DAY 02:
In the morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of the Old Delhi - a multi - layered city. Our first stop is the Red Fort built by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan when he shifted his capital from Agra.
A short drive brings us to the Great Mosque - The Jama Masjid. Drive on to see the memorial built for Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
Afternoon Sightseeing tour of New Delhi includes a visit to the Qutub Minar - the tallest stone tower in India built in 1191 AD. Chhatarpur Temple - the most popular Hindu temple with blissful tranquility and serene ambience. Continue to Humayun's Tomb believed to have been designed by his widow. Its plan is based on the description of Islamic paradise gardens and is known to have inspired the Taj Mahal and many later Mughal tombs. Also visit the Bahai Temple -
a lotus shaped structure. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility.
DAY 03:
Morning proceed for Jaipur by road (265 kms/ 6 hrs.), on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur and visit the City Palace is a visitors delight. Within the walls are several Palaces and museums resplendent with collections of the princely era. The Outdoor Observatory – the Jantar Mantar- built in 1726 by Jai Singh, a notable astronomer King. It houses instruments of astonishing accuracy, which gives accurate predictions till this day. Drive to the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal), a five story high Palace having a facade of windows and latticed screens which allowed the Ladies of the Court, in bygone days, to sit and view the streets of the city.
DAY 04:
Morning excursion to the Amber Fort which is perched on a hill. An Elephant transports us inside the fort which houses a Marble Palace, Temple of Victory and a Hall of Mirrors.
In the afternoon lose yourself free in the colorful bazaars of Jaipur, overnight stay.
DAY 05:
After early breakfast proceed to Agra by road (235 km / 6 hrs) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri - A fascinating deserted capital of Emperor Akbar. Abandoned in a few years due to lack of water.
Arrive Agra and check-in at hotel, later in the day visit TajMahal - built by a grief-stricken emperor, Shah Jahan, as a memorial of eternal love for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Agra Fort which perhaps offers the most moving view of the Taj Mahal from its octagonal tower situated across the River Jamuna.
DAY 06:
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board Shatabdi Express to Jhansi. On arrival drive to Khajuraho. Arrive by afternoon and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07:
After breakfast, sight seeing tour of temples. The Khajuraho temples were built in the span of a hundred years, from 950 - 1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world’s great artistic wonders.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the group are Chausath Yogini, Chitragupta, Vishwanath, Lakshmana, Matangeshwara, Devi Jagadamba, Parvati, Lakshmi and Varaha temples, each with its own history, presiding deity and points of interest.
The eastern group consists of three Jain temples in an enclosure and four others scattered around the old village of Khajuraho. The southern group has two temples – the Duladeo, which is fairly close to the Jain (eastern) group, and the Chaturbhujtemple, adorned with a huge, intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu.
Afternoon transfer to Khajuraho airport for flight to Varanasi, assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel
Day 08:
Rarely does any place influence the life of a religious community in such totality as Varanasi, the ultimate pilgrimage. Varanasi has predominated Hindu life in its every facet.
Morning excursion to Sarnath, one of the three holiest sites for Buddhists, it has the Deer Park, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon more than 2500 years ago. The site is marked by the massive Dhamek stupa, which is believed to date back to 500 AD. Ashoka, the great Buddhist emperor erected many magnificent stupas here. The remains of the great Ashoka Pillar still stand before the main shrine. The capital can be seen at the nearby Sarnath Museum. This has now been adopted as the state emblem of modern India.
Visit Vishwanath Temple, erected by Rani Ahalyabai Holker of Indore in 1776. The gold plating on the shikharas was a gift of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1835. It is therefore popularly known as Golden Temple. Bharat Mata Temple is a novel temple dedicated to Mother India, which instead of the customary gods and the goddesses houses one of the most perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble.
Tulsi Manas Temple was constructed in 1964 by a philanthropist family of Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple is situated at the place where the great seer of the medieval ages, Tulsidas, lived and wrote the epic Ramcharitmanas expounding the history and deeds of Lord Rama who was an incarnation of the god Vishnu. And drive through the Bazaar is an experience by itself.
Day 09:
Morning free for leisure and later transfer to airport for flight to Delhi, assistance on arrival and transfer to international airport for your flight to onward destination.
Includes
Accommodation for 09 nights/10 days in the above mentioned hotels.
All the transfers and sightseeing by AC Vehicle.
Daily breakfast at the hotel.
Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur.
Dance show at Khajuraho.
Boat ride at Varanasi.
English speaking guide as per the itinerary.
All applicable taxes.
Excludes
Expenses of personal nature such as meals other then specified, soft/hard drinks, mineral water, camera/video fee, film rolls.
Any air/train fare (as per actual).
Entrance fees of monuments.
Any tips, travel insurance fee.
Any other item not specifically mentioned above.
Validity
Rates are valid from 01 October 2007 - 30th April 2008
Rates are not valid from 22 DEC 2007- 05 JAN 2008
Since 1981
