A Portrait of India

Tour begins: 1:30 PM, The Leela Palace New Delhi. A transfer is included from Indira Gandhi International Airport to your luxury hotel, The Leela Palace New Delhi, renowned for gracious service and located in the heart of the city. With most flights arriving late at night or very early in the morning, you may want to travel a day early to ease the effects of jet lag and relax before Tauck's India tour begins – mention this at the time of booking; Tauck can arrange an extra night at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Your trip begins this afternoon with a welcome briefing by your Tauck Director, followed by a guided orientation tour of New Delhi including a drive through of Vijay Chowk, with views of the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, the Presidential Palace and the India Gate, commemorating Indian and British soldiers. Next, stop at the Gandhi Smriti Museum, paying tribute to the inspiring leader, Mahatma Gandhi, who forced change through non-violent protest, leading to an independent India in the late 1940s. You'll have much to discuss this evening at the welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Today brings a deeper look at Delhi's layered history with visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect the city's long and complex past. Begin at Humayun's Tomb, commissioned in the 1570s for the Mughal emperor Humayun and members of his family. Set within a carefully planned garden, the tomb marked a turning point in Indian architecture as the subcontinent's first garden-tomb and the earliest major Mughal structure built of red sandstone. Its balance, symmetry, and Persian-influenced design would later inspire the construction of the Taj Mahal. Continue to Qutb Minar, the soaring five-story Victory Tower that anchors one of the earliest surviving mosque complexes in India. Rising dramatically above its surroundings, the minaret reflects centuries of craftsmanship and adaptation, having been constructed and expanded over time by successive rulers. Carved inscriptions and architectural details offer insight into the early Islamic period in northern India and the cultural exchanges that shaped it. An orientation tour of Old Delhi follows, offering context for the city's historic neighborhoods and enduring traditions, before lunch at a local restaurant. Later, return to your hotel in New Delhi, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at leisure.

Fly to the ancient city of Varanasi, built on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Since the 6th century BC, this city has been a key destination for pilgrims who seek blessing and purification in the river's holy waters. A sightseeing tour visits Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon. Tonight, take a journey by boat along the River Ganges to witness "putting the river to sleep." Amidst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings, tonight will be a special highlight of Tauck's India tour.

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 and tomorrow's visit to one of the world's most famous and recognizable buildings, the Taj Mahal. An incredible domed mausoleum complex of white marble, it was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to memorialize and house the tomb of his beloved third wife. Completed in 1653, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture – and yes, you'll have a view of it from your room in your award-winning luxury hotel, The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra.

Join your Tauck Director this morning for a guided visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal, which reveals the love story behind the white marble wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its unique design and relief work in marble and inlay with precious and semi precious stones; your visit also includes time to explore on your own and take photographs. 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. Following an afternoon spent at leisure, dine as you please this evening from among a selection of your hotel's fine restaurants.

Travel to Jaipur for a two-night stay at The Oberoi Rajvilas, reflecting the gracious lifestyles of India's legendary Rajput princes. A sightseeing tour of Jaipur includes the City Palace Museum and the Jantar Mantar Observatory – a collection of architectural astronomical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, figuring out the declinations of planets and determining the celestial altitudes – all built by Maharajah Jai Singh II in the 18th century. Attend a special evening fit for Maharajah royalty tonight, celebrating India's cultural traditions, music, dance and cuisine.

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.

This morning, fly from Jaipur to Udaipur for a three-night stay at your luxury Oberoi hotel in Udaipur – nestled along the banks of Lake Pichola and spread over fifty acres, which includes a twenty-acre wildlife sanctuary with deer and wild boar. Consistently voted among the top luxury hotels in the world, The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur is a destination experience unrivaled anywhere – while Udaipur itself is a Rajasthan city of palaces and lakes, often called the "Venice of the East" and the "Most Romantic City in India." 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. Dinner is at your leisure in your hotel.

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 – and, a short walk away, the Jagdish Mandir Temple, where music or chanting is heard throughout the day. This evening, enjoy a sari and turban demonstration followed by a memorable Tauck Exclusive private dinner at Royal Repast, the private residence of descendants of the Bedla clan who have played a significant role in the affairs of the Udaipur State – serving as Prime Ministers, valued advisors, commanders in chief of the armed forces and hosting all the dignitaries visiting Udaipur as state guests.

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 colored saris sit amongst the stalls, surrounded by baskets brimming with their fresh and equally colorful produce, while burlap bags or metal pans entice with a kaleidoscopic array of curries and spices. The rest of the day is free to explore more of this "City of Lakes" as you wish. Due to its many picturesque locations, Udaipur has supplied scenic backdrops to many a film or television show over the years; portions of movies including Darjeeling Limited, Opening Night, Heat and Dust, Octopussy and Gandhi, plus the TV miniseries The Jewel in the Crown, were filmed here.

Fly via Bangalore to Kochi (known as Cochin during colonial times) in the state of Kerala, on the southern tip of India, home to coconut groves, paddy fields and wide beaches. Dinner is at your resort this evening.

Your day today starts off with a morning lecture on Cochin and Kerala 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; Fort Kochi, the Mattancherry district; a guided visit of the Dutch Palace and the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue; and a late afternoon sunset cruise on the Arabian Sea. Your evening is free to spend as you please at the hotel.

Travel through small coastal villages to board a boat for a cruise through Kerala's picturesque canals to the island of Kumarakom in Lake Vembanad for a two-night lakeside stay at Kumarakom Lake Resort. Tonight at your resort, you'll be treated to a program featuring dancers performing the classical Indian dance form known as Mohiniattam, dating back to the 16th century.

After an exclusive morning walk in one of Kerala's villages, then enjoy an opportunity to spend the entire afternoon as you please enjoying the many activities and amenities offered by your beautiful lakefront resort. This evening, enjoy a performance of the renowned Kathakali Dancers prior to dinner at the hotel. 

Fly to the "City of Gold," Mumbai (known in earlier times as Bombay), surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea. Upon arrival, an introductory sightseeing tour maps out the city and its landmark sites for you. Your accommodations for the next three nights are at The Oberoi, Mumbai; dine tonight at your choice of selected restaurants.

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; actually, they were welcomed with a cardboard facsimile because the arch wasn't finished until 1924, but since then the Gateway has been an iconic symbol of the city, and its plaza an important site for public gatherings and ceremonies. 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, built in 1887. Amid the colorful bustle of the city, you're bound to see hordes of dabbawalas (men in white uniforms on bicycles delivering hot mid-day meals in "tiffin" cans), a traditional sight here since the 19th century. Enjoy your lunch at Souk, a restaurant at the elegant Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, then return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, you may join a local guide for a tour of Dharavi before returning to your hotel early this evening.

From the Gateway of India in Mumbai, take a boat cruise this morning to Elephanta Island (or Gharapuri, the "city of caves") with a local guide to explore the Elephanta Caves, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This series of rock-cut cave temples, most of which are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, was hewn from solid basalt sometime between the fifth and seventh centuries AD. Return to your Oberoi hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon as you please in Mumbai. Join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at the hotel, as your incredible journey to India draws to a close.

Tour ends: Mumbai. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from your hotel in Bombay to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Most international flights depart between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM.