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India

Go Solo: Explore Delhi, Agra & More Highlights of India

Program No. 25126RJ
On this adventure exclusively for solo travelers, watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, experience the Ganges River and much more on this immersion into India.
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Small GroupCity DiscoveriesNewSolo Travelers Only
Length
12 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
3,899
Flights start at
1,200
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
24 meals ( 9B, 8L, 7D )
6 expert-led lectures
19 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
2 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. There is no official programming today. Arrivals throughout the day and early evening. Any early-morning arrivals today will need to book a pre-program hotel night if they would like to guarantee that their room will be available prior to 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Standing and walking for up to 1 hour in the Qutab Minar on stone walkways and uneven steps. Walking at Gandhi Smirti mainly on flat, level ground.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. All transfers and transportation throughout the program will be conducted via motorcoach, and most field trips will be led by our Group Leader unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may be changed due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will board our motorcoach to explore New Delhi. With our Group Leader, we will experience Qutub Minar, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and one of the finest monuments in all of India, soaring up 237 feet. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, began construction in 1192. The conical tower is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture. Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has survived the ravages of time impressively. From here, we will take the motorcoach to visit Gandhi Smirti, where Mahatma Gandhi—the “Father of the Nation”— spent his last 144 days from September 9, 1947 until he was assassinated on January 30, 1948. It has been preserved as a museum that displays Gandhi’s few personal effects as well as paintings, pictures, sculptures, and other relics. The memorial perpetuates Gandhi’s legacy and highlights his values and ideas.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the motorcoach for an introduction to New Delhi. En route, our Group Leader gives us an overview of the Indian System of Government, the world’s largest parliamentary democracy. We will take in various sites, including India Gate—reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris—a site that commemorates Indian soldiers who died during World War I; Parliament (Sansad Bhawan), the nation’s supreme legislative body; and President House (Rashtrapati Bhavan), a huge complex that serves as the official residence of the President of India. After our exploration, we will return to the hotel to rest and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Jama Mosque and the Sikh Temple each have around 40 wide steps with limited or no handrails; steps are also steep. Walking sticks are recommended for those who have difficulty climbing. Jama Mosque provides gowns to be worn by women. The Sikh Temple provides scarves to both men and women to cover the head. Neither location allows shoes, shorts or socks to be worn inside. The bicycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi is through an extremely crowded market.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We begin our day with a presentation at the hotel on the Relevance of Gandhian Thought, led by a local expert. We will then head out to visit Old Delhi on our motorcoach. Driving past the massive sandstone walls of the Red Fort, we’ll gain an appreciation for this symbol of Mughal power and pomp. Arriving at Jama Masjid, we will explore the largest Muslim mosque in India. Later, we will embark on a delightful change of pace as we take a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, a centuries-old market bazaar. Be amazed at the small narrow lanes and the flurry that surrounds this busy marketplace.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll explore the living culture of India as we visit a Sikh temple. After spending time listening to the prayers, we will visit the soup kitchen that offers daily free meals for anyone in need of food. We will explore the kitchen and, for those interested in lending a helping hand, we’ll make some rotis with the women there. Sikh temples are special places of worship where everything is run by volunteers. It is a requirement for all Sikhs to volunteer time at the temples. We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
At a local home. We will divide into smaller groups of 6-8 for home-hosted dinners with local urban Indian families. Enjoy this opportunity to interact with family members and learn about their culture and traditions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 127 miles to Agra, approximately 4 hours total riding time with rest stops along the way. At the Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb in Agra, shoes need to be removed.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board our motorcoach and depart for Agra. En route, the Group Leader will introduce us to Indian history and discuss the impact of British rule on India. We’ll arrive at the hotel in Agra around midday.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll check in to the hotel and have some down time. In the late afternoon, we’ll take our motorcoach on a field trip to the mausoleum of Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, popularly known as the “Baby Taj.” It was the first monument in India built entirely in marble rather than red sandstone. The tomb was built from 1622 to 1628 by the Queen of Jahangir, Nurjahan, as a memorial to her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Its fascinating history chronicles the “rags to riches” saga of a poor merchant who rose to become chief minister of the Mughal emperor. The elaborately carved tomb in the Islamic style — like a jewel box set in a tranquil garden on the banks of the Yamuna River — was an inspiration for the Taj Mahal years later. We will continue to Mehtab Bagh, a garden complex across the Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal. Here we will be joined by a local expert to learn about Mughal Architecture as the sun sets over the Taj Mahal.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue enjoying the company of new Road Scholar friends, sharing your favorite experiences of the day.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Early-morning wake-up call to depart for sunrise at Taj Mahal; weather conditions may delay visit until after breakfast. Both the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal involve long periods of standing, walking and a few small steps, low and wide. At the Taj Mahal, a short wait is expected at the entrance gate. Once inside, the walking exploration is around 1.5 hours with benches to rest on throughout. Walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
We will set out pre-dawn to watch the rising sun bathe the pristine white marble of the Taj Mahal in warm hues of gold, ochre and orange (subject to weather conditions). As the UNESCO World Heritage Convention states, “An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.” The building is unique due to its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, and medium of construction and ornamentation. You will have some time to explore the exquisite grounds and view the highly decorated interior chamber before we return to the hotel for breakfast.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will set off to explore Agra Fort with our Group Leader. We’ll visit the important sections of the fort and learn about its historical significance. Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, over a period of time the Agra Fort acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace. Our morning concludes with a unique cooking demonstration at a local family’s house.
Lunch:
At the residence, we’ll enjoy lunch made especially for us. We’ll then return to the hotel.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 149 miles, approximately 6 hours riding time with stops along the way. Our walk in the market is mainly on even ground with a few steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we head west by motorcoach towards Jaipur. Along the way, we will learn about modern India from our Group Leader. We will arrive in Jaipur in time for lunch.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
Following some time to settle in at the hotel, we will take a late-afternoon walk through a local market. We can appreciate the essence of this amazing city as we absorb the riot of colors and activities at the market.
Dinner:
We will enjoy a traditional dinner with a family at their home.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Getting in/out of jeeps at Amber Fort. The fort is set up on a hill and has several flights of stairs with uneven walkways in between. Walking at the fort for approximately 1/2 mile. Walking up to 1/2 mile to City Palace on mainly flat surfaces. Hawal Mahal is a stop en route for a nice view or photo. Walking up to 1/2 mile to Jantar Mantar on mainly flat surfaces.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be joined by a local expert for a presentation on contemporary women’s issues. We then board our motorcoach and set out for Amber (pronounced Amer) Fort, set in rugged hills approximately six miles from Jaipur. En route, we will stop for photos at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), located on the edge of the City Palace. Hawa Mahal allowed the royal ladies of the palace to be able to watch any processions and activities on the street without being seen by the public. At Amber Fort, we will learn about the construction of this ancient citadel, which began in 1592. The formidable exterior of red sandstone and white marble with its terraces and ramparts is reflected in Maota Lake. The fabulous interiors are a blend of Hindu and Mughal art and architecture. These former royal halls are decorated with intricate ivory, mirror, and glass work, complemented by exquisite wall paintings. After our morning’s exploration, we will transfer by motorcoach to lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we will visit the City Palace. Although it is still the Maharaja’s residence, it has been largely given over to a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings, royal apparel and an armory. We will then visit Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by city founder Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh between 1727 and 1734, the Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best-preserved in India. We’ll then return to our hotel.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out, early-morning transfer to the airport, and our flight to Varanasi tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 180 miles, approximately 5 hours riding time. Getting on/off an airplane; the flight from Delhi to Varanasi is approximately 1 hour. The evening Aarti requires walking down the ghats (steps) to get to the Ganges River to board small boats to go out on the river. Participants must be able to climb down and up ghats for approximately 20-40 steps depending on the water level, and get in/out of small boats.
Breakfast:
Early-morning cold breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Early morning, we will board our motorcoach for the transfer to New Delhi airport for our flight to Varanasi.
Lunch:
At the airport.
Afternoon:
Our flight to Varanasi arrives in the evening. We will transfer by motorcoach to the hotel and check in. In the late afternoon, we depart on the motorcoach to the River Ganges to witness an Aarti Ceremony while enjoying a river cruise (subject to weather conditions). We will witness the sacred Hindu prayer ritual of “puja” and “aarti.” Puja refers to a variety of rites, one of which is aarti (also arti, arati), a ceremony in which light from little lamps with wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aarti also refers to the songs sung in praise of the deity when lamps are being offered.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The morning boat ride requires walking down the ghats (steps) to get to the Ganges River to board small boats to go out on the river. Participants must be able to climb down and up ghats for approximately 20-40 steps—depending on the water level—and get in/out of small boats. To get to the ghats also requires walking 1/2 mile on busy, narrow cobblestone streets, possibly with smoke from cremations. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
We begin before breakfast with an early-morning boat ride on the Ganges River to see the daily rituals on the ghats along the Ganges. We’ll continue with a short walk along old Varanasi to explore some of the temples in this area before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach to visit the home of a professional musician and watch a classical sitar performance. After learning something of classical Indian music, we’ll board our motorcoach and return to the hotel.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy local fare. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking at Sarnath mainly on flat, level ground. Early afternoon airport transfers to Varanasi Airport. Mid-afternoon flight to Delhi is approximately 1 hour. Flight from Varanasi to Delhi is included in program cost. Arrive at Delhi Airport in late afternoon/early evening. International flights home should depart Delhi Airport no earlier than 9:30pm. Participants booked on the Nepal extension will having an overnight in Delhi and will fly to Kathmandu next morning from Delhi.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we will depart for Sarnath, the holy site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will transfer by motorcoach to Varanasi Airport. Participants will board flights leaving Varanasi early in the afternoon for Delhi. These flight tickets are booked by our local vendor in India and will be given to you by the Group Leader. Your flight leaving Delhi must not leave any earlier than 9:30pm local time in order to allow enough travel time from Varanasi. Once in the Delhi International Airport, we will check in for their international flights home. This concludes our program. For those joining the program extension to Nepal (Program # 22520 – Extension: The Splendor of Nepal), you will be transferred to your hotel in New Delhi for the night. Your dinner will be included at the hotel. Your Group Leader will provide the flight itineraries and the necessary information for those joining this extension program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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