DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI.
Welcome to Delhi, India! a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples and tombs.

You will be met on arrival at the international airport by a representative of Indus Travels and escorted by private vehicle to the hotel. While the room keys and check-in are organized, our representative will brief you about the tour program and hand over the documents to you. Overnight stay in Delhi.

DAY 02 DELHI.
Our adventure begins in Old Delhi, the Mughal capital established by Shah Jahan in 1638. At the famous Red Fort, where Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the flag of newly-independent India on August 15, 1947, we trade our car for bicycle rickshaws. Weaving through the warren of crooked, congested alleys off Chandni Chowk, one of India's oldest and busiest bazaars, we will see that the traditional workmanship for which India is well known still thrives. We will also visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's serene and evocative cremation site, and the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Afternoon visit Qutb Minar, a stunning 240-foot minaret - the tallest in the world - surrounded by an elaborate complex built in the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition. Overnight at the hotel.

Optional: In Delhi and several other places on the tour, there will be an option to visit an orphanage, school or project for under-privileged children; or a women's cooperative.

DAY 03 DELHI/UDAIPUR BY FLIGHT.
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Udaipur, the majestic city of lakes and palaces. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and fondly referred to as Rajasthan's most romantic city, its rich history is matched by its picturesque setting among the Aravalli Mountains and three manmade lakes. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore Udaipur. In the early evening, we will take a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola, sailing past its picturesque ghats and palaces, stopping at the island of Jag Mandir, a 17th century water palace that witnessed two important historical events. It was the refuge for Prince Khurram, later known as Shah Jahan, when he was exiled by his father. Later, during the uprising of 1857, the island offered safety to several British families who fled from nearby Neemuch. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04 UDAIPUR.
We begin our day at the City Palace, overlooking the blue waters of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai Singh initiated construction in 1559 A.D., and it was subsequently expanded, with impressive uniformity, by several succeeding Maharanas. The palace consists of a number of beautiful courtyards and gardens. The main hall has been converted into a museum, housing opulent artifacts and original works of art. Inside the complex we will find the exquisite crystal gallery, exhibiting 19th century pieces including crystal chandeliers, tables, sofas and beds. We will continue walking towards the Jagdish Temple to study its many remarkable friezes. Lavishly built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, it is easy to understand why Jagdish is the most venerated Hindu temple in Udaipur. Later we will explore the Old City, wandering through its bustling streets lined with art shops, spice vendors, tailors and more. Overnight at the hotel

DAY 05 UDAIPUR/JAIPUR BY FLIGHT.
After early breakfast we transfer to Udaipur airport for our short flight to the "Pink City" of Jaipur - Rajasthan's capital, The origin of Jaipur's nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings that rise at every turn. In the late afternoon explore the old city on own or pick an INDUS EXEPERIENCE of your choice in Jaipur.
Jaipur is an excellent place to enjoy unparalleled shopping and people watching. Spend time in the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city, Johori Bazaar, a true feast for the senses. Aromatic spices fill the air, while oxcarts, rickshaws, cows, bejeweled women and men with shocking pink turbans jostle through the labyrinthine streets. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06 JAIPUR.
This morning we will drive a short distance outside of the city to Amber Fort and Palace. Perched on a hillside on the outskirts of town, the palace was constructed in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh, the commander of Akbar's army, and was largely motivated by the highly defensible location. This is a beautiful and very well preserved structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love." And in the afternoon we return to the city for a look at the grand Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This magnificent structure was built to allow the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street, City Palace and impressive Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07 JAIPUR/RANTHAMBORE 175 KMS / 4 HRS..
After breakfast we will continue overland to Ranthambhore National Park, arriving at our hotel in time for a late afternoon game drive into the park. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08 RANTHAMBORE.
Ranthambhore National Park, at 150 square miles, is one of India's smallest tiger reserves, but it boasts one of the country's largest tiger populations and an impressive array of other animal and bird life (over 270 species of birds have been documented). It is situated between the Aravalli and Vindhya mountain ranges, forested with deciduous trees and dotted with natural and manmade lakes and spectacular ancient ruins. Wildlife including leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, langur nilgai, sambar and chital inhabit the park in abundance. Crocodiles are found in some of these lakes, which are also seasonally rich in water birds. Our days will begin with pre-dawn coffee and biscuits before setting off on an early morning game drive with our park guide in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. After lunch back at our hotel, we will return to the park for an afternoon game drive, ending our days just before sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09 RANTHAMBORE/AGRA 260 KMS/6 HRS.
After breakfast we will continue overland to Agra. We will stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri, the eerily abandoned capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the thrown, 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 masterworks. Sadly, it served as a capital for little more than a decade, eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water. Arriving Agra in time for sunset at the Taj Mahal. You will long remember this scene as the Taj changes color and mood, its marble walls reflecting the pinks and mauves of the receding sun. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 AGRA.
We may choose to revisit the Taj to witness its shifting facades at sunrise. After breakfast, we set out to explore the Agra Fort, the work of Akbar the Great, who built it over the course of eight years (1565-1573). The fort was successively occupied by Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan; the latter died here, imprisoned by his son, left to gaze at the Taj Mahal he had built.
After lunch we cross the Yamuna River to visit Itmad ud Daula. The mausoleum was built by Queen Nur Jahan in 1622 in memory of her father. It is a notable representation of the fine inlaid stonework and translucent marble. Many historians believe that this monument was Shah Jahan's inspiration for building the Taj and is often described as the "petite Taj." Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11 AGRA/DELHI 205 KMS / 4HRS.
After leisurly breakfast we will continue overland to Delhi. Arrive Delhi late afternoon rest of the day at leisure or pick an INDUS EXEPERIENCE of your choice in Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12 DELHI/VARANASI BY FLIGHT..
After breakfast tranfer to Delhi airport to catch our flight to the ancient city of Varanasi, the center of Hindu culture. A holy city dedicated to Shiva, Varanasi has survived the centuries because of its sanctified place in Indian religious life. Late this afternoon take an excursion to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath. At the museum, see excavated pillars from the Maurya dynasty (323-185 B.C.) and ancient stupas. Late evening cruise the Ganges River at sunset to witness the evening aarti prayer ritual. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13 VARANASI.
Take an early morning boat ride to see pilgrims gathering on the ghats to bathe in the sacred Ganges as the city begins to come alive in the misty light of dawn. Late breakfast, then take a walk through the narrow lanes of the old city. Rest of the day at leisure or pick an INDUS EXEPERIENCE of your choice in Varanasi. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14 VARANASI/DELHI BY FLIGHT.
We will return to Delhi in the afternoon. Most international flights depart in the late evening or early morning, and arrive in the USA/Canada the following day.