Day 1 Delhi

Flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to the hotel. Check in time is 1200 hrs.

Day 2 Delhi

In Delhi’s 3000 years of existence, seven cities stood where the present capital of India stands. Here you’ll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary - where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist besides a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.

After breakfast sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.

Visit the 7^th city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1639-48 AD) after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. Red Fort – the 17^th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. Visit Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”. An eternal flame burns 24 hours.

Afternoon visit New Delhi.

Visit the Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The Qutub Minar – the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles – the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chattris Hindu and the graceful colonnades very British. It has 340 rooms. The Government Buildings designed by Baker, are topped by baroque domes and decorated with lotus motifs and elephants, while the north and south gateways are Mughal in design. The northern building has an inscription with “Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be enjoyed”. The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter. Inside is the library and chambers for the council of state, chamber of princes and legislative assembly. The India Gate (42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1^st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 3 Delhi/Varanasi

After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi derives its name from the two streams – Varuna in the north and Assi in the south, the British corrupted the name Varanasi to Banaras. The oldest name is Kashi, which means `the City of Light’. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the holiest city for the Hindus, also for the Jains, because the three tirthankars, 7^th, 11^th & 23^rd were born here. It is believed that anyone who dies here goes straight to heaven The city draws pilgrims from all over the world, to worship, meditate and above all to bathe.

Later in the afternoon an excursion to Sarnath, 9 km from Varanasi, one of Buddhism’s major centers in India. It was here that Buddha gave his first Sermon after attaining Nirvana. In the complex is the Dhamekh Stupa (5^th-6^th AD) or Dharma Chakra, the most imposing monument at Sarnath built to commemorate the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to the five disciples. Also visit Dharmarajika Stupa that was built by Emperor Ashoka (273-326 BC). From this stupa a green marble casket containing human bones and pearls was found, said to be the relics of Buddha. It was the seat for Buddha’s meditation. To the rear is the 5m lower portion polished sandstone Asokan Column (3^rd century). The Deer Park on the south – west, has several species of deer. On the way back to the Hotel visit a modern Buddhist temple which has beautiful life size frescos of Buddhas life. In the vicinity is the sapling of the Bodhi tree brought from Sri Lanka, under which Buddha sat and attained enlightenment.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Varanasi/Khajuraho

Today early morning you experience the life of this ancient city. See the beauty of the rising sun on the Ganges Boat Ride. The boat ride passes along some of the 100 ghats, with numerous palaces built by Hindu kings. Experience the early morning rituals of the Hindus being performed, thousands of people taking a bath in the holy river believing they will be free from the circle of rebirth. It is interesting to see the pilgrims offering sweets, flowers and holy water to the Sun God.

In time transfer to the airport to connect flight to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho, home to the most famous erotic temples built in the 10 & 11th century by the Chandella Rulers, with the Vindhyan Hills as a backdrop. Of 85 temples only 20 survive. This is a world heritage site. Morning after breakfast visit the Eastern and Western Group of temples.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Khajuraho

After breakfast sightseeing of Eastern and Western Group of Temples.

The Eastern Group of temples are mainly dedicated to the Jain teachers - tirthankaras - The Parsvanatha Temple, the Adinatha Temple and the Santinatha Temple. There is a 4.5m statue of Adinatha in the main place of Jain worship. The temples are ornately carved on the outside with beautiful figures of Hindu gods, goddesses.

The Western Group consists of a group of artistic temples built in sandstone. The sculptures of Hindu deities, dancers and musicians appear to be so natural as if they would come alive any time. We will visit the Varaha Temple dedicated to Vishnu, and also the Lakshmana Temple also dedicated to Vishnu. It is one of the earliest of the western enclosure temples dating from 930 to 950 AD. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is not only the largest of the temples, it is also artistically and architecturally the most perfect. Built between 1025 and 1050 it represents Chandella art at its most finely developed phase.

Overnight at the hotel in Khajuraho.

Day 6 Khajuraho/Gwalior

After breakfast drive to Gwalior. Enrotue visit Orchha, once the Capital of Bundela-Rulers. Orchha is a highly picturesque, set on an island on a bend in the Betwa river. You see the beautiful old fort palace raised on a rocky promontory above the wooded countryside. Visit the Raj Mahal with its Hall of Private Audience and Public Audience and royal chambers with beautiful painted murals on the walls and ceilings of religious and secular themes. The Rai Parveen Mahal named after the musician courtesan (1592-1604). The Jahangir Mahal (7^th century) palace built to commemorate the Emperor’s visit.

Later in the evening arrival in Gwalior.

There is a legend about the foundation of Gwalior: In 8^th century Suraj Sen a tribal head was suffering from a deadly disease. A holy saint Gwalipa treated him and he got well. As a token of gratitude to the saint he founded a city and named it after the saint, Gwalior.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Gwalior

After breakfast visit the majestic hill fort of Gwalior standing on a sandstone precipice 100 m high, 2.8 km long and 200 to 850 m wide. In places the cliff overhangs, else where it has been steepened to make it un scaleable.

Gujari Mahal (15^th century) on the foot of the fort, today a archaeological museum with rich Hindu and jain sculptures. The palace was built by Raja Mansingh Tomar for his loving wife Mrignayani. Further to Man Mandir Palace (1486-1516) is the most impressive building in the fort with its 4 storey work and famous wall paintings. Pass by Sas Bahu (Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) Temple dedicated to Vishnu the 11^th century. The old city has the Jama Masjid (1661) with the tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, an Afghani saint and teacher of Tansen. Tansen was the famous musician and one of the nine gems at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. One can also see the tomb of Tansen closeby.

Next visit the Jai Vilas Palace, the residence of the Scindia Family. About 35 rooms of the palace have been converted into a museum. In the Durbar Hall approached by a crystal staircase in it hang the world’s largest Crystal Chandeliers in the world, each weighing three and a half tons.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Gwalior.

Day 8 Gwalior/Agra (118 km)

After breakfast drive to Agra.

Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an enshrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Agra

After breakfast visit Agra Fort (Fort and Palace) situated on the west bank of the river Jamuna, made by the Mughal King Akbar in the 16^th century and completed by his grandson Shah Jahan, who was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb for 8 years in this fort, before his death. The fort is crescent-shaped and the perimeter is 2.4 km long.

The stunning tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the `Baby Taj’- a marble memorial with exquisite inlay work built in 1628 by Nur Jahan, queen of Jehangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg

Afternoon visit the world famous monument of India, the Taj Mahal (1631-1653), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. It employed 20,000 workers from the Central Asia and Europe for 22 years to construct this extravagant monument of love, inlaying the white marble edifice with precious and semi precious stones.

Overnight at the hotel.

IMP: TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAY

Day 10 Agra/Jaipur (244 km)

After breakfast drive to Jaipur. En-route sightseeing of Fatehpur Sikri. 40 km (1 hour) from Agra, lies the beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16^th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. It was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today, it is perfectly preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire’s splendor.

Further drive to Jaipur. After arrival check-in to hotel.

Jaipur was built in the 18^th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. It was made attractive with the pink wash - a traditional colour of welcome in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.

Day 11 Jaipur

After breakfast, half-day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 stored building with 25cm thick facade from the 18 century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal family could see the procession and events in the city without being visible to the people. Proceed to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. Enjoy an Elephant ride to the top of the Palace fort.

Return to Jaipur.

Afternoon visit the “Pink City” of Jaipur. The City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armoury, manuscripts, paintings etc.

Also visit Jantar Mantar (1728-34) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.

Day 12 Jaipur/Delhi (260 km)/ Fly Home

After breakfast leave the opulence of the Maharajas and drive to the Imperial city of Delhi.

Drive straight to Delhi to connect flight back home.