10 Days | Culture & Community in India Tour escorted by Jim Pankratz

Main destination India · About Escorted or Guided Tour

10 Days | Culture & Community in India Tour escorted by Jim Pankratz

Main destination India · About Escorted or Guided Tour
Photo credit: Ahmad-Dalloul

Experience the vitality and wonder of India with a group of cultural adventurers and spiritual travellers. Engage with people and religions. Explore cultures, history, art, and landscapes. Marvel at the beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, the serenity of nature in the Keoladeo National Park, and the grandeur of the forts and palaces in Delhi and Jaipur. Delight in the tapestries of colour and intermingling fragrances in markets, train stations, and temple courtyards. Tour leader Jim Pankratz will guide this unique adventure. Jim is the past President of Conrad Grebel University College. He and his wife Goldine have lived and travelled in India. Jim has led tours to India, as well as taught courses and done research on world religions, Indian history and culture, Christianity in India, and Gandhi.

Culture & Community in India Tour, October 28-November 6, 2020
escorted by Jim Pankratz

Tour fare per person:

CAD: Double occupancy $3,339; single supplement $757
USD: Double occupancy $2,569; single supplement $549
Important note: Costs could increase if you sign up less than 90 days before a tour begins

Fare includes:

  • Hotel accommodations
  • Group airport transfers
  • All land transportation within tour
  • All breakfasts, all dinners
  • Expert tour leader and knowledgeable local guides
  • All entrance fees included in itinerary
  • Gratuities for drivers, guides and group meals

Fare excludes:

  • International airfare
  • Airport transfers if separate from the group
  • Lunches
  • Drinks with meals (other than water)
  • Tourist visa
  • Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) and cancellation/interruption insurance

Insurance
Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) insurance and cancellation/interruption insurance are not mandatory but are highly recommended.

Payments
All rates shown are in effect at the time of printing (June 2019). Although every effort is made to maintain the prices as established, TourMagination does reserve the right to adjust prices on this tour should it become necessary. The published price is guaranteed when paid in full. We accept check/cheque payments, and credit card payments. Please note that payments made using credit cards will be charged a 3% fee.


Itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday, October 28: Delhi

Arrive in Delhi, a city with a vibrant mix of old and new—teeming with bazaars, stately British boulevards, Mughal palaces and forts, and more. Transfer to your hotel and meet the rest of your travelling companions. If time allows, take a walking tour of the area near your hotel.

Day 2: Thursday, October 29: Delhi

Visit the Raj Ghat, a cremation site for major Indian leaders including Mahatma Gandhi. Then tour the National Gandhi Museum and attend a presentation about Gandhi, to learn more about this prominent leader’s use of nonviolent action to support Indian independence. Wind through the alleys of Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest bazaars, by bicycle rickshaw and on foot. Visit the Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, and learn from an expert about Muslim worship and its history in India.

Day 3: Friday, October 30: Delhi

Friday, October 30: Delhi
See Delhi’s Parliament Buildings and take a short walk through the lush Mughal Gardens. Visit the Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, a Sikh place of worship, to learn about the Sikh faith. The langar, or Sikh community kitchen, provides a free meal to anyone who enters—expressing the Sikh ethics of equality, community, and peace. It’s amazing to see the amount of food they prepare each day! Next, learn about the Baha’i faith at the Lotus Temple, one of only ten Baha’i houses of worship in the world. Shop for beautiful regional crafts during free time at the Connaught Place craft emporiums. Stop at Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory dating to the 18th century.

Day 4: Saturday, October 31: Vrindavan / Mathura

Depart Delhi this morning to visit Vrindavan and Mathura, two neighbouring towns where, according to Hindu belief, Krishna was born and grew up. These towns are important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus. Learn about Hinduism from a local expert. Visit the Mathura Museum and admire ancient art from Mathura’s past, reaching back 3,000 years. Stroll along the Yamuna River, a sacred tributary of the Ganges.

Day 5: Sunday, November 1: Agra

Sunday, November 1: Agra
On an early-morning boat ride along the Yamuna River, see devotees in the water along the river banks. Continue to Agra, where you may stop at the striking tombs of the Mughal emperor Akbar and of Itmad-ud-Daulah. The tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah is sometimes called a first draft of the Taj Mahal, as it represents a transition in architectural styles away from the older style of Akbar’s tomb. Visit Agra Fort, a massive complex built of red sandstone enclosing the 16th century Mughal imperial city. Finally you’ll arrive at the famed Taj Mahal—a structure of incredible beauty that will not disappoint! Take a guided tour, then enjoy free time to further admire the Taj and its surroundings.

Day 6: Monday, November 2: Keoladeo National Park

Travel from Agra to the Keoladeo National Park, a protected park with diverse ecology which acts as a sanctuary to many birds, animals, and flowering plants. It is one of the richest bird habitats in the world and is a World Heritage Site. Explore the park on guided walks where you’re sure to see many natural wonders.

Day 7: Tuesday, November 3: Abhaneri / Jaipur

Tuesday, November 3: Abhaneri / Jaipur
If you’re a dedicated birder who can’t get enough of this park, rise for an early morning guided walk to catch sight of a few more of the 366 bird species who make their home here. Then you’re on the road again travelling further into the desert province of Rajasthan. In Abhaneri, visit a thousand-year-old step well. This colossal well, called Chand Baori, is considered one of the most beautiful step wells in India. Wells like this were built to provide water year-round in the arid climate. Continue to Jaipur, India’s first planned city—also known as the Pink City due to its striking pink-coloured buildings. After a brief city tour, visit a local family and get to know more about Indian culture and diversity. As dinner is prepared, learn about the staples of Indian cuisine, then share a meal together in the family home.

Day 8: Wednesday, November 4: Jaipur


The Amber Fort, perched on a hill outside of Jaipur, combines impressive fortifications with beauty and charm. As you tour the structure and its surrounding ruins, learn about its history. Back within Jaipur, spend time shopping and people watching as you visit the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city at Johori Bazaar, a true feast for the senses. Then you’ll have free time to explore further on your own.

Day 9: Thursday, November 5: Delhi

Thursday, November 5: Delhi
After driving back to Delhi, visit the Gandhi Smriti, a memorial and information centre at the site of Gandhi’s untimely death. Explore the expansive Lodhi Garden with its beautiful landscaping surrounding ancient tombs, or perhaps visit the nearby Khan Market—a popular shopping destination. Over dinner together, reminisce and reflect on your experiences.

Day 10: Friday, November 6

Say farewell to your travelling companions as you depart for home, filled with memories of all you’ve seen in the incredible land of India.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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