Experience all the spice of India on this 15-day tour. See the Taj Mahal bathed in the light of sunrise and sunset. Embark on an evening cruise across Lake Pichola. Enjoy magnificent views of the Jag Mandir Palace. Participate in a yoga class, a cooking demonstration, bindi tying, and even get a henna tattoo! See the City Palace in Jaipur. Experience game drives in Ranthambore National Park, visit the site of Buddha’s first sermon, and take an early morning ride on the holy River Ganges.

View Dates and Prices Tour Highlights and Inclusions View Itinerary Tour Images Hotel and Train Accommodations

Call 877-929-7245 to book your Mysteries of India vacation.

• Hotel accommodations for 13 nights
• 26 meals
• Transportation by train and motorcoach
• Sightseeing and scenic excursions per itinerary
• Services of a professional tour manager

Scenic highlights include:

• Old Delhi
• Lake Pichola
• Ranthambore National Park
• Mother Teresa’s Charity Home
• Taj Mahal
• Chandel Temple Complex

Day 1 - International Flight to Delhi
Embark on your international flight to Delhi, India from your U.S. gateway (international flight not included in tour price).

Day 2 - Arrive in Delhi, India
Welcome to Delhi, India’s capital city that sports a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Overnight Delhi.

Day 3 - New Delhi
Ease your way into the local culture as your tour manager teaches you a few key phrases of the native language. Today’s highlights include a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi with a visit to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. There will be an opportunity to explore the narrow streets of Old Delhi by rickshaw, the traditional mode of transportation. You will also tour New Delhi, visit Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. Visit Humayun’s tomb, considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal for its Indo-Persian design. You will also see the India Gate war memorial, the Parliament, and the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence. Overnight Delhi. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Delhi / Udaipur
Fly to Udaipur this morning, the gateway to Rajasthan. Check into your hotel, a restored palace overlooking the lake. This evening, cruise by boat along Lake Pichola, taking in views of the Jag Mandir Palace and the City Palace. Overnight Udaipur. (B, D)

Day 5 - Udaipur
Today you will participate in a relaxing yoga class, learning basic exercises and breathing techniques from a local expert. Later, visit the exquisite City Palace as well as Jagdish Temple, the largest temple in Udaipur, dedicated to Lord Vishnu after its construction in the 16th century. You will also stop at Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids of Honor, where you will learn about the lifestyle of the royal ladies who once strolled through these gardens. Overnight Udaipur. (B)

Day 6 - Udaipur / Jaipur
This morning, depart on a scenic drive through the countryside to the “Pink City” of Jaipur. After lunch and checking into your hotel, head out for a brief stop at Hawa Mahal, home of the former Maharajam beholding its façade of 953 windows. Visit the City Palace, finding gardens, courtyards, intricate decorative art, and carved doorways. Marvel at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh. Overnight Jaipur. (B, L)

Day 7 - Jaipur
Highlights of the day include a ride on an elephant to the top of Amber Fort, India’s former seat of power; a visit a local school; a turban and sari tying demonstration during lunch; a stroll through a flower market for a glimpse into the art of making garlands used in traditional Indian welcome ceremonies; and, a henna tattoo and bindi demonstration. Dinner tonight is hosted in a local’s home, providing you with the chance to observe daily life inside the old city. Overnight Jaipur. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Jaipur / Ranthambore
Travel to Ranthambore National Park and learn about Project Tiger’s efforts at conservation in the country. A naturalist will talk about the country’s wildlife, and we’ll embark on a game viewing drive by canter, an open-air vehicle. Keep an eye out for marsh crocodiles, hyenas, sloth bears, and even tigers. Overnight Ranthambore. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Ranthambore
Rise and shine early for a game viewing drive followed by breakfast at your hotel. Later, visit the Ranthambore School of Art, which recruits students from neighboring villages and trains them to be self-sufficient artists. Next, visit Dastkar Ranthambore Project, founded in 1981 by six women united to protect India’s traditional artisans. Close the day as you dive into local cuisine with an interactive cooking demonstration followed by dinner. Overnight Ranthambore. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Ranthambore / Bharatpur / Agra
An early morning train brings you to Bharatpur. Set off for Fatehpur Sikri, a red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Boasting palaces and mosques, this city was larger than London when it was constructed. Overnight Agra. (B, L)

Day 11 - Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise aboard a tonga (horse carriage) that takes you to its gates. The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 20,000 men to build. Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Overnight Agra. (B)

Day 12 - Agra / Jhansi / Occhra / Khajuraho
Board a train for Jhansi, and continue to Occhra and visit Jahangir Mahal. Notice the palace’s aura of grandeur and opulence representative of Bundela School of Architecture. Overnight Khajuraho. (B, L)

Day 13 - Khajuraho / Varansi
Visit the Chandel Temple complex and behold some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. Fly to Varanasi, a simplistic and charming city with a universal mystique. Tonight, visit the Ghats—the banks of the river—witnessing the illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony. Overnight Varanasi. (B)

Day 14 - Varanasi
Cruise along the River Ganges past various Ghats where you’ll see people ritually cleansing themselves of their sins, hoping for salvation. A city tour of Varanasi includes Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva; Benaras Hindu University; and, Bharat Mata Temple. Continue to Sarnath where Siddarth Gautama, later known as Buddha, gave his first sermon on a quiet grove in the 6th century BC. Join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner this evening. Overnight Varanasi. (B, D)

Day 15 - Varanasi / Delhi
The morning is at your leisure before flying back to Delhi. Later, depart for the international airport for your return flight home. (B)

Hotels include the Hilton New Delhi, Fateh Garh Udaipur, Hotel Trident, Dev Vilas Ranthambore, Trident Hotel Agra, Taj Chandela Hotel, and The Gateway Hotel Ganges.

Hotel accommodations are based on availability; substitutes will be similar in quality and amenities.