Exotic Journeys' Luxury FAM Tour - India with TAJ Hotels & Resorts - 15 Day

Delhi • Varanasi •Agra • Fatehpur Sikri • Ranthambhore • Jaipur • Udaipur • Mumbai

DAY 1 - ✈ Arrival - Delhi, India

Arrive Delhi. A representative from Exotic Journeys International Group will meet you in the arrival lounge and escort you to your hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight at:
Taj Palace, New Delhi

DAY 2 Delhi

Delhi is a city of immense past. Seven mighty empires have risen, ruled the sub-continent & fallen here. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture. New Delhi, the present capital of the largest democracy in the world, is the creation of world famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Attractions include, Rashtrapati Bhavan or Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Red Fort- a Massive fort built by master builder Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid- the largest mosque in Asia; Jantar Mantar- the medieval observatory designed & built by Maharajah Jai Singh of Jaipur; the 16th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun; Raj Ghat- where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Shantivana- the cremation site of Jawaharlal Nehru.

City tour of New and old Delhi visiting  Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Jam Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Raj Ghat- where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, Rashtrapati Bhawan or Presidential Palace, Parliament House, India Gate, National Museum and Baha'i Temple.

Overnight at:
Taj Palace, New Delhi

DAY 3 - Varanasi

Fly to Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest in India.

Varanasi, the 'eternal city' is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India for the Hindus. Also known as Kashi, the city has been a center of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. It is a major tourist attraction for its long string of bathing ghats on the steps of the river Ganges. Places of interest include the Golden temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the great mosque of Aurangzeb, Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Bharat Mata temple and the Ramnagar Fort Museum. A boat ride down the River Ganges at dawn is an experience to remember.

Witness evening 'Arti Puja' on the banks of River Ganges and the thousands of oil lamps set floating in the river in the memory of departed souls.

Overnight at :
Taj Ganges, Varanasi

DAY 4 -Varanasi

Sunrise boat cruise on Ganges to witness sacred cleansing rituals and burning and bathing Ghats.

City tour visiting Sarnath, Aurangzeb Mosque, various temples.

Fly to Varanasi. City tour and evening Arti Puja on the banks of river Ganges.

Boat ride on river Ganges at sunrise and city tour visiting various temples, Aurangzeb Mosque and Well of Knowledge.

Overnight at:
Taj Ganges, Varanasi

DAY 5 - Agra

Transfer to Agra.

Agra is globally known as city of Taj Mahal. But this royal city has many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal Architecture. The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument to love and imagination that represent India to the world. The Mughal Emperor built the incomparable Taj Mahal as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, exemplify Islamic architecture, in its purest form. The tombs are encased in white marble which are decorated with flawless sculptures and inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy cut from precious gems. Below the Dome, in a chamber, lie the mortal remains of Shah Jahan and his queen, reminding of their undying love. Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world - is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world.

Among the other monuments that Agra takes pride in is the Agra Fort, a massive fort built by three Mughal Emperors, Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjhan.

Overnight at:
Tajview, Agra

DAY 6 - Agra

Today you will explore the epic Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itemad-ud-daula, marble factories and colorful local bazaars.

Overnight at :
Tajview, Agra

DAY 7-  Agra - Fatehpur Sikri  - Ranthambore Tiger Reserve 

Depart for Ranthambore Tiger Reserve en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the medieval capital of Mughal Emperor, Akbar. It was built in the 16th century to serve as capital of the vast Mughal empire but abandoned after 13 years.

Visit Diwan - i - Am, Diwan - i - Khas, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti.

After visiting the well preserved ghost city, you will be transferred to Ranthambhore.

Overnight at :
Sawai Madhopur Lodge by Taj

DAY 8 - Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Morning and afternoon jungle safari.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve extends to over 220 square miles of forest with numerous valleys and flat hills in a picturesque surrounding. The tiger and leopard are the main predators found here. It is also home to cheetah, sambers, and the blue bull, found only in India. While our stay here, we will have several jungle excursions accompanied by a resident warden to view and photograph the wildlife.

Overnight at :
Sawai Madhopur Lodge by Taj

DAY 9 -  Ranthambore - Jaipur

After morning jungle safari, transfer to Jaipur - popularly known as Pink City.

Jaipur: Jai Singh -a prince, soldier, planner and astronomer founded the rose pink capital city in 1728. The beautifully planned city is a tribute to the king considering that western world perhaps had very few-planned city in the eighteenth century. The observatory-Jantar Mantar- is an excellent example of the marvelous precision in astronomical calculators built in solid concrete. The City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and -Mughal art and architecture. Now a museum, it has fine collection of sculpture, carpets, paintings, manuscripts and armory. Jaipur's colorful bazaars, sandstone pink buildings, magnificent palaces reflect the past glory of this remarkable town.

A short drive from Jaipur is AMBER FORT, perched atop a hill. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors - reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. The fort is reached by riding an elephant or by jeep.

Overnight at :
Taj Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

DAY 10 -  Amber Fort - Jaipur

Morning excursion to Amber Fort, where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambiance to the fort.

City tour visiting Haw Mahal - the Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens, the Jantar Mantar - the largest and best preserved 18th century stone observatory, the City Palace - still the home of the former royalty of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons and local bazaars.

Overnight at :
Taj Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

DAY 11 - - Udaipur

Transfer to Udaipur by car. Udaipur is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palaces and fountains. The Maharana’s Palace is the largest of its kind. It is remarkable for octagonal towers, brilliant multicolor mosaics of inlaid tiles, inlaid mirror work and exquisite paintings. Sahelion ki Bari is a fascinating garden, adorned by Lotus pool, a marble throne and finely sculptured cenotaphs. 
City tour in the afternoon.

Overnight at :
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

DAY 12 - Udaipur - Ranakpur

Morning excursion to Ranakpur. The cluster of temples at Ranakpur made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvelous feat of architecture. It may surprise visitors that these temples were built in 1460 but are so well preserved and the marble still sparkles. The main temple is supported by 1444 pillars, none of which are similarly carved. These temples house statues of Mahavira and other Jain saints.

Sunset cruise on Lake Pichola, Udaipur.

Overnight at :
Taj Lake Palace

DAY 13 - Mumbai (Bombay)

Fly to Mumbai.

The afternoon city tour will include Hanging Gardens, Tower of Silence, Kamla Nehru Park, Gateway of India, National Museum, Crawford Market, Malabar Hills, Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.

Overnight at:
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

DAY 14 -   Mumbai (Bombay)

Morning boat excursion to Elephanta Island Caves- the 7th century cave temples carved out of a hill rising from the Arabian Sea.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at:
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

DAY 15 - - Mumbai (Bombay)

Transfer to airport.
Depart on your onward journey.

General Information & Reservation:

Tour Price Includes: Accommodation in award winning luxury Taj hotels and resorts as listed or similar, hotel room taxes, daily breakfast, private group transfers, escorted city tours, excursions, English speaking guides, entrance fee to monuments, air-conditioned transportation.

Airport Security Fee and Fuel Surcharges: Add as applicable. 
For flights included in itinerary in India $ 166.85.
(Taxes remain subject to change by airlines till ticketed.)

Government Tourist Service Taxes, Wildlife preservation fess, Park Entrance fee:
India: $ 225.73 (Taxes remain subject to change till paid)

To Book: Call 800.554.6342/ 312.332.4722. for availability. Or e-mail request at fams@exoticjourneys.com. A Reservation Form will be sent. Return completed form, a business card, and copy of current IATAN / ARC/ CLIA / TRUE list. Land only booking requires $ 500.00 deposit plus airfare $ 415.00 . Balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Air inclusive booking requires full airfare and land deposit.

Eligibility: IATAN / ARC / CLIA / TRUE/ ASTA / PATA - Industry membership ID required.

Notes: Companions are permitted at a supplement. IATAN Reduced Rate application has to be submitted to airlines when advised. Deposits are fully refundable if space cannot be confirmed. Visa for India is available online and remains participants'’ responsibility. Log on to India Visa for visa forms. Additional nights in Mumbai and Delhi are available only at the time of booking for $155.00 per person double plus taxes. If traveling on your own air, obtain tickets to Delhi and return from Mumbai. Individual escorted and private airport transfers available at $ 39.00 per person between 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM and $ 49.00 per person at other times. Inter India flight/s are in economy class. Bulk air for international flights are available upon request. Trip Insurance is mandatory. and must be purchased online within 14 days of deposit made at  Trip Insurance. See full cancellation policy at  Terms and Conditions. Prices reflect discounts for cash/check payments. Credit Card payments will have foreign exchange conversion fees of 4.98%. Itinerary and hotels remain subject to change if deemed necessary by Exotic Journeys and other participating suppliers. Tours documents and tour exchange vouchers will be mailed three weeks prior to departure. Flight tickets will be e-ticketed and issued by airline. . Hotel check in time is 100 PM. Any changes to original booking requires $ 100.00 handling fee plus any other applicable charges/ tariff differences. Govt Taxes / VATs and flight taxes are extra. Land cost are valid as published till September 1, 2024.

Extension to
Nepal, Chitwan - Bardia
South India - Kerala
Bhutan
Sikkim
Sri Lanka
are available upon request.

Nepal: Everest Base Camp