| The Gods, Temples and Archaeological of India |  |
DURATION : 15 Nights / 16 Days
PLACES TO SEE : Delhi – Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Mathura – Vrindavan – Gwalior –Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Sarnath – Mumbai – Aurangabad – Ajanta – Ellora – Elephanta Caves – Home.
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| DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI |
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Upon arrival at Delhi, you will be welcomed by our representatives who will escort you to your designated hotel for an overnight stay.
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| DAY 02 : DELHI SIGHTSEEING. |
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Breakfast in the hotel and proceed on a tour of Delhi which is divided in two sections, namely Old Delhi and New Delhi.
First, explore Old Delhi which includes Raj Ghat - There is a black marble stone on the platform where the father of Nationa “Mahatma Gandhi” was cremated, next visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. You may also enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid of Chandni Chowk bazaar through narrow and busy street, Red Fort also known as “LAL QUILA” built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 17th century.
Afternoon, proceed on a tour of New Delhi visit Qutub Minar – built in 11th century is one of the tallest stone tower in India, Humayun's Tomb , imposing India Gate (War Memorial Arch ) & Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings. Overnight stay at Delhi.
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| DAY 03 : DELHI TO AJMER BY SHABDTI EXPRESS. |
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Early morning, get assisted transfer to Delhi Railway station to board train to Ajmer. Arrive Ajmer and our driver will meet you there. Later you will be driven to Pushkar - the most holy place for Hindu community. Visit the Pushkar Lake and the most famous is the Brahma Temple which is the only temple in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Drive back to Ajmer – the most sacred Muslim pilgrimage destination in India. Visit the famous Dargah of Khwaja Moin-Ud-Din Chisti who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192. and Adhai Din ka Jhonpra – Originally, it was Hindu Temple built in 1153 but later it was converted into mosque by Qutab-Ud-Din-Aibak in 1193. Overnight stay at hotel in Ajmer.
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| DAY 04 : AJMER – JAIPUR (150 KMS/ 3 HRS). |
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After relaxed breakfast, drive to Jaipur - the capital city of Rajasthan, a state in the Northern part of India. Reach Jaipur and check into the hotel. Evening free for independent activities. Overnight stay at hotel in Jaipur.
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| DAY 05 : JAIPUR SIGHTSEENG. |
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After breakfast, enjoy an exciting and unforgettable sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Visit Amber fort - built by Sawai Man Singh in 1727 A. D as a capital. This fort is a complete blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Ride the hill on the back of decorated elephant and to the Pink city (Jaipur). Then return back to the city and take a stopover at Jal Mahal for photography. Enjoy sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visit Hawa Mahal - Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur, City Palace Complex which houses the rare and rich colection of ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets and decorative art objects of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture & Jantar Mantar (Observatory) – built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Return to the hotel for night stay in Jaipur.
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| DAY 06 : JAIPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA (223 KMS/ 5 HRS). |
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After breakfast, drive to Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri - the "City of Victory", located 35 kilometers from Agra on a low hill of the Vindhya mountain range. It was a once blooming capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar till 1585 and later Emperor Akbar shifter the capital to Agra due to scarcity of Water. Arrive at Jaipur and check in the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Jaipur.
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| DAY 07 : AGRA SIGHTSEEING. TRIP TO MATHURA & VRINDAVAN. |
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After a relaxed breakfast, enjoy sightseeing tour of Agra visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) - the world famous love monument built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved queen “Mumtaz Mahal. One is left speechless with the capturing beauty of this white marble beauty, Agra Fort – described as walled palatial city built in 1565 to study the evolution of Mughal Architecture from red stones to white Marbles. Enjoy trip to Mathura – the birth place of Lord Krishna and in Vrindavan visit to Iskon Temple, Prem Mandir. Return back to Agra for overnight stay at hotel.
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| DAY 08 : AGRA – GWALIOR – ORCHHA (250 KMS/ 7-8 HRS). |
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After breakfast, proceed to Orchha. On the way visit Gwalior - A historic city founded by King Surajesan, Gwalior, the formerly princely state of Madhya Pradesh, is famed for its outstanding palaces, sacred temples and glorious monuments. Visit Gwalior Fort - Standing on a long narrow rocky hill of sandstone, which rises abruptly 300ft. above the surrounding countryside, the fort of Gwalior is known as the "pearl in the necklace of the castles of Hind", Jai Vilas Palace Museum - Built by the Scindias in the late 19th century, Jai Vilas Palace Museum houses beautiful art work brought in from all around the world. Continue drive to Orchha. Check into the hotel. Night stay at Hotel in Orchha.
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| DAY 09 : ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO (180 KMS/ 4 HRS). |
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Orchha is a small town located on the banks of River Betwa and literally translates to "hidden place "and is a well known tourist Destination. The prominent amongst this are Raj Mahal and Jahangir Mahal. The other attractions include the Raj Mahal, The Sheesh Mahal, the chaturbhuj temple.
Then drive to Khajuraho – Established by the warrior Chandela dynasty that rose to power in Central India between 10th & 11th centuries, the 25 odd surving temples display different facets of life, including the sensual. The temples are especially famous for their spectacular sculpture and erotic carvings. Reach Khajuraho and check into the hotel. Night stay at hotel in Khajuraho
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| DAY 10 : KHAJURAHO TO VARANASI BY FLIGHT. |
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Morning after breakfast, enjoy sightseeing tour of Khajuraho visit Eastern and Western Group of Temples. Later transfer to Khajuraho airport to board flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, our representative will meet you and escort you to your pre-booked hotel. Varanasi, sprawling along the left bank of the holy River Ganges, is the holiest city for Hindu region. The Shrines, Old Temples and Palaces rising in several tiers from the water's edge makes Varanasi one of the most fascinating cities in the East. In the evening enjoy grand arati ceremony at Holy River Ganges. Overnight stay in the hotel.
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| DAY 11 : VARANASI SIGHTSEEING. |
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Early morning, get ready and enjoy boat ride on River Ganges to witness the early offerings and prayer on the bank of Holy River Ganges. Watching people bathing and worshipping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of your visit. Proceed on a tour of the temples of Varanasi visit the Golden Temple dedicated to lord Shiva, The Durga temple dedicated to goddess Durga and Banaras University. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Afternoon visit Sarnath, In Sarnath Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Return back to the hotel for night at Varanasi.
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| DAY 12 : VARANASI TO MUMBAI BY FLIGHT. |
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Morning after breakfast, transfer to Varanasi airport to board flight to Mumbai – business capital of India. Mumbai is a well-known metropolitan city in India appearing the tourists with its majestic look and elegant ambience which is blessed with soft breezes of Arabian Sea and many breathtaking beaches and metro facilities. Arrive at Mumbai airport where our representative shall meet you and assist you to your pre-booked hotel. Spend rest of the time at leisure. Overnight stay at Mumbai.
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| DAY 13 : MUMBAI LOCAL SIGHTSEEING. |
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After breakfast in the hotel, proceed for guided sightseeing tour of Mumbai visit Victoria station, Prince of Wales Museum - is a home of some finest collection of fascinating 18th & 19th Century miniature paintings, ancient Indus valley artifacts etc, Hanging Garden, Nariman Point, ISKON temple, Mani Bhawan & Dhobi Ghat – open air laundry. Your tour also includes drive pass through the beautiful Marine from where you will have a wonderful view of the Arabic Sea with everlasting memories. Return to Hotel Marine Plaza for dinner and overnight stay.
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| DAY 14 : MUMBAI TO AURANGABAD BY FLIGHT. AURANGABAD SIGHTSEEING. |
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After breakfast, get assisted transfer to Mumbai airport to board flight to Aurangabad. Arrive at Aurangabad and transfer & check into the hotel. After wash and change, enjoy sightseeing tour of Aurangabad visit Aurangabad Caves - excavated between the 2nd and 6th century AD. They reflect tantric influences in their iconography and architectural designs, the ‘Poor Man’s Taj’ that is Bibi – Ka – Makbara, Daulatabad Fort - that dates back to the medieval time period is situated atop a hill. Evening you are free for independent activities. Overnight stay at Aurangabad.
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| DAY 15 : EXCURSION TOUR OF AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVES. |
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After breakfast, enjoy excursion tour of Ajanta & Ellora caves.
Ajanta Caves (Closed on Monday) – Situated at a distance of 105 Kms from Aurangabad : Ajanta Caves were discovered in 1819 by a British hunting party. There isolation had contributed to the fine state of preservation in which some of the paintings over 2000 years old remain to this day. Dating back to the 2nd century B.C., deep inside the mountain are the Buddhist chaitya – vihara prayer and monastery caves. The 30 caves at Ajanta are the superb example of India's finest artistic treasures. They depict scenes from the life of the Buddha and Buddhist fables with skill and devotion. Ajanta Caves are a World Heritage site.
Ellora Caves (Closed on Tuesdays) – Situated at a distance of 30 Kms from Aurangabad : In all, there are 34 cave temples, 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 AD) and 05 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 AD) 22 more caves, dedicated to Lord Shiva, were recently discovered. Kailas Temple (cave 16), the central attraction at Ellora, is the most remarkable. Return back to Aurangabad for overnight stay at the hotel.
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| DAY 16 : FLY TO MUMBAI. EXCURSION TO ELEPHANTA CAVES. DEPARTURE FROM MUMBAI. |
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Morning after breakfast, transfer to Aurangabad airport to board flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and you will be driver to Gateway of India. From here, cruise by motorboat to Elephanta Caves - The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures. Elephanta caves are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves houses rock cut temples dated back to 5th century and all the precious and extraordinary sculptures found on the walls are dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Shiva also known as the destroyer. After sightseeing, you will be dropped at Mumbai International to board flight back to home or onward destination.
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