Abhaneri stepwell Women’ s Cooperative, Ranthambore
DAY 10 • Explore Abhaneri step well • Overland to Agra Travel overland to Agra, stopping en route to explore the step well 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
Festivals
Experience the carnival-like atmosphere of the Pushkar Festival on a special itinerary— featuring two additional nights— on departures from October 31-November 6. Or, celebrate the livestock extravaganza of the Nagaur Festival on departures from February 4 to February 9. Visit www. oattravel. com / hoi to learn more.
DAY 11 • Taj Mahal • Agra Fort Today we’ ll view a sight unlike any other: the Taj Mahal. 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 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 | Radisson Varanasi or similar
DAY 15 • Visit 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. Meals: B, D | Radisson Varanasi or similar
DAY 16 • Fly to Delhi or begin posttrip 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
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / hoi
52 Heart of India