Special Interest Tours in India

Heritage Tours in India

17 Nights / 18 Days10 stops

DelhiKhajurahoAgraFatehpur SikriJaipurUdaipurAurangabadAjantaElloraBombay

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi

Evening arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel Imperial.

Day 2 - Delhi

Morning orientation & slide show/lecture presentation on Ancient Indian Architecture. After lunch, visit architectural highlights of Delhi including Qutab Minar, Red Fort and others.

Day 3 - Delhi

Morning visit the National Museum. After lunch, visit the Crafts Museum. In the evening enjoy classical dances of India followed by Indian dinner.

Day 4 - Delhi - Khajuraho

Fly to Khajuraho. After lunch, visit Classical Temples from Chandella Style illustrated with remarkable sculptures from the KAMA SUTRA.

Day 5 - Khajuraho

Morning visit Jain temples of the same period and introduction to the Jain Religion. Afternoon optional excursion in jeeps to Panna National Park,

Day 6 - Chandela Forts

Day excursion to visit two little known Chandela Forts, Kalingar (130km) and Ajayagarah (80 km).

Day 7 - Khajuraho - Orchha

Morning drive to Orchha. Visit Jahangir Mahal Palace. Drive to Jhansi to take a train to Agra.

Day 8 - Agra - Taj Mahal

Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. After breakfast visit Agra Fort. Introduction to Indo-Persian architecture of the Timurid Dynasty.

Day 9 - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur

Morning visit Itimad-ud-Daulah, the first white marble inlaid grave in pure Indo-Persian style. Afternoon drive to Jaipur.

Day 10 - Jaipur

Full day sightseeing including Amber Fort, Hava Mahal. There will be opportunities to visit block printing factory, gem cutting, carpet factory, silk shops.

Day 11 - Jaipur - Udaipur

Fly to Udaipur, IC 7491 (0720 /0800) Afternoon lecture on modern Indian Architecture.

Day 12 - Udaipur

Visit the City Palace and its Museum. Introduction to the world of miniature paintings; boat ride on Pichola Sagar Lake. Visit Saheliyon Ki Bari, Ladies Garden. Special dinner and presentation of old Mughul, Rajput, Jain, Deccani paintings.

Day 13 - Udaipur (Ranakpur Temples)

Excursion to the Ranakpur Temples. Lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur) near the Temples.

Day 14 - Aurangabad

Fly Udaipur-Bombay-Aurangabad. Transfer to Hotel Rama International

Day 15 - Ajanta

Full day excursion to Ajanta, visit of the Buddhist and Brahmanical caves.

Day 16 - Ellora

Visit the most extraordinary free standing monolithic temple (there are only two of these in India), the Kailashanatha Temple, with unique carvings of the Ramayana and Vishnupurana. Fly to Mumbai. Transfer to Hotel Taj Mahal, new wing.

Day 17 - Bombay

Morning visit Prince of Wales Museum, the largest Fine Art Museum in India and Hanging Gardens. Afternoon cruise to Elephanta Caves.

Day 18 - Bombay

Day at Leisure. Optional visit to Crawford Market or Chor Bazaar. After lunch, join Bombay Heritage Walking Club (art & architecture students /professionals). They organize a 2 hr. walk through the old part of Bombay and also interact with the local people. Dinner & evening transfer to airport for flight home.