INDIA
EXPLORER
Sun Day
01 SYDNEY / MUMBAI
Tour members
depart from their respective cities to Sydney, where they will join their flight to
Mumbai 1010/1915. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel
for an overnight stay.
Hotel Taj President
(Breakfast)
Mon Day 02
MUMBAI / UDAIPUR
Morning sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Formerly known
as Bombay, the city is the commercial
capital of India, and your tour includes the Prince of Wales Museum, Gandhi's former residence,
the Towers of Silence and Dhobi Ghats. Return to your hotel for
lunch, and in the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your
flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a two
night stay.
Trident Hilton (Breakfast &
Dinner)
Tue Day 03 UDAIPUR
After
breakfast you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of the city, including the
Gardens, Puppet Museum and City Palace. You will then be taken on a
short boat ride to the Lake Palace
Hotel for lunch, followed by a
scenic cruise on the lake. Return to your hotel late afternoon.
Trident Hilton (Breakfast, Lunch &
Dinner)
Wed Day 04
UDAIPUR / JODHPUR
This morning depart by road for the well-known city
of Jodhpur, travelling through the fascinating traditional Rajasthan countryside
and stopping at Ranakpur to visit the
famous Temple. You will see many traditional agricultural activities en route
which afford interesting photo
opportunities. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon for a two-night stay.
Park Plaza
(Dinner & Breakfast)
Thu Day 05 JODHPUR
After
breakfast you will be taken on a sightseeing tour, which includes the Meherangarh Fort, a walk through the local
Bazaar and a visit to the Maharajahs Tombs located a short distance from the
city. In the afternoon you will be taken by jeep on a village and wildlife excursion. This will give you an
opportunity to see village life in rural India. Return to your hotel late
afternoon.
Park Plaza (Dinner &
Breakfast)
Fri Day 06 JODHPUR
/ JAIPUR
After breakfast continue by road through the Rajasthan
countryside, travelling via Ajmer. You will arrive in the pink city of Jaipur late afternoon, and your hotel is
situated opposite a lake on the outskirts of the city.
Mansingh Towers (Dinner & Breakfast)
Sat Day 07 JAIPUR
Morning
sightseeing tour of the city, including the Palace and Armoury, the Observatory and the famous Palace of Winds. In the afternoon there will be an
opportunity to visit Jaipur's many handicraft emporiums. The city is famous for
its jewellery manufacturing, and more
than 20,000 craftsmen are engaged in this industry.
Mansingh Towers (Dinner & Breakfast)
Sun Day 08
JAIPUR / SARISKA
This morning travel to Amber, where you take an elephant ride to the Fort and Palace, which is one
of the most interesting in India. Continue by road to Sariska, arriving in time
for lunch. The palace is the former hunting lodge of the Maharajah of Jaipur,
and in the afternoon there should be some interesting photo opportunities.
Sariska Palace (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Mon Day 09 SARISKA
/ AGRA
Early morning jeep
ride in the nearby National
Park, which contains a variety of birdlife and mammals as well as the
eluse Bengal tiger. Return to your
hotel for breakfast before continuing to Bharatpur, India's best known bird sanctuary. Here you take a cycle
rickshaw ride, and a local naturalist will act as guide. After lunch continue to
the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You arrive in
the city of the Taj late afternoon.
Jaypee Palace (Dinner & Breakfast)
Tue Day 10 AGRA
Morning
sightseeing tour, including a visit to Agra
Fort and the fabulous Taj
Mahal. Built as a tomb for Emperor Shah Jahan's favourite wife,
construction was started in 1631 and completed 22 years later. Also visit the
"baby Taj" which is an outstanding
example of early Mogul architecture, and the Tomb of the Emperor's Prime
Minister. Return to your hotel for lunch. Afternoon free to relax or visit the
local handicraft emporiums.
Jaypee Palace
(Dinner & Breakfast)
Wed Day 11
AGRA / KHAJURAHO
After breakfast make your way to the Railway Station
to take India's premier train to
Jhansi. The journey is via the fortress town of Gwallior. From Jhansi travel by road to the small
town of Khajuraho, famous for its
unique temple architecture, erotic carvings and tranquil rural atmosphere.
Taj Chandela (Dinner & Breakfast
Thu Day 12 KHAJURAHO
/ VARANASI
Morning guided tour of the famous temples. Late morning departure for the airport to join your flight to Varanasi
1330/1410. This holy Hindu city situated on the Ganges was formerly known as Benares.
En route to your hotel you stop at the pilgrimage site of Sarnath, where Buddha preached his
first sermon, and visit the nearby Museum before continuing to your hotel.
Taj Ganges (Dinner & Breakfast)
Fri Day 13 VARANASI
/ DELHI
Early morning sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges, where there
will be an opportunity to observe some of the most ancient of Hindu rituals. Return to your hotel
for breakfast. Balance of morning free, during which time you may wish to visit a silk weaving
factory. After an early lunch you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi 1440/1600.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a two-nighst stay.
Park Hotel (Dinner & Breakfast)
Sat Day 14 DELHI
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, including the Cremation Ghats, the
Red Fort, the Friday Mosque and Chandni Chowk, the bazaar
area of this former Mogul city. After lunch continue sightseeing with a tour of New Delhi, including
Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar (Victory Tower) and the Bahai Temple.
Park Hotel(Dinner & Breakfast)
Sun Day 15 DELHI
/ GOA
After breakfast depart for the airport for your flight to Goa 1200/1425. Upon arrival you will be transferred
to your hotel, which has an excellent location near the beach.
Majorda Resort (Dinner & Breakfast)
Mon Day 16 GOA
Goa became a Portuguese colony in the late 15th century and still reflects its heritage. Morning sightseeing
tour of the Portuguese colonial city, including the Cathedral and the remains
of the former Viceroy's Palace. Afternoon free
Marjorda Resort (Dinner & Breakfast)
Tue Day 17 GOA
This morning you will be taken to the state capital, Paniji, which has interesting shops and restaurants
serving traditional Goan food. Afternoon free.
Marjorda Resort (Dinner & Breakfast)
Wed Day 18 GOA
/ MUMBAI / SYDNEY
Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival you will be transferred from the domestic
to the international terminal for your Qantas flight to Sydney departing late evening.
In flight
Thu Day 19 SYDNEY
Arrive
Sydney 1435. After clearing Customs and Immigration tour members will connect to
their respective home cities.