DAY
01 : Arrive Delhi
You will arrive at New Delhi’s International
Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities
and baggage collection, INDIAN SUMMERS representative
will meet you as you exit after which you would be
transferred to your hotel.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the
country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis,
which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient
with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers
the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its
many monuments stand as silent reminders to the
region’s ancient legacy.
Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be accorded
with a Traditional Welcome. Welcoming guest is an
age-old tradition. ‘Atithi Devobhava’
- treat your guest as if he were God. Indian hospitality
can be savored immediately as one arrives at the
hotel. The guest’s forehead is anointed with
the traditional red ‘tika’ which is
considered auspicious along with garlanding. Relax
with a non-alcoholic welcome drink following which
proceed to check in at your room.
Overnight at the Hotel in Delhi
DAY
02 : In Delhi After
buffet breakfast in the hotel you will proceed for
the combined sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New
Delhi.
You will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin
with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma
Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort. The magnificent
Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built
during the years 1638 - 48 when the Mughal Empire
was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid,
one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is
viewed from the outside. People stream in and out
of the mosque continuously and the presence of a
nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to
New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British
left behind.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit
to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower
in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD
by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's
successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building
is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom
to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter
of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it
is2.7 m. The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone
tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures
ever raised in India. Then visit Humayun’s
tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor,
Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian
style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also
includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the
Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan,
the President’s residence.
Overnight at the Hotel in Delhi
DAY
03 : Delhi - Jaipur After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven
from Delhi to Jaipur (258 KMS/ 5.30min drive). Upon
arrival proceed to check in at your rooms
Rajasthan’s kingdoms are an enduring legacy
to India’s history. A land endowed with invincible
forts, magnificent palaces ad waves of sand dunes
and serene lakes. No other region in the country
assembles the many paradoxes of India, as does the
desert land of Rajasthan. By far it is the most
colourful region in India. Jaipur's past is never
too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides
over the fascinating desert state and its people:
surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable
fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens
dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and
forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions
and splendour are now living monuments, accepted
quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people
of the "pink city". There is a timeless
quality to Jaipur's bazaars and its people. With
its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the
ancient Rajputs. The dresses of the women and the
turbans of the men add colour to this fascinating
city.
Overnight at the Hotel in Jaipur
DAY
04 : In Jaipur After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven
just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber
to see the fabulous Amber Fort.
Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s
most successful General, started the construction
of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City
Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the
seat of power.
An elephant /Jeep will spare you the trouble of
reaching up to the fortress (Elephant ride is subject
to availability) Once on top, stroll through the
sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many
of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with
precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls.
Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall
of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected
in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. Come
back to your hotel after your excursion.
In the afternoon you will visit the city of Jaipur.
Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur
include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming
complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards,
decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum
houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury,
costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk
to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory
made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and
is one of the five such astronomical wonders built
by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions
even to this day. Than you will stop and see the
`Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa
Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which
the ladies of the court used to watch the daily
goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate
in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows
through its facade of windows and latticed screens
through which the queens of the court once viewed
the streets of the city. You will also have the
opportunity to wander about the local markets.
Overnight at the Hotel in Jaipur
DAY
05 : Jaipur – Agra After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven
from Jaipur to Agra (240 KMS / 6 hours) en-route visiting
Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built
by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and
palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned
soon after it was built when the local wells went
dry and it remains today in much the same condition
that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete
with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger
than London when it was originally constructed.
After your visit continue your drive to Agra. Upon
arrival at Agra proceed to check in at your hotel.
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with
its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great
rulers were also great builders and they preserved
their best architectural wonders for Agra &
its neighbourhood. It has many wonderful monuments
and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is
a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best.
The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate
artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb, the magnificent
Taj and Akbar’s deserted capital, Fatehpur
Sikri, are each unique and outstanding. Their architectural
genius can also be seen in the forts, palaces and
aesthetically laid out gardens - each one a silent
witness to a grand style of a golden era.
Overnight at the Hotel in
Agra
DAY
06 : In Agra Today
early in the morning you will proceed for a sunrise
tour of the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway
Tonga’s “horse carriages” would
be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates
of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said
about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men
to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles
away and was transported to the site by a fleet
of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah
Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife
Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal
is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though
the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost
any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work,
which is really astounding. You will have ample
time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding
piece of architecture.
Come back to your hotel for buffet breakfast following
which you will proceed to visit the Red Fort.
Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal
Empire under successive generations. This was the
seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present
structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected
the walls and gates and the first buildings on the
eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added
the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb
added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public
Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Come back to your
hotel after your tour following which remainder
of the day will be at leisure.
Overnight at the Hotel in Agra
DAY
07 : Agra – Jhansi – Khajuraho
After an early buffet breakfast, INDIAN SUMMERS representative
will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you
to railway Station in time to board your train to
Jhansi.
Upon arrival at Jhansi railway Station INDIAN SUMMERS
representative will receive you and transfer you
to Khajuraho visiting to Orcha - a city frozen in
time enroute.
Orcha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela
chieftain, Rudra Pratap Singh, who built this new
capital on large wooded islands on the River Betwa.
Today, remains of the fort and palaces speak eloquently
of Orchha's time of glory, of its splendid legacy
of art and culture. Though little more than a village
today, stepping back in time, into Orchha's fortress
and palaces is an enjoyable experience. Upon arrival
you will proceed for sightseeing tour visiting Jehangir
Mahal, within the fort, built in 1606; the Raj Mahal
noted for its fine murals and the Rai Praveen Mahal,
a palace set in the gardens of Anand Mahal.
After your visit, continue your drive to Khajuraho
and upon arrival, proceed to check-in at your hotel.
In
the realm of architecture, Khajuraho holds a unique
position. The temples here were built between 950
and 1050 A.D. by the Chandela dynasty, which claims
descent from the Moon God and a mortal, Hemavati,
with whom the god fell in love. The Chandelas built
85 temples and some 22 survive today. Architecturally
the temples have some unique features. They stand
on high platforms and do not have customary enclosures.
Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending
order representing man's aspirations towards spiritual
goals. Although famous for erotic depictions, these
form only a small part of the wealth of the site.
Taken in totality, the sculptures of Khajuraho depict
the everyday life of the people and the court in
the 10th and 11th centuries. Khajuraho is not something
that can be described in words; it has to be experienced.
Overnight at the Hotel in Khajuraho
DAY
08 : Khajuraho – Varanasi After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, visit the Eastern and
Western Group of Temples.
The tour of Khajuraho this morning concentrates
on the famous erotic temples, which represent some
of the finest examples of temple architecture in
Northern India. They were built during the mighty
Chandela dynasty; the majorities were constructed
in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy,
between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After ruling
for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to
the might of Islam and consequently the religious
centre of Khajuraho was abandoned. The temples remain
as a reminder of a society that believed in the
full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being
a path to nirvana. Of the eighty-five original temples
only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition.
You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj,
Parswanath and Ghantai Temples, each remarkable
for its beautiful design and architecture.
Return to your hotel after the visit to the temples.
Later in time INDIAN SUMMERS representative will
meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to
the airport to board your flight for Varanasi
Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be received
by INDIAN SUMMERS representative and transferred
to your hotel for check in.
The antiquity of Varanasi is veiled in immortal
times and has been the centre of religion, learning
and civilization since ages. The city gets its inherent
charm from the location as it’s situated on
west side of the Holy Ganges. The principal attraction
being the bathing ghats that are always bustling
with life at any given time of the day. There is
no Indian attraction like Varanasi. There are no
architectural splendours, no exquisitely carved
palaces or impregnable forts, and yet the city has
an inherent charm.
In the late afternoon, you will proceed for an
excursion to Sarnath, a major Buddhist centre in
the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya,
Buddha, the 'Awakened One', delivered his first
sermon here. It was sixth century then, when he
also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra.
This dwelling place of the rishis, it was also known
as 'Rishipatana' (the place of the Rishis or sages).
Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where
he initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist
monkshood. Buddhism found its roots in Sarnath,
the birthplace of this way of life.
Come back to your hotel after your visit.
Overnight at the Hotel in Varanasi
DAY
09 : Varanasi – Delhi Early
morning you will be taken on a visit to the ghats
witnessing the Hindu pilgrims perform the rituals
and following the centuries old tradition and belief
that by dying in Varanasi or by immersing the mortal
remains in the holy Ganges, it clears one from the
birth circle and you are incarnated to human life
in the next birth. You would be taking a boat cruise
on the river Ganges around all the ghats and stopping
at the important ones. The riverfront, as seen from
a boat, early in the morning, is a spiritually uplifting
sight.
Return to your hotel for buffet breakfast following
which, you will visit Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the
most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva,
the patron deity of Varanasi. Reconstructed in the
18th century, its gold plating on the 'shikaras'
was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, Bharat Mata Mandir - inaugurated by Mahatma
Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India.
It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble;
and some other important temples.
Later in time INDIAN SUMMERS representative will
meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to
airport to board your flight for Delhi:
Upon arrival at Delhi airport INDIAN SUMMERS representative
will receive you and transfer you to an airport
hotel for farewell dinner. Later in time INDIAN
SUMMERS representative will meet you and transfer
you to International airport to board your flight
for back home
After
buffet breakfast in the hotel you will proceed for
the combined sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New
Delhi.
After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven
from Delhi to Jaipur (258 KMS/ 5.30min drive). Upon
arrival proceed to check in at your rooms
After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven
just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber
to see the fabulous Amber Fort.
After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven
from Jaipur to Agra (240 KMS / 6 hours) en-route visiting
Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built
by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and
palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned
soon after it was built when the local wells went
dry and it remains today in much the same condition
that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete
with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger
than London when it was originally constructed.
Today
early in the morning you will proceed for a sunrise
tour of the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway
Tonga’s “horse carriages” would
be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates
of the Taj Mahal.
In
the realm of architecture, Khajuraho holds a unique
position. The temples here were built between 950
and 1050 A.D. by the Chandela dynasty, which claims
descent from the Moon God and a mortal, Hemavati,
with whom the god fell in love. The Chandelas built
85 temples and some 22 survive today. Architecturally
the temples have some unique features. They stand
on high platforms and do not have customary enclosures.
Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending
order representing man's aspirations towards spiritual
goals. Although famous for erotic depictions, these
form only a small part of the wealth of the site.
Taken in totality, the sculptures of Khajuraho depict
the everyday life of the people and the court in
the 10th and 11th centuries. Khajuraho is not something
that can be described in words; it has to be experienced.
After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, visit the Eastern and
Western Group of Temples.
Early
morning you will be taken on a visit to the ghats
witnessing the Hindu pilgrims perform the rituals
and following the centuries old tradition and belief
that by dying in Varanasi or by immersing the mortal
remains in the holy Ganges, it clears one from the
birth circle and you are incarnated to human life
in the next birth. You would be taking a boat cruise
on the river Ganges around all the ghats and stopping
at the important ones. The riverfront, as seen from
a boat, early in the morning, is a spiritually uplifting
sight.
