Classical & Ganges tour

Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi

In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Red Fort, Raj Ghat – Gandhi Memorial

Jama Masjid – Built by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid was begun in 1650 and it took hard work of six years of more than 5000 workers to build the largest mosque in India. It was customary for the emperor and his courtiers to go to the mosque every Friday for attending ‘Jummekinamaaz’, the congressional prayers.

ChandiniChowk – The living legacy of Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by Shahjahan, the builder of TajMahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying center, has a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon and thus is called ChandiniChowk.

Red Fort (LalQuila) – One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the LalQuila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side.

Raj Ghat – The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The place is not far away from the banks of River Yamuna. Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1950 following his assassination on 30th January 1950 by Nathu Ram Godse. The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone. The last words uttered by Mahatma “Hey Ram” are inscribed near the black platform. An eternal flame keeps burning in a copper urn in the Raj Ghat. Thus the first item on the agenda of a foreign dignitary on a state visit to India is to visit Raj Ghat. They the memorial is set in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees. The Gandhi Memorial Museum is just across the road. It houses many belongings of Gandhi and photographs from his life.

In New Delhi visit Birla Temple, India Gate, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple and Jewish Synagogue

Birla Temple (Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir) a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

India Gate is the pride of Delhi. An imposing structure, the gate was built in memory to the of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I. Situated at the at the end of Rajpath, the India Gate is 42 meters high. Photo stop at Presidential Palace and Indian Parliament House.

Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temples) in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha’i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha’ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha’u’llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century.

Qutab Minar, one of the most visited places in Delhi. The unique architectural structure of the monument attracts many visitors from all across the world. The construction of QutabMinar began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy of the magnificent tower adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a breathtaking view.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast visit Amber Fort which lies 10 kms from from Jaipur. Amber with an old palace overlooking the lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove, climb up to fort on elephant back in a Maharaja (emperor) style.

Afternoon city tour visiting the sprawling the City Palace of Sawai Jai Singh II, sits right in the centre of the geometric grid in the heart of the old city. It consists of the seven-storied Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas.

The City Palace Museum houses an exquisite collection of textiles, costumes, carpets, the finest porcelain and a rare collection of arms and paintings. It is here that you can see the world’s largest silver objects – a pair of giant urns.

 Jantar Mantar (Observatory) is one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh whose ruling passion was astronomy. It was built between1728-34 and consists of observer’s seat, sundial and a number of enormous instruments used to calculate altitude, locate and identify celestial bodies. These instruments are extremely accurate.

 Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of Winds’ is one of the most unusual structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Honeycombed with over 900 niches or windows, it allowed the ladies of the court to watch the activities on the streets below and yet not be seen themselves. The HawaMahal too is made of the famed Jaipur pink stone!

Later visit the Birla Temple and local market.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Agra. En route visit FatehpurSikri – Situated 40 kms from Agra, this deserted city of Emperor Akbar literally means ‘The City of Victory’. The audience halls, palaces and mosques are still perfectly preserved as are the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Panchmahal and the Buland Darwaza.

Chand Boari–located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, Chand Baori is 140 kms from Fatehpur Sikri and 95 kms from Jaipur, Baoriis a step well built by King Chand somewhere in 8^th & 9^th centuries, over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan which has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well. It is one of the largest step well in the world and also one of the most beautiful one. It is not an easy landmark to find, thus it is one of the hidden secrets of India. About 64 feet deep, it is India’s largest and deepest step well with 13 floors and was built for the purpose of water harvesting. Today, the construction is not used as a well anymore but its exquisite geometry attracts local and international visitors alike.

Continue drive to Agra.
Arrive Agra and check in at Hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Early morning proceed for visiting TajMahal– Built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved Queen MumtazMahal, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel. The Taj by sunrise and sunset is a breathtaking sight.

Return back to hotel for breakfast and visit Agra Fort – Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects and artists.

Evening witness for live theater show on Taj Mahal (Optional)

Mohabbat-e-Taj is a fascinating play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into history. The Drama portrays the Mughal era in 16th Century. It is series of play depicting the true and immortal love of Shajahan for MumtajMahal- his beautiful wife, the lavish lifestyle of mughal era, emaculate hardship of the artisans for 22 years that created the most precious specimen of craftsmanship.

(Note :Kalakriti show closes from 01 May till 15 July for annual maintenance)

Overnight at hotel.

Early morning after breakfast in time transfer to railway station to board train for Jhansi

Depart Delhi by Shatabadi Express at 0615 hrs in Air-conditioned Chair car class

Arrive Jhansi at 1048 hrs

Arrive Jhansi and drive to Orchha (18 kms / 30 minutes)

Later sightseeing tour visiting Orchha visiting Orchha Fort

This medieval city flanked by the Betwa River is home to a number of 16th and 17th century palaces and temples that have withstood the ravages of time.

Orcha is a city having its origin during the medieval times of 16th Centaury built by Bundela rulers and has many old timed palaces and temples reflecting grand old beauty, which existed in those times. The City was built by a Rajput leader Rudra Pratap Singh. He chose Orcha city as the capital, because it was on the Banks of Betwariver, The succeeding Ruler to Rudra Pratap Singh Raja Bir Singh contributed to the splendor of the city by constructing Jehangir Mahal.

Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Orchha

Paramour Memorial those times a poetess and musician, Rai Praveen was extremely beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani during the period 1672-76. She went to Delhi on the summons of Emperor Akbar, who also deeply impressed by her. She impressed upon Emperor her love for Indramani and the Emperor sent her back to Orcha. The Rai Praveen Mahal palace built as a memorial in her name

Chaturbhuj Temple It was constructed on a huge stone platform, from where there are very high steps converging into the temple shape. The temple was supposed to have Idol of lord Ram, which was later on left to the wishes of Idol of Ram. The exterior are decorative symbols of lotus and other religious symbols

Ram Raja Mandir It is a palace-turned-temple has a very attractive story behind. King Madhukar Shah had brought an idol of Lord Rama from Ayodhya to Orcha being the realization of a dream he had and later on it was installed in Chaturbhuj Temple. On attempting and having failed to move the idol and felt that it is the wish of the deity to remain where it is. Now there are high tapering structures built at the temple site and it is one of the finest temples in India and Ram is worshipped as a king

Laxminarayan Temple – A flagstone path links the Laxminarayan Temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style here is a mix of fort and temple architecture. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orcha’s Wall Paintings. On the walls and ceilings of three halls, these murals are vibrant compositions and cover a variety of spiritual and secular subjects

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Khajuraho

Arrive and check in at Hotel.

Later proceed for visiting Eastern & Western group of temples.

The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho is the evidences of the architectural geniuses during the times of Chandela dynasty. Situated in Madhya Pradesh, India, Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance and music and other finesses of creative arts depicted in sculpture and images of the temples. The 85 temples were built in North Indian ‘Nagara’ style of architecture, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions over long years of time. The two richer distinctive groups of temples are the Western and Eastern group of temples

Temple town of Khajuraho is much different from any other temple city of India. It is not about religion and worshipping and deities. The temples of Khajuraho are instead famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. An amalgamation of science and art of architecture, these 10th-11th century temples have a very interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of Chandela dynasty. It is said that in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girls known as Hemvati, resulting in the birth of Chandravarman (the founder of the Chandela dynasty). Later, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother requested him to make a temple, which would reveal all aspects of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world

Overnight at hotel.

Arrive Varanasi by train
Meeting upon arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Early morning at sunrise drive through the city to the sacred Ganges River and visit by boat the Bathing Ghats, Observatory, Nepalese Temple (Temple of Love), Cremation Ghats and Aurangzeb’s Mosque

Return to Desasswamed Ghat and back to hotel for breakfast

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Varanasi visiting Durga Temple (Monkey Temple because of the presence of a myriad of monkeys), the well of Knowledge, Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple since its spires are covered with gold), Benaras Hindu University with its marble Shiva Temple and Bharat Mata Temple

Later proceed to visit Sarnath 10 kms north of Varanasi is Sarnath, where in the Deer Park, Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after he received enlightenment. The ruins of monasteries, built more than 2000 years ago, the Dhamok Stupa, the DharmarajiKa Stupa and the main shrine draw Buddhist pilgrims yearly to Sarnath. 

The Mahabodhi Society of India have recently built a modern Vihara, the interior frescoes of which have been executed by a Japanese artist.  At Sarnath stands the famous Ashoka Pillar of polished sandstone whose lion capital has been adopted by the republic of India as its state emblem. The museum (closed on Fridays) designed like a Buddhist monastery, contains many superb specimens of ancient art.

Evening witness Aarti (prayer) ceremony on Ganges Ghat.

Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi.

Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Meeting upon arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

End of the tour
Hotel Check in / out time 1200 hrs