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Day
1 Delhi
Flight
to 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 7th 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 17th 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 1st 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.
IMP:
RED FORT IS CLOSED ON MONDAY.
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, 7th, 11th & 23rd
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.
On arrival in
Varanasi transfer to hotel.
Afternoon
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 (5th-6th
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 (3rd
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.
Return
to hotel for breakfast.
In
time transfer to 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.
On
arrival in Khajuraho. Transfer to the hotel.
Day
5 Khajuraho/Agra
After breakfast sightseeing of
Khajuraho.
Visit 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.
Afternoon
in time transfer to the airport to connect flight to Agra. On arrival in
Agra transfer to hotel.
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 6 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 16th 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.
Also
visit 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 in hotel. IMP:
TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAY
Day
7 Agra/Sariska
(200 km)
After
breakfast further drive to Sariska. Enroute sightsee Fatehpur
Sikri. 40 km (1 hour) from Agra, lies the beautiful and deserted medieval
city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th 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.
Continue
your drive through the country side and numerous villages. Arrive around
lunch at the hotel Sariska Palace, built by the Maharaja of Alwar in 1902.
A late
afternoon jeep safari through the Sariska wildlife park. The 480 sq km
sanctuary comprises of dry deciduous forest of ber, dhok and tendu, set in
a valley surrounded by the barren Aravli hills. The princely shooting
reserve of the Maharaja of Alwar was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and is a
tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
The
main rhesus monkey population live at Talvriksh, whilst at Bhartri-Hari
you will see many langurs. The chowsingha, or four-horned antelope, Other
deer include chital and sambar. You
may see nilgai, wild boar, jackals, hyenas, hares and procupines. If you
are lucky you may see a tiger and leopard though they are difficult to
spot. During the monsoon the place is alive with birds but many animals
move to higher ground. There are ground birds such as peafowl, jungle
fowl, spur fowl and the grey partridge. Babblers, bulbuls, and tree pies
are common.
Overnight.
Day
8 Sariska/Jaipur
(100 kms)
In
the morning again enjoy the jeep ride to the Jungle.
Afternoon
drive to Jaipur. After arrival check-in to hotel.
Jaipur was built in the
18th 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
at hotel.
Day
9 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
10 Jaipur/Jodhpur
After breakfast morning transfer to the airport to
connect flight to Jodhpur.
Jodhpur the second
largest city of Rajasthan, once the capital of Marwar, sprawls around the
massively impressive cliff top Meherangarh Fort.
Upon arrival
check-in to the hotel.
Late
afternoon, visit the impressive Mehrangarh
Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459 . From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the
old city.
You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as
Brahmin houses - the colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for
Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of
Jodhpur. At the end of the tour enjoy a short walk through the local and
vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Jodhpur.
Day
11 Jodhpur/Udaipur
After
breakfast in time transfer
to airport to connect flight to Udaipur.
The
city of Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south
Rajasthan. It is considered a romantic city - with its lakes, gardens,
temples and palaces - an Oasis in the Thar desert. The old city is a
traditionally planned fortified walled city, a maze of narrow winding
lanes flanked by houses with doorways decorated with Mewar folk art,
windows with stained glass or jali screens, massive havelis with large
inner courtyards and shops. The legendary Ranas who ruled, traced their
ancestry to the Sun Dynasty.
On
arrival in in Udaipur transfer to the hotel.
After
some rest visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai
Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of
Rajput and Mughul influences.
Half of it is still occupied by the Royal family, and part
converted into a museum. The Jagdish
Temple – (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of
the Nagara style of temple arhitecture.. A brass Garuda stands outside and
stone elephants flank the entrance steps. Inside is a black stone image of
Vishnu as Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Sahelion-ki
Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of
the palace in the 18th century. It has beautiful fountains,
trees and flowers.
Afternoon
boat ride on the Pichola Lake
Day
12 Udaipur/Mumbai/Goa
After
breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai to connect flight to
Goa.
After
arrival in Goa, transfer to hotel.
Goa was
a Portuguese settlement and joined the Indian Republic only in 1961.
Unforgettable Goa, is a blend of serenity and excitement down a 100 km
coastline studded with some of the world’s finest beaches. Create you
own kind of holiday. Sun bathe in a quiet secluded spot, choose the
exhilarating thrills of parasailing, speed boating, water-skiing, wind
surfing and deep sea diving.
Celebrate with the Goans a feast of its famous cuisine and a spirit
of joyous fun. It also has the spiritual pilgrimage centre for Christians
at Old Goa. Yet inland Goa, is predominantly Hindu
Overnight in hotel.
Day
13-19 Goa
Free
to relax on the beach.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
20 Goa/Mumbai
After
breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight to Mumbai.
Mumbai
is India’s most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading centre. This
palm- fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire’s entrance
to its `Crown Jewel’. Mumbai is also the centre for Hindi films. It is called
Bollywood, with a credit of almost 900 films a
year.
On
arrival in Bombay transfer to the hotel. Check in at the hotel and drive
to the city for short city tour.
Mumbai
city is rich blend of East and West. The tour
includes the 26 mtr high British-built Arch “Gateway
of India”, Mumbai’s landmark built to honour the visit of George V
and Queen Mary in 1911. Marine
Drive dubbed as the Queen’s
Necklace is Mumbai’s most popular promenades and a favourite sunset
watching spot. The Kamla Nehru Park
from where you have a picturesque view of the city,
Hanging Gardens are so named since they are located on top of a
series of tanks that supply water to Mumbai. Pass by the `towers of
silence’ the crematorium of the Parsis. Also visit Mani Bhawan a private house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay when he
visited Mumbai.
It is now a museum and research library with 20,000 volumes.
Day
21 Mumbai/Home
Early
morning transfer to Mumbai’s International airport to connect flight
back home.
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