Duration: 08
Nights / 09 Days
(Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho - Varanasi - 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 Qutab Minar, a drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and 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 : 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 at 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. Shopping and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur - Agra (By Road 221 km/6 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 day sightseeing of Agra after breakfast.
TAJ MAHAL : Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which
is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned
by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect
symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately
carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
AGRA FORT : Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort
is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl
Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. 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 (By Train)
Train Name : Bhopal Shatabdi Express
Train No. : 2002
Departure : 0800 hr
Arrival : 1024 hr
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. Watch the
SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW at the Western Temples. Overnight
will be at Khajuraho.
Day 08 : Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air Flight : 9W 334)
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1330 hr
Arrival : 1410 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a tour of the
FAMOUS WESTERN &
EASTERN TEMPLES of Khajuraho. Transfer in time to airport for flight to
Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel.
Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Crowded with temples, and
its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists.
The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the carpet-manufacturing place
of India. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The
present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of
the rivers Varuna and ASI. It is also called CITY OF TEMPLES. The shimmering
red and golden water of the Ganges when rays of dawn falls on them, the high
banks, the temples, the Ashrams, the pavilions all are an experience in themselves.
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.
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 - Delhi (By Air)
Flight : 9W 334
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1440 hr
Arrival : 1600 hr
Drive to Daswamedh Ghat early in the morning 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. 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. 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. Proceed to the airport for flight to Delhi. Reach Delhi and proceed
to the restaurant for a
FAREWELL DINNER and
GHAZAL SHOW before
driving to the airport for flight home (early morning of the next day) with
sweet memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
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