Travel to a land peopled by almost a hundred races speaking as many different languages and local dialects, each with its own distinct culture and history. Experience the rich cultural tapestry, wondrous sights and the staggering diversity that is India. Distinctive cultures, rich history, magnificent architecture and colourful folklore all in one unforgettable holiday
Day 1 : ARRIVE DELHI
Today early morning arrival at Indra Gandhi International airport; on arrival meet and assist by a representative at arrival lounge. Transfer to hotel and check-in. Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city s rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the River Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums. Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Old&New Delhi. Morning: Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the historic Red Fort (Outside only) - Shah Jehan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, which was built as an octagon measuring 900m by 550m and surrounded by a 9 meter deep moat which was at its inception fed by the waters of the Yamuna River. The fort is entered from the Lahori Gate and leads to a roofed passage called ChattaChowk. The NaqqarKhana (drum house) at the end of this passage marks the entrance to the royal enclosure. A spacious lawn leads to the Diwan-i-Am - the pillared Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Khas - the Hall of Private Audience where the emperor met select visitors and the Pearl Mosque built by Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangazeb, the last of the “Great Mughals”. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan? Take an interesting rickshaw ride through the famous bazaars of ChandniChowk which is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque. Time permitting; also visit Raj Ghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon tour of New Delhi: Visit the QutabMinar, a Tower of Victory which was built in the 12th century by QutbuddinAibak. Within its spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted in all these centuries. The tomb of Humayun - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Also visit India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to RashtrapathiBhawan - the residence of the President of India which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. After visit back to hotel.Overnight in Delhi
Day 2 : DELHI / / JAIPUR (250 Kms. / 05 Hrs Approx)
Morning enjoy your breakfast at hotel. After breakfast you will drive to Jaipuren-route visit in Samode. Samode is quite close to Jaipur and is a perfect place to spend one's holidays. It is a place of great interest for people who appreciate culture and local arts. The village or town is famous for its magnificent havelis, mansions and handicrafts, so for your next holiday travel to Samode and see the rural life and flavors of Rajasthan. Arrive Samode and visit SamodeBagh, Samode palace and explore the city. The Samode Palace displays the excellence of Rajasthani architecture. It is built in that pattern of an open courtyard with rooms leading off the arched corridor that runs along all the four sides of building. The painstakingly carved Sultan Mahal reflects an artists Zest for creativity and excellence. Durbar Hall is painted with ornate floral motifis and colored delicately with vegetable pigments carries a charm of its own. Also enjoy the camel safari in Samode. After visit transfer to Jaipur, on arrival transfer to hotel Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan is colour washed pink - the colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues is picturesque. The first planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 3 : IN JAIPUR
Morning: enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will proceed for the excursion to Amber Fort, here you will enjoy the Elephant Ride to reach atop of the palace. This journey on embellished elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort visit the Hall of Victory or Jag Mandir – is he famed Sheesh Mahal- a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Afternoon continue your journey: with the city tour of Jaipur- visiting Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum, housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. Later visit the JantarMantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world, having 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. During the tour you will also have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. After visit back to hotel.Over night in Jaipur.
Day 4 :JAIPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA (238 Kms. / 05 Hrs Approx)
Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel After breakfast you will transfer to Agraen-route visit of FatehpurSikri. Arrival at FatehpurSikri and start your visit It is 38 kms from Agra and often referred to as abandoned Moghul capital. This 16th century capital of Moghul emperor Akbar is a complex of forts, palaces and mosques built in sandstone. The city had to be deserted because of lack of water. The white marble Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Akbar's spiritual adviser, is now observed as a Muslim pilgrimage spot here. Late back to Agra and visit DayalBagh is a retreat of the Radhaswamis who are of a special religious denomination from among the Hindus. The Radhaswamis started a memorial for their founder Guru in 1904 in the form of a nine storeyed marble edifice inlaid with semi precious stones. After visit continue drive to Agra. Arrival Agra and transfer to hotel. Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary crafts persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Overnight in Agra
Day 5 : IN AGRA
Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will proceed for visit of Agra city. Morning visit Taj Mahal which was built in the middle of the 17th century by the Moghul emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Visit the Taj Mahal surely the greatest monument to love and one of the wonders of the modern world. Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 labourers worked for 17 years to build this edifice, constructed by Emperor Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Marble was brought from Makrana, near Jodhpur and precious stones of onyx, amethyst, malachite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, jade, crystal and mother of pearl were carried to Agra from Persia, Russia, Afghanistan, Tibet, China and the Indian Ocean. Afternoon continue your journey and visit Agra Fort&Itmad-ud-Daulah. Agra Fort, which stands like a crescent on the banks of the Jamuna River enclosed by forbidding 20-meter high walls, with a 12- meter moat between them. Three successive Mughal emperors - Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan - helped create this massive structure which contains Hindu and Muslim architecture. Later visit Itimad-Ud-Daulah. Itmad-Ud-Daulaha’s tomb was built by Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father, Ghias-ud-din Beg in 1622-25 AD. This ornate tomb is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulaha’s tomb, was built by Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father, Ghias-ud-din Beg in 1622-25 AD. This ornate tomb is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal. After visit back to hotel.Overnight in Agra
Day 6 : AGRA / DELHI (205 Kms. / 05 Hrs Approx)
Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will drive to Delhi. Arrival Delhi and transfer to hotel. Day is free for rest. Overnight in Delhi
Day 7 : DELHI / VARANASI
Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you will transfer to airport to board the flight for Varanasi.\ Arrival Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Varanasi is one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites and the holiest of holy cities for Hindus. Known also as Kashi and Benaras, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest living cities, and has been a centre of learning and culture for well over 2000 years. Afternoon transfer to Sarnath excursion: The place where the Buddha turned the Wheel of Law and delivered His First Sermon. See the Chowkandi and Dhamek Stupas, the ruins of 9th and 10th century monasteries and temples, the temple built by the Mahabodhi Society in 1931, and the Tibetan Temple. Visit the famous Sarnath Museum (closed on Fridays]. Evening transfer to DashwamedhGhat to attend the evening aarati.After visit back to hotel.Overnight in Varanasi
Day 8 : VARANASI / KOLKATA
Morning transfer for Boat ride at dawn down India's most sacred river, The Ganges. Sun rise at the holy river is a truly tranquil and breath taking sight with pilgrims standing waist deep in water, praying to the rising Sun. Past these bathing ghats, see the "burning ghats" where the Hindus cremate their dead. This is done with great religious fervour which makes for a moving experience. After boat ride back to hotel. Enjoy your breakfast tat hotel. Later transfer to airport to board the flight for Kolkata Arrival kolkata and transfer to hotel Calcutta - India’s largest city is the capital of West Bengal and was founded by the remarkable English merchant trader Job Charnock in 1690. Overnight in Kolkata
Day 9 : IN KOLKATA
Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel After breakfast you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Kolkata city. Visit the Victoria Memorial built by Lord Curzon as a marble memorial to Queen Victoria in 1905 houses the memorabilia of the early days of the British Raj. Visit the National Museum which houses the various art treasures of the land and the temple dedicated to Kali, the demonic attribute of Parvathi at Kalighat. Drive past by Fort William, the Eden Gardens, the Dalhousie Square and the Writers Building. Also visit the e Missionaries of Charity, the home of Late Mother Teresa. Overnight in Kolkata
Day 10 : FLY KOLKATA / DELHI
Morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast Transfer to airport to board the flight for Delhi. Arrival Delhi and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Delhi
Day 11 : DELHI / DEPART
Today you will transfer to airport for onward journey. (Check out time is 12 Noon).