Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2
In Delhi
Breakfast at hotel
Morning visit of Old Delhi-the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital and named after him. Drive past the Red Fort (Closed on Monday) built of red sandstone. Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century and the Ashokan Pillar of 3rd BC. Then visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Drive through the old city subject to traffic restrictions
Rikshaw ride at Old Delhi
Lunch at local restaurant/ Hotel
Afternoon visit of New Delhi-the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings – the centre of all government activity and down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. See Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Later visit of Gurudwara- the place of of worship for the Sikhs
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 3
Delhi/ Jaipur via Samode (256 Kms/ 6-6½ Hr including visit and lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed for Jaipur via Samode
Lunch at Samode Palace
After the lunch show around of the Palace and later proceed onward for Jaipur. Later in the evening visit of Birla Temple and Cycle Rikshaw ride at Jaipur
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 4
In Jaipur
Tea/ Coffee at the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit Amber Fort- just 7 miles north of Jaipur is Amber with it’s a honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills which can be mounted by elephant. It has been described as “the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan”. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments which open on to striking views of the gorge. It also possesses a Chamber of Mirrors. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art – panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of the tenderest hues
Afternoon city tour of Jaipur- It is the city which has the “tone of the autumn sunset” photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside. Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder. City Palace now a museum contains fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury
Lunch/ Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Jaipur
Day 5
Jaipur/ Agra (236 kms/ 6-7 Hours including visit of Fatehpur Sikri)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed for Agra via Bharatpur and Fatehpur Sikris which is enroute to Agra- drive of around 4 Hours
Lunch at hotel Laxmi Niwas Palace at Bharatpur
After lunch proceed for the visit of Fatehpur Sikri- 37 kms west of Agra lies the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri- an epic poem in red sandstone, built by Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569 and deserted 14 years later because its water supply failed. Its glorious courtyards and palaces conjure up dreams of the mysterious past. The Panch Mahal, a strange building which resembles a Buddhist Temple, a cloistered courtyard which was the Hall of Public audience, and the Pachchisi paved with black and white where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as figurines
After the visit proceed for Agra and on arrival check-in at the hotel
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Agra
Day 6
In Agra
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit of Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday)- the greatest love story ever told. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, in wild extravagance, Shahjehan built her this memorial. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this wealth of white marble and precious stone
Later visit of Agra Fort-behind its forbidding red sandstone battlements lie palaces that tell the story of the Moghul Empire. The most impressive part of the Fort are the Dewan-e-Am, where the Emperor sat on his throne to dispense to his subjects, and the Dewan-e-Khas where he received foreign dignitaries
Lunch/ Dinner and overnight at hotel
Day 7
Agra/ Jhansi by train-0810/ 1045 hrs + Jhansi/ Orchha (20 Kms/ ½ Hrs)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning in time transfer to Railway station to board Shatabdi express (0806/ 1045) to Jhansi.
Departure: Agra by: Shatabadi Express at: 0810 Hours
Arrival: Jhansi at: 1045 Hours
Meeting and assistance on arrival and proceed for Orchha. On arrival transfer to the hotel
Later in the afternoon visit Orchha- The palaces and temples of this medieval township built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century retain much of its pristine perfection. The Jehangir Mahal was built in the 17th century by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris and trellis work. The Raj Mahal has a plain exterior crowned by chhatries but the interior has exquisite, boldly colourful murals on religious themes. The Ram Raja Temple is most unusual as it is a palace turned temple and where Rama is worshipped as a Raja (king). The Laxminarayan Temple is linked by a flagstone path to the Ram Raja Temple. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha’s wall paintings
Lunch/ Dinner and overnight at hotel
Day 8
Orchha Khajuraho by surface (175 Kms/ 4½-5 Hrs)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Khajuraho, on arrival transfer to the hotel
Afternoon visit of Eastern and Western Group of Temples Visit the Western Group of temples, the most important temple being the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple-dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest and most typical of the Khajuraho temples. Also see the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely sculpture of Lord Vishnu in his 11-headed form. The sculptures that adorn the temples, carved in stone depict gods, goddesses and amorous couples. Later visit the Eastern Group of temples including the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple dedicated to the “Vamana” or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the Javari Temple. There are also three Jain Temples with beautiful carvings and non-erotic sculptures. Although these are Jain temples, they also contain numerous Vaishnav deities
Lunch/ Dinner and overnight at hotel in Khajuraho
Day 9
Khajuraho Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel
Morning in time transfer to Khajuraho airport to connect the flight for Varanasi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Later in the evening tour on Ganges-in the evening visit Mother India Temple-a unique temple dedicated to Mother India carved with a single piece of marble. The perfect map of undivided India signifies unity in diversity. From here proceed to the Ghats to witness the Aarti Ceremony (Hindu ritual /prayer of river Ganges at Sunset) on bicycle rickshaws. Passing through the crowded bazaars and galis (old part) of this ancient city, small shops illuminated with beautiful lights followed by a short boat ride on Ganges observe the Aarti ceremony amidst jingling of bells, floating of diyas (traditional lamps) and chanting of mantras give an unforgettable experience indescribable in words. Later return to the hotel with Rickshaws/ your transport
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 10
Varanasi/ Kathmandu
Early Morning Boat Ride on River Ganges
The western banks of Ganges have a string of 84 Ghats (the chain of stone steps) and interestingly each of them has a story to relate. Most of these Ghats built with pavilions, palaces and terraces are mainly used as Dharamsalas (a home for the pilgrims during their visit to the holy city) The sunrise on the Ganges popularly know as Subeh Banaras is a soul-lifting experience. At dawn-the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals At Manikarnika Ghat- Cremation is a continuous process (photography prohibited) A boat ride from the dasaswamedh ghat along the Ghats gives you vantage views of these activity. After the boat cruise on the Ganges through the narrow lanes visiting the Gyanwapi Mosque and the Vishwanath temple popularly know as the Golden Temple (entry restricted to Hindus only)
On return breakfast at hotel
Afternoon visit Sarnath- 10 kms from Varanasi-the Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples at the Deer Park here, enshrining the principals of his teaching into laws. The Dhamek Stupa marks the location of a once resplendent monastery A large complex of ruined monasteries cover the area north of the stupas. Some of the buildings belong to the Kushan and Gupta period The first monk communities probably settled here in the 3rd century BC Near the Dhamek Stupa is a new monastery built by the Buddhist Mahabodhi Society The major events of Buddha’s life are depicted here in wall paintings by a Japanese artist Sarnath has an interesting archaeological museum which has preserved the famous Sarnath pillar whose capital forms India’s national emblem.
In time transfer to Varanasi airport to connect the flight for Kathmandu via Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 11
In Kathmandu
Breakfast at hotel
Morning city tour visit Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the former royal residence, Mahadev Temple and Parvati, Machender Bahl the sacred place of the Buddhists and Hindus, the Temple of Kumari and the Bazaars we will also visit the stupa of Swayambunath with a history of 2500 years
Afternoon we will visit Patan visiting the old city Newar, the Golden Gate, the Teleju Temple and the statue of Yogendra malla
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
Day 12
In Kathmandu
Breakfast at hotel
Day free at leisure for independent activities
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
Day 13
Leave Kathmandu Breakfast at hotel
Day free at leisure
Rooms foreseen till 1200 hrs
In time transfer to international terminal to connect flight for onward journey Flight check in starts three hours before the schedule departure time
