Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: taj mahal, agra & new dehli tour at Colombo

Taj Mahal, Agra & New Dehli

Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights

Departs from: Colombo

Re-join ship: Mumbai

Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Guests must be in possession of Sri Lankan (Transit Visa) and Indian visa obtained prior to joining the cruise. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Indian Rupee; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

A visit to India's treasured sites evokes images of erstwhile royalty and legendary tales of love and valour. There are few places in the world that compare with the mesmerizing Taj Mahal and the awe-inspiring Agra Fort. These outstanding attractions are amongst the 'jewels in the crown', drawing thousands of visitors each year from all over the globe. From the magnificent and timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal to the massive Agra Fort, and from the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi to a Sikh Temple guests are able to enjoy a treasure trove of unforgettable sights that will enthrall even the most jaded traveler. Your programme ends with panoramic tour of Mumbai.

DAY ONE - Colombo /Delhi

Depart the ship this morning and transfer to Colombo airport for a scheduled flight to Delhi of just approximately 3.5 hours in length. Lunch will be served on board. Upon arrival you will be taken to The Oberoi New Delhi Hotel with an en route panoramic drive. The remaining evening is at leisure to settle in to your new surroundings.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi New Delhi.

DAY TWO - Delhi/Agra

After breakfast, commence your journey to Agra, a drive of approximately 3.5 hours with a rest stop en route.

Welcome to Agra! As the capital of the Mughal dynasties in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra also was the repository of many of the Mughals most famous monuments. The city has long astonished visitors with sites that date back to the Mughal empire.

Proceed directly to Agra Fort, the town's second important attraction after the Taj Mahal. The massive fort contains within its 1.5 mile-long (2.5 km-long), red sandstone walls the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises fairy-tale palaces, audience halls and two beautiful mosques. Founded in the 16th century, the vast complex experienced many additions by subsequent rulers. Here Shah Jehan was held captive by his son and spent his days gazing out from his room towards the Taj Mahal across the river. Proceed to your hotel for lunch followed by some time to settle in.

The Taj Mahal - Shah Jehan's enduring monument to love awaits you, where you will remain until sunset! This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is a thing of astonishing beauty and an architectural marvel. Its unique beauty and immaculately intricate execution all contribute to the breathtaking first impression as you pass through the arch of the entrance gateway. Emperor Shah Jehan, fifth of the great Mughals was devoted to his wife Mumtaz Mahal (jewel of the palace). She died at the age of 39 giving birth to her fourteenth child. He resolved to build his wife a memorial surpassing anything the world had ever seen in beauty and, it must be admitted, wild extravagance. Twenty thousand labourers and skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy were put into action to construct this unrivalled masterpiece. The rays of the setting sun make this monument a wonder to behold!

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra.

DAY THREE - Agra/Delhi

An awe-inspiring sight awaits you early this morning - a sunrise view of the Taj Mahal! The most unusual story about the Taj is that there might have been two of them. The Emperor intended to build a second tomb in black marble, a negative image of the white Taj for Mumtaz. Tragically, before he could begin he was deposed by his son and imprisoned in Agra Fort, where he remained until his death, spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting-place of his wife. Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal are now both buried in the underground chamber of the Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Following breakfast, set-off on your return journey to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and proceed to your hotel The Oberoi New Delhi for check in and lunch.

This afternoon visit Gandhi Smriti, where the Mahatma spent the last 144 days of his life and was assassinated. Originally a residence of an Indian business tycoon and devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi, it is now converted into a multimedia museum dedicated to the Father of Indian democracy. Proceed next to a Gurudwara (Sikh Temple). There are three main functions which are carried out in all public Gurudwaras - Kirtan (the singing of hymns), Katha (reading of the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib) and Langar (a free community kitchen for all visitors of all religions). Visit the community kitchen where you will see how food is cooked and served daily for a thousand visitors. We will arrange food supplies as a contribution for the day's meal and you are welcome to lend a helping hand. This is an experience like no other!

Dinner and overnight accommodation at The Oberoi New Delhi.

DAY FOUR - Mumbai

After breakfast, proceed to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. Lunch will be served on board. On arrival, your awaiting coaches will transfer you to the pier with a panoramic tour past the city's highlights. Re-join the ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven, cobblestone and gravel surfaces, with many steps to climb at visited sites. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. The driving distance between Delhi and Agra is approximately 3-3.5 hours in each direction. Coaches, guides and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Pack lightly; the luggage weight restriction is limited to 33 pounds (about 15 kilograms). Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Proper attire is required to enter the temples; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Shoe covers are provided at the Taj Mahal to enter the mausoleum. Shoes and hats must be removed prior to entering the temples. The tour itinerary and sequence are subject to change without prior notice, and airline alterations to the flight schedules may affect the tour itinerary, tour sequence and/or programme content.

Programme Includes:

· Two-night stay at The Oberoi - New Delhi

· One-night stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas - Agra

· Scheduled flights, Economy-Class: Colombo/Delhi and Delhi/Mumbai (Business-Class may be requested at a supplemental charge per flight, and is subject to availability. The availability of Business-Class flights is based on equipment utilised and each segment is quoted separately, if available)

· Three breakfasts, four lunches (including two in-flight) and three dinners

· Roundtrip transfer by battery operated vehicles to-and-from the Taj Mahal entrance gate

· Shoe covers at the Taj Mahal to enter mausoleum

· Still and video camera fees

· Bottled water on coach

· All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

· Gratuities on meals

Not Included:

Sri Lankan and Indian visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.