|
DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive
Delhi in the evening.
Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport
by our executive and transfe rred to your prebooked
Hotel.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : India’s capital & a
major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis
which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern.
Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties
chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the
British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the
distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively.
So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’
past.
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the
construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive
past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was
built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site
of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century
this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past
India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit
to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY 03 :
DELHI - KATHMANDU (FLIGHT)
Transfer to the airport to board flight for Kathmandu.
On arrival in Kathmandu meet and assist at the airport and transfer to
prebooked Hotel.
DAY 04 : KATHMANDU
In the morning, visit the valley of Kathmandu – the capital city
of Nepal, Swayambhunath & Museum.
Afternoon, excursion to Patan & Tibetan Handicraft centre.
DAY 05 : KATHAMANDU
After breakfast, visit Bhaktapur, Boudhnath & Pashupatinath.
Afternoon, excursion to Dhulikhel to witness the beautiful sunset. Return
to Kathmandu after sunset.
DAY 06 : KATHMANDU -
VARANASI
(FLIGHT)
Afternoon transfer to the airport to board flight IC-752, scheduled to
depart at 1410 hrs. for Varanasi - (Kashi / Benaras) is the oldest living
city in the world & one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus
of all denomination. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras
is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and
looks twice as old as all of them
put together". It is situated on the west bank of the holiest
of all Indian rivers, the Ganga or Ganges. The relationship between the
sacred river and the city is the essence of Varanasi - 'the land of sacred
light'.
Note : Flight operates only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
& Sunday
Arrive Varanasi at 1450 hrs. and transfer to prebooked Hotel.
DAY
07 : VARANASI
Early morning, leave for boat
ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation
site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually
uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless string of rituals,
ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across have
fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to hotel for breakfast.
After
breakfast, city tour of Varanasi - Visit the Bharat Mata temple with a
big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras
Hindu University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor
Aurangzeb.
Afternoon,
excursion to Ramnagar - For a 17th century fort, this one is seriously
well-preserved, probably because the Maharaja of Benares still resides
here. The hall of public audience (Durbar Hall) and the royal museum housing
collections of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, furniture, costumes,
etc., are a must see at the Ramnagar fort . Return by boat in the
evening, enroute witness the religious ceremonies along the banks of river
Ganges.
DAY 08 : VARANASI - KHAJURAHO (FLIGHT)
Morning, excursion to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city
where Buddha preached his first sermin. After attaining enlightenment
at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached
his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the
Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream
of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school or
learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the
stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum (closed on Fridays). At the
museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent
India's national emblem.
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Khajuraho - The
city was once the original capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu
dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries.
Arrive Khajuraho, transfer to your prebooked Hotel.
DAY
09 : KHAJURAHO - ORCHHA - JHANSI - AGRA
After
breakfast, visit the temples of Khajuraho : A World Heritage Site
: The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of a hundred years,
from 950 to 1050. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of
which only 22 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered
over an area of about 8 square miles (21 km²). They were rediscovered
during the late 19th century and the jungles had taken a toll on some
of the monuments. Both internally and externally the temples are
richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and,
at times, sexually explicit. The temples are divided into three complexes—the
western is the largest and best known, containing the magnificent Shaivite
temple Kandariya Mahadev, a 31m high agglomeration of porches and turrets
culminating in a spire.
Afternoon, transfer to Jhansi railway station, enroute visit Orchha -
meaning a "hidden place", certainly lives up to its name.
Languishing amid a tangle of scrubby dhak forest, 18km southeast of Jhansi,
the former capital of the Bundela dynasty. It possesses an imposing
fort, dating from the early 17th century, which contains a number of
palaces and other historic buildings. The most noteworthy of these are the
Raja Rammandir, a massive square building of which the exterior is almost
absolutely plain; and the Jahangirmahal, of the same form but far more
ornate, a singularly beautiful specimen of Hindu domestic architecture.
Numerous cenotaphs dot the vicinity of the fort and the Betwa river.
Elsewhere about the town exist fine temples and tombs, among which may be
noticed the Chaturbhuj temple built on a vast platform of stone.
Continue drive to Jhansi to board Shatabdi Express, scheduled to depart at
1756 hrs. for Agra. Arrive Agra at 2025 hrs., transfer to Hotel
DAY 10 : AGRA
At Sunrise, visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal
- Epitome of Love, One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built by
Shah Jahan (King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal (the
exalted of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and
20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects,
inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all
across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason
was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and
an inlay specialist from Delhi. The marble, India's finest was quarried
at Makrana near Jodhpur, Jasper from Punjab, the garnets from Bundelkhand,
Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan
and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen,
Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from
the Indian Ocean. Mumtaz Mahal’s final resting-place was ornamented like
a queen’s jewel-box. NOTE : TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS

Visit Red fort, Built principally as a military establishment by
Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into
a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was
built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons. This massive
fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi
Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces, gardens, halls
of private & public audience of the fort echo the story of the Mughal
Empire.
Itmad-ud-daulah, which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622
and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband,
Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.
Afternoon, at leisure. Free for individual activities.
DAY
11 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR
(240 Kms., approx. 06 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal
city of Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms before Agra, built predominantly
in Red Sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the
Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water.
Witness the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its
original glory.
Continue drive to Jaipur - The
Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome
its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor
inability to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled
the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion famed
Jaipur to Pink city. Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality
in Rajput culture. The
capital city of the state of Rajasthan owes its name, its foundation
and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The
city of Jaipur has broad avenues & sits on a dry lake bed in a wild
and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by
fortresses and crenellated
walls. Upon
arrival, check-in at prebooked
Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY
12 : JAIPUR
After
breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade
of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh
decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the
plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh,
the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The fort is a superb example of
Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking
a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or
the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of
Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar – the observatory
built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace which
is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum
with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and
weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
13 : JAIPUR - DELHI
(260 Kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
Drive to Delhi. Rest of the day free for individual activities.
DAY 14 :
DEPART DELHI
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi.
The above tour programme can be modified as per your requirement.
For any modification, please mail
us
|