The great northern
plains of India, traversed by the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, have been the cradle
of the mighty empires of the last two millennia, from the Mauryan dynasty that
reached its zenith under Ashoka in the 3rd century BC to the powerful Mughals
whose glorious architectural legacy is evident in the many forts, palaces and
temples that remain. It was here, also, in what became known as ‘Hindustan’,
that the British Raj consolidated its rule over the Indian sub-continent after
the effective collapse of the Mughals, and here also that the devastating Indian
Mutiny of 1857 most seriously challenged that rule.
Day 01
Arrival Delhi:
Met on arrival by our representative. Traditional welcome with garlanding and
transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 Delhi / Jaipur (250
Kms - 05 hrs):
After a morning at leisure we drive to Jaipur - the fabled
“pink city” of the desert named after Jai Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur.
The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal
processions and splendors, are now living monuments. Arrive and check inn to the
hotel.
This will be a
cultural evening, we visit Chokhi Dhani - An ethnic village resort, the
vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically
to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright
clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses and bullock carts offer joy rides. A
traditional Rajasthani dinner will be served. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03
In Jaipur:
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we visit the dramatic hilltop
fortress at Amber – ascend the imposing fort on a painted elephant. We
wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors.
We stop to view
the elegant Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)- this elaborate building,
now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved
balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak
views of the outside world.
Post lunch tour
of the Maharajah’s City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique
fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of
paintings, Rajput armoury and costumesiH.
Later we visit the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory - situated in the
heart of the city where time has been accurately measured since the 17th
century. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04
Jaipur / Agra (250 Kms – 05 hrs): Morning drive leisurely to the city of
Taj, Agra, we stop at a good restaurant for lunch enroute also visit the
evocative city of Fatehpur Sikri - Built by Emperor Akbar as his capital
and palace in the late 16th century, it is a veritable fairytale city built of
red sandstone, and its "ruins" are in pristine condition.
We continue to
Agra, arrive and check inn to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05
In Agra: After having our
breakfast at the hotel we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great
Mughals, includingthe magnificent Taj Mahal - one of the Seven
Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever
created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah
Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone -
undoubtedly the highlight of the tour.
Post lunch tour
of the imposing Agra Fort -built of red sandstone and marble is a
hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates.
Overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 06 Agra / Jhansi / Orchha (By
Train):
By way of contrast today, we stray off the beaten tourist track to rural Madhya
Pradesh. A short journey by Shatabdi Express train takes us to Jhansi, from
where we transfer to Orchha and check inn to our hotel in time for lunch.
Post lunch tour
of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the
Palaces were decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering
of the Bundela school of Painting. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07
Orchha / Khanjuraho (178 Kms - 4 hrs.):
Morning drive to Khajuraho – the legendary temples of khajuraho built in
the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one
of the world’s artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual
appeal of its erotic sculptures.
Arrive by lunch
and check inn to the hotel. After lunch we visit the exquisite 10th century
temples of Khajuraho. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08
Khajuraho / Varanasi (By flight): Morning free at leisure.
Early afternoon flight to Varanasi-
said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy
river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for
devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the
riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a
fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal
appeal. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced.
On arrival we
transfer to the hotel. Evening view “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09
Varanasi / Delhi (By flight):
Morning we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of
life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Then we visit Sarnath, where Buddha
delivered his first sermon. Sarnath's temples and Archaeological Museum are full
of Buddhist art treasures. This afternoon we fly to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi
and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10
In Delhi & Departure:
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.
Including Jama Masjid – this immense mosque is the largest in India,
Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire,
nearby we enjoy the rickshaw Ride in the local markets of Chandni Chowk & Kinari
Bazar.
In New Delhi
visit 11th century Qutab Minar Tower,
the India Gate
and the grand government buildings, the President’s House and
Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj.
Evening
transfer to the international airport to Board your homeward flight or connect
to your onward destination.
The best of northern India combined
with the fascinating Kathmandu Valley in Nepal – distinctive cultures, rich
history, magnificent architecture and colorful folklore all in one unforgettable
holiday.
Day 01
Arrival Delhi:
Met on arrival by our representative. Traditional welcome with garlanding and
transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 Delhi / Jaipur (250
Kms - 05 hrs):
After a morning at leisure we drive to Jaipur - the fabled
“pink city” of the desert named after Jai Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur.
The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal
processions and splendors, are now living monuments. We arrive and check inn to
the hotel.
This will be a
cultural evening, we visit Chokhi Dhani - An ethnic village resort, the
vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically
to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright
clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses and bullock carts offer joy rides. A
traditional Rajasthani dinner will be served. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03
In Jaipur:
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we visit the dramatic hilltop
fortress at Amber – ascend the imposing fort on a painted elephant. We
wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors.
We stop to view
the elegant Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)- this elaborate building,
now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved
balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak
views of the outside world.
Post lunch tour
of the Maharajah’s City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique
fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of
paintings, Rajput armoury and costumesiH.
Later we visit the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory - situated in the
heart of the city where time has been accurately measured since the 17th
century. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04
Jaipur / Agra (250 Kms – 05 hrs): Morning drive leisurely to the city of
Taj, Agra, we stop at a good restaurant for lunch enroute and also visit the
evocative city of Fatehpur Sikri - Built by Emperor Akbar as his capital
and palace in the late 16th century, it is a veritable fairytale city built of
red sandstone, and its "ruins" are in pristine condition.
We continue to
Agra, arrive and check inn to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05
In Agra: After having
breakfast at the hotel we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great
Mughals, includingthe magnificent Taj Mahal - one of the Seven
Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever
created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah
Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone -
undoubtedly the highlight of the tour.
Post lunch tour
of the imposing Agra Fort -built of red sandstone and marble is a
hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates.
Overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 06 Agra / Jhansi / Orchha (By
Train):
By way of contrast today, we stray off the beaten tourist track to rural Madhya
Pradesh. A short journey by Shatabdi Express train takes us to Jhansi, from
where we transfer to Orchha and check inn to our hotel in time for lunch.
Post lunch tour
of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the
Palaces were decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering
of the Bundela school of Painting. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07
Orchha / Khanjuraho (178 kms. / 4 hrs.):
Morning drive to Khajuraho – the legendary temples of khajuraho built in
the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one
of the world’s artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual
appeal of its erotic sculptures.
Arrive by lunch
and check inn to the hotel. After lunch we visit the exquisite 10th century
temples of Khajuraho. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08
Khajuraho / Varanasi (By flight): Morning free.Early
afternoon flight to
Varanasi-
said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western
bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As
a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city,
sunrise on the riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting
sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a
timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only
experienced.
On arrival we
transfer to the hotel. Evening view “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09
Varanasi / Kathmandu (By flight):
Morning we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of
life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Then we visit Sarnath, where Buddha
delivered his first sermon. Sarnath's temples and Archaeological Museum are full
of Buddhist art treasures. In the early afternoon fly to Kathmandu
- the capital town of Nepal, the house of the highest mountains, kathmandu is as
much steeped in beauty as in the history of this wonderland. The place has ever
since been the center for art, crafts, culture and a rich heritage.
Arrive
Kathmandu met on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
NOTE:
Varanasi – Kathmandu flight operates only on Tuesday / Thursday & Saturday.
Day 10
In Kathmandu: Visit
the sacred Temple of
Swayambhunath above
the Kathmandu Valley, before walking through the ancient centre of the capital,
including Durbar Square with its wealth of important monuments. Afternoon
at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11
In Kathmandu:
At leisure. In the early morning there is the opportunity (weather-permitting)
of taking the optional flight to view the spectacular Himalayan mountains
including Everest. Other excursions include visits to the medieval cities of
Patan and Bhadgaon. A special farewell dinner has been arranged for
you at Bhojan griha restaurant with cultural program.
Day 12
Kathamandu / Delhi (By Flight):
Fly to Delhi and transfer to the hotel for day use only. Evening transfer to the
international airport to Board your homeward flight or connect to your onward
destination.