India Tour: The Splendors of the Golden Triangle and Beyond

See the Taj Majal before it’s too late!  That is the rumor that TravelingMom Founder, Kim Orlando, heard on her visit to India.  She was so concerned and enchanted on her visit that she collaborated in the creation of the following tour so you too can experience this extraordinary country.  Dine with a local family, practice yoga on a palace lawn, ride in a rickshaw in Delhi and immerse yourself in the culture   Ahh, India. Join us!

The Splendors of the Golden Triangle & Beyond
September 28 – October 11, 2019

Your  12-night, 13-day India tour begins when you arrive in Delhi, ready to explore. You will be transported via a mini-coach with a private guide to stunning Indian cities such as Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar and Udaipur. You’ll meet the people, tour, dine, and shop your way through this extraordinary country. All hotels are 4 star and higher; inclusions: breakfast daily, 10 additional meals (including dinner with a local family), all transportation within India, English-speaking guide and tours and sightseeing as indicated.

 Itinerary Overview

Day 01: ARRIVE DELHI
Day 02: DELHI
Day 03: DELHI – AGRA
Day 04: AGRA
Day 05: AGRA – SAMODE
Day 06: SAMODE – JAIPUR
Day 07: JAIPUR – PUSHKAR
Day 08: PUSHKAR – JODHPUR
Day 09: JODHPUR
Day 10: JODHPUR – UDAIPUR
Day 11: UDAIPUR
Day 12: UDAIPUR – DELHI
Day 13: DELHI – DEPARTURE

Tour Details

DAY 01: ARRIVE IN DELHI

Arrive at Delhi and transfer to hotel.
DELHI: The modern capital of India is an ancient city whose origins are immersed in history and legend. Its adorned by hundreds of monuments memorializing its storied past and dynasties – Hindu and Muslim. You’ll  learn about the mighty Mughals who once ruled India and two hundred years of  British rule – the Raj- has left an enormous impact and lingering influences.  Overnight Delhi.

DAY 02: DELHI

We’ll breakfast at the hotel and head out to tour Old Delhi. Passing the Red Fort, we’ll  visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Later we’ll climb into a rickshaw and experience the sights, sounds and smells of Chandni Chowk. the city’s ancient market. As they day progresses, we’ll see Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, the famed Humayun’s Tomb, government buildings along Raj Path and the  imposing India Gate, the President’s House, Sikh Temple, and the Qutab Minar (XII) –  an excellent example of Afghan Architecture. The Minar is a 72.5mts high victory tower and has been awarded World Heritage Site status. Overnight Delhi

Day 03: DELHI – AGRA

After breakfast, the group will travel to Agra. This city is famed for the Taj Mahal, but also showcases a magnificent fort and many stunning tombs and mausoleums from the Mughal Dynasty. After check-in at the hotel, the remainder of the day will be free to relax and shop. The bustling chowks (marketplaces) are great fun especially if you like to barter.  Overnight Agra

Day 04: AGRA

This day will begin with a never-to-be-forgotten experience – a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, the world’s most famous architectural monument. It was built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife as a monument to eternal love. He commissioned the finest craftsmen in the world and 20,000 workers labored over 20 years to complete this iconic structure.  This  day’s itinerary will include a visit to the Agra Fort, other sites, and some leisure time  Overnight Agra

DAY 05: AGRA – SAMODE

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Samode. This small, beautiful village lies outside of Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan. Our stay this evening will be in the exclusive Samode Palace, (host to royalty, celebrities, artists, and the discerning traveler), 475 years old, it’s a splendid example of regal Indo-Saracenic architecture, and boasts the contemporary luxury and the signature service of Samode Hotels.

Touring the village provides the opportunity experience rural life and the culture that the Indian families have been following for centuries. Overnight Samode.

DAY 06: SAMODE – JAIPUR

After breakfast, we’ll continue on to Jaipur, the colorful capital of Rajasthan known as the Pink City. With its rich and colorful past, resplendent with tales of valor and bravery, it is one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and then enjoy a panoramic tour and visit the Astronomical Observatory, the Maharaja’s Palace, (city palace) former royal residence, which today is a museum containing important manuscripts, Mughal and Rajput paintings and weapons. We’ll drive through the residential areas and the “Pink City” business area to see the Palace of Winds, one of the city’s most unique sights.  A special experience will be arranged for this evening. We’ll enjoy a cooking demonstration follow by dinner.

The popular cooking workshops and demonstrations are personally conducted by ladies of the Peelwa family in coordination with in-house chefs which takes approximately 2 hours. You’ll be taken in to their kitchen for a  cooking demonstration. You will be shown how each dish is cooked and your hosts will describe the spices and ingredients used to prepare these wonderful dishes. While you wait for the food to finish cooking you will have the chance to really get to know your hosts. Once the food is ready you will sit at the dining table, where your food will be served. It will be tempered to your specific tastes – so it won’t be too hot unless you ask for it that way! You will  be treated as a guest of the family throughout your visit here, it is an authentic experience and a great way to see experience traditional Indian cooking . Overnight Jaipur.

Day 07: JAIPUR – PUSHKAR

This morning we’ll enjoy breakfast in the hotel and then a tour of the Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. We’ll have the opportunity to access the top of the hill on elephants. Later, we’ll continue on to Pushcar an ancient city on a lake and a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site. After checking in at our hotel, we’ll have some time to relax, and in the evening we’ll visit a Brahma Temple and bathing ghats.
Overnight in Pushkar.

Day 08: PUSHKAR – JODHPUR

After breakfast we’ll head for Jodhpur. This city was founded by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, in 1459 and is named solely after him. It is known as the “Sun City” because of its bright and sunny weather throughout the year. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Overnight Jodhpur.

DAY 09: JODHPUR

One of today’s highlights will be a morning Village Safari tour and seeing the Bishnoi tribal villages. This afternoon a guided city tour of Jodhpur will include visiting the massive Mehrangarh Fort and the serene Jaswant Thada (Royal Cenotaphs). Jodhpur is famous for its blue buildings, which were originally painted to signify that they were occupied by Brahmins, the highest caste in India. Overnight in Jodhpur.

DAY 10: JODHPUR – UDAIPUR

Following breakfast we’ll depart for Udaipur visiting the quaint town of Ranakpur enroute. An important pilgrimage site, it’s beloved for its exceptionally beautiful temple. Udaipur – known as the Venice of the East, is also called the “City of Lakes.” After checking into the hotel, the remainder of the day will be free to relax or explore the local market. Overnight Udaipur.

DAY 11: UDAIPUR

An optional early morning yoga session will be offered before breakfast. The group will then proceed on a guided tour of the city to include visits to the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, a drive around Fatehsagar Lake and Sahelion ki Bari (Queen’s Resort for her friends). This afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on Pichola Lake surrounded by splendid hills, palaces and temples. Get your cameras ready! Overnight in Udaipur.

DAY 12: UDAIPUR – DELHI

After breakfast the group will transfer to the Udaipur Airport for a flight back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to our  hotel. Overnight Delhi.

DAY 13: DELHI – DEPARTURE

Transfer to Delhi International Airport to take a return flight.

Tour Pricing

$2,799,00 per person based on double occupancy  – based on a minimum of 10 travelers (Maximum group size 19) Single Supplement $925.00. Please do not book international airfare prior to the trip confirmation.

Deposit: $450.00 per person.

Final Payment Due – July 31, 2019

Deposits can be made by any major credit or by check. Tour administration will be handled by the company, and contact listed below.

Contact:

Connie Walsh
Forks on the Road/TZELL Travel
92 Milton Street. Boston, MA, 02124

http://www.forks-ontheroad.com

Contact: Connie Walsh – [email protected]/Direct Line  617.825.0505 – for further information, help with flights and/or to secure a spot on the tour.

Cost Includes:

• 12 Nights’ accommodation – based on double occupancy –  at the hotels listed below, or similar.
• Breakfast daily.
• All transfers, tours and excursion as per itinerary using air-conditioned coach
• Accompanying English speaking Guide
• Rickshaw ride in Delhi
•  Boat ride at Udaipur
• Cooking demo and dinner with local family in Jaipur
• Entrance fees to sites and monuments mentioned in the Itinerary for one visit only.
• Elephant ride / Jeep Ride at Amber fort (Elephant ride Subject to availability).
• All taxes, tolls, parking fees and service tax.

Hotels
Le Meridian
Radisson Agra
Samode Palace
Radisson Jaipur
Pushkar Palace
Indana Palace
Hotel Lakend
Le Meridian

Cost does not include:

• Any airfare (International or domestic).
• Passport and Visa fees for India.
• Any Lunch / Dinner is not Included unless otherwise specified
• Any meals OR options not mentioned in the itinerary / cost inclusion.
• Any item of personal nature and gratuities.
• Travel insurance.
• Additional nights – pre-or-post tour. Extra nights will be offered at additional cost to individual participants.