Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confounding, India overflows with riches. While staying at excellent hotels, we travel the classic Golden Triangle: bustling Delhi; Agra, home of the sublime Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, the “Pink City.” We also search for elusive Bengals in Ranthambore, and absorb the holiness of Varanasi.

Dates: February 3 – 20, 2027

Land Only (transfers not included): $5,895

From San Francisco (air-inclusive)*: $6,795
($6,795 air & land inclusive plus $892 airline taxes and fees)

Deposit: $650

Single Supplement: $1,795

*Other cities listed on brochure, which can be downloaded on the overview tab of this trip approximately nine months before departure. Airline prices are subject to change, and airline upgrades will be additional to the costs listed above.

Please note, all prices are for a standard, double room unless listed otherwise.

Cancelation policy:

Final payment due date is 125 days out.

  • 125 days or more: $200 penalty
  • 124 to 95 days: 25% of the tour price
  • 94 to 65 days: 50% of the tour price
  • 64 to 30 days: 75% of the tour price
  • 29-0 days: No refund

Your Tour Price Includes:

  • Round-trip air transportation from listed city
  • all flights within India
  • 15 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels
  • 32 meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 10 dinners
  • Extensive sightseeing, as described, including all entrance fees
  • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
  • Rail transportation
  • Luggage handling for one bag per person
  • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Book your trip today by filling out the brochure and emailing it to ietravel@ucsc.edu.

Day to Day Itinerary

Feb 3, 2027

Overnight flight to India’s capital.

Feb 4, 2027

We arrive in Delhi late this evening and transfer to our hotel.

Accommodations: Taj Palace – New Delhi, India (Deluxe)

Feb 5, 2027

After a morning at leisure, followed by a briefing about the journey ahead, we set out to discover Old Delhi. We stop first at Raj Ghat, the simple black marble slab honoring Mahatma Gandhi. Then we see Lal Qila (the Red Fort), the grand Mughal palace complex considered the greatest of Delhi’s earlier cities and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next: the red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque; and the colorful Chandni Chowk market, where we ride rickshaws. Tonight we gather for a Welcome Dinner at our hotel.

(B, D)

Accommodations: Taj Palace – New Delhi, India (Deluxe)

Feb 6, 2027

We encounter more of this pulsating city today, beginning at 240-foot Qutb Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret. Next, we pass India Gate, the majestic arch standing over an eternal flame that honors the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died during World War I and the Afghan wars. Following lunch at a local restaurant, we visit a Sikh temple, then learn more about Gandhi at the Gandhi Smriti Museum. After this full day, we return to our hotel. The evening is at leisure, and dinner is on our own.

(B, L)

Accommodations: Taj Palace – New Delhi, India (Deluxe)

Feb 7, 2027

Today we travel by coach to the “Pink City” of Jaipur, renowned for its historic forts, palaces, and gardens, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We reach our hotel in time for lunch. This afternoon we visit Jaipur’s colorful market.

(B, L, D)

Accommodations: Taj Amer – Jaipur, India (Deluxe)

Feb 8, 2027

This morning we see the stunning Hawa Mahal, the elaborately carved pink sandstone “Palace of the Winds.” We continue on to Amber Fort, the former capital of the Kachhawah Rajputs (1037–1728); Jantar Mantar, the open-air observatory; and the City Palace Museum, housing the magnificent art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur.

(B, L)

Accommodations: Taj Amer – Jaipur, India (Deluxe)

Feb 9, 2027

This morning we visit the village of Sanganer to see traditional block printing and handmade paper crafts. Later we explore a bustling outdoor market. Tonight we are dinner guests in the home of a multi-generational Rajasthan family.

(B, D)

Accommodations: Taj Amer – Jaipur, India (Deluxe)

Feb 10, 2027

We travel today to Ranthambore National Park, once the hunting grounds of the Maharajah of Jaipur and now a 512-square-mile natural preserve that is home to hundreds of bird, reptile, and mammal species, including Bengal tigers. This afternoon we embark on our first game drive through the park.

(B, L, D)

Accommodations: AamaGhati Wildlife Resort – Ranthambore, India (First Class)

Feb 11, 2027

We take both morning and afternoon game drives today to spot wildlife (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed). Along the way, we also see atmospheric ruins of forts and palaces scattered throughout the reserve.

(B, L, D)

Accommodations: AamaGhati Wildlife Resort – Ranthambore, India (First Class)

Feb 12, 2027

We depart early for Gadoli, where we set out on a village walk to meet local Meena tribespeople in their homes. Tonight we enjoy a traditional folk dance performance.

(B, L, D)

Accommodations: Dera Village – The Clement Retreats – Gadoli, India (Not Rated)

Feb 13, 2027

En route to Agra, we stop in the ancient village of Abhaneri to see the fortified Chand Baori stepwell (c. 800 CE), whose 3,500 steps descend some 13 stories into the earth. Continuing on, we reach the Mughal stronghold of Agra, where this afternoon we visit Itimad-ud-Daulah, the two-story marble “Baby Taj” that inspired the Taj Mahal.

(B, D)

Accommodations: Tajview, Agra – IHCL SeleQtions – Agra, India (Superior First Class)

Feb 14, 2027

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 cooking lesson and enjoy the results for lunch. Later, we explore the imposing Agra Fort.

(B, L)

Accommodations: Tajview, Agra – IHCL SeleQtions – Agra, India (Superior First Class)

Feb 15, 2027

We depart by coach this morning for Delhi, where we board a late-afternoon flight to Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city.

(B, L, D)

Accommodations: Taj Ganges – Varanasi, India (Superior First Class)

Feb 16, 2027

Before breakfast, those who wish may join a private yoga session. Then we visit nearby Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught after achieving enlightenment. One of Buddhism’s four holiest sites, Sarnath draws pilgrims from around the world. We tour temples and stupas, then visit the Sarnath Museum, housing a superb collection of Buddhist artifacts. Late this afternoon we attend a traditional aarti ceremony: as we cruise along the Ganges, we watch as devout Hindus offer their lit lamps to the deities.

(B, D)

Accommodations: Taj Ganges – Varanasi, India (Superior First Class)

Feb 17, 2027

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 to experience the spiritual aura of the hallowed waters. Later we return to our hotel for rest before this afternoon’s walking tour and a private performance of classical sitar. Tonight we celebrate our journey at a Farewell Dinner at our hotel.

(B, D)

Accommodations: Taj Ganges – Varanasi, India (Superior First Class)

Feb 18, 2027

We fly this afternoon to Delhi, where the evening is at leisure.

(B)

Accommodations: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity – Delhi, India (Deluxe)

Feb 19, 2027

Very early this morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.

Photo Gallery

Pullman New Delhi
Taj Mahal

Ready to book?

QUESTIONS?