Route : Delhi-Jaipur-Agra-Jhansi-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Kathmandu-Delhi
Day
01 Abroad – Delhi
Arrive
at Delhi International airport.
On arrival in Delhi, the guest will be
met by our representative and transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
02 DelhiThis morning you will be taken to visit
Old Delhi
Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow
streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and
board the
‘rickshaw ride’ for a unique experience
from
the Red Fort, through “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street,
experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west
from the Fort. Later visit 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.
This
afternoon you will be taken to visit
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
Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era &
predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering
minaret of
Qutab Minar.
Overnight at hotel
Day
03 Delhi – JaipurMorning drive to
Jaipur (255 km),
Upon arrival in Jaipur – check into the hotel
Afternoon at
leisure to explore the city.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04
Jaipur
Morning
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 18
th
century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a
fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Afternoon tour of the
City - "The Pink City" is
spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient
ruined fortresses. 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 hotel
Day 05 Jaipur - AgraMorning drive to
Agra
(221 km), en route visit
Fatehpur SikriFatehpur Sikri
the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his
capital and palace in the 16
th century. Also visit the Bulund
Darwaza the largest gateway in the world.
Thereafter
continue drive to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra – check into the
hotel
Day 05 Jaipur – Agra (contd.)Afternoon
visit monuments Red Fort & famous Taj Mahal
Red Fort - lies
on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was
built by Akbar 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 -This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah
Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It
has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for
the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage,
during the birth of her 14
th child.The central structure has
four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of
Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian
mausoleums. (
Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
Stay at
pristine
Taj Mahal for
sunset, to see this true Wonder of
the world in gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day
06 Agra – Jhansi – KhajurahoMorning transfer to railway
station for train to
JhansiLeave: Agra at 0800 hrs by
Shatabdi ExpressArrive: Jhansi at 1024 hrs
On arrival in Jhansi, the guests will be met by our representative and
straight proceed to
Khajuraho (170 kms).
Upon arrival in
Khajuraho – check into the hotel
Afternoon 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
Overnight at hotel
Day 07 Khajuraho – VaranasiMorning
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.
Afternoon
transfer to airport for flight to
VaranasiLeave:
Khajuraho at 1405 hrs by 9W 724Arrive: Varanasi at 1445
hrsOn arrival in Varanasi, the guest will be met by our
representative and en route visit
SarnathSarnath 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. (
Sarnath museum is closed on Friday).
Thereafter
transfer to the hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 08
Varanasi – KathmanduEarly 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. Visit some of the many Hindu temples that
line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of
shops selling, among other things, the world famous Benaras Silks.
Rendezvous
with a Hindu astrologer, who will explain the influence of astrology
on the way of life of a devout and religious Hindu person.
Thereafter transfer to airport for flight to
KathmanduLeave:
Varanasi at 1220 hrs by IC 752Arrive: Kathmandu at 1330
hrs
(This
flight is operating only on Tue, Thu, Sat & Sunday)
On arrival in
kathmandu, the guests will be met by our representative and transferred to
the hotel
Afternoon at leisure
At sunset arrive at
Swayambhunath
stupa perched on a sacred hilltop with the painted all seeing eyes of
Lord Buddha gazing across the valley in 4 cardinal directions. Sunset views
from here are simply spectacular with Buddhist Pilgrims lighting butter
lamps amidst prayer chanting amidst a backdrop of mountain peaks.
Overnight
at hotel
Day 09 KathmanduMorning
tour of Kathmandu
– locked in by the towering snow-clad mountains of the Himalyan
range, Kathmandu is the capital of the ‘Hindu Kingdom of Nepal’ –
an extraordinary land only now entering the 20
th century. Walk
through the narrow cobbled lanes of the old Kathmandu city visiting its many
ancient temples among which the most unusual is the
Temple of Kumari
or ‘the living Goddess’ where a little girl lives in her temple
residence showering blessings to her many followers. Visit the
Hanuman
Dhoka the ancient Royal Palace complex that comprises of a series of 14
courtyards of which Nasal Chowk is still used for Royal ceremonies including
coronation.
Afternoon, proceed onto
Bodhnath, the largest
stupa in the world where from a towering golden pinnacle the painted eyes of
the all-seeing Buddha gaze across the valley in every direction, then
proceed onto the
Pashupatinath temple situated on the banks of
Bagmati temple which is the most holy temples of the entire Hindu world. As
entrance into the temple precint is permitted to Hindus only, visitors can
clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises
from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. A sight of cremation being
performed on the banks of the river is very common.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 KathmanduMorning
visit Bhadgaon – home of medieval art and architecture, also known as
Bhaktapur or the city of the devotees. Raja Ananda Malla supposedly created
Bhaktapur in 889 A.D. designing his kingdom in the shape of Shiva’s
conch shell or Shiva’s drum. Thereafter continue to Dhulikhel –
the hilltop village is one of the famous spots for viewing
Afternoon
visit Patan – an important ancient city of Kathmandu valley – it
is a treasure house of venerable and pisturesque buildings. It is also known
as the Cradle of Arts and Architecture of the valley. Visit the Patan
museum.
Overnight at hotel
Day 11 Katmandu – Delhi Morning at leisure
Afternoon
transfer to airport for flight to
DelhiLeave:
Kathmandu at 1350 hrs by IC 814Arrive: Delhi at 1510 hrsArrival
in Delhi
Later in late evening transfer to International airport
for flight to back home
Day 12 Delhi – AbroadDepart
Delhi
