Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the 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. Cycle rikshaw ride in Old Delhi. Later visit of Gurudwara Bangla Saheb-the place of worship for the Sikhs.
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. Later visit of Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum. Also visit 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 date back to the 4th century AD.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2
Delhi/ Ranthambore by surface (350 Kms/ 06Hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed for Ratambore, established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India, and declared one of the Project Tiger Reserves in 1973. Ratambore became a national park in 1980. In 1984, the adjacent forests they were declared Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and in 1991 the tiger reserve was expanded to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries. Well known for the daytime activity of tigers, Ratambore is a very special and unusual area where a natural present meets a storied past.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel
Day 3
In Ranthambore
Safari in the morning and another in the afternoon in a four-wheel drive car inside the Ratambore National Park, one of the best tiger reserves in the country, where other series of species also abound.
On return Breakfast at the hotel
Afternoon Safari in a four-wheel drive car inside the Ratambore National Park, among the best tiger reserves in the country, where other series of species also are in abundance.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 4
Ranthambhore/ Jaipur(165 Kms/ 3 Hours)
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.
Day 5
Jaipur/ F. Sikri/ Agra by surface (240 Kms/ 04 Hours)
Breakfast at the Hotel
Later proceed for Agra en rotue 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 visit proceed for Agra and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit of Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) Taj Mahal-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.
Overnight at the Hotel
Day 6
Agra/ Delhi By surface (210Kms/04 hrs) + Delhi/ Varanasi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed for the 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.
After visit proceed for Delhi. in time transfer to the airport to board the flight for Varanasi.
Arrive Dehradun, meeting and assistance on arrival in Varanasi and check in hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Agra
Day 7
In Varanasi
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.
On return breakfast at the hotel
Later visit of Sarnath Ruins-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
Late afternoon/ 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
Day 8
Varanasi/ Delhi by flight
Breakfast at the hotel
In time transfer to the airport to board the flight for Delhi.
Meeting and assistance on arrival in Delhi and check in hotel.
Day 9
Departure Delhi
Transfer to Delhi Airport to board flight for home country
