Day-01
ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi by International flight.
A
history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who
fixed their royal citadels here-- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai
Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi
Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. but, combined and integrated into
one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever
many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically
identified with power and imperial sway.
You will be met on your
arrival by the representative of Exotique Expeditions with fresh
flower garlands. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight
at the hotel.
DAY-02 IN DELHIThis morning
you will be given the city tour of Old and New Delhi.
Old
Delhi - Visit the former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi
offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive
past the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest
mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built
the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma
Gandhi. A unique experience of taking 'rickshaw ride' from the Red
Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street,
experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading
west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk - literally means "moonlit
crossroads" and an area which best represents the "super-Oriental"
- the glory and the guile; the grandeur and the grime, with its
crowded bazaars, twisting lanes, maze of small streets strange
aromas, the pungent odour of Oriental spices, the cries of
shopkeepers, coolies and "rickshaw-walas" and the clatter
and whirr of furious industry.
New Delhi - drive past
the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by
Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace.
Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era &
predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the
towering minaret of Qutab Minar Overnight at the hotel.
DAY-03
DELHI-JAIPUR (265 Kms/165 Miles)Leave Delhi for Jaipur by
air conditioned vehicle.
The historic city of Jaipur or "The
City of Vicotory" was founded in 1727 A.D. by the great
Kachhawah ruler Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.), and named
after him. The monarch was not only a great builder, but also a poet
and an astronomer. Under his aegis, the city was designed by his
talented architect Vidyadhar, who gave shape to the creative
aspirations of Sawai Jai Singh in the form of the dream city of
Jaipur
Arrive Jaipur and check in at the hotel. This afternoon
you will be given the city tour of Jaipur.
Tour of the Pink
City - Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home
to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the
public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family
are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also
visit the Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds", and the
open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical
instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before
returning to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY-04
IN JAIPURThis morning you will be given excursion to Amber
Fort.
Tour of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a
ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will
mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to
the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion.
The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years
to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight
into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families
The afternoon
is free. You will have the opportunity to walk around the colorful
bazzars, take a by-cycle rickshaw ride or relax on the pool side of
the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY-05
JAIPUR-AGRA ( 235 Kms/147Miles)Leave Jaipur for Agra by air
conditioned vehicle.
Agra has a rich historical background,
which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and
around the city.
Though the heritage of Agra city is linked
with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to
the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar
Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar
(founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and
introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here.
Agra
came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal
Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built
the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
En-route
visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri - Impressive
sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the 16th
century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned,
leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions. Continue
drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit the Red Fort, which was built by Akbar as his
citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style
Arrive
Agra and check at the hotel.
In the afternoon you will be given
a short city tour of Agra.
Red Fort - lies on the bend
of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it
as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural
style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat
Overnight
at the hotel.
DAY-06
AGRA - VARANASI
Early
this morning you will visit the world famous -
TAJ MAHAL
(Closed on Fridays) - located on the bank of Yamuna River, the most
extravagant monument ever built for love. Little needs to be said
about this architectural wonder which is always the soul
raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah
Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife
Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was
designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's
stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted
particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and
some of the best inlay work ever seen. Return to the hotel for
breakfast.
Transfer to the airport in time to connect flight for
Varanasi.
In Varanasi - meeting and assistance on arrival and
transfer to the hotel.
DAY-07 VARANASIAfter
an early braekfast in hotels.
Excursion to Sarnath - the
buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After
attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and
it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to
set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy
sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first
flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century
BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist
temple & the museum (closed on Fridays). At the museum is the
Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent
Indias' national emblem
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY-08
VARANASIEarly morning, leave for boat ride on the Ganges to
see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on
the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting
sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless string of rituals,
ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across
have fascinated visitors from all over the world.
city tour of
Varanasi - Visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of
India in Marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu
University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul
Emperor Aurangzeb.
Rest of the day free.
Overnight at the
hotel.
DAY-09 VARANASI-DELHITransfer to
the airport in time to connect flight for Delhi.
In Delhi -
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Rest
of the day free for last minute shopping.
Overnight at the
hotel.
DAY-10 DEPART DELHITransfer to the
airport in time to connect your flight back home.