Day 1 :  Arrive Delhi

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel

India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.

Overnight in Delhi

Day 2 : Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel
Morning : Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi
Afternoon : Sightseeing tour of New Delhi

You will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and Shanti Vana, a memorial for Jawahar Lal Nehru; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid through Chandni Chowk. Jama Masjid one of Asia’s largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 – 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside.

People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi through Lakshmi Narayan Temple. New Delhi reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.

The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence.

Overnight in Delhi

Day 3 : Delhi-Varanasi

Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the airport to board flight to Varanasi
Leave Delhi for Varanasi by flight
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel

Evening : Witness the Aarti Ceremony on the ghats of River Ganges

The antiquity of Varanasi is veiled in immortal times and has been the centre of religion, learning and civilization since ages. It has an endearing universal mystique, which has to be experienced to be understood. The city gets its inherent charm from the location as it’s situated on west side of the Holy Ganges. The principal attraction being the bathing ghats that are always bustling with life at any given time of the day.

There is no Indian attraction like Varanasi. There are no architectural splendours, no exquisitely carved palaces or impregnable forts, and yet the city has an inherent charm. Situated on the west bank from the riverbank ghats to a winding maze of picturesque alleys overlooking tall houses alongside, dotted with temples. It is a fascinating area to wander around.

Overnight in Varanasi

Day 4 : Varanasi

Early Morning : Sunrise boat tour on the river Ganges
Morning : City tour of Varanasi, visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Bharat Mata Mandir
Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion to Sarnath

Early morning you will be taken on a visit to the ghats witnessing the Hindu pilgrims perform the rituals and following the centuries old tradition and belief that by dying in Varanasi or by immersing the mortal remains in the holy Ganges, it clears one from the birth circle and you are incarnated to human life in the next birth. You would be taking a boat cruise on the river Ganges around all the ghats and stopping at the important ones.

The riverfront, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, is a spiritually uplifting sight.  This religious city is crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets with their throngs of people is exciting and enticing.

Visit Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi.  Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold plating on the ‘shikaras’ was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Bharat Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India.  It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; and some other important temples.

Sarnath, a major Buddhist centre in the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the ‘Awakened One’, delivered his first sermon here. It was sixth century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra. This dwelling place of the rishis, it was also known as ‘Rishipatana’ (the place of the Rishis or sages). Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where he initiated his first

five disciples into Buddhist monkshood. Buddhism found its roots in Sarnath, the birthplace of this way of life.

Overnight in Varanasi

Day 5 : Varanasi – Khajuraho

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to the airport to board flight to Khajuraho
Leave Varanasi for Khajuraho by flight
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel

Afternoon: Visit to Southern Group of temples

Located in the provincial state of Madhya Pradesh India. Khajuraho is known the world over for its temples, architecture and sculpture.  The construction of these Temples are thousand-year old took a little over two centuries, in terms of architecture of these temples, they form the high peak of the north Indian ‘nagara’ style. Of the 85 temples believed to have been built between the 9th and 12th centuries only 20 have survived, many in splendid condition, others having given way to the ravages of time and nature.

Overnight in Khajuraho

Day 6 : Khajuraho – Orchha – Jhansi – Agra

Breakfast at the hotel
Morning : Sightseeing tour of Khajuraho, visiting Eastern & Western group of Temples
Afternoon : Leave Khajuraho for Jhansi by road (170Kms/04hrs) Enroute visit Orchha
Later transfer to the Railway station in Jhansi to board train to Agra
Leave Jhansi for Agra by train Shatabdi Express
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel

The tour of Khajuraho concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India.  The remote location of Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven.  They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the majority was constructed in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries.  After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was abandoned.  The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana.  Of the eighty-five original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition. You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath & Ghantai Temples, each remarkable for its design and architecture.Orchha’s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhattris. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.

Overnight in Agra

Day 7 : Agra

Breakfast at the hotel
Morning : Visit to Agra Fort
Evening : Sunset visit to Taj Mahal

Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort – the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.

In the afternoon, visit Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays)

The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.

Overnight in Agra

Day 8 : Agra – Fateh Pur Sikri – Sawai Madhopur

Breakfast at the hotel
Leave Agra for Bharatpur Railway station to board train to Sawai Madhopur
En route visit Fateh pur Sikri
Leave Bharatpur for Sawai Madhopur by train Kota Jan Shatabdi ( hrs)

Dinner at the hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Agra to Jaipur (220 KMS / 6 hours) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century.  It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago.  It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect conditio
n.
After your visit, continue your drive to Jaipur and upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.

The Ranthambore National Park is located in the district of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, India. The town of Sawai Madhopur is located at a distance of 14 km from the park.

Overnight in Sawai Madhopur

Day 9 : Sawai Madhopur

Morning : Jungle Safari
Breakfast at the hotel
Lunch at the hotel
Afternoon : Jungle Safari
Dinner at the hotel

Ranthambore national Park is well known for its tigers apart from Tiger other wild animals available at the park is   Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Jackals, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Sloth bears, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Macaques, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose. The reptile population of the park include Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, Indian Pythons, North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles, Rat Snakes, Russel’s Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chamaeleon.

Due to its water bodies, Ranthambore National Park attracts a whole variety of birds, both resident and migrant. There are around 300 species of birds in the park including Parakeet, Myna, Barheaded Goose, Owl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Eagle, Partridge, Pigeon, Flycatcher, Hornbill, Cuckoo, Heron, Sparrow, Vulture and Falcon.

Overnight in Sawai Madhopur

Day 10 : Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel
Leave Sawai Madhopur for Jaipur by road (172Kms/04hrs)
Check in on arrival
Evening : Free for independent activities

Jaipur’s past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the “pink city”.  Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed.  There is a timeless quality to Jaipur’s bazaars and its people.  With its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the ancient Rajputs.  The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men add colour to this fascinating city.

Overnight In Jaipur

Day 11 : Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion to Amber fort
Ride an elephant to ascend the hills
Sightseeing tour of Jaipur, visiting Palace of Winds, Observatory and City Palace

Morning you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. En-route to Amber you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Afternoon proceed to visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings.

Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, but he was passionate about astronomy. There is a very interesting story behind the construction of this observatory, considered as the largest stone observatory in the world. Sawai Jai Singh sent his emissaries to all parts of the world before commencing the construction of this observatory. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals was a copy of La Hire’s “Tables”. The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in this manual. When the construction ended, for the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in “Table.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 12 : Jaipur – Pushkar

Breakfast at the hotel
Leave Jaipur for Pushkar by road (155Kms/03hrs)
Afternoon : Sightseeing tour of Pushkar and Ajmer

Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the North-West of Ajmer. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas,that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha. Evidence points to its having existed during the fourth century B.C. lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle.

The legend about the Creator God, Bramha describes the creation of this lake. When the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma’s children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where a lake sprung into being. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month), hallowing the place. Sacred to Brahma, Pushkar boasts of its temple dedicated to him, which is the only one of its kind in the world. A dip in the waters of Pushkar and worship at his temple ensure salvation. So thousands flock to Pushkar to observe the ritual on kartik Purnima, or on any of the four days preceding it.

Ajmer – Originally called Ajaimeur or the invincible hill, founded by Ajai Pal Chauhan in the 7th century, Ajmer was a centre of Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. Even during the Muslim conquests, Ajmer did not loose its charm and importance. It was only when Prithvi Raj Chauhan lost to Muhammed Gohri that Ajmer passed on to multiple hands of feudal lords, Marwar rulers and finally the Mughals. Eventually, Ajmer was conquered by the Marathas, who subsequently lost it to the British and it became one of the only parts of Rajasthan controlled directly by the East Indian Co.

Overnight in Pushkar

Day 13 : Pushkar – Jodhpur

Breakfast at the hotel
Leave Pushkar for Jodhpur by road (210Kms/04hrs)
Check in on arrival
Afternoon : Sightseeing tour of Jodhpur

Steeped in royalty, Jodhpur’s forts and palaces are simply majestic. Umaid Bhawan Palace is considered one of the best art deco buildings in India. Built of creamy-pink sandstone and marble, this beautiful palace is one of the largest private residences in the world. It took 15 years and 3,000 men to complete this architectural marvel. Commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh as part of the relief project to support the famine-stricken subjects, the magnificent palace has a staggering 374 rooms including eight dining halls, two theatres, a ballroom, ornate reception halls and a huge underground swimming pool.

Henry Vaughan Lanchester, the architect of the palace had beautifully blended Rajput, Jain and European art deco styles. The 60-ft dome covers the central hall of the palace. A section of the palace is the present royal residence of Umaid Singh’s grandson, Gaj Singh, while a large section has been converted into a 5-star heritage hotel. The palace museum is open to tourists and boasts a rich collection of decorated weapons, paintings, porcelain, watches, antique clocks and French furniture.

Mehrangarh Fort (citadel of the Sun) that evokes the very spirit of the Rathores, the ruling local Rajput clan. Visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family. Following visit of the fort, proceed on an exhilarating walk through the old city of Jodhpur. The walk will take you as far as the old market from which point you will be transported by Tongas, or horse-drawn carriages, back to the hotel.

North of Meherangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, Jaswant Thanda is a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits, initiated irrigation systems and boosted the economy. The cenotaphs of members of the royal family who have died since Jaswant are close by his memorial; those who preceded him are remembered by chhatris at Mandor. This south-facing spot is also the best place from which to photograph the fort, looming above the sheer rocky Meherangarh plateau.

Overnight in Jodhpur

Day 14 : Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur

Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion to Bishnoi village to explore the rural life style
Leave Jodhpur for Udaipur by road (293Kms/06hrs)
En route visit Ranakpur
Check in on arrival

Morning – jeep safari to visit Tribal Bishnoi villages to see desert wildlife, watch local craftsmen at work and enjoy the beautiful sand dunes.

Ranakpur Jain Temples, an exceptionally beautiful excursion through the rugged, wooded hills of Rajasthan to the Jain Temples of Ranakpur in the Aravalli Valley, to see one of the best complexes of Jain religion which is particularly noted for the grandiose scale of its architecture and the highly decorated ceilings, walls and 1444 different pillars. The priests of the temples did all the temple designing and their generations are still continuing the work.

Udaipur – Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar State it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refuge of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 : Udaipur

Breakfast at the hotel
Sightseeing tour of Udaipur
Late Afternoon : Exclusive boat ride on Lake Pichola

First on your sightseeing tour you will proceed for a tour of the City Palace, which overlooks the Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built in 1725 of granite and marble with filigreed balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Within the palace is a maze of courtyards, apartments and decorated halls. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions, stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows. The marble throne in the coronation rooms was last used during the time Maharana Sangram Singh II (1710-30) and nearby is the Sun Window installed by Maharaja Bhim Singh (1778-1828). This is the divine symbol of the house of Mewar, which traces its lineage to the Surya Vansha, descendants of the Sun. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art. Visit the museums and the hall of public audiences, the private chambers of the royal ladies at the palace and Sahelion-ki-Badi.

Late in the afternoon experience a motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. The beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh after he founded the city. The city palace extends a considerable distance along the east bank of the lake. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. One would get an interesting view of the Dhobi (laundry) ghats. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace – a lovely island palace in the middle of the lake

Overnight in Udaipur

Day 16 : Udaipur – Delhi – Onward Flight

Breakfast at the hotel
Morning at leisure
Transfer to the airport to board flight to Delhi
Leave Udaipur for Delhi by flight
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to an airport hotel for wash and change
Later in the evening, transfer to the international airport to board onward flight