Palaces, Forts and the Taj Mahal – All that makes India so Memorable 

Staying in 4- or 5-Star Hotels

The very land is steeped in spirituality, where many ancient practices were developed and perfected over 5,000 years ago. Simply walking the land can leave a profound and lasting imprint on your soul. To transform your life requires a journey which will change the way you view yourself and the world. This tour maintains all the comforts of home with the profound experience of India, allowing you to absorb the area’s rich spiritual traditions while enjoying safe food, excellent lodging and the guidance of experienced staff.

Highlights of the tour include:

• Visit New Delhi,
• Taj Mahal at dawn in Agra,
• Forts and Palaces of Jaipur,
• English speaking Guide from start to finish,
• Participation in Hindu and Sikh rituals

India is geographically the size of Europe. There are 17 different languages with their own scripts. As a visit to France is not representative of visiting all of Europe, equally North India is vastly different in all respects to South India. The BBC has listed the Golden Temple and Taj Mahal as two of the top ten sites to visit in the world. Your fee includes breakfast daily, comfortable lodging, sacred ceremonies and an English-speaking guide throughout the trip. Besides visiting the great religious and cultural sites, and walking in the footsteps of the Masters, our tour also provides time to shop for museum quality pieces to bazaars, and partake in local customs and ceremonies.

Dec 17:     Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi this evening (or early morning Dec 18).  Overnight:  Delhi.

We welcome you in the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history-markers of medieval north India. Wars were fought and rulers changed in Delhi but ordinary lives were lived in relative continuity. Glimpses of these can be seen even today as the character of the city underwent massive changes in the last decades. In the land to have been seven capital cities, signs of the old are continuously jostling with the new, presenting an ever-fascinating panorama. We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own. Spiritual Journeys representative will meet you as you exit customs and immigration at Delhi airport and transfer you to your airport hotel

Dec 18:  Delhi

Spend the day on a sightseeing tour of South Delhi. Overnight:  Delhi.

While there are many noteworthy Gurudwaras (places of worship for the Sikhs), we will visit the lovely Gurudwara Bangla Sahib where Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh Guru went to Delhi and stayed as the honored guest of Raja Jai Singh.  Visit Emperor Humayun’s Tomb one of the great Emperors of the Islamic period, built by Haji Begum, the widow of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun nine years after his death and took eight years to complete. It is designed by the Persian architect Misak Mirza Ghiyaz. Octagonal in shape, raised on a plinth, with double domes, high arches, laid in the centre of a large walled enclosure, the monument is an imposing structure.   The Qutab Minar, Delhi’s landmark, 73 mtr. tall victory tower was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler in 1193 but could finish only the 1st storey of sand stones. Iltutmish succeeding him added 2nd & 3rd floor in sand stone and later in 1368 Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed 4th& 5th storey in both sand stone and marble. Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.  The Lotus Temple of the Bahais.  Akshardham Temple, a modern but goregeous Hindu Temple.  Drive past India Gate + Rashtrapati Bhavan.  In the evening visit Connaught Place for shopping/dinner (on direct payment basis).

Dec 19:  Delhi

Spend the day on a sightseeing tour of North Delhi. Overnight:  Delhi.

We will visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India with a capacity of 20,000 people, situated a quarter of a mile from the Red Fort, designed as Emperor Shahjahan’s principal mosque. Construction lasted six years, ending in 1644. The structure was placed on a high platform so that it’s magnificent facade would be visible from all the adjoining areas. It’s an austere yet beautiful building in red sandstone with white marble being used extensively. The pulpit is one of its best features, being carved out of a single block of marble. The Emperor used to arrive here every Friday and on Id. Spend a little time at Rajghat where Gandhi was cremated. Drive past the Red Fort.  Embark on a cycle rickshaw into the inner lanes of Chandni Chowk.   In the evening sample street food in Chandni Chowk area (you may either walk through the lanes or take a Rickshaw ride)

Dec 20: Delhi – Jaipur (by road)
In the morning drive to Jaipur (4 hrs). Overnight: Jaipur.

On the way visit Agra Fort where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The most impressive part of the Fort are the Dewan-eAm, Hall of Public Audience where the Emperor met officials and listened to petitioners, and the Dewan-e-Khas Hall of Private Audience where he received foreign dignitaries. The Peacock throne (now in Iran) was in this fort, before being moved to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb.  Have a sunset view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, across the Yamuna River.  Have dinner at the Rooftop Cafe with a view of the Taj (on direct payment).

Dec 21:  Agra – Jaipur

Sightseeing in Agra, then drive to Jaipur (6 hrs).  Overnight:  Jaipur.

Before dawn, visit the spectacular Taj Mahal – the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men laboured for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi precious stones; the art is called pietra dura. Stroll down the ornamental gardens laid out along the classical Mughal charbagh lines. This garden is separated by a long watercourse, which reflects the monument in perfect symmetry. Return to your hotel for breakfast.Then drive to Jaipur, enroute visiting Fathepur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s abandoned capital city.  Dinner at Chokhi Dhani, folk dance + Indian /Continental cuisine, included.

Dec 22:  Jaipur

Spend the day sightseeing.  Overnight:  Jaipur.

Compare the city of Old Delhi with the city of Jaipur, a city unique amongst its medieval contemporaries. The streets, palaces, temples, residences, shopping place are all in accordance to the ancient Hindu rules of Vastu Shastra. The pink wash was added in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert.

Early morning visit the Jhalana Leopard Safari.  Then spend time with elephants.  Perched atop the hill looking down majestically is the Amber fort. We ride up into the palace astride elephants just like the Maharajas of yore. The plain and time worn exteriors belie the exquisite detail with which the interiors were crafted with a gentle breeze which cools the interiors.  In the famed Sheesh Mahal look up and be prepared to feel a surge of color as the optical effect makes you a part of this royal past.  In the city, drive past Hawa Mahal, where again notice the jails. The Maharaja’s City Palace, much of which has been converted into a museum covers almost one-seventh area of the city in a fortified unit. Here the Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. Become one with the planetary bodies at Jantar Mantar, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world.  Jaipur is also an interesting place for those interested in jewellery, clothes, carpets and other handicrafts items. The city is a veritable paradise for those seeking souvenirs of the craftsmanship of Rajasthan.

Dec 23:  Jaipur

Spend the day sightseeing, then drive to Delhi airport in time to catch your onward flight.  Overnight:  On board your flight.

In the morning view the city from Nahargarh Fort.  Drive past Jai Mahal.  Few hours of shopping at local markets and spending time at some of the shops offering museum quality pieces.  Depart for Delhi airport in time for your onward flight.

* * *  End of Services offered by Spiritual Journeys, LLC  * * *

COSTS:

Five-Star hotels:  US $ 6,505.00 total for party of four in two rooms with 2-people sharing one twin share room.

Four-Star hotels:  US $ 5,220.00 total for party of four in two rooms with 2-people sharing one twin share room.

With minimum of four paying guests all arriving, traveling and departing together.  Full payment is due now.  This is deemed “peak-of-peak” tourist season.  Rooms are not guaranteed unless 100% payment is received.

HOTELS ENVISAGED, or Similar:

COST INCLUDES: 

• Hotel accommodation as above for four guests in two double/twin-sharing rooms,
• Daily buffet breakfast at hotels,
• English speaking accompanying guide for sightseeing in all places as per program,
• All applicable taxes including mandatory government service tax,
• Entrances fee for entry into monuments as per the itinerary,
• All transfers and sightseeing/excursion in an air-conditioned Tempo Traveler type vehicle,
• The services of a SJI representative at all airport and hotel transfers,
• Chair Car train Agra to Khajuraho, and,
• One way Elephant failing jeep ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur (Subject to availability of elephant).

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Beverages, mineral water, alcohol, laundry, telephone calls; or other items of personal nature,
• Any tips and gratuities,
• Increases in Airfares or Government imposed taxes or entrance fees,
• Still camera or video camera fees at the various monuments and museums,
• Services not specifically stated in the itinerary,
• Personal or travel insurance, departure Taxes or Visa Handling Fees,
• Any changes you may choose to make during your tour,
• International Air,
• Any international air fare,

• Visa fee for India,
• Travel & health insurance,

• Airport taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change without notice. Any meals (other than breakfast), drinks, tips, expenses of personal nature, and,

• Anything not mentioned in the “Cost Includes” column.

THE TOUR IN GENERAL

• Total Number of Nights: six nights.
• Any early check-in or late check-out will be charged additional as per the hotel policy.
• Standard Check-in at all the hotel is 1400 hour. Room requests before standard check-in time i.e. @ 1400 hour have to be pre-booked (One-night charge applicable).
• Standard Check-out at all the hotel is 1200 hour (noon). Room requests after standard check-out time i.e. @ 1200 hour (noon) have to be pre-booked (One-night charge applicable).
• All safety, hygiene & social distancing norms to be followed by our guests as per government guidelines.
• Hotel/Travel Company reserve all rights to change/modify tariff or package cost without prior notice during fair/festivals, national or international events, government meetings/conferences, any trade fair, marriages or main event. In case hotel tariff is affected by any unforeseen event then revised tariff will be applicable.
• The prices are subject to change in case of any variation of tax, currency and tariff structure.

Additional information:

E-mail: Deepak@SpiritualJourneys.net

Address: Spiritual Journeys, LLC, 262 Upland Road, Cambridge, MA 02140. USA

Call: Deepak at +1-508-358-4267