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MUMBAI (1 nt) + INDIAN MAHARAJA LUXURY RAIL TOUR (7 nts - from MUMBAI to AURANGABAD, UDAIPUR, RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK, JAIPUR, BHARATPUR, AGRA & DELHI) + DELHI (2 nts)

Departure Monday December 21st 2009

December 21 (Mon) London/Mumbai
Depart London-Heathrow by overnight Jet Airways scheduled flight.

December 22 (Tue) Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai this morning for your transfer to the Taj Mahal Hotel where you will stay for one night (Tower Wing - Superior City View Room, with Breakfast). Remainder of day at leisure.

December 23 (Wed) Mumbai
Morning at leisure for relaxation or optional sightseeing in India's dynamic commercial capital. In the afternoon you are driven to the railway station to board the 'Indian Maharaja'. Dinner and overnight on board the train, en route for Daulatabad (Aurangabad).

December 24 (Thu) Aurangabad
Morning arrival at Daulatabad. After breakfast on board, you visit the Ellora Caves (22 kms/1 hour), One of India' s leading World Heritage Sites, Ellora houses 34 monasteries and temples, some dating back over a thousand years. After lunch at a city hotel you are driven to Ajanta (100 kms /3 hours) to see the famous caves, home to one of the historical and architectural marvels of India. A World Heritage Site, the Ajanta group of caves, located deep within the Sahyadri hills, depict the story of Buddhism that prevailed here from 200 BC to 650 AD. Later, drive to Jalgaon station to board the train (55 kms /1.5 hrs). Dinner on board as you begin the overnight journey to Udaipur.

December 25 (Fri) Udaipur
Arrive Udaipur Christmas Day morning, with late ‘brunch’ on the train. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola, Udaipur was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought an era of renaissance in the arts and the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating in the vast complex of the City Palace. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refuge of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, later the creator of the Taj Mahal. Sightseeing also includes the Garden of the Maids of Honour, famed for its fountains and statuary - and the imposing 16th century Jagdish Temple. In the evening enjoy a cruise on Lake Pichola (subject to water levels) to visit the exquisite Jag Mandir Palace, followed by a Gala Dinner at a city hotel. After dinner rejoin the train for the overnight journey to Sawai Madhopur.

December 26 (Sat) Ranthambore
Arrive Sawai Madhopur for morning and afternoon safaris in nearby Ranthambore National Park (lunch on board the train). The forests around Ranthambore Fort were once the private grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Strict conservation has today meant that tigers - the Park’s prime assets - have become more active (and therefore more easy to see) during daylight. Leave for Jaipur in the evening.

December 27 (Sun) Jaipur
Morning arrival in Jaipur for an eventful day exploring Rajasthan’s famous ‘Pink City’ – whose rugged hills. ancient palaces. gardens and forts were once witness to royal processions and splendour and are now living monuments integrated into the city’s 21st century lifestyle. There is a timeless quality to Jaipur's bazaars and the colourful saris and turbans worn by its residents – while heavily-laden camels still make their way through the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses. After breakfast on board, you visit the elaborate façade of the Hawa Mahal (‘Palace of Winds’) behind which the ladies of the court once watched the daily goings-on in the street below. Continue to the ancient capital of Amber just outside Jaipur to visit (by elephant or jeep) the fabulous 17th century Amber Fort, with its sprawling complex of courtyards and halls with superb wall paintings adorned with precious stones and mirrors. After lunch on the train a city sightseeing tour includes the great City Palace (a complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways) and the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory built by the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1726. There is also time to wander in the local markets before rejoining the train for departure to Bharatpur.

December 28 (Mon) Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After an early arrival in Bharatpur we drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. The latter’s deserted red sandstone city, built in the 16th century by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar, was quickly abandoned when the wells went dry. It remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. Complete with palaces and mosque, it is an extraordinary place through which to wander. We continue to Agra, a city much associated with India’s Mughal period and whose prize architectural icon is the superlative Taj Mahal. 20,000 men laboured for over 20 years to create this white marble gem for the 17th century Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz. We also visit Akbar’s magnificent Agra Fort, the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under many successive generations. In the evening rejoin the train for the journey to Delhi.

December 29 (Tue) Delhi
After breakfast on board you enjoy a day’s sightseeing of India’s sprawling capital (with lunch at a city hotel). Delhi is a bustling metropolitan cocktail of the ancient and modern where historic monuments and crowded bazaars are eloquent reminders of the city’s unique history and heritage – while ever-increasing ranks of contemporary skyscrapers and a patchwork of tree-lined avenues and spacious parks reflect the priorities of a new and forward-looking age. In Old Delhi you will see Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and drive past the awesome Red Fort, continuing to the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. A tour of New Delhi includes a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India, the imposing India Gate, the Parliament Building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's Residence. Cocktail Dinner and overnight on board the train.

December 30 (Wed) Delhi
After breakfast you leave the train and transfer to The Imperial Hotel (Heritage Room with Breakfast) for a 3-night stay. Remainder of day at leisure or optional sightseeing.

December 31 (Thu) Delhi
A day at leisure in India’s historic administrative capital for relaxation and/or optional sightseeing.

January 01 (Fri) Delhi
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your Jet Airways scheduled flight to London-Heathrow, arriving late-evening.

INCLUSIVE PRICES from £3870 per person (sharing double/twin room/compartment)

Single supplements and for Gold Class Cabins/Platinum Class Presidential Suites on the ‘Indian Maharaja’ available on request.

Prices are correct at the time this website was prepared but are subject to change. Please check with us.

Flights by Other Airlines: Please ask for details and prices for flights by other airlines and from alternative UK departure points. Other Departure Dates: Similar tours with travel on board the ‘Indian Majaraha’ between Mumabi and Delhi (or vice cersa) are also available between November 2009 nd March 2010. Please ask us for details.

Price Includes: Economy Class flights with Jet Airways from London/Mumbai and Delhi/London • 3 nights shared double/twin room accommodation at hotels named with meals as described • 7 nights shared twin Silver Class deluxe cabin accommodation (air-conditioned with private facilities) on board the ‘Indian Maharaja train, with full board • Airport/hotel transfers in Mumbai and Delhi by private air-conditioned vehicle * Sightseeing and other activities included in the programme as described above – by air-conditioned Toyota Innova or similar in Delhi and Mumbai * Group sightseeing (in shared vehicle) on sightseeing tours forming part of the ‘Indian Maharaja’ programme • Entrance fees at all monuments visited and any local taxes applicable to items included in the tour arrangements • Services of English-speaking driver/guides on featured tour programme • Assistance and porterage at hotels. airports and stations featured in tour • Current Airport Departure Tax • Airline Insurance and Fuel Surcharges • Assistance of our local representatives.

Price Excludes: Personal insurance and any special insurance for activity sports • Government taxes • Tips and expenses of a personal nature. A valid passport (minimum validity 6 months from return date) is required. Clients must be fully insured from the time of booking.

For Bookings & Enquiries please call us on: 020 8893 1781 or email: tours@goldendays.co.uk

All our tours can be tailor made to meet your exact requirements.

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