The Mughals & Maharajas

Day 01: Depart Canada

Depart Canada for India. Your international flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.

Day 02: Arrival in New Delhi

Welcome to Delhi, a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings.
On your arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.

Hotel: Crown Plaza New Delhi 5 Stars

Day 03: Explore Old & New Delhi

After Breakfast – We will start our morning tour with a visit to 17th century Old Delhi. Visit the Jama Mosque, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. We will take a bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi that houses the spice market and jeweler’s lane and then drive past Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) followed by a visit to Humayun’s tomb. Emperor Humayun’s was the second Mughal Emperor of India. The tomb was built by his widow in 1569-70, 14 years after his death, at a cost of 1.5 million rupees. It was later used for the burial of various members of the ruling family and contains some 150 graves. It has aptly been described as the necropolis of the Mughal dynasty
After lunch visit the house of Mahatma Gandhi a place where Mr. Gandhi’s epic Life ended on 30 January 1948. Mahatma Gandhi had lived in this house from 9 September 1947 to 30 January 1948. Thus, the hallowed house treasures many memories of the last 144 days of his life. The House was acquired by the Government of India in 1971 and was converted into a National Memorial of the Father of the Nation and was opened to the public on August 15, 1973.The preserves include the room where Mahatma Gandhi lived and the prayer ground where he held a mass congregation every evening. It was here where assassin’s bullets felled Gandhi.

Later in the evening enjoy your welcome dinner.

Hotel: Crown Plaza New Delhi 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 04: Delhi – Agra & Taj Mahal (205 km / 4 hours)

After breakfast leave for Agra, a city which has its lacy of white grandeur, is one of the world’s most recognized monuments the Taj Mahal. Arrive and check in at your hotel.
Afternoon free time for your personal activities.

Optional live show performance for those who would like to watch a amazing 75 minute live show. In the early evening, you will enjoy a live fascinating play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into history. The drama portrays the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is a series of plays depicting the true and immortal love of Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era; and the hardship of the artisans who worked for 22 years to create a most breathtaking work of craftsmanship. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Optional CAD $50.00 per person

Hotel: Radisson Blu 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 05: Visit Taj Mahal

Early morning – We will start our day at sunrise with a visit to one of the most incredible monuments ever built in the world. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the most highly revered masterpieces in the world.
After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site with imposing walls of red sandstone. The fort is almost two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques.
After lunch – We will visit an amazing marble factory to experience the creation of fine inlaid stonework and translucent marble native to the region. The craftsmen of Agra are still renowned for the exquisite marble-inlay work that has made Agra’s monuments famous. Dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Radisson Blu 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 06: Agra – Ranthambore & Fatehpur Sikri (290 km / 6 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Ranthambore National Park, en route visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, this was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. After Fatehpur Sikri proceed for the Lunch on the way to Ranthambhore.
After lunch, we will visit a local village to experience the day to day beauty of rural India You will have the opportunity to chat with the locals, who no doubt will barely be able to suppress their delight and surprise at sitting next to a foreigner from far-away lands continue driving towards Ranthambore. Arrive and check in at your hotel. Later enjoy your dinner in the hotel.

Ranthambore Park: Ranthambore National Park is the true den of the tigers situated near the confluence of the lakes…namely Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. Apart from the Bengal Tiger, other animals that inhabit the park are the Sloth Bear, Jackals, Marsh Crocodile, Leopard, Gazelle, Indian Hare, Porcupines, Jungle Cat, Sambhar, Chinkara, Mongoose, Nilgai, Wild Boar and Monitor Lizards. A variety of exotic birds can also be seen in huge numbers here. The park is equally rich in flora. Trees like Banyan, Dhok, Mango and Pipal are in abundance. The landscape of the park is dominated by shallow lakes, gentle slopes and plateaus. Dinner in the hotel.

Hotel: Sher Garh Resort 3.5 Stars Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07: Ranthambore National Park & Tigers

Your day will begin with pre-dawn coffee and biscuits before setting off on a guided, early morning game drive in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Return to your hotel for breakfast before making our way back to the park for an afternoon game drive, ending our day just before sunset.

Hotel: Sher Garh Resort 3.5 Stars Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08: Ranthambore – Jaipur Pink City (178 km / 4 hours)

After breakfast leave for Jaipur. The origin of Jaipur’s nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter in to the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings that can be seen from every turn. The city of Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II.

Visit the famous Hindu Temple in Pink city dedicated to Lord Shiva. The queen of Jaipur got this splendid temple constructed in the memory of her son Jagat Singh between1599 A.D. to 1608 A.D. this temple is an excellent example of a palatial edifice built on a height. The locally available stone, white marble and black stone have been used as material of construction. What adds to the beauty of this grand creation is the depiction of trumpeting elephants and horses scenes from Puranas and pictorial depiction of characters as well as some social scenes drawn in a series on high.

Later check in at your hotel.

Optional Cooking with local family for those who would like to spend an interesting, educational and social evening at a house that belongs to a well-known Rajput family to learn some great techniques about Rajasthani Indian Cuisine in coordination with your in-house chefs which takes approximately 2 hours. You’ll be taken in to their kitchen where the cooking demonstration will commence. You will be shown how each dish is cooked and your hosts will describe the taste of freshly prepared and cooked ingredients will be great and round of the complete experience.
Optional CAD $85.00 per person (Limited guests – subject to availability)

Hotel: Radisson Blu 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast

Day 09: Jaipur & Private Elephant

In the morning, enjoy an excursion to the hilltop fort at Amber fort on an elephant ride. Enjoy the architecture, lattice screens, and paintings colored with jewel dust. Later drive pass through the old city including and make a photo stop at the Palace of Winds. Your tour also includes a visit to the City Palace a home of the current Maharaja of Jaipur and its museum. Time to shop for exclusive gems that Jaipur is famous and some fascinating block printing fabrics.

Hotel: Radisson Jaipur 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Jaipur – Delhi – Varanasi By Flight

Take a short afternoon flight to the holy city of Varanasi. Varanasi is formerly known as Kashi, the city that illuminates. It is the religious capital of Hinduism and one of the oldest living cities in the world. Arrive and transfer to our hotel. In the early evening, we will go to the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by devout Hindus. Back to hotel.

Hotel: Radisson Jaipur 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11: Varanasi & Ganges

Early morning – we will leave for a boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually
uplifting sight. Life on the Ghats is bound in an endless string of rituals; ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all over the world.

In the afternoon visit Sarnath, the site where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gayathe, Buddha went to Sarnath and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the ‘Wheel of the Dharma’. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place, the stream of the Buddha’s teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa & the museum.

In the early evening, we will go to the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by devout Hindus. Back to the hotel.

Hotel: Radisson 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Varanasi – Delhi By Flight

We leave after breakfast to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to your day hotel until your flight departure for home.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Aerocity 5 Stars
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13: Delhi – Home

Departure to International airport for your flight home.

Cost Excludes
Personal expenses such as porter, gratuities, laundry, bar bills, phone bills, any other flights or trains.
Any other sightseeing other than mentioned in program will charge extra.
Services other than in our inclusion

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Tourist Visa Required: All visitors require a current passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months and valid visas to enter and exit India for any purpose.
**PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary, hotels, flights, and tours are subject to change. In the case the travel dates coincide with religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed without prior notice or due to other unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions. The order of the tour may be changed without notice.

Vancouver

Prices include Rountrip Airfare from Vancouver to India.

Toronto

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Calgary

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Montreal

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Ottawa

Prices include Rountrip Airfare from Ottawa to India.