Signature India: Golden Triangle of Northern India
(March 2009 / 15 Days) March 07 – 21, 2009

Days 1-2: USA or Canada — Delhi, India
Depart from the USA or Canada on a flight to Delhi. Meet and greet upon arrival at the International airport and transfer to hotel. Your room will be available for immediate occupancy.

Day 3: Delhi
Enjoy your stay in the room and the day at leisure. We will take a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk and watch the Sound and Light illimunation show at Red Fort in the evening. We gather at night for welcome cocktails and dinner. The Taj Mahal Hotel - B•L•D

Day 4: Delhi
We tour both Old and New Delhi, including the Raj Ghat, the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; the Red Fort, once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire; Humayun’s Tomb; the Qutub Minar, the landmark Iron Pillar; the Embassy Row to the Presidential Palace, and stop for a quick photo shoot at India Gate. The Taj Mahal Hotel - B•L•D

Day 5: Delhi — Jaipur
Fly to Jaipur. Your sightseeing of the day includes Hawa Mahal (Palace of Wind), City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Dress in Indian tradition costume of the Prince and Princess for a banquet dinner with folklore of Rajasthan.  Rambagh Palace - B•L•D

Day 6: Jaipur
Jaipur epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. Despite its current incarnation as a bustling metropolis, it still retains its 18th-century character and history. Here a morning excursion to the Amber Fort precedes an afternoon at leisure. We will have dinner followed by Rajasthani puppet show. Rambagh Palace - B•L•D

Day7: Jaipur — Bharatpur — Agra
Drive from Jaipur to Bharatpur, then by road to Agra. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the now-deserted 16th-century red stone city. Lunch will be at Hotel Bagh, Bharatpur. Cooking demo and class – Become a Masala Master: How to cook Indian food. The Moghul Sheraton - B•L•D

Day 8: Agra
After exploring the imposing Agra Fort, built of red sandstone and marble and a stop at the local bazaar, we visit the Taj Mahal at sunset to watch the beautiful white marble turn slowly to soft, rosy pink. We will have dinner amidst Indian Ghazal and music.  The Moghul Sheraton - B•L•D

Day 9: Agra — Jhansi  — Orcha — Khajuraho
We travel by train to Jhansi, and then continue by road to Khajuraho. En route we visit the small town of Orcha, with its abandoned Hindu temples and 17th-century palace.  Lunch will be at Orcha Resort, Orcha. The Taj Chandela - B•L•D

Day 10: Khajuraho — Bandhavgarh
In the morning, we take a sightseeing tour of Khajuraho – a famous Chandela Dynasty temple, the erotic carvings on the temple walls, rise in many peaks and spirals on statues and friezes. In the afternoon, we will drive to Bhadhavgarh. The Royal Tiger Resort - B•L•D

Day 11: Bandhavgarh
Early morning, visit the Bhadhavgarh National Park by jeep safari, where you are likely to see spotted deer, barking deer, Nilgai (blue bull), and sloth bear. Woodland and water birds are plentiful. We will participate in a tree planting ceremony in the park. The Royal Tiger Resort - B•L•D

Day 12: Bandhavgarh — Khajuraho — Varanasi
Early morning drive to Khajuraho airport in time to board our flight to Varanasi, the holiest city in India. Visit holy Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganges—a city of more than a thousand temples and shrines. In the evening we will watch Ganga Arati – A prayer to river Ganges. The Radisson Hotel - B•L•D

Day 13: Varanasi
For the devout Hindus, Varanasi, the holiest and oldest living city in India, must be visited at least once in a lifetime to wash away sins. A boat rides on the river Ganges will show us thousands of Hindus performing religious rites and prayer along its banks, followed by a city tour including the Bharat Mata, Durga Temple and Banaras Hindu University. We will also celebrate Holi (festival of color) that day. We gather at night for farewell cocktails and a grand dinner accompanied by Indian (Raga) classical music. The Radisson Hotel - B•L•D

Day 14: Varanasi — Delhi
We then visit Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon; the city’s temples and archaeological museum are full of Buddhist art treasures. That afternoon we return to Delhi by air. The Radisson Hotel New Delhi - B•L•D

Day 15: Delhi — USA or Canada
Transfer to the airport to board a homebound flight. B

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

This program contains some active elements and a minimum level of fitness is required.