TOUR INFO:
This trip takes you to the capital city of India – New Delhi where you will visit some of the colonial monuments and then we drive to Mandawa the merchant town of Rajasthan followed by Jaipur – the pink city of Rajasthan where you will be fascinated by the architectural brilliance of the by gone era. Then we move to Agra to visit one of the wonders of the world – Taj Mahal. Followed by beautiful cities of Central India – Orchha, Jhansi and Khajuraho and the last destination would be the fascination Varanasi/Banaras.
HIGHLIGHT: Colonial monuments/heritage of Delhi, Beautiful Havelies and frescos of Mandawa, Amber Fort in Jaipur, Taj Mahal in Agra, beautiful and erotic temples of Khajuraho and the spirituality of Varanasi.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: October – March
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Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Day 02 Full day SS tour of Delhi.
Day 03 Drive to Mandawa (240 kms/06 hrs). P.M. SS tour.
Day 04 Drive to Jaipur (280 kms/06 hrs)
Day 05 Full day SS tour of Jaipur.
Day 06 Drive to Agra via Fatepur Sikri (240 kms/06 hrs)
Day 07 Morning Taj. Later. Visit Agra Fort and catch afternoon train to Jhansi and drive to
Orchha (20 kms/40 minutes).
Day 08 SS tour of Orchha.
Day 09 Drive to Khajuraho (170 kms/04 hrs). P.M. SS tour.
Day 10 Morning Safari in Panna National Park. Afternoon fly to Varanasi. Evening Arati ceremony.
Day 11 Morning boat ride. P.M. Visit Sarnath.
Day 12 Fly back to Delhi.
Day 13 Depart Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by Kipling India Representative who will escort you to your hotel. He will brief you about the tour and handover the travel documents. Rest of the day free to relax. O/N in your hotel.
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour. First we start with Old Delhi with a visit to Jama Masjid (Mosque). This great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The highly decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. Travellers can hire robes at the northern gate. This may be the only time you get to dress like a local without feeling like an outsider so make the most of it. Later followed by a short rickshaw ride in the busy Chadni Chowk market. Stop for lunch and then proceed to visit Qutab Minar. It is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. After this visit India gate and drive through presidential palace, parliament and end your trip with a visit to beautiful Bangla Saheb Gurudwara (Sikh Temple). Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh (religion) Gurudwara (place of worship). It is known for its association with 8th Sikh Guru – Guru Har Krishan. It was first completed in the year 1664. However, it was renovated in the year 1783. What we see today has been built post 1947 – year of Independence of India. The story behind Gurudwara Bangla Sahib goes like this – it is said that the 8th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, stayed here in this Palace in the year 1664. He is said to have helped suffering from epidemic . Gurusahib passed away in the end suffering from the same epidemic disease. The water tank inside the Gurudwara is considered to have medicinal properties due to the blessings of Guru Sahib Ji.
After breakfast, drive to Mandawa. The city of Mandawa, founded in the mid 18th century, was once a town inhabited by the rich merchant families. The wealthy and dominant merchants constructed massive havelis, adorned with beautiful wall paintings, for the purpose of their residence. However, with time, the merchants moved on and migrated to other areas, leaving the beautiful havelis in the shadows of anonymity. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of the Havelies. The beautiful wall paintings that decorate the havelis of Mandawa in Rajasthan, India, have seen the themes changing from time to time. In the earlier days, mythology dominated the themes of the frescoes, displaying local legends, animals, portraits, hunting and wrestling scenes, etc. 19th century saw the themes being changed to reflect the British (Raj) influence on the Indian culture. The traditional subjects were exchanged for cars, trains, balloons, telephones, gramophones, English men in hunting attires and portraits of the haveli owners immaculately dressed, etc.
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour. First we visit drive to Hawa Mahal (wind palace) and then drive to Amber Fort - Also referred to as the Amber Palace, the fort is located on a hill in Amer, Rajasthan. Just eleven kilometers from the city of Jaipur, the Amber fort is a major tourist attraction. Built by Raja Man Singh, the fort, which is also spelt as Amer fort, is a scenic marvel. It stands on top of an easily scalable mountain, which is situated right next to the beautiful Maota Lake. The fort’s majestic appearance and its geographical advantages make it a special place to visit. The fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. It is built using red sandstone and white marble. After lunch we visit City Palace & Observatory.
After breakfast, we drive to Agra enruote visit Fatepur Sikri - Fatehpur Sikri is a fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century; 37 km from Agra Akbar the great, who at 26 years did not have an heir, founded this historic site. He went to a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri. His blessing gave Akbar 3 sons. As a gesture, Akbar built a whole new city in Sikri. Akbar named his new capital Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height. Upon arrival in Agra, check in at your hotel.
Early morning we proceed to visit the magnificent Taj Mahal (FRIDAY CLOSED). Famous as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal at Agra, India, is epitome of true love and passion. The Taj Mahal was built by the famous Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The architectural beauty and magnificence of the Taj Mahal has never been surpassed. It is said to be the most beautiful monument built by the Mughal rulers and represents the zenith of the Mughal architecture. Built entirely out of white marbles, the beauty of the Taj Mahal is beyond description. The beauty of the Taj Mahal has been aptly summarized by the famous English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones."Later back to hotel for breakfast. After lunch, visit the Agra Fort - Agra Fort was built in the year 1573 under the reign of Akbar – one of the greatest Mughal Emperors. It took more than 4000 workers and eight years of hardship to complete the fort. Knowing the significance of its location, Akbar built the fort to make it the main residence of the Mughals. The fort remained as the main residence of the emperors belonging to the Mughal dynasty until the year 1638. The fort houses numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. Afternoon transfer to railway station to board your train to Jhansi. Upon arrival, meet and assist and then drive to Orchha.
After breakfast, visit Raja Ram Temple - This temple was at one point of time, a palace of the then ruler Madhukar Shah. Legend says that once Lord Rama appeared in his dreams due to which Madhukar Shah brought the idol of Lord Rama into the palace before installing it inside the temple. Royal Cenotaphs - There are fourteen Chatrries or memorials to the rulers of Orchha grouped along the kanchan ghat of the river Betwa.The 14 Chattries were constructed as a mark of respect for the imperial blue blood of the mighty rulers of Bundelkhand dynasty. Build in Indo-Mughal style, these three storey buildings are open to all sides and have nicely designed tops - domes or pinnacles. Jahangir Mahal - The establishment of the Jehangir Mahal dates back to the 17th century A.D. when the then ruler of the region named Bir Singh Deo built the structure as a symbol of warm reception of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, during the latter's first visit to the city.& Chaturbhuj temple - The original place where the idol of Lord Rama was places is the Chaturbhuj Temple. The history of the Chaturbhuj temple, Orchha is associated with an interesting legend that imposes the faith of the people.It is said that Maharani Gansh Kunwar, wife of the Ruler of Orchha, raja madhukar built the temple for Lord Rama.. Rest of the day relax.
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho is known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism. Khajuraho Temples are among the most beautiful medieval monuments in the country. These temples were built by the Chandella ruler between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that it was every Chandella ruler has built atleast one temple in his lifetime. So all Khajuraho Temples are not constructed by any single Chandella ruler but Temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and followed by almost all rulers of Chandella dynasty. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. P.M. Visit the temples of Khajuraho.
After breakfast, drive to Panna National Park for Jeep Safari. Panna National Park is a Tiger reserve of India, it was declared in 1994 as the 22 Tiger reserve of India and fifth in Madhya Pradesh. The park is situated in Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Indian central state Madhya Pradesh, it is known worldwide for its wild cats, including tigers, deer, antelope, vultures, wolf, chinkara, cheetal and lots more. This region is substantially noticing attention for its diamond industry. After safari transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Evening proceed for aarti ceremony.
Early morning proceed for sunrise boat ride in the Ganges. Boating down the Ganges River during sunrise is one of the main attractions in Varanasi. We can observe here the Hindu way of life along the banks of the Ganges (Ghats) River. You have a chance to observe the Hindu way of life along the bank of the Ganges River (Ganga Ghat or Banaras Ghat). Varanasi presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates soul from human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock to the sacred river to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins. Back to hotel for breakfast and then relax. After lunch proceed to visit Sarnath. It is the temple where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, who was preaching the middle path for attaining “Nirvana”.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to board your flight for Delhi. Upon arrival, meet and assist and then transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
Final departure transfer to airport to board your flight for onward journey.