Mysteries of India

Discover India’s perfect synthesis of nature, spirituality, and regal legacy. From the fabled Taj Mahal to the iconic tigers of Ranthambore, step into a world of captivating mysteries and vibrant color.
Hotel Name: The Suryaa Hotel

A paradise of contradiction, Delhi features a bustling energy, age-old monuments, and an all-encompassing vitality that courses its way through the busy streets. Experience everything this dynamic metropolis has to offer, from modern New Delhi to historic Old Delhi.

Visit Area: Old Delhi
Founded in 1639 and considered to be one of the poshest areas of its time, Old Delhi is full of grand buildings and mansions. A walled city, once called Shahjahanabad after the emperor, it is a living testimony to the rich Mughal heritage and culture of Delhi. Today the congested and hectic area remains true to its origins with the culture of joint families between neighbors in the narrow alleyways.

Start your morning at the expansive Humayun’s Tomb, one of the best-preserved Mughal monuments dating back to the 1500s. This sprawling complex inspired countless mausoleums, including the legendary Taj Mahal. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. Gather with your group in the evening for a welcome dinner featuring Indian specialties.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Jaipur
Delve into Jaipur, known as the “Pink City” due to the ruddy hue of its stone architecture. This city is the capital of Northern India, and home to architectural icons like the Amer Fort and the Jantar Mantar monument.

Cut through Old Delhi’s buzzing streets on a rickshaw – your mode of transportation for an exhilarating tour of old Delhi. See the city’s friendly vendors as you travel down narrow streets and busy corridors. Visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, and stand in awe before its iconic red sandstone towers. Your exploration of New Delhi continues on a journey by the city’s famous monuments, including the India Gate and Parliament building.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Radisson Jaipur City Center

Admittance: Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799, Hawa Mahal is a monument to the Maharaja of the time. Known as the Palace of Winds, the structure is known for the 953 pink sandstone windows known as "Jharokhas" which create a honeycomb type of architecture to the building and allow ventilation. Behind each window is a small sitting area as they were designed to provide the royal ladies of Rajasthan with a glimpse of city life through a veil.

Wish the city goodbye and embark on a scenic drive through the countryside. Stop for lunch in a local restaurant before arriving in Jaipur, the “Pink City.” See Hawa Mahal, the former home of a maharaja (Indian prince). Marvel at the city’s architectural brilliance as you stroll through the heart of the Old City during your free time.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Visit Area: Amber Fort
Amber Fort, or "pink city," is located near Jaipur and was built in 1952. The former seat of power for the ruling Kachhawa of Amber clan, it is built of red sandstone and white marble and laid out symmetrically in four levels. Visitors today typically travel by elephant or jeep to reach the structure.

Take in the extensive palace complex of Amber Fort, India’s former seat of power. Head to the palace by means of a vintage jeep, scaling the hills overlooking Jaipur. In the evening, get to know a local family as you join them for a hosted dinner in their home.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Home-Hosted Dinner
While most people are familiar with Indian cuisine and think of mainly curries and naan bread, the country is known for regional cuisines as well. In Jaipur, the food is influenced by the lifestyle of the Maharajas and Maharani of Jaipur. The lifestyle of the rich people of Jaipur was nowhere less than the lifestyle of prince Charles, the only difference maintained by the definition of royalty in their senses. Cuisines of Jaipur includes all the Rajasthani food which is cooked only under Desi (Indian or S. Asian cuisine) and pure ghee, a type of clarified butter.

Set out to explore the beautiful city of Jaipur, starting with the City Palace. Nearby, take in the impeccable masonry of the Jantar Mantar – the world’s oldest stone sundial. The afternoon is yours to discover Jaipur however you please.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Juna Mahal

Visit Area: Ranthambore National Park

Travel to Ranthambore National Park where we will seek out tigers in their natural habitat. Learn about Project Tiger’s conservation efforts and the impact the organization has had on the Ranthambore sanctuary. Connect with a naturalist, introducing you to India’s extensive wildlife.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Hotel Time at Leisure or Visit to Dastkar Ranthambore
While in Ranthambore, you have the choice between two activities. First, after your morning game drive, you can choose to enjoy time at leisure to relax and take advantage of your hotels amenities. Or, you can choose to visit the Dasktar Organization which provides women from neighboring villages with training to help them be successful artists. Hotel Time at Leisure Activity Level: 1 Visit to Dastkar Ranthambore Activity Level: 1

Board a canter (open-air truck) for your first game drive. Seek out barking deer, Indian gazelles, and exotic birdlife. Follow the tigers’ paths in search of the sanctuary’s renowned wildlife. Then, it’s your choice! Return to your hotel to relax -OR- experience an Impact Moment with a visit to Dastkar Ranthambore, a social enterprise dedicated to providing employment and training for local women artisans. No matter what you choose, return to the wild for another chance to seek out marsh crocodiles, sloth bears, and the park’s famous Bengal tigers.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Grand Mercure

Admittance: Abhaneri Stepwell

Today we depart early as we make our way to Agra, a city rich with the splendors of the past. Along the way, visit the impressive Abhaneri step well. Built over 1,000 years ago it is an architectural marvel hidden from visitors until recently. Then stop for lunch and get another taste of local flavors. Home to stone forts and marble mausoleums, Agra features a lively culture and picture-perfect architecture.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Admittance: Taj Mahal
Located in Agra is the white marble mauseleum and UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century, the structure took 22 years to build and was built as homage to the Shah Jahan's wife. Representing the palace of the Queen in Paradise, the Taj Mahal translates into Place of the Crown.

The Taj Mahal, a stunning vision in white marble and sandstone, was built as an expression of love by Emperor Shah Jahan. Experience the romantic spirit of the Taj Mahal in the early morning, when the colors of the sky dance on the bright façade and shimmer in its reflective pool. Visit Agra Fort, the seat of the Mughal Empire. During a second Impact Moment, enjoy lunch at Sheroes' Hangout – a café that empowers female survivors of violence, allowing them to reclaim their lives through employment and sisterhood.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Radisson Jass Hotel

Admittance: Chandela Temple Complex
Located in Kharjuraho, the Land of the Moon God, are the temples of the Chandela Dynasty. Built between the 9th and 12th centuries, the temples are unique in that they do not focus on religion or the worshipping of deities, but are unique in their carvings of eroticism. Legend says that the founder of the Chandela dynasty had a dream where his mother requested he display all aspects of the treasure of passion to the world.

Start your morning with a train ride to Jhansi where you will connect with your coach and make your way to Khajuraho. In the shadow of the Vindhya mountain range, find a city of stone temples and mystifying sculptures. Make the most of time at leisure this afternoon to explore the area on your own.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Radisson Hotel

Visit Area: Varanasi
Explore India’s holiest city, one that radiates a powerful mystique. Varanasi, a city that sits on the banks of the Ganges river, is an important central hub for both Buddhism and Hinduism.

Take in the Chandela Temple complex, home to unparalleled temple architecture and intricate stone carvings. Fly to Varanasi – India’s holiest city – where spiritual energy radiates from the ground up. Sail along the River Ganges and pass by the ghats (banks) where locals wade into the river. From the Dasaswamedh Ghat, enjoy a reserved seat to experience the Ganga Aarti ceremony as it illuminates the night sky.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Ganga Aarti Ceremony
Every night at sunset in Varanasi, a ganga aarti ceremony is performed along the Ganges River. The aarti, or dedication ceremony to a deity—in this case the River Ganges—is performed on a stage by a group of young pandits, all draped in saffron colored robes with their offering plates spread out before them. The ceremony begins with the blowing of a conch shell, and continues with the waving of incense sticks in elaborate patterns and circling of large flaming lamps fueled by ghee that create a bright hue against the darkened sky.

Take advantage of a morning boat ride for an opportunity to see the sunrise on the River Ganges. Travel to Sarnath, where Siddhartha Gautama – later known as Buddha – gave his first sermon in the 6th century B.C. Discover this holy site and gain insight into the country’s divine past. Celebrate your adventure through India alongside new friends at a farewell dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Lemon Tree Premier

Enjoy a morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi, where a room has been reserved for you to freshen up before your return flight home.

Breakfast Included