Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Evening arrival in Delhi. Transfer to Taj Palace Hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
After lunch, visit architectural highlights of Delhi including Qutab Minar, the oldest Indian Mosque of the 12th century; Safdarjang Maqbarah, the last period of the Mughul architecture 11th century; Red Fort and Shah Jahan Jami Masjid, the biggest mosque in the world built in 1650.
Evening interactive talk with Dr.Subir Saha - Director School of Planning and Architecture Delhi with dinner at the India International Center. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Delhi
Morning visit the Crafts Museum, the most popular museum for daily life utensils, toys, textiles and unique tribal art exhibition.
After lunch, visit the National Museum which has a good collection of Indian bronzes, terracotta and wood sculptures dating back to the Mauryan period (2nd-3rd century BC), exhibits from the Vijayanagar period in south India, miniature and mural paintings, and costumes of the various tribal peoples.
Day 4: Fly Delhi - Khajuraho
Hotel Taj Chandela or Jass Oberoi. Visit Classical Temples, Chandella Style of the 9th - 11th century, illustrated with remarkable sculptures of the classical erotic literature, the Kamasutra.
Day 5: Chandela Forts
Day excursion to visit a little known Chandela Fort: Kalingar (130km). Built before the 10th century Chandela dynasty.
Day 6: Khajuraho - Orchha - Gwailor Hotel Usha Kiran Palace
Morning drive to Orchha (170 Km), which was the capital of the kingdom of the Bundella Rajputs from 1531 to 1783. Visit Jahangir Mahal Palace, Indo-Persian style of the Mughul period and the Ram Raja Temple of the17th century. Continue drive to Gwailor. Rich in history, this 120-year-old palace played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel. Set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, this regal palace is outfitted with artistic stone carvings and delicate filigree work.
Day 7: Drive to Agra - Taj Mahal (2 hrs)- Hotel Mughal Sheraton
Introduction to the Indo-Persian architecture of the Timurid Dynasty and the famous marble inlay work of Agra, Pietra dura.
After check-in, visit Itimad-ud-Daulah, the first white marble inlaid grave in pure Indo-Persian style built between 1622 to 1628. Afterwards visit Agra Fort. We will also visit Oswolds Shop, where you can see the inland marble technique which is passed down through the generations within families. Sunset visit to Taj Mahal.
Day 8: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri -Jaipur Samode Haveli
Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Return to hotel for breakfast. Afterwards drive to Fatehpur Sikri, capital from 1570 to 1586 of the Great Mughul Empire, a unique architectural concept reflecting Akbar's belief in unity of all religions. Visit the Derviche Saint Mosque, Pir Shaikh Salim Chisti, Wazir Birbal's house, Astrologer's seat and Panch Manzil Mahal and introduction to Islam and Sufism. Afternoon drive to Jaipur. Evening a traditional Rajasthani buffet dinner at our hotel, Samode Haveli.
Day 9: Jaipur
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. In the 1720âs, Sawai Jai Singh II began to build the new city of Jaipur. The city turned out to be an astonishing well-planned one based on the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra. It is especially known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, enamel work, hand-printed fabrics and stone sculptures. The sprawling City Palace was an integral part of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II's new city of Jaipur. Today it is a museum that displays art, textiles and armory. Nearby is the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). It is a delightfully idiosyncratic five-tier composition of arches and balconies. The Jaipur astronomical observatory built by Raja Saw Jai Singh II in 1827 is an amazing monument. Wandering through the bazaars of old Jaipur is an experience in itself. They are colorful, noisy and happily chaotic and you can buy anything here.
Full day to explore the old city.
After breakfast, drive to Amber, the ancient kingdom of Jaipur, 7 miles away. Its' history can be traced backed to the 12th century. The ascent to the Fort will be on elephant backs. Afternoon, visit City Palace complex, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jal Mahal (Water Palace).
Day 10: Drive Jaipur-Jodhpur. (315 km/5-6 hrs) Ajit Bhawan
Afternoon excursion to Ossian, a peaceful village north of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert. The ancient town of Ossian contains the largest group of 8th to 10th century Hindu and Jain Temples in Rajasthan. The typical temple of this area is set on a terrace whose walls are finely decorated with moldings and miniatures. The doorways are decorated with river goddesses, serpents and scroll work. The 23 temples are grouped in several sites north, west and south of the town. Camel ride in the sand dunes just before sunset. Includes: (B).
Day 11: Jodhpur
Morning half day city tour of Jodhpur. The best way to trace the history of Jodhpur is to visit the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort perched majestically on a high hill dominating the skyline. Lunch at the exquisite Umaid Bhawan Palace. Afterwards some time to browse in the bazaars of the old city. Can also visit antique shops along the road between our hotel and the palace if interested. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 12: Drive Jodphur-Ranakpur-Udaipur (275 km / 5-6 hrs) Hotel Fateh Prakash
En route visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain Temples built in 1439. The three temples in the complex each are distinct in design, carved ceilings, and arches decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain saints. The largest, Adinatha, is noted for its grandiose scale and elaborate ornamentation and for its 1444 sculptured pillars, all with different scenes from Jain mythology and cosmology. The temples are situated in the Haldigathi Jungle where monkeys, wild boars and panthers are dwelling as well as exotic trees such as cinnamon apple and babur maple.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur) near the Temples. Transfer to Hotel Fateh Prakash Palace, a part of the City Palace complex, it is an intimate hotel of only 8 lake view rooms. It is across the courtyard from Shiv Niwas Palace. Sunset boat ride on Lake Picola. Special dinner at Baghor Ki Haveli, includes an authentic cultural program.
Day 13: Udaipur - Bombay
Morning visit the City Palace, the largest Palace complex Museum of Rajasthan. The City Palace is a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on the inside. Set on a hill overlooking Lake Pichhola, it is a sprawling edifice made up of at least four separate inter-connecting palaces, built over a period of nearly 3 centuries. The Palace museum contains a wonderful collection of old Rajput weaponry.
Also visit Crystal Gallery. Afternoon, introduction to the world of miniature paintings; visit artists' studios. Afterwards, some independent time to stroll the quaint city, take a walk through the colorful Bapu Bazaar.
Day 14: Bombay
Morning visit the Jain Temple, Prince of Wales Museum, the largest Fine Art Museum in India, and Gandhi House. Afternoon, join Bombay Heritage Walking Club (art & architecture students /professionals). They organize a 2 hr. walk through the old part of Bombay.
Day 15: Bombay-Aurangabad
Morning, we drive down to the Gateway of India for an introduction to the Indo Saracenic architectural styles that influenced many of India's monuments. From here we board a launch for a half-hour journey across Mumbai harbor to the cave temples on Elephanta Island, carved between 450 and 750 A.D.
Day 16: A full day excursion to the caves at Ajanta which date from 200 BC to 650 AD.
Day 17: Visit The Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves at Ellora, noted for their sculptures, are considered to be the finest in India and date between 600 and 1100 AD.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accompanying escort (min 4 people)
- Accommodations
- All entrance fees to monuments
- Land transportation by ac bus
- Train ticket in A/C chair car from Jhansi to Agra by Shatbadi Express
- Daily breakfast & other meals as mentioned in itinerary
- Special lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur)
- Special dinners/programs
- Special presentations.
Price Excludes:
- International flight
- Airport departure taxes
- Trip cancellation/travel insurance
- Tips
- Any expenses of a personal nature such as phone, laundry, drinks.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Cultural Journey
Museum Tours
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