Our trek to India will bring many sensory overloads, with the second largest population in the world and only seventh in land mass, cities can be crowded. Add to that a 5000 year history, during which a myriad of religions and cultures have each carved its own place on the face of this subcontinent and you have an amazing diversity of sights, sounds and experiences awaiting you. Unfortunately, first you have to endure a long flight.

In 2006, most travelers from North America will leave home on March 10 and arrive a day and a half later in Delhi. We have your room reserved for the night of March 11, but there are no planned activities until the following afternoon (besides getting out of your airline seat and enjoying the pleasure of our five star hotel). Let us know if you plan to arrive early and need any additional hotel nights.

1: Arrival Day

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be escorted to our hotel, the Taj Palace in Delhi. Rest in the sumptuous quarters, take a walk and shake off the jet lag, hit the pool or relax and rest for our India adventure. The Taj Palace Hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and offers many amenities to help you recover from the long flight. (NOTE: hotels listed here have been reserved, but all hotels are subject to change.)

2-3: Delhi

For the next two days we will explore and enjoy the fascinating and sometimes fast-paced city of Delhi. We'll see the 12th century Qutab Minar, the highest stone tower in all of India. It was raised by Qutbuddin as a victory tower in 1199, one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised and Delhi's recognised landmark. Gracefully hand-carved its entire height of 234 feet, it stands nearby the Iron Pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted in over 1500 years.

We'll visit the graceful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayan and the modern Birla Temple, built in 1938. The uniqueness of this beautiful temple lies in the fact that it is open for all; it does not recognise any social or religious stratas. This was the condition on which Mahatma Gandhi agreed to inaugurate the temple. The temple houses idols of several deities, but is mainly dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of wealth) and Narayana (the preserver). We will also see the President's house, the Parliament house and the India Gate war memorial.

We will tour Old Delhi and see the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. We'll visit India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid, built in the 17th century. It took 5000 artisans 14 years to complete and is a unique architectural piece of the Mughal period. It has three gateways, four towers and two minarets as tall as 120 feet. Nearby is Chadni Chowk, once an imperial avenue down which Shah Jahan rode at the head of lavish cavalcades and today is often the scene of world's most picturesque traffic jam with every kind of vehicle imaginable. And no trip to Delhi would be complete without a visit to the Red Fort, a massive structure built with red sandstone and a magnificent symbol of Mughal elegance and design.

4-5: Agra and the Taj Mahal

Today we transfer to Agra and the Taj View Hotel, a lovely property from which we may gaze at the great monument at our leisure. Agra was established in 1475 by Badal Singh and came into its own when Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty chose it for his capital because of its proximity to the Yamuna River. In the mid-16th and early 17th centuries, Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time that the symbol of love, the Taj Mahal, was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality. Besides the monuments, Agra is known for the masterpieces of craftsmen recreating the glory of the Mughal period and for the Mughlai cuisine, the aroma of which fills the narrow lanes of Agra.

No trip to India would be complete without a visit to the vast and unmistakable icon of India, the Taj Mahal. This mythic structure with its history of romance and survival from the ravages of various marauders threatens to underwhelm visitors who have lived in the shadow of its hype. But its symmetry, its purity, the whiteness, the elegance of its curves, the majesty of its size and silhouette can still surprise and astound visitors. It will be our backdrop throughout our stay but we will enter its graceful walls at sunset, the most beautiful time of the day for viewing. During our stay we will also visit the Agra Fort, which evolved during the reigns of three Mughal Emperors. Here we can witness the apparent transition of the stern citadel raised by Akbar to the lavishly beautiful shimmering white palaces built by Shah Jehan.

6-7: Ranthambore and Tigers!

Today we head to Ranthambore National Park, a drive of about 100 miles. Along the way we will stop to visit the deserted city of Fatehpursikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to lack of water. Remarkably preserved are the graceful buildings, including the Jama Masjid Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces. The red sandstone palaces are in such perfect condition that it is as if Akbar and all the inhabitants left yesterday.

Sawai Madhopur, the entry point for the famous Ranthambore National Park, is situated about 120 miles from Jaipur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota. Our hotel is the 70-year-old hunting lodge of the erstwhile rulers of Jaipur, set amidst 12 acres of lush gardens. The lodge is a 20-minute drive from the Ranthambore National Park.

The Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts in Rajasthan. It covers an area of over 400 square kilometers with many steep crags embracing a network of lakes and rivers. Atop one of these hills, the 10th century Ranthambore Fort stands like a silent sentinel. The terrain is a blend of impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type with dhokbeing the most prominent tree.

Ranthambore is best known for its tiger population, but there are also many panthers as well. Kachida Valley is considered to be the place to sight these rather elusive cats. One can also find marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats and sloth bears. The avian population includes black storks, quails, Bonelli's eagles, spur fowls, crested serpent eagles and painted storks. During the winter months, the park attracts a lot of migratory birds, including a variety of ducks. The best time to visit the park is between October and April. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to view game. It is the ideal park for wildlife photography. With so much to see and plenty to do, we will enjoy a leisurely two nights here and explore not only the park but the nearby fort and other attractions.

8-9: Jaipur

Jaipur, called the Pink city because most of its buildings are of sandstone, was chosen by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1693-1743) for his capital. It still is the vibrant capital of the desert state of Rajasthan. Surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by embattled walls, Jaipur is a must see for travelers to India.

The Old City, the actual Pink City, is a great place to wander around. Maharaja Man Singh II had the whole city painted pink when the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Today, every home within the old city is obliged by law to maintain this facade. Fabulous, tall houses with latticed windows line the narrow streets of the old city, their rose pink color lending enchantment to a scene which is almost magical at sunset.

We will visit the Amber Fort, which was the ancient capital of the state until 1728. While in Jaipur, we will also explore Jagmandir or the "Hall of Victory", glittering with mirrors, as well as Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. Jaipur is like an endless museum. The city offers an amazing variety of crafts. Jewellers here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse side with precious stones or pearls and turquoise. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are also famous all over the world.

10-11: Udaipur

Udaipur, one of the most romantic places in India, is situated around the shimmering clear blue lakes which whisper the mood of a bygone era. Founded in 1567 by Maharana Udai Singh on the advice of a sage, Udaipur was the last of the numerous Mewar capitals. It was in Udaipur that legendary Maharana Pratap was born. The city acquires it's scenic beauty from the three lakes, Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar, that make it a lovely oasis in the desert. Full of enchanting tales, Udaipur has a remarkable past, with episodes of heroism and splendor.

We will visit the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, one of the largest and most popular Vishnu temples in northern India. We'll take a drive around the Fetahsager Lake and see the Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen's resort), and pay a visit to the Lok Kala Mandir folk museum.

We'll take a full day excursion to Ranakpur, one of the five holy places of the Jain community, with its 15th century temple complex famous for its marvellous carvings. In spite of being built in 1460, these temples of sparkling marble are well preserved. There are many temples such as the Chaumukha Temple, and the Sun Temple. Situated in the lovely valley of Aravalis, the mood here is quiet and picturesque. The temples are distinct from each other with unusual features. One has 1444 columns, another simplicity. This evening we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner in Udaipur.

12: Return to Delhi

In the morning we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Delhi. After check in at our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps you need to do some last minute shopping. Or enjoy the sumptuous Taj Hotel before a long trip home. If you have a special request please forward it to us and we will try to accommodate you. Hotel rooms are reserved through the morning of Day 13, but depending on flight schedules, you may wish to leave in the late evening of Day 12 or early morning on Day 13.

13: Departure Day or Begin Extension

For some travelers, this is the end of the tour. Others may continue on our four day extension.

Our post-tour extension to Varanasi and Khajuharo for those who seek to enhance their tour of India and to experience more of the richness of Indian culture begins with a morning flight to Khajuharo. We’ll spend one night in ancient capital of the Chandela Rajput Empire, built over one thousand years ago. We’ll tour some of the temples built between the 9th and 12th century Not only are these temples of the “nagara” style in splendid condition, they are famous for their beautifully sculpted surfaces which are covered in exquisitely detailed erotic content. The following afternoon we fly to Varanasi for two nights. Varanasi is seated on the banks of the holy Ganges River and is presided over by Lord Shiva. It is called the Eternal City and is distinguished by the many “ghats” along the riverside. (A ghat is broad flight of steps that provides access to the water, especially for bathing). From time immemorial Varanasi has been a seat of learning and an important religious center for Hindus. It is also one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year. We return to Delhi for an evening before our flights home. We hope you have enjoyed the jewels of India and after some rest join us again soon for another adventure.