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Holidays of a Lifetime

Holidays of a Lifetime | Downunder | Fiji | New Zealand | Australia

SPLENDOURS OF INDIA

• Splendours of India
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Booking Form (PDF)
• Checklist
• Inclusions

HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

• Holidays of a Lifetime
• FAQ's for Holidays of a Lifetime
• Tour Directors
• Waltzing Matilda
• The Best of Oz
• The Best of New Zealand
• Magic of Africa
• Middle East Treasures
• Splendours of China
• Splendours of India
• Splendours of Indochina
• Splendours of South America
• Magical Ecuador and Peru

Why this is THE BEST FULLY ESCORTED TOUR from North America...?

• Unbeatable value for money

• Stay in the first class hotels

• Luxury transportation

• Professional caring escorts

• Relaxed minimum two night stopovers

• No worries about luggage

• See the very best of The Orient

F.Y.I. this is an official Trade Mark of Goway

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Click to find out why your money is safe with Goway!

SPECIAL TOURS

For your information we operate only nine tours that we officially designate a Holiday Of A Lifetime.

Incredible India!

Each couple receives a copy of Goway's unique Travel Companion booklet (practical & historical information, diary).

Ghost City of Fatehpur Sikri

Amber Fort Jaipur

Indian Elephant

Local Inhabitant

 

Taj Mahal

 

India Gate, New Delhi

ALL INCLUSIVE FIRST CLASS TOURING

Splendours Of India

17 days

This is one of only eight ideas that we have designated HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME. This is a very special inclusive and exclusive vacation. Goway provides a professional escort who takes care of all the day to day details... all the way. Virtually everything is included from North America back to North America. Don't expect just another escorted tour… You'll be on "the best escorted tour."

Day 1. Depart your hometown. Today you will depart from either the East or West and fly across the Atlantic or Pacific.

Day 2. Arrive Mumbai. After arriving in, Mumbai, the capital of Maharastra, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by Goway's Tour Director. Mumbai is the fastest moving, most affluent and industrialized city in India. It is part of India's beautiful west coast, that runs down from Gujarat, through Mumbai to Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. Trident Hotel Nariman Point, Mumbai (2 nights).

Day 3. Mumbai. After a late breakfast, depart for an excellent sightseeing tour of Mumbai's most iconic sites. Visit the Gateway of India, The principal landmark of Mumbai, which was the principal port when the visitors came to India by ship. The gateway was conceived following the visit of King George V to India in 1911, and was officially opened in 1924. The Prince of Wales Museum, built to commemorate King George's V visit to India, was opened in 1923. It has sections for art and paintings, archaeology, and natural history. The next stop will be Mani Bhavan, the house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his visits to Mumbai. It has now been turned into a small museum. Time for shopping? Stop off at Colaba Causeway. Return to your hotel. BD

Day 4. Mumbai to Udaipur. After breakfast, today's sightseeing tour starts at the Dhobi Ghat, one of the highlights of Mumbai. The dhobi is a traditional laundryman who collects dirty linen, washes them and returns it neatly pressed to doorsteps of the people. The "laundries" are called "Ghats" The clothes are soaked in sudsy water, thrashed on the flogging stones, then tossed into huge vats of boiling starch and hung out to dry. Next they are ironed and piled into neat bundles.

Later, transfer to the airport and catch the flight to Udaipur. The lake city of Udaipur is a cool oasis in the heart of the colorful state of Rajasthan. Udaipur is famous for its Lake Palace, a magnificent palace now converted into a luxury hotel and the City Palace, which is converted into a museum. The beautiful Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake and Jagdish Mandir, an Indo-Aryan temple, are among the other places of interest. Udaipur is well-known for its local crafts, particularly paintings in the Rajput Mughal style. Upon arrival into Udaipur you will be transferred to your hotel. Fateh Garh Hotel, Udaipur (2 nights) BD

Day 5. Udaipur. Enjoy a morning tour visiting The City Palace and Museum. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array of artifacts. Next you will visit Sahelion Ki Bari or 'garden of the maidens'. This evening enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Lake Pichola is the famous lake almost synonymous with Udaipur. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by the surrounding hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. The Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, the two island palaces on the lake look like pearls over the lake. Return to your hotel. BD

Day 6. Udaipur to Jaipur. Morning buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Jaipur, known as the "Pink City" due to the colour of the stone used in its buildings. . Upon arrival into Jaipur you will transfer to your hotel. This afternoon you will depart for on a city tour visiting the City Palace & Museum. Situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture; it houses a seven storied Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view of the gardens and the city. Proceed to The Jantar Mantar Observatory. Built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonary instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provides accurate time, which is subject to daily corrections. The balance of the day is at your leisure to explore this wonderful city. Rajputana Palace Sheraton, Jaipur (2 nights) BD

Day 7. Jaipur. For your enjoyment, the hotel offers free Yoga. This morning, visit the Amber Fort with its honey coloured fortress palace. You will climb up to the fort by an elephant ride. The fort has been described as "the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan". The exterior opens on to striking views of the nearby gorge and India's answer to China's Great Wall. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a city tour which includes a visit to the "Hawa Mahal", (Palace of Winds). This evening, enjoy dinner and a performance of Rajasthani folk dances at a local restaurant. BD

Day 8. Jaipur to Ranthambore. This morning depart by road to Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore National Park is a fascinating blend of history and nature. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna and animals, including the majestic tiger which are relatively easy to spot here. Nahargarh Fort, Ranthambore (2 Nights) BLD

Day 9. Ranthambore National Park. An early wake up call this morning to enjoy a Jungle Safari with a professional Naturalist. Ride in a jeep for safe tiger tracking and bird watching. Also indulge in wildlife photography. The jungle visits last approximately three hours. Return back to the hotel for lunch and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy one more safari. BLD

Day 10. Ranthambore to Agra. This morning you will transfer to the railway station to catch the amazing Shatabdi Express to Bharatpur. Upon arrival in Bharatpur, embark on a scenic drive to Agra. En-route you will visit the deserted capital Fatehpur Sikri. The city, is built predominantly in Red Sandstone by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city. One of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height, the sunset over the ruins is a sight to cherish. Later, arrive in Agra and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. ITC Mughal, Agra (2 nights). BD

Day 11. Agra. For your enjoyment, the hotel offers free Yoga. After breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, the greatest love story ever told. Shah Jahan built this memorial as a tomb for his favourite wife. After the Taj, drive to Agra Fort which lies on the west bank of Jamuna River. Akbar chose Agra as his capital as he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj this was one of the most important groups of buildings. The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years. Later visit Mother Teresa's orphanage. The evening is at leisure. BD

Day 12. Agra to Khajuraho. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi. From Jhansi, drive to Khajuraho and check in at the hotel. Khajuraho has become world renowned for its Temples. They are the most graphic, erotic and sensuous sculptures in India. Khajuraho has finally received the attention it deserves for its significant contribution to the religious art of India. This evening, tour the famous Western group of temples designated as a World Heritage Site enclosed within a beautifully laid out park. The Kandriya Mahadev, Jagadami and Chitragupta Temples display the best craftsmanship of Khajuraho. Radisson Jass Hotel, Khajuraho. BD

Day 13. Khajuraho to Varanasi. Enjoy the morning at your leisure. This afternoon you will fly to India's Holiest City, Varanasi also known as Benares or Kashi, the "City of Light" or the "Eternal City"' is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India for the Hindus. Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. This evening enjoy the spectacular site of Aarti on the Ganges which will be reached by a rickshaw ride. Radisson Hotel, Varanasi (2 nights) BD

Day 14. Varanasi. Start the day with an early morning boat ride on the sacred River Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest religions. At sunrise the sight unfolds before you as thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Proceed back to hotel for breakfast. Later on, you will embark on an excursion tour of Sarnath.

Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon, contains the most impressive remains of temples. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dharnek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka.

The Sarnath Museum, not far from the site, contains some of the finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture. This afternoon's city tour will visit the Golden temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva - and the Kashi Vishwanath temple. This evening is at leisure to walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi. Take some time to shop for Varanasi's famous silk brocades and beautiful Banaras saris. BD

Day 15. Varanasi to Delhi. The morning is at leisure to further explore the city or catch up on last minute shopping. Depart in the afternoon on your flight to Delhi. The Lalit Hotel, New Delhi (2 nights) BD

Day 16. Delhi. Depart for a full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi visiting the Red Fort, known by that name because of the red stone with which it is built and it is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. It is also known that the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that India was free form colonial rule. Continue on to Humayun's Tomb. It is among the first examples of Mughal architecture, with its high arches and a double dome. Next visit the Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

This afternoon depart for New Delhi sightseeing visiting Qutub Minar. The Qutub Minar made of red sandstone rising to the height of 72.5 metres is an architectural marvel of the 13th century and constructed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in the 12th century to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Ghori over the Rajputs. The India Gate a war memorial, is a majestic high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian soldiers killed in the World War II. Drive past the magnificent Presidential palace and Government buildings. BD

Day 17. Delhi to North America. Depart today from Delhi flying back to North America with Emirates Airways and arriving the same day in time to connect to your home city. BF

EXCLUSIVE DEPARTURE DATES:

2010: September 24, November 19
2011: January 19, March 18

TWIN SHARE GUARANTEE:

If you are travelling alone and do not wish to pay the single supplement, Goway will match you up with another single traveller of the same gender. If a roommate is unavailable, you will enjoy a single room at no extra cost.

Note: You must be willing not to smoke in your hotel room and accept that compatibility of your roommate cannot be guaranteed.

SPLENDOURS OF INDIA PRICES:

INCLUSIONS:

For information on the inclusions for this special idea, click here.

NOT INCLUDED:

International airfare, Insurance, optional excursions, items of a personal nature such as laundry, dry cleaning, phone calls, drinks, excess baggage charges, Government departure taxes and Indian Visa.