GEMS OF INDIA NEPAL
VISITING: DELHI - JAIPUR - AMBER - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA - JHANSI - ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO - VARANASI - KATMANDU
Arrive New Delhi.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Check-in time is 12 noon.
Delhi– Delhi as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists. With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of ‘Dilwalas’ or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi. Delhi– a window to the kaleidoscope that is India. From a string of historical monuments to modern commercial centers, Delhi has evolved into an exceptional and dynamic destination offering a wealth of shopping and sightseeing activities. Tourism in Delhi has undergone a sea change in recent times as the city is in the process of a steady makeover.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Old Delhi – having a panoramic view of Red Fort and then visit to Jama Masjid which is considered the biggest in India, Chandni Chowk – a typical Bazaar with narrow lanes and traditional traders Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Afternoon guided city sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting – the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Parliament House, Laxmi Narayan Temple [Birla Mandir, Connaught Place and government buildings.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 03/ DELHI – JAIPUR BY SURFACE (260 kms / 5 hrs)
Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visiting countryside and on arrival transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon guided city sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the Maharaja’s City Palace, the Observatory, the Museum, and the impressive Palace of Winds with the intricate facade carved out of pink sandstone.
Jaipur is about 275 km from Delhi and 250 km from Agra and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavored strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveler.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning guided excursion to fabled Amber Palace situated atop a hill overlooking the city. Amber (pronounced Amber) is situated about 11 kilometres from Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted in the plains to present day Jaipur.
The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort- palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake providing a breathtaking look. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort. Later proceed to Agra enroute visiting countryside and Fatehpur Sikri .Fatehpur Sikri– Twenty-seven miles from Agra, is Akbar’s Capital where Phantoms of ancient pomp and splendor fill a deserted city, silent witnesses to a vanished dream. The capital had to be abandoned by the Emperor for lack of adequate water supply. The marble tomb of the Saint “Salim Chisti” and the Bulland Durwaza, the highest gateway in the world, are some of the highlights of the place. On arrival transfer to your hotel. AGRA – Home of the world-famous TAJ MAHAL, best described as “poetry in marble’, because of its beauty, grace and exquisite workmanship. Also visit AGRA FORT, standing opposite the TAJ on the banks of the Yamuna River, which contains a wealth of palaces and monuments that recall the days of Mughal splendors.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Agra visiting Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Taj Mahal (Close on Friday) stands serene and awesome, on a raised marble platform, by the banks of the Yamuna, testifying to the timelessness of art and love. Its pure white marble shimmers silver in the soft moonlight, exudes a shell – pink glow at dawn, and at the close of the day, takes on the tawny, fiery hue of the majesticsun.Shahjahan built the monument in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the ‘lady of the Taj’. It has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The construction of the Taj commenced in 1631, and was completed in 1653. Workers were gathered from all over the country and from Central Asia, and about 20,000 people were recruited to translate this wild dream into a reality. Among the other monuments that Agra takes pride in is the Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565, under Akbar, and continued till the time of his grandson, Shahjahan. Armed with massive double walls, punctuated by four gateways, the fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens and gracious pavilions within its premises. Among the fascinating structures that are to be found within the fort is the red sandstone Jehangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen, Jodhabai, was one of the earliest constructions illustrating the fort’s change from a military structure to a palace. Overnight at your hotel.
Morning transfer to railway station to board train for Jhansi.
Assistance on arrival and drive to Khajuraho enroute visiting Orchha.
ORCHHA: The history of Orchha is linked with the local Bundela rulers. The Bundela dynasty was founded by one of the local Rajput princes in the 11th century. The main attraction of Orchha is the Orchha fort complex, located on an island on River Betwa, having a number of palaces to visit within it. There are a number of interesting temples to visit in Orchha. The Raja Ram Temple, which was formerly a palace, is an important tourist spot.
On arrival in Khajuraho transfer to hotel.
KHAJURAHO: – once the capital of a powerful dynasty of Hindu kings called the chandelles (959 A.D.) it is today famous for its magnificent temples, considered to be among the most vibrantly original words of Hindu architecture and Sculpture. Visit the western and eastern Group of temples. The temples built by the Chandela dynasty are undeniably the main sightseeing attractions. . The temples are split into three groups: the western group, the eastern group and the southern group. Of these, the western group is perhaps the most notable.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning guided city sightseeing tour visiting the Eastern and Western temples. The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. is India’s unique gift of love to the world. Khajuraho is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which can be found in abundance in the area. The divine sculptures in these temples are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose reign, these temples were constructed. Overnight at your hotel.
Morning transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Varanasi.
Assistance on arrival in Varanasi and straight drive to Sarnath.
Sarnath – Sarnath- the buried Buddhist city-seven miles from Varanasi where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon in the quietness of Deer Park and set the “Wheel of Law,” is where you will visit the Sarnath Museum with the Ashoka Pillar.
Later drive back to Varanasi and transfer to your hotel.
Varanasi (also known as Banaras) is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in the city, is to attain instant salvation. Situated on the banks of the Ganga, Varanasi is the tract of Holy Land lying between the rivers Varuna and Assi. Which flow into Ganga. Varanasi is also known as Kashi, the city of light, since of the twelve “Jyotirlinga” is installed here.
Evening enjoy Rikhshaw Ride and witness Aarti at banks of river Ganges.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 09 / VARANASI – KATHMANDU (BY AIR)
Early morning boat ride on the Holy Ganges to view the religious activity at the bathing ghats for an insight into the cultural background of India. It provides an absorbing spectacle of thousands of Hindus engaged in their ritual bathing. Visits ghats and temples on the bank of the river.
Later transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Kathmandu.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Kathmandu– The very name conjures up images of snow-covered peaks, snake charmers and mountaineers, holy men and sacred cows. Perhaps no other city on earth has seemed so mysterious. This city, capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, lies in a wide valley hidden behind a wall of nearly impenetrable mountains. The sudden influx of modernity and tourists has made for some interesting and eye-catching contrasts in this Himalayan Shangri-La. Kathmandu Valley is dotted with countless shrines, temples, palace squares, charming old bazaars and ageless sculptures. Very much the abode of Lord Shiva and Gautama Buddha, a patron saint of the Sikhs has also walked here.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Kathmandu – The capital of the mountain Kingdom of Nepal is situated in a valley at an altitude of 4,550 feet above sea level and is surrounded by the lofty peaks of the world’s highest mountains. Visit to Hanuman Dhoka which is the traditional seat of Royalty in Nepal, Pasupatinath, the temple built in Pagoda style, Kastha Mandap, and interesting temple in wood, Bodhnath and Asan Tole, a typical Nepalese market place.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning guided excursion to PATAN: The city of grace and fine arts situated across the river Bagmati. The ancient city a storehouse of medieval art and architecture with many Hindu and Buddhist temples, all elaborately carved and ornamented. It is also Nepal’s city of arts and crafts where artisans continue their traditional handiwork in wood and a variety of metals
Afternoon guided excursion to Bhatgaon: Earlier known as Bhaktapur, is the home of medieval art and architecture containing creations of sculptures, woodcarvings and colossal pagodas. It is a city of devotees, which breathes an air of mystery. Its haunting impressions of the Old World are left unspoiled by the psychedelic civilization of today.
Overnight at your hotel.
Morning transfer to the airport in time to board flight for onward destination. Check-out time is 12 noon.
Red Fort = USD 5
Humayun’s Tomb = USD 5
Qutub Minar = USD 5
Taj Mahal = USD 15
Agra Fort = USD 6
Orchha fort = USD 5
Eastern & Western Temple (Kajuraho) = USD 5
KTM Durbar Square = USD 11
Bodnath = USD 2
Pashupatinath = USD 11
Patan City = USD 6
Bon Voyage |
Note: all the above arrangements are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. |