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DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On
arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked
hotel.
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; 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 - AGRA
After breakfast, leave for Agra.
On arrival in Agra, checkin at your prebooked hotel. Afternoon,
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; 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. Afternoon, free for individual
activities.
DAY 04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur,
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 Jaipur. On arrival
checkin at your prebooked hotel.
DAY
05 : 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, free for individual activities.
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 06 : JAIPUR - BUNDI
After breakfast, leave for Bundi.
Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel
Rest of the day free for individual activities.
DAY
07 : BUNDI
After breakfast, visit
Kota. Visit the City Palace & Fort. The museum in the
city palace has a display of weapons, clothing and some of the
best preserved murals in the state.
Afternoon, sightseeing of Bundi - visit the massive Taragarh
Fort which was built in 1354. In this fort, are found the
famous Bundi murals.
DAY
08 : KOTA - CHITTORGARH - UDAIPUR
After breakfast, leave
for Udaipur, enroute visit Chittorgarh. The hilltop fortress
of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole romantic ideal of Rajput chivalry.
The fort was sacked 3 times from 1303 to 1568 by a stronger
enemy and on each ooccasion, the end was "Jauhar".
The men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from
the fort to certain death and the women and children immolated
themselves on a huge funeral pyre. After the visit, continue drive
to Udaipur. Arrive
Udaipur and check in at prebooked hotel.Continue drive to Udaipur.
On arrival checkin at your preooked hotel.
DAY
09 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic
city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace which is the largest
palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo
Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden
of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains,
kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.
In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
DAY 10 : UDAIPUR - RANAKPUR - MT. ABU
After breakfast, leave for Mt. Abu,
enroute visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur. The
cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble,
come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take
anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well
preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported
on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly carved. After the
visit, continue drive to Mt. Abu.
On arrival in Mt. Abu checkin at your prebooked hotel.
DAY
11 : MT. ABU
After breakfast, visit the Dilwara
Jain temple, which are the main attraction in Mt. Abu and
are amongst the finest examples of Jain architecture in India.
The complex included 02 temples, the older of which is the Vimal
Visahi built in 1031 and is dedicated to the first tirthankar,
Adinath. The later Tejpal temple was built in 1230 AD and is dedicated
to Neminath - the 22nd tirthankar.
Afternoon, at leisure.
DAY 12 : MT. ABU - AHMEDABAD
After breakfast, leave for Ahmedabad,
enroute visit the Sun temple at Modhera. It was built in
1026-27 AD and bears some resemblance to the Sun temple at Konark
which it predates by some 200 years. Continue drive to Ahmedabad.
Arrive Ahmedabad and check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY
13 : AHMEDABAD
After
breakfast, city tour of Ahmedabad. The city was founded in 1411
by Ahmed Shah from whom the city takes its name. Visit the
ity tour of Ahmedabad. Visit Jama Masjid which was built
in 1423 by Ahmed Shah; the Tombs of Ahmed Shah and his
queens and Rani Rupmati's Mosque which was built between
1430 and 1440 and is names after the sultan's Hindu wife and Sidi
Bashir's Mosque which is famed for its shaking minarets.
DAY 14 : AHMEDABAD - BHAVNAGAR
After
breakfast leave for Bhavnagar, enroute visit Lothal - a
city which stood 4500 years ago was related to the Indus Valley
cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. Visit the archeological museum
at this site. Continue drive to Bhavnagar. Arrive Bhavnagar and
check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 15 : BHAVNAGAR
After
breakfast, day return excursion to Palitana. Visit the
temples atop a hill. The 600m ascent from the base of the hill
is more than 3000 stelps. Over a period of 900 years, 863 temples
have been built here. The hilltop is dedicated entirely to gods;
at dusk, even the priests depart from the temples. Almost all
temples are Jain and this hill is one of Jainism's holiest pilgrimage
places. Return to Bhavnagar for overnight stay.
DAY 16 : BHAVNAGAR - DIU
After breakfast, leave for
Diu - a Portugese Colony until 1961. Diu's crowning glory is the
massive fort which was completed in 1541 by the Portugese. Arrive
Diu and check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY
17 : DIU
Day free to relax on the
beach or explore the island.
DAY
18 : DIU - SASANGIR
After breakfast, leave
for Sasangir - the home of the Asiatic lion. The sanctuary covers
1400 sq km and apart from lions, there are over 30 species of
other mammals, including bears, hynas, foxes and a number of species
of deer and antelope.
Note : The sanctuary is closed from 16 June to 15 October.
DAY
19 : SASANGIR
Morning
& afternoon, game viewing in the Sasangir National Park.
DAY
20 : SASANGIR
After breakfast, day return
excursion to Junagadh (59 kms) - a town situated right at the
base of the temple studded Girnar Hill. It is a 600m climb
up 10,000 stone steps to reach the summit of the Girnar Hill.
Like Palitana, the temple topped hill is of great significance
to the Jains.
DAY
21 : SASANGIR - WANKANER
After
breakfast, leave for Wankaner. Arrive Wankaner and check in the
palace. The Royal Palace at Wankaner has been converted into a
hotel and is an exotic holiday resort. Rest of the day free to
explore the area in and around the palace.
DAY 22 : WANKANER - BHUJ
After
breakfast, leave for Bhuj. Known as the gateway to the Kutch,
Bhuj is an old walled city with maze like streets and crenellated
gateways. Arrive Bhuj and check in at prebooked hotel. Afternoon,
city tour of Bhuj. Visit the Museum, known as Fergusson
Museum this museum is one of the best museums in India; Rao
Pragmalji's Palace, constructed in the later part of 19th
century of marble and sandstone is imposing and ornate.
DAY 23 : BHUJ
Full
day visit to the villages of Kutch region. Each of these villages
specialize in different forms of handicraft. Some of the crafts
that they specialise in include wool and cotton weaving, Ahir
embroidery, block printing & tie-dying.
DAY 24 : BHUJ
Day return excursion to
the Little Rann of Kutch which is home to the last remaining population
of Khur (Asiatic Wild Ass) in India. Return to Bhuj for overnight
stay.
DAY 25 : BHUJ - MUMBAI (BY FLIGHT)
After
breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai.
On arrival in Mumbai, meet and assist at the airport and transfer
to prebooked hotel.
Rest of the day, at leisure.
DAY 26 : MUMBAI
After
breakfast, excursion to Elephanta island which is a major
tourist attraction due to its four rock cut temples which were
cut out between 450 and 750 AD. There is one main cave with a
number of large sculpted panels, all relating to Shiva.
The most famous panels include one of Trimurti or the three headed
Shiva. Afternoon, city tour of Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of
India, which was conceived following the visit of King George
V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924; Prince of Wales Museum,
designed in Indo Saracenic style and has sections for arts and
paintings, archeology, natural history and an interesting collection
of miniature paintings, bas reliefs from the Elephanta caves and
Budha images; Marine Drive, which runs along the shoreline,
starting at Nariman Point and upto Malabar Hill; Hanging Gardens,
laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable
collection of hedges shaped like animals.
DAY
27 : DEPART MUMBAI
Transfer to the airport
to board flight back home/onward destination.
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