India. Mahua Kothi (Cottage) (B,L,D)

Day 12: Bandhavgarh
Savor the easy pattern of early morning and afternoon jungle excursions, interspersed with time for relaxation in the heat of midday. Although the Royal Bengal tiger is the main attraction, the park has an impressive roster of other animals and more than 250 species of birds. This is also habitat for spotted deer, wild boar, wild dogs, sloth bear, Indian fox, jackal, wolf and jungle cat. Mahua Kothi (COTTAGE) (B,L,D)

Day 13: Bandhavgarh / Khajuraho
Enjoy one last safari before returning to Khajuraho later today. Taj Chandela (Superior Pool View Room) (B,D)

Day 14: Khajuraho / Varanasi
Investigate the Western group of Khajuraho’s temples before you fly to India’s holiest city – Varanasi. Buddhists, Jain and Hindus revere the city and make more pilgrimages to Varanasi than any other place. See the ghats of Varanasi, and take a cruise on the Ganges to see religious rituals played out. The sights are mesmerizing as you hear the beating of cymbals and bells and chanting. Taj Ganges (Deluxe Room) (B,D)

Day 15: Varanasi / Delhi
In the delicate morning light, experience the timelessness that is Varanasi as worshippers bathe in the sacred water.Your boat slips downstream past temples and riverbanks lined with stone steps, the ghats, stretching from one end of the city to the other. Leave the boat and step back in time in this maze of narrow alleys, shrines and pilgrim shops. Fly to Delhi this afternoon and check in to one of the most distinguished addresses in the city. Your hotel reflects the heritage and luxury of Mughal Delhi. Taj Mahal Hotel (Deluxe Room) (B,D)

Day 16: Delhi
Savor a leisurely breakfast before heading out on your private tour of the city. In New Delhi, visit Humayun’s Tomb (1586), built by the emperor’s wife. Its use of white marble with red sandstone greatly influenced later Mughal architecture. Travel through the embassy area, past vintage government buildings and Connaught Place, the main shopping district. Through the gates of the Old Delhi, you discover Jamma Mosque (1650), and Chandni Chowk, Moonlight Square, where throngs of people meet in the oldest area of Delhi. Move on to the elegant 17th century Red Fort. Visit Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where Mahatma Gandhi and members of his family were cremated.You are welcomed to the home of country manager for a farewell meal. Meet his family, and enjoy India’s well-known hospitality while you sample traditional cuisine. Learn more about India from through this personal and meaningful encounter. Taj Mahal Hotel (Deluxe Room) (B,D)

Day 17: Delhi / USA
Transfer to the international airport in time for your flights back home. (B)