DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Old & New Delhi.
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India - Built by
Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not
completed until 1658 ; witness the Red Fort; Visit Humayun's
Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example
of Mughal architecture ; Visit Qutab Minar, witness the India
Gate, President House. The city tour ends with a visit to
Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).
DAY 03 : DELHI
- VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for
Varanasi, scheduled to depart at 1040 hrs.
Arrive Varanasi at 1150 hrs. and transfer to prebooked
hotel.
Varanasi : formerly known
as Kashi – the city that illuminates. The religious
capital of Hinduism Varanasi is the oldest living city of
India & one of the worlds’ most ancient. The present
name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence
of the rivers Varuna & Asi.
Afternoon, excursion to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city
where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment
at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that
he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in
motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy
sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching
first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from
16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa,
the Buddhist temple & the museum (closed on Fridays).
At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions,
used as independent Indias’ national emblem
DAY 04 : VARANASI
- AGRA (OVERNIGHT TRAIN)
Early morning, leave for boat ride on the Ganges to see the
bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on
the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually
uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless
string of rituals, ever-changing aspects of the river &
the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all
over the world. Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, city tour of Varanasi - Visit the Bharat
Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga
temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu University which
has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.
Afternoon, excursion to Ramnagar - For a 17th century fort,
this one is seriously well-preserved, probably because the
Maharaja of Benares still resides here. The hall of public
audience (Durbar Hall) and the royal museum housing collections
of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, furniture, costumes,
etc., are a must see at the Ramnagar fort. Return by boat
in the evening, enroute witness the religious ceremonies along
the banks of river Ganges.
Evening, transfer to the railway station to board Overnight
Train scheduled to depart at 2240 hrs, for Agra
DAY 05 : AGRA
Arrive Agra at 0703 hrs., transfer to precooked Hotel Afternoon,
city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor
Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until time of his
grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private
audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and
is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband,
Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day
- The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory
of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in
1631 and was not completed until 1653.
DAY 06 : AGRA
- FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR (240 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Agra. Enroute visit the abandoned
Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in
1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned
after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful
buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti,
Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved
in its original glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra
in the evening and check-in at the prebooked hotel.
Morning, leave for Jaipur - The city owes its names,
foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior -
astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power
on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from his hillside
fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid
out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular
blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down
in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.
On arrival in Jaipur, checkin at prebooked hotel. Rest of
the day at leisure.
DAY 07 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from
the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber
Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the
ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort
began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's
army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which
has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets,
enamel ware and weapons ; Jantar Mantar - the observatory
built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade
of Hawa Mahal.
DAY 08 : JAIPUR
- DELHI (260 KMS, 05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast free. Afternoon, leave for Delhi. Upon arrival,
check-in at your prebooked Hotel.
DAY 09 : DEPART
DELHI
Morning, Transfer to the airport to board your flight for
onward destination.
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