Take a trip to land of Kamasutra, Khajuraho which is very much in contrast to what is believed to be a conservative Indian Society for you have Temples built in around 10th and 11th Century, richly carved with erotic sculptures boasting the tales of Love and its unheard accomplishments. Also, the spirituality of Benaras or Varanasi would embrace your soul like never before. A nice option would be to combine this tour with Nepal, just in case you wish to explore more of what you’ve seen so far!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to Delhi.
Board the Flight to India.
Day 2: Delhi.
Arrive early hours at Delhi International Airport, Meeting assistance upon arrival welcome garland and transfer to your Hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Later after some rest start the full day sightseeing tour of Delhi visiting Red Fort (Closed on Mondays), Jumma Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer and Raj Ghat -Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial. In the afternoon visit New Delhi. You will drive past President’s Palace and India Gate (42m high), built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Later visit Humayun’s Tomb, and the Qutub Minar, the highest sands stone minaret in the world (73 meters). Return to Hotel for overnight.
Day 3: Delhi / Jaipur (260 KM / 5 HRS).
Breakfast at the hotel and thereafter drive to Jaipur upon arrival check in at the hotel with rest of the day free to relax
Evening, enjoy the evening at the hotel garden or those interested can visit local market for shopping… over night at the hotel.
Day 4: Jaipur.
After breakfast, take a full day sightseeing tour and visit the Hawa Mahal from where the palace women would discreetly observe the activities of the bustling bazaar below. Proceed to Amber Fort with an elephant ride up the Fort’s ramparts. The Fort, originally built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh encloses superb palaces and a beautiful temple in marble dedicated to the fearsome goddess Kali.
Later in the second half proceed for city tour of Jaipur, also known as pink city of Rajasthan. In half-day city tour you will visit the City Palace Museum with its collection of elaborate costumes, magnificent armory and intricate carved weapons. Also visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory nearby built in 1728. Return to Hotel for overnight.
Day 5: Jaipur / Agra (by surface 232 Kms- 05 hours).
After breakfast drive to Agra En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri which is 40 km (1 hour) before Agra. It is a beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. The Mughals later abandoned this city for lack of water. Continue drive to Agra, upon arrival check-in at Hotel with evening free to relax by the poolside followed by overnight at the same hotel.
Day 6: Agra
Breakfast at the hotel thereafter visit world famous monument “Taj Mahal”. There is no other monument in the world that can match the beauty and grandeur of Taj Mahal. Set amongst the serene ambiance of a well laid out garden the massive marble structure of the Taj Mahal is awe-inspiring. Taj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Shahjahan- the fifth Mughal emperor, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shahjahan loved his wife so much that after she passed away in 1631, he decided to immortalize their love in the form of the Taj Mahal. It is more than 350 years since Taj Mahal was built, but it has not lost itsromantic aura, which attracts millions of visitors towards it It is because of this everlasting charm that the Taj Mahal can boast of being one of the most popular monuments on this planet
Later proceed to Red Fort, from Taj Mahal on Tonga (Horse Cart), with its various palaces including the palace where the aging Emperor Shah Jahan, imprisoned by his son, watched from a distance the fulfillment of his life’s dream – the building of the Taj Mahal, in memory of his beloved wife. After noon, time free to relax at Hotel. Later in the evening group members can enjoy doing shopping at local bazaar. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 7: Agra / Jhansi / Orcha
After early breakfast transfer to Agra Cantt Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express to Jhansi [08.00 – 10.20 Hrs). Meeting assistance upon arrival at Jhansi Railway Station and transfer to Orchha, upon arrival check-in at Hotel Orchha Resort. Evening visit Orchha Palace and temple, the palace of the Rajah Mahal in Orchha Its construction began under the reign of Rajah Rudra Pratap but was stopped by its death into 1531. The palace is organized around two courtyards and contains splendid paintings. Two pieces are interesting: Durbar Hall and Diwan-i-Am. The latter being the piece where the sovereign held his cabinet. Thereafter rest of the time at leisure followed by overnight at the same Hotel.
Day 8: Orcha / Khajuraho (Surface 152 KM)
After Breakfast drive to Khajuraho, upon arrival transfer to Hotel thereafter time at leisure. Evening half-day sightseeing tour of Khajuraho visiting Eastern and Western Group Of Temples “The sculptures in the temples of khajuraho are enshrined in wall niches. Provocative maidens, dancers, musicians and embracing couples are adorned within the temples, which are by themselves masterpieces of Indian art”
The Eastern Group of temples mainly dedicated to the Jain teachers - tirthankaras - The Parsvanatha Temple, the Adinatha Temple and the Santinatha Temple. The temples are ornately carved on the outside with beautiful figures of Hindu gods, goddesses. Also visit the Western Group of temples, which consist of a group of artistic temples built in sandstone. Overnight at the Hotel
Day 9: Khajuraho / Varanasi
Breakfast at the Hotel later time at leisure, in the afternoon transfer to Khajuraho Domestic Airport for flight 9W 724 to Varanasi (13.30-14.20 hrs). Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to your Hotel enroute visit Sarnath Sarnath “known as the buried city of sarnath, a major buddhist centre and believed to be the birthplace of the gautama buddha. You will see the dharmarajika stupa, the main shrine where buddha sat in meditation and the sacred promenade where he preached. Also at the museum, you will have a chance to see the capital of the ashoka pillar (264 – 226 b.c.), selected as the emblem of independent India.
Upon arrival at the Hotel check – in thereafter time free Evening Ganges tour tour of Varanasi It is one of the oldest cities in the world. Also known as Benaras, the city has remained the centre of the hindu faith. Return to Hotel for overnight.
Day 10: Varanasi / Delhi
Early this morning drive to the sacred river and board a launch for a cruise on at the Ganges River to view the bathing ghats. Later return to hotel for breakfast thereafter those interested to know more about Hinduism and the living style can explore this holy city passing through narrow lanes and can also do shopping in the local market. Thereafter transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight 9W 724 to Delhi (14.40 – 16.00 Hrs). Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to your Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 11: Delhi / Home.
Transfer to the Airport to connect to your Flight Back Home.
* Extension Recommended : Kathmandu.
Day 11: Delhi / Kathmandu
Breakfast at the Hotel. Later transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu (13.30 – 14.40 Hrs) meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel with rest of the day at leisure followed by overnight.
Day 12: Kathmandu
After breakfast visit Kathmandu city, “A city which looks like a living museum”. First start with visit to the Durbar Square, the Temple of the Living Goddess, the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Shiva-Parvati Temple, a three-story temple famous for its erotic stone carvings.
Afternoon visit the ancient town of Patan also known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty and Fine Art), Patan is an ancient city filled with exotic pagodas, intricate gateways, fabulous deities, and endless carvings. Overnight in the hotel
Day 13: Kathmandu.
Today we visit the second Sister City of the capital, Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), which means “the City of Devotees”. Visit Durbar Square with King Palace specially its golden gate and 55-Windows-Palace (15th century), the 5- story Nyatopala-Temple, the highest and probably the finest temple in Kathmandu Valley, built by King Bhupatindra. The 2-story Bhairabnath-Temple (18th century) as well as the Dattatraya Temple dedicated to God Vishnu and the Pujahari Math with its famous Peacock Window.
In the afternoon visit Bodhnath to see one of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Bodhnath Stupa is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style platform surrounded by colorful private family houses. This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century AD. At the Pashupatinath Temple view the most sacred of Nepal’s Shiva shrines, located near the holy river Bagmati. This Hindu temple’s twin-roofed pagoda is of gold-gilt-brass; the gateways are silver-plated.
Day 14: Kathmandu / Delhi
After breakfast check out at 1200 noon. Later transfer to the airport to board the flight (14.15 / 15.30 hrs). Upon arrival in Delhi remain in the transit and connect flight to further destination
Day 15: Departure Delhi.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Nepal
Sightseeing
Archeology/History
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