Tuesday, 03rd March 2015 -Day 07: Varanasi / Khajuraho by flight
Today we are transferred to the airport in Varanasi in time to take our flight to Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho, we are transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon we explore the Khajuraho Group of Monuments* The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belonging to the religions of Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temples are decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. Overnight: Hotel in Khajuraho (1 Night)
Wednesday, 04th March 2015 -Day 08: Khajuraho / Jhansi / Agra (Drive & Train# 12001–Shatabadi, Dep:-17:59 Hrs, Arr:- 20:30 Hrs)
In the morning we drive to Orchha to visit this amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. The fort consists of several connected buildings erected at different times, the most noteworthy of which are the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal. We continue to the Railway Station in Jhansi to take our express train to Agra. Shatabdi Express trains are fully air-conditioned and travelers enjoy complimentary meals and seating comparable to business class on airlines. On arrival in Agra, we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Agra (2 Nights)
Thursday, 05th March 2015 – Day 09: Agra
We start our day with a visit to one of the most well-known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal*. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage. Situated on the right bank of the Yamuna in a vast Mogul garden, this funerary monument combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture.
We then visit Agra Fort*. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. We end our tour with a visit to some of the local factories famous for inlay work on marbles and witness the complex art inlaying precious and semiprecious stones on the world famous Marbles for the mines of Makrana. (B)
Friday, 06th March 2015 – Day 10: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri/ Jaipur (Drive: 245 Km/ 6 Hours)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we continue on a countryside drive to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan. Overnight: Hotel in Jaipur (2 Nights)
Saturday, 07th March 2015 -Day 11: Jaipur
This morning we are treated like the royalty of yesteryear with an elephant ride to Amber Fort*, located in a valley formed by a range of Aravallis known as Kalikho hills. The Palace and Fort are located on top of the hill with the city on slopes, and the valley protected by fort walls with four gates in the four cardinal directions. The construction of the fort began in 1592. It shows the evolution from the purely defensive fort settlements of the early medieval period to the palace fortress type of architecture typified in the 16th century. This palace fortress was never attacked or invaded. The fort comprises of number of gardens, courtyards and palatial spaces derived from Mughal architecture and are a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. We return to Jaipur and experience the art of CARPET WEAVING & BLOCK PRINTING.
Later we visit the majestic City Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art and the beautiful Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. We also visit the Jantar Mantar*, an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century that includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. It is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period. The evening is free to enjoy both shopping and the cultural experience in the bazaars. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. (B)
Sunday, 08th March 2015 – Day 12: Jaipur / Delhi (Drive: 260 Km/ 6 Hours)
Today we drive to Delhi. After a memorable journey through incredible India, we are transferred to the airport for your departure homebound.
* Denotes a UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited on this tour:
• Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Amber Fort- Jaipur
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Khajuraho Temples
• The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Cost $895.00, per person twin share (4* hotels – Ramada Inn & Clarke’s)
Cost $1020.00, per person twin share (5* hotels – Taj & ITC)
Single supplement $250.00 (4*) & $375.00 (5* hotels)
***Please note, Varanasi-Khajuraho airfare will be adjusted with Varanasi-Delhi airfare which is given in main tour cost***
