See the Marvels of North and South India

During this 15-day tour from Indus Travels, you’ll visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, search for the elusive royal bengal tiger, and trek to the Amber Fort on the back of an elephant. You’ll visit seven cities in all, traveling in a deluxe coach bus with English-speaking guides. The tour includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) or Los Angeles (LAX)
• 1 night of standard accommodations at The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa New Delhi or The Park New Delhi in New Delhi
• 1 night of standard accommodations at Jaypee Palace Hotel & Convention Centre or Trident Agra in Agra
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at Treehouse Anuraga Resort in Ranthambore
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at Hilton Jaipur or Radisson Blu Jaipur in Jaipur
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at Holiday Inn Cochin in Cochin
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at Cardamom County Thekkady in Thekkady
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at Ramada Alleppey in Alleppey
• On-arrival meeting and assistance by representative
• Traditional Indian welcome
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Transportation and transfers in an air-conditioned deluxe coach
• Round-trip airport transfer
• Transfers between cities
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Horse cart ride at Agra
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
• Canter safari at Ranthambore National Park
• Services of English-speaking guides
• Taxes and fuel surcharges

Getting to India

Your trip begins with an overnight flight from the United States. You’ll get a connecting flight in Dubai and arrive in Delhi on the morning of day 3. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a breakfast buffet at your hotel.

Delhi

Delhi is home to lively bazaars and red sandstone mosques that date back hundreds of years. Your hotel is in New Delhi, the capital, which feels modern and decidedly British. Here are a few of the things you can see during your stay here:

• A temple for the masses: Laxmi Narayan Temple, built to honor the Hindu goddess of wealth, was one of the first to open its doors to visitors of every caste, thanks to the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Raj Ghat: This memorial to Gandhi includes colorful flowers and an eternal flame. Steps away, the Yamuna River affords an idyllic place for a moment of reflection.
• Optional Old Delhi tour on day 3 includes a rickshaw ride and visits to a market known for its jewelry, a spice market, and one of the largest mosques in India ($65/person).
• Sightseeing tour of New Delhi: You’ll see the Vice Regal Palace, government buildings, and Qutab Minar, the largest brick minaret in the world.

Agra

You’ll be driven to Agra on day 4. This ancient city served as the ruling seat of the lavish Mughal empire in medieval times. One of the best-known remnants of the city’s glory days is the Taj Mahal. You can visit it at sunset on day 4 ($45/person) or join the included sunrise visit the next morning.

• Indian icon: Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor of India, built the Taj Mahal for his third wife after her untimely death. UNESCO calls the it “the jewel of Muslim art in India.”
• Agra Fort housed six generations of Mughal emperors. The red sandstone fortress’s moat was once filled with crocodiles to fend off intruders. You’ll visit it on day 5.

Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is a scenic region between two mountain ranges; it’s filled with forests, lakes, and ancient ruins.

• Birds galore: More than 270 bird species have been spotted in Ranthambore.
• Wildlife sightings: You might see leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, and crocodiles.
• Take an early morning game drive on day 6 in search of the elusive royal bengal tiger.

Jaipur

Jaipur is often called the “Pink City” because of its abundance of rose-colored sandstone buildings. It contains several lively bazaars where you can purchase spices, handwoven carpets, and other local goods. On the outskirts of town is Amber Fort, a well-preserved palace constructed in the late 16th century. You’ll trek up to the fort on the back of an elephant on day 8. While in Jaipur, you can also join in the following optional excursions:

• Bollywood experience: See a Bollywood movie at the opulent Raj Mandir Cinema ($25/person). The theater burns different blends of incense at various points in the film.
• Jaipur by night: See the quieter side of Jaipur, and the shift in its pink shade, after the bazaars have packed up and many people have returned home for the night ($45/person).
• Jaipur city tour: See the City Palace, a centuries-old astronomical observatory, and Hawa Mahal, a stunning structure that allowed royal women to look down on the city’s street festivals unobserved ($45/person).

Cochin

After breakfast on day 9, you’ll head to Cochin in the southwest. It was once a key port in the Indian spice trade, which accounts for the international influences you’ll see around town, including Christian and Jewish houses of worship.

• St. Francis Church: This was the original burial place of Vasco de Gama, the Portuguese explorer who was the first European to reach India by sea.
• The Dutch Palace contains some of the country’s most beautiful murals.
• Optional dance show: See a performance of Kathakali, which literally means “story dance.” It blends acting and dancing to portray a dramatic tale ($35/person).
• Optional cooking lesson: Visit a local family to learn how to prepare some of the region’s signature dishes blending Jewish, Syrian, Arabic, and Portuguese flavors ($75/person).

Thekkady

Next, you’ll head inland to Thekkady, visiting tea and rubber plantations along the way. Thekkady is the site of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can spot tigers and elephants in their natural habitat. Here are some of the optional tours you can choose from:

• Spice plantation visit: See how cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices are grown ($40/person).
• Cruise on Lake Periyar: Keep an eye out for elephants, bison, and flying squirrels ($75/person).
• Periyar Tiger Reserve: Float on bamboo rafts and hike through dense forests while an armed guard helps you spy tigers ($95/person).
• Elephant experience: See elephants bathe, feed, and drag timber through the forest ($90/person).

Alleppey

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, sits on a network of canals popular for leisure cruising. The surrounding farmland is dotted with coconut and rice plantations. You’ll have a few side tours to choose from here:

• Cycling tour: Pedal a bike along the beaches and country roads and refuel with traditional Keralan refreshments prepared by locals ($100/person).
• Backwater kayaking: Paddle through Alleppey’s canals and rivers, stopping for a Keralan lunch along the way ($70/person).
• Deluxe houseboat cruise: Board a kettuvallam, or houseboat, to leisurely explore the waterways ($100/person). The boat is modeled after the barges used to transport rice and spices to Cochin.

Return to the United States

On day 15, you’ll be transferred to the Cochin airport for your flight home.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal? This deal is available from New York (JFK) or Los Angeles (LAX) but you can book your own connecting flights separately or call Indus Travels (866­) 978-2997 for pricing from other gateways.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal? Yes, you may extend your trip for a supplemental fee at the time of booking.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available? The dates available are listed on each option.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available? We suggest calling Indus Travels to redeem your vouchers as soon as possible so that you do not run into this problem.

5. Does my child need a Groupon, and can they stay in my room? Children must be at least 10 years old to travel on this tour. Each traveler (including children) must purchase a Groupon voucher.

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