Day 01: Abroad / Delhi
Arrive late evening at New Delhi International airport. On arrival the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka and garlands. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun;s tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal.
Afternoon tour of the temples.
Visit to the Laxmi Narayan Temple, popularly known as the Birla Mandir, is a large Hindu temple built in 1938. People of all faiths can enter and worship, but one must walk barefoot into the courtyard and further on.
A visit to the Baha'i Temple situated atop the Kalkaji Hill. This distinctive lotus shaped marvel, surrounded by a landscaped garden, has been dubbed the Taj Mahal of the 21st Century.
Also, visit the beautiful Bangla Sahib Gurudwara temple, the most important site of worship for both sikhs and Hindus in Delhi. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Mathura
Breakfast at the hotel Drive to Mathura (147 kms).
On arrival in Mathura - check into the hotel.
Visit the temple. Mathura is an ancient cultural and religious centre. It is also known as 'Brij Bhoomi' as Krishna, the popular incarnation of Vishnu is believed to have been born in Mathura. Whereas, the surrounding area is closely linked with his childhood. Nearby to Mathura is Vrindavan where Krishna indulged in adolescent pranks like flirting with his gopis 'milkmaids' in the forests and stealing their clothes while they bathed in the river. The famous 'Hare Krishnas' also have their headquaters situated here. Lunch at the hotel.
Later in the evening return to the Temple for evening aarti. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Mathura - Agra
Early morning visit the temple for aarti.
Return to hotel for breakfast thereafter drive to Agra (57 kms / 1 ½ hours).
On arrival in Agra directly proceed for sightseeing - visit the Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj complex comprises a forecourt, a lofty entrance, a charming formal Mughal garden with canals and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb proper, and an attached mosque on the west and its symmetrical counterpart on the east. The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportion and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" is said to have taken at least 22 years (1631-1653) to build.
Visit which lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over Red Fort the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Day 05: Agra - Gwalior - Orchha
India's greatest poet Rabindra Nath Tagore described Taj in these evocative words -
Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all
But as the glitter of a rainbow
Tricking out empty air
And must pass away
Yet still one solitary tear
Would hang on the cheek of time
In the form of this
White and gleaming Taj Mahal
Transfer to the Railway Station for train to Jhansi.
Leave: Agra (by Shatabdi Express at 0820 hrs.)
Arrive: Jhansi at 1040 hr
Tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace. This Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have in converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia. After the visit proceed to the Usha Kiran Palace hotel for a lunch. This Palace was originally the Maharaja's guesthouse.
After this proceed to the huge Gwalior Fort - where a sun temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort. Also visit Man Mandir which is a six-towered palace & which forms the eastern wall of the fort. The fort has monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards & is one of the largest forts in India.
Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the famous musician Tansen. Thereafter continue drive to Orchha.
Orchha overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the capital of Bundela kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged century side, it still retains the captivating air of the bygone era.
Upon arrival in Orchha - check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Orchha - Khajuraho
Morning tour of Orchha - walk by the century old temples and forts, each with its own poignant history, and rest amidst the beauty of the ruins. Amongst the various imposing edifices, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, The Raj Mahal and the Laxmi Narayan temple, both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings.
Lunch at the hotel Afternoon drive to Khajuraho (170 kms)
Khajuraho - ancient centre of the Chandela Dynasty. Khajuraho flourished from 950 to 1050 AD and is spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of tools. Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending order representing man's aspirations towards spiritual goals. They are famous tourist draw because they have the most sublime, sensuous and erotic sculptures and are romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and hot plains of Madhya Pradesh.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho - check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 07: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Morning visit the temples.
Visit the Eastern group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and 3 Jain temples, their proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the times in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular.
Also visit the most important and fascinating western group of temples. The temples of Khajuraho have been declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Late afternoon transfer to airport for Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1320/1400 hrs.).
Upon arrival proceed for city tour of Varanasi. Walk through the myriad of narrow lanes in the old city, past the many ancient temples, shrines and little shops crammed with customers looking for the famous silver & gold brocades for weddings or even for cremation cloth. The most famous temple is the Kashi Vishvanath or Golden temple which, though off-limits to non-Hindus, can be seen from the top floor of the old house opposite it.
After sightseeing check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Varanasi
Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, visit Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.
Transfer to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi flight (1430/1540 hrs.).
Upon arrival at Delhi airport, the guests will be transferred to hotel where rooms will be available for wash or change. Dinner at the hotel. Later transfer to airport for flight back home.
Day 09: Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi |
