Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kathmandu
Day 01 Abroad - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International airport.
On arrival in Delhi, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - the former
centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments,
narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort,
built in 1648 and board the 'rickshaw ride' for a unique
experience 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. Later visit the Jamia
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.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of 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 hotel
Day 03 Delhi - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur (260 kms). Upon arrival check-in at
hotel.
Afternoon tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set
within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined
fortresses. 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 hotel
Day 04 Jaipur
Morning 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.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 05 Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (221 km), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built
by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century.
Also visit the Bulund Darwaza the largest gateway in the world.
Thereafter continue drive to Agra and check into the hotel.
Afternoon visit Red Fort & the famous Taj Mahal.
Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the
heart of the town. It was built by Akbar 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.
Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was
constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife
Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It has been described as
the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the
emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of
marriage, during the birth of her 14th child.The central structure
has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome.
Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false
tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is
closed on Friday).
Overnight at hotel
Day 06 Agra - Gwalior - Orchha
Morning drive to Orchha (235 kms) enroute stopping at
Gwalior.
Gwalior tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas
Palace - this Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers &
crystal. A few of the rooms have been converted into a museum
filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia. Visit the huge
Gwalior Fort - where a sun temple is believed to have been
constructed within the area of the fort. Visit Man Mandir, which
is a six-towered palace and forms the eastern wall of the fort.
The fort has monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards
and is one of the largest forts in India.
Also visit Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses
the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of
Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the
Tomb of the famous musician Tansen.
Thereafter, continue drive to Orchha (124 kms) and check-in at
hotel. Overnight at hotel
Day 07 Orchha - Khajuraho
Morning sightseeing tour of Orchha, overlooked by the
modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the capital
of Bundela Kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa,
flowing through a rugged country century side, it still retains the
captivating air of a bygone era. Amongst the various imposing
edifices, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by
Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul
Emperor Jehangir, the Raj Mahal and the Laxmi narayan
temple, both noted for their fine Frescoes and Mural paintings.
Continue drive to Khajuraho (150 kms) and upon arrival checkin
at hotel.
Thereafter visit the most important and fascinating Western
group of temples. The temples of Khajuraho have been
declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve
the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future
generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These
temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic
carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian
art.
Overnight at hotel
Day 08 Khajuraho - Varanasi
Morning visit the Eastern group of temples which consists of 3
Hindu and 3 Jain temples, their proximity attests to the religious
tolerance of the times in general and of the Chandela rulers in
particular.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi.
Leave: Khajuraho at: 1330 hrs by: 9W 334
Arrive: Varanasi at: 1410 hrs
On arrival in Varanasi, the guest will be met by our
representative and proceed for sightseeing tour of Sarnath.
Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist
sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in
590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing
Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses
an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at
the site. (Sarnath museum is closed on Friday).
Thereafter transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Overnight at hotel
Day 09 Varanasi - Kathmandu
Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride
on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and
witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and
most important religions. Visit some of the many Hindu temples
that line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and
bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world
famous Benaras Silks.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu.
Leave: Varanasi at: 1445 hrs by: 9W 724
Arrive: Kathmandu at: 1605 hrs
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the guests will be met by our
representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 Kathmandu
Morning city tour of Kathmandu - locked in by the towering
snow-clad mountains of the Himalyan range, Kathmandu is the
capital of the 'Hindu Kingdom of Nepal' - an extraordinary land
only now entering the 20th century. Walk through the narrow
cobbled lanes of the old Kathmandu city visiting its many
ancient temples among which the most unusual is the Temple
of Kumari or 'the living Goddess' where a little girl lives in her
temple residence showering blessings to her many followers.
Visit the Hanuman Dhoka the ancient Royal Palace complex
that comprises of a series of 14 courtyards of which Nasal
Chowk is still used for Royal ceremonies including coronation.
Afternoon visit Patan - the cradle of arts and architecture of the
valley with 136 courtyards and 55 major temples. The Patan
Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban
street scapes in the world. One can see the artisans crafting
unbelievably intricate pieces from wood, stone etc. The Patan
Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an
illustrious architectural settings.
Overnight at hotel
Day 11 Kathmandu
Morning proceed onto Bodhnath, the largest stupa in the world
where from a towering golden pinnacle the painted eyes of the
all-seeing Buddha gaze across the valley in every direction,
then proceed onto the Pashupatinath temple situated on the
banks of Bagmati temple which is the most holy temples of the
entire Hindu world. As entrance into the temple precinct is
permitted to Hindus only, visitors can clearly see the temple and
the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern
bank of the Bagmati river. A sight of cremation being performed
on the banks of the river is very common.
Afternoon visit Bhadgaon - home of medieval art and
architecture, also known as Bhaktapur or the city of the
devotees. Raja Ananda Malla supposedly created Bhaktapur in
889 A.D. designing his kingdom in the shape of Shiva's conch
shell or Shiva's drum.
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Kathmandu
Full day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel
Day 13 Kathmandu - Delhi
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi
Leave: Kathmandu at: 1350 hrs by: IC 814
Arrive: Delhi at: 1510 hrs
Upon arrival in Delhi - you will be met & transferred to the hotel.
Later transfer to International airport for flight to back home.
Day 15 Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi
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