Day 01: Mumbai
You will arrive in India via flight to Mumbai, the seat of Hindi Cinema known as Bollywood. City of Dreams, Mumbai is the financial and commercial capital of India. People from all over India flock to Mumbai to find their place in the glamour world or commercial success. A company representative from TNS will give you a warm traditional welcome at the airport in the typical Indian style, complete with garlands and tilak.
Your room will be pre-booked at the luxury hotel The Oberoi, where you will be offered free welcome drinks as soon as you check in. The company representative will tell you all the itinerary details once again, offer you all the available options, and suggest additional activities and thrills that you can try to make your tour more enjoyable. You can also indicate your preferences at this time, make queries or request final changes to your trip. Whatever is discussed at this stage may be incorporated in your trip and you will be informed about any extra costs that you might have to bear. Rest of the day is free for you to overcome jetlag and relax after the tiring journey.
Day 02: Mumbai
This is a busy day. You will be served an early breakfast and then you will go on a half-day excursion to the 6th century Elephanta Caves. Superb examples of Indian rock-cut architecture, these caves are handmade and one of the earliest examples of finesse of the ancient culture of India. You will return to Mumbai by afternoon, where you will take lunch and then proceed on a quick tour of the other landmarks of the seaside city.
The Victoria Terminus railway station is one of the finest examples of European architecture while the Gateway of India has become an emblem of the city. The Flora Fountain, the Hanging Gardens, and the Prince of Wales Museum are other highlights that are quiet famous here. However, nothing can match the colorful celebration and jubilation of life at the famous Chowpatti Beach where Mumbaikers flock alone or with their families to spend a fun-filled evening. The ongoing carnival at the beach includes roadside snacks such as the famous Bhelpuri, swings, sand and sea.
Day 03: Mumbai - Aurangabad (By Air, Usual Time Taken: 45 minutes)
A delicious breakfast will be served at Mumbai, before you check out of the hotel and take the flight to Aurangabad from the domestic airport. At Aurangabad, you will see the Daulatabad Fort, remarkable for its ingenious defense systems. Standing on a conical hill, the fortress has 50-meter vertical sides that were so hewn as a safety measure against any attempts by the enemy to scale its walls. A narrow bridge only wide enough to accommodate two people abreast is the only entry point to its summit. Access gallery has steep stairs with a grating on top where a huge fire could be lit in the times of war. The city became especially famous because of the silly ideal of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, the then Emperor of Delhi, to move its capital here with all his subjects forcefully. The long journey resulted in many deaths and the remaining subjects were again ordered to march back to Delhi because of the scarcity of water in the region.
Other allure of Aurangabad is the famous Ajanta & Ellora Caves. Considered to be the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage, the caves were rediscovered by John Smith while he was hunting in the area in 1819. It has now been designated as a World Heritage Site. In the evening, you will check in at The Taj Residency for overnight stay.
Day 04: Aurangabad - Mumbai - Jaipur (By Air, Usual Time Taken: 2 hrs)
After witnessing the beauty of the ancient rock-cut architecture, it’s time to see the beautiful palaces and monuments of Rajasthan that bear testimony to the subdued grandeur of the Rajput rulers. This day will however be spent mostly in travel, as you will go to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, via inter-transit flight at Mumbai. At Jaipur, you will check in at the Oberoi Raj Villas.
Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City and the legend behind the association of the color with the city tells about the strict traditions of hospitality here. It is said that once Price of Wales was visiting the city in the days of the British Raj period. Some revolutionary tried to insult him by shouting that he was a pink-faced monkey as he was being honored as the royal guest. He was naturally infuriated and the then ruler of Jaipur tried to appease him by saying that pink color and monkeys are considered sacred in India. Secretly, he gave orders to paint the city in subdued pink overnight. When the Prince of Wales woke up in the morning and saw pink houses everywhere, he accepted the apology as a true one. Ever since then, the old city of Jaipur has maintained pink as its color of identity.
Day 06: Jaipur
You will be served a finger licking breakfast early in the morning so that you can commence your guided sightseeing tour of the city in time. The first thrill of the Day is riding an ornate elephant, considered regal by the locals, to the majestic Amber Fort. The delicate filigree and window screens, strong use of Rajput motifs and architectural style and magnificence of its monuments, temples and palaces speak volumes about the aesthetics of the Rajputana. Other landmarks that you will visit are
Hawa Mahal with its natural air-conditioning system, Jantar Mantar with its large masonry astronomy instruments, and the City Palace complex that still houses the erstwhile royalty.
Foreign tourists love the evening at Jaipur, when they visit the rug factory and can see ladies weaving creative intricate designs and the gem factory where artisans work with unwavering focus and precision to cut and polish the gems in the correct manner. Elaborate procedures at the gem factory ensure the safety of artisans and the premium quality of gems it produces.
Day 07: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (Distance by Road: 235 km, Usual Time Taken: 5 hrs + 2 hours for touring Fatehpur Sikri)
After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and proceed to Agra, famous for Taj Mahal. En-route, you will visit the Fatehpur Sikri, the dream city of Emperor Akbar. Extremely well planned and with several unique architectural features, the city was built in the honor of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The Buland Darwaza was the Royal Entrance of the main structure that leads straight to the Dargah of Salim Chisti and a pool to perform oblations. Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of Public was used to deliver justice to the subjects while Diwan-I-Khas or the Private Hall was used to greet special personages and royal guests. The queen’s quarters are even more interesting and integrated different motifs and architectural features to represent Akbar’s secular nature. Panch Mahal or Rani Jodha Bai’s Mahal is the best palace here.
At Agra, you will check in at the Oberoi Amar Vilas, where all your needs will be catered to.
Day 08: Agra
One of the most exciting Days of your luxury tour, today you
will see some of the most wonderful architectural relics that
set new standards at the time they were built.
Taj
Mahal, of course, is unparalleled to this day. The clever
use of optical illusion and perfect symmetry all over the
complex is amazing. Perhaps the most well photographed monument
ever, Taj never ceases to surprise the viewers with its change
of color with the position of the sun during the course of
the day and change of weather. It presents a multitude of
opportunities to click for photography enthusiasts. The use
of semi-precious and precious stones in the inlaid stonework
in pure white marble, the massive double dome of Taj, the
strategically placed fountains and the surrounding gardens
are maintained and preserved well for the benefit of the tourists.
Agra
Fort may not match Taj in the architectural splendor but
it still has several notable features. The carved brackets
and ornate ceilings lure foreign tourists to tour the entire
fort, older than the Red Fort of Delhi by almost a century.
Here, you can see the room where Emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned
in his last days that offered a beautiful view of Taj. Other
highlight of the city is the Itmad-ud-Daullah’s tomb,
often known as Baby Taj or the Jewel Box because of the intricate
tile work and rare perfection that bears testimony to the
creativity of Empress Noor Jehan who built the structure in
the memory of her father. You may shop for Taj miniatures
and other handicraft items in the evening before retiring
for the night.
Day 09: Agra - Jhansi (By Train, Usual Time Taken: 4 hrs) Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho (Distance by Road: 170 km, Usual Time Taken: 4 hrs)
Feast on a royal breakfast before you check out of the hotel at Agra and go to Jhansi by train. At Jhansi, you will visit the Orchha Fort complex, once the stronghold of the Bundela Rajputs. The hill fortress came into limelight when Rani Laxmibai decided to revolt against the oppressions of the British. The tales of valor of the queen are sung and enacted by the local artists to this day. The rugged beauty of the fort has several interesting legends attached to it.
You will have lunch at the famous Orchha Palace before you continue your journey to Khajuraho, the second hottest tourist destination in India after Taj Mahal. Here, you will check in at Hotel Chandela.
Day
10: Khajuraho
You will be served a breakfast of your choice before you set out on a guided tour of the Western & Eastern temples of Khajuraho. Believed to have been constructed between 950 to 1150 A.D., these temples are quite ancient and have several beautiful sculptures adoring the place. However, the erotic sculptures got most of the media attention, as it is perhaps the only sacred place where sex is depicted in such a raw form. Some critics believe that temples were built to impart sex education to the newlyweds. Lost in the forest for several areas, the temples remained the place of worship for the local tribes until they were rediscovered by the modern world in the 18th century. There is a Light and Sound show in the evening too.
Day 11: Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air, Usual Time Taken: 40 minutes)
After breakfast, you will catch the flight to the Holy City of Varanasi, with a history that is more than 3000 years old. Situated on the bank of River Ganges, it is one of the oldest and most prominent Hindu pilgrimage cities. As soon as you alight the flight, you will be driven to Sarnath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage place nearby, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. The various stupas, the Ashok Pillar, the Sarnath Archeological Museum and the Buddhist temples of typical styles of Japan, Myanmar, Tibet and Thailand are the highlights of the city.
You will return to Varanasi in the evening and check in at The Gateway Hotel - Ganges.
Day 12: Varanasi
The best time and way to see the unique culture and traditions of the city of Varanasi is to opt for the early morning boat ride that commences with the first ray of the sun at Daswamedha Ghat. As you sail across the sacred river Ganga, you will be able to see how devout Hindus offer their prayers to the River Goddess and the Sun God and perform oblations alongside the cremations that take place at various sites considered to be the direct gateway to the paradise.
In Hinduism, life and death are considered two sides of the same coin and spirit is said to be eternal that goes through the cycle of life and death until it learns how to be one with God. Varanasi is the seat of Hinduism and depicts its philosophy in the daily lifestyle and cultural traditions of the place. The scene will leave you ecstatic and sober. You will, then, be driven back to the hotel for breakfast and then, you will again leave on a guided sightseeing tour to the other highlights of the city such as the famous controversial Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Gyanvapi Mosque complex, and the extensive premises of Benaras Hindu University. You can visit other Ghats of Varanasi in the evening, each with its own historical legends and mythological significance.
Day 13: Varanasi - Delhi (By Air, Usual Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes)
As the previous day has been long and tiring, this day has purposefully been kept light. After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and take the flight to Delhi, the capital of India and the final destination of your luxury tour. At Delhi, you will check in at The Imperial or The Oberoi, where you can relax and spend your day meditating on the profound evidence of the universal appeal, old world charm, simplistic and pure-minded people and deep spirituality that resonates the city of Varanasi.
Day 14: Delhi
You are advised to opt for a light breakfast at the hotel
before you proceed to the exciting sightseeing tour of Old
and New Delhi. The company representative from TNS will take
you to the
Red
Fort where the tricolor flag was first unfurled by Jawaharlal
Nehru when India got its independence; the biggest mosque
of India built by Emperor Shah Jehan -
Jama
Masjid; the vast precincts of Birla Temple with several
noteworthy architectural delights such as carved brackets
and marble pavilions; the cremation ground of the Father of
Nation Mahatama Gandhi - Raj Ghat, and Chandni Chowk in Old
Delhi, Asia’s oldest and biggest market, where you can
enjoy a ride in the rickshaw and distinctive delicacies. Delhi
has the reputation of being the city of foodies and shopping
enthusiasts. You can find some rare pieces and excellent bargains
in the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk. Have lunch here before
you go on to see the landmarks of New Delhi such as the
Qutub
Minar, the
India
Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan, and the
Lotus
Temple.
In the evening, you will be treated to a bouquet of Indian dance forms, which include classical and folk dance performances, at Dances Of India Show that starts at 18:45 hrs. Before retiring for the night, you will be treated by the company representative to a lavish farewell dinner.
Day 15: Delhi
Late at night or early morning, you will be transferred to the International Airport of Delhi late, in time for your flight to home.
TOUR ENDS
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
- DAILY BREAKFAST AT HOTEL
- SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,,
- ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES
- PRIVATE CAR WITH DRIVER
- CHANDNI CHOWK RICKSHAW RIDE
- ELEPHANT SAFARI IN JAIPUR
- BATTERY VAN RIDE IN AGRA
- LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW IN KHAJURAHO
- BOAT RIDE ON SACRED RIVER GANGES
- ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES
- ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES,
- ONE FAREWELL DINNER FROM TNS GROUP.
EXCLUDES:
Lunches and dinners are not included (except where mentioned in the inclusion list) along with personal expenses, camera, etc. tips, (if any) at places where applicable. All hotels are subject to availability and all flights are subject to confirmation. Airfare is included in the tour price. It is not separate.
