12 Nights / 13 Days

Delhi / Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra / Orcha / Khajuraho / Allahabad / Varanasi / Delhi

Day 1 – Flight 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.

Jour 2 – Delhi

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
Overnight at hotel.

Jour 3 – Delhi / Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Jaipur

JAIPUR – The city blushing pink is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan, more famous as the ‘Pink City’. It was colourwashed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England visited India in 1883 A.D.. Founded in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is the first planned city designed in accordance with ‘Shilpa Shastra’ – the epochal treatise of Hindu architecture. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

Visit 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.

Overnight at Hotel.

Jour 4 – Jaipur

Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

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.  Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

HAWA MAHAL( only a photo stop) - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur.  It is a 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 Hotel.

Jour 5 – Jaipur / Agra

Breakfast will be at Hotel. Proceed to Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur sikri - An emperor builds a magnificent city as an act of gratitude to a penniless saint, makes it the capital of his empire and then for inexplicable reason abandons it.

Fatehpur Sikri is a city that a emperor forgot. After just fourteen years of life, the palaces of Akbar great city of victory fell silent. Its echoing corridors still seen to wait for the king to return. The hill top city lies 37 kms from Agra. This deserted city has two distinct complexes. The first comprises the royal enclosure of the palace, the harem and official buildings and the second is the dargarh of a saint, with a mosque and lofty gateways. To wander among the red sandstone courtyard of Fatehpur Sikri is to travel back in the time when Mughal emperor Akbar rode through the gateway after a triumpant campaign, o be welcomed by his delighted subjects and the royal courts. It reflects the many faceted character of the man who inspired it. The ruthless empire builder who enjoyed all the trapping of power and as liberal enlightened man who took a passionate instant in every aspect of life, be it religion, literature or the painting of miniatures.

Later Leave for Agra. Upon arrival check into hotel.
Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are, the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations.

Overnight at Hotel.

Jour 6 – Agra

Breakfast at hotel. Leave for Sight seeing tour of Agra
VISIT TAJ MAHAL [ built by Shah Jehan for his queen Mumtaj Mahal ], perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the World & the construction of Taj Mahal believed to have taken 22 Years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. Taj Mahal witness the spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable
Visit Red Fort  - Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandson. The colossal walls are 20 feet high and the whole fort is encircled by a fetid moat. Amar Singh gate towards the south is the only entry point in the fort. The building and structures inside the fort gives an impression of a city within the city. Many of the building inside the fort is now closed for the public. The marble pearl mosque inside the fort is one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques in India
Overnight at Hotel.

Jour 7 – Agra / Orchha

Breakfast will be at Hotel. Leave for Orchha - The medieval city of Orchha, is in the state of Madhya Pradesh, seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. The city, located by the side of the beautiful Betwa river, was founded by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, in the 16th century.The word Orchha means 'hidden'. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha. Apart from the famous landmarks like Jehangir Mahal, the Laxminarayan Temple, the area is peppered with fascinating little shrines and memorials, all of which add to the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, the city evokes in the visitor.
Overnight at hotel.

Jour 8 – Orchha / Khajuraho

Breakfast at Hotel. Visit Orchha and later leave for Khajuraho. Upon arrival check in at hotel

Following rest and relaxation we proceed on a tour of the world famous western group of temples depicting erotic sculptures of love making images of Gods and Goddesses and celestial Nymphs. The sexual fantasies displayed in the sculptures are mind boggling. It speaks very highly of the artistic creativity and imagination of the sculptors.

Overnight at Hotel

Jour 9 – Khajuraho

After breakfast we proceed on a tour of Eastern group of Temples. If pictures speak a thousand words, then the temples of Khajuraho form a magnum opus... an expression of Indian sculptors of yore. These temples of Khajuraho were built by the Chandela kings following the tradition of Tantric art. Although famed for their erotic sculptures, the philosophy behind the temples is much more vast and encompassing. They are in fact a celebration of life!
Overnight at Hotel

Jour 10 – Khajuraho / Allahabad

After breakfast drive to Holy City Allahabad. Also famous for confluence of three rivers Ganges, Jamuna and Saraswati. On arrival in Allahabad checkin at hotel for overnight stay

Jour 11 – Allahabad / Varanasi

After the breakfast depart for 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 (closed on FriDays). At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent Indias’ national emblem. Overnight at Hotel

Jour 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 - 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. Later the Transfer to board for the train to Delhi. Overnight in Train.

Jour 13 – Delhi / Your Country

Arrive at Delhi. Checkin at hotel. Breakfast at hotel. Spare time  to carry out your last purchases or to make 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
Jaipur- The Raj Palace/ Le Meridien/ Samode Haveli/Jai Mahal Palace/ The Trident Hilton
Agra- Jaypee Palace/ Taj View/ The Trident Hilton
Orchha- Orchha Resorts/ Amar Mahal
Khajuraho- The Grand Temple View/ The Jass Radisson
Allahabad- Hotel Kanha Shyam
Varanasi- Radisson Hotel/ Taj Ganges

Hotel Proposed - DELUXE

Delhi- Hotel Marina/ The Connaught/ Hotel Dee Marks/ Hans Plaza
Jaipur- Alsisar Haveli/Park Plaza/ Shahpura House/ Holiday Inn/ Megh Niwas
Agra- Howard Park Palza/ Utkarsh Vilas/ The Grand Imperial/ Hotel Mansingh Palace
Orchha- Orchha Resorts/ Sheesh Mahal
Khajuraho- Hotel Clarks
Allahabad- Hotel Kanha Shyam
Varanasi- Rashmi Guest House/ Hotel Ganges View

Hotel Proposed - ECONOMY

Delhi- Hotel Metro Heights/ Hotel Metro City/ Hotel Singh Sons/ Hotel Singh Palace
Jaipur- Hotel Arya Niwas/ Hotel Mandawa Haveli / Tara Niwas/ Comfort in hawa mahal
Agra- Hotel Amar/ Hotel Atithi / Hotel Royal Regency
Orchha- Betwa Cottages
Khajuraho- Green Wood Hotels
Allahabad- Hotel Allahabad Regency
Varanasi- Temple On Ganges

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.