Day 01 Arrive Delhi in the morning and transfer to the hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon sightseeing of Old Delhi’s bazaars and it’s Moghul monuments. Evening we set out to enjoy a cultural program followed by welcome dinner.
Day 02 Morning sightseeing of New Delhi will include the "Raj" buildings of Lutyens and Baker, the Qutub Minar, started by the slave King Qutub-ud-din Aibak in the 12th century, and Humayun’s Tomb. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 03 This morning we experience the "real" India as we proceed to the bustling New Delhi railway station, coolies in red attire carrying impossible heavy pieces of baggage, old engines steaming past, shunting carriages and a veritable bazaar on the platform with colourful wares on display, for our 5 hour journey to Jaipur, the "Pink City", on the Shatabadi Express. Afternoon city sightseeing will include the Palace of the Winds, the Jantar Mantar observatory, City Palace and the museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 Morning excursion to the hilltop Amber fort, climbed on caparisoned elephants. We visit the small factory for hand printed fabrics on our return. Afternoon free to explore the colourful bazaars. Jaipur is considered a shoppers paradise where popular items of purchase include Sanganeer prints, brocade, cotton and silk, marble statuettes, kundan work(stone set) and semi precious stone jewellery and pichwai/painted wall hangings. We are invited this evening to a local family’s residence for a traditional dinner.
Day 05 This morning is a trip to a typical Rajasthani village to see rural India at close quarters, bullock-carts and camels, artisans at work, mud-houses, women congregating near the wells, men tilling land, the older lot smoking "hookahs", children following you out of curiosity, an unhurried existence. Drive on to the Project Tiger Reserve in Ranthambore, home of the Tiger Moon Resort, offering modest but comfortable accommodation. Afternoon game drive.
Day 06 Morning enjoy another game drive before driving to Agra, visiting the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary enroute (time permitting). We stay 2 nights at the hotel.
Day 07 Morning city sightseeing will include the Fort, the tomb of Itamud-ud-daula and the poem in marble - The Taj Mahal. Afternoon excursion to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Day 08 A short flight in the morning to Khajurao, famous for the Chandela Dynasty temples, built between 950 and 1050 AD and known for their erotic sculptures. Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. Afternoon sightseeing of the temples.
Day 09 A short flight at midday to Varanasi, the most important pilgrimage centre for Hindus where they seek to break the cycle of rebirth. Varanasi was contemporary with Niniveh and Thebes, and is today, one of the oldest living cities in the world. Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. Afternoon visit to the city sights and the temples and the site of Buddha’s first sermon, Sarnath. Also visit a factory weaving the famous Benares silk in pit looms.
Day 10 Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to see devotees at prayers along the "ghats" or river banks . Afternoon fly to the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal or fly to Delhi.
