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Classical & Royal
North India
Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra - Jaipur -
Pushkar - Udaipur - Delhi
Day 01
Delhi: Arrival at Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your
hotel. Relax.
 DELHI,
the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating
blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02
Delhi:
After breakfast proceed for a day sightseeing tour of the city.
Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit
to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing
to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent
Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when
the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's
largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside.
People stream
in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means
that the area is rarely quiet.
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects
the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is
the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively.
The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles.
The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style
in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying
to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will
include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The tour also includes
a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi
Bhawan, the President's residence.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
 Day
03
Delhi - Varanasi:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer
in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will
be met and transferred to hotel.
Varanasi is the World's most
ancient living city. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city
attracts the maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi
is the carpet-manufacturing place of India. It was previously known as Kashi -
the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact that the
city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and ASI. It is also called CITY
OF TEMPLES. The shimmering red and golden water of the Ganges when rays of
dawn falls on them, the high banks, the temples, the Ashrams, the pavilions all
are an experience in themselves.
Visit Sarnath ? 5 miles out of Varanasi
for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha
preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. 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.
Enjoy the evening AARTI
at the GHATS. The guide will be giving a commentary to you on the proceedings
and meanings of the chants during the AARTI of the river.
Overnight
will be spent at Varanasi.
Day 04
Varanasi:
Proceed in the morning 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. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the
best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer
you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your
guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds
before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while
in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Return
for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga".
As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful
are coming and going.
Return to hotel for a sumptuous breakfast.
Proceed for a day tour of Varanasi including the Bharat Mata Temple, which
features a big relief map of Mother India engraved in marble. Also visit the 18th
century Durga Temple, commonly known as the Monkey Temple due to the huge population
of the monkeys. Proceed to the Tulsi manas Temple, crafted from white marble which
features the entire Ramayana inscribed on its walls. Also visit the BHU considered
as the biggest residential university in Asia. The University Campus houses an
Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Overnight will
be in Varanasi.
Day 05
 Varanasi
- Khajuraho:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer in time
for flight to Khajuraho.
Situated in the northernmost part of Madhya
Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for its enchanting temples and its legendary Khajuraho
dance festival. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur tree (the date palm
tree) which is grown abundantly in the region. The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated
to a celebration of womanhood, her myriad moods and facets. Famous for its erotic
architecture, the carvings include, women writing a letter, applying eye makeup,
combing her tresses, dancing & playing with her child. Her innocent, blushed,
charming, seductive, ardent beauty, all depicted in exquisitely sculptured details.
These temples have been designed and carved to lead the eyes from ground level
upward till you seem to be looking at heaven.
Reach Khajuraho. Proceed
for an afternoon tour of the EXOTIC TEMPLES (WESTERN, EASTERN & SOUTHERN)
of Khajuraho.
Enjoy the SOUND & LIGHT SHOW at the Western
Temple Complex. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 06
Khajuraho
- Orchha - Jhansi - Agra:
Proceed by surface to ORCHHA after breakfast.
ORCHHA - A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces
and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkable withstood the onslaught
of time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the River Betwa.
Proceed
for sightseeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Lunch will be at Orchha
and then proceed to the station (12 km away) for train to Agra. (This is a superfast
train with airline type seats and snacks / mineral water is served on board)
Reach Agra and transfer to hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal
monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a
befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat
{seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting
edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies,
and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains.
It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most
conspicuously.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 07
Agra:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Proceed for day sightseeing
of Agra.
 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 its 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.
AGRA FORT - Built by the
famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone.
Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist
attraction. It 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.
After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered
better than the Taj.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day
08
Agra - Jaipur:
By Road
221 km/6 hr
Drive to Jaipur
after breakfast visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route.
Fatehpur Sikri is
37 km west of Agra. Jajal-ud-din-Muhammad Akbar, Humanyun's son, accessed the
throne at the tender age of 14. While hunting around Sikri his curiosity was aroused
by the songs of some minstrels about the celebrated Khwaja -Mu'inu'd-din Chisti,
the founder of the Chisti order of SUFIS. Akbar, who was without a male heir heard
about Saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568. The saint blessed him
with 3 sons and in gratitude Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri
built under his supervision. As a mark of respect to the saint, Akbar shifted
his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built various secular buildings like the Diwan
-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai palace, Birbal's house, Marian's house and the Panchmahal.
Continue your drive to Jaipur and on arrival check-in at Hotel.
 JAIPUR
- The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth
century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699.
Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling
metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of
the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because
of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so
in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the
soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating
religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses
ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan
dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings
in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of
the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of
Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps
being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience
and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 09
Jaipur:
 Breakfast
will be at hotel. Proceed for a morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort.
Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
AMBER FORT
PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction
was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh
I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Jaipur visiting...
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of
Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh
of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple
and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest
and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different
parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments
is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace
of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure
of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies.
The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal
was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Free in the evening for
some exciting shopping.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 10
Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur:
 By
Road
325 km/7 hr
Start for Pushkar after breakfast.
Pushkar is a mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those in
search of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the edge
of the desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar,
the snake mountain.
The town clings to the side of the small Pushkar
Lake with its many bathing ghats and temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important
pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual
search).
Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might
expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb
and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one
of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire,
and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is
said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Proceed to Udaipur.
Reach by evening and relax.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land
around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A
vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend
of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets,
painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes,
temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic
past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of
the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight. Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a
kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Overnight will be at
Udaipur.
 Day
11
Udaipur:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for
sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel
at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid
marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari
Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum or the VINTAGE CAR COLLECTION.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake
Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises
majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit
the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend
some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 12
Udaipur - Delhi:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Delhi. Reach and check in at hotel. Spend
the afternoon in last minute shopping.
Proceed to the airport as per
flight timing and enjoy the FAREWELL DINNER. Board the flight for home with sweet
memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
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