Treasures of India

Arrive Mumbai at 10:35am. After clearing customs & immigration, you will be met by Margaret Freebairn, your tour manager and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Balance of day free to relax.

Morning sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Formerly known as Bombay, the city is the commercial capital of India and your tour includes the Prince of Wales Museum, Gandhi's former residence, the Towers of Silence and Dobi Ghats.

After sightseeing you will transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay.

After breakfast you will visit a miniature painting studio and a discussion with the artists. Late afternoon will be taken to the jetty at Lake Pichola for a boat ride. Return to your hotel for dinner.

This morning depart by road for the well-known city of Jodhpur, breakfast is at Khempur the setting for the Marigold Hotel movies.

After breakfast continue to travel through the fascinating traditional Rajasthan countryside, stopping at Ranakpur to visit the Jain Temple complex and a welcome reception and chanting by a senior monk. You will see many traditional agricultural activities enroute which afford interesting photo opportunities. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon for a 2 night stay.

After breakfast you will visit the village home of a Bishnoi farmer. Witness Dhurri weavers as well as pottery making in a village setting. You will also visit a speciality Indian Handicraft Emporium offering soft furnishings, throws, shawls and many other unique products. Return to your hotel late afternoon.

After breakfast we continue by road through the Rajasthan countryside via Ajmer.
After lunch we continue to Jaipur where we arrive late afternoon.

Morning excursion to Amber where there may be an opportunity to take an elephant ride up to the palace.
We return to Jaipur and visit the Observatory and the famous Palace of Winds.
In the afternoon there will be an opportunity to visit Jaipur's many handicraft emporiums. The city is famous for its jewellery manufacturing, and more than 20,000 craftsmen are engaged in this industry.
Late afternoon you will return to your hotel on local tuk-tuks.

After breakfast a 4 hour drive will take us to the Ranthambhore Tiger Sanctuary. Late afternoon jeep safari tracking the elusive Bengal Tiger and view other interesting wildlife.

Early morning game drive and after breakfast we travel by road to Bharatpur and the bird sanctuary. You will be taken on a cycle rickshaw ride through the bird sanctuary, accompanied by an Ornithologist.
After lunch we continue to Agra where we arrive for a 2 night stay.

Early morning visit to the famous Taj Mahal for sunrise.
We return to our hotel for breakfast and later visit the Agra Fort where the emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned after completing the Taj Mahal.
This afternoon you will be taken on a tour of Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned capital built by Akbar the Great.

After an early breakfast you will be taken to the railway station to join India's Premier train to Jhansi dep 0802 / arr 1043.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Your accommodation is in a rural setting and you will have an opportunity for a complimentary spa treatment.
In the late afternoon witness a Puja ceremony at the Ram Raja Temple.

After a leisurely breakfast we depart by road arriving at your destination for lunch.
In the afternoon we visit a small town in a village setting and tour the Temple Complex. These famous erotic temples were built during the 13th and 14th century by the Chandella dynasty and are amongst the best in India.

Khajuraho is a small town and after breakfast you will have an opportunity to explore the area.
After an early lunch you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Your hotel is located on the banks of the Ganges in the middle of this bustling pilgrim city.
In the late afternoon we will witness a Hindu prayer ceremony.

Early morning boat ride on the holy Ganges river to view Varanasi and witness the cremation ceremonies on the riverbank. Return to your hotel for breakfast and after breakfast you will learn how to wear a sari and will visit a silk weaving factory.
After an early lunch you will be transferred to the airport visiting the Buddhist centre of Sarnath enroute to join your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay.

This morning you will be taken on a half-day city tour of Old Delhi including a cycle rickshaw ride in Chandni Chouwk, the famous Silver Bazaar. We will also visit a fine fashion show room and talk to a well-known Indian fashion designer. Return to your hotel for lunch.
Afternoon free.