NORTH INDIA
DAY 01 DELHI Arrive Delhi
from your home country by midnight. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer
to hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY
02 DELHI Morning free to relax, afternoon sightseeing of Old Delhi.
(Rooms retained only upto 12.00 hrs)
Perhaps there is no other capital
city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital,
Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans,
Mughals and Finally the British. All of whom contributed to its glorious but
turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it
was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again
rebuilding it at least seven times.
Afternoon drive to Old Delhi
Tour (half day) : Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred
to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi was
once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts the
Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid,
one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his
city. Sightseeing to Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque & Humayuns tomb.
Evening transfer to railway station to board express train to Jodhpur at
17.25hrs. O/n Train.
DAY 03 JAISALMER
Arrive Jaisalmer at 12.10 hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Evening we
drive to Khuri (about 01 hr), a small picturesque desert village of
decorated mud thatched buildings and shifting sand dunes. Ride a camel on
the dunes and gear yourself up for an unforgettable experience of watching
the sunset over the desert. Back to Jaisalmer. O/n Hotel.
DAY
04 JAISALMER Morning after breakfast sightseeing in Jaisalmer, a
medieval city of elaborately carved mansions (havelis) in yellow sandstone,
built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on
the caravan routes from the Middle East. Visit to Jaislamer Fort, often
referred as the golden fort because of the colour of the sandstone,
Jaisalmer's Fort seems to emerge from the desert sands. The fort is still
home to many of the town's people who live in tiny but beautifully decorated
houses or havelis. Jaisalmer has been described as an open-air museum, and
to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step into a bygone age. Rest of the
day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 JAISALMER TO
JODHPUR After an early breakfast drive to historic Jodhpur second
city of Rajasthan. Check into the hotel. Evening visit the Old City
surrounded by a huge 9 ½-km long wall which has 101 bastions and
seven gates. It comprises a labyrinthine maze of narrow streets. Some of the
houses and temples are of richly carved stone, in particular red sandstone
buildings of the Sire (Sardar) Bazar. O/n Hotel.
DAY
06 JODHPUR Morning after breakfast visit the the massive Mehrangarh
Fort looms over the city and the Red sandstone Palaces within the fort form
one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan. Its museum contains
sections which house armoury, palanquins, howdahs and headgear from all the
communities of Rajasthan. Life in the city revolves around the Clock Tower
area, a haven for shoppers, selling everything from the leather mojris
(shoes) to ornamental swords fashioned after designs seen in the fort
museum. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
07 JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR Morning after breakfast drive to Udaipur
(about 276kms/06hrs), enroute visit marvelously carved 15th century temple
complex of Ranakpur. This is one of the five holy places of the Jain
community. The most important temple is dedicated to Rishbhji and sprawls to
some 48000 sq.ft. and have 29 halls and 1444 pillars, all distinctively
carved. Lateron drive to visit little know Kumbalgarh - one of the finest
examples of defensive fortification in Rajasthan. Proceecd to Udaipur
through the attractive Rajasthani countryside. The small fields are well
kept, wherever possible irrigated from the streams, Persian wheels and
'tanks' are dotted across the landscape to Udaipur. Check into the hotel,
rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08
UDAIPUR 
Set
on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in
complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital
of the old Mewar state it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu
allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace
brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building
of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating, in the City Palace, one
of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic
setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a
refugee of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of
the incomparable Taj Mahal.
After breakfast full day visit to City
Palace - the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings
added at different time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are
the Moti Mahal with its mirror inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahal's
iridescent tile work. At the nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an
impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated.
Continue your visit to the ornamental gardens of the Maids of Honour or
Sahelion ki Bari. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 UDAIPUR TO KISHANGARH
After an early breakfast we drive to Kishangarh (340kms/09hrs), enroute
visit Chittaurgarh Fort stands on a 152-m high rocky hill, rising abruptly
above the surrounding plain. As you explore the fort and its various palaces
and temples do look out for Rana Kumbha's Palace, Mira Bai Temple, Rana
Ratan Singh's Palace, Fateh Parakash Palace, Vijay Stambha, Samadhishvara
Temple, Padmini's Palace, Adbhutanatha Temple and the Kirti Stambaha.
Proceed to Kishangarh, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 KISHANGARH TO JAIPUR
Morning after breakfast free to relax or stroll around the village, a centre
of craft industries - leather embroidery, block printing, pottery and
handloom weaving can be seen. Proceed to Jaipur (about 125kms/03hrs), check
into the hotel. Afternoon free to relax or stroll around the colourful
bazaars in the Pink City. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11
JAIPUR Jaipur, built in 1727, was the dream of the brillian ruler
Jai Singh. It has retained its reputation as one of the formost cities in
India planned and executed in a manner that draws accolades from modern town
planners. Jaipur is known as the pink city, because many buildings are still
washed pink, the traditional colour of welcome, which was originally
introduced to honor the visit of the Prince Albert in 1856.
Morning after breakfast we visit Amber, ascending by elephant to see the
16th century hilltop fortress - Palace and its richly decorated apartments.
Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber, this fort palace was begun by
Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai
Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace and
its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking views of
the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below. Afternoon visit City Palace, still
inhabited by Jai Singh's descendants is a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal
architecture. A city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the
Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja's museum with his
personal collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and
jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace
of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the ladies
of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. Rest of
the day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 JAIPUR TO
AGRA Morning after breakfast drive to Agra (about 237kms/05hrs),
enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - Palace complex built to commemorate the birth
of Mughal Emperor Akbar's first child. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
Evening at sunset we visit India's most celebrated monument the Taj Mahal,
built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to the bride Mumtaz, the
Taj Mahal looks amazingly graveful from almost any angle. It was built over
a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers and craftsmen and displays superb
craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal is as exquisite as the
overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and beautiful
patterns covering the marble surface. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 13 AGRA TO DELHI Morning
after breakfast we visit RED Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with
additions of the citadel being made through to the time of Akbar's grandson,
Shah Jahan (Kind of the World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across
the River Yamuna, and consists of Deewani - Aam(hall of public ordinances)
and Deewan- Khass (the hall of Private ordinances), it also has a beautiful
fountain ways. Later on visit the Itmat - ud - Daulah also known as 'Baby
Taj'. Afternoon drive to Delhi (about 210kms/05hrs), enroute visit Sikandra
to see Tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Upon arrival in Delhi, direct transfer
to int'l airport to board flight to your home country.
DAY
14 DELHI Early morning board your int'l flight.
EXTENSION
TOUR TO KHAJURAHO & VARANASI DAY 15
AGRA TO ORCHHA Early morning drive to Orchha (about 230 kms/05hrs),
check into the hotel. Afternoon visit Orchha - set on an island on a bend in
the Betwa River, the fort palace from a bygone era is raised on a rocky
promontory above the surrounding wooded countryside. This largely untouched
island of peace and calm is approached by a remarkable early 17th-century
granite bridge built by Bir Sing Deo, while all around, the forest
encroaches on the tombs and monuments. O/n Hotel.
DAY
16 ORCHHA TO KHAJURAHO After an early breakfast drive to Khajuraho
(about 180kms/05hrs), check into the hotel. The architectural style of the
Khajuraho temples is very different from the temple prototype of that
period. Each stands, instead of within the customary enclosure, on a high
masonry platform. Combined with the upward direction of the structure, which
is further accentuated by vertical projections, the total effect is one of
grace and lightness, reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks. Afternoon visit the
Western Group of Temples. O/n Hotel.
DAY 17
KHAJURAHO TO VARANASI Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to
airport to board flight to Varanasi by IC 7407 at 14.30 - 15.10 hrs. Upon
arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon enjoy sightseeing to the Ghats, the
famous Chowk (bazaar) and the Hindu University Art Gallery. O/n Hotel.
DAY
18 VARANASI TO DELHI Varanasi - one of the oldest living cities in
the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in
the city is to attain instant salvation. Early morning boat ride at Ganges
to view the spectacular sunrise, after breakfast we drive to visit Sarnath,
dedicated to Lord Buddha with beautiful museum and temple compound. Sarnath
is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining
enlightenment. Afternoon back to Varanasi and transfer to airport to board
flight to Delhi by S2 6116 at 14.55 - 16.15 hrs. Upon arrival, we have some
free time to roam around Delhi. Late evening transfer to int'l airport to
board flight to your home country.
DAY 19 DELHI
Early morning board your int'l flight.
India