A Portrait of India

Day 1  Delhi      
Arrive in Delhi and transfer from Indira Gandhi International Airport to your luxury hotel. Your trip begins this afternoon with a welcome briefing by your Tauck Director, followed by a guided orientation tour of Delhi including a drive through of Vijay Chowk, with views of the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, the Presidential Palace and the India Gate. Next, stop at the Gandhi Smriti Museum, paying tribute to the inspiring leader, Mahatma Gandhi. You'll have much to discuss this evening at the welcome cocktail reception and dinner.      

Day 2  Delhi      
Explore the centuries-old history and culture of Old Delhi. The first, which you'll visit this morning, is Humayun's Tomb, constructed for the Mughal Emperor Humayan and other members of his family in the 1570s, and set within beautiful gardens. After an orientation tour of Old Delhi followed by lunch, visit the five-story sandstone Qutb Minar Victory Tower. Return to your hotel in New Delhi and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening as you please.

Day 3  Delhi to Varanasi      
Fly to the ancient city of Varanasi, built on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. A sightseeing tour visits Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon. Tonight, take a journey by boat along the River Ganges to witness ceremonies "putting the river to sleep." Amidst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings, tonight will be a special highlight of Tauck's India tour.  

Day 4  Varanasi to Agra      
Awaken early for a cruise on the River Ganges to view the Varanasi sunrise ceremonies, then fly to Delhi before transferring to Agra for a two-night stay.  

Day 5  Agra      
Guests who wish may visit the Taj Mahal in time for sunrise. Those not going quite so early will join your Tauck Director a little later than sunrise for a guided visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal, which reveals the love story behind the white marble wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided tour of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, follows. Inside, you'll get a very good look at medieval lifestyles of 16th- and 17th-century Mughal emperors.  

Day 6  Agra to Jaipur      
Travel to Jaipur for a luxurious two-night stay. A sightseeing tour of Jaipur includes the City Palace Museum and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Attend a special evening fit for Maharajah royalty tonight, celebrating India's cultural traditions, music, dance and cuisine.      

Day 7  Jaipur      
Today's sightseeing includes the many gems of Jaipur, from the massive gateways and pillared pavilions inside Amber Fort to a tour of Amber Palace, with its magnificent domes, massive ramparts and glittering hall of mirrors. After a thali style lunch preceded by a puppet show, enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Jaipur, pursuing what interests you most.      

Day 8  Jaipur to Udaipur      
This morning, fly from Jaipur to Udaipur for a three-night stay at a luxury hotel, nestled along the banks of Lake Pichola. This afternoon brings you for a visit to the Nagda Temples, a pair of 10th-century Hindu Temples dedicated to one of the principal deities of Hinduism, Vishnu.    

Day 9  Udaipur      
An Udaipur sightseeing tour with your local guide includes a stop at the City Palace complex – a labyrinth of richly decorated courtyards, frescoed galleries, and marble temples overlooking a lake that was once the elegant home of the Maharajah of Udaipur. This evening, enjoy a sari and turban demonstration followed by a memorable private dinner at Royal Repast.  

Day 10  Udaipur      
Today's sightseeing begins with a visit to the 18th-century fountain gardens of Saheliyon-ki-Bari followed by an auto-rickshaw ride around the Udaipur's bustling spice and vegetable markets, for an insightful glimpse into everyday life in Udaipur. In the vegetable markets, women in brightly coloured saris sit amongst the stalls, surrounded by baskets brimming with their fresh and equally colourful produce. The rest of the day is free to explore more of this "City of Lakes" as you wish.      

Day 11  Udaipur to Kochi      
Fly via Bangalore to Kochi in the state of Kerala, on the southern tip of India, home to coconut groves, paddy fields and wide beaches. Dinner is at your hotel tonight.

Day 12  Kochi      
Your day today starts off with a morning lecture, followed by a cooking demonstration and lunch at a chef's private home. This afternoon, you'll have a chance to visit the many historical sites of Kochi including a guided exploration of the Dutch Palace and the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue. This evening, enjoy a performance of the renowned Kathakali Dancers prior to dinner at the hotel.    

Day 13  Kochi to Kumarakom      
Travel through the small villages of coastal Kerala as you make your way to the picturesque island of Kumarakom in Lake Vembanad to continue your Tauck India tour with a two-night lakeside stay at Kumarakom Lake Resort. En route, board a thatched-roof rice boat that's been converted into a luxury houseboat for a cruise through Kerala's palm-fringed canals. Tonight at your resort, you'll be treated to a program featuring dancers performing the classical Indian dance form known as Mohiniattam, dating to the 16th century.  

Day 14  Kumarakom      
After an exclusive morning walk for Tauck guests only in one of Kerala's villages, spend the entire afternoon enjoying the many activities and amenities offered by your beautiful lakefront resort. An unforgettable martial arts demonstration this evening is both educational and entertaining.    

Day 15  Kumarakom to Mumbai      
Fly to the "City of Gold," Mumbai, surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea. Upon arrival, an introductory sightseeing tour maps out the city and its landmark sites for you.  

Day 16  Mumbai      
This morning, a walking tour of landmarks includes the Gateway of India, a massive triumphal arch 87 feet high, built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary, who visited in 1911. You'll also visit the city's grand railroad terminal, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly called Victoria Terminus), a jaw-dropping fusion of Indian and High Victorian Gothic architecture, elaborately decorated with arches, domes, turrets, statuary, and bas-reliefs. Enjoy your lunch, then return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.  

Day 17  Mumbai      
From the Gateway of India in Mumbai, take a boat cruise this morning to Elephanta Island with a local guide to explore the Elephanta Caves, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at the hotel, as your incredible journey to India draws to a close.    

Day 18  Mumbai      
Tour ends today, fly home anytime. A transfer is included from your hotel in Bombay to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.