Wonders of India

Welcome to Delhi! This fascinating capital is a bustling metropolis where the ancient and modern unfold. The city is broadly divided into two parts — old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Delhis Muslim rulers, notably the Mughals between the 17th and 19th centuries. New Delhi, on the other hand, is referred to as the Imperial City after the British decided to move their capital from Calcutta in 1911. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for a non-alcoholic welcome beverage.
Overnight in Delhi ...more ...less

Start your day with a visit to Old Delhi. Your journey will begin at the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Embark on an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the by-lanes of Chandni Chowk (Silver Street). Walk along the rustic alleyways and cultural attractions! Drive past the mighty and sprawling Red Fort, which was built in 1648 and stands along the River Yamuna. Continue to New Delhi to see the colonial architecture that defined the British era of India. From there you will visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a famous Sikh temple and our last stop of the day. Sikhism is a progressive religion (and in many respects, ahead of its time). At the Bangla Sahib, you will see how this religion blends practices from Hinduism and Islam into something new. You can watch (and join if you like) the langar, the voluntary group cooking and feeding program at the Gurudwara. From there we will travel to the Qutb Minar complex — the worlds tallest brick minaret, erected by the first Islamic rulers of India!  
Overnight in Delhi

After breakfast, you will drive to Agra, the past capital of the mighty Mughal Empire. This city is currently home to some of the top tourist sites in the world! Even if visiting what is arguably the worlds greatest “monument of love” does not appeal to you, there is still more to see in Agra! Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. At leisure, you may join the optional tour below.At sunset, you will visit the Taj Mahal, one of mankind's greatest architectural accomplishments. Built out of white marble by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his loving wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal was erected by 20,000 laborers over a 12-year period. The entire monument is a masterpiece of symmetry.
Overnight in Agra

Today you will depart for Bharatpur, a bird watcher paradise. En route, you may visit Fatehpur Sikri, an eerily abandoned capital from the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir of the throne, Emperor Jahangir. While Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, he took great interest in the arts and architecture. Fatehpur Sikri is one of his greatest masterworks. Sadly, the town served as the capital for a little over a decade and was eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water.  From there, you will continue your journey to Bharatpur. Upon arrival, you may check in to your hotel. Perhaps join our optional below!
Overnight in Bharatpur

After breakfast, you will drive to Jaipur. The “City of Victory\" is unique for its pink buildings and autumn-colored landscape. The historical city is home to palaces converted into luxury hotels, breathtaking forts from prehistoric times, and delicious Indian cuisine. Upon arrival, you may check in to the hotel.En route, you will visit the Galtaji Temple — a large Hindu complex situated 10km east of Jaipur. These temples are a popular tourist attraction as they are home to a large colony of monkeys. This has given rise to the common name of the complex: The Monkey Temple! Galta Ji Jaipur is a unique Hindu pilgrimage, centered around a natural spring that has been channeled to fill seven large pools. In these pools, pilgrims come to bath away their sins, while, at quiet moments, the playful monkeys can be found swimming in the holy waters.Embark on a tour of the city. Begin with a photo-stop at the Hawa Mahal, often referred to as the Palace of Winds. The striking landmark was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh for the women in the royal family. This building allowed them to watch the citys processions through tiny, latticed windows and balconies without ever being seen. Next, you will visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a remarkable stone astrological and astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. Continue to the City Palace Museum, home to a priceless collection of antiques, costumes, and armory of the Mughals and Rajputs. You will also find an art gallery featuring a wide collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia, and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin, and Sanskrit.
Overnight in Jaipur

This morning you will head to Amber Fort. Located approximately 11km outside Jaipur, this majestic monument was created using elements of Hindu and Islamic architecture and design. Murals, frescos, and paintings portray the daily life of a bygone era on walls engraved with carvings, decorated with mosaics and mirror work. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure or join an optional tour.
Overnight in Jaipur

Before breakfast, you may join our optional tour of hot air ballooning over Jaipur at sunrise.Travel back to Delhi to the Indira Gandhi International Airport and check-in for your flight home.

In the early morning, you will board your flight back home (this day may change according to the flight schedule).