Tour Itinerary

This is the expected itinerary.
Unexpected changes are possible up to the last minute.


Sunday, Nov 4th

  • You arrive at Newark, NJ - Liberty International Airport by 6:00 p.m.
  • Meet other travelers at departure gate by 7:00 p.m. for welcome and introductions.
  • Our flight is scheduled to depart, non-stop for Delhi, at 8:37 p.m.
  • Due to time change, we will “lose” 9 ½ hours in-flight.

Monday, November 5th
  • We are scheduled to arrive in Delhi at 9:20 p.m., local time. Actual flying time is approximately 15 hours.
  • Customs and immigration will take approximately 1 hour.
  • Transportation will be arranged to take us to Bed & Breakfast style lodging.
  • Arrival at your B&B Homestay expected before midnight. We will have a light snack and bottled drink ready for you.

Tuesday, November 6th
  • A late breakfast, (included in tour) to help ease into the time change.
  • By mid-morning, we will travel to the beautiful Lodhi Gardens. Here, you will learn more about our plans for the next nine days, while enjoying the surroundings. A picnic lunch will be provided, and is included in the tour cost.
  • After lunch, we will visit the offices of Goonj, an award-winning charitable Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) providing clothing and cloth to the poor as a resource to create new clothing or other products. (See NGO Visit for details.)
  • Afterward, we will enjoy a guided tour of a trendy South Delhi neighborhood centering around a medieval water tank and tombs of the Tughlak dynasty. Here, we will find historical architecture, galleries, boutiques, and greenery. Touring this location offers contrast with other areas of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra that we will visit.
  • Return to B&B Homestay briefly before dinner.
  • We will enjoy a pre-arranged dinner together. Cost is included in your tour.
  • Return to lodging

Wednesday, November 7th
  • After breakfast (included in tour), we will begin our day a bit earlier – 8:30 a.m.
  • You did vote with an absentee ballot, right?   We will check in on U.S. election results in the morning - which is Tuesday evening in the States.
  • We will spend today understanding Old Delhi and New Delhi.
  • Half of our day will be spent in the old city, and half in the capital of former British India – New Delhi
  • In old Delhi, we will experience a rickshaw ride through a market bazaar, visit a Sikh temple, and get a feel for the hustle and bustle of “Shajahanabad”, the centuries old Mughal term for what is now old Delhi.
  • Lunch together (cost not included in tour)
  • In New Delhi, we will gain a greater understanding of the Raj, and the buildings that housed the British government in India. These buildings now symbolize democratic modern India – the President’s House, the Parliament House, and India Gate, plus Connaught place, Rajpath, and Janpath.
  • We will visit the Crafts Museum - essential for understanding arts and crafts of India.
  • Afterward, we will visit a popular clothing store specializing in comfortable traditional clothing for men and women. You may wish to buy one or two new tops (kurta or kameeze), and maybe even the accompanying pants (salwar). The dupata – a coordinating long scarf - completes your outfit.
  • Our last stop of the day will be for a pre-arranged dinner, included in the tour.
  • Return to lodging.
Thursday, November 8th
  • After breakfast (included in tour), we will continue our tour of sites in Delhi.
  • We will visit the architecturally stunning Lotus Temple - the Bahai House of Worship in New Delhi
  • We will spend some time at Akshardham – a tribute to Hinduism in India
  • Lunch at Akshardham’s vegetarian food court (cost not included in tour)
  • Continued tour of Akshardham.
  • Return to B&B Homestay for relaxation time before our food tour.
  • Late in the afternoon, we will begin a food tour that will end up in the home of a local cook who will demo Indian-style cooking for us. We will enjoy dinner there. Cost is included in the tour.
  • Return to lodging

Friday, November 9th
  • Early breakfast (included)
  • Board our bus for a trip to Jaipur
  • Arrive in Jaipur early afternoon
  • Lunch as a group (cost not included in tour)
  • Orientation to Jaipur
  • Check in to lodging – a small family-owned hotel
  • Fun demo, just for our group – wearing a sari and henna hand decoration (for the women), and how to tie a turban (for the men)
  • Elephant trek at a private estate for dinner (included). Yes, our plan is to ride elephants!
  • Return to hotel


Saturday, November 10th
  • Breakfast (included)
  • Tour Amer Fort (also called “Amber Fort”), just outside of Jaipur
  • Lunch (on your own)
  • Guided tour continues to other points of interest in Jaipur:
      - Hawa Mahal - City Palace - Jantar Mantar Observatory - streets and bazaars
  • Return to hotel briefly before dinner.
  • Dinner as a group (included)
  • Return to hotel

Sunday, November 11th
  • Breakfast (included)
  • Leave Jaipur, heading East
  • Lunch along the way (on your own)
  • Walk among the remnants of Fatehpur Sikri – The Lost City
  • Visit Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur
  • Continue to Agra
  • Check into 4-star hotel in Agra
  • Dinner (included)
  • Return to lodging

Monday, November 12th
  • Sunrise viewing of Taj Mahal inside (very special, very early – 6:00 a.m.)
  • Breakfast at hotel (included)
  • Visit Agra Fort
  • Return to Delhi
  • Lunch along the way (on your own)
  • Check into lodging at Delhi – small hotel
  • Dinner at pre-planned restaurant (included)
  • Return to lodging

Tuesday, November 13th
  • Happy Diwali!
  • Breakfast (included)
  • Guided Shopping – Diwali is a huge shopping day!
  • Lunch is on your own
  • Continued shopping or leisure time
  • Catered Diwali dinner at our hotel (included).
  • Enjoy Diwali fireworks from our hotel

Wednesday, November 14th
  • Breakfast (included)
  • Pack, relax
  • Check out of hotel.
  • Lunch (on your own)
  • Guided tour of the Qtub Complex and Humayan’s Tomb
  • Celebration dinner (included)
  • Transport to airport
  • Depart Delhi nonstop for Newark - scheduled at 11:35 p.m.

Thursday, November 15th
  • Gain 9 ½ hours in flight
  • Arrive in Newark at 4:30 a.m.
  • Pick up your connector flight to return home

Friday, November 16th
  • Plan to stay home!   You will be jet-lagged.   You may start to feel normal on Saturday.


November 4th through 15th, 2012

Historical Sites Cultural Stops
Edible Delights Shoppers Treasure

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