13 day Golden India Expedition

New Delhi, India – Arrival
Namaste and welcome to Delhi, India’s fascinating capital city, a treasure trove of ancient culture and history. On arrival, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Taj Palace – Superior Room

Meals – Breakfast

Delhi, India
Your adventure begins today, you will explore the intricate, bustling streets of Old Delhi, visit the Jama Masjid Mosque, one of Asia’s largest mosques, this monument is a wonderful introduction to the architectural splendor of northern India. Later visit the exquisite Sikh Temple, called the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and witnesses the phenomenon where more than 10,000 people are fed each day – one of the greatest services to humanity!

Later, you will explore the intricate, Humayun’s Tomb, built in the 16th century and considered the architectural forerunner of Agra’s Taj Mahal.

Overnight: Taj Palace – Superior Room

Meal: Breakfast & Welcome Dinner

Delhi, India – Jaipur, India
Following a hearty breakfast, you will be driven to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital and gateway to India’s most flamboyant state. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to cook our own dinner with a local family at an exclusive cooking class.

Overnight: Jai Mahal Palace – Luxury Room

Meals: Breakfast & Cooking Demonstration with Dinner

Jaipur, India
Your exploration of Jaipur, one of India’s most charming and colorful cities, includes a visit to the classically romantic Amber Fort, a stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), Jantar Mantar Observatory, and a visit to the City Palace, which is still home of the Jaipur royal family.

Overnight: Jai Mahal Palace – luxury room

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Jaipur, India – Agra, India
Today you will be driven to Agra, the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the immortal Taj Mahal, which was built in 1653 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, as a monument of love to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in which you will visit tomorrow. En route you will stop at Abhaneri (One of the largest stepwells in the world, it was built to conserve water and provide a respite from the intense heat) & Fatehpur Sikri, an enigmatic deserted Mughal city now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: Taj Hotel & Convention Center – Deluxe Room

Meals: Breakfast

Agra, India
Today at sunrise, you will experience the sublimity of the marvelous Taj Mahal – a varying kaleidoscope of solitude, colors, and mood. As you enter through an elaborate arched gateway you will see the monument for the first time, the wonderfully symmetrical landscaped gardens leading your eye to the intricately carved marble domes and towers.

Later visit Agra Fort, a 16th-century Mughal monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, an imposing sandstone citadel on the banks of the river Yamuna, which became the prison of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and visit Mehtab bagh.

Overnight: Taj Hotel & Convention Center – Deluxe Room

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Agra, India – Lucknow, India
Today embark on a journey to Lucknow, a city steeped in history and renowned for its cultural opulence. While its roots trace back to ancient times, Lucknow gained prominence during the Mughal era and flourished as the seat of the Nawabs of Awadh. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Nawabs nurtured a golden age of art, literature, music, and dance, transforming the city into a hub of elegance and refinement.

Overnight: Taj Mahal Hotel – Deluxe Room

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Lucknow, India
Start your day with a visit to the magnificent Bara Imambara, an 18th-century architectural masterpiece built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. Discover the intriguing Bhul Bhulaiya, a labyrinth of corridors that showcases the grandeur of Lucknow’s heritage.

Next, take a short ride to the tranquil Chhota Imambara, also known as the “Imambara of Light.” Marvel at its exquisite chandeliers, intricate calligraphy, and serene ambiance.

Wrap up your tour with a visit to the iconic Rumi Darwaza, a splendid gateway that stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and architectural brilliance.

Overnight: Taj Mahal Hotel – Deluxe Room

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Lucknow, India – Varanasi, India
Today you will drive to Varanasi. A magical splendor, an ocean of humanity, and a fervent display of one of the oldest faiths await you at Varanasi. In the evening, you will lose yourself in the mesmerizing display of lights that is Aarti, performed every evening to the chants of holy Vedic mantras to accompaniment of musical instrument that is perhaps as old as the city

Overnight: Taj Ganges – Deluxe Room

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Varanasi, India
As the sun begins to rise, let your cares drift away as you watch the many ghats come to life and life unfold itself from a distance as we sail down the Ganges. Post breakfast enjoy a guided stroll through the labyrinths of the old city to experience the local fight club called Akhadas, visit the environs of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and visit the famous weavers of Varanasi. Post lunch, visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon at Deer Park.

Overnight: Taj Ganges – Deluxe Room

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Varanasi – Mumbai
After breakfast, you will be driven to Varanasi airport for your flight to Mumbai. Mumbai, described by Rudyard Kipling as ‘The Mother of Cities’, Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is India’s bustling financial and entertainment city, a place that attracts thousands of people every day seeking fame and fortune.

Overnight: Taj Mahal Tower Hotel – Superior Seaview Room

Meals: Breakfast

Mumbai, India
Rise early for your dawn tour of this fascinating city. Nicknamed “The City of Dreams”, Mumbai swells with millions of people every year who arrive in search of a better future. This city is best seen in the early morning as the thousands of small businesses that keep Mumbai running begin work. See fishermen bring in their catch, watch the flower and fruit markets come to life, and visit Dhobi Ghat, the world’s largest laundry.

After breakfast, visit Fort Mumbai, the historic downtown area that is rich with imposing colonial architecture. You will concentrate on the Kala Ghoda area, which is replete will fine examples of Victorian Gothic architecture, will stop at the extraordinary Victoria Terminus, a World Heritage Monument built in 1878. Later visit to the cave temples on Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Excavated during the 9th century, the caves display India’s most impressive temple carvings dedicated to the lord Shiva.

Overnight: Taj Mahal Tower Hotel – Superior Seaview Room

Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

Mumbai – Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Mumbai Airport for your onward flight or return flight to your home city.

Meals: Breakfast