Duration: 12
Nights / 13 Days
(Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Katmandu - Pokhra
- Delhi)
Day 01 : Arrival at Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your hotel.
Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
Start a Full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI : A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the
Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid
- the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort
and palace of the Moghul Empire. Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid
to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI : An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include
a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament Houseand the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight
will be at Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Jaipur (By Road 260 km/6 hr)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent
palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts
and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior
caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However,
many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it
was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed
a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that
followed. The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated
founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal.
Literally translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the
Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known
as the 'Pink City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This
did not, however, form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when
the city was given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. This evening, visit the Birla Temple to
learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure,
built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess
of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu
vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting
the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus,
the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with
the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to
awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 04 : Jaipur
Proceed for morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Ride to the Fort
on elephant back in a royal manner.
AMBER FORT PALACE : Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.
Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent
Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Jaipur visiting...
CITY PALACE : A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled
city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR : This is the largest and the best preserved of the five
observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This
observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL : The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds"
is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone
plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The
palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal
was a royal grandstand for the palace women. Free in the evening or roam the
city. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur - Agra (By Road 221 km/5 hr)
Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route after breakfast. The deserted,
red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the
late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city
and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine
what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit
the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Continue your drive to
Agra and on arrival check-in at Hotel.
AGRA : Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the
little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire
- giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor
to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and
white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm
that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising,
that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. Overnight
will be at Agra.
Day 06 : Agra
Proceed for sightseeing of Agra after breakfast.
TAJ MAHAL : The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in
the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She
died while accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion,
after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that
all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. When
Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor:
first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that
he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death
anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631
and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work
on it. An Iranian architect designed it and it is best appreciated when the
architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it.
It is a "symbol of eternal love". Having buried her down at Behrampur,
it was time for the emperor to keep his promise and build a tomb there itself.
But by and by, it was felt that it was virtually impossible to transfer all
the marble there, as it would cost an entire fortune and an entire lifetime.
So, when Agra was chosen as the only alternative, astonishingly her grave was
uprooted and brought to Agra, only to be finally transferred to the monument,
completed twenty-two years later. After Taj we will visit Agra Fort- which was
built by Akbar In 1525 AD. After Agra Fort we will visit Baby Taj - The interiors
of which are considered better than the Taj. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 07 : Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho
Breakfast will be at hotel. You will be transferred to station for train to
Jhansi. Reach Jhansi and transfer to Orchha, 12 km away. It is a medieval city
founded by the BUNDELA rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th & 17th
century - which has remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The town is
known for its CHATTRIS which were built in the memory of the kings and the place
is flanked by the river BETWA. Proceed for sightseeing of ORCHHA sites within
the Fort Complex. Enjoy your lunch at Orchha. Continue drive to Khajuraho. Situated
in the northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for its enchanting
temples and its legendary Khajuraho dance festival. The name Khajuraho is derived
from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which is grown abundantly in the region.
The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated to a celebration of womanhood, her myriad
moods and facets. Famous for its erotic architecture, the carvings include,
women writing a letter, applying eye makeup, combing her tresses, dancing &
playing with her child. Her innocent, blushed, charming, seductive, ardent beauty,
all depicted in exquisitely sculptured details. These temples have been designed
and carved to lead the eyes from ground level upward till you seem to be looking
at heaven. Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. In the evening proceed
for the SOUND & LIGHT SHOW. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 08 : Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air )
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a guided tour of the exotic and erotic
temples of Khajuraho. Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon
arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Picturesquely
situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy River Ganges, Varanasi,
one of the ancient seats of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the
names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north
and south of the city respectively. This name seems to have been corrupted,
in medieval times to Varanasi, which was in use till May 1956, when it was changed
to Varanasi, by an order of the Government of India. Varanasi is probably one
of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been
a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage,
being visited by millions of people every year. To every visitor Varanasi offers
a breathtaking experience. The rays of the dawn shimmering across the Ganges;
the high-banks; the temples and shrines along the banks bathed in a golden hue
soul stirring hymns and mantras along with the fragrance of incense filling
the air
and the refreshing dip in the holy waters gently splashing at the
Ghats. Varanasi - The land where experience and discovery reach the ultimate
bliss. Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts
and education. Some of the world - renowned exponents India has produced in
these fields were schooled in Varanasi's cultural ethos. Luminaries apart, Varanasi
abounds in the art of silk weaving, an exotic work of art which manifests itself
in precious Banarasi silk sarees and silk brocades which are cherished as collector's
items across the world today. Visit Sarnath ? 5 miles out of Varanasi for a
day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha
preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Here he revealed the eight fold path that
leads to the attainment of inner peace, Enlightenment and Ultimate Nirvana.
Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a
fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures
found at the site. Spend the evening shopping in the lanes of Varanasi. Overnight
will be at Varanasi.
Day 09 : Varanasi - Katmandu
By Air
In the early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred
river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of
one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs.
for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city,
we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board
a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise
the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks
to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers
from the water's edge. Then return for a walk through the cobblestone streets
along the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes
a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going. Visit the Kashi
Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel. Return for breakfast to the
hotel. Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi including the Bharat Mata Temple,
which features a big relief map of Mother India engraved in marble. Also visit
the 18th century Durga Temple, commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to the
huge population of the monkeys. Proceed to the Tulsi Manas Temple, crafted from
white marble which features the entire Ramayana inscribed on its walls. Also
visit the BHU considered as the biggest residential university in Asia. The
University Campus houses an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Kathmandu. Reach Katmandu. The Katmandu
Valley, the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first for
the majority of visitors to Nepal. Once a separate kingdom in itself, it contains
three fabled cities - Katmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Each is an artistic exposition
of graceful temples, elegant palaces, brick paved courtyards and quaint streets.
There are seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in the valley. Relax for the rest
of the day. Overnight will be at Katmandu.
Day 10 : Katmandu
Proceed for a day tour after breakfast covering Swambhunath and Patan Durbar
Square. Shopping and rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight will be at
Katmandu.
Day 11 : Katmandu - Pokhra (By Local flight)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Take a flight to the tranquil valley - Pokhara.
Reach Pokhara in the morning, transfer to hotel, refresh & relax with the
spectacular panorama of Annapurna range forming the backdrop. Stretching from
the east to west, the Annapurna massif includes Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna
South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8091m), it is Machhapuchhre
(the fishtail), which dominates all others in this neighborhood. Boastfully
levitating in the skyline, the fish-tailed pinnacle is the archetypal snow-capped,
needle-pointed mountain. In the later day, enjoy the stroll around the valley
with the boat ride (optional) on the famous fewa lake as next compliment. Overnight
will be in Pokhara.
Day 12 : Pokhra
We start our day with the early morning visit to Sarangkot for the fabulous
sunrise. After the spectacular sunrise, we drive back to our hotel to start
our remaining activities for the day with the breakfast at the hotel. Today,
we take you to the famous Devi's Fall (also known as Devin's or David's) locally
known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km
south-west of Pokhara Airport on the highway to Tansen. Legend has it that a
trekker (Devin, David
) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously
disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall. Bindhyabasubu
Temple at the old bazaar, Seti Gandaki, the boisterous river running completely
underground at the places, Mahendra cave (House of Bats), the natures' wonder
at Pokhara & Pokhara Museum. After lunch, start exploring the city by driving
to the Begnas Lake & Rupa Lake located 15 Km from Pokhara divided by a forested
hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda, offering the perfect nature retreat with
their relative seclusion. End your trip by visiting the Tibetan Monastery. Overnight
will be in Pokhara.
Day 13 : Pokhra - Katmandu (By Local flight)
Katmandu - Delhi - Next Destination - By Air
Leave after breakfast and proceed to Katmandu by flight. Transfer to the international
airport for connecting flight to Delhi. Reach Delhi and take connecting flight
home.
TOUR ENDS
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