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Day 01. Flight
to India (Delhi)
Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi
is the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an
our
representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Day
02. Old - New Delhi
This
morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take a
Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red Fort through the old city and famous
Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes
"Rajghat", the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and
Jama Masjid, the
great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous “Humayun Tomb” which is the first
substantial example of Mughal architecture in India and “Qutub Minar” which is 71 meter high and was constructed in 1199. Before
we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive through New Delhi where we
see the India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
Day
03. Delhi - Jaipur (about 270 km)
Today we drive to the Pink
City, Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the
great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital
of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious
stones. In the afternoon we visit
the City palace which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built
in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the city
palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable
observatories. Its complex instruments reveals us the secrets of medieval Indian
astronomy.
Day
04. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to
the ancient capital of Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the
ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to
newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an
Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built
in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony.
The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we have a
walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the
famous block printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur.
In the evening we drive
through the new city of Jaipur and visit “Laxmi Narayan Mandir”, a Hindu temple
made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer
ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music and
dance.
Day
05. Jaipur -
Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through a series of fields,
small towns and villages to Agra. Enroute we make a stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri,
which was once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century.
This wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built.
It has been generally stated that it was due to failing in the water supply.
Late evening arrival in Agra. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day
06. Agra - Orchha
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the
Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign,
Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque.
After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument of India, the
Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home.
After the visit of Taj Mahal we drive to Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela
rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine
perfection.
Day 07.
Orchha - Khajuraho
In the morning we visit the temples and palaces in Orchha and later
drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho was the capital of the
Chandela dynasty. The Chandela Kings claimed descent
from the moon. The temples of Khajuraho are among the
finest examples of temple craftsmanship in the whole
of India. The rest of the day at leisure.
Day
08. Khajuraho -
Varanasi (by air)
Today we visit the temple
complex of
Eastern Group and
Western Group to see the most
beautiful temples in India. Most famous among them is
the Laxmana Temple which is dedicated to god Vishnu.
The presence of erotic sculptures in the Temples at
Khajuraho is one of the expression among others of the
celebration of all human activities displaying
different aspects of Hinduism. In the evening flight to
Varanasi. The rest of the day at leisure. Varanasi is
without doubt India’s most sacred city and thus
visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also
called the city of light. Buddha visited this city in
500 BC.
Day
09. Varanasi
In the early morning we take a
boat ride on the holy
river Ganges and enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats
(flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims on
that are the principal attraction for visitors to
Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit
this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to
purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy
river Ganges. In the noon we visit the city of Varanasi.
Optional:
A drive can
be organized to Sarnath (10 km). Sarnath is the place where Buddha
delivered his first sermon at deer park.
Day
10. Varanasi - Delhi
In Afternoon we
take a flight from Varanasi to Delhi.
In Delhi we have rest of the day at leisure.
Optional: Further excursion
in Delhi can be organized as per the individual wishes.
Rooms are available to get fresh and change before we
depart for the Airport with
our
representative.
Day
11. Flight to Home
Around
midnight flight to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We provide you the accommodation as per your
budget mentioned above in the table of hotels category for any of
the booked tour. Hotels provided by us are from budget to luxury
class hotels. The criteria for selecting hotels by us remains the
best value of your money. We also provide you wherever possible
accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old Palaces,
Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated
and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all individually.
Rooms are comfortable, romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja
days.
Our
Services Include:
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
in the chosen category.
Rooms
on the departure day.
American/continental Breakfast.
Rickshaw
Drive in Delhi.
Elephant Ride in
Amber.
Boat ride on the holy river Ganges.
One
Dinner will be with a presentation of Indian music and dance in
Jaipur.
Services of qualified local guides (English speaking
or languages of your choice) at every place of sightseeing.
All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by
our representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with
driver. For groups an individual air-conditioned bus (Except
Standard Hotels) will be provided. |
