Best of India
Delhi, Agra & the Taj Mahal, the pink city of Jaipur, two jungle safaris in Ranthambore & Varanasi; optional extension to Nepal
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 24 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture, Grand Tours, Nature & Wildlife | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking. On the extension to Nepal, the tour reaches high altitudes requiring that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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On our Best of India Small Group Tour, you'll visit many of India's most important and significant cities, including New Delhi, the nation's capital and third-largest city; Jaipur, known as the "Pink City" for its unusual rose-colored sandstone architecture; Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, the world's most famous monument to love; and Varanasi, the holiest site in India, where thousands of Hindu pilgrims tour its temples and bathe in the Ganges River to gain religious merit.
Plus, we’ve added a NEW DESTINATION you won’t find on some other India itineraries: Ranthambore National Park. This former maharajas’ hunting ground turned wild sanctuary of jungle and dramatic rocky outcrops shelters a 10th century fort, ruined temples and old hunting pavilions, overgrown tombs, and wildlife including crocodiles, pythons, monkeys, sloth bears and so much more. Oh, and it’s also one of the best places in India to potentially see tigers!
Many travelers will also choose to take our optional post-tour extension to Nepal. You’ll base your adventure in the intoxicating and heritage-filled capital of Kathmandu, and journey out into the Kathmandu Valley to charming places like Patan City and Bhaktapur. Of course, when in Nepal, it’s impossible to forget that you are traveling in the shadow of Everest, and on this tour we offer a truly once in a lifetime experience: an optional early morning sightseeing flight over the tallest mountain on our planet.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK or EWR) including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
- Intra-India ground transportation and flight Jaipur to Varanasi
- 10 nights in superior & deluxe hotels with private bath
- 17 Meals: 10 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches & 5 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
- Comprehensive guided touring program including all entrance fees to places visited
- Experienced, English-speaking tour director
Optional add-ons
- Optional cultural show in Agra
- Optional Nepal post-tour extension
- Optional morning flight over Mt. Everest
Why you'll love it
- Experience the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
- Ride by bicycle rickshaw in Delhi to India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid.
- Share High Tea with a local Indian family.
- Embark on two safari drives at Ranthambore National Park in search of tigers and other wildlife.
- Visit the Amber Fort, a vast complex comprised of numerous courtyards and elegantly decorated halls.
- Discover Jaipur’s City Palace and Jantar Mantar followed by a private dinner with a local family.
- Immerse yourself in the chanting mantras and fragrant incense of a traditional Aarti ceremony.
- Enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges River and witness the rituals of Hindu pilgrims at a bathing ghat.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Arrive Delhi
- 3 Old & New Delhi
- 4 Delhi & Agra
- Optional Excursion: Mohabbat The Taj Cultural Show (purchased locally) , $50
- 5 Agra
- 6 Agra & Ranthambore
- 7 Ranthambore
- 8 Ranthambore & Jaipur
- 9 Jaipur
- 10 Jaipur & Varanasi
- 11 Varanasi
- 12 Varanasi, Sarnath & Depart Delhi
Nepal Extension
- 12 Varanasi & Delhi
- 13 Delhi & Kathmandu, Nepal
- 14 Kathmandu, Patan City & Swoyambhunath
- Optional Excursion: Mt. Everest Flyover (purchased locally) , $205
- 15 Kathmandu & Bhaktapur
- 16 Kathmandu & Depart Delhi
Videos
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Notice: The Taj Mahal is currently undergoing renovations. Some scaffolding has been erected on sections of the building and some of its surrounding spires.To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your exotic journey to India begins today as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Arrive Delhi
- Arrive in Delhi, India's capital. Following customs and immigration formalities, meet our representatives and transfer to your hotel
Shangri-La Eros Hotel or similar
Day 3 Old & New Delhi
- Full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi
- Ride by bicycle rickshaw to Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque
Shangri-La Eros Hotel or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 5 Agra
- Rise early for a breathtaking morning tour of the Taj Mahal
- Discover the Agra Fort
- Afternoon excursions in the local markets
- Evening High Tea with a local family
ITC Mughal or similarBreakfast
Day 6 Agra & Ranthambore
- This morning visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, known as the “Baby Taj”
- Transfer to Bharatpur to board the train for Sawai Madhopur
- Transfer from Sawai Modhopur to Ranthambore National Park
The Tigress Spa & Resort or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Ranthambore
- Early morning jungle safari to spot wildlife
- Get a second chance to spot wildlife on an evening jungle safari
The Tigress Spa & Resort or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Ranthambore & Jaipur
- This morning travel to Jaipur, the magnificent Pink City
- The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure
ITC Rajputana or similarBreakfast
Day 9 Jaipur
- Discover the ancient capital of Amber, en route brief stop at the Palace of Winds
- Enjoy an afternoon city tour of Jaipur
- This evening, join a private dinner with a local family in Jaipur
ITC Rajputana or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 10 Jaipur & Varanasi
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi
- Enjoy an evening aarti ceremony
Breakfast
Day 11 Varanasi
- Early morning boat ride on the river Ganges
- Exciting city tour of Varanasi
- Enjoy a farewell dinner with fellow travelers
Breakfast & dinner
Day 12 Varanasi, Sarnath & Depart Delhi
- This morning explore Sarnath, a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight via Delhi
- Your memorable journey ends tomorrow when you arrive in the USA
Breakfast
Nepal Extension
Take advantage of your already included airfare and add an optional extension to mysterious Nepal. The Nepal Extension includes 1 night in Delhi, round trip flights from Delhi to Kathmandu, 3 nights in Kathmandu with a full touring program, transfers, buffet breakfast daily and a farewell dinner and performance. Passengers taking the Nepal Extension will return to the U.S. 5 days later than the return dates shown. Note: Due to the earthquake in April 2015, some of Nepal's stupas and other sites are still under ongoing renovations.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 12 Varanasi & Delhi
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight via Delhi
- Overnight in New Delhi at the Novotel New Delhi Aerocity or similar
Breakfast
Day 13 Delhi & Kathmandu, Nepal
- Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Kathmandu, Nepal
- Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel
- Visit Boudhanath, one of the world’s largest stupas
Breakfast
Day 14 Kathmandu, Patan City & Swoyambhunath
- Optional morning flight over Mt. Everest
- Travel to Patan City south of Kathmandu
- In the afternoon, visit the National Museum and Swoyambhunath, the ‘monkey temple’
Breakfast
Day 15 Kathmandu & Bhaktapur
- Enjoy a morning visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- This afternoon visit Kathmandu Durbar Square at the heart of the old city
- In the evening, enjoy a Nepalese farewell dinner and performance
Breakfast & dinner
Day 16 Kathmandu & Depart Delhi
- Enjoy the morning at leisure in Kathmandu to shop and explore independently
- Bid farewell to India & Nepal as you transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight to the USA
- Your memorable journey ends tomorrow when you arrive in the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Reviews & Photos
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about India?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Nepal?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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