Day 01: Arrival in Mumbai
On your arrival at Mumbai airport, transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
Mumbai is an industrial metropolis as well as the textile and film capital of the country. It was once a cluster of 7 islands. Bombay was ceded to the Portugese by the local ruler in the 16th Century. Later, it was acquired by the English when it was given as a dowry to King Charles II when he married a Portuguese princess. Today cosmopolitan Bombay is a commercial nerve centre apart from being one of India’s busiest ports.
Day 02: In Mumbai
Morning we take a half-day excursion to the Elephanta Caves.
Elephanta is a 3 kms long elongated island, consisting of two hills separated by a valley. See Shiva in his three-headed aspect: as Creator (facing right), Protector (the crowned face at the center), and Destroyer (facing left, with serpents for hair). Also visit to Shiva bringing the Ganges River down to Earth.
Afternoon take the Half day tour Mumbai.
Visit the Juhu Beach, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum, Drive past the “Towers of Silence”, Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slope of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach. Drive through local animated Crawford market.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Mumbai – Aurangabad
In time transfer to the airport to board the early morning flight to Aurangabad and on arrival check-in into your hotel.
The city Aurangabad was named after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, meaning "Built by the Throne". In 1681, the city became the residence of Aurangzeb, who used the city as a base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan sultanates until his death in 1707 AD. The city is most famous for its historical monuments and Rock cut caves, dating from 200 BC to 650 AD. Consist mainly of Buddhist caves Temples and Monasteries. As well as Aurangabad is a major silk and cotton textile production center.
Afternoon we take the sightseeing tour of the historic city of Aurangabad.
Your Aurangabad tour will include visits to Paithan Darwaza, Jalna Darwaza, Mecca Darwaza, Delhi Darwaza, Shivaji Museum and also visit Bibi-ka –Maqbara, which was built around 1657-1661, by the last of the six great Mughal Emperors Aurangazeb, for his wife Rabia Durrani.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 04: Excursion to Ajanta (106 Kms one way)
Today we take the full day for excursion of Ajanta Caves.
Ajanta Caves dated from the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer and chisel, Ajanta, once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders features several 'chaityas' (chapels) and 'viharas' (monasteries). The exquisite wall and ceiling paintings, panels and sculptures of Buddha's life are famous throughout the world as the earliest and finest examples of Buddhist pictorial art.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 05: Aurangabad - Udaipur
Morning we take the half day excursion to Ellora Caves just 30 km away from Aurangabad city.
The Ellora caves encompass 34 rock cut shrines representing Jain, Hindu and Buddhist. The most remarkable of them is the Kailash temple meant to be a replica of Lord Shiva’s celestial abode, Kailsah.
After Ellora visit, departure transfer to the Aurangabad airport for flight to Udaipur and on arrival transfer to hotel.
Udaipur is also known as Venice of the East. The main City is situated around Lakes. Lake Pichola at Udaipur is one of the biggest human made lakes in the world. Udaipur is also described as the “City of Sunrise”.
Day 06: In Udaipur
Morning proceed for city tour of Udaipur.
Visit the City Palace, an imposing edifice of granite and marble and Museum, Sahelion-Ki-Bari, a Garden design in the early 18th century purely as a pleasure garden design and Jagdish Teple, Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrineses a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a Brass image of Garuda the Lord Bird carrier.
Enjoy a two-hour boat-ride on Lake Pichola, which is surrounded by hills on three sides. From little islands in the Lake rise at the water’s edge palaces of pure white marble.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Udaipur – Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur visit the Ranakpur en route,
Ranakpur is renowned for some remarkably carved Jain temples in amber stone. The main shrine of the temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Rishabdev, the first Jain Tirthankar. Jain Temples build in 15th century. The renowned Jain temple at Ranakpur is dedicated to Adinatha. The temple, with its distinctive domes, shikhara, turrets and cupolas rises majestically from the slope of a hill. Over 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same. It is also said that it is impossible to count the pillars. Also all the statues face one or the other statue, There is one beautiful carving made out of a single marble rock where there 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails.
Later continue drive for the Jodhpur and on arrival check–in into the hotel for overnight stay.
The home of the Rathore rulers Jodhpur Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha- chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama – the epic hero of the Ramayana.
Day 08: Jodhpur - Khajrala
Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city
Visiting Mehrangarh Fort, The Fort is followed by the Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II.
Afternoon continue drive for the Khajrala, and on arrival check–in into the hotel.
Evening you will take Jeep safari to the villager to view their life style.
Later retire to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 09: Khajrala – Jaipur
Morning drive for the Jaipur and on arrival check–in into the hotel for overnight stay.
Jaipur has been like that since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had it built. And In 1876 A.D. Jaipur dressed itself in pink to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria and earned the epitaph ‘PINK CITY', it is also a home of excellent handicrafts especially known for the exquisite gold jewellery enameled or inlaid with precious stones, blue pottery, carving on wood, stone & ivory, block print, tie & dye textiles, hand made paper, miniature painting etc.
Day 10: In Jaipur
Morning we take an excursion to the Amber Fort and afternoon visit he city.
Amber was the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. Situated on a crafty hill, is the royal elephant ride to ascend the fort (depending upon the availability else by jeep). Later stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) for photography. Hawa Mahal was built in 1799, its original intention was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Jaipur - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Morning proceed to Bharatpur and on arrival at Bharatpur visit Keoladeo National Park.
Enjoy 02 Hours inside the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary on a cycle rickshaw, to see wild life and bird species.
Afternoon you will depart for Agra and en route visit the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri is 40 Kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces.
On arrival check-in into hotel overnight spend at the hotel.
Agra is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Agra was once the capital of the Mughal Empire.
Day 12: Agra - Jhansi – Khajuraho
Morning take a half day city tour of Agra
Visit The Taj Mahal the monument of love built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in sweet memory of his wife after she died in 1631. Later visit the Agra Fort, this was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. And Itimid-ud-Daulah Tomb, which is also known as Mini Taj because of its resemblance, however it was built before the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon transfer to railway station to board train for Jhansi, and on arrival at Jhansi drive to Khajuraho and on arrival at Khajuraho, check–in into hotel for overnight stay.
Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculpture. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Hindi word khajur meaning date palm. The capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain Tirthankaras. And temple are influenced by tantrism, in eroticism becomes a theme of philosophical interest and the aim is submlimation of sexual relationship in the sexual act or "Maithun", women being regarded as the incarnation of the divine energy or "Shakti". Itis also possible thatthe Khajuraho were influenced by "Kama Sutra".
Day 13: Khajuraho – Varanasi
Morning you will be proceed to temple visit of Khajuraho
Visiting western and eastern group of Temples form Chandela Dynasty, A few of the temples are dedicated to the Jain pantheon and the rest to Hindu deities - to God's Trio, among them the Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini, Chitragupta temple, adinath Temples,Vishwanath temple, andvarious other temples.
In time departure transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi and on arrival at Varanasi transfer to hotel.
Rest of day you are free for independent activities.
One of the India's is a spiritually uplifting sight. It is also a famous center for silk and cotton weaving. A boat ride on river Ganges enables one to observe the rituals being performed by the devotees on the banks. Places of interest are the Ghats - Sacred steps running down into Ganges River, Bharat Mata Temple is unique and is dedicated to the nation. Instead of deity’s statues, it houses one of the most perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble. Yishweshwara Temple - Dedicated to Lord Shiva. Sarnathi is palace where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 14: In Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges, witness the panoramic view of Ganga and different Ghats.
Later city sightseeing of Varanasi
You will visit Kashi Vishwnath Temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is in the holy city of Varanasi. Tulsi Manas Temple, the Tulsi Manas temple is dedicated to lord Ram. It is believed to be built at the same place where Tulsidas wrote the famous Indian epic, Ramcharitamanasa. The walls of the Tulsi Manas temple are engraved with verses and scenes from the Ramcharitammanasa. Bharat Mata Temple; the Bharat Mata temple at Varanasi is the only temple dedicated to Mother India. The Bharat Mata temple was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Varanasi – Delhi
Morning you will take an excursion to Sarnaath,
Sarnath (also known as Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, and Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometers north-east of Varanasi.
In time transfer to railway station to board on overnight train for Delhi.
Stay overnight at Train.
Day 16: Arrive Delhi – Onward Destination
On arrival at railway station straight proceed for city sightseeing tour of Delhi.
Delhi, India’s modern capital is also an ancient city tracing its origins in legend. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and offers more than a millennium of history in stone. From here various Hindu and Muslim dynasties including the Mughals ruled India. When British administration moved to Delhi and New Delhi became the Capital of India once again.
Visiting Qutub Minar, One of the fine examples of early afghan architecture, Humayun Tomb, built by the wife of Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid 16th century, this red sand stone structure is considered to be the predecessor of Taj Mahal. Drive pass by India Gate (A War memorial) and Presidency House.
Old Delhi tour includes the drive pass to Red fort, Jama Masjid, Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is one of the largest and best-known mosques,
Later check-in into hotel for wash and change. Late evening transfer to international airport to board flight for onward Journey. |
