10-Nights Highlights of Northern India with Mumbai from $2,250

CostSaver

OFFER ID 1589606

Highlights Of Northern India With Mumbai
Get ready to discover why India is something special, from the vibrant streets of Delhi and the romance of the Taj Mahal to the Pink City of Jaipur and the Blue City of Jodhpur. On this India tour, wander through fragrant markets and stunning palaces. Discover the history of ancient forts and ruins, tracing landmarks at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. See Mumbai’s Dabbawallas (tiffin carriers) and the villages and lakes surrounding Udaipur. This is India done your way.

Dining Summary

3 Dinner (D)
10 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)

Essentials

Visit Jama Mosque, Raj Ghat, UNESCO-listed Humayun's Tomb and see the Red Fort
Visit the magnificent UNESCO-listed Taj Mahal
Visit the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort and the Maharaja’s City Palace and view the Palace of Winds
Visit the impressive 16th-century Mehrangarh Fort
Visit Ranakpur complex, one of India’s largest and most important Jain temples
Visit City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon Ki Bari, the Garden of the Maidens. View Fatehsagar Lake
See Dhobi Ghat and the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus Station). Visit Mani Bhavan, Gandhi’s former residence

Whats Included

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Many meals and daily breakfasts included
City orientation tours
Audio Headsets provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
Luxury air-conditioned coach
Extensive variety of Choice Experiences
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized

10 nights from $2,250 per person

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

Costsaver: Highlights of Northern India with Mumbai

Day 1 - Arrive Delhi
Welcome to India and the big city bustle of Delhi! Your journey begins in this colorful capital city with contrasts at every turn. Expect both the ancient and modern: think ancient relics of bygone eras next to shopping malls. Meanwhile, street stalls, rickshaws, animals and tourists jostle for space in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi. After arriving and transferring to your hotel on your own, meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travelers to chat through what’s to come on your India tour. Then indulge in your first taste of Delhi's foodie scene over dinner.
Accommodations: Zone Connect by The Park Saket
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Delhi Sightseeing
Kickstart your tour of things to do in Delhi in the maze of streets and vibrant bazaars of Old Delhi. Uncover this real slice of India as you visit the stunning red sandstone carved Jama Masjid, Delhi’s largest mosque and a little pocket of peace. There’s time to explore before hopping on board a cycle rickshaw to weave through the streets of Old Delhi before visiting Raj Ghat, the resting place for Mahatma Gandhi. After your exciting ride, move on to New Delhi to experience a different side to the city, driving past grand government buildings and leafy avenues. Your last stop will be Humayun's Tomb, another ancient remnant of the Mughal reign. After an incredible day, return to your hotel with a free evening and the option to join a Choice Experience food tour.
Accommodations: Zone Connect by The Park Saket
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Delhi to Agra
India is a traveler’s playground. Head to Agra today with the option to join a Choice Experience at Agra Fort, one of India’s finest Mughal forts. Explore the maze of buildings, forming a city within a city, made of many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal. This afternoon you get to visit the Taj Mahal, a grand mausoleum so impressive in real life. Stand in awe as the light washes over the white marble, painting shades of pink and gold. Built in 1632 as a tribute to the love Shah Jahan had for his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, 20,000 craftsmen took 17 years to complete this ‘Love Poem in Marble.' Head inside to visit the tombs of Shah and Mumtaz. Oh and don’t forget to snap a photo on the famous “Diana’s bench” to see it in all its glory!
Accommodations: The Retreat
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Agra to Jaipur
Another day on your trip to India, another incredible city awaits. India is a country where huge cities, massive architectural wonders and food that knows no limits is around every turn. Choose to get up early to experience the dazzling Taj Mahal at sunrise. Along the way to Jaipur, stop at a lesser-known treasure, the long deserted ‘Ghost City 'of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1569. Then fuel up for lunch before making your way to the “Pink City” of Jaipur. After settling into your hotel, you have the rest of the day to explore your way. Perhaps witness the Aarti Ceremony in Birla Temple followed by dinner.
Accommodations: The Fern Residency
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Jaipur Sightseeing
What to expect in Jaipur? One mind-blowing sight after the next, that’s what. Start the day of Jaipur attractions at Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, before ascending to Amber Fort by jeep. This classic Rajasthani palace features miniatures painted on the walls depicting hunting, war and festival scenes. Admire the embedded precious stones and mirrors. Continue your sightseeing tour of the city including Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence and a complex of courtyards, gardens and a gorgeous blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Be sure to check out the four delicately painted doors of the Pritam Niwas Chowk which represent the four seasons. Next up, visit Jantar Mantar, home to medieval-era geometric devices for tracking constellations, observing the orbits around the sun and measuring time. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest astronomical observatories on the planet. The rest of your day is free to join a Choice Experience at a local market or explore the Pink City on your own.
Accommodations: The Fern Residency
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Jaipur to Jodhpur
Venture to the hilltop city of Jodhpur, the “Blue City.” Get acquainted on a sightseeing tour discovering its history. Learn how the massive Mehrangarh Fort was built in the 16th century, 393 feet above the surrounding plains. Within its walls, seven gates and numerous bastions and towers lies the Old City’s maze of lanes, palaces, a Haveli and temples. Explore the fort and palaces, some of which contain a collection of Rajput miniature paintings and a museum. Then wind your way down the hill to see Jaswant Thada, the striking white marble cenotaph (chhatri) of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in 1899. View the carved-marble lattice screens hung with portraits of Rathore rulers dating back to the 13th century. If you feel like exploring more, cap off the day with a Choice Experience of a tuk tuk ride and walking tour through the Old City.
Accommodations: Zone by the Park
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Jodhpur and Ranakpur to Udaipur
All through India you’ll find incredible temples. Today’s site on your trip to India is no different, with a stop at Ranakpur on your way to Udaipur. The exceptionally beautiful Ranakpur complex is one India’s largest and most important Jain temples. Located in a remote valley of the Aravalli hills, the main temple of Ranakpur, Chaumukha Mandir, is dedicated to Adinath (the first Jain saint) and an important shrine for the Jain community. You’ll be dazzled by this white marble temple made of 29 halls, 80 domes, 400 columns and 1,444 individually engraved pillars. The pillars alone are stunning, decorated in peach and beige with intricate carvings of elephants, flowers and people. Beneath the domed ceilings and wide corridors, admire the intricate carvings of nymphs and maidens playing musical instruments. Get your fill of this icon before finishing the day arriving in Udaipur.
Accommodations: Howard Johnson
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Udaipur Sightseeing
Get ready for the must-see sights of Udaipur on your city tour. Kick it off at the City Palace, housing the Dilkhush Mahal and Sheesh Mahal which are studded with glittering Belgian mirrors. Next up is the Jagdish Temple built in 1651 and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Visit the Sahelion Ki Bari, Garden of the Maidens, built for women by the Maharajas before ending with a drive around beautiful Fatehsagar Lake. The afternoon is yours for the taking. Do it your way with a Choice Experience Bhil tribe village trek. Or , choose to cruise Lake Pichola followed by a visit to Monsoon palace and dinner.
Accommodations: Howard Johnson
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Udaipur to Mumbai
It’s time for Mumbai! Jet off to India’s largest city for an afternoon of sightseeing. The must-see sights of your India tour begin at Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai‘s 140-year-old, open-air laundromat, where people hand-wash around 5000 pieces of clothing each day. Snap a few pics of this “see it to believe it” sight before making your way to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station. This UNESCO World Heritage Site named after the queen on Jubilee Day 1887 is a striking example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. Next up is Churchgate station to see the Dabbawallas (tiffin carriers) sorting the lunch boxes and sending them off to various parts of the city. Visit Mani Bhavan, Gandhi’s former residence, before passing the colorful Crawford market, Flora fountain and Marine Drive - also known as “queen’s necklace” for the way it sparkles at night.
Accommodations: Fariyas
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Mumbai Sightseeing
Do it your way today with two tempting Choice Experiences to see Mumbai. In the morning, choose to take a boat to the Elephanta Caves on the Island of Elephanta. These cave temples were excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries and are famous for their magnificently sculpted panels. Or, choose to join a Bollywood Tour, diving into the Indian television and cinema industry. Go big this evening over a Farewell Dinner digging into soup, salad and local specialties paired with roti and naan breads.
Accommodations: Fariyas
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - Depart Mumbai
It’s been one blockbuster after another ticking off all the highlights of Northern India. After breakfast, say farewell to your travel companions and depart on your own.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Mumbai

About 300 years ago, the area of Bombay was nothing more than seven islands occupied by small fishing settlements. Today this bustling city offers a seemingly endless array of sights and cultural activities. Mumbai is the glamour of Bollywood cinema, cricket on the maidans on weekends, bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty and red double-decker buses. It is also the infamous cages of the red-light district, Asia's largest slums, communalist politics and powerful mafia dons. This pungent drama is played out against a Victorian townscape more reminiscent of a prosperous 19th-century English industrial city than anything you'd expect to find on the edge of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai has vital streetlife, India's best nightlife, and more bazaars than a visitor could ever explore.

Excursions

Mumbai: 9 hours

With a population exceeding 18 million, this one time group of low lying mud flats is now India’s economic power base and her most industrialized city, bustling with activity of incredible diversity and complexity, her color and elegance, her wealth corresponding with her historic struggle against poverty. Certain affluent areas give Bombay an air of mini–Manhattan!

8:30am - 9:30am:
Depart the pier for the famous Gateway of India en route to Banganga. This Indo-Saracenic archway was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, and is the city's most famous landmark.

We then proceed to Banganga via Art Deco Marine Drive also called the Queens Necklace at night due to its curve shape around the bay.

9:30am - 10:30am
Walk around Banganga, the sacred tank surrounded by four hundred-year-old temples and modern skyscrapers. Nowhere are Bombay’s paradoxes more evident than at Banganga. Part of an ancient temple complex, the water in this tank is believed to come from the Holy Ganges. It sprung forth when Rama, the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana stopped at the spot five thousand years ago, in search of his kidnapped wife Sita. Overcome with fatigue and thirst, he asked his brother Laxman to bring him some water. Laxman instantly shot an arrow into the ground, and water gushed forth from the Ganga, over a thousand miles away. Although the story is the stuff of legend, the tank has always been sacred. On pious occasions, thousands turn up to take a ritual dip in its mossy waters, and offer flowers at the ancient Banganga Temples.

10:30am - 10:50am
Drive to Dhobi Ghat.

10:50 - 11:15
Visit the `Dhobi Ghat’, the city’s open-air laundry! where “Dhobis’ (washermen) attend to an astounding quantity of washing daily. Clothes, linen, towels… are washed in small open air cubicles rented out each day. An itemized account is logged in a notebook and clothes collected from households are returned a week later. Through the apparent chaos incredibly nothing gets lost from a countless number of pieces and most clothes somehow survive the beating they receive on the washing stones.

11:15pm - 11:45pm
Drive to Churchgate Railway Station.

11:45am - 12:15pm
We stop at the Churchgate Railway Station to see the `Dabbawallahs’, members of the Bombay Union of Tiffin Box Carriers, described by Prince Charles as the symbol of this enigmatic and intriguing city. Each morning, the 2500 dabbawallahs call on suburban housewives who pack a freshly cooked lunch into small circular aluminum or stainless steel containers - `dabbas’. Typically the dabbawallahs collect 30-40 boxes, range them out on a long pole and cycle to the nearest station. Here he hands them over to a fellow dabbawallah who then transports them into the city for delivery to the consumer. Over 100,000 lunches of maybe sabze (vegetable curry), chapattis (Indian bread), dal (lentils) and pickle, make their way daily across town to the breadwinner and back again. The service which costs a few rupees a week, is a good example of the fine division of labor in India, reliable and efficient for the dabbawallahs pride themselves on never losing a lunch.

12:15pm - 12:30pm
Drive to `Khyber’ restaurant for lunch which specializes in the Northwest frontier cuisine.

12:30pm - 2:00pm
Lunch (on own)

2:00pm - 2:30pm
Drive to Mani Bhawan passing through the teeming commercial areas, Crawford Market and many handsome buildings of Victorian Bombay, including the University and Victoria Terminus.

2:30pm - 3:15pm
Visit the Gandhi Museum. Located on leafy Laburnum Road, a quiet lane named after its shady trees, Mani Bhavan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It's a pretty, two-storied structure that now houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo exhibition of the Mahatma's life, and well preserved memorabilia, including an old charkha or spinning wheel that Gandhiji used to use.

3:15pm - 4:45pm
Before returning to the pier, we spend some time where it all began, where the tide of human life rolls down the center of the street, unruffled by vehicles from all quarters ploughing their way through it. No visit to Bombay is complete without a foray into the bazaars of Bhuleshwar. The city’s densest concentration of lifestyle and retail jewelry stores is a crush of shop fronts, street stalls, hawkers and handicrafts and a seething mass of people. It may look like absolute chaos but the areas are closely knit, and cohesively built around the traditional residential complex, temples, flower markets, community halls, cow shelter and bazaars. Within a few square kilometers there are a dozen bazaars and more commodities for sale than you will see probably anywhere else in a lifetime.

4: 45 - 5:30
Drive back to the ship.

Added Value:

- A good overview of the unique aspects of this unique city.

- Tour Duration: 8 – 9 hours

- Tour can operate : Morning

- Physical activity level : Moderate

- Wheelchair Accessible : No

Inclusions:
- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
- Services of a local English speaking guide.
- All the entrance fees and camera fees.
- Credit card and bank charges.
- All the prevailing taxes.

Mumbai, Shore Excursion - 4 hours

You will be met at the pier. (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure). Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will set of to explore India’s most cosmopolitan city and financial nerve centre – Mumbai.

You will first explore the Fort area of Mumbai – Kala Ghoda, literally Black Horse – a neighborhood in South Mumbai. The crescent-shaped precinct is the city’s premier art district. You will drive past a large number of the city’s heritage buildings, full of museums, art galleries and educational institutions like the Jehangir Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (previously called the Prince of Wales Museum) and The Arts Trust.

You will end your tour with a visit to Mani Bhavan. As poignant as it is tiny, this museum is in the building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during visits to Bombay from 1917 to 1934. The museum showcases the room where the leader formulated his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent protest) and launched the 1932 Civil Disobedience campaign that led to the end of British rule and Indian independence.

Stop for a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant before you return to the port area.

Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide, Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee, Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified), Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted separately.

*Terms and conditions apply

Mumbai, Shore Excursion - 6 hours

You will be met at the pier. (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure). Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will set of to explore India’s most cosmopolitan city and financial nerve centre – Mumbai.

Your first stop will be to take pictures at Dhobi Ghat, a sight unique to this city. ‘Dhobi Ghat’ or “washerfolks’ place”, is the world's largest outdoor laundry, and where Mumbai's traditional washer-folk - or dhobis - provide a wonderful service, collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee.

Drive to Churchgate Station where you get the opportunity to see the famed ‘dabbawallas’ or ‘lunch box carriers’ in action. The Mumbai dabbawallas are international figures now, thanks to Forbes Global. The Forbes story details the efficiency with which they deliver the dabbas or lunch pails of their customers. Around 5,000 dabbawallas collect and deliver 175,000 lunches every day and take the empty boxes back. Their operation has a six sigma rating which implies less than 3.4 errors in every million transactions. This is the same rating that has made companies like Motorola and GE world famous for their quality!

Later you will visit Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, a structure steeped in Indian history and culture. Built in Renaissance revival style in 1872 as the Victoria & Albert Museum, it contains 3,500-plus objects centering on Mumbai’s history. This landmark building was renovated in 2008.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before you continue on your tour.

You will end your tour with a visit to Mani Bhavan. As poignant as it is tiny, this museum is in the building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during visits to Bombay from 1917 to 1934. The museum showcases the room where the leader formulated his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent protest) and launched the 1932 Civil Disobedience campaign that led to the end of British rule and Indian independence.

You will then return to the port area.

Inclusions: Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, private guide, complimentary soft beverages and bottled water in the car, monument entrance and still camera fee, meet and assist at all airports and hotels, porterage at airports, all current applicable taxes.

Exclusions: Expenses of any personal nature (laundry, telephone calls etc, unless specified), tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), meals (unless specified) any insurance or Visa, any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, air fare is quoted separately.

*Terms and conditions apply

FULL DAY MARVELS OF MUMBAI

FULL DAY
MARVELS OF MUMBAI

Proceed to Gateway of India, the city’s most famous landmark –an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. It was originally conceived as an entry point for passengers arriving on P&O steamers from England; today it is remembered more often as the place from which the British staged their final departure. You will make a stop here for photographs.

See the highlights of the city from the comfort of your minivan as you set off for a tour of Mumbai city. Your tour begins with the Gateway of India (PLEASE STOP FOR A WHILE SO THE GUEST CAN TAKE PHOTO), the city's most famous landmark - an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. It was originally conceived as an entry point for passengers arriving on P&O steamers from England; today it is remembered more often as the place from which the British staged their final departure.

Continue through Marine Drive, Mumbai's seaside promenade, an eight-lane highway with a wide pavement. Its graceful curve sweeps from the skyscrapers at Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill. This hill is Mumbai's ritziest neighborhood. Popular since the 18th century because of its forested slopes, fresh sea breezes and panoramic views, merchants and colonial governors built many mansions and bungalows on its hillsides.

Your drive includes a look at a most remarkable railway station. Inspired by St. Pancras Station in London, the Victoria Terminus was built during Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee year. It is an extraordinary conglomeration of domes, spires, Corinthian columns and minarets in a style that was described by journalist James Cameron as "Victorian-Gothic-Saracenic-Italianate-Oriental-St. Pancras-Baroque". The first train in India left from this station in April 1853; today half a million commuters use the station every day.

Depart to Church Gate Station and spend some time watching the dabba-wallahs, the members of the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association. Every day 4,000 of them deliver fresh, home-cooked food from 100,000 suburban kitchens to offices in the downtown area. Each lunch is prepared by a loving wife or mother, and packed into a set of stackable aluminum boxes. The meals are carried to their hungry recipients dangling from shoulder-poles and bicycle handlebars, and stacked on decorated handcarts. Tins are rarely, if ever, lost, and always find their way home again to be washed up for the next day’s lunch.

Even if you are not possessed of an interest in other people’s dirty laundry, you’ll be fascinated by the dhobi ghats, your next stop. Each morning washing from all over Mumbai is brought here to be soaped, soaked, boiled, beaten, and thrashed. The next day, after being aired, pressed, folded and wrapped, the bundles are returned from whence they came. The secret that keeps the operation running smoothly is the coded symbol that each dhobi-wallah places on every item. Invisible to the untrained eye, this mark ensures that nothing will be lost. Stop here for photos that you’ll never be able to duplicate anywhere else.

Proceed for Taj Mahal Hotel for Lunch on direct payment basis.

You will continue to The Prince of Wales Museum, crowned by a white Mughal-style dome, the finest work done by architect George Wittet, who also designed the Gateway of India.

Return to pier.

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE & TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
09h30 – 11h00	Orientation tour of Mumbai, Gateway of India, Malabar Hill and VT Station.		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
11h00 – 11h20	Proceed to Churchgate station
11h20 – 11h40	Watch the Dabba-wallas at Churchgate	10 meters / even
11h40 – 12h15	Drive to Dhobi Ghat
12h15 – 12h45	Visit Dhobi Ghat	100 meters / Flat / 5 steps
12h45 – 13h15	Drive to Taj Mahal Hotel for lunch on direct payment basis
13h15 – 14h15	Lunch at Taj Mahal Hotel	150 meters / Flat / 4 steps
14h15 – 15h30	Drive to Prince of wales Museum and visit
15h30 – 16h00	Return to pier	50 meters / Uneven

HALF DAY MUSEUM AND GALLERIES OF MUMBAI

HALF DAY
MUSEUM AND GALLERIES OF MUMBAI

Explore the history, art and people of Mumbai and India during this informative half-day visit to the area's finest museums and galleries.

Depart from pier for the drive to Mani Bhawan, Gandhi's Bombay residence between 1917 and 1934. Mani Bhawan is now a permanent museum and memorial to the Mahatma. It contains a research library of more than 20,000 volumes, and a series of tiny dioramas depicting his life story in an interesting fashion. The walls are covered with photos of historic events and noteworthy people.

Next, visit the Prince of Wales Museum, easily recognized by its unique white Mughal-style dome. The museum is the finest work by architect George Wittet, who also designed the Gateway of India. It houses interesting displays of jade work, antique weapons, Indian paintings, illustrated manuscripts, exquisite miniatures, and clay and terracotta figures from the 3rd century B.C. Adjacent to Prince of Wales Museum, you will find the Jehangir Art Gallery. Mumbai's best-known venue for contemporary art, Jehangir is home to five small galleries displaying changing exhibits of 20^th century arts and crafts from around the world.

Return to pier.

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE / TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
00h00 – 00h30	Pier to Mani Bhawan		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
00h30 – 01h00	Arrive and visit Mani Bhawan	20 steps/ Uneven Terrain
01h00 – 01h30	Leave for Prince of Wales Museum
01h30 – 02h30	Arrive and visit Prince of Wales Museum	50 steps/flat Terrain
02h30 – 02h35	Walk down to adjacent Jahangir Art Gallery
02h35 – 03h20	Arrive and visit Jahangir Art Museum	15 steps/ flat Terrain
03h20 – 04h00	Back to pier

FULL DAY THE CAVES OF ELEPHANTA

FULL DAY
THE CAVES OF ELEPHANTA

More than a thousand years ago, Hindu craftsmen carved columns and sculptures out of a series of caves located on an island off the shores of Mumbai, creating a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Portuguese named the island Elephanta, after the large statue of an elephant they found near the spot where they docked their ships. Come and discover the unique beauty and intriguing tales of these temple caves with today’s memorable excursion.

Travel by minivan vehicle to the Gateway of India, the city’s most recognized landmark. Built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, the archway was originally conceived as an entry point for people arriving on steamers from England. Today, the gateway serves as a launching point for your own exploration of the Elephanta Temple.

Boarding a motor boat, enjoy the approximately one hour and thirty minutes cruise to the Elephanta landing. From the jetty you have the option of either taking the mini train or walking approximately 15 minutes to the base of the long stairway which leads to the top of the hill, where the caves are located. As you enter, you will see a magnificent sculpture of Shiva as Nataraj, showing an enraptured expression as he removes the veil of ignorance. The most outstanding sculpture is a bust of Trimurti—the three-faced Shiva representing the Hindu trinity, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. In other panels, Shiva is depicted in service to humanity as he brings the River Ganges to Earth, and at his most fearsome as he crushes the demon of Andhaka. Later, board the motor boat for return cruise to the Gateway.

Re-board your vehicle for the transfer back to your ship.

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE & TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
00h00 - 00h15	Depart from the pier by minivan to the Gateway of India		This tour is NOT suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
00h15 - 01h45	Board the motor boat and cruise to Elephanta Island
01h45 - 03h45	Arrive and visit Elephanta Island	1.5km / Uneven, cobblestones / 125 long steps each way
03h45 - 05h15	Board your motor boat and return to Mumbai
05h15 – 05h30	Return to the pier

FULL DAY THE VICTORIAN PAST

FULL DAY
THE VICTORIAN PAST

Experience the highlights of this fascinating city, with its Western monuments and Eastern sensibilities.

Begin your tour with photo stop at the Gateway of India, the city’s most famous landmark an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.

Next visit, The Church of St John the Evangelist better known as Afghan Church in South Mumbai, built by the British to commemorate the dead of the disastrous First Afghan War of 1838. The church is located in Navy Nagar in the Colaba area of Mumbai. Besides British soldiers it also commemorates different Indian regiments, such as the Bombay Army, the Madras Army, and Ranjit Singh's army from Lahore.

Drive along Marine Drive-Mumbai’s seaside promenade, an eight-lane highway with a wide pavement. Its graceful curve sweeps from the skyscrapers at Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill, Mumbai’s ritziest neighborhood. At the top of hill are the Hanging Gardens, laid out in 1881. Here, an assortment of hedges, trimmed into animal shapes. The gardens also offer a superb view of the bustling city centre in the distance.

You then proceed to Bhau Daji Lad Museum (formerly the Victoria and Albert Museum) one of the oldest museums in Mumbai. It was established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts. The museum houses a large number of archaeological finds, maps and historical photographs of Mumbai.

You then visit, Crawford Market - one of South Mumbai's most famous markets. It is named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of the city. The market is situated near to Victoria Terminus railway station. The market houses a wholesale fruit, vegetable and poultry market.

Finally, visit and savor a relaxing lunch while exploring the historic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which dates back to the 1500s before returning back to the ship.

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE / TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
00h00 – 00h10	Leave from pier to Gateway of India		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
00h10 – 00h15	Arrive at Gateway of India (photo stop only)	10 steps/ flat Terrain
00h15 – 00h30	Leave for Afghan Church
00h30 – 01h00	Arrive and visit Afghan Church	4 steps/ flat Terrain
01h00 – 01h30	Leave for Hanging Gardens
01h30 – 02h00	Arrive and visit Hanging Gardens	2 steps/ Uneven Terrain
02h00 – 02h15	Leave for Victoria & Albert Museum
11h15 – 12h00	Arrive and visit Victoria & Albert Museum	5 steps/ Uneven Terrain
03h00 – 03h15	Leave for Crawford market
03h15 – 03h45	Arrive and visit market	Uneven Terrain
03h45 – 03h15	Leave for hotel Taj Mahal	10 steps/ flat Terrain
04h15 – 05h45	Arrive at hotel and proceed for lunch (On Direct Payment)
05h45 – 06h00	Back to pier

Udaipur

Jodhpur

Jaipur

Agra

Delhi (New Delhi)

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

12/05/2025 - 12/15/2025

from $2,250 per person

12/19/2025 - 12/29/2025

from $2,350 per person *

01/09/2026 - 01/19/2026

from $2,250 per person

01/30/2026 - 02/09/2026

from $2,250 per person

02/13/2026 - 02/23/2026

from $2,250 per person

02/27/2026 - 03/09/2026

from $2,250 per person

03/10/2026 - 03/20/2026

from $2,350 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $2,250 per person

Length

10 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Superior

Remarks

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1589606

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

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