----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Year at Taj Mahal
Duration :- 14 Days Tour
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A cultural tour of India
What better way to bid farewell to 2005 than in India experiencing over 5000 years of history and culture at Varanasi and Khajuraho? As if this is not enough a reason, why not welcome 2006 with an experience of THE most well known and photographed wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal. Our 14-day journey will provide you an insight into the most fascinating country and culture in the world, adding to a memorable holiday season.

Day 01: December 25, 2006 Depart home city for Singapore *departures from other cities available*
Early afternoon flight on the world famous award winner Singapore Airlines gets us to Singapore. Overnight onboard Singapore Airlines, enjoying on board service and entertainment, as we cross the International Date Line.

Day 02: December 26, 2006 Arrive Singapore
Upon arrival at Singapore airport, we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Singapore Hotel TBA (1 night)

Day 03: December 27,2006 - Arrive Amritsar
This morning after breakfast have free time to discover Singapore on our own. Later, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Amritsar.
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Ritz Plaza, Amritsar (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04: December 28, 2006 - Amritsar
Amritsar, known for the city that is home to the Golden Temple – the sacred shrine of the Sikhs. Life here is deeply influenced by the many pilgrims from all over the world who visit the Golden Temple which is the spiritual nerve center of the Sikh faith. We start our day with a visit to the incredible Golden Temple to see and witness the ceremonies that take place throughout the day. The temple as well as the ceremonies are very interesting and we could spend an hour or two witnessing the many pilgrims performing different rituals. Later, we visit the Jallianwala Bagh where on April 13, 1919 the British General Dyer fired on unarmed Indians who had gathered to protest against the Rowlett Act restricting the freedom movement against the British Raj resulting in the death of some 379 freedom fighters. Afternoon, will be a different experience yet continuing from the British Raj. We drive to the Indo-Pak Border to witness the retreat ceremony. Here the Border Security Forces of both the one time “enemy” countries put up a well-coordinated display. The sound from Bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when Indian and Pakistani flags are simultaneously lowered in front of spectators who gather every day to see well-known ceremony. (B, D)

Day 05: December 29, 2006 - Amritsar / Delhi (by Shatabdi Express Train) / Jaipur
Early morning, we board the deluxe Shatabdi Express train tracking through the fertile Punjab to the capital city of Delhi. An experience of India without train travel is incomplete. At Delhi, we are met and transferred to a local restaurant for lunch before we head off on a countryside India drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Delhi we are met by our local hosts and driven to Hotel Taj Palace to have Lunch. Later we depart on an interesting countryside drive as we head for the colorful province of Rajasthan. This journey will give us our first exposure to the spectacular countryside and rural life in India. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Rajputana Palace, Jaipur (2 nights) (B, L)


Day 06: Dec 30 - Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the founder of the city, Jai Singh. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art and the colorful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal-Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B, D)

Day 07: Dec 31,2006 - Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (drive 232 km / 05 hrs)
Another interesting drive through rural India as we head for Agra-Home to the world-famous Taj Mahal. In order to understand the love and history that was there into creating the Taj, before reaching Agra we visit Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Moghul King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Moghul architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir, father of the builder of the Taj. We continue our countryside journey to Agra to reach in time for the event of the year - the
New Years Gala Dinner at the hotel's well known Indian cuisine restaurant. The Mughal Sheraton, a building exposing high standard of Islamic architecture using local materials is the proud recipient of the Aga Khan Architecture Award. (B, D)

Day 08: Jan 01,2007 - Agra
The New Year and the Taj Mahal! We start our tour of Agra and visit the most well known wonders of the world. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, where his son imprisoned Shah Jehan in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on the black echo of the Taj Mahal. Afternoon is free to explore Agra - ideal opportunity to look out for miniature marble built Taj. (B, D)

Day 09: Jan 02, 2007 - Agra / Jhansi (train) & Jhansi / Khajuraho (road)
Another short rail journey gets us mid morning at Jhansi. From here, en route to Khajuraho, we stop at Orchha - an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After visiting this fortress we are treated to a lunch at the famous Orchha Resort. From here we continue on our countryside journey to Khajuraho, once the capital of a powerful dynasty of Hindu Kings called the Chandellas (950 AD). Today it is famous for its magnificent temples, considered to be among the most vibrantly original works of Hindu.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Chandela, Khajuraho (1 night) (B, L)

Day 10: Jan 03, 2007 - Khajuraho / Varanasi (flight)
Morning we explore the Khajuraho Temples - recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Khajuraho, once the great Chandela capital, is today a village of about a few thousand people. Tradition records the existence of eighty-five temples, of which only twenty-five, strewn amidst lakes and fields, have survived. The temples of Khajuraho are a brilliant example of medieval Indian architecture. Rightfully acclaimed, each ancient structure in India has a fascinating story to tell, but few match the temples of Khajuraho. After this fascinating experience at Khajuraho, we take a short flight to the holy city of Varanasi amongst the oldest living cities in the Sub Continent. Evening is free to enjoy this 5000 years old city and experience sunset at the Ganges and shopping.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Ganges, Varanasi (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Jan 04, 2007 - Varanasi
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges and every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced, as it is so different from anything else in the world. After our first hand experience of Hindu Culture we come back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we tour Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and pilgrims before visiting local homes in Varanasi to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. The city is famous for its Banarasi silk saris and the home based industries. Later we visit the intriguing old city including the famous Bharat Mata Temple which houses a large marble relief map of India. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and historical buildings. Our tour will include visit of the Durga & Tulsi Manas Mandirs, the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb. (B, D)

Day 12: Jan 05, 2007 - Varanasi / Delhi (flight)
Morning is free to explore the serenity of the pilgrim city for Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims, or join the hustle and bustle at the local bazaar. Afternoon’s flight to New Delhi gets us in time to enjoy the spectacular Sound & Light show at the Red Fort followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Palace, Delhi (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Jan 06, 2007 - Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit first the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Moghul India, Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent India.
Afternoon we concentrate on exploring Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Moghul Empire. Next we visit another Moghul majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and goldsmiths followed by a farewell dinner at a local Restaurant. (B, D)

Day 14: Jan 07, 2007 – Delhi / Singapore (flight)
The day is free for shopping and bargaining. Though check out from the hotel is at 12noon, we will hold some rooms for late checkout and freshening before we are transferred late evening to the airport for our departure flight back home after bidding farewell to India. (B)

Day 15: Jan 08, 2007 - Singapore / Vancouver (or home city) (flight)*departures from other cities available*
Arrival at Singapore and we connect with our flight back to Vancouver arriving noontime the same day. There is a possibility of extending your stay at Singapore and visit this beautiful city-state and the neighboring countries.