Incredible North India

ATOC TOURS SPECIAL FEATURES  
 
First Class Hotels with private bath/shower
American Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner Daily, and All Meals at Ranthambore
Freedom-of-Choice Dining: Full buffets, Superb multi-choice
ATOC representative assistance at airports and hotels
Local English-speaking Guides for sightseeing tours
Game Viewing at Ranthambhore National Park (Tiger Reserve)
Elephant Ride or Jeep Drive to Amber Fort in Jaipur
Airfare within India
Entrance fees to monuments and museums
Baggage handling and porterage

ATOC TOURS VALUE ADDED FEATURES 
Dinner with a Rajput Family
Welcome Dinner with Cultural Dance & Music
Farewell Dinner
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Your Journey begins:

DAY 1: Depart North America
Board your international flight for your Incredible North India tour.

DAY 2: En Route
Relax and enjoy the in-flight service.

DAY 3: Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, India’s bustling capital city. You will be greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel. New Delhi reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the segregation between the capitals of the British and the Mughals, respectively. The Crowne Plaza Hotel
 
DAY 4: Old & New Delhi Tour
Today your tour of Old and New Delhi includes the exquisite audience halls, marble domes and slender minarets of the Jama Masjid, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat, the Ashoka Pillar and the famous Chandani Chowk Bazaars (once the royal Mughal shopping arcade). Drive along Rajpath to photograph Parliament House, the President’s Palace and India Gate, a memorial to India’s soldiers. Tour Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most popular places of worship for Sikhs in Delhi. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, one of the most spectacular Mughal buildings and the precursor to the Taj Mahal. Proceed to Qutab Minar and the ruins of Hindu temples destroyed during the Qutabshahi period. This evening, enjoy a presentation of Indian dances and music followed by dinner. The Crowne Plaza Hotel (B/D)

DAY 5: Mandawa / Shekhawati 
Travel overland to Mandawa and see the rural countryside. Roop Niwas Palace is an architectural marvel displaying a harmony between Rajput and European architecture. The Palace is owned and operated by descendents of the royal family, and you’ll have an opportunity to meet with them and also see their rich collection of traditional ceremonial costumes and precious arms with jade handles. In the evening, take a walking tour of the town bazaar or relax by the pool. Castle Mandawa (B/L)

DAY 6: Shekhawati / Frescoe Paintings
Today see the “open air art gallery of Rajasthan” where the Shekhawati Frescoes date back to 1750. The frescoes are mostly viewable on the Haveli's (Mansions), cenotaphs, walls, forts and temples of the city. Your tour will include Chokhani, Saraf and Ladia Haveli's. Later, visit local villages to see more examples of frescoes and Rajasthani village life. Optional tour: Camel ride on the sand dunes. Castle Mandawa (B/L)

DAY 7: Mandawa / Jaipur
Travel overland to Jaipur, named after the great warrior and astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. In the afternoon, tour the City Palace, once the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Continue to Jantar Mantar, the largest of Jai Singh's remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. The Trident (B/L) 

DAY 8: Amber Fort Excursion
Visit the ancient capital of Amber, ascending the Palace Fortress on the back of a gaily-caparisoned elephant. Tour the intricate chambers and hallways of the palace. En route to Amber, photograph the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) built in 1799 AD. The afternoon is at leisure to explore a shopper’s paradise. This evening’s dinner is at a traditional Rajasthani Haveli (mansion) meeting with a resident Rajput family to learn about their customs and life. The Trident (B/D) 

DAY 9: Ranthambore National Park  
Continue on your exciting journey through the countryside to Ranthambore National Park. The Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts for conservation in the country. This afternoon embark on your first game drive to sight the big elusive cats. Dev Vilas (B/L/D)

DAY 10: Ranthambore National Park  
Ranthambore is one of the few preserves where tigers are often seen in daylight. This morning, search for the elusive, big cats. In the afternoon explore the imposing Ranthambore Fort, lake or take an optional evening game safari in the Park. Dev Vilas (B/L/D)

DAY 11: Ranthambore / Bharatpur / Fatehpur Sikr / Agra
Enjoy an optional morning game drive before breakfast. Experience the great Indian railways as you journey this morning to Bharatpur. Continue overland to Fatehpur Sikri, an imperial capital frozen in time that was constructed by Akbar the Great around 1570. Continue to Agra where no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration as the Taj Mahal. The Trident (B/D)

DAY 12: Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52 as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). Continue to Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the city or revisit the Taj Mahal by sunset. Take advantage of an optional discourse on Indian history and culture by a local historian. The Trident (B/D)

DAY 13: Agra / Jhansi / Orchha / Khajuraho
This morning, board an express train to Jhansi. Drive to Orchha, once the capital of the formidable Bundela kings. Visit the fort complex housing palaces, temples, cenotaphs and memorials. After lunch continue to Khajuraho, India's unique gift to the world. Of the original 85 temples, 22 survive, enthralling visitors from all over the world. Tour the principal Eastern Group of Temples to see the exquisitely carved sculptures. Jass Radisson Hotel (B/D) 

DAY 14: Khajuraho
This morning visit the Western Group of Temples, the largest and loveliest temples including Kandariya Mahadev, with intricately carved erotic figures representing life in heaven. Also visit the principal Eastern Group of Temples this afternoon. The temples are noted for their exquisitely carved sculptures. Your afternoon and evening are free to take advantage of optional tours: Sound & Light Show at the temples; and a tour of the Raney Falls. Jass Radisson Hotel (B/D) 

DAY 15: Khajuraho / Varanasi
After a morning at leisure, take a short flight to Varanasi. This religious city is crowded with temples and throngs of people, creating an exciting and enticing atmosphere. This afternoon's tour includes an excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Visit the museum and many stupas, ruins, and Mulagandhakuti Vihara, containing relics found during the early excavations. The Radisson Hotel (B/D)

DAY 16: Varanasi / Delhi
An early morning boat ride on the Holy River Ganges presents an incredible scene to witness the multitudes of Hindus absolving them selves of sin. This afternoon fly to Delhi. Enjoy a farewell dinner before boarding your late evening flight home. (B/D)

DAY 17: Arrive Home
Arrive home, bringing with you the timeless mystery and beauty of India.

Note: A Touch of Class Tours offers you the lowest international airfares available at the time of booking.