Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
On
arrival you are greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to
your hotel. Bombay is India's most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and
trading centre, Rest of the day is ot leisure.
Day 02 : Mumbai City Tour
Tour Bombay, a rich blend of East and West. An extensive tour of the city
includes the British - built arch "Gateway of India", Bombay
landmark the Hanging Gardens and the affluent community of Malabar Hills,
the stately domed Prince of Wales Museum, with its rich collection of
miniature paintings, ancient sculptures and jade, among the best in India,
Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.
Day 03 : Mumbai / Udaipur
Fly to Udaipur, famous as the "City of Lakes" and known as one of
the most picturesque and romantic cities of India. Transfer to hotel the
world famous Lake Palace hotel, once a royal island retreat and now a
luxurious hotel. It seems to float upon the waters of Lake Pichola. You will
visit city palace with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies and cupolas,
Saheliyon ki Bari or Garden of Maids and the folklore museum where you can
see a presentation of the string puppet show typical to thisarea.
Day 04 : Udaipur /Jaipur
By morning flight. Transfer to hotel. Full day free to explore the city.
Overnight Udaipur.
Day 05 : Amber Fort Excursion And Jaipur City Tour
You
are transported back in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly
draped and painted elephants, into the high mountain fortress of Amber. Once
the capital of royals, the fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture-a
complex of Palaces, temples, exquisite marble and mirror-inlaid halls and
apartments. In the old city, still encircled by a crenulated wall, visit the
Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds", Jaipur's central landmark, from
where royal ladies once watches daily life on the streets below. Explore
city Palace, characterised by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards
and arched entrances.
It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthan costumes, minitures and
an armory of weapons. The restored observatory, orginally built in the
city's early years, first appears as a collection of abstract sculptures,
but is in fact a collection of effective instruments for studying the
heavens. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 06 : Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Drive to Agra, stopping en route to visit the abandoned city of Fatehpur
Sikri. This nearly intact Mughal city is a masterpiece of Muslim
architecture unique in India. Your afternoon tour of Agra, the last Capital
of the Mughal empire in India, includes a visit to 1 6th century Agra Fort
before experiencing the magnificent monument to the memory of love, the Taj
Mahal. Your romantic encounter is further enhanced by the opportunity of
viewing this magnificent edifice in the warm glow of sunset.
Day 07 : Agra / Khajuraho
Optional
visit to the Taj by sunrise this morning. Later, a short flight to Khajuraho
or train & car transfer. The religious and political capital of the
Chandela Dynasty during the 9th to 13th centuries. Although once a splendid
city, today Khajuraho is best known for its amazing Tantric temples built in
the graceful Nagara style of architecture and enveloped with erotic
sculptures the oldest site of its kind int he world. Visit the eastern group
of temples this afternoon. Khajuraho temples are noted for their exquisitely
carved sculptures. The shrines of buff-colored sandstone stand on height
terraces, and every square inch of surface in covered with detailed
sculptures depicting humans and divine beings indulging in literally every
aspects of everyday life.
Day 08 : Khajuraho / Varanasi - Sarnath
Visit the Western group of temples containing the largest and loveliest
temples. Later, you fly to Varonasi (Banaras), the holy city of Indio
located on the sacred Ganges river. From there it's a short drive to Sarnath
- scene of Buddha's first sermon. Visit the museum- one of the most
important in India. See the many stupas, ruins and Mutogandhakuti Vihara,
containing relics found during the early excavations of this buried city.
Day 09 : Varanasi / Kathmandu
An early morning boat ride presents an Incredible scene as multitudes of
devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Pass the bathing
ghats where thousand of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the
Ganges river, and the burning ghats where cremations are conducted. Later,
you are flown to Kathmandu, ancient capital of the mountain kingdom of
Nepal. Your tour today includes exploration of Durbar Square with its
abundance of lovely pagoda -shaped temples, many bazaars and the royal
palace. See the temple of the living Goddess- a young girl worshiped as a
deity by all devout Nepalese. Continue to Bodhnaih to see the largest
Buddhist stupa in the world. At Pashupatinath, view the most sacred of
Nepal's Shiva shrines, located near the holy river Bogmati. This Hindu
temple's twin-roofed pagoda is of gold-gilt-brass, the gateways are
silver-plated. Overnight Kathmandu.
Day 10 : Patan / Bhadgaon
Patan
is the oldest of the three cities of the ancient Kathmandu valley.
Originally founded in the 3rd century, this medieval "City of Beauty"
features hundreds of temples and palaces. The ort and architecture feature
intricate carvings with an interesting mixture of Hindu and Buddhist
influence. Visit the Tibetan refugee camp - actually a mini village, for a
rare chance to observe the deft hand of these skilled artisans and craftsmen
weaving corpets and engaging in other ancient distinctly Tibetan
handicrafts. Later, enjoy a drive though the beautiful countryside to the
primitive city of Bhadgaon, also known as Bhaktapur "City of Devotees".
The Durbar Square includes interesting temples and palaces, the Bell of the
Barking Dogs, the lion Gate, the Picture Gallery and the famous Golden Gate
opening the way to the courtyard of the Palace of 55 windows, topped by the
figure of goddess Kali.
Day 11 : Kathmandu/ Delhi
Arrive today in India's busting capital city of delhi, where you are
greeted with a traditional India welcome.
Day 12 : New & Old Delhi Sight-seeing
Your tour of two cities includes a drive along Rajpath, where you 'II see
sights such as Parliament, the Presidents House, Qutab Minar and India Gate.
Visit colorful Birla Mandir Temple, spectacular Red Fort with its Pearl
Mosque, and exquisite audience halls, The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Ashoka
Pillar and the mile-long Chandni Chowk bazaar completes our tour. Evening
farewell cocktails and bar-be-que at the 150 yrs old Delhi Gymkhana club
next to the Prime-Ministers House. Overnight Delhi.
Day 13 : Depart Delhi
