Glimpses of India
Day 1 – Delhi – Arrive in Delhi, unpack, and get settled into your hotel. Prepare for you adventures in Delhi – India’s capital, an ancient city which has been settled seven times throughout history and is now the capital of India.
Day 2 – Delhi – After breakfast, we’ll meet our guide in Old Delhi, where we’ll take a heritage walk and learn about the Mughal dynasty and its legends. We’ll explore a historic Silver market, view merchants at work, visit a Jain temple, and visit the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid. We’ll have lunch at Veda Restaurant, which was listed on Conde Nast’s “Best Tables in the World.”
After lunch, we’ll visit the 12th century minaret – Qutab Minar, view Humayun’s Tomb, and take a driving tour of the WWI memorial – The India Gate, the President’s Palace, Parliament House, and the Secretariat buildings.
Day 3 – Delhi/Agra – We’ll have breakfast then head out to the famed city of Agra, which has been the capital of several ruling dynasties over the years and home of the Taj Mahal. In the evening, we’ll visit the Agra Fort, which was created by Emperor Akbar in 1565. We’ll explore the fort’s many halls and marvel at the harmonious blend of Hindu and Asian architecture.
Next, we’ll take a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal. Finished in 1653 after 22 years of construction by over 20,000 workers, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jehan for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal and stands as one of the world’s greatest monuments of love.
Day 4 – Agra/Jaipur – After breakfast, we’ll be driven to Jaipur (stopping for lunch in Bharatpur). Jaipur (also known as ‘The Pink City’) was founded by the astronomer King Sawai Jai Singh in 1727. Upon arrival, we’ll setlle into our new rooms in Jaipur.
Day 5 – Jaipur – After breakfast, the day begins with excitement as we head to Amber Fort for elephant rides! (Later in the day we’ll get to paint the elephants in traditional colors as well). After our rides, we’ll explore the palace of Amber Fort, also known as “The Palace of Winds.”
We’ll finish the day with the wildest treasure hunt you’ve ever been a part of. Teams will compete in completing a list of things to do, buy, and photograph, but here’s the twist: only a limited number of team members may be walking at any time. The rest must travel by elephant! After a winner is crowned, we’ll head back to the hotel to relax for the rest of the evening.
Day 6 – Jaipur – After breakfast today, we’ll visit the City Palace, home to the royal family and several museums including an Amory Museum and the world’s largest stone and marble crafted observatory with its 17 large instruments, several still in working order. We’ll have a photo-opportunity at the Palace of Winds, which is actually just a facade built for the women of the royal families to watch the passing processions in the street.
Before heading back to the hotel, we’ll stop off at the legendary Johari Bazaar, a legendary jewelry market, where we’ll see gold, silver, diamonds, and emeralds of all shapes and sizes.
Day 7 - Jaipur/Delhi – We’ll leave the hotel early this morning to watch the aarti ceremony at teh Birla Temple and then to shop at the Bapu bazaar, which is an excellent place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family. We’ll have lunch en route to Delhi, where we’ll check into our hotel and prepare for our flights home tomorrow.
Day 8 – Delhi/Home – Today, we’ll be transferred to the airport for our flight home.
