Mysteries of India
April 8-22, 2024
From the iconic tigers of Ranthambore to the legendary Taj Mahal, step into a world of captivating mysteries and vibrant color. Welcome to India – a perfect synthesis of nature, vitality, spirituality, and regal legacy.
![Taj Mahal](https://www.uwsuper.edu/wp-content/uploads/India.jpg)
Highlights include: Old Delhi, Jaipur, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Home-Hosted Dinner, Ranthambore National Park, Abhaneri Stepwell, Taj Mahal, Chandela Temple Complex, Varanasi and the Ganga Aarti Ceremony.
Small Group Tour: Travel with just 12-24 guests on this tour. A smaller group setting means a more personal travel experience.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight flight to Dehli
Day 2: The Park New Delhi – Delhi
Check in and explore!
Day 3: The Park New Delhi – Delhi
Start your morning at the expansive Humayun’s Tomb, one of the best-preserved Mughal monuments dating back to the 1500s. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon, then gather with the group in the evening for a welcome dinner featuring Indian specialties.
Day 4: The Park New Delhi – Delhi
Travel Old Delhi’s buzzing streets on a rickshaw tour of old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, and stand in awe before its iconic red sandstone towers. Continue to explore New Delhi on a journey by the city’s famous monuments, including the India Gate and Parliament building.
Day 5: Radisson Jaipur City Center – Jaipur
Embark on a scenic drive through the countryside and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before arriving in Jaipur, the “Pink City.” See Hawa Mahal, the former home of a maharaja (Indian prince). Stroll through the heart of the Old City during your free time.
Day 6: Radisson Jaipur City Center – Jaipur
Take in the palace complex of Amber Fort, India’s former seat of power, traveling there by vintage jeep and scaling the hills overlooking Jaipur. In the evening, get to know a local family as you join them for a hosted dinner in their home.
Day 7: Radisson Jaipur City Center – Jaipur
Explore the beautiful city of Jaipur, starting with the City Palace, and take in the impeccable masonry of the Jantar Mantar – the world’s oldest stone sundial. The afternoon is yours to discover Jaipur however you please.
Day 8: Sawai Vilas Ranthambore – Ranthambore
Travel to Ranthambore National Park where we will seek out tigers in their natural habitat. Learn about Project Tiger’s conservation efforts and the impact the organization has had on the Ranthambore sanctuary. Connect with a naturalist, introducing you to India’s extensive wildlife.
Day 9: Sawai Vilas Ranthambore – Ranthambore
Board an open-air truck to seek out barking deer, gazelles, and exotic birdlife. Follow the tigers’ paths in search of the sanctuary’s renowned wildlife. Then, return to your hotel to relax -OR- experience an Impact Moment with a visit to Dastkar Ranthambore, dedicated to providing employment and training for local women artisans. Later, return to the wild for another chance to seek out crocodiles, sloth bears, and Bengal tigers.
Day 10: Crystal Sarovar Premiere Agra – Agra
Travel to Agra, a city rich with the splendors of the past. Along the way, visit the impressive Abhaneri step well, built over 1,000 years ago hidden from visitors until recently. Then stop for lunch and get another taste of local flavors.
Day 11: Crystal Sarovar Premiere Agra – Agra
Experience the romantic spirit of the Taj Mahal in the early morning, when the colors of the sky dance on the bright façade and shimmer in its reflective pool. Visit Agra Fort, the seat of the Mughal Empire. During a second Impact Moment, enjoy lunch at Sheroes’ Hangout – a café that empowers female survivors of violence.
Day 12: Radisson Jass Hotel Khajuraho, Khajuraho
Start your morning with a train ride to Jhansi and make your way to Khajuraho. In the shadow of the Vindhya mountain range, make the most of a free afternoon to explore the area on your own.
Day 13: Radisson Varanasi – Varanasi
Take in the Chandela Temple complex, home to unparalleled temple architecture and intricate stone carvings. Fly to Varanasi – India’s holiest city – where spiritual energy radiates from the ground up. Sail along the River Ganges and pass by the ghats (banks) where locals wade into the river. From the Dasaswamedh Ghat, enjoy a reserved seat to experience the Ganga Aarti ceremony as it illuminates the night sky.
Day 14: Radisson Varanasi – Varanasi
Enjoy a morning boat ride and see the sunrise on the River Ganges. Travel to Sarnath, where Siddhartha Gautama – later known as Buddha – gave his first sermon in the 6th century B.C. This evening, celebrate your adventure through India at a farewell dinner.
Day 15: Lemon Tree Premier, Delhi Airport – New Delhi
Enjoy a morning at leisure before flying back to Delhi, where a room has been reserved for you to freshen up before your return flight home.
Extend your vacation!
Expand your trip with pre/post-tour adventures in Dubai or Nepal! Visit the website for more information.
Price and What’s Included
Save $150 – Only $4,399 per person/double occupancy ($5,399 single) if booked by September 2, 2023. A $600 deposit per person is due upon reservation. Space is limited!
Included in price: Round trip air from Minneapolis/St Paul Intl (MSP), inter-flights from Khajuraho Airport, air taxes and fees/surcharges, all lodging, hotel transfers, tour manager and local guides, all experiences/excursions unless noted, 26 meals.
Not included in the price: Cancellation waiver and insurance of $399 per person, some meals, most gratuity. All rates are per person and are subject to change based on air inclusive package from MSP. Air travel may be arranged from other airports as well.
![India Trip Map](https://www.uwsuper.edu/wp-content/uploads/India-Trip-Map.jpg)