Bombay • Udaipur • Jodhpur • Jaipur • Agra •Khajuraho• Varanasi
• Delhi • Amritsar • Shimla •Rishikesh• Delhi
Day 1 :Arrive Bombay
Arrive at the Bombay International airport. Met and assist upon arrival and transfer to the hotel, your room is available for immediate occupancy. (Hotel check in time is 12 noon). Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2 :Bombay
The "City of Gold," Mumbai (Bombay), surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea. Explore this legendary city and visit the Gateway of India, the entrance to the port of Mumbai and then cruise towards Elephanta Island (Monday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage site, this island originally known as Gharapurti was renamed as Elephanta after the Portuguese found the carved elephant there. The main attraction of the island is the four rock cut temples dating back to 5th-8th century AD. The most renowned is the cave sculpture of 'Trimurthi', a three headed figure almost 20 feet in height, of Lord Shiva as a creator, preserver and destroyer. Afternoon cover some more attractions of the city including the Prince Wales Museum (Monday closed), India's finest museums and houses treasures, artefacts, paintings and sculpture from the many periods covering India's history, including the Indus Valley Civilization. Dhobi Ghat, the city’s open-air municipal laundry where thousands wash clothes brought daily from around the city. Also see the memorial at Mani Bhawan, once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 3 : Fly Bombay / Udaipur
Afternoon flight to Udaipur.Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Early evening while passing through this lake city we arrive at the Crystal Gallery, this collection has been hailed as the single largest collection of crystal in the world. The crystal gallery also houses the only crystal bed in the world. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 4 : Udaipur
Wander through the opulent City Palace grounds and the museum, which are the testamento the valour and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, or « Garden of Friends », the Jagdish Temple on the shores of Lake Pichola. The BhartiyaLok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. Evening we enjoy the Boat cruise at Lake Pichola. The breathtaking beauty of the Lakes – Pichola and FatehSagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 5 :Udaipur / Ranakpur / Jodhpur (300 Km / 6 Hrs)
After breakfast drive towards Jodhpurenroute visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like. Upon arrival at Jodhpur transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 6 :Jodhpur / Jaipur(300 Km / 6 Hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel we visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan which dominates and offers spectacular vistas of the blue-hued city. On the way down from the fort, on left is JaswantThada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura. Post lunch drive takes us to the royal city of Jaipur, also known as ‘The Pink City' due to the predominant colour of its buildings. Throbbing, vibrant capital city of the colourful state of Rajasthan where the regal ambience of yesteryear is still felt throughout the city's numerous carved arches and once-bejewelled fortress walls. Overnight stay at Hotel (B) .
Day 7 : Jaipur
Morning breakfast followed by a sight-seeing tour of the city visiting the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber – ascend the imposing fort on a decorated painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors. On the way back we stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal or 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 we tour 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 costumes. Albert Hall, Situated in the middle of the garden as a centre attraction was the exquisitely built structure of Albert Hall, which was designed by sir Swinton Jacob, a British architect who designed many palaces in Rajasthan. Combining the elements of English and north Indian architecture known as the pride of the New Jaipur opened in 1887 AD, it is a very well maintained and impressive building displaying a rich collection of Art- de- fact like paintings, carpet, ivory, stone and metal sculptures and colourful crystal works etc. Later we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 8 : Jaipur / FatehpurSikri / Agra (250 Km / 5 Hrs)
Morning we drive leisurely to the home town of Taj Mahal – Agra, takes us through the beautiful countryside. Enroute we tour FatehpurSikri - a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been described as “the world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day. Upon arrival at Agra transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 9 :Agra / Khajuraho (400 Km / 8 Hrs)
Early morning at Sunrise, we leave to explore the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), a UNESCO World Heritage Site is 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 ». After breakfast visit the imposing Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. Afternoon drive to Khajurahoenroute visiting Orchha. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 10 :Fly Khajuraho / Varanasi
Morning we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afternoon fly to Varanasi, said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. Met and assist upon arrival at Varanasi and transfer to the hotel.Evening we take the rickshaw ride to the holy river Ganges passing through the busy streets of Varanasi, and later we take the boat cruise to view the “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 11 :Fly Varanasi / Delhi
Early morning we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. This afternoon, visit Sarnath, an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Evening fly to Delhi. Met and assist upon arrival at Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 12 :Train Delhi / Amritsar
After breakfast at the hotel set off for a train journey to the ‘land of Golden Sparrow’ – Amritsar, Met and assist upon arrival at Amritsar and transfer to the hotel. Evening we visit to India / Pakistan Border for change of guards ceremony and the flag hoisting and lowering activities which are done with great skill and precision by the border security forces of both the countries. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 13 :Amritsar
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour visiting Amritsar’s resplendent Golden Temple - Spiritual Center of Sikh Faith, built by Guru Arjun Singh in the late 16th Century. Later we proceed to JallianwalaBagh Memorial – an important monument dedicated to hundreds of martyrs of a massacre in 1919. We visit Durgiana Temple which also draws its share of pilgrims. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for night holy book ceremony (Real beauty of Golden Temple under lights). Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 14 :Amritsar / Shimla (450 Km / 10 Hrs)
After breakfast our drive takes us to Shimla - the land of pine scented hills, beautiful Shali peaks, crisp winter skies, fragrant cedar forests, romantic mists and golden hillsides. Upon arrival at Shimla transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 15 :Shimla
This morning after breakfast we will be driven to Kufri valley - The tiny hill station located 16 kms from Shimla, located in the southern part of Himachal Pradesh is famous for its trekking and hiking trails and commands a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayas. Later in the afternoon we visit Naldehra - The rolling greens of Naldehra in Himachal Pradesh are par for the oldest golf course in India. This is an unusual course, perched at a height of 2044 metres, strewn with boulders, trees and little hillocks. Evening we have free time to explore the famous Mall Road. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 16 :Shimla / Rishikesh (350 Km / 10 Hrs)
After breakfast leave for holy city of Rishikesh- Located 1160 feet above sea level, it is the gateway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point to the Char Dham - four famous pilgrim centers namely Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamnotri. It is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. Upon arrival at Rishikesh we check in to the hotel. Evening we witness the Aarti ceremony, the ritual that takes place every evening on the banks of the holy River Ganges where hundreds at devotees prey to Mother Ganga with chanting of mantra and floating lighted lamps. Overnight stay at the Hotel (B)
Day 17 :Rishikesh
After breakfast we visit the LakshmanJhula, built in the year 1939, is a 450 ft long suspension iron bridge over the Ganges River. Here we have the Holy Showers in Ganges River. Afternoon we leave to visit the NeelkanthMahadev Temple, Just 32 kms from Rishikesh, this place abounds in religious fervour, mythological significance and picturesque surroundings. According to a legend, this place derived its name from Lord Shiva. It is believed that it was here that Lord Shiva consumed the venom, which emanated during the ‘SamudraManthan’. Due to this, His throat became blue in colour, thus giving Shiva the name of Neelkanth. Centuries old temples here reserve in their fold the celestial aura and legendary ambience. Overnight stay in Rishikesh.
Day 18 :Rishikesh / Delhi (240 Km / 5 Hrs) & Fly Bombay /
Depart
After breakfast drive back to Delhi, Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to the airport to board flight to Bombay (6E189, 1445/1650). Met and assist on arrival at Mumbai airport and Transfer to the International airport as per your flight schedule to board your homeward flight. (B)