Heart of India with Varanasi

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we board the Gatiman Express for Agra, home to many impressive historical sites including the iconic Taj Mahal. Upon arrival in Agra, we'll begin our tour with a visit to Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and walled imperial city founded in 1565 by Emperor Akbar. Its palaces, grand mosques, and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are a testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art was influenced by Persia. We'll learn the legendary stories beneath the surface of this fort, which also has one of the most alluring views of the Taj Mahal.

After our tour, we'll check in at our new hotel and have some free time to relax or explore independently. This evening, we'll enjoy a breathtaking sunset visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Combining Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian design elements, it's an awe-inspiring vision of elegant domes and white marble, which changes color with the light.

Early this morning we'll enjoy a mesmerizing view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh at sunrise. Afterward, we'll return to our hotel for breakfast and then check out and begin our drive to Ranthambore. En route, we'll stop at the small village ruins of Abhaneri and its renowned Harshat Mata Temple and the adjoining Chand Baori Stepwell. We'll continue to Umaid Lake Palace, an organic resort where we'll enjoy a special lunch and Indian lassi, a traditional blended yogurt drink.

After lunch, we'll continue to our hotel in Ranthambore, home to one of the most visited wildlife parks in India. Considered the best place to catch a glimpse of Bengal Tigers in the wild, Ranthambore National Park also offers a spellbinding combination of mystical temples, wild beauty, and crumbling ruins. Ranthambore isn't just a sanctuary for tigers - it's also home to other wildlife like sambar, gazelle, caracal, black buck, crocodile, wild boar, and a wide variety of birds. This afternoon is free to relax and this evening we'll enjoy an exclusive discussion with a naturalist about the tigers of Ranthambore over a glass of wine.

We'll have an early start today for our jungle safari today! After a cup of tea, we'll head into the jungle with our naturalist guide for a shared safari by Canter, a type of bus with open sides to allow for optimum wildlife viewing. We'll return to our hotel for breakfast and after lunch we'll go on an afternoon safari, providing us with ample opportunities to see the park's tigers!

After breakfast, we'll visit a local school for a special exchange experience. After lunch, we'll continue to Jaipur, India's first planned city nicknamed "the Pink City" for its multitude of pink terracotta buildings within its walled historic center. The rest of the day is free to relax or take an optional afternoon tour!

After breakfast today, we'll begin our full-day exploration of Jaipur city. Jaipur offers a delightful combination of tradition and modernity with its vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples. We'll ascend to the fairy-tale splendor of Amber Fort by jeep where we'll enjoy a tour of the palace and its incredible architecture and history.

This afternoon, we'll visit the City Palace, the observatory of Jantar Mantar, and drive past Hawa Mahal, the "Palace of the Winds". We'll take a tuk-tuk ride through Jaipur's Old City, and then we'll enjoy a culinary experience with a local family - learning secret family recipes and more about Indian culture over dinner.

After breakfast, we'll leave Jaipur behind and continue to Jodhpur, affectionately known as the Blue City and the Gateway to the Thar Desert. While Jodhpur is a modern metropolis, within its old city walls is a labyrinth of winding, narrow, medieval streets and bazaars. After we check-in at our hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free to rest or explore independently.

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, the Blue City, first visiting the Meharangarh Fort. Rising 400 feet above the skyline from its perch atop Bhaurcheeria Hill, Meharangarh Fort has never been taken in a siege. We'll continue to Jaswant Thada, known as the Taj Mahal of Marwar, which was built in 1899 from intricately carved marble sheets and where we can enjoy a superb view of the Blue City from its gardens. Next, we'll stop at Umaid Bhawan Museum, one of India's last great palaces, before concluding at the Clock Tower Market, a vibrant old city market filled with charm. The rest of the day is free to relax, explore independently, or for an optional walking tour.

After breakfast, we'll visit the Bishnoi Village by jeep, allowing us the opportunity to explore what local life is like in Jodhpur. The Bishnois are known for their love of nature and are staunch environmentalists. On our walk around the village, we'll learn more about their beliefs, culture, and traditions. We'll continue towards Deogarh, stopping en route to visit the white marble Ranakpur Jain temple, an architectural gem complete with a courtyard of monkeys and surrounded by tangled forests. Ranakpur is one of the five important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. Afterward, we'll continue to our hotel where we'll have some time to relax. This evening, we'll enjoy a walking tour of the village.

After breakfast today, we depart for our final destination - Udaipur. Dubbed the Venice of the East, the city of Udaipur is built around three interconnected lakes - Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake; and is encircled by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. Udaipur is home to ancient temples, and fairytale-like palaces, and is known as one of Rajasthan's most beautiful and romantic cities. This evening, we'll enjoy a captivating shared boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Early this morning, consider an optional tour by bicycle. After breakfast, we'll explore Udaipur, starting with a visit to the stunning City Palace which was built with granite and marble and adorned with ornate arches, and filigreed balconies and windows. Next, we'll visit the Jagdish Temple which was built in 1651 before continuing to Sahelion ki Bari, a spectacular garden in Udaipur, which helps illustrate the unique lifestyle of the royals who once lived in these palaces.

After a special Thali lunch, we'll visit the Vintage Heritage Museum. The rest of the day is free to explore Udaipur independently. This evening, we'll enjoy a special farewell dinner overlooking the palace fort on the bank of Pichola Lake with panoramic views of the Jagdish Temple, Gangaur Ghat, City Palace, Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, and Sajangarh Fort.

Today we'll enjoy an early morning yoga session with an instructor before breakfast. Afterward, we'll fly to Varanasi, one of the holiest and most fascinating places in India. Varanasi's unique culture is tied to the holy River Ganges, which was unleashed from the not of Lord Shiva's hair according to Hindu legend. After we check-in at our hotel, the rest of the day is free to relax.

Early this morning, we'll enjoy a morning aarti with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges to view the morning prayers and baths. Afterward, we'll take a short heritage walk through the heart of the city towards Kashi Vishwanath Temple, or the Golden Temple. We'll return to our hotel for breakfast before visiting the Sarnath Museum. Sarnath is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centers, as it is believed that Buddha came here after reaching enlightenment and where he first began his teachings. The afternoon is free to explore independently or consider an evening optional walking tour.

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Varanasi taking us to Bharat Mata Temple, the Durga Temple, and the modern marble Tulsi Manas Temple whose walls are engraved with scenes and verses. We'll also see the new Visnawanath Temple, one of the tallest in India before we continue to Benares Hindu University and its museum, and the mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Ganges River with free time this afternoon. Tonight we'll witness the evening aarti at the River Ganges from the best viewing spot.

After breakfast today, we'll enjoy some free time. Later, we'll depart to the airport for our return flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, our tour comes to an end.