Past 2013 trip: Mystical India

February 28 - March 17, 2013
Pricing: 18 days from $5,788 total price from New York
($5,095 air & land inclusive plus $693 airline taxes and departure fees)

Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confounding, India overflows with riches. Arrive in Indias capital, bustling Delhi. Tour the 16th-century Tomb of Humayun; Qutab Minar, the 234-step tower dating to 1193; and India Gate, honoring the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Explore Old Delhi, including the Gandhi Memorial as well as the red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. Ride rickshaws through Chandi Chowk market and visit a Sikh temple.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India
Day 2: Arrive Delhi
We arrive in India's capital late evening and transfer to our hotel.
Day 3: Delhi
After a morning briefing with our tour director, this afternoon we tour Delhi, including the 16th-century Tomb of Humayun; Qutab Minar, the 234-step tower dating to 1193; and India Gate, honoring the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. B,D
Day 4: Delhi
Today we explore Old Delhi, beginning with the Gandhi Memorial, the simple black marble slab honoring Mahatma Gandhi. Next, two renowned 17th-century landmarks: Lal Qila, the Red Fort palaces where we stop for photos; and the red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, Indias largest mosque. Then we ride rickshaws through Chandi Chowk market; visit a Sikh temple; and tour the National Museum. Tonight we dine in the homes of urban Indian families. B,D
Day 5: Delhi/Jaipur
Today we travel by coach to the pink city of Jaipur, one of the great cities of the Rajput, with historic forts, palaces, and gardens. We reach our hotel late afternoon. B,L,D
Day 6: Jaipur
Our first stop is the stunning Hawa Mahal, the elaborately carved pink sandstone Palace of the Winds. We continue on to Amber Fort, built by the Kkachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728; Jantar Mantar, the open-air observatory; and City Palace Museum, housing the magnificent art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. B,L
Day 7: Jaipur/Sanganer
This morning we visit the village of Sanganer to see traditional block printing and handmade paper industries. Later we tour a local market then take a traditional rickshaw ride. Tonight we are dinner guests in the home of a multi-generational Rajasthan family. B,D
Day 8: Jaipur/Ranthambore
We travel today to Ranthambore National Park, the former hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur and now a 512-square-mile natural preserve that is home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and of course, Bengal tigers. This afternoon we take our first game drive through the park. B,L,D
Day 9: Ranthambore
We take both morning and afternoon game drives today to see not only game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed), but also picturesque ruins of forts and palaces. B,L,D
Day 10: Ranthambore/Kalakho
We depart early for Kalakho and the Dera Lake View Retreat on the banks of seasonal monsoon Madhosager Lake. Here we embark on a camel safari to meet the local Meena tribespeople in their homes. B,L,D
Day 11: Kalakho/Fatehpur Sikri/Agra
Leaving Kalakho this morning, we travel to Fatehpur Sikri, the late 16th-century city of red sandstone that is an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Early afternoon we reach Agra, the ancient Mughal stronghold. B,D
Day 12: Agra
This morning we visit the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Then we take an Indian cuisine cooking lesson and enjoy the results for lunch. Later we venture to the imposing Agra Fort complex. B,L
Day 13: Agra/Khajuraho
We travel by train to Jhansi, then continue by coach to the village of Orchha. After lunch here we travel on to Khajuraho, whose collection of 22 Hindu temples dating to the 10th century is a UNESCO site. B,L,D
Day 14: Khajuraho
Today we tour several of Khajurahos well-preserved temples (many adorned with erotic sculptures), considered the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. B,D
Day 15: Khajuraho/Varanasi
We fly today to Varanasi, Hinduisms holiest city and a sacred place of pilgrimage. This evening we attend a traditional aarti offering ceremony as we cruise along the Ganges. B,D
Day 16: Varanasi
Early this morning we return to the Ganges, where Hindu pilgrims perform their rituals along the ghats (steps) leading to the river. We visit several of the important ghats by boat as we experience for ourselves the spiritual mystique of these hallowed waters. Next we visit the new Vishwanath temple of white marble at Banaras Hindu University. Later we travel to Sarnath, birthplace of Buddhism. Tonight we celebrate our journey at a farewell dinner. B,D
Day 17: Varanasi/Delhi
We fly this afternoon to Delhi, where the evening is at leisure. B
Day 18: Return to U.S.
Early today we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
(B=Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Please contact the Alumni Travel office at 1-800-886-9895 or via email at alumnitravel@case.edu for more details.