01 Day -- Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival 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/4 hours
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
Morning proceed 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.
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
Morning Tourist AC Class train to Jhansi (0800-1040 hours)
On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon visit Orcha.
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 drive, 175 km/4 hours
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour.
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 1545/1625 hrs
Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel
Day 10 -- Varanasi
Early morning boat trip on river Ganges.
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.
After breakfast 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.
Afternoon visit Sarnath(closed on Fridays)
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.
Day 11 -- Varanasi-Kathmandu flight 1155-1305 hours(tue/Thu/Sat only)
Transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu
On arrival, transfer to the hotel
Day 12 -- Kathmandu
Morning city sightseeing tour
Machhendra Nath Temple, a two tiered bronze roof pagoda, Hanuman Dhoka - the
historic seat of Royalty, Durbar Square which houses Teleju temple built in
1549 AD, figure of Kal Bhairav - God of Destruction, statue of King Pratap
Malla, Temple House of Kumari - the residence of living Goddess. The
buildings housing Virgin Goddess has profusely carved wooden balconies from
where they acknowledge greetings of her devotees. The National Museum houses
a splendid collection of weapons, as well as an outstanding collection of
artifacts from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal.
Afternoon visit Patan and Swayambhunath.
Patan, the ancient city (Lalittpur) stands of a raised ground, 5 km
southeast of Kathmandu. The main attraction is Durbar Square which has
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar - the three storied golden pagoda of Lokeshwar (Lord
Buddha) built in the 13th century, Rudra Varna Mahavihar - the unique
Buddhist monastery boasts a fine and amazing collection of images and
statues in metal, stone and wood, Krishna Mandir built in the 16th century,
Jagat Narayan Temple - an imposing temple of Lord Vishnu, Machhendra Nath
Temple built in 1508 AD. The Ashokan Stupa believed to have been built in
250 BC. Tibetan Centre, a self help small scale industry involved in
spinning, dyeing and weaving of tibetan carpets.
Swayambhunath - said to be 2000 years old and one of the world's most
glorious Buddhist Chaityas. The Chaitya or Stupa which forms the main
structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a
lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four
sided base are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
Day 13 -- Kathmandu
Morning visit Pashupatinath and Bodhnath.
Pashupatinath Temple - situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu on the bank of
sacred Bagmati river, the temple of Lord Shiva with two tiered golden roof
and silver doors is famous for its super architecture. It is a centre of
annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha Shivaratri.
Boudhnath - the colossal Stupa, one of the biggest in the world, has the
all seeing eyes of the Buddha. The shrine is ringed by houses of Goddess
Mani Jogni. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels and is
situated 8 kms east of Kathmandu.
Afternoon visit Bhadgaon.
Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur) means the city of devotees, situated at an altitude of
4600 ft., 13 km east of Kathmandu. Durbar Square - the main Square of the
city contains the Lion Gate with the lovely stone figures of Hanuman,
Bhairav and Narsingha Narayan. The Picture Gallery which displays ancient
paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools of Tantricism of various
periods, the Golden Gate with its palace of 55 windows is one of the most
beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind, statue of Bhupatindra
Malla, three storied temple of Bhairavnath built in 1718 AD, the temple of
Nytapole - a five storied pagoda style built in 1702, the tallest in Nepal
with stable workmanship.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 -- Kathmandu-Delhi-Dep.
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi
Assistance on arrival to connect onward flight
CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP
