Day 1: Oct 8, 2011/Arrive Delhi  

We arrive in India’s vibrant capital today and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2: Oct 9, 2011 / Delhi City Tour

Today we experience Delhi Old and New. This morning’s tour of Old Delhi takes us past Raj Ghat, the revered monument to Mahatma Gandhi. We’ll continue to Jama Masjid Mosque, India’s largest, and the colorful, bustling market place of Chandni Chowk. On this afternoon’s New Delhi tour, we marvel at the impressive arched India Gate with its eternal flame and the Presidential Palace and Parliament House. Then we stop to visit Qutab Minar, the world’s tallest brick-and-stone minaret, and Humayun’s Tomb, the first of the great Mughal Tomb complexes. Tonight toast your upcoming discoveries at welcome dinner.
Tonight toast your upcoming discoveries at our Hermes Tours welcome dinner.                        

Day 3: Oct 10, 2011 / Delhi / Jodhpur

Early afternoon flight to Jodhpur. This afternoon, tour Mehrangarh Fort, one of Rajasthan’s most stunning forts. Its thick walls seem to emerge from the rocky hill upon which it perches. Inside we’ll see some of its grandest rooms: Moti Mahal, Ghana Mahal, Rang Mahal and Phool Mahal. Later, we stop to admire Jodhpur’s Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built in 1899 as memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and explore the old city bazaar, brimming with locally made tie-dye, puppets and jewellery.

Day 4: Oct 11, 2011 / Bishnoi Village - Jodhpur

Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. The tour begins from “ The Mehrangarh Fort “,this formidable hilltop fort is the one of the most impressive in Rajasthan . A series of gates lead into the Fort like “Jayapol”, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806 and the “ Fatehpol” or “Victory Gate “, erected by Maharaja Ajit Singh to celebrate his victory over the Mughals. The main gate is the “Lahapol”, an iron gate besides which there are 15 hand prints which are the  “Sati Marks” of Maharaja Man Singh’s widows who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843. Inside the fort ,also visit the palaces Moti Mahal or “Pearl Palace”, the Sukh Mahal or “Pleasure Palace” and the Phool Mahal or “Flower Palace”. Continue the tour to visit the “Jaswant Thada”, a marble cenotaph built in  1899 as a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

Afternoon a Jeep safari to the Bishnoi Villages to witness the simple, yet colorful life of the Rajasthani people. Thatched huts, intricate temples, men in colorful turbans (head gear) and women clad in bright outfits liven up these desert villages.

Day 5: Oct 12, 2011 / Ranakpur / Udaipur

We have a 7-8 hour transfer today, driving to Udaipur. Along the way, we stop at the Jain temple in Ranakpur, one of the five holy places of the Jain Community. The scope of this temple complex is astounding; spread over 48,000 square feet, it features 29 halls and 1,444 intricately carved pillars. Its 80 spires supported by 420 columns.

Day 6: Oct 13, 2011 / Udaipur

Start the day with a tour of Udaipur’s glorious City Palace, actually a series of majestic, turreted palaces on a hillside. We’ll enter through the grand, triple-arched gate, or Tripola, and see the Suraj Gokhada (Balcony of the Sun) and More Chowk, or the Peacock Courtyard, named for its vivid glass mosaics. This afternoon, enjoy the hotel spa, or embark on a boat ride on lovely Lake Pichola.

Day 7: Oct 14, 2011 / Udaipur to Jaipur

Day 8: Oct 15, 2011 / Amber Fort & Jaipur

We start today with a tour of Amber Fort, scenically overlooking Maota Lake. For six centuries, this citadel served as the capital of the Rajasthan, and we’ll ascend to its heights in the most thrilling way: by elephant-back! We visit the Jag Mandir and Sheesh Mahal, or pavilion of mirrors where a single candle’s flame reflects into infinity. Back in Jaipur after lunch, we visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, the treasurefilled City Palace, and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with its remarkable pink façade of 953 windows. Tonight, we have time to browse the local markets of the city.

Day 9: Oct 16, 2011 / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra

En route to Agra, we stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th-century city that shared duties as the imperial capital with Agra Fort. The city was mysteriously abandoned, likely because its water supply ran dry. Its fortifications, massive gateway, and palaces have been remarkably preserved. We’ll visit the sprawling. Jama Masjid Mosque, the five-story Panch Mahal, and Salim Chisti's Tomb set like a jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone. After our visit, we drive 6 or 7 hours to Agra.  

Day 10: Oct 17, 2011 / Agra / Taj Mahal / Agra Fort / Delhi / Return home

Morning visit the magnificent Taj Mahal this morning. This white marble masterpiece stands as a testament to the power of love, as it was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan as a tribute to his favorite wife. It took 20,000 artisans 17 years to complete. We’ll continue on to Agra Fort, a sprawling city fortified within imposing red walls. From the fort’s hillside perch, we have incredible views of the Taj Mahal and Yamuna River from here. Later depart for Delhi. There, we’ve reserved a room for you until your departure for home. Or, join our extension to Kathmandu, Nepal’s exotic capital.        

EXTEND YOUR VACATION IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL!

Day 10: Oct 17, 2011 / Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon arrival in Delhi, fly to Kathmandu – in the heart of the Himalayas.

Day 11: Oct 18, 2011 / Arrive in Kathmandu

Weather permitting, join our optional flightseeing tour over the soaring Himalaya range this morning, perhaps seeing the peak of Mt. Everest. Then, discover the exotic warrens and squares of the city during our tour. In Durbar Square, we visit the shrine of Kumari Devi, or the Living Goddess. We venture west of the city to the famed Swayambhunath stupa, complex. After lunch we visit Patan, known for its fine woodworking and metallurgy. We’ll marvel at its fascinating wooden temples and pause at local craftsmen’s shops to watch blacksmiths shaping pots and statues.

Day 12: Oct 19, 2011 / Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 13: Oct 20, 2011 / Return Home