Varanasi-Sacred Ganges Tour
Day 01: Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start tour of Old & New Delhi.
Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel.
Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight.
Visit Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC.
Overnight will be spent at Varanasi.
Day 04: Varanasi - Khajuraho
In the morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you.
Transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho.
Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honoured by the world as India's unique contribution to human civilization. The Chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Twenty remain as embodiments of Indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind.The temples of Khajuraho is a world heritage site and belong not just to India but to the world. Khajuraho is one of the few millennium destinations of the world.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Visit the WESTERN SET OF TEMPLES. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 05: Khajuraho
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for a full day tour of the EXOTIC TEMPLES (EASTERN & SOUTHERN) of Khajuraho.
Relax in the evening or proceed to the SHILPA GRAM for seeing the local artisans at work. You can also see the colorful DANCES show. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 06: Khajuraho - Orchha - Gwalior
Proceed by surface to ORCHHA.
ORCHHA - A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkable withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the River Betwa.
Proceed for sight-seeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex.
Reach Gwalior and transfer to hotel.
Gwalior's colorful history, going back to the eight century, is a mosaic of Rajput clans of the Pratihasas, Kachwahas and Tomars, each leaving their marks on the city's magnificent monuments.
Overnight will be at hotel.
Day 07: Gwalior - Agra
Proceed for sight-seeing after breakfast.
Visit the historic Gurjari Mahal, Man Mandir Palace, Sas Bahu ka Mandir, Royal Palace, the Suraj Kund in the fort and also the Scindia Palace and cenotaphs.
Proceed to Agra after lunch. Reach Agra and relax.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunset. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 08: Agra
Proceed for sight-seeing of the city after breakfast. First, proceed to TAJ MAHAL which is just walking distance from the hotel.
TAJ MAHAL: The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion, after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises.
Proceed to Agra and visit Agra Fort- which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD. After Agra Fort we will visit Baby Taj - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunset. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 09: Agra - Jaipur
Proceed for Jaipur after breakfast.
Visit FATEHPUR SIKRI - The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue your drive to Jaipur.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. Spend the evening relaxing at this beautiful hotel or visit a couple of temples like the BIRLA MANDIR.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 10: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
AMBER FORT PALACE- Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Proceed for city sight-seeing after lunch. The sites to include:
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Shopping and relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 11: Jaipur - Chhatrasagar
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to NIMAJ. (Chhatrasagar)
The fort of Nimaj was built in 1733 by the valiant ruler- Thakur Jagram Singh. Situated in the heart of the town, it is a massive structure built in traditional Rajput style with courtyards and separate wings for men & women. The little township is surrounded by places of historical interest, like the 9th century temple Magar Mandi, 3 kms away. Visit nearby villages to see local craftsmen at work & a little further see blackbucks, blue bulls etc.
Watch the birds, go for nature walks, soak in the fresh air, sit around the bonfire and listen to old folk lore - or be more adventurous and take one of the many safaris on offer. Experience the warm hospitality, and enjoy some truly delicious Indian and traditional Rajasthani meals cooked with farm fresh vegetables in the family kitchen.
Relax in the tastefully designed and well-appointed tented accommodation. Each tent has an attached bath with running hot and cold water, and its own private sit out overlooking the lake.
Overnight will be at the camp.
Day 12: Chhatrasagar - Deogarh - Udaipur
Proceed to DEOGARH after a leisurely breakfast.
Deogarh lies on the borders of Mewar, Marwar and Merwara, about 80 miles north-east of Udaipur. Its chieftain known as 'The Rawat' was one of sixteen UMRAOS (feudal barons) privileged to wait upon the Maharana of Udaipur, the capital of Mewar such feudal estates, called thikanas were granted by the ruling Maharana to a nobleman either due to blood relationship or for an act of bravery. Deogarh is also renowned as a school of miniature painting.
Have lunch at the DEOGARH MAHAL and find out more about the PRINCELY STATE. Proceed to Udaipur.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 13: Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the Royal Cenotaphs.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 14: Udaipur - Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for Jodhpur. En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Jodhpur.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 15: Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for morning sight-seeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel.
Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping.
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 16: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Proceed for Jaisalmer.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 17: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sight-seeing tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwaon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill.
Proceed to the SAND DUNES by jeep after lunch for visiting the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. Start your CAMEL SAFARI from the village. Ride into the desert passing through small villages and camel herds grazing. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Reach you camp and dinner will be served in the camp.
Stay overnight at the TENTED CAMP.
Day 18: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at the camp.
Start CAMEL SAFARI winding your way back through a new route to the village. On your way see the villagers starting their day and the womenfolk setting out to fetch water from the desert. The children would be going in groups to the school. Also pass by solitary temples at times.
Reach the VILLAGE and your jeep would be waiting there to take you back to Jaisalmer. On reaching Jaisalmer have a hearty lunch at the beautiful HERITAGE HAVELI HOTEL of NARAIN NIWAS PALACE. (Your extra luggage would have already moved here)
Start for Jodhpur and reach by evening. Relax in the evening.
Day 19: Jodhpur - Delhi
Breakfast will be in the hotel. Proceed to the airport to take the flight to Delhi.
Reach and check in at a hotel for the day. Enjoy the day in the hotel relaxing or do some last minute shopping. Late evening check out as per flight timing and proceed to the airport for flight home.
