Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Pushkar - Jaipur
- Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu - Delhi
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked hotel.
Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country,
contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in
its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the
prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New
Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division
between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the
British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he
will invariably confront the cities’ past.
DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the
largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started
in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by
Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and
Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon, half day city
tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is
an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate,
President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi
Narayan Temple. In the evening, transfer to the airport to board flight for
Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY 03 : DELHI - UDAIPUR (BY FLIGHT)
Early morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Udaipur. Arrive
Udaipur and transfer to prebooked hotelrrive Udaipur and transfer to
prebooked hotel. Later , visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City
Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a
fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the
Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble
elephants & lotus pool. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
DAY 04 : UDAIPUR - RANAKPUR - JODHPUR (275 KMS, 06-07 HRS)
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur. Enroute visiting the Jain temples at
Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white
marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take
anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved
& sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars
– none of which is similarly carved. After the visit, continue drive to
Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur in the evening and check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 05 : JODHPUR - PUSHKAR (225 KMS, 04-05 HRS HRS)
After breakfast, city tour of Jodhpur. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort which
literally means “Majestic Fort”, located at the very centre of the
city. There are ,in all , three gates , each built to commemorate a
particular victory, as well as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection of
musical instruments, palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts’
ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to the fort complex lies
this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja
Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are, also, to be seen
at Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Clock Tower – the city centre.
Afternoon, leave for Pushkar. Arrive Pushkar and check in at prebooked
hotel.
DAY 06 : PUSHKAR - JAIPUR (135 KMS, 03-04 HRS)
After breakfast, visit Pushkar. Afternoon, leave for Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur
and check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 07 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills
of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms
from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of
the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's
army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Afternoon, free for
individual activities. Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace
which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware
and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in
1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.
DAY 08 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA (256 KMS, 06-07 HRS)
After breakfast, leave for Agra. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of
Fatehpur Sikri - built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the
Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See
the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti,
Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original
glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and checkin at
prebooked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09 : AGRA
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by
Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his
grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences
amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was
contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the
tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the
highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in
memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and
was not completed until 1653. Afternoon, free for individual activities.
DAY 10 : AGRA - JHANSI (BY TRAIN), JHANSI - ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO (BY ROAD)
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board train for Jhansi
at 0800 hrs. Arrive Jhansi at 1030 hrs and board our car/coach which awaits
you to drive you to Khajuraho. Enroute visit Orchha : Once the capital of
Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved
palaces and temples. Though Orcha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was
during the first half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in
1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal was built for him. Visit the
Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal & Ram Raja temple which also dates back to the
17th century.Arrive Khajuraho and check in at hotel.
DAY 11 : KHAJURAHO - VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)
After breakfast visit Khajuraho : Built by the warrior Chandela dynasty
that rose to power in Central India between 10th & 11th centuries, the
25 odd surving temples display different facets of life, including the
sensual. These erotic carvings on some panels have given rise to much
speculation since Khajuraho’s re-discovery by a British officer in
1838. To preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho has been declared a World
Heritage Site.Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela
Kings between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset
Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitragupta or
Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath &
Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple, Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is
the largest & most typical of temples. Afternoon, transfer to airport to
board flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY 12 : VARANASI
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. After breakfast, city tour of Varanasi.
Formerly known as Kashi – the city that illuminates. The religious
capital of Hinduism , Varanasi is the oldest living city of India & one
of the worlds’ most ancient. The present name is derived from the fact
that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna & Asi. 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. Afternoon, excursion to Sarnath -
the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon after
attaining Enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
DAY 13 : VARANASI - KATHMANDU (BY FLIGHT)
After breakfast, free. Later, transfer to the airport to board flight for
Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu meet and assist at the airport and
transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY 14 : KATHMANDU
In the morning, visit the valley of Kathmandu – the capital city of
Nepal, Swayambhunath & Museum. Afternoon, excursion to Patan.&
Tibetan Handicraft centre
DAY 15 : KATHMANDU
After breakfast, visit Bhaktapur, Boudhnath & Pashupatinath. Afternoon,
excursion to Dhulikhel to witness the beautiful sunset. Return to Kathmandu
after sunset.
DAY 16 : KATHMANDU - DELHI (BY FLIGHT)
After breakfast, free for individual activities. Afternoon, transfer to the
airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to prebooked
hotel.
DAY 17 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home/onward destination.
