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Day
01: New Delhi
Around Midnight arrive in New Delhi. The
cosmopolitan city and capital New Delhi is the main gateway for
the travellers to India. Upon arrival, you will be met by
our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02: New Delhi
Today in the morning we have sightseeing
in Old Delhi. Sightseeing in Old Delhi includes "Rajghat", the
place 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
will drive through New Delhi where we will visit the India Gate,
Government Buildings and Embassies.
Day
03: New 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 that 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, and the
largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its
complex instruments reveal 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 colorful Bazaars 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.
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. In the evening arrive
in Agra. Evening free for leisure.
Day
06: Agra
Today we start 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 have a
look at the famous fine marble inlay work that is still being
done in Agra by the descendants of the families of builders and
artists of the Taj Mahal.
Day
07: Agra - Mathura (about 57 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we
drive to Mathura. Arrive in Mathura by the afternoon. Mathura is
a very important religious city of Uttar Pradesh. It is the
epicenter of Brajbhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna and lies on
the banks of the Yamuna River. Mathura derives its glory &
sacred character from being the birth place of Lord Krishna.
Through centuries, it has attracted pilgrims from the Hindu,
Buddhist and Jains. Arrive in Mathura by the afternoon. In the
evening we have sightseeing in Mathura. The main place to visit
in Mathura is the Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna
built by Seth Gokul Dass of Gwalior in 1814. Another temple is
the Krishna Janma Bhoomi Temple. This temple is built inside an
ancient prison believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The Yamuna River and its ghats (banks) form the focus of
pilgrims in Mathura. The Ghat is dotted with multiple temples
and shrines.
Day 08: Mathura - Vrindavan - New Delhi
In the morning, after having our breakfast
we drive to New Delhi. Enroute we will stop at Vrindavan.
Vrindavan is around 15 km from Mathura. It is another major
place of pilgrimage. It is the town of 4,000 temples where the
sounds of celebrations for Lord Krishna is constantly resounded.
In Vrindavan we will visit Madan Mohan Temple. This temple is
located near the Kali Ghat and is the oldest existent temple in
Vrindavan today. This temple is closely associated with the
Saint Chaitanya. Another temple that we will visit is the
Banke-Bihari Temple. This temple was built in the year 1864. It
is the most popular shrine at Vrindavan. After we visit this
temple we will drive to New Delhi. Arrive in New Delhi in the
evening. Evening free for leisure.
Day
09: New Delhi - Rishikesh
In the morning drive to Rishikesh.
Rishikesh represents the gateway to the Himalayas in the
Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that
several yogis and sages lived and practiced penance here.
Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon
Madhu. It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of the
River Ganges rushing through the Himalayan foothills is an
awesome sight. The freshness of the air, the sound of flowing
water, the scenic beauty of the region and the distant sound of
bell chimes create an unforgettable experience for those that
visit this pilgrimage town. We will arrive in Rishikesh by the
afternoon. In the evening we will visit various temples, the
Laxman Jhoola - the swinging Bridge and ashrams along the banks
of River Ganges.
Day
10: Rishikesh - Haridwar
In the morning, we will drive to Haridwar.
Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the
Uttarakhand region and is located on the foothills of Shivaliks
on the banks of River Ganges. The River Ganges leaves the
mountains and enters the plains with Haridwar being the first
major town on the plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its
rapids completely nevertheless it becomes very quite and calm
here. The city acquires a unique charm in the evening when the
ghats become breathtakingly beautiful with thousands of Diyas
and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges. We visit various
places like Mansa Devi temple, Sapt Rishi, Daksha Mahadev temple
etc. In the evening we will visit Har Ki Pauri. In the evening a
Maha Aarti is performed here. It is an event which is a must,
not be missed by any visitor.
Day
11: Haridwar - Varanasi
In the morning we leave for Varanasi.
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 - Kashi or Benaras. Buddha visited this city in
500 BC. Varanasi is regarded as one of the oldest and the
holiest city. According to the Indian chronicles, Varanasi was
established as a city around twelve hundred years ago before the
Christian era.
Day
12: Varanasi
In the early morning we take 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.
Then we will drive to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha
delivered his first sermon at deer park. Afterwards we will
return to Varanasi.
Day
13: Varanasi - New Delhi (by air)
In the afternoon we drive to the airport
for a flight from Varanasi to New Delhi. In New Delhi we have
rest of the day at leisure. Rooms are available to get fresh and
change before we depart to the airport with
our
representative.
Day
14: New Delhi
Around midnight flight to home
destination.
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