Palaces, Mosques, and Bustling Bazaars on a Three-City Tour of India; Optional Nepal Extension

This tour package includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) via scheduled nonstop Air India flights, including fuel surcharges, taxes, and fees
• Two nights’ standard accommodations at 5-star Shangri-La Eros Hotel
• Two nights’ standard accommodations at 4.5-star Trident Agra
• Two nights’ standard accommodations at 4.5-star Trident Jaipur
• Ground transportation within India
• Full American buffet breakfast daily and a farewell dinner
• Comprehensive guided touring program including all entrance fees to places visited
• Experienced English-speaking tour director

On this 9-day, 6-night tour of India from Friendly Planet Travel, you’ll get an in-depth look at three cities—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—via guided tours, optional excursions, and leisure time at each stop. You can also purchase a special discounted optional tours package, which gets you all three optional excursions for $59 per person.

For a full itinerary, click here.

Day 2-3: Delhi

You'll arrive in New Delhi on Day 2, and start Day 3 by visiting Laxmi Narayan Temple and a tour of Old and New Delhi. You'll see the product of more than 3,000 years of history, including a memorial to Ghandi built at his cremation site on the Yamuna River. Next, you’ll ride a bicycle rickshaw to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Etched with intricate carvings and verses from the Koran, it’s one of the world’s most interesting houses of worship. You will also visit the India Gate which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen. Many have said that the gate is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Accommodations: Shangri-La Eros Hotel

Day 4-6: Agra

You’ll drive south to the ancient city of Agra on Day 4, home to the world-famous Taj Mahal. The temple was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol of love for his favorite wife, requiring the efforts of 20,000 workers over 22 years. During a sunrise tour of the palace, you’ll see the marble inlay work that seems to glow at this time of day, as well as the surrounding gardens.

On Day 6, you will begin the journey to Jaipur, while still stopping to see Fatehpur Sikri and later Barara Village. In Barara Village, you will be given the opportunity to learn about rural Indian life and interact with with the locals. You then arrive in Jaipur later that evening.

Optional excursions: Head to the Agra Fort, a massive fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site; tour the tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, the first Mughal structure made completely out of marble (each site is $25 per person).

Accommodations: Trident Agra

Day 7-9: Jaipur and Delhi

After arriving in Jaipur, first up is a tour of the Amber Fort—a palace set atop the Aravalli hills, that features impressive battlements and crenelated walls. Ascend to the fortress by Jeep or elephant (based on availability) and take in its courtyards and halls inlaid with precious stones. In the Sheesh Mahal ("Hall of Mirrors"), a single lamp is reflected in a mosaic of thousands of mirror tiles, lighting the entire room.

You’ll have the rest of day 7 to explore the city at your leisure. Buy spices or haggle for hand-woven wool carpets in the bustling bazaars. All guests will be transferred back to Delhi on day 8, and those ending their tour here will board their flight home that night.

Optional excursion: Tour Jaipur’s famous pink sandstone buildings, including the City Palace Museum and an astronomical observatory ($30 per person).

Accommodations: Trident Jaipur

Optional Nepal Excursion: (Days 9 -13)

Although not included in this Getaway, you can extend your trip with an optional three-night stay in Nepal. A full tour includes stops at Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, home to a five-story Pagoda temple, and Machhender Bahl, the city’s ancient royal residential quarter. An optional tour—and one of the trip’s biggest highlights—is a scenic flight over Mt. Everest in the Himalayas. Inquire about the optional Nepal excursion when booking.

Accommodations: One-night stay in Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka; three-night stay at the Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal?
This deal is only available with departure from New York (JFK).

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal?
Early departures and/or late returns may be possible at a cost of $100 per person, plus any difference in airfare and additional services required, and are subject to availability. To book an early departure and/or late return, let Friendly Planet know and they’ll do their best to accommodate your request.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available?
If your requested date is available for purchase on Groupon, it should still be available.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available?
You are not able to buy a Groupon for a sold out date or departure city.

5. Does my child need a Groupon, and can they stay in my room?
Every passenger traveling is required to have a Groupon. Triple rooms are only available upon request.