Classical North India Tour
Classical North India Tour
Duration: 9 Nights - 10 Days
Destination : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Welcome our representative would
assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight Hotel
– Delhi
Day 02 : Delhi
Today we take a guided tour of
Old Delhi, the 17th century walled
city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great
Jama Masjid, the principal
mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan,
it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we
walk
down or take a
rickshaw ride through
Chandni Chowk,
the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach
Red
Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jahan.
In
New Delhi, we visit
Raj Ghat,
memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble
platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive
past
India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate
the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names
of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.
President's
House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the
year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence
of the Governor-General of British India
. We will also visit
Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year
1562. The complex is a
World Heritage Site & the first example
of this type of Mughal architecture in India.
Qutub Minar built
in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in
the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar &
its monuments are listed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Optional - Sound & Light Show at Red Fort with dinner at Chor
Bizarre
Overnight Hotel – Delhi
Day 03 : Delhi – Jaipur ( Drive : 262km - 5hr)
Today after morning breakfast drive to Jaipur, popularly known
as PinkCity, the flamboyant &
colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent
with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage
cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh
II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine
divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors Overnight Hotel
– Jaipur (B)
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Day 04 : Jaipur
Today morning we take an excursion to Amber Fort, the palace complex
which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take
an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming
experience. Later we visit the CityPalace, a perfect
blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied
building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city.
Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical
treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We
also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure
of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could
peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas
(mini windows). Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)
Day 05 : Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (Drive : 260 kMS – 06 Hours )
Today we drive to
Agra; en route we will visit
Fatehpur Sikri
(Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's
reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack
of water. We visit
Emperor Akbar's Residential complex,Mosque &
Tomb of Salim Chisti.
Further we continue our drive to
Agra, beautifully situated on
the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors
from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many
splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur
Sikri, all three are
UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Overnight
Hotel – Agra
Day 06 : Agra
Today we visit Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal love, which stands
on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan
in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed
in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis
by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately
described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid
with white marble & intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandara,
Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in
the year 1613.
Overnight Hotel – Agra
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Day 07 : Agra – Jhansi ( By Train : Shatabdi Exp), Jhansi - Khajuraho via Orchha
( Drive : 166km – 5hr)
Today Morning transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi.
From Jhansi we drive to Khajuraho, en route we visit Orchha,
located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi. It has a medieval town atmosphere attached
to it. The Betwa River quietly flows by the town. The 16th century palaces &
temples built by its Bundela rulers appear to be suspended in time. We will visit
Orchha Fort complex. Within the Fort complex we visit Jahangir Mahal,
built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor
Jahangir to Orchha. Raj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Madhukar
Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. We also visit Ram
Raja temple, palace-turned-temple with soaring spires & palatial
architecture. Built by the King Madhukar Shah it is one of the most unusual temples
in India & the only place where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King not as a deity.
Later we continue our drive to Khajuraho, built between 950-1050
AD by the mighty warrior kings of the Chandela dynasty, a truly inspired burst of
creativity. Contain stunningly explicit erotic sculptures. They
were rediscovered in the 20th century, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Hotel – Khajuraho (B)
Day 08 : Khajuraho
Today we visit Khajuraho temples, famous for the magnificent carvings
depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra, ancient
Indian work on sex. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. In fact,
worship is still done today in the Matangeshwara temple, continuing an unbroken
1000 year tradition. Optional - Sound & Light Show Overnight
Hotel – Khajuraho (B)
Day 09 : Khajuraho – Varanasi ( By : Flight)
Today we take a flight to
Varanasi,
picturesquely
situated on the banks of holy river Ganga. The city is the
Oldest Living City
of the World & traces of its existence are found around 10000 BC.
Other than being a very holy city for Hindus, it also holds a very significant association
with Buddha's life & Buddhism. Later today we take an excursion to
Sarnath,
the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon
about the basic principles of Buddhism. It has been a premier centre for Buddhism
& has a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics & antiques comprising
numerous Buddha & Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum.
Overnight Hotel – Varanasi
Day 10 : Varanasi – Delhji (by flight)
Today we start our day with a boat ride on the river Ganges. Rise before dawn &
step gingerly in the boat as the boatman starts rowing the boat. Witness the daily
miracle to unfold, as the Sun appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of
conches & temple bells add to the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly
hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas (hymns) now rise, in one voice, to
a crescendo of unparalleled piety & joy. Later we explore the city by foot to
get the feel of this oldest living city of the world.
Later we transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi, upon arrival at Delhi
transfer to international airport to connect flight for onward destination.
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