01 Day -- Arrive Delhi
Assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is 12 Noon.
Overnight.
Day 02 -- Delhi
Full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi
Sprawling on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India,
typifies the soul of the country. The city conceals within its bosom the
remains of civilization that flourished over the last three thousand years.
Since those legendary days, many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its
regal soil. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left
behind by the regents.
Old Delhi, constitutes of Red Fort built by Emperor Shahjehaan in 1638 AD,
Jama Mosque largest mosque in India also built by Shahjehan, Raj Ghat and
Shanti van-the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
and drives past Chandni Chowk, the main congested shopping hub of Old Delhi.
New Delhi visit includes Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of
Imperial Delhi (13th century AD ) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed
to be forerunner of Taj Mahal, India Gate, the 42 metre high arch was raised
as a memorial to soldiers, drives past Parliament House, President's House,
Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple and The Connaught Place.
Day 03 -- Delhi--Jaipur drive, 260 km
Morning drive to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 -- Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a
fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th
century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace
complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh
Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of
interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour
Jaipur, this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer
260 years ago. Visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the home of the erstwhile
royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace
of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old
part of Jaipur city
Day 05 -- Jaipur-Agra drive, 235 km/6 hours
Drive to Agra visiting en-route Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting.
There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by
name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when
a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty
and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint
erected in k1569. The shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city.
Visit the mosque of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight.
Day 06 -- Agra
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra.
Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal, the inimitable poem in white
marble is the first expression of love of an Emperor Shahjehan for his queen
Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the
imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with
priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the
beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and built by Emperor Akbar in 1565
AD. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah built between 1622 AD by Empress Nur Jehan, in
memory of her father, Ghias-id-Din Beg., it is considered a precursor of the
Taj Mahal.
Afternoon at leisure.
Day 07 -- Agra-Jhansi-Orcha
Transfer to railway station for train to Jhansi (0800-1040 hours)
Assistance on arrival and transfer by coach to Khajuraho(30 minutes)
Orcha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and
most powerful kingdoms of central India. Situated on the river Betwa, the
medieval city was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Chieftain Rudra
pratap.The succeeding rulers built some of the finest examples of Bundela
architecture which can be seen at Orcha today, such as Jehangir Mahal, Raj
Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Ram Raj Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Sunder Mahal.
Day 08 -- Orcha- Khajuraho, 175 km/4 hours
Drive to Khajurhao and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit of Khajuraho temples
Khajuraho, once the great capital of Chandela, now a quiet town, Khajuraho
temples here were built during the Chandela period from 950 to 1050 AD.
Almost intriguing as the sheet beauty and the size of the temples is the
question of why and how they were built here as Khajuraho is isolated, 1000
years ago as it is even today. The temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan
architecture and depict images of gods and goddesses, warriors and
musicians, real and mythological animals and in great detail - women and
sex. In between are the mithuna, erotic figures running through a whole
Kamasutra of positions and possibilities. Of the two groups of temples -
Western and Eastern - important temples to visit are - Lakshmi and Varaha,
Lakshmana, Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagdamba, Chitradurga, Parvati,
Vishvanath Temple and Nandi, Chausath Yogini, Parsanavanth and Adinath.
Day 09 -- Khajuraho-Varanasi flight
Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi
On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day free
Day 10 -- Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims throng the
water's edge, bathing, worshipping, meditating. On stone platforms under
palm leaf umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside over rites and
rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including the cremation
sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi (Varanasi)
and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the
cycle of birth and death.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, believed to be
founded 3000 years ago, is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindus. It was a
flourishing trading centre 500 BC when the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach
his first sermon. A city of great wealth and religious importance when the
Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited it in the 7th century. Visit the
Vishwanath Golden Temple, the abode of great God Shiva, Bharat Mata Temple,
Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir and Banaras Hindu University.
Day 11 -- Varanasi-Delhi flight
Morning visit Sarnath.
Sarnath, 7 km from the city where Buddha preached his first sermon more
than 2500 years ago. The site is marked by the massive Dhamek stupa which is
believed to date back to 500 AD. Nearby is a Museum where rare collection of
manuscripts and other items related with Lord Buddha can be seen.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi
Assistance on arrival and transfer to international airport for return
flight
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