Spring Break in India

Delhi - Jaipur - Agra and Taj Mahal

For a memorable and unusual life time experience, spend your spring break in one the most mystical and exotic places —Incredible India. Travel through Delhi, Jaipur – the ‘pink city’, marvel at the most perfect mausoleum ever designed and built — the Taj Mahal.

Air inclusive Tour Price
Economy Class: $ 2395.00

Land Only
$ 1425.00

Single Room Supplement
$ 795.00

Date

Cities

Activities / Itinerary

Mar 23

USA

Depart from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Newark.
(Departures from other cities are available. Please contact us for details)

Mar 24

Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Meeting and transfer to hotel New Delhi Marriott

Delhi is a city of immense past. Seven mighty empires have risen, ruled the sub-continent & fallen here. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture. New Delhi, the present capital of the largest democracy in the world, is the creation of world famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Attractions include, Rashtrapati Bhavan or Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Red Fort- a Massive fort built by master builder Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid- the largest mosque in Asia, Jantar Mantar- the medieval observatory designed & built by Maharajah Jai Singh of Jaipur, the 16th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, Raj Ghat- where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Shantivana- the cremation site of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shopping: Delhi is a shoppers' paradise, as not only are local handicrafts available, but nearly every state of India has its handicrafts emporium at Delhi. Some of the special handicrafts available are silver work, filigree, Indian perfumes, saris and fabrics embroidered with gold and silver, curios and paintings, semi-precious and precious jeweler, brass and copper ware, Indian musical

Mar 25

Delhi

City tour visiting Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Humayun's' Tomb, Jantar Mantar Observatory, India Gate and local bazaars and B’ahai Lotus Temple.

Mar 26

Jaipur

After breakfast, city tour old Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, and Indira Gandhi Memorials including Raj Ghat and Shantivana and local bazaars.

Transfer to Jaipur by private chauffeur drive car. It takes about 4 ½ hours. Check into hotel Rajputana Sheraton, Atalban Palace Road, Jaipur - 302004, India

Jaipur: Jai Singh-a prince, soldier, planner and astronomer founded the rose pink capital city in 1728. The beautifully planned city is a tribute to the king considering that western world perhaps had very few-planned city in the eighteenth century. The observatory-Jantar Mantar-is an excellent example of the marvelous precision in astronomical calculators built in solid concrete. The City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal art and architecture. Now a museum, has fine collection of sculpture, carpets paintings, manuscripts and armory.

A short drive from Jaipur is AMBER FORT, perched atop a hill. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors - reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. The fort is reached by riding an elephant or by jeep.

Mar 27

Jaipur

Jaipur: After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. City tour in the afternoon visiting Haw Mahal - the Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens, the Jantar Mantar - the largest and best preserved 18th century stone observatory, the City Palace - still the home of the former royalty of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons, local bazaars.

Mar 28

Agra

Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra
After breakfast, transfer to Fatehpur Sikri by private chauffer driven car / coach. It takes about 2 hours.

Fatehpur Sikri: The founding of Fatehpur Sikri reads like a fairytale. When all else had failed, the Emperor Akbar came here in search of the renowned Sufi mystic, Sheikh Salim Chishti, to ask the blessing of a son. His prayer was answered and soon a son was born. In honor of the saint, Emperor Akbar named the prince Salim and vowed to found a new city. And so Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificent new city rose on the craggy hills 40 Kms from Agra and became the capital of his empire.

Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, phantom city. But the inner citadel is immaculately preserved. Its walls, palaces, baths, royal mint, courts and gardens still stand in splendid homage to a great visionary and builder. The heart of the palace complex however, is very much alive. For at the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, a white marble canopy set in the great courtyard of the Royal Mosque, pilgrims still come in thousands to offer flowers, tie a thread in the latticed screens and to pray for the gift of son.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, transfer to Agra by private chauffer driven car. It takes about 2 hours. Check into hotel Mughal Sheraton, Taj Ganj, Agra - 282001, India

Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world—a monument of love created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world, The Agra Fort— a testament to the rise and fall of the Mughal empire built by Emperor Akbar in red sand stone over 400 years ago.

These may be full moon nights in Agra It is said the Taj Mahal changes its colors during the full moon nights. Visit the Taj during full moon nights for the most memorable and everlasting impression. Taj is also very enchanting at dawn and sunset.

Although with limited access, the Taj Mahal is now open for five nights each month for nighttime viewing around the full moon nights. Number of visitors is restricted to 400 each night. Only 40 will be allowed at a time for 30 minutes. The ticket must be purchased in advance and cost $ 26.00 inclusive of handling charges.

Mar 29

Agra

City tour visiting the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itemad ud Daula and local bazaars.

Mar 30

 

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi. It takes about 4 ½ hours. Check into hotel New Delhi Marriott, District Center, Saket, New Delhi - 110 017, India

Afternoon free to visit educational institute/s or for independent activities

Mar 31

Delhi

Early morning transfer to airport. Depart by Air India at 730 AM.
Arrive in the USA in the afternoon.

Tour Price Includes:

  1. Round trip airfare from Chicago to Delhi and back in economy class with Air India.
  2. Fuel surcharge and airport security fees. (as of August 23, 2006 and remains subject to change)
  3. Airport assistance: Meeting, greeting and assistance in Delhi upon arrival and departure.
  4. Airport transfers: By private air conditioned coach as per above itinerary
  5. Baggage handling: One standard size suite case per person.
  6. Hotel accommodation in five star hotels as listed above or similar on double occupancy basis.
  7. Hotel room taxes.
  8. Meals: Daily breakfast at hotels
  9. Sightseeing and excursions: As per itinerary.
  10. Guide/s: English speaking local guide/s.
  11. Entrance Fee to monuments: As per itinerary.
  12. Transfers: As per itinerary: Delhi – Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Delhi
  13. Transportation: By private chauffeur driven air-conditioned coach.
  14. Gasoline, road taxes and tolls and permits.
  15. Cost of operation.
  16. Government Tourist Tax.

Not included in the tour Price:

  1. Passport and visa fees.
  2. Lunch or dinner.
  3. Beverages and meals not provided as a part of the tour arrangement.
  4. Room service.
  5. Taxes and tips on services not included in the itinerary,
  6. Laundry service.
  7. Any other item not specifically mentioned above as included.
  8. Gratuity to bell hops, waiters, drivers, guides and tour manager.
  9. Taj Mahal by Moonlight: ticket.
  10. Luggage, flight and trip cancellation Insurance.

Reservation:

  1. To book space on this tour, download Reservation Form and return the completed to Exotic Journeys, 233 East Erie Street, Suite 704, Chicago, IL 60611 along with tour deposit of $ 1400.00 for air inclusive or $ 400.00 for land only booking.
  2. Final / balance payment is due by January 4, 2007.
  3. Trip Insurance: Trip Insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended to protect your investment. Enclosed is a form for comprehensive protection plan. Please complete it and returned it to Exotic Journeys with premium at the time of booking your space on this trip. For best coverage, buy trip insurance within 15 days of making your tour deposit.
  4. Other trip insurance programs are also on our website. To purchase online, please log on to our website, www.exoticjourneys.com and click on Trip Insurance
  5. If you do not want to purchase Trip Insurance, please sign the enclosed Travel Insurance Waiver Form for and return it to Exotic Journeys with your tour deposit.

Notes :

  1. Price is based on double occupancy.
  2. Travel Documents: A valid passport and visas are required for travel to India. It remains the responsibility of the tour members to have proper documents.
  3. Visa for India is required prior to departure. For Application Forms and Embassy addresses, please log on to our website, www.exoticjourneys.com and click on Resources for Traveler
    If you prefer, we will obtain visa on your behalf. The Visa Fees for India is $60.00 and postage and handling fee is $35.00 per passport. Please send your passport, completed form and fees by check payable to Exotic Journeys.
  4. For Business and First Class airfares, please contact Exotic Journeys at 1-800-554-6342 / 312-475-0655.
  5. Airfares with other airlines are available upon request.
  6. Estimated cost of lunch and dinner will be about $ 15.00 – $ 25.00 per meal.
  7. Itinerary remains subject to change at all times for reasons beyond our control.
  8. Airport transfers: If not flying on our scheduled airlines with group, you may join the group at Delhi airport for transfer to hotel without any extra cost.
    If desired, a private airport transfer is available for $ 15.00 per person. (Minimum two persons).
  9. Inoculation Requirements: Vaccination and inoculation requirements vary from time to time. At the time of printing this itinerary there were no requirements. Please consult Public Health Services or your physician for their recommendation.
  10. Custom Restrictions: Travelers can bring in items of personal use and limited quantities of liquor and cigarettes. Cameras and other equipment are allowed but must be taken out on departure.
  11. Fuel Surcharges: Airlines and transporters base their cost on current prices. In case of significant increase, they reserve the right to adjust their estimates / charges.