| Destinations : Arrive Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Gwalior (by train) - Jhansi - Khajuraho - Khajuraho Temple Tours - Varanasi (by flight) - Depart Delhi Duration : 10 Days |
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight.
A history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here - Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. But, combined and integrated into one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway.
Upon arrival you will be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: In Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be given city tour of Old and New Delhi.
Old Delhi Visit the 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.
New Delhi - 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. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Jaipur
Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board train for Jaipur.
The historic city of Jaipur or "The City of Victory" was founded in 1727 A.D. by the great Kachhawah ruler Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.), and named after him. The monarch was not only a great builder, but also a poet and an astronomer. Under his aegis, the city was designed by his talented architect Vidyadhar, who gave shape to the creative aspirations of Sawai Jai Singh in the form of the dream city of Jaipur Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon you will be given city tour of Jaipur.
Tour of the Pink City - Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur - Agra
After breakfast visit Amber Fort.
Tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families
Later leave for Agra by surface. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri or Fathpur Sikri, historic city (1991 pop. 25,446), Uttar Pradesh state, N India. It was founded (1569) by the Mughal emperor Akbar to honor the Muslim saint Shaikh Salim Chishti, who had foretold the birth of Akbar's son and heir, Jahangir. The city was Akbar's capital until 1584. By 1605 it was largely deserted because of the inadequate water supply. A masterpiece of Muslim architecture, the city is unique in India as a nearly intact Mughal city. Continue your drive to Agra.
Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here.Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Upon arrival at Agra, you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Agra
Morning you will be given city tour of Agra which includes visit to Taj Mahal built and Agra Fort. Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. Taj Mahal…… Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Rest of the time is free. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Agra - Gwalior (by train)
Morning transfer to railway station to board train for Gwalior.
Gwalior's history is traced back to a legend in 8th century AD when a chief tain known as Suraj Sen was struck by a deadly disease and cured by a hermit-saint Gwalipa. As a gratitude for that incidence, he founded this city by his name. The new city of Gwalior became existence over the centuries. The cradle of great dynasties ruled the city Gwalior. With different Dynasty, the city gained a new dimension from the warrior kings, poets, musicians, and saints who contributed to making it renowned throughout the country. The city is also the setting for the memorials of freedom fighters such as Tatya Tope and the indomitable Rani of Jhansi. Today the old settings stand side by side with the trappings of modernity.
On arrival in Gwalior, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon city tour of Gwalior. City tour of Gwalior - Visit Gwalior Fort built by Tomar Raja Raja Man Singh symbolises the grandeur of Gwalior within the fort is the Gujari Mahal, a magnificent Palace in stone which was built by Raja Man Singh for his favourite wife Mirgnayani and near by is six towered Palace crowned with domes Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Gwalior - Jhansi- Khajuraho
Morning transfer to railway station to board train for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi & drive to Khajuraho visiting Orchha enroute.
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. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Continue your drive to Khajuraho
The name Khajuraho derives from the khajur or date palm trees that once surrounded the huge Khajurvahaka Tal. Khajuraho, once the great Chandela capital, is today a village of about a few thousand people in the interiors of central India, in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Tradition records the existence of eighty five temples, of which only twenty five, strewn amidst lakes and fields, have survived. The temples at Khajuraho, brilliant examples of medieval Indian architecture, were built under later Chandela kings between AD 950 and AD 1050. Each ancient structure in India has a fascinating story to tell. But few match the temples of Khajuraho. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Khajuraho Temple Tours
Breakfast at the hotel. Later you will be given temple tour of Khajuraho.
Visit the world famous Chandela Temples. Out of the total 85 temples only 22 remain, but offer a beautiful and extravagant ode to human life. Built in 10th and 11th centuries, these temples are dedicated to a particular deity and the on the outer walls are carved various themes, but actually it is an ode to woman hood, an ode to fertility, the form of birth and an ode to greatest form of life.
Of the two groups of temples - Western and Eastern - important temples to visit are - Kandariya Mahadev, Chaunsath Yogini, Chitragupta, Lakshmana, Devi Jagdamba, Parvati, Vishvanath Temple and Nandi, Paraswanath and Adinath
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09: Khajuraho - Varanasi (by flight)
Breakfast the hotel. Later transfer to airport to connect flight for Varanasi.
Picturesquely situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga, Varanasi, one of the ancient seats of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. This name seems to have been corrupted, in medieval times to Banaras, which was in use till May 24, 1956 when it was changed to Varanasi, by an order of the Government of India. Varanasi is probably 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, being visited by millions of people every year.
Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Today you will be excursion to Sarnath.
Excursion to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum (closed on Fridays). At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent Indias’ national emblem.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Varanasi - Delhi (by train)
Early morning, leave for boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless string of rituals, ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to hotel for breakfast.
Later you will be given city tour of Varanasi.
City tour of Varanasi - Visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.
Later transfer to the railway station to connect overnight train for Delhi. Overnight on board.
Day 11: Depart Delhi
Morning arrive New Delhi & transfer to the hotel (Day use only). Day is at leisure. Evening transfer to the airport in time to connect your flight for onward destination.
