Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet the ITS representative at the arrival hall
and transfer to hotel. Relax & overnight in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning tour of Old Delhi: visit the majestic Red Fort, the historical
Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana. Afternoon tour
of New Delhi, visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial
residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised
in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war;
the Laxmi Narayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s
leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din
Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Bahai Temple. Evening
free at leisure, overnight in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur (259 kms – 5 hrs)
Morning checkout and drive to Jaipur for 5 hours, on arrival transfer
to hotel in Jaipur. Day free to relax after the journey till early
evening. Later in the evening visit Sisodia Gardens, Temple of Galta
which is also known as Valley of Monkeys, and Birla Temple of White
Marble and at the time of dinner visit Chokhi Dhani - an ethnic
resort serving Rajasthani & Continental cuisine with live music
and puppet shows in an ambiance of an ethnic village. Return to
the hotel for overnight.
Day 04: Jaipur
Morning take an excursion tour to Amber Fort - 11kms, and enjoy
elephant ride to ascend/ descend this great fort. Later take sight
seeing tour of Jaipur visiting City Palace, Hawa Mahal made for
the ladies of Royal Family to see the Processions from this Palace
and without being seen from the people and Jantar Mantar Observatory
all within the vicinity of City Palace. After lunch the day is kept
free for shopping or individual activities.
Day 05: Jaipur – Agra (230 kms - 5 hrs)
Morning checkout and drive to Agra enroute sightseeing of Fatehpur
Sikri the city built by Mughal Emperor Akbar, visit Bulund Darwaza,
Jama Masjid, and Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti; continue to Jaipur
visiting Fatehpur Sikri. On arrival in Agra transfer to hotel, afternoon
free to relax. Take a sight seeing tour of Agra visiting Diwan -
e Am (Chambers of Common men), Diwan – e –Khas (Chamber
of VIP’s), Octagonal Tower, Jehangir Palace, all in the vicinity
of Agra Fort and Tomb of Ittamuddaulahs. Later in the day visit
The Grand Taj Mahal where you should spent some time, evening visit
the Inlay Handicraft Market of Agra, overnight at the hotel in Agra.
Day 06: Agra - Gwalior (110 kms - 2 hours)
Early morning one can visit the Taj Mahal to see it over the sunrise
optionally, later in the day checkout and drive to Gwalior, on arrival
transfer to hotel. Day free till noon. Later visit imposing and
magnificent Gwalior Fort made of sandstone, visit Man Mandir a six-towered
palace. Visit the enormous, 19th century Jai Vilas Palace. This
Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. Evening
free for individual activities, overnight in Gwalior.
Day 07: Gwalior - Orchha (120 kms - 3 hours)
Morning drive to Orcha, on arrival transfer to hotel. Orchha once
the capital of the Bundelas, Orchha is now just a village set amidst
a complex of well preserved temples and palaces. It was built by
Bir Singh Deo in 1531. Take a sight seeing tour of Orchha visiting
Jehangir Mahal - the largest of the palaces , the Raj Mahal with
its murals and the Raj Praveen Mahal built near a garden, You would
also visit Dinman Hardaul`s palace with its interesting story. The
temples of Orchha are highly preserved. The two main temples are
the Ram Raja Temple with its lofty spires and the Chaturbhuj temple.
Day 08: Orcha – Khajuraho (178 kms - 4 hours)
Morning checkout and drive to Khajuraho, on arrival transfer to
hotel. Later in the day visit Western group of Temples consisting
of the massive Lakshmana Temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, the Lakshmi
and Varaha temples dedicated to Vishnu’s consort Lakshman,
the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Chausath
Yogini temple dedicated to goddess Kali.
Day 09: Khajuraho
Morning visit Archaeological museum with its collection of stone
sculptures of the Chandela dynasty. Later visit Eastern group of
Temples and visit the Jain temples of Parsvanath, Adinath, and Shanti
Nath. Also visit the temples of Vamana and Brahma/Hanuman both dedicated
to lord Vishnu. Evening free for individual activities, overnight
at the hotel.
Day 10: Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air at 1335 hrs / arrival at
1415 hrs)
Morning day free for individual activities, after noon transfer
to airport to board the flight for Varanasi at 1335 hrs, assistance
on arrival in Varanasi at 1415 hrs, transfer to hotel. Relax for
some time & take an excursion tour to Sarnath – 10 kms
visit the deer park and Bodhi Tree where Lord Buddha perched his
First Sermon. Drive back to Varanasi, evening free to relax, overnight
in Varanasi.
Day 11: Varanasi
Early morning at the time of sunrise take a boat ride on the River
Ganges and see the various Ghats with people ritually cleansing
their sins. While on the boat you will also see the cremation ceremonies
of dead bodies as per Hindi Rituals. Morning proceed on a tour of
the temples of Varanasi visiting the Golden Temple dedicated to
lord Shiva, the Durga temple dedicated to goddess Durga. Interestingly
the Durga Temple is also known as the Monkey Temple due to the large
number of monkeys found in the Temple premises. Evening one can
take boat ride again in River Ganges. Overnight at the hotel in
Varanasi.
Day 12: Varanasi - Delhi (By air) - Back home.
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Delhi, assistance
on arrival in Delhi airport, transfer to hotel. Day free to relax,
after farewell dinner checkout & transfer to International airport
to board the flight back home.
Optional extension tour of Nepal
Day 12: Varanasi - Kathmandu (By air at 1240 hrs / arrival in
Kathmandu at 1350 hrs)
Morning day free for individual activities, transfer to airport
to board the flight for Kathmandu at 1240 hrs, assistance on arrival
in Kathmandu at 1350 hrs, transfer to hotel. Day free to relax and
acclimatize in Kathmandu or explore the market of Kathmandu in Thamel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Kathmandu
Morning one can optionally enjoy a mountain flight for an hour for
a close view of various Himalayan peaks or else visit Hanuman Dhoka,
the name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue
of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) Also visit the hilltop
Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2,000 years old. Overnight at
the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 14: Kathmandu
Morning visit The Pashupatinath Temple, situated on the banks of
River Baghmati around 8 km from the city, is one of the holiest
Hindu shrines. Also visit Guheshwari Temple near Pashupatinath is
considered as the place where Yoni of Shiva’s consort Sati
fell when she was cut into pieces by Lord Vishnu. Later visit Boudhnath
which is one of the largest stupas in the world. Afternoon relax,
and early evening visit Patan is a spiritual city with Durbar Square
in the centre and many stupas, shikaras, and temples. Bhaktapur
is again a royal city where most of the attractions revolve around
Durbar Square and the Palace of 55 Windows. Overnight at the hotel
in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Kathmandu – Pokhra (By air at 0900 hrs)
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Pokhra at 0900
hrs, assistance on arrival in Pokhra at 0945 hrs, transfer to Lake
side hotel. Day free to relax or explore Pokhra on own. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 16: Pokhra
Morning visit Pokhra to see Davis Falls, Binde Basini Temple, Mahindra
Caves, Seti George and Phewa Lake. Evening free to relax at the
hotel, overnight at the Lodge.
Day 17: Pokhra - Kathmandu – Delhi (BY air at 1420 hrs
/ arrival in Delhi at 1540 hrs)
After checkout and transfer to airport to board the flight for Kathmandu
at 0900 hrs, on arrival at 0945 hours, time free in Kathmandu till
1300, transfer to International Airport to board the flight for
Delhi at 1420 hrs, assistance on arrival in Delhi at 1540 hrs, transfer
to Hotel near International airport where we will hold rooms from
1540 hrs till you checkout after farewell dinner to board your flight
back home in the midnight.
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