ETERNAL INDIA
The glory of Mughals is still alive in both art and architecture. The temples
and mosques are a part of daily life, holy rivers are worshiped and erotic
temples are adored. It is the harmony of Hindu - Muslim culture which makes
the history of this Gangetic belt so rich & vibrant. Truly an enlightening
journey and an unmissible experience.
DAY 01 DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the midnight from your home country. Garland welcome, assistance
and transfer to the pre-booked hotel for overnight.
DAY
02 DELHI - JAIPUR Morning after breakfast drive to the "Pink
City" of Rajasthan - Jaipur (about 260kms/06hrs). Arrive Jaipur, built
in 1727, was the dream of the brilliant ruler Jai Singh. It has retained its
reputation as one of the formost cities in India planned and executed in a
manner that draws accolades from modern town planners. Jaipur is known as
the pink city, because many buildings are still washed pink, the traditional
colour of welcome, which was originally introduced to honor the visit of the
Prince Albert in 1856.
Evening stroll around the colourful bazaars. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 03 JAIPUR Morning after
breakfast we drive to nearby Amber, ascending by elephant to see the 16th
century hilltop fortress - Palace and its richly decorated apartments.
Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber, this fort palace was begun by
Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai
Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace and
its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking views of
the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below. In the afternoon we visit City Palace,
still inhabited by Jai Singh's descendants is a superb fusion of Rajput and
Mughal architecture. A city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo
Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja's museum
with his personal collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire
and jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the
Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the
ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 JAIPUR - AGRA After an
early breakfast drive to Agra (about 235kms/06hrs) to Taj city - Agra.
Enroute visit the ghost city of Mughals - Fathepur Sikri. O/n Hotel.
DAY
05 AGRA - LUCKNOW Morning after breakfast visit India's most
celebrated monument the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by
Shah Jahan to the bride Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal looks amazingly graveful from
almost any angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers
and craftsmen and displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the
Taj Mahal is as exquisite as the overall architectural design, with
semi-precious stones and beautiful patterns covering the marble surface. RED
Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with additions of the citadel being
made through to the time of Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan (Kind of the
World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and
consists of Deewani - Aam(hall of public ordnances) and Deewan- Khass (the
hall of Private ordnances), it also has a nice grape garden, beautiful
fountain ways. Evening, overnight express train to Lucknow at 17.25hrs. O/n
Train.
DAY 06 LUCKNOW Arrive Lucknow at
08.55hrs, transfer to the hotel. The creator of Lucknow as it is today was
Nawab Asf ud Daula. The city became known as a centre for Urdu poetry and
courtly diction, and reached its acme during the reign of Wajid Ali Shah who
was a connoisseur of music and poetry. Afternoon visit to Bara Imambara,
built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 and is one of the architectural
highlights of the era. Visit Hussaianbad Imambara - the structure houses the
tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah, its builder, and of his mother. Visit also Clock
Tower, Jami Masjid, Residency. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 LUCKNOW - VARANASI
Early morning transfer to railway station to board JanShatabdi Express train
to Varanasi at 06.50 - 12.05hrs. Is one of the oldest living cities in the
world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in the
city is to attain instant salvation. Upon arrival transfer to hotel,
afternoon visit to Tulsi Manas Temple, Durga Temple, Great Mosque of
Aurangzeb and Benaras Hindu University. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY
08 VARANASI Morning after breakfast we will make a short drive to
visit Sarnath, dedicated to Lord Buddha with beautiful museum and temple
compound. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after
attaining enlightenment. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09
VARANASI - KHAJURAHO Morning boat ride on Ganges, one of the most
spectacular sights, see holy sadhus meditating and dipping in Ganges, at
sunrise. Afternoon fly to Khajuraho at 1555 - 1635hrs (only on Mon/Wed/Fri),
upon arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 KHAJURAHO Morning after breakfast
visit the eastern group of temples, consisting of the parasvanath temple and
temples dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna, Adinath. Afternoon visit the western
group of Temples. The architectural style of the Khajuraho temples is very
different from the temple prototype of that period. Each stands, instead of
within the customary enclosure, on a high masonry platform. Combined with
the upward direction of the structure, which is further accentuated by
vertical projections, the total effect is one of grace and lightness,
reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks. Each of the chief compartments has its
own roof, grouped in such a way that the highest is in the centre, the
lowest over the portico, a triumph of skill and imagination in recreating
the rising peaks of a range. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11
KHAJURAHO - GWALIOR Morning after breakfast drive about
05hrs/275kms) to Gwalior. Enroute visit Jehangir Mahal Palace & Raj
Mahal Palace at Orcha. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
12 GWALIOR - DELHI Morning after breakfast visit 03kms long Fort
which standing on a steep mass of sandstone. Gujri Mahal and Jai Vilas
Palace. Everning train to Delhi at 19.00 - 22.50 hrs. Upon arrival, transfer
to hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY 13 DELHI
Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history
and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the
Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and Finally the British. All of
whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with
Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers
returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times.
Morning after breakfast visit Old Delhi Tour to Shah Jahan founded the city
of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort
in the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal
Empire and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the
fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by
Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque &
Humayuns tomb. Evening transfer to the international airport to board flight
to your home country.
DAY 14 DELHI Fly
back to you home country.
India