Mystical India

Duration:
February 20 - March 8, 2025

Price:
From $6,387 from Boston, New York (Includes Air)

Tour Operator:
Odysseys Unlimited

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Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confound- ing, India overflows with riches. Travel the classic Golden Triangle in northern India, visiting the bustling capital city of Delhi; Agra, home of the sublime Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, the historic home of the Rajput warrior caste.

We begin our journey touring the important sights of both Old and New Delhi, including a rickshaw ride through colorful Chandni Chowk market, where vendors hawk everything from spices to sweet confections and saris to jewelry. In Jaipur, dubbed the Pink City for its signature architecture, we will visit the stunning Hawa Mahal palace and the hilltop Amber Fort before dining in the home of a Rajasthan family. Our tour continues in Ranthambore National Park, a former royal hunting preserve and the current home to a diverse ecosystem supporting its apex predator, the Bengal tiger.

En route to the ancient Mughal stronghold of Agra, we visit Chand Baori, a ninth century stepwell descending nearly 100 feet into the ground via 3,500 steps. Few sights will compare to the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol of undying love for his beloved wife, Mumtaz. We will wrap up our time in Agra with an Indian cuisine cooking lesson.

Our journey ends with three nights in Varanasi, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. Cruising on the Ganges, we will experience life along the sacred river and witness a traditional aarti ceremony. We will also visit nearby Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s holiest sites, and the Sarnath Museum, which houses a superb collection of Buddhist artifacts.

Our small group, limited to 24 travelers, will stay at well-appointed hotels and dine in a variety of traditional venues. In-country transportation is provided via a combination of motorcoach and domestic flights.

An optional post-tour extension offers the chance to absorb the beauty of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.