Taj Mahal with Sacred Ganges
Duration:
10 Nights / 11 Days
Destinations:
Delhi - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi -
Delhi
Day
01: Arrival at Delhi Company representatives will receive you on
arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer
to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires
is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the
present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient
land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight
will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi Breakfast will be
at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing 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 Mughal Empire.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride
from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive
sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb,
the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the
imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would
end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Enjoy the
DANCES OF INDIA in the evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day
03: Delhi - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer Early morning transfer for flight
to Jodhpur. Reach and proceed to Jaisalmer by surface.
Rising
from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of
Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its
awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has
an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord
Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent
of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His
prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the
Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a
new capital - Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and
check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
D
ay
04: Jaisalmer After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day
sight-seeing tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the
Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow
stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and
elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in
the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the
Patwaon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit
Barabagh Hill.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES
for visiting the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the
dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst
Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at
Jaisalmer.
Day 05: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur Proceed in
the morning after a leisurely breakfast and reach Jodhpur.
Set at
the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales
of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar
state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of
Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the
Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a
rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a
high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight
will be at Jodhpur.
Day
06: Jodhpur - Udaipur Transfer to airport in the morning for flight
to Udaipur.
Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of
Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush
hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty,
Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and
inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow
lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing
valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE
PICHOLA is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a
kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Relax in
the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 07: Udaipur -
Jaipur Proceed for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur after breakfast,
stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored
walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and
the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari
Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.
Proceed
for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From
he boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises
majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also
visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the
lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Transfer in the
evening for flight to Jaipur. Reach and check in at 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 a 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 at Jaipur.
Day 08: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort
in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.
Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his
descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise
where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate
expression.
Proceed for sight-seeing of the city.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the
walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the
City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the
best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different
parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical
instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade
of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is
a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine
trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows.
Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the
palace women.
Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the
intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing
process.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day
09: Jaipur - Agra Proceed for Agra after breakfast.
Stop at 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 it's grandeur. Also visit the Buland
Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Reach Agra and check
in at 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.
Relax in the evening. Proceed for sight-seeing to the
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is
predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect
Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit
Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The
interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Spend
the night at Agra.
Day
10: Agra - Varanasi Proceed for sight-seeing of TAJ MAHAL after
breakfast.
TAJ MAHAL: 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 its 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.
Transfer to the airport
for flight to Varanasi.
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.
Overnight will be at Varanasi.
Day
11: Varanasi - Delhi Drive very early morning to The Daswamedh Ghat
and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. See the cremation Ghats and
witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most
important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best experience) For you
to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the
River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed
to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you.
Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the
background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Then
return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga".
As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the
faithful are coming and going. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple while
returning to the hotel.
Return for breakfast to the hotel.
Proceed for day guided tour of Varanasi including the Gyanvapi Mosque and
Benaras Hindu University.
Transfer to airport for flight to
Delhi. Proceed for the FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for
flight home with sweet memories of India.
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