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 India's
history goes back at least five thousand years making it oldest
culture in the world. Its chequered fortune are reflected
in the infinite verities of its monuments - Forts, Palaces
and Temples. In this tour we will take you some of the classical
and best-known sites of India including The Capital City -Delhi
where every crumbling wall has a story to tell. The city has
lived through wars and resurrection, repeatedly rising from
the ashes. The city of Royal Splendor -Jaipur with its magnificent
fort - Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal - The landmark of this beautiful
Pink city. Agra -City of love and home to one of the seven
wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The temples of Khajuraho,
where Life, in every form and mood, has been capured in stone.
Varanasi - Oldest city in the world, the city of Nirvana and
Ghats where people still are having their daily prayers and
rituals and Temples and centuries old culture. The mix of
all these attractions makes a perfect blend of Classical Journey
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Duration:
08 Nights / 09 Days
Places to Visit:
Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
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Day 01: Arrive Delhi:
Assistance and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, explore
the sights of Delhi. In Delhi the march of history and the imprint
of time are a part of its ethos. Many dynasties have added to
the diverse cultures and have developed their own identity.
The essence of Delhi can be found in the narrow lanes around
the Chandni Chowk, Red Fort and Jama Masjid area. New Delhi
is dynamically different where the broad roads are tree-lined
and during springtime  are
ablaze with different colours. A drive around the white colonial
circular arcade at Connaught Place, Presidential Palace and
the government buildings made of red sandstone gives the experience
of being in a totally different city. A short drive brings us
to the great mosque - the Jama Masjid built by Shah Jahan. Continue
on to see the memorial built for Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before
returning to our hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 02: Delhi
Today you will explore other sights of Delhi. Contemporary
history unfolds as we see the Qutab Minar - the tallest stone
tower in India built in 1191 AD. Close by are the cloisters
of one of the first mosque built in India, the Quwwat-ul-Islam
mosque. In the center of its courtyard is an amazing 2000 year
old iron pillar erected in 4 AD, cast of such pure iron that
it has never rusted. We continue to Humayun's tomb built by
the widow of the Mughal Emperor Humayun (some say the inspiration
for the Taj Mahal). A drive through Delhi's broad tree-lined
avenues brings us to India Gate- a memorial to the "unknown
soldier", Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the president
of India), past Rajpath and leading to Connaught Circus a shoppers
paradise, you can bargain and get the best price ever. Afternoon
free, overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Jaipur (By
Surface 265kms / 6hrs):
Morning proceed to Jaipur by road, on arrival check-in at the
hotel. Afternoon visit the City Palace, a blend of Mughal and
Rajasthani architecture is now a museum, containing all the
paraphernalia of Jaipur's princely past. Jai Singh, notable
astronomer, built for himself the curious Jantar Mantar, an
observatory of immense brick and mortar instruments of astonishing
accuracy. Not far from Jantar Mantar, is the beautiful Hawa
Mahal (palace of winds), tall and pink, faced with delicate
pierced stone, it is not really a palace. The queens of Jaipur
and the royal ladies once used this decorative facade to watch,
unobserved, numerous festive processions winding through the
streets of their city.
Day 04: Jaipur:
In the morning excursion to Amber Fort and enjoy an elephant
ride on the ramparts of the fort, for six centuries the capital
of the state. The pavilions and courtyards of the palace ascend
in successive levels up the hill The Sheesh Mahal, or pavilion
of mirrors, the finest of its kind, is studded with small mirrors
which reflect flame in a thousand flickering lights. Afternoon
free for leisure / independent activities, overnight stay.
Day 05: Jaipur - Agra (By
Surfaces 235km / 6 hrs):
After breakfast drive to Agra, en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri
- a fascinating Ghost town, lies a little before Agra. Emperor
Akbar, wearying of Agra built a new capital here, only to abandon
it a few years later for lack of water. And there it remains,
its fortifications, massive gateway and palaces, in a wonderful
state of preservation. Set like a jewel in a courtyard of pink
sandstone is the marble tomb of the Saint Salim Chishti, enclosed
by delicately carved marble screens. Arrive Agra and check-in
at hotel, later in the day visit Taj Mahal - built by a grief-stricken
emperor, Shah Jahan, as a memorial of his beloved wife Mumtaz
Mahal, retains its pristine beauty. Agra Fort - perhaps the
most moving view of the Taj Mahal is from a little octagonal
tower in the Agra Fort across the River Jamuna. Overnight stay.
Day 06: Agra - Khajuraho (By Air / Train):
After breakfast in the morning transfer to airport for flight
to Khajuraho, assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon sight seeing tour of temples, the Khajuraho temples
were built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950 -
1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85
original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute
one of the world's great artistic wonders. Some of the famous
ones are temples of Kandariya Mahadev, Chausath Yogini, Chitragupta,
Vishwanath, Lakshamana, Duladeo, Chaturbhuj and Parsvanath.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07: Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air
/ Train)
Morning transfer to Khajuraho airport for flight
toVaranasi, assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel, overnight
stay.
Day 08: Varanasi:
The oldest city in the world, the city of Nirvana and Ghats
where people still have their daily prayers and rituals and
Temples and centuries old culture. Rarely does any place influence
the life of a religious community in such totality as Varanasi,
an ultimate pilgrimage, a city dedicated to the Gods. This eternal
city is one of the most important pilgrimage cities of the world.
Situated on the banks of the river Ganges this city has been
the centre of learning for more than 2,000 years. The ancient
names of Varanasi are Kashi and Banaras as described in the
Hindu mythology. The present name is derived from two rivers
Asi and Varuna. Sunrise boat ride on the river Ganges and later
city tour of Varanasi, visit Vishwanath Temple. The gold plating
on the shikharas was a gift of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1835.
On account of this it is popularly known as Golden Temple. Bharat
Mata Temple, a novel temple dedicated to Mother India, And drive
through the Bazaar. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, here in
this peaceful Deer Park, the 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. The remains
of the great Ashoka Pillar still stand before the main shrine.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09: Varanasi - Delhi:
Assistance and transfer for flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi.
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