One of the best-known structures in the world, Agra’s fabled Taj Mahal will awe your senses and forever capture your heart. Considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is a glistening mass of white marble and semi-precious stones set amid impeccably landscaped grounds. This program includes the opportunity to visit two UNESCO world heritage sites: the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort both of which are legacies from Mughal times.
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC), CPAP breathing machines or scooters should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour. The program is manageable for guests with mobility restrictions as long as they are travelling with someone to assist. Guests must be able to get on and off the tour coaches with little to no assistance. There will be various steps to negotiate at the hotels and sites visited (2-30 steps) and wheelchair ramps are not always available although most sites have them. Only the base of the Taj Mahal mausoleum is accessible to wheelchairs.
DAY 1 – April 15, 2027
After disembarking the ship in Cochin, you will proceed to the airport for a flight to Delhi. A lunch box will be provided at the airport. Light refreshments will be served during the flight.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2 – April 16,2027
After breakfast, check out and depart for Agra via the Yamuna Expressway. Sit back, relax and take in the vistas of India’s vast rural farming countryside along the way.
Agra, the city of Taj Mahal was one of the grand cities of South Asia. With the arrival of the Mughals in 1526 led by Babur, Agra entered a completely new era during the reign of emperors Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Akbar made it a great center for learning, art, commerce and culture. Its cosmopolitan bazaars and its strategic location on the river Jamuna, was altogether a worthier setting for the focus of an empire.
Arrive in Agra and check-in to the renowned Oberoi Amarvilas which boasts uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal. Voted as one of the top hotels of the world, its classical architecture is complemented by elaborate Mughal gardens, terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions. Every room has a frontal view of the Taj Mahal.
Enjoy lunch and some time at leisure before departing for the World Heritage Agra Fort, credited to Emperor Akbar, India’s great visionary. His sons and theirs added to this imposing structure situated by the banks of the Yamuna River. The astonishing palaces, mosques and audience halls contained within its massive walls of red sandstone became once more a monumental mission of the Mughal Empire embellished by the artistic fusion of Islamic and Hindu traditions.
Return to your hotel and just prior to dinner, enjoy a short cultural show featuring the classical dance form of Kathak. This royal courtroom dance arose from the fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures during the Mughal era. It is characterized by rhythmic footwork, spectacular spins, mime and gestures that are a dramatic representation of themes from Persian poetry synthesized with Hindu mythology. Dinner at the hotel will follow.
Note: The Taj Mahal is not open on Friday's
DAY 3 – April 17, 2027
This morning you will discover the Taj Mahal at dawn. Coffee, tea, juices and rolls are served in the lobby prior to your departure.
With its incredible lacy white grandeur, it is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. In memory of his wife, the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan planned this most extravagant and incomparable monument built for love. Although amazingly graceful from any angle, it is the close-up detail, which is really astounding.
Following your morning visit, return to your hotel for breakfast.
Morning and afternoon options following breakfast and lunch:
•Visit the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah in the old city, the first Mughal structure pioneering the extensive use
of `pietra dura’, the inlay work of marble, so characteristic of the Taj Mahal. This mausoleum is small and squat when compared to the Taj, but the more human scale has its own attraction, and the skillfully patterned surface of the tomb is exquisite.
•At the hotel, Agra’s leading astrologer will be available for consultation. Appointments for an analysis of your personal horoscope can be made at the Regent Seven Seas Hospitality desk
•Take a look at some of Agra’s famous shopping including Kohinoor, erstwhile jewelers to the Mughal court, featured in National Geographic. Old emerald necklaces, enamel, jewelry, silver, pocket watches in Gold and silver, textiles and embroidery form part of their private collection. The Marble Inlay factories steeped in this decorative art culture are also a specialty of Agra.
Later in the day, re-visit the Taj Mahal at sunset where the monument appears to change its hue, tinted by the glow of the setting sun.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – April 18, 2027
After breakfast, check out and drive to the Delhi airport for a flight to Mumbai. A restroom stop will be made along the way. Lunch will be served at the Delhi airport.
Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer to the pier where you will re-board the ship.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1
9:30am Disembark in Cochin, clear immigration and customs and transfer to the airport
12:00pm Arrive at the airport, receive boarding passes and proceed through security
Lunch box served at Cochin airport
2:00pm Flight from Cochin to Delhi (flight details TBA and subject to change) Light refreshments will be served during the flight
5:20pm Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel
6:45pm Arrive at the hotel and check-in
From 7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Oberoi Gurgaon or similar hotel
DAY 2
From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Drive to Agra via the Yamuna Expressway
1:00pm Arrive in Agra, check in, lunch and time at leisure
4:30pm Visit Agra Fort
6:30pm Return to the hotel
7:00pm Classical Kathak dance performance
From 7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Oberoi Amarvilas or similar hotel
DAY 3
5:00am Tea, coffee, juices are served in the lobby
5:30am Sunrise visit of the Taj Mahal
From 7:00am Breakfast is served at the hotel
Morning options:
9:30-12:00 noon (a) Tour of Itmad-Ud-Daulah
9:30-12:00 noon (b) Shopping shuttle on the hour to the marble inlay factory and local markets
9:30-12:00 noon (c) Appointments with Agra’s famous astrologer
From 12:30pm Lunch at the hotel
Afternoon options:
2:00-4:30pm (a) Tour of Itmad-Ud-Daulah
2:00-4:30pm (b) Shopping shuttle on the hour to the marble inlay factory and local markets
2:00-4:30pm (c) Appointments with Agra’s famous astrologer
4:45pm Visit the Taj Mahal and stay on until sunset.
7:00pm Return to the hotel
From 7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Oberoi Amarvilas or similar hotel
DAY 4
From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Check out and drive to Delhi airport. Restroom stop enroute
1:00pm Arrive at the airport, receive boarding passes and proceed through security Lunch served at Delhi airport
3:15pm Flight from Delhi to Mumbai (flight details TBA and subject to change)
Light refreshments served during the flight
5:20pm Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to the pier
7:30pm Arrive at the pier and reboard the ship
Steps on tour:
Taj Mahal
•Six steps at the entryway
•Six steps at the mosque
•Twenty-two steps to access the main tomb in the mausoleum
•Wheelchair accessible only up to the base of the mausoleum (tomb not wheelchair accessible)
Tomb of Itmad–Ud–Daulah:
•One or two easy steps plus ramps at different locations which are accessible by wheelchair
Expected Weather:
Delhi and Agra: Days are sunny and hot with temperatures between 30° to 35°C (86° to 95°F). The evenings get a bit cooler between 25° to 30°C (77° to 86°F).
What to Bring:
Casual wear for the day. Also, important is sun block, hat, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes. As the Taj Mahal is also a mausoleum there are certain religious customs to be observed. As a token of respect, it is customary to remove your footwear before entering. Avoid tops with spaghetti straps and short shorts for ladies – knee length shorts are okay for ladies and gents.
Currency:
Indian Rupees.
US Dollars are widely accepted
Electricity:
220 – 240 volts. Hotel rooms are equipped with converters however we recommend you bring your own travel adaptors for electric devices as a backup.
Proposed Aircraft type (subject to change):
Air India – Airbus A319 – All Economy seats
IndiGo : Airbus 320 – All Economy seats
Luggage:
Light luggage would be most suited for this trip. A maximum of 1 suitcase is permitted per person and one carry-on with a maximum of 7 kgs (15 lbs). Checked suitcases are not to weigh more than 15 kg (33 lbs) per airline regulations. Any luggage exceeding this amount will be subject to fees payable by the guest directly to the airline at the time of check-in.
Note:
Power banks and electronic equipment must be carried in hand luggage, not permitted in checked luggage
No sharp items are permitted in hand luggage i.e. scissor, nail cutter/file, razors
Liquids more than 100 ml are not permitted in hand luggage
Satellite phones and E-cigarettes are banned in India and need to be left on board the ship
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights in India (as per Airline regulations):
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least 1 month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations will result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Guests brining a scooter will need to advise our Reservations team in advance. Specific details regarding the scooter will be required (as advised to us by the Indian airlines) including model, model number, a photo, maximum speed, ground clearance, turning radius, overall length & width of the base, seat type, weight, battery weight, battery requirements, maximum range per charge, battery charger information, battery type (detachable or not), maximum weight capacity, color.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
It is essential to have a valid Indian Visa in advance of this trip.
Guests must bring their passport with them
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements for your nationality.
Accommodation:
Delhi: The Oberoi Gurgaon
443, Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurgaon – 122 016, Haryana
Phone: (+91 124) 483 1234
Agra: Oberoi Amarvilas
Taj East Gate Road, Agra 282001, India
Phone: +91 562 2231515
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes:
•1 night at the Oberoi Amarvilas Delhi including breakfast – Deluxe room
•2 nights at Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra including breakfasts – Premium room
•Transfers, sightseeing and road journeys using air-conditioned deluxe coaches
•Unlimited mineral water will be provided in the bus
•Lunches and dinners inclusive of house wines, beer, mineral water, sodas
•Economy class flights per the itinerary - Direct flights are not guaranteed
•Entrance fees and camera and video charges at the Taj Mahal monument
•Kathak dance performance
•Local fortuneteller
•The services of an accompanying Tour Manager throughout the entire program
Not Included:
•Any meals or beverages not listed in the itinerary
•Personal expenses
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service
•Excess or overweight luggage
•Indian visa
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Price: $3,999 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
