Collette > Mysteries of India

Mysteries of India
16 Days starting from $2,849

Countries Visited:
India

 

Length: 16 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Asia Tour
Operator: Collette
Tour Code: 3488
   
 
 
About This Tour


Visit Varanasi with its endearing universal mystique which has to be experienced to be understood.Take a boat ride on the holy River Ganges where people their sins with the hope of attaining eternal salvation or "Nirvana." Highlighs include the Benaras Hindu University, the largest residential university in Asia; and the Bharat Mata Temple and Continuing to Sarnath, a place of pilgrimage for the Buddhists.
 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • Additional Details

Enjoy the services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your trip.

Meals
14 Breakfast(s), 8 Lunch(es), 6 Dinner(s

Hotel Accommodations:
Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

DELHIThe Grand Hotel
UDAIPURLaxmi Vilas Palace
JODHPURTaj Hari Mahal Hotel
JAIPURLe Meridien Hotel
RANTHAMBOREDev Vilas
AGRATaj Chandela Hotel
DELHIThe Grand Hotel

Complimentary hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.
Sightseeing
Private transportation via a deluxe, climate-controlled motorcoach
Day 1
Overnight Flight


Day 2
Gurgaon, Delhi, India - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Delhi, the capital of India and a city of great character, whose history dates back over 2,000 years. Many ancient monuments and archeological sites are found in this city which held the seat of government through several great empires.

Day 3
New Delhi
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. After a welcome briefing you will depart on a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then, explore the city''s narrow streets the traditional way…by rickshaw! After lunch, a tour of New Delhi includes a visit to Qutub Minar which, at 237.8 feet, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Next, visit Humayun''s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. This outstanding monument, constructed in the Indo-Persian style, is a precursor of the Taj Mahal. You''ll pass the imposing India Gate war memorial, the Parliament building and the palatial Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President''s residence. This evening you will have a special welcome dinner at the farmhouse of a retired serviceman, General Urban, and his family. You will have an opportunity to discuss life in India and how upper middle class Indians live in a country where there is such a gap between the extremely rich and the extremely poor.

Day 4
Delhi - Udaipur
This morning fly to Udaipur, your gateway to Rajasthan. This romantic land is home to tales of valor and chivalry, with a history that brings to life forts, palaces and stories of court intrigues. This evening, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola to visit the Jag Mandir Palace which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and imposing dome.

Day 5
Udaipur
Visit the vast and exquisite City Palace, a well-fortified, majestic white monument. The main entrance, a triple-arched gate named the Tripolia, was built in 1725 and is a marvel. Continue to Jagdish Temple, a 16th century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur. Stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids of Honor, and learn about the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these exquisite gardens.

Day 6
Udaipur - Jodhpur
Depart for Jodhpur this morning. En route, visit Ranakpur Jain Temple, one of the best complexes of Jain religion and noted for the grandiose scale of architecture illustrated in this temple’s 1,444 distinctive pillars. Later this afternoon you will arrive in the old city of Jodhpur, founded in 1459 and protected by ancient walls over 100 feet tall.

Day 7
Jodhpur
Proceed to Mehrangarh Fort, the citadel of the Sun. Visit the various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the Royal family. Proceed to Jaswant Thada, a pillared marble memorial to the popular Jaswant Singh II (ruler from 1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits (armed gangs), initiated irrigation systems, and boosted the economy. Descend the fort and board a tuk tuk (auto rickshaw) and continue to the bazaar in the city for a walking tour. The afternoon includes a visit to Bishnoi Village by jeep. The Bishnoi communities are staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life. You will visit traditional villages and see local handicrafts, men in traditional attire and women clad in ancestral jewelry. Visit the home of a potter family and learn about and participate in making pottery.

Day 8
Jodhpur - Jaipur
Travel this morning by train to Jaipur, the "Pink City," where the romance and mystery of Rajasthan continues. You will make a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, with its striking façade of 953 windows. This massive "Palace of the Winds" is still the home of a former Maharaja (great king). You will visit the City Palace, a complex of exquisite palaces, gardens, and courtyards with decorative art and carved doorways. Lunch will be served at Chandra Mahal Verandah, an exclusive and private area of the palace. Next, marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory. Built in 1726, the observatory is one of five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions of eclipses and other celestial events, even to this day.

Day 9
Jaipur
Board your elephant (or Jeeps if elephants are not available) and ascend to the top of Amber Fort. Construction began in the 17th century by Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar''s most successful General. Before the City Palace, Amber was the seat of power. You will have time to stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Next, stroll through a local flower market where you have the opportunity to learn the art of making flower garlands used in traditional Indian welcome ceremonies. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure.

Day 10
Jaipur - Ranthambore
This morning''s drive will bring you to Ranthambore National Park, near the township of Sawai Madhipur. The national park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger''s efforts at conservation in the country. The forests around the park were once the private grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. A slide presentation and lecture by a naturalist will provide you with a brief description on the wildlife of the country in preparation for your game viewing drive by canter (open air vehicle). The residents of the park include marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears and more…if you are lucky, you may see a tiger!

Day 11
Ranthambore
An early morning game viewing drive is an exciting way to begin the day. Following the visit to the park, you will return to the hotel for breakfast. The afternoon includes a visit to the Ranthambore School of Art. This noble venture revolutionized the concept of wildlife painting in India. This school was formed with only one purpose: to save the tigers. Students are recruited from neighboring villages and towns to be trained as self-sufficient artists. These students are sensitized to the dismal plight of the quickly disappearing Indian tiger. Next, visit Dastkar Ranthambore Project where, in 1981, six women came together to deal with the problems of traditional artisans in contemporary India. Crafts are the second largest source of income for the rural people in India today.

Day 12
Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra
The day begins with an early morning train ride. Upon arrival in Bharatpur, enjoy brunch before continuing to Fatehpur Sikri. This deserted red sandstone city was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It is complete with palaces, mosques, and was larger than London when it was constructed. Continue your drive to Agra, your home for the next two evenings.

Day 13
Agra
Your sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal begins with a tonga (horse carriage) ride to the gates. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported by a fleet of 1,000 elephants. Built in the mid-17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Next, visit Agra Fort, the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. You then continue for a visit to Mother Teresa''s Charity Mission - a home for orphans which is supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation. This home hosts children of all ages. Here, Sisters fill children’s lives with affection, providing them with clothing, food, and quality education in order to make them self dependant as adults. This evening, visit Mehtab Bagh for a stunning sunset view of the Taj Mahal. Then, visit Kalakriti, a house of traditional handicrafts of the region, before joining your fellow travelers for a special farewell dinner.

Day 14
Agra - Gurgaon, Delhi
Before breakfast, participate in a relaxing yoga class where you learn basic yoga exercises and breathing techniques from a local expert. Then, depart Agra and return to Gurgaon, located just outside Delhi. En route, stop for lunch at a local restaurant where you can sample many regional specialties. Upon arrival at your hotel, the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure to relax and prepare for your journey home.

Day 15
Gurgaon - Tour Ends
Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation to India.


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
1/15/2009 - 1/30/2009
$3,999
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3/5/2009 - 3/20/2009
$3,999
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3/19/2009 - 4/3/2009
$3,999
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4/16/2009 - 5/1/2009
$3,299
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5/28/2009 - 6/11/2009
$2,849
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10/15/2009 - 10/29/2009
$3,749
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1/21/2010 - 2/4/2010
$3,749
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4/15/2010 - 4/29/2010
$3,749
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Package Notes:
Itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.
If you have not purchased air through the tour operator and wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our pre-scheduled times.
Due to flight schedules, a post night may be required (at an additional cost). Please inquire at time of booking.
Due to the limited number of twin bedded rooms in hotels within India, we are unable to guarantee bed type. If two beds are required, the second bed may be a rollaway. While we will do our best to honour your request, we cannot guarantee the final bed configuration.
* If you would like to bring a small gift or make a monetary to Mother Teresa's Charity, please do so. Clothing and soft toys are always welcomed and appreciated.
View the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

Experience two game drives in Ranthambore National Park and witness first hand an example of Project Tiger's effort at conservation.

Enjoy lunch on a private veranda of the City Palace of Jaipur.

Visit Mother Teresa's Charity Home and witness how her work is carried on in her memory.

LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.

Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi: Visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then, explore the city's narrow streets the traditional way by rickshaw!

Tour of New Delhi includes a visit to Qutub Minar which, at 237.8 feet, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Next, visit Humayun's tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. This outstanding monument, constructed in the Indo-Persian style, is a precursor of the Taj Mahal. You'll pass the imposing India Gate war memorial, the Parliament building and the palatial Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.

Boat cruise on Lake Pichola to visit the Jag Mandir Palace which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and imposing dome.

Udaipur: City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahelion-ki-Bari

Ranakpur Jain Temple, Mehrangarh Fort, the citadel of the Sun. Proceed to Jaswant Thada, a pillared marble memorial to the popular Jaswant Singh II (ruler from 1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits (armed gangs), initiated irrigation systems, and boosted the economy.

Visit the Chandel Temple Complex which represents some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India.

sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal begins with a tonga (horse carriage) ride to the gates. Next, visit Agra Fort, the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. You then continue for a visit to Mother Teresa's Charity Mission* - a home for orphans.

visit Mehtab Bagh for a sunset view of the Taj Mahal.

This evening you will have a special farewell dinner at the farmhouse of a retired serviceman, General Urban, and his family. You will have an opportunity to discuss life in India and how upper middle class Indians live in a country where there is such a gap between the extremely rich and the extremely poor.
Package Notes:
Itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.
If you have not purchased air through the tour operator and wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our pre-scheduled times.
Due to flight schedules, a post night may be required (at an additional cost). Please inquire at time of booking.
Due to the limited number of twin bedded rooms in hotels within India, we are unable to guarantee bed type. If two beds are required, the second bed may be a rollaway. While we will do our best to honour your request, we cannot guarantee the final bed configuration.
* If you would like to bring a small gift or make a monetary to Mother Teresa's Charity, please do so. Clothing and soft toys are always welcomed and appreciated.
   
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