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Day 01
Delhi |
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You
will arrive at New Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs,
immigration formalities and baggage collection, a our representative
will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which
you would be transferred to your hotel.
DELHI
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its
folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling
skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many
monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy.
The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport
are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of
beautiful parks.
Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be accorded with a Traditional
Welcome. Welcoming guest is an age-old tradition. ‘Atithi Devobhava’
- treat your guest as if he were God. Indian hospitality can be
savored immediately as one arrives at the hotel. The guest’s
forehead is anointed with the traditional red ‘tika’ which is
considered auspicious along with garlanding. Relax with a
non-alcoholic welcome drink following which proceed to check in at
your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 02
In Delhi |
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You
will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj
Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort
continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and
which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the
mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that
the area is rarely quiet.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which
reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between
New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the
British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled
city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The
walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past
life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in
contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century
standards.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar,
the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in
1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns
erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then
visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal
Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian
style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive
past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the
Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 03
Delhi -
Jaipur by Surface |
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After
leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a full
day combined city tour of Old & New Delhi.
After buffet breakfast in the hotel you will be driven from Delhi to
Jaipur (256 Kms / 05 Hrs).
JAIPUR
Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory,
Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people:
surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and
beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its
precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to
royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted
quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the "pink
city". There is a timeless quality to Jaipur's bazaars and its
people. With its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the
ancient Rajputs. The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men
add colour to this fascinating city.
On arrival in Jaipur, check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 04
Jaipur |
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After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside
Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber
Fort.
Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General,
started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before
the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of
power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks
the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills
and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
An elephant will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the
fortress (Subject to availability). Once on top, stroll through the
sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have
delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid
in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall
of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many
mirrors, lighting up the room. Come back to your hotel after your
visit.
In the afternoon, you will proceed to the city tour of Jaipur. Among
the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City
Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces,
gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The
palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury,
costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent
Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of
Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical
wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even
to this day.
Your next stop will be ‘
Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an
elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch
the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate
in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its
facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of
the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Come back to your hotel after your visit.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 05
Jaipur -
Agra by Surface |
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After
buffet breakfast and drive to Agra (218 Kms / 04 Hrs) . Enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri.
The deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor
Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was
abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and
it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300
years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a
town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it
is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in
near perfect condition
Later continue your drive to Agra. On arrival in Agra, check in at
the hotel.
AGRA
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal
period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great
builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for
Agra & its neighbourhood.
Upon arrival proceed to check in at your hotel.
Later visit the Agra
Fort and the Famous Taj Mahal.
Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort
- the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive
generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and
the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the
walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of
Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the
mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of
Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more.
Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was
quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet
of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an
expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th
century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world.
Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any
angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really
astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by
this outstanding piece of architecture.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 06
Agra - Jhansi by
Train & Jhansi - Khajuraho by Surface |
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After
buffet breakfast you will transferred to the railway station to
connect Bhopal Shatabdi (0815 / 1015 Hrs) to Jhansi.
On arrival in Jhansi you will be transferred to Khajuraho which is
approximately 190 Kms from Jhansi. Enroute visit Orchha.
ORCHHA
Orchha’s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time; a rich
legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the hand of time has
rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela
rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retainmuch of their pristine
perfection. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela
Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose this stretch of land along
the Betwa as an ideal site or his capital. Or the succeeding rulers,
the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite
Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatries. From
here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors
which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of
painting. In the Laxminarayan temple, vibrant murals encompassing a
variety of religious and secular themes, bring the walls and
ceilings to rich life. Strewn around the area are little shrines and
memorials, each with its own poignant history, each contributing to
the nostalgic beauty that is Orchha.
After visiting Orchha, continue your drive to Khajuraho.
KHAJURAHO:
Around the ancient little village of Khajuraho are clustered some of
the most unique monuments in the world ---- the magnificent temples
which make Khajuraho justly famous. From 9th to the 13th Century, it
was the religious and political capital of the Chandela Kings, who
between 950 A.D and 1050 A.D built here a complex of 85 temples.
Decorating the walls and platforms of the 22 temples still remaining
are sculptures, both sublime and sensual, of remarkable grace and
beauty. The temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses bear
friezes depiciting not onlly celestial beings but also portraying
the everyday life and culture of a highly civilised people. The
erotic theme prevails in an array of sculptures of amorous couples
in the most intimate and extraordinarily varied postures of sensual
love.
On arrival in Khajuroho, check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 07
Khajuraho - Varanasi by Surface |
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After
an early buffet breakfast, visit the Eastern and Western Group of
Temples, which are famous erotic sculptures. These temples represent
some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern
India. They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the
majorities were constructed in a sudden burst of creative and
religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After
ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of
Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was
abandoned. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that
believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a
path to nirvana.
Later in time our will transfer you to airport to board your flight
(9W 724 at 1330/1410 hrs) for Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi our
representative will receive you and transfer you to your hotel for
check in.
In the evening you would be taken to the Ghats to see the
illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony. The Ganga Aarti is a spectacular
sight. As the sun begins to set, plating the river with gold, bells
and gongs ring and chants fill the air. Rows of religious celebrants
hold plates of flaming ghee, moving them in a circular salutation to
the Goddess of the River Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to
the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving
sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 08
In
Varanasi |
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Morning you will be taken on a visit to the ghats witnessing the
Hindu pilgrims perform the rituals and following the centuries old
tradition and belief that by dying in Varanasi or by immersing the
mortal remains in the holy Ganges, it clears one from the birth
circle and you are incarnated to human life in the next birth. You
would be taking a boat cruise on the river Ganges around all the
ghats and stopping at the important ones. The riverfront, as seen
from a boat, early in the morning, is a spiritually uplifting sight
While coming back to your hotel you will visit Kashi-Vishwanath
Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva & Bharat
Mata Mandir - inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple
dedicated to Mother India. Following your tour remainder of your day
is at leisure.
Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Afternoon free.
Later half day visit to Sarnath.
SARNATH
Close to one of Hinduism’s holiest cities is Sarnath where The
Buddha preached his first sermon after he had attained
Enlightenment. A lot has changed since then but the ruins and
gardens of those early years can still be seen here. More
importantly, at the museum in Sarnath is the Ashok Pillar with its
four guardian lions that has been used as independent India’s
national emblem
Return back to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 09
Varanasi
- Delhi by Flight & Depart Delhi |
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning free.
Later in time transfer to airport to board flight (9W 724 at
1440/1600) for Delhi, On arrival in Delhi, straight transfer to the
international airport to connect flight back to home.
(NO HOTEL ENVISAGED IN DELHI FOR THIS DAY) |
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