| Day 1 - Flight to Delhi
Around Midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to your Hotel. |
| Day 2 - Old - New Delhi
This morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take a Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red Fort through the old city and famous Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat", the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Jama Masjid, the great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun Tomb" which is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. Before we proceed to the Hotel we drive through the embassy area in New Delhi where we visit the India Gate and see some impressive Government Buildings. |
| Day 3 - Delhi - Jaipur (about 270 km)
Today we drive to the Pink City, Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious stones. In the afternoon we visit the City Palace which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the City Palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments reveals us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy. |
| Day 4 - Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony. The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions below without being seen. In the afternoon we have a walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music and dance. |
| Day 5 - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through a series of fields, small towns and villages in direction of Agra. Enroute we make a stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. This wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to failing in the water supply. Late evening arrival in Agra. Rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 6 - Agra
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument of India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay work which is still being done in Agra by the descendants of the families of builders and artists of the Taj Mahal. |
| Day 7 - Agra - Khajuraho
After having breakfast we drive from Agra to Khajuraho. On the way we visit Gwalior & Orcha. In the evening arrival in Khajuraho. The rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 8 - Khajuraho
Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandela dynasty. The Chandela Kings claimed descent from the moon. The temples of Khajuraho are among the finest examples of temple craftsmanship in the whole of India. Today we visit the temple complex of Eastern Group and Western Group to see the most beautiful temples in India. Most famous among them is the Laxmana Temple, which is dedicated to god Vishnu. The presence of erotic sculptures in the Temples at Khajuraho is one of the expressions among others of the celebration of all human activities displaying different aspects of Hinduism. |
| Day 9 - Khajuraho - Allahabad
After having breakfast we drive from Khajuraho to Allahabad. Allahabad is situated at the confluence of two most important rivers – the Ganges and the Yamuna. The meeting point of the rivers, the Sangam, is believed to have great soul cleansing powers and is a major pilgrimage site. It is even more holy because the invisible Saraswati river is supposed to join the Ganga and Yamuna at this point. During the month of Magha (Mid Jan to Mid Feb) hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come to the bath at this holy confluence for the festival known as Magh Mela. The most propitious time of all happens every 12 years when the massive Kumbh Mela takes place. The rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 10 - Allahabad - Varanasi
In the morning we proceed to Varanasi. Varanasi is without doubt India's most sacred city and thus visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also called the city of light. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC.
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| Day 11 - Varanasi - Puri (by train)
In the early morning we take a boat ride on the holy river Ganges and enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats (flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims on that are the principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. In the noon we visit the city of Varanasi. In the evening we drive to Railway Station for the train from Varanasi to Puri.
Optional: A drive can be organised to Sarnath (10 km). Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon at deer park. |
| Day 12 - Puri
Late evening arrival in Puri. Check in the Hotel. rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 13 - Puri
Puri is one of the four most important pilgrimage centres for Hindus. The temple of Jagannath (God Vishnu), who is considered the preserver of the world in Hinduism, attracts thousands on feast every day, particularly at the time of 'Rath Yatra' (the car festival). The Jagannath temple is also referred as the white Pagoda and it accommodates 5000 priests in its premises. It's an experience to observe the activities of the pilgrims visiting this unique temple. In the afternoon we drive to Puri where we have a break and relax. The beaches of Puri are considered among the best in India. |
| Day 14 - Puri - Bhubaneshwar
Today we drive through the tropical coastal area to the famous Temples of Konark. Konark was once the centre of Buddhism in India is today famous for the Hindu temples. The world famous Surya Temple which was dedicated to God Surya (sun) was build in the 13th century. Surya temple of Konark represents the complete development of Orissian style and architecture which is only one time example in India being the most beautiful without any counter piece. In the afternoon we drive to Bhubaneshwar. Bhubaneshwar is considered the most sacred city in Orissa. Rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 15 - Bhubaneshwar - Delhi
Bhubaneshwar (The Lord of the universe) is now the modern capital city of the Indian State Orissa. Bhubaneshwar had once 7000 temples which were built between 8th and 13th centuries. In the morning we visit some of the finest examples of the classical temple architecture including Lingraj-, Rajrani and Mukteshhwar temples. In the afternoon we drive to the airport for the flight from Bhubaneshwar to Delhi. In Delhi we have rest of the day at leisure. Rooms are available to get fresh and change before we depart for the Airport with Indo Vacations representative. |
| Day 16 - Flight Back Home
Around midnight flight back to home destination. |
