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Flavour of India
Delhi – Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi – Delhi 8 nights/9 days Tour Highlights
Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi form the traditional tour of a basic trip to India what is commonly called Artistic India. These cities offer the guest an insight into the multi-faceted face of India. All four cities have the finest in facilities for incentives and meetings of all sizes. From palaces and forts to small palatial mansions, there is something for everybody. The tour of course includes visits at sunrise and sunset to the magnificent Taj Mahal. In Jaipur, an elephant ride up the Amber Fort relives the yester years of the desert kingdoms. Along the way the guests can shop to their hearts delight for luxurious silk Kashmir carpets, precious and semi-precious stone jewellery, marble inlay work, silk brocades and much more. Amazing boat ride in Varanasi at Ganges to see the “aarti” is memorable experience. This tour is designed to give a first time visitor the very best India has to offer in the short time they are here. Day 01 Arrive in Delhi Day 02 Old & New Delhi Tour Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi. Later transfer to New Delhi station to board the express train in air conditioned sleeper class overnight journey.
Arrive Varanasi in the morning upon arrival transfer by air conditioned coach to hotel. Varanasi: one of the oldest cities in the world. Also known as Banaras, this city has been the center of the Hindu faith for all of recorded history. Kashi, Banaras or Varanasi is the oldest living city in the History of Mankind. This City is acknowledged as the cultural Capital of the Oriental part of the Globe. This is treated as an embodied diving. India, the nation with diversified culture has one unity or common that is Varanasi where cultures from all the walks of this country congregated and accepted this city as their spiritual Destiny. Afternoon day return excursion to Sarnath – 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi, is the blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. Gautam Buddha with his five disciples formed the first Sangha along with Yasa of Varanasi and his 54 friends. The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, “Buddham Sharanam Gachhami” owes its origin to Sarnath. The three jewels “I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Wheel of Law, and I go for refuge to the Sangha” first laid down here, have remained unchanged ever since. Hence rightly, every Buddhist Pilgrim after Bodhgaya endeavors to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his lifetime. Evening watch “aarti” on the river Ganges. Ganga aarti can watch at Dashawedh Ghat. Overnight stay. Day 04 Varanasi - Khajuraho On our today sightseeing enjoy the sunrise Boat excursion on the Holy River Ganges to see the bathing Ghats and crimination sites. Watching people bathing and worshiping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Later transfer to Varanasi station to board the Mahanagri Express or Sarnath Express at 11.30 / 12.30 hrs. Arrived Stana station which is 22 kms away from Khajuraho. Transfer to Khajuraho by air conditioned bus. Overnight stay. Day 05 Khajuraho – Orchha - Jhansi - Agra After breakfast at hotel visit to Khajuraho –the temples of Khajuraho represents some of the most exquisite specimens of Hindu architecture and sculpture in medieval India. Built between 950 AD and 1050 Ad, only 22 temples out of 85 now survive. A thousand years ago, the robust Chandelas of the warrior Rajput clan lived and loved here, fought and triumphed and having reached the peak of their power, built temples to their gods with all the religious fervor of a virile race. Visit to world famous Khajuraho Temples. Eastern Group temples consist of Parasvanath Temple – is the largest and finest of the Jain temples at Khajuraho. The inner shrine contains an ornamental throne with a carved bull, the emblem of the first Jain Tirathankara Adinatha. A more recent image of Parsvanath was installed in 1860. Later drive to Orchha - City of Palaces & Temples A medieval city founded by Bundels rulers with palaces and temples of 16th & 17th Century. Our drive continued to Jhansi Station to board the Express train upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay. Day 06 In Agra Today morning visit the Agra Fort – built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-I-Am, Diwane-I-Khas and Musamman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment, besides Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal. Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father. Enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. . Overnight stay Agra. Day 07 Agra – Jaipur 232 kms / 5 hrs After breakfast proceed to Jaipur On today’s drive through the Rajasthani countryside we see villages, woman dressed in the brilliantly colored saris of the region, Camels, Elephants, Bears & scenes of rural lives On the way you will visit Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built.. Jaipur - once the capital of Rajasthan province, “the abode of Rajasthan." Everywhere you will see the monuments of its Rajput rulers. It has the distinction of being a well planned and laid out city. As you drive through the old part of town, you will witness a life most unlike others. Witness how the city blooms during the day in a kaleidoscope of color and sound. Jaipur is one of the main centers for shopping in India -- especially with regard to textiles, jewellery, stones carpets, etc. upon arrival check into Hotel. Day 08 In Jaipur After early breakfast, Journey back in time at deserted 17th century fortress of Amber Fort. 11 Kms. from Jaipur, Amber Fort is a marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. Go up the fort on the back of a gaily-caparisoned elephant true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glasswork complemented by exquisite wall paintings as you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure feel the history and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom never conquered. Afternoon venture back into the city tour: Visit the City Palace Museum where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Also visit the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD). Also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires Day 09 Jaipur- Delhi – 258 kms / 5 hrs - Onwards After breakfast departure for Delhi. Upon proceeds on a Second Half-day tour of New Delhi New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Qutub Minar. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Say good-bye to this fascinating evening with sweet and memorable memories late evening transfer to international airport for flight
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