Destinations: Delhi-Varanasi-Khajuraho-Orcha-Jhansi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Delhi
ITINERARY
Day 01 : Delhi Arrival
Arrive at the International airport. Transfer to hotel. Relax and prepare for the exciting activities ahead.
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. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi
Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city. The tour will begin with a drive to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles and in the walled city.
The tour will include Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India and Humayum Tomb, cultural significance as it was the first garden- tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the constructions of Taj Mahal. Lotus temple located in south of Delhi. It is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. Drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence.
Afternoon visit to Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna which was built during the years 1638-48 when the Mughul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques which is viewed from outside.
People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet. Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi. Overnight at Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi- Varanasi
Morniing after breakfast, transfer to airport to board a flight to Varanasi. Arrive at Varanasi, meet the representative and transfer to hotel.
Varanasi is 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. To every visitor Varanasi offers a breathtaking experience.
Visit Sarnath 10 km from Varanasi. The great Buddha enhanced the sanctity of Varanasi by choosing the environs of the city to preach his first sermon at Sarnath, after attaining enlightenment. Sarnath has been a premier centre for Buddhism. It is a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics and antiques comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum . Enjoy the evening aarti at the ghats. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 : Varanasi
Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to witness the living traditions of one of the world’s oldest and most important religions. Board a boat 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 open, the place becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are come and go.
Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel for breakfast .
Proceed for day 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. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 : Varanasi – Khajuraho
Morning , transfer to airport to board the flight to Khajuraho.
Situated in the northern most part of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for its enchanting temples and its legendary Khajuraho dance festival. The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated to a celebration of womanhood, her myriad moods and facets. These temples have been designed and carved to lead the eyes from ground level upward till you seem to be looking at heaven.
Arrive at Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon proceed for a tour of the temples of Western, Eastern & Southern part of Khajuraho.
In the evening enjoy a Sound and Light Show at the Western Temple Complex. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 : Khajuraho – Orchha – Jhansi – Agra
After breakfast. Drive to Jhansi enroute visit Orchha
Orchha is a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkable withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the River Betwa.
Proceed for sightseeing of Orchha within the Fort Complex. Lunch at Orchha . Proceed to the station to board the train to Agra. Reach Agra and transfer to hotel.
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 at Hotel.
Day 07 : Agra
Early morning visit Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal emperor, Shah Jehan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj is at its most alluring in the relative quiet of early morning, shrouded in mists and bathed with a soft red glow. As its vast marble surfaces fall into shadow or reflect the sun, its colour changes, from soft grey and yellow to pearly cream and dazzling white. It is worth visiting at different time. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Proceed for the sightseeing tour, Visit Sikandra, the beautifully maintained monument is where Emperor Akbar was buried.
Agra Fort built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. It lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town.
Baby Taj or the Itmad-Ud-Ullah is one of the most beautiful Mughal tombs and was built by Nur Jahan, the Empress of Jahangir for her father in 1628. With its tranquil, small garden on the bank of Yamuna River, the tomb stands impressively elegant from a distance. Proceed for a Heritage Walk to the other side of River Yamuna .
Enjoy the extended hospitality of the local villagers sipping a cup of Masala Chai on the Tea Terrace with standard, comfortable, clean, affordable, and safe facilities. The whole village walk through India’s Mughal History and amiable people is an unforgettable experience. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08 : Agra – Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri .
Akbar, who was without a male heir heard about Saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568. The saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri built under his supervision. As a mark of respect to the saint, Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built various secular buildings Continue drive to Jaipur. On arrival check-in at Hotel.
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 its character and history. A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted 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.
In evening, visit the Birla Temple to know 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. The visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09 : Jaipur
Morning excursion to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back / Jeep in a royal manner.
Amber Fort Palace is the classic romantic Rajasthan 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 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 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 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.
Visit Choki Dhani . Experience a true flavour of Rajasthani culture.Enjoy a cultural evening with a folk dance performance by local tribal artistes. A sumptuous Indian dinner will mark the perfect end to a great day Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 : Jaipur-Udaipur
Morning after early breakfast drive to Udaipur. Reach Udaipur and relax.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11 : Udaipur
Morning proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Visit City Palace, Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola, is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559 A.D. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic view of Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir on one side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day.
Saheliyon ki Bari was built by Maharana Sangram Singh in the mid-18th century. The garden of the maidens brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. The delightful garden appear discreet and in impeccable taste. The whole ambiences are flavored by the nostalgia of those beautiful bells enjoying themselves in a lavish aura.
Bagore ki Haveli is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. It came to be occupied by Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore who built the palace of the three arches also in 1878 and it acquired its name of Bagore-ki-haveli, the house of Bagore. After independence the structure lay in neglect until 1986 when it housed the West Zone Cultural centre.
Jagdish Temple is situated in the middle of the city. The temple of Jagannath Rai, now called Jagdish-ji, is a major monument and should be seen carefully. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh Ist in 1651 A.D.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace,the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12 : Udaipur-Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur enroute visit Ranakpur temple. Ranakpur Temple, dates back to the 15th century. It has 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures. Reach and check in at hotel.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama – the epic hero of the Ramayana.
Evening visit museum at Umaid Bhawan Palace. The royal family of Jodhpur still lives in a part of the palace. Another part of the palace houses a well-maintained museum, displaying an amazing array of items belonging to the Maharaja and the royal family – weapons, antiques & fascinating clocks, crockery and trophies. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13: Jodhpur
Morning visit Mehrangarh Fort, Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh fort is one of the largest forts in India. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrate a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. This Fort is one of the best in India with its exquisitely latticed windows, carved panels, elaborately adorned windows and walls of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal. A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, royal costumes, furniture and the cannons on the fort’s ramparts are well preserved.
Jaswant Thada is the 19th century royal cenotaph built in white marble in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and three other cenotaphs stand nearby. The cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh holds the rare portraits of the rulers and Maharajas of Jodhpur.
Evening dinner at a local restaurant . Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Jodhpur-Delhi
Morning after a leisure breakfast. Proceed to airport to board the flight to Delhi. Reach and check in at hotel. Spend the afternoon in last minute shopping or relaxing.
Proceed to the airport as per flight schedule and board the flight for onward journey.