Cultural Heritage 13-Day India Tour

Day 01: Arrival Delhi by flight
Meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer from airport to hotel (standard check-in time at hotel is 1400 hrs).

Rest of the Day will be free for leisure activities.

EVENING OPTIONAL VISIT OF KINGDOM OF DREAMS (ON EXTRA CHARGES)
The ultimate entertainment and leisure destination, sprawling across acres of land, the carnival that is India is distilled into one iconic destination. This fabulous Kingdom brings to life a blend of India’s art, culture, heritage, craft, cuisine and performing art…all with the technological wizardry of today. It is designed and conceptualised to offer international and domestic tourists a breath-taking, magical Indian experience. It showcases modern & traditional India in an entertaining format to all visitors.

Nautanki Mahal: showcasing an extravagant cinematic and theatrical musical. Culture Gully: an elaborate culture, arts, crafts and food boulevard. Showshaa Theatre: a fabulous, colorful drama marquee spotlighting Indian mythology productions, a mock wedding show and the great Indian talent circus. Iifa Buzz: a glamorous Bollywood themed cafe. This is a destination in itself which is capturing the imagination of the world. Get ready for this century’s most novel tourist destination.

SHOW OF ZANGOORA – the Gypsy Prince at Kingdom of Dreams. India’s answer to Broadway, Zangoora the Gypsy Prince – The biggest Bollywood musical ever. Introducing a brand new genre of entertainment where storytelling & Bollywood style Song & Dance meet stagecraft and technical wizardry like never seen before. In a world class theatre Nautanki Mahal, enter a world of entertainment that brings the best of Indian and International talent to create a Bollywood spectacle live on stage that is truly cinematic. (Closed on Mondays)Timings: 07:00 PM (Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday). Overnight at Delhi.

Day 02: In Delhi
After breakfast proceed for the guided city tour of Old & New Delhi.

In Old Delhi visit the historic Red Fort (only photo stop from outside) – Shah Jehan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan.

Go for an interesting walking tour through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque and enjoy Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi. Also visit Raj Ghat – the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon guided sightseeing of New Delhi & visit India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to President House, which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings, Birla Temple.

Visit Lotus Temple – although the temple belongs to the Baha’i sect, is open to people of all faiths. Baha’i religion, an independent, is a very important prayer and meditation tools to progress in the human. (Closed on Mondays). Visit the Qutub Minar, a Tower of Victory that was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. You will observe the earliest examples of domes and arches in India and see the fusion of Hindu carving skills with Muslim technology and design

EVENING OPTIONAL VISIT OF AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE(ON EXTRA CHARGES)
Visit Akshardham Temple and witness the essence of Hinduism at Akshardham Temple one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. A visit to this monument is a journey though the gateway to the essence of ancient India and the best of Hindu culture and Vedic civilization. The monument is a fusion of pink stone and pure white marble, where pink stone symbolizes bhakti in eternal bloom and white marble that of absolute purity and eternal peace. (Closed on Mondays)

Overnight at Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur by surface (approx. 265 kms/6-7hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur `-the fabled “pink city” of the desert named after Jai Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur. This is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe through the nine rectangular sectors subdividing it. The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal processions and splendors, are now living monuments enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri-a perfectly preserved red sandstone “ghost town& quot; which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor Akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply failed.

On arrival check in at the hotel and after some rest proceed for the sightseeing of Jaipur.

Visit the City Palace – the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles which houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the Mughals and Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.

Later visit the Jantar Mantar – an astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even at the present times.

Stop for taking pictures at Palace of Winds – the ornamental facade of this “Palace of Winds” is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures 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 the Jaipur.

Day 04: In Jaipur
After breakfast, you will explore the massive Amber Fort (ascending the fort on elephant back). This morning you will drive 11kms in the outskirts of the city to visit Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Temple of Kali, the Hall of Victory or Jai Mahal and Jagmandir. You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. It has halls of Public and Private Audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvellous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the entrance to the palace.

Later visit Laxmi Narayan Temple – Situated in the south of Jaipur, Laxmi Narayan Temple is one of the many such temples built by wealthy Birla family in India, thus it is also known as Birla Mandir. The temple is a great reminder of the secular traditions India has shown over the centuries. The temple has been constructed in white marble and has three domes, each portraying the different approaches to religion. The temple is situated at the foot of Moti Doongri Fort, converted as a small palace by Ram Singh II for his wife Gayatri Devi.

Rest of the day will be free for leisure activity.

Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri- Agra (approx. 255 kms/5.5 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Agra; while driving towards Agra you will stop at Fatehpur Sikri for a brief period.
Fatehpur Sikri was once the capital of the Mughal Empire. The city boasts of some of the magnificent monuments of the medieval period. Akbar, the great Mughal Emperor, made it the capital but was later abandoned due to scarcity of water. The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri present a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Some of the attractions at Fatehpur Sikri are the Panch Mahal, the Buland Darwaza and the Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti.

On arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the day will be free for leisure activities. Overnight at Agra

Day 06: In Agra
After breakfast we will take you for sightseeing tour of Agra which includes beautiful Taj Mahal.
First we will visit the majestic marble edifice, Taj Mahal. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance stands on the banks of river Yamuna. The architecture is considered as the finest specimen of Mughal style of architecture. The architecture is highly inspired from different styles of architecture, which includes Persian, Indian and Turkish. Taj Mahal architecture is truly splendid and one of its kind in the world. The design & layout of Taj Mahal never fails to enrapture architects, engineers, historians as well as common man. (Closed on Fridays)

Also enjoy the Tonga Ride to the most beautiful monument in the world

Visit Agra Fort is among the finest examples of the fusion architecture that has dominated the Mogul period. The assimilation of these different styles has given the buildings within the fort a distinctive look. To name a few, for example, the Jahangir Palace built by Akbar is the most magnificent blend of Persian and local style whereas Divan-e-Aam mixes subtleness of Turkish exteriors with the complex pattern of Persian architecture. Babur stayed in the fort in the palace of Ibrahim. Overnight at Agra.

Day 07: Agra – Jhansi (by Train 0810 hrs / 1045 hrs) – Orchha (By road approx 15kms / 30Minutes)
After breakfast drop at Agra railway station to board your Train for Jhansi

Arrive Jhansi & drive to Orchha – grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.

Later tour of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the palaces were decorated with painted murals which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. Overnight at Orchha.

Day 08: Orchha – Khajuraho (By road approx 180kms / 04Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho – the legendary temples of khajuraho are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders, these temples dedicated to the Hindu pantheon of Gods are covered in carvings that are a paean to life and love. Built within a short span of a hundred years by the Chandela Rajputs, the 10th century temples lay forgotten until they were discovered in the present century. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures

Evening will be free for your own activities. Overnight at Khajuraho.

Day 09: In Khajuraho
After breakfast explore the Western & Eastern group of temples of khajuraho while your guide explains the intricate meaning and legends behind each describable sculpture. Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho constitutes some of the most splendid and architecturally marvelous specimen of temple architecture in India. The group includes such magnificent temples like Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshamana Temple, Matangeswara Temple, and Varaha Temple. Eastern temples – the sculptural embellishment and profundity of architectural designs in Temples of Khajuraho is well ostensible in the Eastern Group of Temples. These temples can be subdivided into two groups, one representing some of the finest Jain temples and another scattered through the neighboring village. The Eastern Group of Temples at Khajuraho includes Parsvanath Temple, Adinath Temple, Ghantai Temple, Hanuman temple, and Brhama Temple.

Overnight at Khajuraho.

Day 10: Khajuraho – Varanasi by Flight
After breakfast drop at Khajuraho airport to board your flight for Varanasi.

Arrive Varanasi on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. For Hindus the city is a very special place of pilgrimage. The relationship between the sacred river and the city is the essence of Varanasi. Life on the banks of the Ganga begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims come down to the river to await the rising sun and immersion themselves in the sacred river to cleanse themselves of their suffering and sins. To die in Varanasi is to ensure an instant route to heaven.

Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Varanasi and transfer to your hotel (standard check-in time at hotel is 1400 hrs).

Evening be the eye – witness of Holy Worship or the Arti ritual on the Ghats of The Ganges. Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 11: In Varanasi
Morning boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. After boat cruise come back to Hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing of Varanasi (the oldest and holiest city of India) Starts from the visit of Durga temple called as the Sankat Mochan temple and the Bharat Mata temple and Aurangazeb’s Mosque

Later drive to Sarnath, 10kms & East of Varanasi, is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. The celebrated Mantra, ‘Buddham Sharanam Gachhami’, owes its origin to Sarnath. On the day before his death Buddha included Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places he thought to be sacred to his followers. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places

Visit the deer park and the museum and later drive back to Varanasi. Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 12: Varanasi – Delhi by flight
After breakfast drop at Varanasi Airport to board your flight for Delhi.

Arrive Delhi and after meeting and assistance transfer to Hotel.

Rest of the Day will be free to explore City on your Own. (No Transport Envisaged) Overnight at Delhi.

Day 13: Departure from Delhi by flight
In time transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for onwards destination.