SUMMER & FALL 2012 - VOLUME 3 - Senior Tours Canada

TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR INDIADAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DEPARTURE. We depart for New Delhi.NEW DELHI. Upon arrival in New Delhi we aremet and transferred to our hotel.OLD & NEW DELHI. On our excursion of NewDelhi we see the black and white onion domeand minarets of the Jama Masjid - India’s mostelegant mosque. We also visit Raj Ghat,where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in1948. This afternoon we tour New Delhi - afascinating blend of Victorian and modernarchitecture. We see the modern Birla Temple,Parliament Buildings and the President'shouse - once the Viceroy’s Palace. We thenvisit the 12th century Kutab Minar, anelaborately carved iron pillar which shows nosign of rust. This evening is our WelcomeDinner.VARANASI. We fly to Varanasi, one of theworld's oldest cities and the holiest in India. Ithas been the religious capital for the Hindufaith since the dawn of history, and there arethousands of temples and shrines here. Thisevening we witness the spectacular site of Artiof Ganges.VARANASI. This morning we board a boat tocruise on the sacred River Ganges. Herethousands of pilgrims descend the steps to theriver and immerse themselves in the sacredwaters, washing away their sins - rites that canbe deeply moving to witness. We then walk thenarrow lanes of Varanasi. Throughout historymillions have passed through these lanesseeking "Nirvana". This afternoon we visit theBharat Mata Temple, dedicated to MotherIndia and housing a carved marble relief map,and also the famous Monkey Temple.VARANASI / DELHI. This morning we visitSarnath where the Buddha delivered his firstsermon. We see a large complex of ruinedmonasteries and temples, and visit a newBuddhist monastery with wall paintingsdepicting the Buddha's life. Later we fly toDelhi and transfer to our hotel for ourovernight.AGRA & TAJ MAHAL. This morning we travelby coach to Agra where we visit thespectacular Taj Mahal. 20,000 men labouredfor over 17 years to build this extravagantmemorial in white marble and precious stones.We then visit Agra Fort - behind its forbiddingred sandstone battlements lie palaces that tellthe story of the Mogul Empire.DAY 8DAY 9DAY 10JAIPUR. We leave Agra and travel throughRajasthan, with its colourful small villages andtraditional ways of farming with oxen. Keep aneye out for working camels and elephants. Enroute we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a well-preserved16th century city that was once the centre ofMoghul power in India. We then proceed to the"Pink City" of Jaipur.JAIPUR. This morning we take an elephantride up to the Amber Fort, which offers fantasticviews over the hills of Rajasthan. Furthertouring shows us Jaipur's colourful streets andresidential areas, the Palace of the Wind, JaySingh's Observatory and the City Palace,formerly a royal residence and now a museum.JAIPUR. At leisure to relax around the hotelpool or explore more of this colourful city.UDAIPUR. We travel to Udaipur, nestled in apicturesque valley like a white gem on a clearblue lake. After arrival we take a boat ride onLake Pichola. There are several islands in thelake and on two of them the maharanasconstructed pleasure palaces.UDAIPUR. On our city tour we first visit theCity Palace, once the home of Mewar rulersand now a museum. It consists of severalflawlessly integrated palaces which overlookthe lake. We then visit Sahelion-ki-bari(Garden of the Maids of Honour) - the scene ofroyal parties for centuries. We see theCenotaph of Maharana Pratap and finish offwith a visit of the famous Jagdish Temple.MUMBAI (BOMBAY). We fly to Mumbai(formerly called Bombay) and transfer to ourhotel. The balance of the day is free.MUMBAI. Our city tour begins at the Gatewayof India, commemorating the visit by George Vin 1911. We drive past the gothic OldSecretariat and the Victoria Terminus (aremarkable example of Victorian gothicarchitecture). We also see the colourfulCrawford market, the Flora Fountain and theHanging Gardens which offer panoramic viewsover the city. Our final stop is at Dhobi Ghat,the amazing Indian laundry system.MUMBAI. This morning we visit the Prince ofWales Museum. One of India’s best-knownmuseums, this magnificent heritage building isa Mumbai landmark. The afternoon is atleisure to explore this fascinating city. Thisevening is our Farewell Dinner.HOME. An early departure for our flight home.DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6DAY 7DAY 11DAY 12DAY 13DAY 14DAY 15DAY 1671.