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DAY 01 / DEPART FROM USA
Air India Flt #102 JFK – DEL 1705-1645 +1
DAY 02 / ARRIVE DELHI
Upon arrival, garland welcome greeting at airport. Transfer to your hotel. VIP
check-in, with a refreshing welcome drink.
Delhi- The capital of India, serves as a kaleidoscope, depicting the beautiful
country of India. It also houses a treasure of monuments expressing the saga of
a bygone era. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past. The charm of
Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors, and the poor equally. It is correctly
said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or “people with heart”. From a string
of historical monuments to modern commercial centers, Delhi has evolved into an
exceptional and dynamic city, offering a wealth of shopping and sightseeing activities.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 03 / DELHI
After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi.
Morning sightseeing includes: The Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Parliament
House, Laxmi Narayan Temple [Birla Mandir], Connaught Place, and The Royal Government
buildings. Afternoon, sightseeing includes: The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni
Chowk, and Raj Ghat. The magnificent Red Fort (Lal Qila) was built in the 17th
century, and constructed by the Mugal Emperor Shahjahan. It served as the Capital
city of the Mugal Empire until 1857. Also visit Jama Masjid, considered to be
the largest Mosque in India. Walk down the narrow lanes of a typical Indian Bazaar,
Chandni Chowk where traditional wholesale traders still thrive selling their goods
to major retailers. Later visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Overnight
at your hotel.(B)
DAY 04 / DELHI – AGRA BY SURFACE (204 Kms/4.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Agra. VIP check-in at the hotel, with a refreshing
welcome drink. Agra, now famous and globally renowned city of the Taj Mahal, was
once the capital of India in the 16th and 17th centuries. Evening free to explore
the ancient Mugal city or shop for local arts and crafts. Enjoy dinner at a local
restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. >(B/D)
DAY 05 / AGRA
After breakfast, visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the finest examples of Mugal
architecture. The Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) stands serene and awesome on a
raised marble platform by the banks of the Yamuna, testifying to the timelessness
of art and love. Shahjahan built the monument in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz
Mahal. It has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake
of love. The construction of the Taj commenced in 1631, and was completed in 1653.
Workers were gathered from all over the country and from Central Asia, and about
20,000 people were recruited to translate this wild dream into a reality. Its
pure white marble shimmers silver in the soft moonlight, exudes a shell - pink
glow at dawn, and at the close of the day, takes on the tawny, fiery hue of the
majestic sun.
Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of
this massive structure began in 1565, under Akbar, and continued till the time
of his grandson, Shahjahan. Armed with massive double walls, punctuated by four
gateways, the fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens and gracious
pavilions within its premises. Among the fascinating structures that are to be
found within the fort is the red sandstone, Jehangiri Mahal built by Akbar for
his Hindu queen Jodhabai, was one of the earliest constructions illustrating the
fort's change from a military structure into a Royal palace. Overnight at your
hotel. (B)
DAY 06/ AGRA – FATEHPUR SIKRI – RANTHAMBHORE BY SURFACE (191 Kms / 4.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Ranthambore. Enroute, visit Fatehpur Sikri. The great
Emperor Akbar’s grandeur Capital city. Phantoms of ancient pomp and splendor fill
the deserted city, a silent witness to a vanished dream. Shortly after it was
completed, this magnificent fortress was abandoned by Akbar, due to lack of adequate
water supply. The marble tomb of the Saint “Salim Chisti” and the “Bulland Durwaza”
are some of the highlights of the fortress.
On arrival in Ranthambore, transfer to hotel. VIP check-in at the hotel, with
a refreshing welcome drink. Ranthambore City is named after its founder, Maharaja
Sawai Madho Singh. Sawai Madhopur is known for its exclusive toys, ethnic ornaments,
and colorful costumes.
Late afternoon, visit Ranthambore Fort and its Temples. The fortress of Ranthambore,
believed to have been founded in 944 by the Chauhan Rajputs, demand a strategic
location 700 feet above the surrounding plain.
The fort was a vital citadel for the control of central India, with the result
that many wars were fought for its possession. Due to its location and structure,
it was one of the most difficult forts to overthrow. The most successful ruler
of this fort was Rao Hammir in the 11th century. Inside Ranthambore fort there
are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalaji constructed in
12th and 13th centuries from red Karauli stone. There is also a Jain temple of
Lord Sumatinath and Lord Sambhavath within the premises. Overnight at your hotel.
(B)
DAY 07 / RANTHAMBORE
Early morning, enjoy a Jungle Safari for a game drive. Return to the hotel and
enjoy a relaxing breakfast.
Ranthambhore National Park is one of the most popular parks of North India, and
the best for observing activities of the tiger. Dotted with lakes and ponds, the
National Park sprawls over an area of 410 sq. kms. The park is covered with belts
of dry deciduous forests with ancient banyans and Peepal trees and large areas
of grassy meadows. It is also studded with small covered pavilions, ancient summer
palaces and crumbling guard posts that bear mute testimony of erstwhile kingdoms
and long forgotten battles. The wildlife species that are found inside the park
include Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Marsh Crocodiles, Sambars, Chital, Nilgai
(blue bull), Wild Boars, Chinkara, Jackals, Hyena, etc.
Afternoon, enjoy a Jungle Safari by open jeep to view the wildlife of Ranthambore
National Park. Enjoy the unique flora and fauna in the park, and view some the
largest banyan trees in India. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
DAY 08 / RANTHAMBHORE - JAIPUR BY SURFACE (170 KMS /4 Hrs)
VIP check-in, with a refreshing welcome drink. Jaipur, also referred to by its’
romantic nickname, "The Pink City" because of the pink color of its royal buildings.
It boasts the grand Amber Fort, the first royal residence of the Marajas of Kachchwaha.
Jaipur is also famous for the region's handicrafts and jewels.
Afternoon, enjoy demonstrations on tying a saree for women, and pagdi for men
and take part in, or watch beautiful art of Henna application.
Evening, visit Choki Dhani, a re-creation of an Ethnic Rajasthan village setting.
Enjoy dinner and entertainment, a typical Rajasthani dance, at Choki Dhani. Overnight
at your hotel. (B/D)
DAY 09 / JAIPUR
After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur including Amber
Fort. Amber Fort -Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, Amber Fort was the
old capital before the city of Jaipur was built. Ride on a decorated elephant
to ascend the hill to the Palace. The construction of the Amber Fort began in
the year 1592 and was started by Man Singh I, but it was later completed by his
descendant Jai Singh I. The Palace is laid out at different levels on the hillside
and surrounded by a fortress. The exterior of the fort is very imposing and rugged
looking whereas the inside is a comforting and warm interior which is influenced
by both Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation. On the walls, are paintings depicting
various hunting scenes, intricate carvings, mosaics, and minute mirror work that
make the halls look majestic and imperial.
Afternoon sightseeing includes: The City Palace, Mubarak Hall, Chandra Mahal
and Pothikhana, which house collection of paintings and manuscripts as well as
the museum of Arms and Armory. Also visit Jantar Mantar- Jai Singh’s observatory,
and Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds”. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
DAY 10 / JAIPUR – DELHI BY SURFACE (260 Kms / 6 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Delhi. VIP check-in, with a refreshing welcome drink.
Afternoon at leisure to explore Delhi on your own. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
DAY 11 / DELHI – RISHIKESH BY SURFACE (235 KMS / 5.5HRS)
Drive to Rishikesh. Enroute, enjoy the scenic countryside and visit Haridwar.
VIP check-in, with a refreshing welcome drink. Haridwar or 'the Gateway to the
Gods' is one of the seven holiest places according to Hindu mythology, as the
Gods are believed to have left their footprints in Haridwar. Due to its geographical
location, Haridwar is a major pilgrimage place for Hindus, and is also a gateway
to the other three important pilgrimages of Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Badrinath,
and Kedarnath.
Evening, witness an Aarti at Ganga Ghat. Hundreds of tiny boats with shiny lamps
decorated with flowers float on the Ganges every evening as Hindus from all over
the country come to pray here on the banks of the Holy River Ganges, at the foothills
of the Himalayas. Overnight at your hotel.(B)
DAY 12 / RISHIKESH
After breakfast, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Rishikesh.
Rishikesh means the place of sages. It is a peaceful and mystical town, and one
of the holies in India. Visit the famous Center for Yoga and Meditation, Laxman
Jhoola, and Shivand Jhoola.
Afternoon, relax at your Deluxe Ananda Spa resort. Once the residence of Maharaja
of Tehri-Garhwal, today it is dedicated to travelers who are looking for innovative
ways to restore and rejuvenate their energies. Grounded in Ayurveda, Yoga, and
Vedanta combined with contemporary international therapies, which enhance and
augment the original, Ananda is the ultimate escape from the mundane to the spiritual,
where every corner spells harmony and every color soothes the senses. Overnight
at your hotel. (B)
DAY 13 / RISHIKESH
After breakfast, enjoy the Ananda Spa Resort.
The 24,000 square foot spa offers an extensive menu of over 79 body and beauty
treatments, integrating the traditional Indian systems of Ayurveda with the more
contemporary Western spa approach. The spa experience strives to achieve the ultimate
harmony between the physical and the mental realms of the individual.
With unique focus on the traditional Indian sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda; Ananda
Spa creates the skillful synthesis between age-old therapies and modern spa technology.
The personalized therapy and activities program are designed to meet individual
needs and health goals – de-stress, detoxification and cleansing, deep relaxation,
anti-ageing, weight & inch loss, while also offering guidance in the areas
of nutrition and exercise.
24 treatment rooms with specialized areas for Ayurveda, Oriental and European
systems of holistic health, a team of qualified nutritionists, Western & Ayurvedic
physicians, spa therapists with knowledge of ancient Indian sciences and modern
western treatments – all gently guide you towards a better lifestyle.
Ananda Spa also offers a temperature controlled outdoor lap pool and a state
of the art 16-station life-cycle gymnasium.
Ananda in the Himalayas will offer special workshops and private sessions with
visiting Masters in different areas of well-being. These teachers, therapists,
healers, Ayurvedic doctors and guides visit from around the world to share their
talents and gifts with those who choose to explore and understand the deeper realms
of holistic well being for the body, mind and spirit. Overnight at your hotel.
(B)
Day 14/ RISIKESH – DELHI BY SURFACE (235 KMS / 5.5HRS)
After breakfast, morning at leisure to enjoy the beautiful Ananda Spa resort.
Afternoon, check out from hotel, and drive to Delhi.
Enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant in Delhi before transferring to
the international airport to check-in for your flight. (B/D)
Day 15/ Delhi – U.S.
Early morning departure by flight...just after mindnight.
Air India Flt #101 DEL – JFK 0030-0605 |
