Mystical India

Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confounding, India overflows with riches. Our air-inclusive program features visits to Delhi; Agra, home of the Taj Mahal; the Ranthambore Tiger Preserve; the legendary "pink city" of Jaipur; Khajuraho and its famous temples; and Varanasi, India's holiest city.

We are delighted to announce a return to Mystical India from January 6 - 23, 2013. This exclusive CAA travel adventure will feature visits to Delhi, the bustling capital; Agra, home of the exquisite Taj Mahal; a two-night stay at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve; the legendary "pink city" of Jaipur; Khajuraho and its famous temples; and Varanasi, India's holiest city.

The highlights of our program abound: Old Delhi with its crowded, colorful lanes, sleek New Delhi with its broad tree-lined boulevards, the magnificent Taj Mahal, built as a tomb and monument of eternal love, the "Pink City" and former Rajput capital of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, home of exotic flora and fauna, the outstanding Mughal architecture of Fatehpur Sikri (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and Jaipur’s opulent Amber Fort as approached on elephant-back. You may also extend your stay with an optional five-day tour to the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.

This air-inclusive program is limited to just 24 participants.

Dates & Prices

Trip Dates: January 6 - 23, 2013
Price: $4,495 Land Only per person based upon double occupancy
           International air-inclusive package* from $5,688 per person based upon double occupancy  including all flights, taxes and fees.

(*Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $693, which are subject  to change until final payment is made.)

Single Traveler Supplement: $1,795

Trip Summary:

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India

Day 2: Arrive Delhi
We arrive in India’s hyperactive 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, India’s 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,LDay 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, where we embark on a camel safari to meet the local Meena tribespeople in their homes. B,L,D

Day 11: Kalakho/Fatehpur Sikri/Agra
Today 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 medieval Hindu and Jain temples dating to the 10th century is a UNESCO site. B,L,D

Day 14: Khajuraho
Today we tour several of Khajuraho’s 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, Hinduism’s 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 ghats by boat as we experience for ourselves the spiritual mystique of these hallowed waters. Next we visit the Vishwanath temple of white marble at Banaras Hindu University, then 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 included    L = Lunch included    D = Dinner included

Please Note: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and considerable walking, as well as some lengthy coach rides. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.

Included Features:   

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
• All flights within India
• 16 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels
• 34 meals: 15 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 12 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of professional Tour Directors and local guides throughout
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Rail transportation Agra/Jhansi
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary

What’s not included:
Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; excess baggage charges on aircraft; transfers and baggage handling to/from hotel on day of arrival and/or departure if you have booked as a "land only" participant or if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure.

Please call us toll-free at (866) 325-8664 or email us at travelstudy@columbia.edu for more details.