AMC 2012 India Itinerary Vendor Draft 2/27/2011
(Saturday, March, 3, 2012)
Group # 1 departs NYC to Delhi, India. Trip participants may be on different flights.
(Sunday, March, 4, 2012)
Arrive in Delhi, India in the evening, or late evening (early Monday morning).
Day # 1: (Monday, March, 5, 2012)
Arrive in Delhi, India in the morning (or Sunday evening). Participants may arrive on different flights at different times.
The group is met by our escort and a traditional Indian welcome at Delhi airport. Coach transfer to Broadway Hotel for
check in. After lunch enjoy a guided tour of Old Delhi by cultural tour guide by coach. Visit the Red Fort, Jama Masjid,
India’s largest Mosque. Also visit the narrow winding streets and bustling bazaars of Chandhi Chowk. Cycle drawn
rickshaw rides are available (personal expense).
Day # 2: (Tuesday, March, 6, 2012)
New Delhi morning start with experienced guide via coach. Explore its wide avenues and grand government buildings in
an ornate classical style incorporating Indian themes by Sir Edwin Landseer in 1930’s. See Raj Path, the ceremonial
boulevard that leads up to India Gate. See the Indian President’s residence. Visit the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi at
Raj Ghat. Visit Humayun’s Tomb. We then visit Qutab Minar. Later in the afternoon we will be transferred by coach to
the railway station. Your train to Patna departs at 5.10pm. This is an overnight sleeper train and bedding is provided on
the train.
Day # 3: (Wednesday, March, 7, 2012)
Sleeper train arrives in Patna at 6:00am. Today on route to Bodhgaya via coach you visit Nalanda, the site of an ancient
and extensive university dating back to the 1st Century AD. Along the way is Rajgir, a small mountain range sacred to
Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. At the top of the mountain Japanese have erected a peace Stupa with Buddha in his
four significant poses. You may want to travel to the top by cable car (personal expense). Arrive in Bodhgaya for check
in to Hotel Sujatha.
Day # 4: (Thursday, March, 8, 2012)
Bodhgaya is famous for being the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi
Tree. We visit the Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan Temples as well as the huge Buddha statue built by Japanese
Buddhists. We then travel by coach to the ancient city of Varanasi where we stay overnight at the Meradon Grand or
similar lodge and celebrate the holiday of Holi.
Day # 5: (Friday, March, 9, 2012)
Early this morning our guide joins us and a local boatman on a private ride on the Ganges River at dawn. After around
45 minutes on the water, take a city tour of the most historic and oldest parts of Varanasi including some of the city’s
many temples and the lanes and alleys of the major market areas. Return to the hotel for breakfast afterwards. Later
we go back out with the guide to visit the Benares University and Sarnath. Return to the Ghats in the evening for the
Arati blessing. This day marks the second day of celebrations of the holiday of Holi.
Day # 6: (Saturday, March, 10, 2012)
In the morning we check out of the lodge and transfer to the airport for the flight to Khajuraho departing at 11.10am.
Upon arrival we check into the Usha Bundela. In the afternoon accompanied by a guide, explore the Western group of
Temples. See the Kandariya Mahadev and have guide explain various theories as to the significance of these erotic
carvings. We will also visit the Lakshmana Temple. The day concludes by enjoying an evening sound and light show
starting at 6.30pm at the Western Group of temples (especially for English speakers). On this day group # 2 arrives by
plane at Khajuraho. Group # 2 will join group # 1 for the remainder of its itinerary.
Day # 7: (Sunday, March, 11, 2012)
We travel to Panna National Park in morning. Take a boat ride through the forest. We will be looking for crocodiles and
water birds as we travel along the river. After our visit to Panna we return to Khajuraho to visit the eastern group of
temples. These consist of four temples that are scattered around the village. Amongst the four temples visited take
note of inscription on the statue of the Monkey God that dates The Hanuman Temple to 922 AD. Another ancient
Temple is the granite Brahma Temple believed to be one of the oldest in Khajuraho. This evening enjoy a performance
of “Folk dances of India”.
Day # 8: (Monday, March, 12, 2012)
We have an early start today (approx 7:30am) to travel to Bandhavgarh National Park. On arrival we check in at Kings
Lodge and enjoy our first jeep safari at the park. We will visit watering holes which in the late afternoon are good
locations for spotting a variety of wildlife.
Day # 9: (Tuesday, March, 13, 2012)
Today we enjoy a morning and afternoon safari at Bandhavgarh National Park.
Day # 10: (Wednesday, March, 14, 2012)
We have an early morning start for our last morning safari in Bandhavgarh National Park. We will check out and travel
back to Khajuraho. Upon arrival in Khajuraho we check back into Usha Bundela.
Day # 11: (Thursday, March, 15, 2012)
Today we depart Khajuraho and travel to Orchha. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided sightseeing day visiting the
Laxminarayan Temple. You will also see the Jehangir Mahal, a beautiful tiered palace crowned with graceful Chhatries.
From here you can see wonderful views of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs. We stay overnight in Orcha at the
Bundelkand Riverside.
Day # 12: (Friday, March, 16, 2012)
After breakfast we drive to Gwalior allowing plenty of time to visit the Fort and rock-cut temples, Gujari Mahal, Man
Mandir Palace, Suraj Kund, Teli-ka-Mandir and Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir. From here we continue to Agra where upon arrival
will check into the Hotel Taj Palace. The hotel is just a 1/3 mile walk from the Taj Mahal.
Day # 13: (Saturday, March, 17, 2012)
Early this morning we visit the Taj Mahal. We enjoy the tour with a guide who will provide us information about the
significance of this beautiful monument. The early morning is the best time for relaxed sightseeing. We have plenty of
time to wander and explore individually or with the group. We return to the hotel for breakfast afterwards. We then
continue our sightseeing in the afternoon by visiting the Agra Fort.
Day # 14: (Sunday, March, 18, 2012)
we check out this morning and depart Agra. We drive to Fatehpur Sikri. We then travel to Bharatpur through the rural
Rajasthan countryside. Notice the villages and colorfully dressed people as we travel today. On arrival in Bharatpur in
the late afternoon we visit the Bird Sanctuary. Here you may take a unique rickshaw safari (personal expense). A
naturalist will be available to explain about the bird life. There is an endless array of rare and endangered species that
you can spot here. You will find birds that come here from as far as Siberia and Central Asia during the migratory season
October - March. Our stay is at the Laxmi Villas.
Day # 15: (Monday, March, 19, 2012)
Today we travel to Ranthambore National Park. After checking into the Ranthambore Regency we quickly get started to
enjoy an afternoon safari in the park. We may see a tiger this afternoon while enjoying a jeep safari ride. Besides tigers,
the other wild cats found in Ranthambhore tiger reserve are leopards, and caracals. There are over 320 species of birds,
both resident and migratory, over 40 species of mammals and over 35 species of reptiles. This is a safari that is chock
full of wildlife opportunities.
Day # 16: (Tuesday, March, 20, 2012)
After a morning safari at the park we check out and travel to Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, which is known as
the “Pink City.” On arrival you will check into Dera Rawatsar. The rest of the day is free for your own activities or to
explore the bazaars within the walled city. Stay at Dera Rawatsar. Celebrate the festival of Gangaur. Gangaur is a
significant festival of Jaipur, especially meant for the women. Gangaur festival is widely acclaimed and celebrated
throughout the state of Rajasthan. The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and 'Gauri' which are synonyms
of 'Siva' and his consort 'Parvati' respectively. The festival of Gangaur starts with the subsequent day of Holi and persists
for about 2 weeks. Gangaur is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Gauri, who is considered as the symbol of virtue,
devotion, fertility and a perfect married woman. The ceremony takes place with the praiseful songs for Isar (Siva) and
Gauri. The women apply henna on their hands to celebrate the auspicious festival. They carry painted matkas (water
pots) on their heads. They also make images of Gauri and Isar with clay. On the seventh evening after Holi, unmarried
girls assemble and take out a procession with 'Ghudlia' (an earthen pot with holes around and a lamp inside) on their
heads. The ceremony continues for a fortnight. The girls are gifted with sweets, ghee and cash by the elders.
Day # 17: (Wednesday, March, 21, 2012)
Today we have a full day of sightseeing. After breakfast we begin our day travelling north of Jaipur to the Amber Fort.
The fort at Amber is perched high on a narrow rocky ridge and here you may enter the Palace riding on an elephant up
the ramparts towards the Palace. A guide will help explain the history of this former stronghold. Later visit the Anokhi
Textile Museum and Sanganer, famous for handmade paper. Highlights of Jaipur City include the City Palace, along with
many bazaars in the walled city showcasing Rajasthani handicrafts and textiles. The former royal residence was built
with a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Visit The Palace of Winds, which is an elaborate façade from which the
ladies of the royal house would watch parades and festivals. The Jantar Mantar complex with its large stone
instruments was built by Sawai Jai Singh, a keen astronomer. Built to make scientific forecasts with regards to the
weather and the possibility of floods and famine this is a fascinating place to visit. It is also home to an amazingly large
and accurate sundial. Celebrate again the festival of Gangaur.
Day # 18: (Thursday, March, 22, 2012)
Check out of hotel. Today we drive to Nawalgarh, located at the center of the Shekhawati. This is a region renowned for
its painted havelis. It is a small market town and makes an excellent base for exploring the Shekhawati region. We
spend the afternoon with a guide and will have time to explore Nawalgarh and its environs. The center of Nawalgarh
has plenty of small old-fashioned style shops and a colorful bazaar. The havelis on the western side of town are
probably the most interesting even though they are located in a busier part of town. As we head west through the
Nansa Gate you may visit the Aath Haveli (havelis built by eight brothers). This is a complex of beautifully decorated
mansions featuring murals in a range of styles. Stay at Roop Niwas Palace in Nawalgarh.
Day # 19: (Friday, March, 23, 2012)
This morning we will have a guide that will take us through and explore Mandawa which was founded in 1755. It has a
number of decorated mansions that have become rather dilapidated as the owners have left the region to work
elsewhere. The mansions today still reflect the lifestyle of the families of traders that built them. You will see many
examples of the frescoes which are all different in their themes. Some portray the British influences as viewed by the
local community and others highlight traditional religious themes. Check out of hotel. In the afternoon travel back to
Delhi and check into Hotel Saptagiri near the airport.
Day # 20: (Saturday, March, 24, 2012)
Group # 1 and # 2 check out of hotel in morning. We will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time to meet
our international flights back to NYC.