Duration: November 17 to 28, 2007 Destinations: Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi Saturday, 11/17/07:
Day 01 New Delhi
Arrival in Delhi at 2 AM
Transfer to Park or Nikko Metropolitan Hotel
Morning: FREE to relax. After lunch New Delhi sightseeing that includes Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Baha'i Lotus Temple and drive past government buildings in New Delhi like President's Mansion, Ministries, Parliament House and India Gate. Overnight will be in Hotel - The Park.
Sunday, 11/18/07:
Day 02 Delhi/Jaipur
By Road in 6 hrs
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start tour of Old Delhi.
OLD DELHI : A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire. Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk After lunch drive to Jaipur. Reach and transfer to the hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens. Overnight will be in Carlson Country Inn.
Monday, 11/19/07:
Day 03 Jaipur
After breakfast visit the Hawa Mahal in the Pink City on the way to Amber Fort, where we ride on elephant back to the hilltop palaces.
After sightseeing of the palaces at Amber we ride down on Jeeps. After lunch sightseeing of the Kachhwaha Maharajas' City Palace where we will visit the fascinating textiles gallery in Mubarak Mahal, the Sarvatobhadra (Hall of Private Audience) with the two famous Gangajallis (Silver Urns to carry Ganga River water), the colorful courtyard of Chandra Mahal with its Peacock Gate and is the "Diwan-i-Am" Art Gallery that houses some of the most famous Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. Stepping out of the City Palace we will visit the Astronomical Observatory that is largest one built by the founder of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh. All except one of its astronomical instruments are still functional. Overnight will be in Carlson Country Inn.
Tuesday, 11/20/07:
Day 04 Jaipur/Pushkar
By Road in 3 hrs
After breakfast drive about 3 hours to India's and perhaps the world's most colorful folk festival - the Pushkar Fair. Observe, explore and photograph the colorful Fair. Enjoy a camel ride, enjoy the festivities and many interesting events or visit the many temples along the Pushkar Lake including the famous Brahma temple. Overnight will be in deluxe tents in fair grounds.
Wednesday, 11/21/07:
Day 05 Pushkar
Full day to enjoy the festival atmosphere at the colorful Pushkar Fair Overnight will be in deluxe tents.
Thursday, 11/22/07:
Day 06 Pushkar
Another full day at the Pushkar Fair Overnight will be in deluxe tents.
Friday, 11/23/07:
Day 07 Pushkar/Fatehpur Sikri/ Agra
By Road in 7 hrs
After breakfast drive to Agra. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Reach Agra and transfer to hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Check in at hotel and relax. Overnight will be in Trident Hilton Hotel.
Saturday, 11/24/07:
Day 08 Agra
In the morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal by sunrise
We will be in the Taj Mahal complex for full three hours to give ample time for the guide's lecture, visiting the mausoleum's various sections, observe and photograph. There will be individual time after the guide takes us to tombs of the Queen Mumtaj Mahal and Emperor Shahjahan. Leave from the Taj Complex at 8.30 AM to return to the hotel for breakfast.
On our way out of Agra we will visit the traditional marble inlay craftsmen to view how the artisans worked to make the unique architectural decorations in Taj Mahal. After lunch visit the Agra Fort where the builder of Taj Mahal, Emperor Shahjahan, was kept a prisoner for the last eight years of his life by his own son. Later we cross the Yamuna River to the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, a unique white marble monument of Mughal period. Overnight will be in Trident Hilton Hotel.
Sunday, 11/25/07:
Day 09 Agra/Jhansi/Orchha/Khajuraho
After breakfast transfer to Agra Cantonment train station to board the air-conditioned chair car compartment of Shatabdi Express to Jhansi in central India.
On arrival transfer to a hotel for lunch, then visit the Orchha Fort and very interesting Hindu temples on the way to Khajuraho. Proceed further to Khajuraho.
Situated in the heart of india, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honoured by the world as india's unique contribution to human civilisation. the chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. twenty remain as embodiments of indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. the temples of khajuraho is a world heritage site and belong not just to india but to the world. Khajuraho is one of the few millennium destinations of the world.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Visit the Western set of Temples and enjoy Sound and Light Show. Overnight will be in Radisson Hotel.
Monday, 11/26/07:
Day 10 Khajuraho/Varanasi
By Air
After Breakfast, visit the world famous Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho that are profusely carved from red sandstone.
Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel.
VARANASI IS THE WORLD'S MOST ANCIENT LIVING CITY. SUNRISE ON THE RIVERFRONT, AS SEEN FROM A BOAT, CAN BE SPIRITUALLY UPLIFTING SIGHT. CROWDED WITH TEMPLES, AND ITS LABYRINTH OF STREETS, THE CITY ATTRACTS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TOURISTS. THE RELIGIOUS CAPITAL OF HINDUISM, VARANASI IS THE CARPET MANUFACTURING PLACE OF INDIA. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS KASHI - THE CITY THAT ILLUMINATES. THE PRESENT NAME IS DERIVED FROM THE FACT THAT THE CITY IS AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE RIVERS VARUNA AND ASI.
Visit Sarnath 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. Overnight will be in Radisson.
Tuesday, 11/27/07:
Day 11 Varanasi
In the morning we drive to the Ghats (steps on river bank) to board a boat for a ride on the Hindu holy river Ganga. During this boat ride we will witness the morning religious rituals on the Ghats and in the temples along the river bank.
Later visit the ancient and modern Hindu temples of the holy city dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In the evening experience the Prayer ceremony at the banks of River Ganges - homage to the holy river with oil lamps and incense etc. Overnight will be in Radisson Hotel.
Wednesday, 11/28/07:
Day 12 Varanasi/Delhi
By Air
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the birthplace of Buddhist religion, Sarnath. Lord Buddha meditated for many years in the dear park at Sarnath. After enlightenment at Bodhgaya, he returned to Sarnath to preach the "Dharmachakra" or the "wheel of religion sermon". This was his first sermon to his initial five disciples. Mauryan Emperor Ashoka built a Stupa at the site where Lord Buddha's ashes were preserved along with a massive monastery and university complex. We will view the archeological ruins of this historic site and also visit a very interesting site museum of archeology.
Transfer to airport to board flight to Delhi. Transfer to Ashok Country Club/ Sahara where four rooms will be available for refreshing before transfer to airport for the flight back home.
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