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 India is all about colors, smells, sounds and sights. It is a veritable kaleidoscope for the senses. As one of the world's great civilizations, ranking up there with China & Egypt, India is an absolute must for anyone who considers himself well-traveled. We have arranged, what we believe, is an affordable, yet 5* experience in India. Highlighting the Taj Hotels, one of India's premier hotel chains, we will stay in some classic hotels in Mumbai and Udaipur and enjoy views of the Taj Mahal from our hotel in Agra. Come to India with us and indulge in the richness of its history and religion, the expertness of the Indian craftsmen and the intricacy of its cuisine. It is an amazing destination that should not be missed.
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Day 1 – Depart USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Bombay, India.
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Day 2 -- Arrive Bombay
Arrive Bombay (now `Mumbai’) in the late evening and transfer to the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower where accommodation is reserved in a Luxury Grand City View, Palace Wind. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.
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Day 3 – Bombay
This morning, transfer to the Gateway of India and board a motor lunch for an excursion to the rock-cut cave temples of Elephanta Island, probably dating from between 450 to 750 A.D. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, explore the city including, Crawford Market and many handsome buildings of Victorian Bombay, such as the University and Victoria Terminus. Continue to the seafront called the Queen’s Necklace. Visit the Jain temple, the Dhobi ghat (open air laundry), Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life of works of Mahatma Gandhi and the Prince of Wales Museum. This evening, dinner is at the hotel. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.
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Day 4 – Bombay – Udaipur
After breakfast, fly from Bombay to Udaipur. On arrival, transfer to the Taj Lake Palace. Lunch will be at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Taj Lake Palace.
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Day 5 – Udaipur
After breakfast, explore the City Palace Museum including the Crystal Gallery, the Lok Kala Mandal with its unique collection of handmade puppets and its display of tribal costumes. Also visit a studio of miniature painting artists who have kept alive the tradition of this art. Return to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is to enjoy the resplendent Udaivilas spa or an option to explore the colorful narrow bylanes of Udaipur. At sunset, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola. Dinner and overnight at the Taj Lake Palace.
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Day 6 – Udaipur – Jaipur
Tea and coffee will be served prior to departure. Early this morning, check-out and transfer to the airport for a flight to Jaipur. Upon arrival, transfer to the opulent Jai Mahal Palace. After breakfast, trace Jaipur’s history at the Amber fort, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Lunch is at the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure or take an option to visit the town of Sanganer, famous for textile block printing, paper-making and Jaipur blue pottery. Dinner and overnight at the Jai Mahal Palace.
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Day 7 -- Jaipur
After breakfast, take in the highlights of Jaipur city on a drive to visit the open air royal observatory “Jantar Mantar.” En route, see the "Hawa Mahal" or the Palace of Winds. Return to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure. Jaipur is famous for its artists who make a variety of decorative items and sculptures out of marble. It’s a great local scene. Dinner and overnight at the Jai Mahal Palace.
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Day 8 – Jaipur–Fatehpur Sikri –Agra
After a leisurely breakfast, check-out and drive to Agra (approx. 5 hours), en route visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned red sandstone city built in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Akbar, one of India's greatest rulers. Lunch today is arranged at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in the town of Bharatpur. Arrive Agra and check-in to the Taj View.. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 9 – Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, with its incredible lacy white grandeur, perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. In memory of his wife, the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan planned this most extravagant and incomparable monument built for love. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast visit Agra Fort, situated by the banks of the river Yamuna, which was another monumental mission accomplished by this great Mughal visionary. Also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, which became the first Mughal structure totally built from marble and also the first to make extensive use of `pietra dura’, the inlay work of marble which is so characteristic of the Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Our dinner and overnight are at the hotel. Taj View
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Day 10 – Agra - Delhi
Spend the morning at leisure. Following lunch, check out of the hotel and drive to New Delhi (about 4 hours.) Upon arrival, check in to the Taj Palace Hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Taj Palace Hotel.
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Day 11 – Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Old Delhi. Drive past the imposing Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, both built by Emperor Shah Jehan. Culminating the Old Delhi section is Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation. Feel the contrast in New Delhi, driving through the majestic boulevards, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1920. Lunch at a lovely local restaurant located in the serene Lodi Gardens. A Farewell Dinner tonight celebrates our extraordinary trip through India. Those participants departing India today will transfer late this evening to the international airport for your flight back to USA. (Most flights will leave India just after midnight.) Those taking the Varanasi extension will overnight in New Delhi.
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