Day 1 | Feb. 1. Depart U.S. for Delhi, India
Day 2 | Feb. 2. Arrive Delhi
We arrive in India’s hyperactive capital late evening and transfer to our hotel.
Day 3 | Feb. 3. Delhi
After a morning briefing with our tour director, this afternoon we tour Delhi, including the 16th-century Tomb of Humayun; Qutab Minar, the 234-step tower dating to 1193; and India Gate, honoring the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 | Feb. 4. Delhi
Today we explore Old Delhi, beginning with the Gandhi Memorial, the simple black marble slab honoring Mahatma Gandhi. Next, two renowned 17th-century landmarks: Lal Qila, the Red Fort palaces where we stop for photos; and the red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Then we ride rickshaws through Chandni Chowk market; visit a Sikh temple; and tour the National Museum. (B, D)
Day 5 | Feb. 5. Delhi / Jaipur
Today we travel by coach to the “pink city” of Jaipur, one of the great cities of the Rajput, with historic forts, palaces, and gardens. We reach our hotel late afternoon. (B, L, D)
Day 6 | Feb. 6. Jaipur
Our first stop is the stunning Hawa Mahal, the elaborately carved pink sandstone “Palace of the Winds.” We continue on to Amber Fort, built by the Kkachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728; Jantar Mantar, the open-air observatory; and City Palace Museum, housing the magnificent art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. (B, L)
Day 7 | Feb. 7. Jaipur / Sanganer
This morning we visit the village of Sanganer to see traditional block printing and handmade paper industries. Later we tour a local market then take a traditional rickshaw ride. Tonight we are dinner guests in the home of a multi-generational Rajasthan family. (B, D)
Day 8 | Feb. 8. Jaipur / Ranthambore
We travel today to Ranthambore National Park, the former hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur and now a 512-square-mile natural preserve that is home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and of course, Bengal tigers. This afternoon we take our first game drive through the park. (B, L, D)
Day 9 | Feb. 9. Ranthambore
We take both morning and afternoon game drives today to see not only game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed), but also picturesque ruins of forts and palaces. (B, L, D)
Day 10 | Feb. 10. Ranthambore / Kalakho
We depart early for Kalakho, where we embark on a camel safari to meet local Meena tribespeople in their homes. (B, L, D)
Day 11 | Feb. 11. Kalakho / Agra
En route to Agra today, we stop in the ancient village of Abhaneri to see the fortified Chand Baori stepwell (c. 800), whose 3,500 steps descend some 13 stories into the ground. Continuing on, we reach the ancient Mughal stronghold of Agra early this afternoon. (B, D)
Day 12 | Feb. 12. Agra
This morning we visit the Taj Mahal, the mag nificent tomb built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Then we take an Indian cuisine cooking lesson and enjoy the results for lunch. Later: imposing Agra Fort. (B, L)
Day 13 | Feb. 13. Agra / Khajuraho
We travel by train to Jhansi, then continue by coach to the village of Orchha. After lunch here we travel on to Khajuraho, whose collection of 22 medieval Hindu and Jain temples dating to the 10th century is a UNESCO site. (B, L, D)
Day 14 | Feb. 14. Khajuraho
Today we tour several of Khajuraho’s well-preserved temples built during the 500-year reign of the Chandela dynasty (many adorned with erotic sculptures), considered the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. (B, D)
Day 15 | Feb. 15. Khajuraho / Varanasi
We fly today to Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city and a center of learning, civilization, and religion since time immemorial. Lacking in important architecture, elaborate palaces, and ancient fortresses, Varanasi nonetheless exudes an allure and mystique unlike any other Indian city, thanks to its role as a sacred place of pilgrimage. This evening we attend a traditional aarti offering ceremony as we cruise along the Ganges. (B, D)
Day 16 | Feb. 16. Varanasi
Early this morning we return to the Ganges, where Hindu pilgrims perform their rituals along the ghats (steps) leading to the river. We visit several ghats by boat as we experience for ourselves the spiritual mystique of these hallowed waters. Next we visit the Vishwanath temple of white marble at Banaras Hindu University, then travel to Sarnath, birthplace of Buddhism. It was here in the 6th century bce that Buddha delivered his first sermon. Tonight we celebrate our journey at a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 17 | Feb. 17. Varanasi / Delhi
We fly this afternoon to Delhi, where the evening is at leisure. (B)
Day 18 | Feb. 18. Return to U.S.
Early today we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.