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Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Upon arrival you will be met and greeted by our
representative and finally transferred to your
hotel.
Day 02 : Mumbai
Book this Tour
After breakfast in your hotel leave for a city
tour of Mumbai. Visit the Jehangir Art Gallery,
Kamala Nehru Gardens and the Boot House. Also
visit the Gandhi Smriti museum. In time transfer
to the Mumbai Central Station for your overnight
Rajdhani Express to New Delhi.
Day 03 : Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival at the station at 0955 hrs you will
be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the
city. After lunch a temple tour of this capital
city of India awaits you. Visit the Sikh temple at
Bangla Sahib, the Lotus temple of the B'hai faith,
and to finish the day visit the Birla Mandir, a
Hindu temple in activity.
Day 04 : Delhi
After breakfast set out to visit the imperial
capital of the 20th century : New Delhi. Visit the
Qutub Minar - the tallest free standing minaret in
stone in the world; then onto Humayun's tomb - the
first Mughal construction in India from 1565 AD.
Also see the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the India Gate
built in the earlier half of the 20th century.
Drive through the old city past the Red Fort and
visit the Jama Masjid - the biggest of its kind in
India. Here take a rickshaw through the winding
streets of the old city to see the life of the
people in this part of the world. A perfect
introduction of your tour. The rickshaw puller
pulls you through the imperial avenue the Chandni
Chowk where you will find each and every small
business under the sky. Finally, reach Rajghat,
the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where your
chauffeur is waiting for you.
Day 05 : Delhi - Varanasi
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the
airport to catch your flight to Varanasi. En route
to your hotel visit Sarnath - the sacred Buddhist
city where Gautama Buddha preached his first
sermon to his 5 disciples under the bodhi tree.
Visit the site and the temple attached to it. See
the frescoes related to the life of Buddha inside
the temple. Also visit the archaeological museum
that houses artifacts from the 3rd century BC.
Most interesting is the lion capital of Ashoka
Maurya from 272 BC. Adjacent to the museum is the
ancient seat of learning from the 2nd century BC
now completely in ruins. Also see the Dhamek stupa
and the Dharmarajika Stupa where hundreds of
Buddhist pilgrims offer there prayers. continue to
Varanasi just 11 km away and check in to your
hotel.
Day 06 : Varanasi - Khajuraho
Early in the morning (0500hrs) we take you to
banks of the river Ganges where we board a boat to
see the morning ablutions of the Hindus from the
security of our boat. The boat ride starts from
Dasashwamedh Ghat and ends at Manikarnika Ghat
along the sacred Ganges. Don't forget to see the
sun rise along the Ganges. See the Kashi
Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi kund and the
mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares
Hindu University the largest residential
university in India with more than 3000
residential students. Also worth a visit is the
Bharat Mata Mandir(Mother India temple) where you
see the undivided India - Mahatma Gandhi's Dream.
Return to your hotel for breakfast. In time
transfer to the airport to catch your flight to
Khajuraho - the millenium destination of India.
In the evening witness the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in
a nearby auditorium.
Day 07 : Khajuraho - Orchha
Morning sight seeing shows us the temples built
during the 9th to the 11th centuries by the
powerful dynasty of Chandela rajputs. The temples
with their erotic sculptures are a feast to the
eyes. The Chandelas built 85 temples in all but
today only 20 temples stand intact. Visit the
Kandariya Maheshwar temple and the Laxmana Temple
along with Varaha temple and then onto the Jain
group of temples. Post lunch carry on towards
Orchha.
Visit Orchha with its imposing Jehangiri Mehal and
the cenotaphs of the Bundela Rajput warriors.
Orchcha a medieval village where time has stopped.
You feel the timelessness of this spot. Orchha is
a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with
palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century -
which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of
time. The river Betwa picturesquely flanks the
city. See the beautiful Palace Complex - Jahangiri
Mahal and the Raja Mahal. Closely study the
intricacies of the mural paintings in the Raja
Mahal . Visit the visit the laxmi Narayan temple
during the prayer time in the evening to witness
the Hindu devotees offering prayers in the temple.
Overnight in Orchha Resort.
Day 08 : Orchha - Gwalior - Agra
After breakfast at your hotel leave for Agra
enroute visiting the Scindia capital of Gwalior. A
trip to Gwalior is incomplete without a visit to
the fort, Scindia Palace and the tombs of Ghaus
Mohammed and Tansen. Also visit the Gurjari Mahal
the palace of the Gurjar queen Mrignayani today
housing an archaeological museum. Also see the
Teli ka mandir and the Saas bahu ka mandir inside
the fort.
Continue towards Agra a short distance away.
Overnight in Hotel Clarks Shiraz. Taj Facing
rooms.
Day 09 : Agra
Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning.
A must see with the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is
bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun.
Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble
memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful
wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to
be completed and was designed, and planned by
Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its
stunning design, balance and perfect symmetry, the
Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant
domes, intricately carved screens and some of the
best inlay work ever seen anywhere in the world.
Then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar that houses
many fabulous palaces built in Indo Islamic style.
See the marble palace of Shahjehan that was built
with the remaining and rejected stones from the
Taj Mahal - Mussamman Burj.
Post lunch visit Itmad ud Daulah - it is the first
mughal building built out completely of marble. In
many contexts it is referred to being the
predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara
the tomb of the great emperor Akbar.
Day 10 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
Book this Tour
Leave early morning for Jaipur and enroute
visiting the phantom city of Fatehpur Sikri : the
erstwhile capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar the
Great.
Visit the diwan-i-am - the hall of public
audiences where the emperor used to give justice
to the oppressed subject of his. See Jodhabai's
palace (Akbar's Hindu wife) that is even bigger
than his own private palace. Later visit Salim
Chisti's tomb at the nearby mosque. Salim chisti
was a sufi saint who blessed Akbar and his Hindu
wife with a long awaited son. Akbar was so
overwhelmed that he built a mosque in his
remembrance to thank the Sufi saint.
Continue towards the Pink City - Jaipur.
Upon arrival check in Hotel Alsisar Haveli.
Day 11 : Jaipur
Visit the Amber forts and palaces in the morning;
included is an elephant ride at the Amber fort.
See the marvelous Sheesh mahal built in the 17th
century in a fusion style of Hindu and Islamic
art. Also see the hall of public audiences and
Maharaja Man Singh's Palace who had twelve queens.
Also visit the carpet manufacturing factory in the
city of Amber.
After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting
the observatory Jantar Mantar built in 1727 by
Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a
mathematician, an astronomer an astrologer and a
great musician of his era. Then visit the City
Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous
collection of robes and saris in cotton and silk
with gold latticed work. The city palace houses a
collection of paintings also in the painting
gallery and of course a collection of arms and
ammunitions in the ammunition gallery. This
evening after the visit discover the art of
cutting and polishing of gems for which Jaipur is
world renouned. Visit the gems cutting and
polishing atelier in the city of Jaipur.
Day 12 : Jaipur - Luni
After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel leave
for Luni. Luni is a quaint little village with a
palace hotel in the center of this village. Luni
is abishnoi village where life is respected in
every form. It is a lifetime experience to be
received by the royal family who still lives
inside the castle.
In the evening the ambiance is lit up by local
artistes and performers who dance to local tunes.
Day 13 : Luni - Jaisalmer
Early morning after breakfast we take you on a
safari to discover the hidden beauty of the jungle
life. Here you would be visiting the Bishnoi
villages. Bishnois are a tribe that respects life
in every form - animals trees and even dead leaves
and branches. They are vegetarians and even in the
villages they protect the animal life and don't
let anybody practice hunting in the vicinity of
their villages. They live in a joint family system
where the oldest member is generally the head of
the family.
Then we would like you to witness the opium
ceremony with the Patels - a rich tribe. It is a
ceremony prevelant in this part of Rajasthan where
the youth offers opium to drink mixed with water
to the elders of the family when they come back
from work in the fields.
Leave Luni after breakfast for Jaisalmer - the
Golden city of Rajasthan and on route visit the
fort at Pokaran Visit the 15th century fortress
where the 3rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was
born in 1543. The bazaar in the middle of this
village is very colourful and full of local
flavours. After lunch continue towards Jaisalmer
and arrive by early evening.
Day 14 : Jaisalmer
In the morning after the breakfast at your hotel
discover the hidden bounties of this desert
capital of the Bhattis. Visit the Jain temples
inside the oldest living citadel in the world.
Also visit the Palace with its beautiful museum
and also the Patwaon ki haveli just outside the
citadel.
After lunch leave for Khuri / Sam dunes to witness
the sunset amidst the sand dunes in the desert. At
Khuri / Sam included is a camel ride to the dunes
from the parking. As the sun goes down the western
horizon the ambiance is set for the ethnic desert
tunes by local artistes. Return to your hotel
after sunset.
Day 15 : Jaisalmer - Bikaner
Leave the Golden City and proceed towards Bikaner
and reach by lunch time.
See the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that
encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of
construction that dates back to the 16th century.
Later visit the camel-breeding farm, a unique
experience. Evening time free to stroll in the
busy market area of Bikaner city centre.
Day 16 : Bikaner - Deshnoke - Nagaur -
Khimsar
In the morning after breakfast leave Bikaner to
visit the world famous temple in the vicinity of
Bikaner -the Karni Mata Mandir (Rat Temple).
According to scriptures it is one of the most
sacred temples for the Hindus.
Continue towards Nagaur and visit the
Ahichatragarh fort of the Rathores of Jodhpur
royal family. Visit the Hawa mahal and Hadi Rani
Mahal and the fresco paintings on the walls of the
palaces.
Continue a short distance away towards Khimsar and
stay the night in Fort Khimsar.
Day 17 : Khimsar - Jodhpur
Reach the blue city -- Jodhpur. Upon arrival drive
to the Mehrangarh fort the stronghold of the
Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb
collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions.
The view of the city from the rampart walls is
breath taking.
Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous
spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in
Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the
odours of the spices filling the air around you.
Then go to Mandore gardens the then capital of
Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and
the hall of local heroes of the wars. Drive back
to Jodhpur and see the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the
present residence of the king of Jodhpur.
Day 18 : Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Narlai
Leave the Suncity and reach Ranakpur a big
pilgrimage for the Jains. Jains are a community
that developed during the 3rd century under Lord
Mahavira (a contemporary of Lord Buddha) and they
are strict vegetarians by religion. They eat
nothing that grows below the earth like carrots,
radish, potatoes etc. Their food consists of rice,
wheat, lentils and green leafy vegetables.
Admire the workmanship from the 16th century. The
temples are built out of marble and the main
shrine of Adinath with 1444 columns is awe
inspiring and none of these are similar. Also see
the sun temple and the other temples in the
campus.
After lunch in Ranakpur continue towards Narlai.
Upon arrival in Narlai time is free for you to
visit the local bazaar of the village that is so
exciting and colourful.
Day 19 : Narlai - Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur
After breakfast leave Sunset city of Udaipur
visiting Kumbhalgarh fortress on the way.
Upon arrival in Udaipur check in to your hotel.
After lunch visit the royal temple complex at
Eklingji that is famous throughout the region.
Eklingji temple is group of temples dedicated to
various gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon.
The most important of them all being the Shiva
temple which is visited by the royal family of
Mewar. Later visit the Saa Bahu temple complex in
the vicinity that dates back to the 7th century.
Day 20 : Udaipur
After breakfast in your hotel leave for the
magnificent city tour of Mewar - Udaipur.
Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in
the entire Rajasthan. See the Peacock Square and
the miniature painting school inside the palace
premises. Udaipur has the prestige of housing the
best miniature art schools in the country under
the royal patronage of the king of Udaipur.
Return to the city and visit Sahelion ki Bari a
garden with fountains and a small palace inside
it. Sahelion ki Bari is a garden complex where
Maharana Sangram Singh build this garden complex
with fountains and lakes for his beautiful
daughter.
In the evening we take a lake cruise on the placid
waters of Lake Pichhola by sunset and visit the
island palace Jagmandir where according to legends
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan lived and got
inspired to build the Taj mahal later.
Day 21 : Udaipur - Ahmedabad
Book this Tour
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel leave
for Ahmedabad. Reach Ahmedabad by early evening
and relax at your hotel The Park Plaza.
Day 22 : Ahmedabad - Mumbai
After morning breakfast at your hotel visit
the city of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit the Sabarmati
Ashram where the Mahatma spent the maximum amount
of his life and the ashram that was transformed in
to a jail by the British from time to time to
house arrest Mahatma Gandhi.
Also visit the Jama Masjid which is very
particularly Persian in its architectural pattern.
A visit to Ahmedabad is incomplete without a visit
to the Calico Textile Museum where you will see
textiles of different variety on display (not for
sale). Post lunch session is free for you to walk
along the old city and feel the city at your own
pace. Transfer to the airport for your flight to
Mumbai.
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