Abhaneri stepwell Women’ s Cooperative, Ranthambore
DAY 10 • Abhaneri stepwell • Overland to Agra Travel overland to Agra, stopping en route to explore the stepwell of Abhaneri. We’ ll hear about Mughal history along the way to our destination. We’ ll check into our hotel upon arrival and spend the evening at leisure.
Meals: B, L | Radisson Hotel Agra or similar
DAY 11 • Taj Mahal • Controversial Topic: Acid attacks against women • Agra Fort
Today, we’ ll view a sight unlike any other: the Taj Mahal. Afterward, we’ ll discuss the Controversial Topic of acid attacks with two female survivors before venturing to Agra Fort. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.
Meals: B, D | Radisson Hotel Agra or similar
DAY 12 • Lucknow • Kathak dance school visit Drive to Lucknow. After checking in to our hotel, you’ ll have some free time. Then, enjoy a traditional dance demonstration at the Kathak Dance Training Center before lunch.
Meals: B, L, D | Novotel Lucknow Gomti Nagar Hotel or similar
DAY 13 • Explore Old Lucknow • Cooking lesson Enjoy a full day experiencing multifaceted Lucknow, beginning with a visit to Old Lucknow. Then, enjoy a cooking lesson in the home of a local family. Your afternoon is free until we reconvene for dinner.
Meals: B, L, D | Novotel Lucknow Gomti Nagar Hotel or similar
DAY 14 • Varanasi • Sacred light ceremony on the Ganges
Drive to Varanasi this morning, one of the oldest and holiest of Hindu places. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore. Later, we’ ll head to the bathing ghats, a series of steps that lead to the River Ganges. Then, we’ ll board a boat for a unique vantage point of the River Ganges,
as well as the sacred aarti light ceremony priests perform on its banks.
Meals: B, L | Taj Ganges, Varanasi or similar
DAY 15 • Buddhist learning center of Sarnath Visit Sarnath this morning, where Buddha preached the first sermon on his new religion in 530 BC. Following lunch, the afternoon is yours to explore independently. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Meals: B, D | Taj Ganges, Varanasi or similar
DAY 16 • Fly to Delhi or begin post-trip extension This afternoon we fly to Delhi, where we’ ll spend the night. Or, if you are taking the Nepal: Kathmandu & Pokhara post-trip extension, fly directly to Kathmandu via Delhi instead.
Meals: B, D | Lemon Tree Premier Hotel
DAY 17 • Return to U. S. Rise before dawn to return to the U. S. Meals: B
PUSHKAR FESTIVAL DEPARTURES
11 / 10-11 / 17 / 26— Exclusive Activities
Witness the carnival-like atmosphere of Rajasthan’ s most vibrant celebration twice at different times of day, explore the world’ s only Brahma Temple on Lake Pushkar, and more.
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / hoi
96 Heart of India