www.travelbay.com 1800 020 020 [email protected] ITINERARY India – 20 Day Colours of India Cruise and Tour Day 1: Arrival in Delhi On arrival at the airport in Delhi, be met and transferred to your hotel. Special Stay – enjoy luxurious accommodation at The Taj Palace. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers and Tour Director, as you enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner. Overnight: Delhi, Taj Palace Daily Meals Included: Dinner Day 2: Delhi A guided tour of Delhi begins this morning with a visit to the iconic Jama Masjid. Like a Local – embark on a rickshaw ride through the labyrinth of narrow lanes in the Old City. Afterwards, visit the impressive Red Fort and stop for lunch. This evening, you may wish to explore the Kingdom of Dreams cultural complex and witness a spectacular Bollywood performance. Overnight: Delhi, Taj Palace Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Day 3: Agra Following breakfast this morning, set off on your journey towards Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal. On the way, visit India Gate, which commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919, then explore Humayun’s Tomb. Built in the 16th century, this historic tomb is an excellent example of Mughal architecture. Afterwards, continue on to Agra. Overnight: Agra, Jaypee Palace Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 4: Agra, Taj Mahal Visit the stunning Agra Fort and head to the Taj Mahal this afternoon for a locally guided tour. See why it is adored as India’s ultimate icon and a place of unsurpassed beauty. This evening, delight in a special dinner at Paatra in Jaypee Palace Hotel. Overnight: Agra, Jaypee Palace Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, dinner 1 of 5
www.travelbay.com 1800 020 020 [email protected] Day 5: Agra, Jaipur Enhance Your Journey: Perhaps rise early and enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal (at own expense). After breakfast, visit the beautiful, deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri before heading to Laxmi Vilas Palace for lunch. This afternoon, travel towards Jaipur, commonly referred to as the ‘Pink City’ for its beautiful architectural marvels. Overnight: Marriott Jaipur Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Day 6: Jaipur Following breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the beautiful city of Jaipur. Like a Local – climb aboard a Jeep for a trip to the Amber Fort, constructed in 1592 and built with red sandstone and white marble. See Hawa Mahal and explore the intriguing City Palace Complex. A Taste of India – learn the traditional Rajasthan style of cooking during a class at Jaipur’s Spice Court Restaurant, then sample your efforts over a long lunch. Overnight: Marriott Jaipur Meals included: Breakfast and lunch Day 7: Fly to Patna, Embark Lower Ganges River Cruise Fly to Patna this morning and on arrival, be transferred to your river ship. After settling in, enjoy dinner on board, become accustomed to the fabulous facilities and get to know your fellow travellers and Cruise Director. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, dinner Day 8: Patna, Barh Tour intriguing Patna, visiting the extraordinary 18th-­century Gola Ghar granary, the great Sikh temple and the State Museum. Back on board, your ship will pass near the old East India Company opium warehouses, mooring at Barh. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner 2 of 5
www.travelbay.com 1800 020 020 [email protected] Day 9: Nalanda, Mokameh Take an excursion to the excavated great Buddhist monastery and stupa at Nalanda and visit the museum. Then head to the picturesque Pawapuri Jain temple. Return in the evening to your ship at the great bridge at Mokameh. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 10: Monghyr, Sultanganj Arrive in Monghyr and see its Mughal fort, as well as an East India Company Cemetery. You’ll also visit the Pirpahar Hill. Continue cruising and anchor near Jahangira Island at Sultanganj. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 11: Bhagalpur, Bateshwar Cruise to Bhagalpur to visit an 18th-­century mansion and a silk-­weaving village. Continue on, passing close to the island shrine at Colganj. Visit Bateshwar, with its 6th-­century Hindu carvings, then explore the ancient ruins of an impressive 8th-­
century Buddhist stupa and monastery at Vikramshila. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 12: Rajmahal, Farakka Barrage Cruise to the charming, little-­known town of Rajmahal, before continuing on through the locks of Farakka Barrage. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 13: Jangipur OR Gaur Disembark in Jangipur, where you have the afternoon free to explore. Alternatively, enjoy a full-­day excursion by road to Gaur. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner 3 of 5
www.travelbay.com 1800 020 020 [email protected] Day 14: Baranagar, Murshidabad Today you’ll stop in Baranagar and walk through the fields to three miniature terracotta temples. Then continue past Azimganj to Murshidabad. Here, walk to the Khushbagh, a Moghul-­style garden. You’ll also visit Katra Mosque, as well as Nashipara and Katgola palaces. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 15: Murshidabad, Katwa Like a Local – explore Nawab’s Hazarduari Palace. Then cruise to the battlefield of Plassey, where Robert Clive’s defeat of Siraj-­ud-­Daulah changed the course of Indian history. Moor tonight in Katwa. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 16: Matiari, Mayapur Like a Local – visit the brass-­working village of Matiari. Later, you’ll reach Mayapur, a town known to many as the birthplace of a Hindu saint. Witness the construction of a Krishna temple that dominates the skyline. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 17: Kalna Cruise to the country town of Kalna. Like a Local – enjoy a cycle rickshaw tour and admire some of Bengal’s unique Shiva temples. Later, continue to Imambara. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 18: Chandannagar, Barrackpore Pass the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura then arrive at Chandannagar. Here, you’ll visit the 18th-­century French church and Dupleix’s House. Later, continue to Barrackpore. Overnight: The RV Rajmahal Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner 4 of 5
www.travelbay.com 1800 020 020 [email protected] Day 19: Kolkata, Disembark Ship Arrive in Kolkata and visit the Flower Market. Afterwards, see the home of the late Mother Theresa. A Taste of India – enjoy a tasty lunch at award-­winning Oh! Calcutta restaurant. Special Stay – The Oberoi Grand. Overnight: The Oberoi Grand Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 20: Depart Kolkata Enjoy a private tram ride in the city then, after dinner, it’s off to the airport for an onward flight. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner 5 of 5