Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days Places Covered: Delhi - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi -
Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi Day 01: Delhi: Arrival
Arrive at Delhi airport. Transfer to hotel. Check in and relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present - A perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur.
Reach Udaipur and check into hotel.
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.
In the evening, enjoy a 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.
Overnight at Udaipur.
Day 03: Udaipur
Breakfast 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.
Relax in the evening or spend time at the banks of Lake Pichola. Overnight
at Udaipur.
Day 04: Udaipur - Jodhpur
By road 260 km in 6hr
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur.
En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century.
200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds
with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples
and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Jodhpur in the afternoon.
Set at the edge of the THAR Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of
the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the RATHORE
clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the
RAMAYANA. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of
a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by
a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Visit the TOWN HALL area in the evening and can have dinner at PAL HAVELI
ROOF TOP with a beautiful view of the BLUE CITY.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 05: Jodhpur
Morning go for a village safari of the famous BISHNOI VILLAGES and
have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant
wildlife (game only) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape fascinates
one while driving along the countryside.
In the afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort (1459 AD) by Rao Jodha who considered
themselves the descendents of Lord Rama. In this palace you would see different
miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant
Thada Memorial.
Proceed to see UMAID BHAWAN PALACE and the museum there.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 06: Jodhpur - Jaipur
By road 250 km in 6hr
Proceed to Jaipur after breakfast.
En-route, you will stop for lunch at the beautiful CHHATRASAGAR NIMAJ.
Reach Jaipur and 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 it's character
and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. 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.
Spend the evening shopping at leisure in the city.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 07: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning excursion will be to the Amber Fort where you will reach the fort
on elephant back.
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. It's forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise
where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's 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. Its 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.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 08: Jaipur - Agra
By road 221 km in 6hr
After breakfast, drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital
and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable
fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... It's
not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of
its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue your drive to Agra and on arrival check-in at AMAR VILAS
- Undoubtedly the best hotel of Agra.
Time permitting, visit the TAJ MAHAL in the evening against the setting sun.
Overnight at Agra.
Day 09: Agra
Visit the TAJ MAHAL at sunrise - one of the Seven Wonders of the World was
built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The
symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second
Wife).
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.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb.
Proceed for shopping in the evening.
Overnight at Agra.
Day 10: Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to station for train to Jhansi.
Reach Jhansi and transfer to Orchha, 12 km away.
Orchha - a medieval city founded by bundela rulers with palaces and temples
of the 16th and 17th century - which have remarkably withstood the onslaught
of time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the river betwa.
Proceed for sightseeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Enjoy
your lunch at Orchha.
Continue drive to Khajuraho.
Situated in the heart of india, in the state of madhya pradesh, khajuraho
is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural
heritage, honoured by the world as india's unique contribution to human civilisation.
The chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Twenty remain as embodiments
of indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. Even
ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of khajuraho reflect
an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. The temples of khajuraho is
a world heritage site and belong not just to india but to the world. Khajuraho
is one of the few millennium destinations of the world.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Evening free. Can go out
for a stroll.
Overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 11: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a guided tour of the exotic temples of Khajuraho.
Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi is the world's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the riverfront,
as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight. 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.
Reach and relax in hotel. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 12: Varanasi
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. (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. Then return to the shores 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. Visit
Kashi Vishwanath Temple while returning to the hotel.
Return for breakfast to the hotel.
Proceed for half day-guided tour of Varanasi including the, Gyanvapi Mosque,
Benaras Hindu University and other important monuments OR can proceed for
last minute shopping.
Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 13: Varanasi - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
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.
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach Delhi and will be received
at the airport.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 14: Delhi - Next Destination
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting
the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid
- the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort
and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include
a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Proceed to a hotel for wash and change.
In the evening check out and proceed for DANCES OF INDIA SHOW and FAREWELL
DINNER. Transfer to airport for flight to the next destination.
INCREDIBLE TOURISM
