Day 01- Arrive Delhi
Meeting on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is 14:00 hours.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 02 - Delhi
After breakfast, proceed to visit Old and New Delhi.
Delhi, the capital of India, conceals within its bosom the remains of civilization that flourished over the last three thousand years. Since those legendary days, many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its regal soil. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left behind by the regents.
Old Delhi's landmarks are Red Fort built by Emperor Shahjehaan in 1638 AD, Jama Mosque largest mosque in India also built by Shahjehan. Raj Ghat and Shanti van -the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandni Chowk - the main shopping hub of Old Delhi.
In New Delhi, visit Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mahal, India Gate, the 42 metre high arch that was raised as a memorial to soldiers, Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat and other Govt. Building and Connaught Place, the oldest city centre shopping hub.
Day 03 : Delhi-Jaipur drive, 260 km
Morning proceed to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting sections. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol andTemple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
The city was planned and built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. The City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and Birla Temple are the most important tourist sites.
Day 05 : Jaipur-Agra drive, 235 km
Morning proceed to Agra, stopping en-route to visit Fatehpur Sikri.
The beautiful city was planned and erected by Emperor Akbar in 1569. The story behind the city relates to birth of his Son Salim who was named after a Muslim Saint - Sheikh Salim Chishti. Emperor Akbar hearing his renown, had visited the Saint, asked of the blessings of a child. When a son was born, he decided to built a city near the place where the Saint lived. The city was abandoned after 14 years due to shortage of water and growing population. The imposing pavilions, Mosque, massive Buland Darwaza (Gate), Panch Mahal and other buildings are worth a visit
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Day 06 : Agra
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra.
Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this immortal monument, the inimitable poem in white marble is the true expression of love of Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. The monument was completed in 1653 AD and thousands of workers and artisans were employed. It took little over 20 years for its completion. Agra Fort's importance can be judged with the great names of Mughal dynasties Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shahjehan and Aurangzeb who lived here. The imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period. The beautiful pearl Mosque, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, Jehangir palace, Moti Masjid are to name a few that form the part of this great fort.
Afternoon at leisure.y
Day 07 : Agra-Jhansi-Orchha
Transfer to railway station for train to Jhansi (0820-1040 hours)
Assistance on arrival and transfer by coach to Orchha (30 minutes)
Afternoon visit Orchha.
Orchha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of central India. Situated on the river Betwa, the medieval city was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Chieftain Rudra pratap.The successive rulers built imposing buildings which are some of the finest examples of Bundela architecture seen at Orchha today. The Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Ram Raj Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Sunder Mahal are to list a few.
Day 08 : Orcha- Khajuraho, 175 km
Morning proceed to Khajurhao and on arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Afternoon visit 10th century Khajuraho temples.
Almost intriguing as the sheer beauty and the size of the temples that were built during the rule ofChandela Kingdom from 950 to 1050 A.D. The temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture and depict images of gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals and in great detail - women and sex. In between are the mithuna, erotic figures running through a whole Kamasutra of positions and possibilities. Of the two groups of temples - Western and Eastern - important temples to visit are - Lakshmi and Varaha, Lakshmana, Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagdamba, Chitradurga, Parvati,VishvanathTemple and Nandi, Chausath Yogini, Parsanavanth and Adinath.
Day 09 : Khajuraho-Varanasi flight
Transfer to airport in time for flight to Varanasi.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day free.
Day 10 : Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims throng the water's edge, bathing, worshipping, meditating. On stone platforms under palm leaf umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside over rites and rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including the cremation sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi (Varanasi) and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death.
Afternoon sightseeing tour.
Varanasi is considered as one of the oldest living cities in the world, believed to be founded 3000 years ago. It is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindus situated in north eastern part of India on the banks of river Ganga. It was a flourishing trading centre 500 BC when the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. A city of great wealth and religious importance when the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited it in the 7th century. The temples of Vishwanath, the abode of great God Shiva, Bharat MataTemple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir are the religious sites. The ancient Banaras Hindu University and mosque within are the prominent places of interest in the city.
Day 11 : Varanasi-Delhi flight : 1440-1600 hours
Morning tour to visit Sarnath.
Located 7 km from the city, the site has a great historical importance. 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. Nearby is a Museum where rare collection of manuscripts and other items related with Lord Buddha are preserved.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi and onward connection.
EXTENSION NEPAL
Day 11 : Varanasi-Kathmandu flight
Transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu
On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon at leisure.
Day 12 : Katmandu
Morning city sightseeing tour.
Machhendra Nath Temple, a two tiered bronze roof pagoda, Hanuman Dhoka - the historic seat of Royalty, Durbar Square which houses Teleju temple built in 1549 AD, figure of Kal Bhairav - God of Destruction, statue of King Pratap Malla, Temple House of Kumari - the residence of living Goddess. The buildings housing Virgin Goddess has profusely carved wooden balconies from where they acknowledge greetings of her devotees. The National Museum houses a splendid collection of weapons, as well as an outstanding collection of artifacts from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal.
Afternoon visit of Patan and Swayambhunath.
Patan, the ancient city (Lalitpur) stands of a raised ground, 5 km southeast of Kathmandu. The main attraction is Durbar Square which has Hiranya Varna Mahavihar - the three storied golden pagoda of Lokeshwar (Lord Buddha) built in the 13th century, Rudra Varna Mahavihar - the unique Buddhist monastery boasts a fine and amazing collection of images and statues in metal, stone and wood, Krishna Mandir built in the 16th century, Jagat Narayan Temple - an imposing temple of Lord Vishnu, Machhendra Nath Temple built in 1508 AD. The Ashokan Stupa believed to have been built in 250 BC. Tibetan Centre, a self help small scale industry involved in spinning, dyeing and weaving of Tibetan carpets.
Swayambhunath - said to be 2000 years old and one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. The Chaitya or Stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
Day 13 : Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple - situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu on the bank of sacred Bagmati river, the temple of Lord Shiva with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its super architecture. It is a centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha Shivaratri.
Boudhnath - the colossal Stupa, one of the biggest in the world, has the all seeing eyes of the Buddha. The shrine is ringed by houses of Goddess Mani Jogni. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels and is situated 8 kms east of Kathmandu .
Afternoon visit Bhadgaon.
Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur) means the city of devotees, situated at an altitude of 4600 ft., 13 kms east of Kathmandu. Durbar Square - the main Square of the city contains the Lion Gate with the lovely stone figures of Hanuman, Bhairav and Narsingha Narayan. The Picture Gallery which displays ancient paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools of Tantricism of various periods, the Golden Gate with its palace of 55 windows is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind, statue of Bhupatindra Malla, three storied temple of Bhairavnath built in 1718 AD, the temple of Nytapole - a five storied pagoda style built in 1702, the tallest in Nepal with stable workmanship.
Day 14 : Kathmandu-Delhi flight
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi and onward connection.
