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Discover India |
Country: India |
Description |
| Visit
the
wonder
that
was
India.
|
Itinerary |
|
DAY
01
ARRIVE
DELHI
Arrive
Delhi
meet,
assistance
on
arrival
and
transfer
to
hotel.
In
the
afternoon
visit
fascinating
sights
of
old
&
New
Delhi.
Delhi,
one
of
India's
fastest
growing
cities
has
spread
far
beyond
the
"Seven
Cities"
created
between
the
13th
and
the
17th
centuries.
Now
it's
divided
in
to
two
parts
old
and
New
Delhi,
city
carried
history
of
thousand
years,
Old
Delhi
was
the
capital
of
Muslims
between
17th
to
19th
centuries.
City
that
is
as
old
as
civilization
itself
and
has
been
over
nine
capitals,
each
built
with
loving
care
by
several
destinies.
Delhi
was
the
city
of
magnificent
kings
and
prince's
who
gave
world
famous
masterpieces
of
beauty
like
the
Red
Fort,
Qutab
Minar,
Purana
Qila,
Raj
Ghat,
India
Gate,
President's
House,
Parliament
House
etc.
New
Delhi
designed
and
constructed
by
Sir
Edwin
Lutyens
and
Sir
Herbert
Baker
is
a
mixture
of
east
&
west.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
02
DELHI-
JHANSI-
ORCHA-
KHAJURAHO
After
breakfast
transfer
to
railway
station
to
board
Shatabadi
Express
for
Jhansi.
Arrive
Jhansi
and
drive
to
Orcha
(16
km.).
Orcha,
once
the
capital
city
of
Bundelas,
set
amongst
a
complex
of
well
-
preserved
palaces
and
temples.
Orcha
was
founded
in
1531
and
remained
the
capital
of
a
powerful
Rajput
kingdom
until
1783
when
nearby
Tikamgadh
became
the
new
capital.
Bir
Singh
Deo
ruled
from
Orcha
between
1605
and
1627
and
built
the
Jhansi
fort.
A
favourite
of
the
Mughal
Prince
Salim,
he
feuded
with
Akbar
and
in
1602
narrowly
escaped
the
emperor's
displeasure;
his
kingdom
was
all
but
ruined
by
Akbar's
forces.
Orcha
golden
age
was
during
the
first
half
of
the
17th
century
when
Jehangir
visited
the
city
in
1606.
After
lunch
depart
for
Khajuraho
-
165
kms.
KHAJURAHO,
Known
for
its
magnificent
temples
which
are
among
the
most
creative
examples
of
Indian
architecture.
Built
between
950
and
1050
A.D.
only
22
temples
out
of
85
now
survive.
Khajuraho
sculpture
is
sublime
and
sensuous,
the
center
of
new
imagery
in
art.
The
sculptors
have
shown
many
aspects
of
Indian
life
1000
years
ago
-
Gods
and
Goddesses
warriors
and
musicians,
real
and
mythological
animals.
These
temples
were
built
during
the
Chandela
period
a
dynasty,
which
survived
for
five
centuries
before
falling
to
the
Mughals
onslaught.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
03
KHAJURAHO
Khajuraho,
the
temple
of
love
is
the
most
popular
destination
for
foreign
visitors
for
its
exotic,
beautiful
and
erotic
temples.
These
temples
show
Indian
culture
at
its
best.
They
were
built
500
years
before
the
discovery
of
America.
These
temples
show
the
creative
part
of
life
between
men
and
women
hunting,
feasting,
enjoying
music
and
dancing.
Here
the
Khajuraho
artists
portrayed
with
no
false
modesty
and
even
less
prudery,
handsome
men
and
voluptuous
women
in
the
most
intimate
postures
making
love
to
each
other.
One
begins
to
wonder
what
made
the
people
of
Khajuraho
to
build
such
fine
temples
with
sculptures,
which
have
no
equal
in
the
world.
Islam
had
not
come
to
this
part
of
India
and
women
were
free
to
move
about
and
enjoyed
perfect
equality
with
men.
Women
dressed
simply
wore
ornaments
and
joined
their
men
in
hunting,
feasting
and
attending
fairs
and
festivals.
The
joys
of
flesh
give
place
to
meditation.
Temples
are
located
within
an
area
of
eight
square
kilometers.
These
can
be
divided
into
three
groups-
western
group,
eastern
group
and
southern
group
of
temples.
KANDARIYA
MAHADEVA
TEMPLE
is
not
only
the
largest
but
also
architecturally
and
artistically
the
most
perfect.
Built
during
the
period
1025-1050
A.D.,
it
represent
Chandella
art
at
its
finest.
The
main
spire
of
this
temple
is
31
feet
high
in
its
majesty
and
the
temple
is
lavishly
carved.
226
statues
inside
of
the
temple
and
another
646
outside
it-
make
872.
CHITRAGUPTA
TEMPLE:
The
fourth
temple
at
the
back
of
the
western
enclosure
is
called
Chitragupta
Temple
and
does
not
share
the
common
platform
with
the
other
three
temples
mentioned
above.
A
unique
feature
of
this
temple
is
that
it
is
dedicated
to
the
sun
god
(Surya)
driving
his
chariot
with
seven
horses.
On
the
central
niche,
you
can
see
an
11
headed
statue
of
Lord
Vishnu.
LAKSHMANA
TEMPLE:
One
of
the
earliest
of
Khajuraho
temples
930-950
A.D.,
the
Lakshmana
Temple,
is
dedicated
to
Lord
Vishnu.
It
is
one
of
the
well-preserved
temples.
CHAUSATH
YOGINI
TEMPLE:
This
is
the
oldest
temple
in
western
group
built
around
900
A.D.
and
perhaps
earlier.
KHAJURAHO
MUSEUM:
Within
the
area
of
western
group
of
temples
is
the
rich
archaeological
museum
of
Khajuraho.
The
museum
is
small
but
worth
a
visit.
Opposite
the
museum
is
the
Archaeological
Survey
of
India
Compound.
It
has
many
more
rescued
sculptures.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
04
KHAJURAHO-
VARANASI
Transfer
to
airport
to
board
flight
for
Varanasi
departure
1215
/
1255
hrs.
Assistance
at
airport
and
transfer
to
your
hotel.
Varanasi,
to
the
Hindus,
Varanasi,
sprawling
along
the
left
bank
of
the
river
Ganga,
is
the
holiest
city.
With
its
array
of
shrines,
temples
and
palaces
rising
in
several
tires
from
the
water
edge,
Varanasi
is
one
of
the
most
fascinating
cities
in
the
east.
It
is
also
a
city
of
fairs
and
festivals,
celebrating
about
four
hundred
of
them
during
the
year.
Since
time
immemorial,
Varanasi
has
been
a
center
of
learning
and
the
tradition
is
kept
alive
today
by
the
Banaras
Hindu
University
founded
in
1916.
Overnight
at
hotel.
|
|

Taj
Mahal
|
Included |
|
01
Night
Delhi
:
Hotel
Siddharth
or
similar
on
half
board
02
Nights
Khajuraho
:
Hotel
Holiday
Inn
or
similar
on
half
board
02
Nights
Varanasi
:
Hotel
Raddision
or
similar
on
half
board
02
Nights
Agra
:
Hotel
Trident
Hillton
on
half
board
02
Nights
Jaipur
:
Hotel
Trident
Hillton
or
similar
on
half
board
01
Night
Pushkar
:
Hotel
Pushkar
Palace
or
similar
on
half
board
02
Nights
Chittorgarh
:
Hotel
Pratap
Palace
or
similar
on
half
board
02
Nights
Udaipur
:
Hotel
Shiv
Niwas
Palace
or
similar
on
half
board
02
Nights
Aurangabad :
Hotel
President
Park
or
similar
on
half
board
All
transfers
&
sightseeing
by
one
AC
cheffeaur
driven
car
as
per
programme.
Services
of
an
local
guide
during
sightseeing,
boart
ride
in
Udaipur,
train
fare
Delhi
-
Jhansi
by
AC
chair
car,
elephant
ride
at
Amber
Fort
in
Jaipur.
Monument
fee
at
every
place.
Flights
:
Khajuraho
-
Varanasi
-
&
Udaipur
-
Aurangabad
-
Mumbai
included.
|
Departure Dates |
| Jan.
-
April
and
Oct.
-
Dec. |
|
DAY
05
VARANASI
Morning
Gangles
tour
to
Bathing
Ghats
including
boat
ride.
Return
to
hotel
for
breakfast
followed
by
city
tour
of
Varanasi
visit:
Bharat
Mata
Temple,
Durga
Temple,
Aurangzeb's
mosque
and
Banaras
Hindu
University.
After
lunch
trip
to
Sarnath.
Overnight
at
hotel. DAY 06 VARANASI - AGRA
Morning at leisure. In the late afternoon transfer to station to board overnight train for Agra. Overnight train.
DAY- 07 AGRA
In the morning & transfer to hotel & sightseeing. Agra
is
the
most
important
city
of
Uttar
Pradesh,
especially
for
its
magnificent
monument
Taj
Mahal,
Agra
Fort,
Fatehpur
Sikri
and
Itmad-ud-Dullah's
Tomb.
Agra
was
the
chosen
city
of
the
Mughal
emperors,
that's
why
they
made
it
as
the
capital
of
Sikander
Lodhi
in
1501
and
Akbar
ruled
here
from
1570
to
1585
after
that
he
left
the
city
due
to
water
problems
but
in
1599
he
returned
and
remains
here
until
death.
Morning
city
tour
of
Agra
visit
:
Taj
Mahal,
Itimad-ud-Daulah
Tomb
and
Agra
fort.
TAJ
MAHAL
a
monument
to
love
built
by
Shah
Jahan
in
memory
of
his
wife
Mumtaz
after
her
death.
Construction
of
Taj
Mahal
begun
in
1631
and
completed
in
1653,
workers
were
recruited
not
only
from
India
but
also
from
Central
Asia,
total
20,000
people
worked
on
it.
Isha
Khan
was
the
main
architect
who
came
from
Shiraz
(Iran).
ITIMAD-UD-DULLAH'S
TOMB:
Noorjehan,
the
prettiest
queen
of
Jehangir,
built
for
her
parents.
This
tomb
was
made
by
warm
yellow
marble
and
highlighted
by
white
and
black
marble.
Agra
Fort
lies
on
the
bend
of
the
River
Yamuna,
almost
in
the
heart
of
the
city.
The
construction
of
the
fort
started
in
1573
by
Akbar
and
completed
by
his
grandson.
Inside
of
the
fort
many
fascinating
buildings
are
there
like
Diwan-a-Aam,
Diwan-a-Khas,
Moti
Masjid,
Jahangiri
Mahal
and
Jama
Masjid.
DAY
08
AGRA-
JAIPUR
(268
KM,
06-HRS.
DRIVE)
Depart
for
Jaipur
enroute
visit:
FATEHPUR
SIKRI:
Akbar's
capital
for
a
short
period
of
12
years.
Fatehpur
Sikri
Fort
is
one
of
the
most
impressive
forts
of
India
there
are
many
magnificent
building
inside
which
describe
the
story
of
that
era.
Visit
Birbal
Bhawan,
Shahi
Darwaza,Buland
Darwaza,
Panch
Mahal,
Diwan-I-Am
and
Diwan-I-Khas.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
09
JAIPUR
After
breakfast
visit
Jaipur
the
Rajput
City,
in
a
land
of
forts,
palaces
and
temples,
the
city
that
stands
out
for
its
unique
design
and
layout
is
Jaipur,
the
"Pink
City".
Built
in
18th
century
by
Maharaja
Sawai
Jai
Singh
II
and
his
architect-builder
Vidyadhar.
Basically
this
is
the
city
of
culture,
tradition
and
crafts.
THE
CITY
PALACE:
Specially
designed
for
the
royal
family
with
lots
of
doors
and
windows
a
part
of
which
remains
the
residence
of
Jaipur
family
and
rest
of
the
palace
serves
as
a
museum,
which
explain
the
saga
of
that
era.
JANTAR
MANTAR:
Jantar
Mantar
is
one
of
the
Jai
Singh's
five
remarkable
observations.
The
two
Ram
Yantras
used
for
the
gauging
altitudes
are
unique
in
their
isolation.
HAWA
MAHAL:
The
ornamental
façade
of
this
"Palace
of
winds"
is
a
landmark
in
Jaipur.
Its
five-storey
structure
of
pink
sandstone
encrusted
with
fine
trelliswork
and
balconies
has
953
windows.
It
was
built
in
1799
by
Pratap
Singh
and
was
a
royal
grandstand
place
for
royal
family
women's.
AMBER
FORT:
The
complex
of
palaces,
halls,
pavilions,
gardens
and
temple
were
built
by
Raja
Man
Singh,
Mirza
Raja
Jai
Singh
and
Sawai
Jai
Singh
over
a
period
of
about
two
centuries.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
10
JAIPUR
-
PUSHKAR
(131
KM,
03
HRS.
DRIVE)
After
breakfast
drive
to
Pushkar.
On
arrival
check-in
hotel
after
lunch
we
will
explore
the
interesting
sites
of
Pushkar
-
The
abode
of
the
Lord
Brahma,
PUSHKAR
LAKE
-
Pushkar
Lake
is
a
sacred
spot
for
Hindus.
During
the
month
of
Oct/Nov.
Devotees
throng
in
large
number
here
to
take
a
dip
in
the
sacred
lake.
According
to
myth.
Lord
Brahma
was
on
his
way
to
search
for
a
suitable
place
to
perform
a
'Yegna'
(a
fire
sacrifice).
While
contemplating,
a
lotus
fell
from
his
hand
on
the
earth
and
water
sprouted
from
three
places.
One
of
them
was
Pushkar
where
Lord
Barhma
performed
his
yegna.
SAVITRI
TEMPLE
-
A
temple
dedicated
to
the
first
wife
of
Lord
Brahma,
this
temple
can
be
reached
by
a
flight
of
steps
only.
MAN
MAHAL
-
On
the
bank
of
Pushkar
Lake
this
palace
is
built
by
Raja
Man
Singh
now
converted
into
RTDC
Sarover
Hotel.
BRHAMA
TEMPLE
-
It
is
the
only
temple
in
India
dedicated
to
lord
Barahama.
FOY
SAGAR
-
A
picturesque
artificial
lake
named
after
the
engineer
Foy
who
created
it
under
a
famine
relief
project.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
11
PUSHKAR
-
CHITTORGARH
(202
KM,
04
HRS.
DRIVE)
After
breakfast
drive
to
Chittorgarh.
On
arrival
meet,
assistance
and
transfer
to
your
hotel.
Chittorgarh,
Chittor's
first
defeat
occurred
in
1303
when
Ala-ud-din
Khilji,
the
Pathan
king
of
Delhi
besieged
the
fort
in
order
to
capture
the
beautiful
Padmini,
wife
of
the
Rana's
uncle
Bhim
Singh.
When
defeat
was
inevitable
the
Rajput
noble
women,
including
Padmini
committed
sati
and
Bhim
Singh
led
the
orange
-
clad
noblemen
out
of
their
deaths.
In
1535
it
was
Bahadur
Shah,
the
sultan
of
Gujarat,
who
besieged
the
fort
and,
once
again,
the
medieval
dictates
of
chivalry
determined
the
outcome.
The
final
sack
of
Chittor
came
just
33
years
later,
in
1568,
when
the
Mughal
emperor
Akbar,
took
the
town.
Once
again,
the
fort
was
defended
heroically
but
once,
the
odds
were
overwhelming
and
the
women
performed
sati;
the
fort
gates
were
flung
open
and
8000
orange-robed
warriors
rode
out
to
their
deaths.
On
this
occasion
Maharana
Udai
Singh
fled
to
Udaipur
where
he
re-
established
his
capital.
In
1616,
Jehangir
returned
Chittor
to
the
Rajputs
but
there
was
no
attempt
at
resettlement.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
12
CHITTORGARH
After
breakfast
visit
interesting
sights
of
Chittorgarh
visit:
THE
FORT:
Believed
to
have
been
constructed
by
later
Maurya
rulers
in
7th
century
A.D.,
this
fort
is
located
on
a
180
mts.
high
hill,
covering
700
acres.
The
fort
has
many
architectural
attractions.
VIJAY
STAMBH
(VICTORY
TOWER):
Built
by
Maharana
Kumbha
in
commemoration
of
victory
over
Muslim
rulers
of
Malwa
and
Gujrat
in
1440
A.D.,
this
37
Mts.
high
tower
is
a
structure
of
nine
storeys.
Its
exoterior
is
decorated
with
sculptures
and
it
has
withstood
the
vagaries
of
nature
through
the
centuries.
KIRTI
STAMBH
(TOWER
OF
FAME):
This
22
Mts.
high,
Tower
of
Fame
was
built
by
wealthy
Jain
Merchants
in
the
12th
centuries
A.D.
and
is
dedicated
to
Adinathji,
the
first
of
Jain
tirthankaras.
The
tower
is
decorated
with
figures
from
the
Jain
pantheon.
RANA
KUMBHA'S
PALACE:
The
great
historical
and
architectural
palace
in
Chitourgarh.
It
is
believed
that
in
one
of
the
underground
cellars,
Rani
Padmini
and
other
women
committed
jauhar.
This
palace
is
the
biggest
monument
in
the
fort
of
Chittaur.
PADMINI'S
PALACE:
Rani
Padmini
was
a
celebrated
beauty
and
according
to
a
ledgent,
it
was
here
that
Rana
Ratan
Singh
showed
a
glimpse
of
her
to
Allauddin
Khilji,
the
Sultan
of
Delhi.
It
overlooks
a
pool
in
which
the
'Zanana
Mahal'
is
situated,
where
Padmini
stood
when
her
reflection
was
shown
to
Allauddin
Khilji
in
a
mirror
in
the
main
hall.
MEERA
&
KUMBHA
SHYAM
TEMPLE:
This
temple
is
associated
with
mystic
poetess
and
a
great
devotee
of
Lord
Krishna,
Meerabai:
She
is
the
wife
of
Rana
Bhojraj
and
is
set
to
have
consumed
Poisson
sent
by
the
Rana
but
survived
because
of
Lord
Krishna's
blessing.
GOVERMENT
MUSEUM:
The
magnificent
Fateh
Prakash
Mahal
has
been
converted
into
a
museum
now.
It
has
a
rich
collection
of
sculptures
from
temples
and
buildings
in
the
fort.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
13
CHITTORGARH
-
UDAIPUR
(112
KMS,
DRIVE)
After
breakfast
drive
to
Udaipur.
On
arrival
check-in
hotel.
UDAIPUR
Maharana
Udai
Singh
founded
Udaipur
the
last
of
the
capitals
of
Mewar,
in
1567.
Driven
by
the
besieging
armies
of
Emperor
Akbar,
he
abandoned
struggle
and
choosing
the
fertile
valley
between
the
famous
Mewar
forts
of
Chittaurgarh
and
Kumbhalgarh,
centered
his
new
city
round
three
lakes.
Udaipur
was
to
become
the
most
beautiful
cities
of
India.
There
is
no
place
in
India,
which
appeals
more
to
the
imagination
of
poets,
painters,
travelers
and
writers.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
14
UDAIPUR
After
breakfast
visit:
-
CITY
PALACE:
Completely
white
and
majestic,
the
City
Palace
stands
on
a
hill
surrounded
by
crenellated
walls.
The
sparking
white
filigreed
balconies
and
windows,
ornate
arches
and
small
domes.
Now
become
a
museum,
is
labyrinth
of
courtyards
richly
decorated
with
inlaid
mirror
work,
galleries
covered
with
wall
pictures.
Its
main
entrance
is
through
the
triplearched
gate,
the
Tripolia,
built
in
1725.
There
is
Suraj
Gokhada,
the
balcony
of
the
sun,
where
the
Suryavanshi
Maharana
of
Mewar
presented
themselves
in
time
of
trouble
to
the
people
to
restore
their
confidence.
LAKE
PICHOLA:
An
island
on
the
lake
houses
the
elegant
Jag
Nivas,
built
in
1746
as
the
summer
residence
of
the
rulers,
and
now
the
Lake
Palace
Hotel.
JAGDISH
TEMPLE:
Built
in
17th
century
has
a
remarkable
bronze
statue
of
Garuda
(a
mythical
bird)
facing
his
revered
Lord
Vishnu.
It
is
the
largest
and
most
splendid
temple
in
Udaipur.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
15
UDAIPUR
-
AURANGABAD
After
breakfast
depart
Udaipur
and
catch
flight
for
Aurangabad.
On
arrive
transfer
to
your
hotel.
AURANGABAD
itself
a
number
of
monuments:
Bibi
Ka
Maqbara,
the
tomb
of
Begum
Rabia
Durani,
Aurangzeb's
wife
the
Pan
Chakki,
an
intricate
17th
century
water-mill
by,
which
the
Mughals
using
the
concept
of
the
Persian
water-wheel,
managed
to
channelise
water
from
a
spring
on
a
hill
some
distance
away
and
generated
energy
to
turn
large
grinding
stones;
and
the
cluster
of
caves
in
the
hills
just
outside
of
the
city.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
16
AURANGABAD
-
ELLORA-
AJANTA
-
AURANGABAD
Early
morning
drive
to
Ellora
visit:
KAILASA
TEMPLE:
This
temple
is
dedicated
to
Lord
Shiva.
It
is
unquestionably
the
most
glorious
achievement
here.
The
whole
splendid
structure
of
Kailasa
is
"an
enormous
monolithic
rock
carving
in
architectural
form",
three
great
trenches
were
cut
down
into
the
rock
and
beginning
from
the
top
of
the
cliff
work
progressed
down
to
the
base.
Day
Excursion
to
Ajanta
caves.
Return
to
hotel.
Overnight
at
hotel.
DAY
17
AURANGABAD
-
BOMBAY
After
breakfast
flight
to
Bombay. |
Departure |
| Delhi,
India |
|
Price: $ 2695
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: USD 570
|
|
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