|
This is a tour that includes the
most well-known of India's historical treasures - India's marvel in white
marble, the Taj Mahal, the exotic land of the
Emperors, of exquisite sunrises and sunsets, of legendary
gardens, palaces, mosques and bazaars.
The oldest living city of Varanasi and Sarnath,
where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, are part of this
historic land. Next door, in the Madhya Pradesh state, awaits
you a diverse array of
exceptional ancient temples, hill-top forts
and superb isolated wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. On this
tour we bring you the
magnificent temples at Khajuraho, best known for their
representation of delicate sensuality and eroticism are the most
exquisite specimens of Hindu architecture, and Orccha, the
Angkor Wat of India, and Gwalior, one of the oldest cities
witn palaces and other monuments of the Scindia Rulers.
Itinerary:
Day – 1 Delhi / Varanasi
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Breakfast at Hotel. This morning you’ll be transferred to
the domestic airport with assistance for Check-In on the
flight to Varanasi. You will be met and greeted by our
representative on arrival at Varanasi. Transfer to your
hotel. Free for Lunch.
Varanasi known to the devout Hindu as Kashi, is said to have
been founded by Shiva, Lord of the Universe, and destructor
of the Evil. Its one of the oldest living cities in the
world, as also one of the most important pilgrimage sites in
India. Its principal attraction is the long string of ghats
(riverside settlements) which line the west bank of the
Ganges. Ghats are steps which lead down to the river where
devout pilgrims take a dip every day in the morning on the
river Ganges and offer their morning prayers.
After some rest you’ll be transferred to the riverside to
witness the Aarti Ceremony, the evening ritual performed on
the steps of the Dasashwamedha Ghat.
Return to Hotel. Free for Dinner. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day – 2 Varanasi.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Very early wakeup and tea / coffee at the hotel. You’ll then
transfer to the Riverside for the boat ride at dawn to view
the sunrise on the Ganges. The boat ride will take you down
stream to the several ghats, amongst which the Dasaswamedh
Ghat is the most significant. Return back to the hotel with
a short walk through the narrow lanes of the city. Breakfast
hotel. This morning will be at leisure.
You’ll be at free for Lunch.
This afternoon you’ll visit Sarnath, located on the
outskirts of the city where The Buddha is said to have
delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment.
It’s here that he preached his first five disciples on the
four noble truths who then carried his message to the rest
of the country.
Free for Dinner. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day – 3 Varanasi / Khajuraho.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Breakfast at Hotel. This morning you’ll be transferred in
time to the airport with assistance for Check-In on the
flight to Khajuraho. On reaching Khajuraho Airport, you will
be met and greeted by our representative and transferred to
your hotel. Check-Into your hotel. Free for Lunch.
The magnificent temples at Khajuraho, best known for their
representation of delicate sensuality and eroticism are the
exquisite specimens of Hindu architecture. It was once the
capital of the Chandela dynasty but now a quite little
village that attracts tourists from world over. The temples
were built during the rule of the Chandela Dynasty from 950
to 1050 AD.
Sightseeing of the Western Group of temples followed by a
visit to the Sound and Light Show.
Free for Dinner. Overnight in Khajuraho.
Day – 4 Khajuraho / Orccha.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to
Orccha, located on the banks of the Betwa River. This
medieval city is composed of Palaces and temples with bright
murals of Hindu myths. Overnight in Orccha.
Day – 5 Orccha / Datia / Gwalior.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to
Gwalior. Stop enroute at the Jain Pilgrim Center at Sonagiri.
Visit the 17th Century Govind Mandir Palace at Datia and
continue driving to Gwalior. On arrival Check-Into your
hotel. Free for Dinner. Overnight in Gwalior.
Day – 6 Gwalior / Agra.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
The large township of Gwalior is dominated by the imposing
fort built on a huge natural sandstone bluff. One reaches
the Gwalior Fort through a series of spectacular fortified
gates. It houses the 10th Century Sasbahu Temple and 15th
Century Man Mandir. This fort has witnessed many successive
rulers from the Tomars to the Mughals to Marathas and Jats,
before being ceded to Scindia’s in the 19th Century. This
morning you will visit this magnificent Fort, before
continuing on an afternoon drive to Agra.
On reaching Agra, you’ll check-into your hotel. Free for
Dinner. Overnight in Agra.
Day – 7 Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast.
This morning you will wakeup and visit the Taj at dawn. The
Taj Mahal Taj is the most extravagant monument ever built
for love. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory
of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the construction of this monument
started in 1631 (the year when Mumtaz Mahal died) and was
completed in 1653. 20000 people from India and Central Asia
worked on the construction of this historic monument. You’ll
return back to the hotel for breakfast and continue your
tour with a visit to the Agra Fort, built and added to
between the 16th and 17th Centuries by successive rulers of
the Mughal Dynasty. Free for lunch. This afternoon you’ll
visit the Tomb of Itmad ud Daulah, built by his daughter
Nur-Jehan, the empress of Jehangir. End the day at Mehtab
Bagh to enjoy sunset views of the Taj Mahal. Return to
Hotel. Free for Dinner. Overnight.
Day – 8 Agra / Next Destination.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning you’ll be transferred to your
next destination.
Festivals:
DANCE FESTIVAL Khajuraho (March)
The Khajuraho Dance Festival is held every spring in the town of
Khajuraho – renowned for its sculptured temples. It celebrates
the glory of the temples and the life – like dance forms carved
on the stone walls. The festival showcases the finest classical
dances in the country. |
E-mail: