Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport with garlands. Our executive would escort you to your hotel. We would have done a pre-check in for you at the hotel which saves you time in middle of the night. Hotel Imperial/Similar 5 Star Category Hotel.
Day 2: Delhi. Breakfast at hotel. Your personal guide takes you on a city tour to witness the contrasts between the two cities in one, the old and new Delhi. New Delhi begins with the drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (1193 AD) this striking medieval tower of victory of Persian World is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Then drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, New Delhi’s main shopping area. Visit Humayun’s Tomb - considered to be the fore runner of Taj Mahal. In the evening we host you a welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Udaipur. After breakfast we drive to Delhi airport to catch a flight to Udaipur (1 hour flight). Upon arrival check in at the trident Hilton/Similar. Rest of the day free for individual activities. Udaipur is perhaps a unique pre-modern capital with no fort. Coming to life after the final sacking of Chittaur, Udaipur saw an explosion of building activity- temples, palaces and Havelis. Were built on a large scale because the entire population fo erstwhile chittaur move to the new capital. Lake Pichola with its two islands - Jagniwas (now the Lake Palace Hotel) and Jagmandir defines Udaipur. The City Palace towers over the lake. The artificial Jaisamand Lake was created in 17th century by damming the Gomti River. There are beautiful chhatries (Cenotaphs) around the embankment. Includes: (B).
Day 4: Udaipur sight seeing and Boat Cruise. After breakfast, morning tour of Udaipur city includes The City Palace Museum, Sahelion Ki Bari, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, Folk Art Museum and Jadish Temple. Later in the evening we take a boat ride in Lake Picchola and drive back to the hotel. In the evening your dinner venue is the famous Bagor Ki Haveli, on the banks of lake Lake Picchola, a heritage property. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Jodhpur. After breakfast drive to Jodhpur 250 Km (5 hours). Lunch at Ranakpur hill resort and visit the famous Ranakpur temples. Built in white marble. Its 29 halls spread over 40,000 sq. ft. and has 1,444 pillars, not one of which is alike in its carving. After visit continue driving to Jodhpur. Check in at the hotel Taj Hari Mahal/similar category. Rest of the day free for individual activities. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 6: Jodhpur. Jodhpur is a vibrant, strategically important city on caravan trade routes. Jodhpur came up in the 15th century on profits from opium, sandalwood, dates and copper combined with the might of Rao Jodha and Mehrangarh became the most majestic fort of Rajasthan. After the breakfast your tour begins by visiting the wonderful Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada (the royal cenotaphs of Maharaja Jaswant Singh). In the afternoon jeep safari to Bishnoi village to witness the opium ceremony, life of locals, potters house and wildlife. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 7: Jodhpur - Jaipur. In the morning after breakfast we drive to Jaipur 310 Km (6 hours). There are convenient stops at regular intervals. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in at the Jai Mahal palace. Later in the evening we take you on a tour of Laxmi Narayan temple built in white marble, a heritage walk or a rickshaw ride through the illuminated bazaars of Jaipur. Overnight stay at the Hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 8: Jaipur. The splendid Fort/Palace of Amber was wrested by the Kachhwaha Rajputs in the mid-12th century. They dominated the surrounding area for the next six centuries. Amber was also the prime site of the alliance between the Mughals and the Rajputs. The astronomer-King Sawai Jai Singh II, famous for his Jantar Mantar ascended the throne in 1699. He soon decided to build a new city in the plains: JAIPUR was designed according to the principals of the Shilpa-Shastra and the capital shifted here in 1727, the city attracted merchants and crafts-people that over time shaped its irresistible bazaar. The Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar characterizes the old city, while the forts of Nahargarh and Jaigarh, add to the spectacle of the city.
Jaipur City sight seeing + Amber with Elephant ride. After breakfast, excursion to Amber the old capital of Jaipur rulers. Ride on back of an elephant from the foot of the hills up to the gates of the fortress. Afternoon sight seeing tour of Jaipur including Maharaja’s Museum City Palace and Jai Singh Jantar Mantar the Astronomical Observatory, Hawa Mahal characterize the old city, while the forts of Nahargarh and Jaigarh reveal grandeur of the old Raj. Overnight at hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 9: Excursion to Samode. Late breakfast and than a visit to nearby Samode Palace about 45 Km. The Samode Palace was the residence of the late rulers of this small principality under the Kingdom of Jaipur dynasty. This well preserved palace was converted to hotel a decade back. Nestled in the aravalli hills it is a great treat to nature lovers. We host you a lunch there followed by a visit to the durbar hall, truly charming, with it’s windows and mirror embedded walls and ceiling. Return to the hotel, remainder of the day at leisure. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 10: Jaipur - Agra. After breakfast we drive to Agra 250 Km (5 hours). On the way after lunch a visit to Fatehpur Sikri a 16th century deserted capital of the Mughals. We arrive Agra late afternoon and check in at the mughal Sheraton/Taj view. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 11: Agra - Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the world built by Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory oh his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000. Craftsmen and master builders came from all over Asia to join in the great work – from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India’s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands: Jasper from Punjab, Jade and Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrosolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.
The day starts early as we offer you to visit the great monument by sun rise. After the visit you return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon the guide takes you to the other breath taking sites from the mughal era, including the Agra fort and itmad-ud-daulah, commonly known as baby taj. After the sightseeing return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 12: Agra - Khajuraho. After breakfast board the early morning luxury train Shatabdi Express for Khajuraho. Get down at Jhansi and 40 minute drive to Orcha for Lunch. After lunch another 4 hours drive to Khajurah. Upon arrival check in at the hotel Taj Chandela. This evening we offer you a dance performance at the kandharia auditorium where you view the regional dances from across the country. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 13: Khajuraho. The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandela dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temple of Kandhria is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
After Breakfast visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho with erotic sculptures. Your guide unwinds the stream of tantra in Hinduism. In the afternoon drive to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival check in at the Taj Ganges/Radisson. In the evening we take you for a rickshaw ride in the downtown area and then head to the ghats of river Ganges for a boat ride and witness the Ganga Aarti (the Brahmin priest offer prayers to the holy Ganges for bestowing them life and wisdom). Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 14: Varanasi (the city of light/learning and cremation/burning). The venerable and ancient city Varanasi is the religious center of the world for Hindus. It is a magnificent city, with myriad attractions, both as an exalted place of pilgrimage and a microcosmic center of faith. Thousands of pilgrims visit the city from all parts of India and from across the world. Varanasi is a unique city where the past and present, eternity and continuity lives side by side. It is considered to be the immortal abode of Shiva. The life and activities in the city revolve around the holy river. Life on the banks of the Ganga begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims-men, women and children, come down to the river to wait for the rising sun.
Your day starts by a sunrise visit at river Ganges followed by a walk through the narrow lanes of the city to feel the life and culture of the holiest city of the country. Return back to the hotel for breakfast. After lunch in the afternoon visit to Sarnath 10 Km This fabled place bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples expounding the principles of Buddhism. There are remains dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C. when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. The ruins at Sarnath and the art collection in the Archaeological Museum are representations/examples of the glorious past of Sarnath. Return back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 15: Varanasi - Delhi. Morning at leisure. We take an afternoon flight to Delhi, where we have arrangements of the day rooms near the airport till your onward flight connections.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement Available for 35% Extra. Kindly put in a Rate request for the tour cost of various Star hotels.
US $ 3310 per person for five star deluxe, US $ 2495 for 4 Star. The cost Validity is from Oct 1, 2008 - 15 April 2009.
Price Includes:
- Hotels of 4-5 star and heritage category with all specified meals and the special theme lunches and dinners
- Air conditioned transport of superior category with mineral water served during drives
- Services of personal guides at all destinations with entrances paid for all the monuments.
Price Excludes:
- International flights, taxes etc.
- Any tips paid to anybody for any personal service
- Consumption of any drinks even during paid meals
- Any air port taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
