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Day 01. Flight
to India (Delhi)
Around midnight arrival in
Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi
is the main gateway for travellers. You are met by an Indo Vacations
representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Day
02. Old - New Delhi
This
morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take a
Rickshaw Ride parallel to the
Red Fort through the old city and famous
Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes
"Rajghat", the site where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and
Jama Masjid, the
great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous Humayun Tomb which is the first
substantial example of Mughal
architecture in
India and Qutub Minar which is 71 meter high and was constructed in 1199. Before
we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive through New Delhi where we
see the
India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
BD
Day
03. Delhi - Jaipur (about 270 km)
Today we drive to the Pink
City,
Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the
great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital
of Rajasthan and famous for its
handicrafts and precious and semiprecious
stones. In the afternoon we visit
the
City palace which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built
in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the city
palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to
Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable
observatories. Its complex instruments reveals us the secrets of medieval Indian
astronomy.
BD
Day
04. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to
the ancient capital of
Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the
ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to
newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an
Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the
Hawa
Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built
in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony.
The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we have a
walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the
famous block printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur.
In the evening we drive
through the new city of Jaipur and visit Laxmi Narayan Mandir, a Hindu temple
made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer
ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music and
dance. BD
Day
05. Jaipur -
Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through a series of fields,
small towns and villages to Agra. Enroute we make a stop and visit
Fatehpur Sikri,
which was once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century.
This wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built.
It has been generally stated that it was due to failing in the water supply.
Late evening arrival in
Agra. Rest of the day at leisure.
BD
Day
06. Agra
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the
Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign,
Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque.
After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument of India, the
Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home.
BD
Day 07.
Agra - Gwalior
(about 125 km)
Today we
drive to Gwalior. Gwalior's
strategic position between North and South India has made it's Fort
an important possession and it was captured by several ruling
houses. Some left almost as soon as they came, while others stayed
on to build and beautify the citadel. We visit the fort of Gwalior
today itself. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 08.
Gwalior - Jhansi - Orchha (about
125 km)
Today we drive to Orchha via Jhansi.
In Jhansi we visit the fort of
Jhansi. Jhansi Fort is not only one of the most fortified fort in
Uttar Pradesh, but also in India. Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha built
this fort in the early 17th Century. Jhansi The museum is located in
the Fort of Jhansi. The museum offers not only an insight into the
history of Jhansi, but the entire region of Bundelkhand. The museum
offers an insight into the life of Chandela dynasty. Then we drive
to Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in
time, a rich legacy to the ages. In 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 retain much of their
pristine perfection. In the afternoon arrival in Orchha. Rest of the day at
leisure.
BD
Day
09. Orchha - Khajuraho (about 178 km)
In the
morning we visit the temples and palaces in Orchha and later drive
to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandela dynasty. The
Chandela Kings claimed descent from the moon. The temples of
Khajuraho are among the finest examples of temple craftsmanship in
the whole of India. Rest of the time free for leisure at the hotel. BD
Day
10. Khajuraho - Varanasi (By flight)
Today
morning we visit the temple complex of
Eastern Group
and
Western Group
to see the most beautiful temples in
India.
Most famous among them is the Laxmana Temple which is dedicated to
god Vishnu. The presence of erotic sculptures in the Temples at
Khajuraho is one of the expression among others of the celebration
of all human activities displaying different aspects of
Hinduism. In the afternoon we take
flight to Varanasi. Varanasi
is no doubt Indias most sacred city and thus visited by over one
million people. Varanasi is also called the city of
light. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC. Arrival in Hotel. In the
evening drive to the Ganges for evening prayer (Evening Aarti)
experience.
Day 11.
Varanasi
In the early morning
we take a boat ride on the holy river
Ganges and enjoy sunrise on the boat.
Ghats (flight of steps) and the
activities of pilgrims on that are the principal attraction for
visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this
city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves
through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. In the noon we visit
the city of Varanasi.
Optional: A drive can
be organized to
Sarnath (10 km). Sarnath is the place where Buddha
delivered his first sermon at deer park.
BD
Day
12. Varanasi - Delhi (by air)
In Afternoon
we take a flight from Varanasi to Delhi. Rest of the day at leisure
(more sightseeing, shopping, etc.).
BD
Day 13.Flight
to Home
Around
midnight flight to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We provide you the accommodation as per your
budget mentioned above in the table of hotels category for any of
the booked tour. Hotels provided by us are from budget to luxury
class hotels. The criteria for selecting hotels by us remains the
best value of your money. We also provide you wherever possible
accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old Palaces,
Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated
and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all individually.
Rooms are comfortable, romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja
days.
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