North India Tour Packages
Mughal Raj Tour Of North India
The Moghuls have the unique distinction of being the builders of the most famous
buildings, gardens, tombs and mausoleums in India. Amongst their outstanding aesthetic
creations are the Taj Mahal, Shalimar Garden, the spectacular Jama Masjid, Badhshahi
Mosque, Red Forts in Delhi & Agra as well as many more. Our tour provides an
experience of India as it was in the Mughal Raj heyday.
Duration : 13 Nights 14 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Lucknow
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are warmly greeted the traditional Indian way with hands together.
Overnight: Hotel in Delhi
Day 02: Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We visit
the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and
the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 m into the sky. New Delhi is an
exotic blend of Mughal, Hindu, British and modern independent India. Later evening
tour
of Old Delhi takes us back to the reign of the Moghuls with the famous Red Fort.
Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next
we visit the majestic Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat,
the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at
Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. Evening is free to enjoy an
optional Sound and Light Show at the Delhi Red Fort.
Day 03: Delhi / Jaipur (drive 260 kms / 156
mi)
An interesting drive conveys us to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan. En-route
we visit Sikandra, the burial site of Akbar the Great.
Overnight: Hotel in Jaipur
Day 04 Jaipur
We are treated like the royalty of yesteryear with an elephant ride to the intriguing
Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. Next
we visit the old astronomical observatory, the Palace, home to a rare collection
of Indian art and Hawa Mahal, the most prominent of the buildings in the pink city.
We end the day at the colourful bazaar.
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Day 05: Jaipur / Agra (drive 235 kms / 145
mi)
Today we drive to the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital
built in 1640 by the Mughal King Akbar the Great and later abandoned for lack of
water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in
the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who
is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir,
the builder of the Taj. After our visit here we continue to the city home of the
world famous Taj Mahal. Overnight: Hotel in Agra
(2 nights)
Day 06: Agra
Our tour of Agra begins with the spectacular Taj Mahal, probably the best known
World Heritage Site. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with
semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort followed by Agra town and bazaar.
Later we have free time for shopping for replicas of the Taj, handicrafts and various
other curios that the descendants of the builders of the Taj are famous for crafting.
Day 07: Agra - Gwalior
Today we depart for former princely state of Gwalior aves. The state was formed
in the mid-18th cent. By Ranoji Sindhia, a Maratha chief Half day tour visiting
the Man Mandir- Built between 1486 and 1517 by Raja Mansingh. Within the palace
rooms stand bare, stripped of their former glory, testifying to the passing of the
centuries. Vast chambers with fine stone screens were once the music halls, and
behind these screens, the royal ladies would learn music from the great masters
of the day. Below, circular dungeons housed the state prisoners of the Mughals.
Emperor Aurangzeb had his brother, Murad imprisoned, and later executed here. Close
by is Jauhar Pond, where in the Rajput tradition, the Ranis committed mass sati
after their consorts had been defeated in battle. At Man Mandir Palace, a poignant
ambience of those days of chivalry and heroism still lingers in the silent chambers.
Later we visit Gujari Mahal- The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the
love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his intrepid Gujar Queen, Mrignayani.
Overnight: Hotel in Gwalior (1 Night)
Day 08 : Gwalior-Orcha- Khajuraho (BY Train and Road)
Today we board the famous Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi and continue by coach
to Orchha, an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa
River. After our visit to Orchha we proceed to Khajuraho Famous for its Exotic temples
built during the apogee of the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today
only 20 temples remain and these fall into three distinct groups, belonging to two
different religions - Hinduism and Jainism.
Overnight: Hotel in Khajuraho (2 nights)
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Day 09:Khajuraho
Today we visit the world famous erotic sculptures in Khajuraho. The most important
ones include the Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples. Theses
beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The
Kandariya, the most exquisite of the temples, is decorated with a profusion of sculptures
recognized Our afternoon is free to wander in the traditional bazaars of Khajuraho.
Day 10: Khajuraho / Varanasi (flight)
After further sightseeing in Khajuraho we take a short flight to the holy city of
Varanasi. This afternoon we tour the oldest city of India visiting Bharat Mata Temple,
home to a large marble relief map of India, the Durga temple, and the Tulsi Manas
Mandir. Banaras Hindu University, which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal
Emperor Aurangazeb. This evening is free to explore the city's amazing bazaars.
Overnight: Hotel in Varanasi (1 night)
Day 11: Varanasi / Lucknow
(Train)
Early morning we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal
principles of Hinduism is the belief of the holiness of the Ganges and every morning
scores of pilgrims and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and other
rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different
from anything else one may have seen anywhere else in the world.
Later we tour Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers. Then we visit local homes
to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality.
Later we take train to Lucknow. Overnight: Hotel in Lucknow
(2 nights)
Day 12: Lucknow
Lucknow is a city that reflects the last remains of the Mughal Raj within its lifestyle,
dress, customs and architecture. Visit the great Imambara, Jama Masjid, Picture
gallery, the Clock Tower, Roomi Darwaza, and Residency & Dilkusha Palace.
Day 13: Lucknow / Delhi
(Shatabdi Express train)
Today we are transferred to railway station to board our train to Delhi.
Overnight: Hotel in Delhi (1 night)
Day 14: Depart New Delhi / Home
Today is free for shopping and personal pursuits. In the evening we are transferred
to the airport for our flight back home or to connect to another Indian adventure
in the South or East of the country.
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