Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
A company representative from
TNS will receive you at the international airport in Delhi and transfer you at your hotel, where you will check in for overnight stay. You can relax here on this day to overcome jet lag and be refreshed for the next day.
Delhi is the second-largest metropolitan city in India and the eighth largest city in the world by population. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, Delhi has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BC and has played an important role in Indian history as a major political, cultural and commercial center since the days of Delhi Sultanate. There are many ancient, medieval and modern monuments and landmarks at Delhi that are worth a visit.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi
After a luxurious breakfast in the morning, you are all set to see the wonders of Old and New Delhi. The highlights of the tour will be
Raj Ghat, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, India Gate, the Parliament, the Rastrapathi Bhawan or the President's House, and the Lotus Temple.
You will notice that the narrow lanes of Old Delhi still buzz with the Mughal-era traditions and culture while New Delhi clearly has European-like setting and a city plan that is a legacy of the British Raj period in India.
In the evening, you will enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA show before retiring to your hotel for the night.
Day 03: Delhi – Jodhpur
By Air
Flight : 9W 3311
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1205 hr
Arrival : 1325 hr
Morning is free on this day and you are at leisure to relax and enjoy the comforts of your hotel or go to Janpath to strike some good bargains. In the afternoon, you will go to the domestic airport, where you will catch a flight to Jodhpur, the Blue City known mainly for its massive
Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India and the
Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Set on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur beckons tourists with legends of medieval chivalry and valour of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. You will check in at a hotel for overnight stay, as soon as you reach Jodhpur.
In the evening, you will be served Thali Dinner – traditional Indian dinner served in North Indian utensils used locally. The ideal of a thali is to tantalize all your senses with great aroma, beautiful visual appeal, and wholesome and delicious food that you will love. The cooks who prepare these dinners are typically from families who have been in the same profession for generations and use old and authentic recipes to prepare each of the dishes they serve.
Overnight, you will stay at Jodhpur.
Day 04: Jodhpur – Jaisalmer
By Road 330 km/6 hr
You will have breakfast at the hotel and then proceed on a sightseeing tour of the city, including
Jaswant Thada – the Taj Mahal of Marwar.
You will then proceed to Jaisalmer – the Golden City, founded in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, who is believed to be the remote descendant of Lord Krishna, who was the head of the Yadav clan.
You will have your dinner at the famous NARAIN NIWAS PALACE ROOF TOP RESTAURANT that has the living fort of Jaisalmer as its backdrop. You will check in at a hotel for overnight stay in the city.
Day 05: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, you will go on a full-day guided tour of the city perched on top of the Trikuta Hills. Made up of golden-yellow sandstone, the famous
Jaisalmer Fort here is often referred to as the Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort. It has the distinction of being the Oldest Living Fort in the World. You will also see mansions of wealthy merchants known for their incredible frescoes and distinctive carvings such as
Patwon-Ki-Haveli, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Nathmal-ki-Haveli.
The trip also includes the
Gandhi Sagar Tank, Barabagh Hill and the gorgeous sunset view at
Sam Sand Dunes. The camel-ride in the desert, as the massive sand mounds change their shapes and colors with the direction of the winds and position of the sun in the sky, seems mesmerizing.
You will camp at the dunes in the night. You will stay in Swiss tents and an exciting bonfire party will be arranged where you will be treated to a delicious dinner and beautiful performances by local artists. You will also get to hear the authentic desert music here known for its haunting strains.
Day 06: Jaisalmer – Udaipur
By Air
Flight : IT 2332
Airline : Kingfisher Airlines
Departure : 1200 hr
Arrival : 1400 hr
After a traditional Rajasthani breakfast at the desert camp, you will drive to Udaipur, where you will check in at a hotel for overnight stay.
One of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan, Udaipur is like an oasis in the desert with its lush greenery, crystal clear lakes and a backdrop of ARAVALLI HILLS. Udaipr was once considered the Jewel of Mewar, a kingdom ruled by Sisodias for 1200 years.
In the evening, you will go on an evening launch cruise on
Lake Pichola, which offers you an opportunity to see one of the most enticing sights where its water reflect splendid beauty of island palaces and temples that seem to have sprung straight out of Arabian Nights. (The cruise is subject to the level of water in the lake and rainfall the area gets during monsoons.)
The boat ride offers panoramic views of the city. You can also visit the island temple known as the
Jag Mandir Palace situated in the middle of the lake, where you can spend some time.
Day 07: Udaipur
After the breakfast at the hotel, you will go for a guided sightseeing tour of the city of Udaipur, which will include the majestic
City Palace, the beautiful landscaped gardens of
Sahelion-ki-Bari, the
Jagdish Temple and the local
Folk Museum or the
VINTAGE CAR Museum.
The dinner will be served at one of the most romantic places on earth – the
Lake Palace of Udaipur situated on a beautiful green island on Lake Pichola.
You will stay at Udaipur for the night.
Day 08: Udaipur – Pushkar
By Road 200 km/5 hr
This day will take you to Pushkar, the small peaceful and quiet town with a large presence on the pilgrimage tourism map of India. The sacred
Pushkar Lake with its several bathing ghats and temples attract several of Hindu devotees and sages every year who come here to take a dip in the holy waters and absolve their sins. It is believed that the lake was formed when the Lotus Flower of Lord Brahma fell from his hands and fell to this place when he was thinking about where to take up an abode on Earth.
It is believed that the pilgrimage to Four Holy Destinations, a must-visit for every devout Hindu, is not complete until one bathes in the Pushkar Lake. Pushkar offers you an opportunity to see the underlying traditional waft and warp of a Hindu society. You will check in at a hotel near the lake for overnight stay to get the best view of whatever goes on in the city in due course. In the evening, you will enjoy sunset views during a camel cart ride and dine at the famous Sunset Café.
Day 09: Pushkar – Jaipur
By Road 156 km / 3 hr
After breakfast, you will go on a quick morning tour of the town, especially the famous
Brahma Temple, believed to be the only consecrated temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the world.
You will then proceed to Jaipur, the Capital of Rajasthan, where you will check in at a hotel for overnight stay.
Known for its warm hospitality and strong royal influence visible in every aspect of life, Jaipur has a tremendous presence on the world tourism map. One of the three cities of the famed Gold Triangle tourist circuit of North India, Rajput rulers of Jaipur made sure that the city enjoyed peace and prosperity most of the time and patronized all forms of art and architecture. Mughal influences can be seen in some of the later palaces and buildings in the city; and the Pink Color became the official color of the city when Prince Albert visited Jaipur.
In the evening, you will visit the
Birla Temple, where you will attend the AARTI ceremony.
Day 10: Jaipur
One of the highlight of the tours, you will begin the day with a delicious breakfast and then proceed to
Amber Fort, where you will ride royally on a caparisoned elephant up the ascent of the hill to reach the fort palace complex. You will also see the
City Palace,
Jantar Mantar or the Royal Observatory, and
Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds.
You can explore the city markets in the afternoon at leisure. Colorful bazaars of Jaipur are known for gold and silver jewellery, precious stones, blue pottery, tie and dye fabrics, Rajasthani Lehengas, local handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight, you will stay at Jaipur.
Day 11: Jaipur – Agra
By Road 221 km/6 hr
After breakfast at the hotel in Jaipur, you will move on to the climax of the tour or the most popular tourist destination of India – Agra, the City of Taj Mahal. Enroute, you will visit
Fatehpur Sikri.
Agra was once the capital of Mughals and the most prominent monuments of the city belong to Mughal era. The narrow streets still buzz with Mughal heritage and have an irresistible old world charm. At Agra, you will check in at a hotel for overnight stay. You will have a free evening to roam around the city and see what the markets have to offer. Miniatures of Taj Mahal are quite popular among foreigners who buy them as souvenirs or gifts for their loved ones.
Day 12: Agra - Gwalior
By Road 125 km/3 hr
In the morning, you will have an early breakfast followed by a quick sightseeing tour of the city, which includes the marble wonder
Taj Mahal, Sikandra, Agra Fort and
Itmad-ud-Daullah’s Tomb or the Baby Taj.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Gwalior, where you will check in at a beautiful palace hotel for overnight stay.
Gwalior was founded in 8th century by a chieftain known as Suraj Sen, in the honor of Saint Gwalipa who cured him of a deadly disease. In due course of time, many great dynasties ruled the city such as the Pratihasas, Kachwahas and Tomars, who left their indelible impressions in its monuments, temples, museums and cultural traditions. The memorials of famous freedom fighters of India such as Tatya Tope and Rani of Jhansi can also be seen at Gwalior.
You can celebrate New Year eve in style by enjoying spa at the palace, before proceeding to the SOUND & LIGHT SHOW at the Gwalior Fort. The dinner will be served in a royal setting on the terrace of the palace you are staying in.
Day 13: Gwalior
Enjoy the full-day sightseeing tour of the ancient Gwalior city on this day, which includes
Gwalior Fort, Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu ka Mandir, Jai Vilas Palace, Sun Temple, Ghaus Mohammed's Tomb, and Sarod Ghar.
You will spend the night at the palace hotel you are staying in.
Day 14: Gwalior – Jhansi
By Train
Train Name : Bhopal Shatabdi Express
Train No. : 2002
Departure : 0932 hr
Arrival : 1048 hr
Jhansi – Khajuraho
By Road 175 km/4 hr
You will go to Khajuraho, the second most popular tourist destination in India, on this day. You will take a train to Jhansi in the morning and then drive up to Khajuraho, visiting Orchha enroute.
Orchha Fort is 12 kms from Jhansi and was once the stronghold of Bundela Rajputs. Surrounded by a moat and forbidding and imposing walls, the fort complex is known for beautiful palaces and temples belonging to 16th and 17 century. Situated on the banks of River Betwa, the town is known for Chhatris built to commemorate its erstwhile rulers. You will have your lunch in the fort complex.
Known for its ornate temples sporting sensual and erotic sculptures,
Khajuraho is in Madhya Pradesh. The legendary Khajuraho Dance Festivals represents what the temples are all about – celebration of womanhood and sensuous beauty. It is believed that temples are one of the earliest examples of sex education for newly married couples. The temples have been designed in a manner to lead eyes from ground level upward until you look straight to heaven.
At Khajuraho, you will check in at a hotel for overnight stay. Before retiring for the night, you will witness the SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW that narrates about the history of Khajuraho.
Day 15: Khajuraho – Varanasi
By Air
Flight : 9W 724
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 1330 hr
Arrival : 1410 hr
After breakfast, you will go on a morning tour of the famous
Khajuraho Temples.
In the afternoon, you will fly to Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities of the world, where you will check in at a hotel for overnight stay.
One of the ancient seats of spiritual learning, Varanasi is also known as Benares or Kashi. It is a prominent pilgrimage place in Hinduism and is believed to have been founded by Lord Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath Temple here enshrines one of the twelve jyotirlingas. Situated on the banks of river Ganges, the banks of Varanasi with thousands of devotees taking a dip in the holy waters and temples built in tiers as the backdrop cut a pretty picture. Varanasi is also known for the advanced levels of music, arts, crafts, literature and education. Benarasi silk sarees and brocades are a must have for every Indian bride and are cherished as collector’s items across the world today.
As soon as you visit Varanasi, you will go on a day excursion to Sarnath, just 5 miles from Varanasi. One of the holiest Buddhist sites, it is at the deer park at Sarnath that the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon in 590 BC. A pillar was erected by Emperor Asoka to commemorate the site. You can also see the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery here along with a museum famous for its rich collection of some of the best sculptures of Buddha and other Buddhist relics.
Don’t forget to visit the excellent Spice Market here, where you can learn how to verify the quality of different Indian spices. You will have dinner at your hotel in Varanasi.
Day 16: Varanasi
You will start quite early in the morning on this day. Before dawn, you will leave for Daswamedh Ghat where cremations take place 24X7. There, you will take
boat ride (at 0500 hrs) on the sacred river Ganges to witness the exotic scene of distinctive culture, traditions and rituals of Hindus that unfolds with the rising sun. At one hand, you can see the death rites of people who wish to be cremated at the Ghats of Varanasi as they believe that it will allow them a direct entry to the Paradise; and on the other hand, you see thousands of devotees chanting hymns and mantras and offering prayers to Sun God and River Ganges. You will also see the marketplace, which becomes a beehive of activity by the time you return to the hotel for breakfast.
You will then, proceed on a full-day guided tour of the city which includes the
Bharat Mata Temple; the 18th century Durga Temple or the
Monkey Temple; the
Tulsi Manas Temple; and the Art Gallery and the Aurangzeb’s Tomb in the campus of
Benares Hindu University (BHU), the biggest residential university in Asia.
You will spend the night at your hotel in Varanasi.
Day 17: Varanasi – Delhi
By Air
Flight : IC 805
Airlines : Indian Airlines
Departure : 1530 hr
Arrival : 1645 hr
This is the last day of your trip and you have morning at leisure. You will fly to Delhi in the afternoon, where you can indulge in LAST MINUTE SHOPPING at Janpath and Palika Bazaar. You will check in at a hotel where you can relax and be comfortable. We will treat you to a FAREWELL DINNER and then, our company representative will transfer you to the airport, in time for your flight to onward destination. We wish you a safe and happy journey to home.
TOUR ENDS
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
- DAILY BREAKFASTS AT HOTELS,
- SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
- ALL TOURS AND TRANSFERS IN AC PRIVATE SUV,
- ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE FOR ALL MENTIONED TOURS,
- RICKSHAW RIDE AT OLD DELHI,
- SARNATH EXCURSION AT VARANASI,
- SUNRISE GANGES CRUISE IN VARANASI,
- EVENING AARTI IN GANGES GHATS AT VARANASI,
- SOUND & LIGHT SHOW AT KHAJURAHO,
- LUNCH AT ORCHHA,
- FIRST CLASS RAIL TRAVEL FOR MENTIONED SECTOR,
- SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW AT GWALIOR FORT,
- ELEPHANT RIDE TO AMBER FORT AT JAIPUR,
- CAMEL SAFARI TO THE DUNES AT JAISALMER,
- BISHNOI VILLAGE VISIT IN JODHPUR,
- BOAT RIDE IN UDAIPUR WITH A VISIT TO JAG MANDIR,
- ALL EXCURSIONS AS MENTIONED,
- ALL MONUMENT ENTRANCE FEES,
- ASSISTANCE AT THE AIRPORTS ON ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE,
- ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES AND
- ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES.
Please note that only lunches and dinners are not included (except where mentioned in the inclusion list) along with personal expenses and camera, etc. fees, tips, (if any) at places where applicable. All hotels are subject to availability and all flights are subject to confirmation. Domestic airfare is a part of the tour cost.
