Preliminary Day-by-Day Itinerary

January 21 DEPART NEW YORK
Wednesday
Meet our traveling companions this afternoon in New York’s JFK airport. Jet Airways 9W229 departs this evening at 6:55 PM.

(meals enroute) 

January 22 ENROUTE
Thursday
We lose a day, but regain it on the return home

(meals enroute)

January 23 ARRIVE DELHI
Friday
Arrive Delhi just after midnight at 12:10 AM. Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel where are rooms are waiting for immediate occupancy.

Delhi the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past coexists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a necropolis. Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi has witnessed the rise and fall of many cities over the last five millennia.

Overnight in Delhi – TAJ PALACE

January 24 IN DELHI
Saturday
Morning : Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the historic Red Fort Shah Jahan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, built in the 17th century. The fort is entered from the Lahori Gate that leads to the Meena bazaar from where one walks through a garden to the Naqqar Khana (drum house), which is the entrance to the Royal enclosure. A spacious lawn leads to the DiwaniAm the pillared Hall of Public Audience, DiwaniKhas the Hall of Private Audience where the Emperor met select visitors, the Emperor’s chambers and the Hall of entertainment, built Aurangazeb, the last of the “Great Mughals”. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan. Drive past the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which is next to the Mosque.

Afternoon : Sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory which was built in the 12th century by Qutabuddin Aibak. Within the spacious courtyard of the adjoining QuwwatulIslam mosque stands the famous Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted through all these centuries. The Tomb of Humayun – the magnificent structure in red sand stone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Visit India Gate a war memorial of the First World War. Drive along the Rajpath towards the residence of the President of the Republic of India – the Rashtrapathi Bhawan. It is flanked by the houses of  Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.

Overnight in Delhi – TAJ PALACE

January 25 DELHI / KHAJURAHO
Sunday
Transfer to airport to board flight to Khajuraho. Leave Delhi for Khajuraho by 9W 723 (10:40 / 13:00 hrs). Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel. The Temples of Khajuraho were constructed by the Chandela kings from around 925 AD for about 150 years. These temples are known for their architectural and sculptural excellence, carved with the roughest of tools. 85 temples in all portrayed the civilization of those times’ zest for life. They portray spirituality, love, music, dance hunting and feasting. Today, 22 temples survive. Known the world over for the sensual appeal of the erotic sculptures, strangely these form only a very small part of the wealth of these unique temples that depicts the everyday life of the people and royalty of the 10th and 11th centuries.

Afternoon : Visit Eastern & Southern Group of temples. The Parsvanath temple of the Eastern group is the group’s largest Jain temple. The themes depict in charming detail, the everyday activity of those times. Visit the Chaturbhuj temple dedicated to Vishnu, the preserver of the Universe, according to Hindu mythology, in the Southern group of temples.

Overnight in Khajuraho – JASS RADISSON

January 26 KHAJURAHO / JHANSI / AGRA
Monday
Morning: Visit the Western group of temples. The Laxmana Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe with the four subsidiary shrines in the four corners of the platform with the main shrine in the center is the only Temple of the 10th century AD built by the Chandelas which is complete, intact and in good condition. The Kandariya Mahadeo temple of the this Group is the largest and is dedicated to Shiva. In both these temples, the main shrines are exquisitely carved and feature, in delicate detail, gods, goddesses, celestial maidens and lovers.

After the visit leave for Jhansi railway station (approx. 4 hrs) to board train to Agra. Leave Jhansi for Agra by the Shatabdi Express (17:56 / 20:25 hrs). Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Agra – TAJ VIEW

January 27 AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / JAIPUR
Tuesday
Morning: Visit Taj Mahal & Agra Fort. The Agra Fort was built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD. The fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal,Sheesh Mahal, DiwaniAm, DiwaniKhas and Musamman Burj the

Octagonal Tower, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb for seven long years and died a prisoner. The Taj Mahal the inimitable poem in white marble was built over a period of 22 years (16311653), using a workforce of 22000 people, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. The Taj Mahal presents a wonderous sight at different time of the day – at dawn, during the day, at sunset and even on a moonless night. Needless to say it is exquisite on a moonlit night. Later leave Agra for Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (approx. 7 hrs including visit & stop for lunch) The exquisite city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its various palaces and mosques. It was abandoned 14 years after its creation on account of political reasons. The Diwaniam, a vast courtyard where the emperor gave public audience, daily, whenever he was in town, Diwanikhas, a large quadrangle meant for private audience and conferences, the treasury, Pachisi court, the Emperors private living quarters, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Birbal’s Palace, the Turkish Sultana’s Palace, the School for the royal children, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential complex. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings.

Overnight in Jaipur – TRIDENT HILTON 

January 28 IN JAIPUR
Wednesday
Morning : Excursion to Amer Fort. Ride an Elepehant to acsend the hill where the fort is situated. The Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile state of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of medieval Rajput architecture. Visit the Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the entrance to the palace.

Afternoon : Sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. It now houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, an armoury of the Mughals and Rajputs with weapons of arms, an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and

Sanskrit. Visit the Jantar Mantar an astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy of the  instruments even in the present times. Drive past the Palace of Winds, known popularly as Hawa Mahal, which is just a facade built for the Ladies of the Royal household in the 19th century.

Overnight in Jaipur – TRIDENT HILTON 

January 29 JAIPUR / DELHI
Thursday
Morning: Free. Later leave for Delhi (6 hrs).

Overnight in Delhi – TAJ PALACE 

January 30 DELHI / BAGDOGRA / KALIMPONG
Friday
Transfer to airport to board flight to Bagdogra. Leave Delhi for Bagdogra by 9W 602 (10:10 / 12:25 hrs). Meeting on arrival and drive to Kalimpong (02 hrs). Rest of the day free to explore this interesting Himalayan town on your own. Kalimpong was a part of Bhutan until 1835 when it was handed over to the British by the ruler of Sikkim. Situated at an altitude of 1250 m Kalimpong is a picturesque Hill Resort. It was once the strong hold of the Paro Penelope of Bhutan.

Overnight in Kalimpong – HIMALAYAN HOTEL 

January 31 KALIMPONG / DARJEELING
Saturday
Morning : Sightseeing tour of Kalimpong. Visit the Tharpacholing Monastery of the Gyalopa (Dalai Lama followers) sect and the Dzangdhok Palri Nyangmapa Center in the Durbin Hill. There is a small monastery of the Drukpa sect of Bhutan. Also visit a nursery and orchid farm. Later leave for Darjeeling (2 hrs)

Overnight in Darjeeling – HOTEL MAYFAIR 

February 1 IN DARJEELING
Sunday
Early morning: Visit the Tiger Hill (2673 m). On a clear morning one can have a panoramic view of the entire Himalayan range and witness the fascinating spectacle of sunrise over the Himalayas. This visit will be by 4/4 Jeeps/Land Rovers. On a clear day one will be able to see Mt. Khanchenjunga 8585 M as also Mt. Everest 8878 M. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast take a ride on the Himalayan Toy Train to Ghoom (subject to operation). This journey by train is fascinating as it winds its way through the mountain side offering spectacular views. This mountain railway built by the British more than 100 years ago, negotiates the mountains using special traction. The Ghoom Monastery (8 kms from Darjeeling town) was built in 1875 AD in the Tibetan style. The monastery enshrines a 5 m statue of Maitreya Buddha. Drive back to hotel. 

Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Darjeeling. Visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has high altitude animals. This Park houses the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute where every summer mountaineers are trained. If possible visit a Tea Estate and drive to the Tibetan Self Help Center which was set up in 1951 when the Tibetans fled Tibet.

Overnight in Darjeeling – HOTEL MAYFAIR 

February 2 DARJEELING / BAGDOGRA / KOLKATA
Monday
After a leisurely breakfast transfer to Bagdogra airport (2 hrs) to board flight to Kolkata. Leave for Kolkata by IT2532 (13:05/ 14:35 hrs). Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the late afternoon free for exploring 'down town' Kolkata where the hotel is situated.

Overnight in Kolkata – OBEROI GRAND 

February 3 IN KOLKATA
Tuesday
Morning: Sightseeing tour of Kolkata. A short walk through British Kolkata ending at St. Johns Church. Drive to Victoria Memorial built by Lord Curzon as a tribute to the late Queen Victoria. A grandiose structure built in marble it houses British memorablia. Visit the Marble Palace. The palace was built by one of Bengal's richest landlord Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur in 1830. A lot of thought and planning was involved as far as the architectural features of this strange but palatial edifice is concerned. Although, the Gothic style of architecture is predominant, on careful observation, you will find that there is a harmonious blend of Roman, Greek and Oriental style of architecture, which are also prevalent in this palace of  outstanding beauty and grandeur. Also visit the Jain temple & the Missionaries of Charity established by Mother Teresa. Afternoon: Free. Those interested can walk to the Indian Museum (100 yards away) and spend a couple of hours browsing through sections of interest. Our rooms are available until we transfer to the airport for our Jet Airways 9W912 flight departing at 8:45 PM. Arrive Delhi at 11:05 PM.

Overnight in Kolkata – OBEROI GRAND 

February 4 DELHI – NEW YORK
Wednesday
Connect with our Jet Airways flight 9W230 departing at 2:45 AM. Arrive New York at 11:45 AM the same day. Welcome home! 

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner