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DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
 On
arrival in Delhi meet & assist at the airport & transfer
to prebooked hotel for overnight stay.
Delhi
: India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary
Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in
its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location
was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it
as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the
British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi
is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the
Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably
confront the citys’ past.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After
breakfast, half day city tour of Old 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; drive past
Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort
was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation
site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built
in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture;
Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught
Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY 03 : DELHI - JAIPUR
(260 kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur : The capital city of
the state of Rajasthan also know as “Pink City” owes its name,
its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja
Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits
on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded
by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls.
Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day at
leisure.
DAY
04 : JAIPUR
After
breakfa st,
excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade
of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in
1799. Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727
when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber
to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began
in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army.
The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly
situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its
terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory
glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend
on elephant back, the
hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar
– the observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728; the City Palace
which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also
has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings,
enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
05 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
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 checkin at prebooked hotel for overnight
stay.
DAY
06 : AGRA
After breakfast, city tour of
Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar
in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson,
Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences
amongst many other beautiful structues; I tmad-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.
Afternoon, free for individual activities.
DAY
07 : AGRA - JHANSI (BY TRAIN), JHANSI-ORCHA-KHAJURAHO
(BY ROAD)
After
breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board train for
Jhansi at 0800 hrs. Arrive Jhansi at 1030 hrs and board our car/coach
which awaits you to drive you to Khajuraho, enroute visit Orchha
: Once
the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex
of well preserved palaces and temples. Though Orcha was founded
in 1531, it's golden age was during the first half of 17th century.
When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the
Jehangir Mahal was built for him. Visit the Jehangir Mahal, Raj
Mahal & Ram Raja temple which also dates back to the 17th
century. Arrive Khajuraho and check in at hotel.
DAY
08 : KHAJURAHO - VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)
After
breakfast visit Khajuraho :
Built 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. These
erotic carvings on some panels have given rise to much speculation
since Khajuraho’s re-discovery by a British officer in 1838. To
preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho has been declared a World
Heritage Site.
Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela
Kings between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the
Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev
temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11
headed Vishnu, Vishwanath & Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple,
Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest & most
typical of temples.
Afternoon, transfer to airport to board flight for  Varanasi.
Arrive Varanasi and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY
09 : VARANASI
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. 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. 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 Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where
Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining Enlightenment
at Bodhgaya.
DAY 10
: VARANASI - KATHMANDU (BY FLIGHT)
After
breakfast, free. Later, transfer to the airport to board flight
for Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu meet and assist at the
airport and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY 11
: KATHMANDU
 In
the morning, visit the valley of Kathmandu – the capital city
of Nepal, Swayambhunath & Museum. Afternoon, excursion to
Patan.& Tibetan Handicraft centre.
DAY
12 : KATHMANDU
After breakfast, visit Bhaktapur,
Boudhnath & Pashupatinath.
Afternoon, excursion to Dhulikhel to witness the beautiful sunset.
Return to Kathmandu after sunset.
DAY 13
: KATHMANDU - DELHI (BY FLIGHT)
After
breakfast, free for individual activities.
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY
14 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport
to board flight back home/onward destination.
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