13 Nights / 14 Days

Delhi / Varanasi / Lucknow / Calcutta / Vishnupur / Calcutta / Bhubaneshwar / Puri / Konarak / Puri / Bhubaneshwar / Delhi

Day 1 – Your Country / Delhi

Late night arrival. Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you! Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 – Delhi / Varanasi

Following a leisurely breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi.
DELHI – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising then, that what constitutes Delhi today is a conglomerate of seven cities.

Morning: Proceed for tour to Old Delhi. Visiting, Red Fort (From outside) – The old walled city from Mughal India, the chief attraction is the huge fort that contains within it palaces and impressive public buildings. Chandni Chowk – The main street of Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. Jama Masjid – The great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Raj Ghat – On the banks of the Yamuna River, a simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures.

Afternoon: Continue to visit New Delhi, Rajpath – The Kingsway is another focus of New Delhi. It is immensely broad and is flanked on either side by Ornamental ponds. India Gate – This 42 mtr high stone arch of triumph stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WWI and Afghan fiasco in 1919 Rashtrapati Bhawan – The official residence of the President of India stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from India Gate. Qutab Minar – This is a soaring tower of victory which was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73 mtr high and tapers from a 15-mtr diameter base to just 2.5 mtr at the top. Humayun's Tomb  - This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal
After the visit Transfer to station to catch the train Varanasi. Overnight at train.

Day 3 – Varanasi

Arrive in Varanasi. Checkin at hotel.
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.
After breakfast, excursion to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent India’s national emblem. Overnight at Hotel

Day 4 – Varanasi / Lucknow

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.
In the afternoon, departure in direction of Lucknow. Arrival and overnight at hotel.

Day 5 – Lucknow

After the breakfast Leave for the lucknow city tour. Lucknow is a city synonymous with the Nawabi Culture. The imperialistic splendour and magnificence of the Nawabi era has been glorified and eulogized down the ages by writers, poets and historians alike. At the same time its mystical elegance and amorous ethos has caught the fascination of many world famous romantics. Known for its adab and Tehzeeb (cultural refinement), Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life, fabled edifices steeped in history, world-renowned cuisine and exquisite Sham-e- Awadh
Visit:
Bara Imambara -This huge and elegant building is also called the Asafai Imambara. It is said that this hall is the world’s largest arched room without any pillars and the Nawabs used to hold their public hearings. The building was built in a famine relief program in 1784 by Nabab Asaf-ud-Daulla
Rumi Darwaza - Just beyond Bara Imambara is an impressive gateway, Rumi Darwaza, built by Nawab Asafuddaula in 1784. It is also known as the Turkish Gateway. The heart and soul of the Avadh architecture is well expressed here.Return to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 – Lucknow / Calcutta

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport to board on flight to Kolkatta. On arrival Checkin at hotel. Spare time rest in hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 – Calcutta

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Calcutta.
Calcutta also known as Kolkata is a bustling city with a teeming population. It is the cultural capital of India and the gateway to the East. More than 300 years old, the city gained eminence when the British developed Calcutta as the second city of their empire, next only to London. It became the capital of India. When Queen Victoria died, Lord Curzon the then Viceroy of India built the white marbled Victoria Memorial in her remembrance.
Calcutta is an Anglicized version of Kalikata. According to some, Kalikata is derived from the Bengali word Kalikshetra, meaning "Ground of (the goddess) Kali." Some say the city's name derives from the location of its original settlement on the bank of a canal (khal). A third opinion traces it to the Bengali words for lime (kali) and burnt shell (kata), since the area was noted for the manufacture of shell-lime. Still another opinion is that the name is derived from the Bengali term kilkila (meaning, "flat area"), which is mentioned in the old literature. Maybe the name springs from the fact that being the home of the 'Kol' tribe known as 'Kolka Hota

You will discover there the Eden gardens, the Law courts, the French National Assembly and one of the missions of Mother Theresa.

Day 8 – Calcutta / Vishnupur / Calcutta

Breakfast at hotel then depart for the excursionto Vishnupur, located at 100 km in the North-West of Calcutta. The small city is famous for its marvellous temples whose frontages are covered with squares finely decorated with scenes taking as a starting point Hindu women. Return to Calcutta and overnight at hotel

Day 9 – Calcutta / Bhubaneshwar

After the breakfast, a little spare time for your personal discovery of the city, then transfer to the airport to take the flight for Bubaneshwar, capital of Orissa. Arrival, checkin at hotel and spare time to walk down the city and to discover some temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 – Bhubaneshwar / Puri

Breakfast at hotel and continue to puri, Checkin at hotel
Visit Jaganath Temple is dedicated to Lord Jaganath (the Lord of the Universe) who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The original temple, built in Orissan style of temple architecture with a Deul or Sanctum and Jagmohan or the Audience Hall, was completed in 12th century AD. The Nata Mandir or Dance Hall and Bhog Mandir or Hall of Offering were added in the 14th or 15th century AD. The Sanctum is enshrined with the wooden idols of Jaganath, Balabhadra and Subhdra beautifully ornamented with fineries, ornaments and garlands by the priests. Only the eyes of the deities are visible because they are believed to be unfinished work of the Vishwakarma, the architect of the gods. According to mythology, it is believed that the king had commissioned Vishwakarma to build the idols of the Gods. Vishwakarma started the work on the condition that the king would not interfere or disturb him till the time the work is completed. He worked according to his will with long breaks in between which irritated the king. When he could no longer restrain himself, the king questioned Vishwakarma about his work. This angered Vishwakarma and he left the work unfinished. The temple complex is a self-sufficient unit with 6000 priests and more than 10,000 others whose livelihood comes from the temple activities. There are four sacred tanks within the temple complex of which the Narendra Tank is the most famous. Only the Hindus are allowed inside the temple
In the afternoon, road for Pipli, small artisanal village specialized in weaving and the embroidery and visits Japanese monastery. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 – Puri / Konarak / Puri

After the breakfast, Leave for Konarak excursion, small village of fishermen of Orissa. You will discover there the famous Sun temple classified with the world inheritance. This is devoted to Surya, and its architecture symbolizes the Tank of the god Surya. Return to Puri and overnight at hotel.

Day 12 – Puri / Bhubaneshwar

After the breakfast, Drive to Bhubhaneshwar. Arrival in Bhubhaneshwar, checkin at hotel and transfer downtown to carry out your last purchases or some visits. Overnight at hotel

Day 13 – Bhubaneshwar

After Breakfast Leave for City tour you will discover their 500 temples. The city counted some more than 7000 at the period. Visit temple of Lingaraja, largest and more impressionant of all, Parsumeshwara, Mukteshwara. All are gathered around a crowned basin. The afternoon, visits of the sanctuaries of Udaigiri. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 – Bhubaneshwar / Delhi / Your Country

After the breakfast, transfer to the airport to take the flight bound for Delhi. Arrival in Delhi and transfer downtown to carry out your last purchases or some visits. The vehicle remains at your disposal. Later transfer to the international airport for your onward flight back home with the sweet memories of India

Hotel Proposed – LUXURY

Delhi- The Imperial/ The Grand/ The Park/ The Claridges/ Hotel Taj Palace / The Oberoi/ The Taj Mahal/ The Manor/ The Metropolitan Hotel Nikko
Varanasi- Radisson Hotel/ Taj Ganges
Lucknow- Hotel Clarks Avadh
Calcutta- Peerless Inn/ Radisson Fort
Bhubhaneshwar- Trident Bhubaneshwar/ Hotel Swosti
Puri- The Hans Coco Palms/ Mayfair Beach Resort

Hotel Proposed – DELUXE

Delhi- Hotel Marina/ The Connaught/ Hotel Dee Marks/ Hans Plaza
Varanasi- Rashmi Guest House/ Hotel Ganges View
Lucknow- La Place Park Inn/ Hotel Deep Palace
Calcutta- Lytton Hotel
Bhubhaneshwar- The Crown
Puri- Toshali Sands

Hotel Proposed – ECONOMY

Delhi- Hotel Metro Heights/ Hotel Metro City/ Hotel Singh Sons/ Hotel Singh Palace
Varanasi- Temple On Ganges
Lucknow- Hotel Deep Palace
Calcutta- Hotel Royal Garden
Bhubhaneshwar- Ginger Hotel
Puri- Toshali Sands

Tour Package Includes:
❂ Hotel accomodation as per the itinerary with daily breakfast.
❂ Surface Travel by airconditioned car
❂ All airport, railway station, other transfers & sightseeing as per the itinerary.
❂ Local English speaking guides.
❂ Elephant ride in Amber Fort, Jaipur (Subject to availability),
❂ Boat ride in Udaipur (common Boat).
❂ All applicable taxes, parking fees, driver allowances etc.

Tour Package does not include:
❂ International or domestic flights.
❂ Airport taxes, Visa Charges, Insurance.
❂ Entrance fee to monuments.
❂ Minibar, Tips, laundry.
❂ Any item not shown in Cost Includes.

Notes:

• There will be a supplement for Christmas / New Year / Pushkar festival time.
• There can be some variation in the price according to the hotels finally booked.