Getting there…

There are options!!!  Katy’s Uncle Tony has put together a vacation package for those that want to spend a few days before the wedding festivities touring some incredible parts of India.  If you’re interested please contact Huffman travel at the number listed below.  The sooner he has an accurate count, the better the rate.  Please click here for the details and approx costs for the India Package (Doesn’t include airfare, but the can help you with that as well!)

For those with a shorter time frame, there are different ways to get to Ahmedabad!  The flight over can be anywhere between 18hrs to 24hrs.  There are flights that go from Chicago, New York, Newark and Boston.

How to find flights?  Try Kayak.com, Jetairways.com, AirIndia.com and DubaiAirlines.com.    Also, don’t book flights too far in advance.  The prices for these tickets drop quite a bit about 3 to 4 months before the departure date.   For info on the visa process and other details, please check out the Important Info section!

The India Package!

Please call Huffman Travel ASAP if you are planning on taking the trip below!

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    Itinerary   |  Registration  |  Costs

LOYD/SHAH FAMILY AND FRIENDS - PRIVATE INDIA TOUR  FEBRUARY 4th to the 10th, 2009

ITINERARY

February 04, Wednesday

Arrive Delhi.  After clearing customs and immigration you are met and transferred to your hotel. Please look onto your LEFT to spot the Peirce and Leslie representative carrying a board with your name.

Hotel: Maidens
Room: Superior

February 05, Thursday

Delhi
You have a slow start to the day to rest after the long flight. After an early lunch you tour some of the sights of the capital city. Today you will explore the area referred to as Old Delhi. This was the former Imperial capital of the Mughal Emperor, though very little remains of the grandeur of the Emperor Shah Jahan’s city. You will drive past the Red Fort which was built in the mid 17th century when the Emperor moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. From here you drive to the 300 year old Chandni Chowk market, its narrow lanes best explored in a cycle rickshaw. As you wind your way through the narrow alleys you will see remnants of the grand houses that were once the homes of wealthy nobles. Today it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewelry, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables. Apothecaries sell home grown medicinal items, and roadside dentists display their bizarre array of equipment and false teeth. This is an excellent introduction to the organized chaos which is quintessentially Indian. You will disembark at the Jama Masjid, believed to be the largest mosque in India and which was Shah Jahan’s last architectural legacy. Originally it was called Masjid-I-Jahanum which means “The mosque commanding a view of the world”. In complete contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, Raj Ghat is an oasis of manicured lawns and peace. This is the simple yet stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India’s independence.

From here you visit one of the architectural triumphs of the Mughal Empire – Humayun’s Tomb. Humayun’s tomb is the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former splendor and the fountains working, it is a very attractive site. Architecturally the mausoleum drew its inspiration from the styles prevalent in Samarkand, and the design of the Taj Mahal is based on this tomb. You will return to your hotel via the area known as New Delhi and stop at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Combining what Lord Hardinge, The Viceroy suggested “western architecture with an Oriental motif”, this former viceregal lodge, today is the home of the President of India.

Hotel: Maidens
Room: Superior
Meals: Breakfast

February 06, Friday

Delhi/Agra
The six hour journey today takes you to Agra.  On the way to Agra you will stop at the tomb at Sikandra.  In the tradition of all Mughal emperors, the tomb was begun by Akbar but completed by his son Jehangir.  Woven into the Mughal garden tomb format, are Akbar’s ideas of Din-I-Ilahi, a universal religion combining beliefs from Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.  The stone was quarried from near Fatehpur Sikri and the great gateway has magnificently bold polychrome inlay in geometric and floral patterns.   The four minarets crowning its corners are an innovation in tombs, later seen at the Taj Mahal.  The calligraphy on the monument is exceptional.

In the evening you will stop at Mahtab Bagh, a 17th century Mughal garden. Its location across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, provides a breathtaking view of the monument.

Hotel: Taj View
Room: Deluxe
Meals: Breakfast, Packed lunch

February 07, Saturday

Agra
The Taj Mahal is best seen at different times of the day when the white marble reflects the nuances of the changing light from the sun. You may like to start your day early with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.

Agra at one time served as the capital city for the great Mughal Empire, and it is the repository of some of their finest architectural creations.

You start your tour of the two great monuments of the city, at the Agra Fort. The present structure stands on the site of 14th century fort that was occupied by the Lodi Sultans of Delhi. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding the fort as a beautiful fort palace. The work was completed by his son and grandson, highlighting the Mughal’s ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in a part of this fort that Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters where he was confined, has a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.

The Taj Mahal, which you visit next, is perhaps the world’s most perfectly proportioned monument. This stunning mausoleum immortalized the name of Shah Jahan’s last wife Mumtaz Mahal, “light of the palace”. Built by Indian artisans and artisans from neighboring Islamic countries, it is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi precious stones and Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an “Urs”, an important place of pilgrimage since the empress died in childbirth making her a martyr. Prayers are said and passages from Koran are constantly recited in the mosque and cenotaph chamber.

In the afternoon you go on a walking tour of the Old city. You begin at the Fort station which reflects the influence of colonial architecture, at the time the British began converting Agra from an Imperial city to an industrial city. The walk takes you past the gigantic Jama Masjid, to the silver lingam of the Shiva Temple. Following the narrow lanes you will pass shops selling items used in decorating the images of gods and goddesses; in the spice market of Rawat Para you will see the ornamental and decorated facades of the houses; at Namak Ki Mandu, you can see craftspeople beat metal to extract the gold and silver used in Ayurvedic medicines; and the walk ends at the Akbari Mosque which leads to the 16th century stone paved streets of Kinari Bazaar.

In the evening you will return to the Taj Mahal in time for sunset.

Hotel: Taj View
Room: Deluxe
Meals: Breakfast

February 08, Sunday

Agra/Jaipur
Leaving after breakfast you will drive to Jaipur, the journey taking eight hours.

On the way you will stop to see one of the Mughal Empires most inspired creations, Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to honor the Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of Akbars’ son and heir. Built entirely in vibrant red sandstone, it resembles a Middle Eastern caravanserai. Architecturally it draws its inspiration from Hindu, Persian and Islamic styles.

You continue to Bharatpur for lunch later driving to Jaipur.

Hotel: Trident
Room: Standard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

February 09, Monday

Jaipur
Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers. Belonging to the Hindu “Kshatriya” or warrior class, they believed in the line from the sacred holy book, the Purana that “a fort is the strength of a king”. They built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan; some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces. Amber is one of the finest examples of a fort palace, built similar in style to the surrounding richly decorated Mughal courts. After Amber you may like to take a short elephant safari in the forests near Dera Amer followed by lunch.

In the afternoon you visit the city. There are two “cities” – the old walled Pink City and the Jaipur that extended beyond the city walls. You start at the City Palace which at the behest of Sawai Jai Singh was built near the temple of his personal deity Govinda Deva. The seven storey Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems). Within the palace complex are several museums including a interesting textile gallery exhibiting a fine selection of textiles and costumes from the royal collection. The Jantar Mantar which you visit next is a collection of futuristic structures and astronomical instruments designed by Sawai Jai Singh the founder of Jaipur. This was a result of this intense study of Astrology and Astronomy, and these 17th century extraordinary structures are accurate even today. From the palace you pass the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Wind, entering the busy markets of Jaipur. Jai Singh the founder of Jaipur after his palace was completed concentrated on building the bazaars and inviting traders from as far as Iran to come and settle in the city. As a result these artisans who have been practicing their trade for generations have become an integral part of the city’s economic growth and strolling through the bazaars is a lesson in the diversity of Rajasthan’s hand made goods. You will spend time in the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city Johori Bazaar. It is the main shopping area for the local people – the market has temples, vegetable sellers, grocers, emerald dealers, textile shops all in the same area.

Hotel: Trident
Room: Standard
Meals: Breakfast

February 10, Tuesday

Jaipur/Ahmadabad
After a late breakfast you will leave for the airport to take S2 631 (12:20/13:20) to Ahmadabad. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Pilot hotel.

COST OF LAND ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOYD/SHAH WEDDING FAMILY  AND FRIENDS FROM FEBRUARY 4th to the 10th. 2009(The wedding is from February 11th to the 13th)
(as of March 26, 2008)

COST PER PERSON

Cost of land arrangements per adult                  $ 1475.00 per person
Service Tax                                                               $ 51.00 pp (subject to change)

Single room supplement                                       $ 890.00 per person
Service Tax                                                               $ 30.00 pp (subject to change)

Supplement for Elephant safari/lunch               $ 135.00 per person

(Note:  Those not interested in the elephant safari will have about 45 minutes to enjoy the farm and then pay directly for lunch). We do recommend everyone opt for the safari as this will be your only opportunity to experience the fun of an elephant ride.

AIR FARE
Economy
Jaipur/Ahmadabad                                                    $ 291.00 per person (subject to change)

The cost includes:

• Hotel accommodation on single/twin sharing basis
• Daily a la carte breakfast
• Lunch in Bharatpur on Feb 8, and a box lunch en route Delhi to Agra on Feb 6.
• Private chauffeur driven air conditioned coach
• Services of local English speaking guides during sightseeing excursions
• Monument and park entrance and camera fees
• Mineral water and soft drinks during all sightseeing excursions and long drives
• Meet and assist at all airports and hotels   (Note:  For those arriving in Delhi separate from the group, will incur an additional transfer cost of $40.00 per person in a two passenger car)
• Porterage at all airports and hotels

Cost is based on below hotels:

Delhi: Maidens, Superior
Agra: Taj View, Deluxe
Jaipur: Alsisar Haveli, Standard

Payments:

A $500.00 per person deposit is required at time of submitting your registration form.  Personal check payable to Huffman Travel.

Final payment will be due by December 4, 2008

Cancellation:

The deposit and final payments are non-refundable.  Huffman Travel highly recommends you consider medical cancellation insurance.  Please contact if you are interested.  We need the birth dates of each traveler who wishes to be insured in order to provide you with a quote.