Northern India
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Clasic India
Duration
14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations
Delhi – Jaipur – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Dholpur – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi
Tour Overview
India is a magical country full of spirituality, history, culture, diversity, traditions, etc. In order to make your visit to India memorable, you must start exploring it by taking up 15 Days Clasic India – Covering Golden Triangle of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra along with rustic towns of Dholpur-Gwalior and spirituality at its best at Orchha-Khajuraho and Varanasi famous destinations which are not only rich in culture but also in history.
Iteneary
Day 1
Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to hotel. (Hotel check-in 1400 hrs ). Overnight
Day 2
Delhi
Following breakfast at hotel, proceed for sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi including a rickshaw ride (pedi cab) in Chandni Chowk [Red Fort is closed on Mondays]
Old Delhi – Situated in a strategic position on the west bank of the Yamuna River, between the Himalayas and the Aravalli Hills, Delhi is the gateway to the rich alluvial soils of the Ganges plain and has, according to Indian folklore, been occupied since 2500 BC. The original city, Indraprastha was the first of nine. Shahjahanabad or Old Delhi, the 7th city, was built when the Mughal Emperor moved his capital back to Delhi from Agra in 1638. Planned out in blocks with wide roads, residential areas and bazaars, Chandi Chowk, now thought to be Asia’s busiest street, was the main artery.
Literally translated as ‘Silver Street’ this bustling market area of Old Delhi is good for hunting down new and antique gold and silver jewellery from craftsmen whose forefathers served the emperor. At the 1911 Delhi Durbar, King George V announced that the capital of India was to move from Calcutta to Delhi.
Inaugurated in 1931, the ambitious work of British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, New Delhi is an audacious statement of Imperial British control over India. Today the difference between bustling Old Delhi and the calmer, tree lined avenues of New Delhi is striking.
Chandi Chowk, Delhi
New Delhi – Was planned and built by the British in the 1920’s and is characterized by Sir Edwin Lutyens’ monumental architecture. Driving through the city, with its wide tree lined avenues discover India Gate and the Diplomatic Enclave, the Central Secretariat and the President’s House. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, aptly called the predecessor of the Taj Mahal because of its ornate Mughal style of architecture, later perfected in the Taj Mahal. Finally, see the 12th century Qutab Minar, considered one of the most perfect towers in the world, measuring 72m high. Continue to Connaught Place, New Delhi’s main shopping area and central hub. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi [B].
Day 3
Delhi – Jaipur (265 Kms/5 Hrs)
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Jaipur. Arrive and check-in at hotel. Evening free to relax. Overnight
Day 4
Jaipur
Following breakfast at hotel, excursion to Amber to visit Amber Fort with Elephant ride uphill and jeep ride downhill
Amber Originally the ancient capital of the Kachawahas clan from 1037 the ancient town of Amber, 12km from Jaipur, is dotted with ancient temples, Havelis, and step wells. High above the town and surrounded with defensive fortification walls sits the impressive Amber Palace. Built by Raja Man Singh in the early 17th century it houses mighty gates, temples, huge ornate halls, palaces, pavilions and gardens. Amber Palace is a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture and once at the top the Palace affords excellent views of the surrounding countryside and town below.
The 10-minute walk though a series of five defensive gates will bring you to the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), the main entry to the Palace. As an alternative it is possible to arrive at the Palace on the back of an elephant or drive up by jeep.
Having visited the fort it is also possible to take a guided heritage walk of the often over-looked Amber village. This walk takes in seldom-visited temples, havelis, step wells and a fascinating museum of textiles.
Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Observatory
Pink City – Popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur (City of Victory) is the state capital and largest city of Rajasthan. It was founded by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 and was planned according to Indian ‘Vastu Shastra’ principles. The city was divided into 9 blocks representing the ancient Hindu map of the universe; 2 blocks housed the state buildings and palaces, the other 7 allotted to various public buildings. A fortification wall was built around the city with 7 gates for entry. Originally,
Day 5
Jaipur – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri - Agra [Surface: 250 kms / 5-6 hours]
Following breakfast at hotel, check-out from hotel and transfer by road to Agra en-route visiting Abhaneri Step well and Fatehpur Sikri
Abhneri Step well or The Chand Baori is a stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan.It is one of the largest stepwells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones. Located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, it was built by King Chanda somewhere in the 9th century.
Fatehpur Sikri – Despite having many wives, 26-year old Akbar had no living heir as all his children had died in infancy. Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Sufi saint living in the village of Sikri predicted Akbar would have three sons, and with the birth of Salim, (named after the saint and later known as Jahangir) and in recognition of the saint’s prophecy, Akbar built a new capital at Sikri in his honour. 37km southwest of Agra, this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the Mughal capital from 1571. Due to an ever-increasing population and erratic water supply, the red sandstone city was abandoned in 1585. Fatehpur Sikri, the town of victory, was the Mughals first planned city to feature designs that amalgamated Hindu, Persian and Islamic design. Today, the complex of buildings, including the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas, the Panch Mahal and Jodha Bai’s Palace are perfectly preserved. Inside the Jama Masjid Mosque, completed in 1571 is the stunningly carved white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti.
Fatehpur Sikri, Agra
Today childless couples hoping for a son visit the tomb and in seeking the saints blessing tie a woolen thread to the outer Jali screens. Arrive Agra and check-in at hotel. Overnight
Day 5
Agra - Dholpur (60 Kms/01 hour)
Visit Taj Mahal at sunrise. [Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays]
Taj Mahal – Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1631, the Taj Mahal is described by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as ‘a tear drop on the face of eternity’. Heartbroken by her death, legend has it that Shah Jahan’s hair turned grey overnight and that he turned his back on running the empire, concentrating instead on the construction of this monument to love. Construction took 22 years and the Taj was completed in 1653 at a speculated cost of 3 million rupees, equivalent to around 70 million US Dollars today. Overnight stay at hotel in Agra [B].
Also visit Agra Fort – built in Red sandstone by Emperor Akbar. Afternoon drive to Dholpur and check-in at the most impressive Palace hotel. Overnight
Taj Mahal, Agra
Day 7
Dholpur
Breakfast at hotel. Dholpur is a city in eastern-most parts of the Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Dholpur District and was formerly seat of the Dholpur princely state, before Independence.
Morning enjoy a Chambal Ravine Safari – The steep Chambal river itself offers a pretty natural panorama and making you feel as if history is flowing past you. Your imagination runs wild. You can feel the presence of fierce warriors, daring dacoits and hardened people. However, in spite of all its ruggedness, the Chambal valley has ever been inviting to mankind since time immemorial. While at one end the labyrinths of the valley have been providing shelter to the rebels, on the other hand the pure icy cold water of Chambal river has instilled zeal and vivacity in the natives of this regions.
Bordering with the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the Chambal belt of Northern Madhya Pradesh is full of zigzagged ravines. A journey through this valley reveals great secrets of this old civilization
Technically, ravines are formed when the upper layer of vegetal cover is not strong enough and the roots of trees are unable to hold and bind the soil together. Constant rainfall erodes the soil and washes away the crust of the earth. Consequentially, the water flow turns into drains, creating cracks. In due course of time, these cracks are further eroded, and become large ravines. In Bhind and Moraina districts are high grounds where rainfall, the Chambal River and its tributaries have eroded the land, resulting in huge cracks and valleys. These deep valleys are the Chambal Ravines.
The area we cover in JEEP SAFARI through the ravines Starts with visiting the Shergarh fort. Through the small muddy tracks among the ravines and along the banks of the river, we explore village life through small villages hidden deep into the ravines along the Chambal river. Life is full of hardships as the land available for agriculture is scares. 05 hours safari programme which covers Shergarh fort, Talab e shahi, Nadi Ka tal, Van Vihar and a glimpse into Chambal ravines and village life (visiting Gama village and banks of Chambal)
Late afternoon enjoy a Chambal Boat Safari– -Part of the river was declared National Chambal Sanctuary which was founded in 1978 and is part of a large area of 5,400 kms. co-administered by three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh collectively. Approximately 400 km of the river is within the reserve’s area.The Chambal river remains one of north India’s most unpolluted rivers, home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It contains the rare Ganges River Dolphins the other inhabitants of the sanctuary include Mugger Crocodiles and Migratory Birds from Siberia form its rich avian fauna.
The best way to experience the Chambal Sanctuary is to take a boat safari in Chambal river, experiencing the magnificent Ravines on one side of the bank and happening wildlife on the expanse of the river, the other side. The safari is for one hour (extendable on prorata basis) and your boat escort takes you quite far in to the river bed to experience the natural habitat of Ghariyals, Crocodile, turtles and close to 300 species of resident and migratory birds. Overnight
Day 8
Dholpur - Gwalior (60 Kms/01 Hour)
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Gwalior - Princely state of Scindhia’s. and surrounded by beautiful hills on three sides, Gwalior is studded with numerous monuments. Arrive and check-in at hotel.
Later visit Gwalior Fort, which dominates the city, was built by Suraj Sen in gratitude to ‘Gwalipa’, an ascetic who had cured him from leprosy. Gwalior Fort built by Raja Man Singh Tomar, is one of the biggest and best forts in India, and contains a number of palaces and temples.
Also visit the Jai Vilas Palace and Museum, containing a miniature silver train which cran on rails round the large dining table to serve guests, amazing crystal chandeliers and crystal stair bannisters, as well as more personal mementoes of the Scindia family.
Day 09
Gwalior - Orchha (125 Kms/3 hrs appx)
Morning free to witness Holi – Festival of colors celebrated with great fervor in Northern India. People enjoy throwing colors , water on each other. Afternoon drive to Pushkar and check-in at hotel. Overnight
Orchha – Following breakfast, check-out from hotel and drive to Orchha – The sleepy town of Orchha beside the Betwa River, with its medieval palaces and temples, was once the capital of the Bundela rulers. Captured in stone and frozen in time the rich legacy of this medieval city still remains. The palaces and the temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries still retain much of their pristine perfection. Jahangir Mahal, the most impressive of the three palaces, was built for the Mughal Emperor, synthesizing Muslim and Hindu architectural styles; this 3-storey palace is built around a large central courtyard.Within the Raj Mahal Palace there are beautiful religious and secular paintings. One series is devoted to scenes from the Ramayana. The Ram Raja Temple in the town centre is the only palace-turned-temple in the whole of India where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king.
Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
The imposing Chaturbhuj Temple dominates the town and the 15 Royal Chhattris beside the river house the tombs of the former rulers. In 1783, the Bundela kings moved to Tikamgarh and, subsequently, Orchha, (meaning ‘hidden city’), fell into decline and was shortly abandoned. Arrive and check-in at hotel. Afternoon explore Orchha.
Day 10
Orchha - Khajuraho (160 Kms/4 Hrs
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Khajuraho .On arrival in Khajuraho, check-in at hotel. Evening enjoy Sound and Light show depicting history of temples in Khajuraho. Overnight stay at hotel in Khajuraho.
Day 11
Khajuraho
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Khajuraho .On arrival in Khajuraho, check-in at hotel. Evening enjoy Sound and Light show depicting history of temples in Khajuraho. Overnight stay at hotel in Khajuraho.
Khajura An abundance of date palms (Khajura) in the area may have led to the name of the famous temple town and World Heritage site of Khajuraho. Discovered by British Army engineers in 1839, the complex had been lost for centuries. Out of the original 85 temples, the 20 that survive are amongst the best in India and were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The Chandelas followed a tantric cult and believed that gratification of earthly desire was a step towards spiritual liberation.
The exquisite carvings and erotic sculptures on these magnificent temples reflect an opulent lifestyle free of any inhibitions. The most important temples are the Chaunset Yogini Temple, the Mahadev Temple, and the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple, with its lovely 11-headed image of Vishnu. The Kandaria Mahadev Temple, which is the largest, is dedicated to Shiva. Afternoon free to relax. Overnight
Day 12
Khajuraho - Varanasi(Fly)
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport in time to connect flight for Varanasi.
On arrival in Varanasi, meet and assist at airport and transfer to hote
Dashashwamedh- Evening visit to Dashashwamedh Ghat by boat to witness the evening aarti (prayer) ceremony
One of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi has a uniquely spiritual atmosphere and is one of the holiest places in India. Observing the early morning riverside rituals from a boat on the Ganges is a special experience. See people lost in prayer, washing themselves, doing the laundry. The cycle of life is laid bare in Varanasi and this is particularly evident on the cremation ghats. The evening rituals including the ‘Aarti’ prayer ceremony are magical.
To see hundreds of ghee-candles floating down the river at this time is truly memorable. Temples of note include the Bharat Mata Temple and the Durga Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. Emperor Aurangzeb’s Mosque, the Well of Knowledge and Vishwanath Temple, known as the “Golden Temple” are also worth visiting. Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi [B].
Day 13
Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on River Ganges. Return to hotel for breakfast Following breakfast, morning at leisure
Afternoon excursion to Sarnath[SarnathMusuem is closed on Fridays]
Varanasi – 8km from Varanasi is the holy Buddhist city of Sarnath. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The huge Dhamek Stupa marks the spot where Buddha first preached. The Sarnath Museum has a small but extremely impressive collection of Buddhist artifacts including the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka.Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi
Day 14
Varanasi - Delhi (Fly)
Breakfast at hotel and in time transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight
Day 15
Delhi Dep
Breakfast at hotel (Hotel check-out 1200 hrs) In time transfer to airport to connect flight back home
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