Duration: 8 Nights / 09 Days
Destinations: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Orcha, Khajuraho, Varanasi
Highlights:
- Rickshaw ride in Delhi
- Bollywood movie show in Raaj Mandir in Jaipur
- Elephant ride in Jaipur
- Tanga Ride (Horse Cart) at Agra
- Boat Ride at Varanasi
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Day 01: Arrive Delhi by flight
Arrive Delhi airport. After clearing your custom & immigration you shall be met by our representative outside the exit gate of the arrival hall. After meeting/assistance and traditional welcome at the airport transfer to hotel. Rest of the day/night at leisure to overcome jet-leg of the long flight & to recuperate to our weather conditions.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Delhi – The capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope – that is India. Don’t let your first impressions of Delhi stick like a sacred cow in a traffic jam: get behind the madcap façade and discover the inner peace of a city rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep with history and totally addictive to epicureans. Both Old and New Delhi exert a beguiling charm on visitors. Lose yourself unwinding the secrets of the city’s Mughal past in the labyrinthine streets of Old Delhi before emerging into the wide open spaces of imperial New Delhi, with its ordered governmental vistas and generous leafy avenues.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning breakfast at hotel and at 0800 hrs leave for combined city tour of old and New Delhi.
New Delhi – An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, 12th century Minaret- Qutub Minar graceful and well sculptured and stands 75 meters, Lotus Temple, a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, The President House, once the House of British viceroys and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
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 Mughal Empire.
Day 03: Delhi/Jaipur (270 Kms)
Morning after breakfast drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Jaipur – The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it’s character and history – A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur
Morning breakfast at hotel and at 0800 hrs proceed to city tour of Jaipur.
Amber Fort Palace – Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Enjoy ride the hill on the back of decorated elephant ascent to the fort and feel like Maharaja. 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 it’s ultimate expression.
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. Complex which houses the rare and rich collection of ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets and decorative art objects of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture
Jantar Mantar – A 18th century Observatory. 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. Its 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.
Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process. Also visit Birla Temple.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur /Fatehpursikri/Agra (245 Kms)
Morning after breakfast drive to Agra en route visit Fatehpursikri.
En Route Fatehpur Sikri – The city of victory beautifully preserved. The sandstone mansions of Sikri are experiments in art and architecture and to a great extent uphold Akbar’s ideals and visions. 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 it’s grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
After visiting Fatehpur Sikri continue your drive to Agra – The Royal seat and capital of the province of yesteryears, Agra the City of Mughals.
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. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai Cuisine.
Upon arrival check in at hotel and this afternoon visit Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal – One of the seven wonder of the world. A pristine monument of undying love. 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 it’s 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.
Thereafter visit Agra Fort – The first of the great mughal buildings where three Mughal emperor left there foot prints. 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.
Overnight in Agra.
Day 06: Agra / Jhansi / Khajuraho (200 kms)
Early morning transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi.
Upon arrival drive to Khajuraho. Upon arrival check in at hotel
In the afternoon visit the Khajuraho temples. These temples were built between 9th century and 12th century A.D. and are the most exquisite specimen of Hindu architecture and sculpture in medieval India. Though erotic sculptures are the main attraction to common visitor, these erotic figures are only part of sublime and sensuality. Overnight in Khajuraho.
Day 07: Khajuraho/ Varanasi: By Air
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival meet with our representative and transfer to hotel
In the afternoon excursion to Sarnath – 10 kms from Varanasi, one of the major Buddhist centres. Take a look at magnificent stupa and mighty stone pillar erected by the legendry king Ashoka.
Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 08 : Varanasi
Early morning boat ride in the river Ganges to apprise you of the various Hindu rituals taking place at the bathing ghats, also witness the wonderful sunrise from the river Ganges. On the way back you will visit the Bharat Mata temple, the exteriors of Vishwanath temple and the Durga temple in the holy city of Varanasi.
Afternoon free at leisure or explore local market /street on your own.
Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 09: Varanasi / Delhi:
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport to connect flight for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to the international airport to connect flight back home.
……..End of The Tour & Let the pleasant memories of the past days linger on your mind for a long, long time………
