Tour of India
EXOTIC NORTH INDIA TOUR
ACTC Tours SPECIAL FEATURES:
- First class, Boutique & Heritage hotels with private bath/shower
- American breakfast + lunch or dinner daily
- All transfers and sightseeing tours as per the itinerary
- Assistance by ACTC representative at airports, train stations and hotels
- Local English speaking guides for sightseeing tours
- Baggage handling and porterage
- Monument entrance fees, guide fees, etc.
- Train tickets by AC Chair car
SMALL GROUP ESCORTED TOURS (Max 16 to a tour)
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES– Begins every Sunday (Oct. to Mar.)
PRIVATE TOURS- Daily departure
A country by name, but a continent in scale, India in one word is diversity. As you pass through Rajasthan, a microcosm of India with its forts, palaces and temples, as well as the Taj Mahal. India’s sheer scale and diversity means that there are vast differences between regions and, at times, long distances between sights. Perfect for first timers visit to India. Exotic North India tour is a combination of India’s classic attractions as well as lesser visited sites. This tour deviates from the well-traveled route, heading to Shekhawati, the open air art gallery of ancient silk route, imposing forts & palaces of Jaipur, game drive to see the elusive Tiger before exploring the intricately carved temples of Khajuraho. The tour finishes in Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities – this is chaotic and inspiring India.
Other Small Group Escorted Tour Options:
1. Golden Triangle Tour- 6 days. 2. Highlights of India Tour- 9 days. 3. Mystical South India Tour – 14 days.
4. Treasures of North & South India-15 days. 5. Big 7 India wildlife Safari -16 days. 6. Royal Rajasthan Tour -16 days
7. Incredible India Tour – 22 days.
Your tour of India (Exotic North India) begins:
Day 1 – SUNDAY
DELHI
Arrive in Delhi, India’s bustling capital city, where you’ll 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 rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner tonight. HOTEL (D)
Day 2 – MONDAY
OLD & NEW DELHI TOUR
Today’s tour of Old and New Delhi includes the exquisite audience halls, marble domes and slender minarets of the Jama Masjid, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat, and the famous Chandani Chowk Bazaars, once the royal Mughal shopping arcade. Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow and colorful lanes of the old market. Drive along Rajpath to photograph the Parliament House, President’s Palace and India Gate, a memorial to India’s soldiers. Tour Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most popular place of worship for Sikhs in Delhi. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, one of the most spectacular Mughal buildings. Proceed to the Qutab Minar, Iron Pillar and the ruins of the Hindu temples destroyed during the Qutabshahi period. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 3 – TUESDAY
TUESDAY – DELHI / MANDAWA – SHEKHAWATI
After breakfast, travel overland to Mandawa, stopping at the small villages en route to photograph and learn about the rural. When you arrive in Mandawa, check in at the heritage hotel, an architectural marvel displaying a harmony between Rajput and European architecture. This evening, take a walking tour of the town bazaar or relax by the pool. HOTEL (B, D)
Day 4 – WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY – SHEKHAWATI – FRESCOE PAINTINGS
Often called the “open air art gallery of Rajasthan,” the land of Shekha owes its name to Rao Shekha who ruled this area for 43 years. The earliest surviving examples of the Shekhawati Frescoes date back to 1750. Most of the frescoes have been executed on the Haveli’s (mansions), cenotaphs, walls, forts and temples.HOTEL (B, L)
OPTIONAL: Came ride on sand dues and sunset.
Day 5 – THURSDAY
MANDAWA / JAIPUR
Travel overland to Jaipur, which owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. 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 settings and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 6 – FRIDAY
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. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore a shopper’s paradise. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Rajasthani Haveli (mansion), meeting with a resident Rajput family to learn about their customs and life. HOTEL (B, D)
Day 7 – SATURDAY
JAIPUR / RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Continue your exciting journey through the countryside to Ranthambhore 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. HOTEL (B, D)
Day 8 – SUNDAY
RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
Ranthambhore is one of the few preserves where tigers are often seen in daylight. This morning, take a game drive in search for the elusive, big cats. This afternoon calls for exploring the imposing Ranthambore Fort and lake. This evening, take an optional evening game safari in the park. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 9 – MONDAY
RANTHAMBHORE / BHARATPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA
Rise early to rake advantage of an optional morning game drive before breakfast. Experience the great Indian railways as you journey to Bharatpur. Travel overland to tour Fatehpur Sikri, an imperial capital constructed by Akbar the Great around 1570, and now frozen in time. Visit Sheikh Salim Chisti Dargah. Originally built of red sandstone, it was later rebuilt in white marble by Jehangir. Continue to Agra where no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration as the Taj Mahal.HOTEL (B, L)
Day 10 – TUESDAY
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). Stop at the Taj Museum of Agra for a close look at the original pieces of drawings of this wonderful marble monument. 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. HOTEL (B, D)
Day 11 – WEDNESDAY
AGRA / KHAJURAHO
Your morning at your leisure, or enjoy some optional tours. Late afternoon. fly to Khajuraho, India’s unique gift to the world. Of its original 85 temples, 22 survive, enthralling visitors from all over the world. HOTEL (B, L)
OPTIONAL: Sound & Light show at Khajuraho temples.
Day 12 – THURSDAY
KHAJURAHO
Visit the Western Group of Temples, the largest and loveliest temples. The Temple of Kandariya Mahadev features Chandela art at its best, with its intricately carved erotic figures representing life in heaven. This afternoon. tour the principal Eastern Group of temples, noted for its exquisitely carved sculptures.HOTEL (B, L)
Day 13 – FRIDAY
KHAJURAHO / VARANASI – SARNATH
After a morning at your leisure, take a short flight to Varanasi, a city that cannot be described, only experienced. This religious city is crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets with their throngs of people is exciting and enticing. This afternoon’s tour includes an excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after his enlightenment. Here, he revealed the eight-fold path, the Buddhist doctrine. Visit the museum and many stupas and ruins, and Mulagandhakuti Vihara, containing relics found during the early excavations.HOTEL (B, L)
OPTIONAL: Evening prayer ceremony on river Ganges.
Day 14 – SATURDAY
VARANASI / DELHI – DEPART
Rise early for a boat ride on the Holy River Ganges to witness the many Hindus absolving themselves of sin and paying homage to the sun god. Disembark for a walk past the local markets and shops, and visit a local resident’s home. Visit the Golden Temple before returning for breakfast at your hotel. Your time is free to explore the city on your own or shop for handicrafts.
This evening, fly to Delhi. Spend the night at the airport hotel before your international flight the next day, or extend your stay in India and other tour extensions. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 15 – (SUN)
DELHI / DEPART
Your time is free until your international flight. (B)
NEPAL EXTENSION
Day 14 – SATURDAY
VARANASI/ KATHMANDU
Fly to Kathmandu, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Embark on a city tour, which includes the Durbar Square with its pagoda-shaped temples, bazaars, the Royal Residential Palace and the Temple of the Living Goddess Kumari, worshipped as a deity by devout Nepalese. Bodhnath, home of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world, and Pashupatinath, site of the most sacred Lord Shiva’s shrine in Nepal on the banks of the Bagmati River. HOTEL (B)
Day 15 – SUNDAY
PATAN & BHADGAON EXCURSION
Your exploration of Kathmandu valley begins at Patan, called the “city of beauty” for its many palaces and temples embellished with intricately carved gods and goddesses in erotic poses. A visit to a Tibetan refugee camp presents an opportunity to see the deft hands of Tibetans weaving carpets and other distinct Tibetan handicrafts. Enjoy a drive through the terraced rice fields to the primitive city of Bhadgaon. The Durbar Square includes the Big Bell – once rung to usher in curfew, the Bell of the Barking Dogs, the Lion Gate, the Picture Gallery and the famous Golden Gate. Optional:
1.Early Morning Mount Everest flight-seeing tour, a one-hour flight around the Himalayas including Mount Everest, including transfers between your hotel and the airport and return.
1.Early Morning Mount Everest flight-seeing tour, a one-hour flight around the Himalayas including Mount Everest, including transfers between your hotel and the airport and return.
2. A Nepalese dance and music presentation featuring traditional costumes followed by a Nepalese dinner HOTEL (B)
Day 16 – MONDAY
KATHMANDU / DELHI – DEPART
Spend your morning at leisure or treasure hunt for Nepalese and Tibetan handicrafts. Depart for Delhi where you will connect with your international flight. (B)
LAND TOUR PRICE: India
| GROUP TOUR PRICES – Guaranteed departures- Max 16 | PRIVATE TOUR OPTION | |||||||||||||
| VALIDITY | Per person Sharing | Single Supp. | 3- Triple share | 2- Double share | Solo travel | Single. Supp. | ||||||||
| Apr. to Sep. 2021 | N/A | N/A | $2,625.00 | $2,965.00 | $4,860.00 | $620.00 | ||||||||
| Oct. 2021 to Mar. 2022 | $3,275.00 | $970.00 | $3,190.00 | $3,740.00 | $5,799.00 | $970.00 | ||||||||
| Internal India Airfare | TBA | NEPAL EXTN: | LAND | Single Supp. | ||
| Airfare to KathmanduTBA | Till Sep. 2021 | $610.00 | $150.00 |
CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE FROM YOUR HOME CITY. Discounted airfares available in Economy, Premium economy, Business class and First Class.
Airfares for Internal India flights are based on best available fares at time of listing. Thus subject to change, availability and airline schedules.
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