Visiting First Time India ( Must See In
India )
Duration :18 Nights / 19 Days
Destination : Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Agra - Ranthambore
- Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Mumbai - Aurangabad.
Day 1
Arrive Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international
airport in Delhi late in the evening. 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. It is a perfect
introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to
the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 2
Delhi
Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting
the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated;
Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the
most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would
include a visit to the Humayuns Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive
along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate,
Parliament House, the Presidents Residence and would end with
a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Overnight at Delhi
Day 3
Delhi - Varanasi
Flight
Transfer to the airport for flight to Varanasi On arrival, transfer
to the hotel. Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, believed to
be founded 3000 years ago, is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindus.
It was a flourishing trading centre 500 BC when the Buddha came to Sarnath
to preach his first sermon. A city of great wealth and religious importance
when the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited it in the 7th century.
Visit the Vishwanath Golden Temple, the abode of great God Shiva, Bharat
Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir and Banaras Hindu University.
Day 4
Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims throng
the water's edge, bathing, worshipping, meditating. On stone platforms
under palm leaf umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside over rites
and rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including the cremation
sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi (Varanasi)and
to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from
the cycle of birth and death. Afternoon visit Sarnath Sarnath, 7 km
from the city where Buddha preached his first sermon more than 2500
years ago.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5
Varanasi - Khajuraho
Flight:
Transfer to the Airport to board the flight Khajuraho On arrival, transfer
to the hotel.
Rest of the day free.
Day 6
Khajuraho
Full day sightseeing tour of Khajuraho.
Khajuraho, once the great capital of Chandela, now a quiet town, Khajuraho
temples here were built during the Chandela period from 950 to 1050
AD. Almost intriguing as the sheet beauty and the size of the temples
is the question of why and how they were built here as Khajuraho is
isolated, 1000 years ago as it is even today. The temples are superb
examples of Indo-Aryan architecture and depict images of gods and goddesses,
warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals and in great detail
- women and sex.
Day 7
Khajuraho - Jhansi -Agra
Train
After breakfast drive to Jhansi to board the train to Agra ,on arrival
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the railway station
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. A walk down the narrow bustling streets
of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai
cuisine.
Check in at hotel and proceed for sightseeing.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder
which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to
Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his
beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed
and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart
from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj
is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved
screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed for sightseeing
to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD,
the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the
picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullahs Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of
her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight at Agra.
Day 8
Agra - Ranthambore
Train
Drive to Bharathpur to board the train to Swai madhopur from the railway
station youwill be tranfered to the resort Overnight at the resort Ranthambore
is a national park and tiger reserve in Rajasthan state of western India.
It is located in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan,
about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest
town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 km away.
The park lies at the edge of a plateau, and is bounded to the north
by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are
several lakes in the park. It is named for the historic Ranthambore
fortress, which lies within the national park. The park covers an area
of 392 km², and is famous for its tiger population, and is one
of India's Project Tiger reserves. Other major wild animals include
the leopard, dhole, wild pig, sambar, chital and the gaur.
Major wild animals found in the national park include the tiger, leopard,
nilgai, dhole, wild pig, sambar, chital and the gaur. It is also home
to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles.
Day 9
Ranthombore
A full day game viewing inside the jungle (two safaris)
Day 10
Rantahmbore - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur. Stop at 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 Bulund Darwaza,
the largest gateway in the world.
Reach and check in at hotel.
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 it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears
and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive
use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor
of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills
the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples
and lush gardens.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 11
Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts
of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
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 it's ultimate expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
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. Its 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. overnight at
Jaipur.
Day 12
Jaipur - Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur (290 kms) - check into the hotel. Late afternoon
tour of Jodhpur - with a visitto Meherangarh Fort - one of the most
impressive and formidable in the whole of fort - studded Rajasthan.
Also visit Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital
of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of
the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama -
the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh
Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains.
The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and
innumerable bastions.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 13
Jodhpur - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur (260 kms), enroute visit Ranakpur known for
its 15th century Jain Temples. The most distinctive features are the
29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike.
Thereafter continue drive to Udaipur, check into the hotel. Overnight
at hotel
Day 14
Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel.Proceed for sightseeing 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 local folk Museum.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake
Pichola. From he boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as
it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan
desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in
the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight at Udaipur.
Day 15
Udaipur - Mumbai
Flight
On arrival transfer to hotel where we will be holding the rooms on ready
occupancy basis, check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel. Mumbai was
given by Portuguese as dowry to Charles II of England when he married
Catherine. The group of seven island was leased to the East India Company
who offered freedom of business and religion to persons who came and
settled here. Initially a few Parsis and Gujarati came but soon a sizeable
population began to thrive here. This was way back in the 17th century.
Today also Mumbai is a city of migrants. People from all over the country
have come and settled here. This gives the society of Mumbai a multi-lingual
and multi-cultural colour. Overnight hotel.
Day 16
Mumbai
You will be exploring the Mumbai, you will visit The Juhu beach, Gateway
of India, Elephanta caves. Overnight to be spent at hotel.
Day 17
Mumbai - Aurangabad
Flight
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the airport
The city of Aurangabad is known for its medieval monuments and cultural
heritage. It was the seat of the Mughal Empire for a short period. The
city boasts of Bibi-ka-Makbara, a tomb that has some resemblance to
the Taj Mahal. The importance of Aurangabad is great, owing to its proximity
with world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. These sites have Buddhist,
Jain and Hindu temples. Aurangabad is also famous for its silk and cotton
textiles.
There are a number of important tourist spots beyond the city limits
of Aurangabad. The cave temples of Ellora, listed among the World Heritage
sites, are 30 km northwest of the city. The world famous Buddhist caves
at Ajanta, also a World Heritage site, lies 166 km northeast of Aurangabad.
The Buddhist caves of Ajanta are world famous for their well-preserved
frescoes (wall paintings), which vividly depict the lifestyle of that
period. The fortress of Daulatabad is 13 km from Aurangabad and is situated
en route Ellora. Khuldabad, the last resting place of Aurangzeb, is
3 km from Ellora. Grishneshwar temple, an important Hindu pilgrim place,
is located in the village of Verul, near Ellora caves. It is one of
the twelve Jyotirlingas of India, where Lord Shiva is worshipped. Paithan,
56 km south of Aurangabad, is famous for its traditional Paithani silk
saris. Twenty-four kilometers from Aurangabad lie the Bani Begum Gardens,
which surround the tomb of one of Aurangzeb's queens. Pithalkora caves
are 78 km from Aurangabad. Mhaismal, 25 km from Aurangabad, is another
tourist spot
Over night at hotel
Day 18
Aurangabad
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Proceed for a full day sightseeing with excursion to Ajanta Caves.
Ajanta caves: Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyardi hills, 100 km
from Aurangabad in the shape of a mammoth horse- shoe, are the 30 rock-hewn
caves of Ajanta. The Caves date 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. Return to Aurangabad and overnight will be at Aurangabad.
Day 19
Aurangabad - Mumbai - Home
Flight
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the airport
Make your way through the various sets of a typical film studio. From
a place to the village square. See men with cameras mounted on cranes
shooting sequences, inviting your tour of Film citys electrifying
ambience while dining on delicacies that are no less interesting than
the masala (spice ) of Indian movies. Late evening transfer
to Airport for the onward journey.
Tour Cost |
1200$ |
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