Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days Places Covered: - - Khajuraho - - Gwalior - - - Pushkar - - -

Day 01: Arrive Delhi Arrive at Delhi international airport. After warm receiving and greeting by our representative transfer to hotel for check-in. Delhi a bustling , and the capital city of , successfully combines in its folds the ancient times with modern times. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud- din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad. Later in first half of 20th century much of was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles. Rest of the day at leisure or walk around the city by your own. Over Night stay at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi After Breakfast, we will visit the city. Visit “Old Delhi” with its narrow dirt roads, its myriad people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. The first stop is Raj , the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi), The “Father of the nation”. Drive past the , the red sandstone walled fort made in Mughal era by Emperor Shah Jahan. We end up at the Jama Masjid, the largest Muslim mosque in India. Also enjoy Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the oldest marketplace of the city. Afternoon, enjoy the sightseeing tour of New Delhi.

Subsequently drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (President palace), adjoining Government Buildings, Parliament house and drive through Rajpath, the royal street of New Delhi. Visit India Gate The war memorial arch, India Gate, was built by the British in the honor of the 70000 Indian soldiers, who lost their lives in the First World War and Second Afghan War. Afterwards, visit Qutab Minar is built in Indo- Islamic style and has five stories. It is one of the highest stone towers in India and has a diameter of about 14.32 meters/47 feet at the base and about 2.75 meters/9 feet the top. Humayun’s Tomb, built by the orders of Humayun’s widow, Hamida Banu Begum, starting in 1562. It took 8 years for the tomb to get completed. The structure is built with red sandstone, whereas white and black marble has been used largely in the borders. Come back to the Hotel . Over Night stay at Delhi

Day 03: Delhi –Varanasi (By air) Morning after Breakfast Transfer to the Airport on Arrival at Varansi, The city of Lord on the bank of the sacred river is one of the holiest places in India. Hindu pilgrims come to bathe in the waters of the Ganges. It is also a favorable place to die, since expiring here ensures release from the cycle of rebirths and an instant passport to heaven. Earlier it has been known as Kashi and Banaras, but its present name is a restoration of an ancient name meaning the city between two rivers Varuna and Asi. Varanasi’s principal attraction is the long string of which line the western bank of the Ganges. There are more than 100 Ghats in Varanasi. Later after some rest drive to , which is 10 Km northeast from Varanasi. At Sarnath visit the various Stupas created by King Ashoka of Maurya dynasty. Also visit the famous place where Buddha gave his first Sermons. Over Night stay at Hotel.

Day 04: Varanasi Today we start our day with a Boat ride on the river Ganges. Rise before dawn & step gingerly in the boat as the boatman starts rowing the boat. Witness the daily miracle to unfold, as the Sun appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches & temple bells add to the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas (hymns) now rise, in one voice, to a crescendo of unparalleled piety & joy. Return hotel for Breakfast, then proceed for a city tour. Visit to Vishwanath Temple (one of the name of Lord Shiva) Bharatmata Temple. (Dedicated to nation India, whom worships as “Mother”) and New Vishwanath Temple (Popularly known as Golden Temple of Varanasi). Later drives pass the famous . In the evening spend time in one of those Ghats for panoramic view of “Ganga Aarti”. Over Night Stay at Hotel.

Day 05: Varanasi - Khajuraho ( By Air) Today morning we will take flight to Khajuraho. On arrival, meet our representative and transfer to hotel. Khajuraho, The world renowned temple town of Khajuraho designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its archaeological and historical monuments. The Khajuraho temple was built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950-1050AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Afternoon visit Eastern & Western group of temples, famous for the magnificent carvings depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra, ancient Indian work on sex. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. In fact, worship is still done today in the Matangeshwara temple, continuing an unbroken 1000 year tradition. Over Night Stay at Hotel.

Day 06: Drive Khajuraho - Jhansi (195 Kms. - Approx. 4 Hrs.) JHANSI - GWALIOR By 2001 New Delhi (1755/1900 hrs.) Today we will check-out and drive to Jhansi, enroute visiting , located at a short distance from Jhansi. It has a medieval town atmosphere attached to it. The Betwa River quietly flows by the town. The 16th century palaces & temples built by its rulers appear to be suspended in time. We will visit Orchha Fort complex. Within the Fort complex we will visit Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Raj Mahal built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Deo. We also visit Ram Raja temple, palace-turned-temple with soaring spires & palatial architecture. Built by the King Madhukar Shah; it is one of the most uncommon temples of India & the only place where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King not as a deity.

Resuming drive, arrive at Jhansi railway station. On arrival, board train for Gwalior. Arrive at Gwalior railway station. Meet our representative and transfer to hotel.

Located at a strategic site, in the Grid region of , Gwalior is a celebrated city of Central India, with its white sandstone mosques, studded temples and soaring buttresses, the place recounts the majesty of the Indian soil. A chronicler of the rise and fall of many dynasties, the place retains its antique vaudeville in its art and architecture. Overnight, stay at Hotel.

Day 07: Gwalior - Agra Drive (120 Kms. - Approx. 3 Hrs.) After breakfast, we will check-out from hotel and visit the city. Stopover , which is staggering citadel dominating the skyline. The fort is accredited as the most impregnable fort in the whole of Central and Northern India. Man Mandir is exquisite architectural specimen built by Raja Man Singh Tomar, between 1486 and 1517. However, most of the ornamentations of this mammoth edifice have been corroded with time, traces of elaborate architectural trimmings and patterns still testify its glorious past. Teli-ka-Mandir, This ancient edifice is a Pratihara temple. Built in the 9th century AD, it towers at a height of 100ft. According to legends, the temple is so named as it is believed to be fabricated in the ‘Telangana’ architectural style. Saas-Bahu Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is also a major landmark of Gwalior. Built in 11th century, the name of the temple can be quite misleading. The temple, as many people believe, is not dedicated to ‘Saas’ (mother-in-law) and ‘Bahu’ (daughter-in-law).Tomb of , The father of Hindustani classical music and one of the nine jewels of ’s court. After sightseeing, drive to Agra. On arrival, check-in hotel. Agra is home to the breathtaking white- marble Taj Mahal, a truly magnificent Mughal riverside mausoleum and a city of 03 World Heritage Sites. Agra was established as the Mughal capital in 1526 and is known for its chaotic and vibrant marketplace (chowk), endless typical Indian vehicle like rickshaw, auto and tonga, plentiful souvenir vendors, historic temples and many grand, ancient monuments and tombs. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 08: Agra Early morning visit The Taj Mahal during Sunrise. The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan over a period of 17 years from 1632, in memory of his beloved late wife Mumtaz Mahal. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal stands at the northern end of formal gardens. The white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan and the red sandstone from . Precious stones like jade, crystal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, sapphire, jade, coral and diamonds were brought from far-flung places in Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, Persia and Afghanistan. Return to hotel for Breakfast, followed by city tour.

Visit . Few forts in the world have a more fascinating story to tell than the Great Fort of Agra. Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort, over a period of time, acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace. Overnight stay at hotel

Day 09: Agra - Jaipur Drive (250 Kms. / Approx. 5.5 Hrs.) After a leisurely morning and breakfast at hotel, we ill check-out and drive to Jaipur , En-route, visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted sandstone city, which was the glorious but short-lived imperial capital of Akbar, the greatest of . A variety of architectural styles are found, since craftsmen representing many schools were employed.

After visit, resume drive to Jaipur. On arrival, check-in hotel. Jaipur, popularly known as “Pink City”, was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur’s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture. Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Jaipur Post Breakfast at hotel, we will take an excursion to Amber Fort and afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Amber, the capital of Rajasthan for 6 centuries before Jaipur was built, lies 11 km north of Jaipur. Rising majestically on the slopes of a hill, this 11th century fort and palace complex is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. Afternoon, explore Jaipur city. The City Palace stands in the centre of the city. Part of it is still the ’s residence, while most of the complex has been developed into a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of and Mughal paintings, royal apparel and an armory. Jantar Mantar observatory, built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The huge stone instruments were devised to study the movements of the sun, moon and planets and are incredibly accurate.

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)is the landmark of Jaipur. It stands on one of the main streets, a curious building, elaborate and fanciful, built of pink sandstone with a delicate honeycomb design. Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Drive Jaipur - Pushkar (140 Kms. - Approx. 3.5 Hrs.) After breakfast, we will drive to Pushkar. On arrival, check-in hotel. On the edge of the desert lies the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the picturesque . This is an important pilgrimage spot for the Hindus, which has the only temple of Lord in the country and the world. Lord Brahma is known as the creator of the world as per the Hindu mythology. Afternoo, visit Pushkar Lake, one of the most sacred sites for Hindus, Pushkar Lake is the most famous tourist attraction in the holy town of Pushkar. It’s a beautiful semi- circular lake with 52 lovely ghats surrounding it. According to beliefs, a dip in the Pushkar Lake on the auspicious occasion of Karthik Poornima brings salvation to devotees.

Brahma Temple, the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology, in all over India. The beautiful marble temple is famous for its four-headed idol of lord Brahma. It’s decorated with silver coins and a silver turtle on its black and white chequered floor. Overnight at hotel

Day 12: Drive Pushkar - Udaipur (Approx. 6 Hrs.) After Breakfast we will check-out and drive to Udaipur. Enroute visit Fort, The legend has it that Bhim, a Pandava, stared the construction of the Chittorgarh fort, Udaipur. The fort has a number of magnificent structures within itself. A one km zig-zag accent leads to the Chittorgarh fort of Rajasthan. The Chittorgarh fort houses a number of palaces within itself. The palaces within the fort include Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace, Padmini’s Palace, etc. Also visit Vijay Stambh & Kirti Stambh, the two victory memorials. Resuming drive, arrive Udaipur. On arrival, check-in hotel. Udaipur, known as “city of lakes” is one of the most romantic cities in India. Beautiful lakes, giant palaces and forts, exquisite havelis, manicured gardens make for this fairytale land. Over night stat at hotel.

Day 13: Udaipur After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour of the Lake-city. First visit City Palace Museum, The museum is located within the Fateh Prakash Palace complex. It displays a diverse array of weapons, utensils, artifacts and many other things. The collection is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Udaipur. Sahelion Ki Bari,: Built by Maharana Sangram Singh, this is a beautiful garden with large flowerbeds, lawns, pools, fountains and trees. It offers fantastic glimpses of the lifestyle of the court women. Jag Mandir, Located in the island amid the Lake Pichola, this is a beautiful palace with elegant stone carving. Maharana Karan Singh built this palace to give shelter to Prince Khurram the estranged son of Emperor Jahangir Fateh Sagar Lake, located in the vicinity of the famous Saheliyon-ki-Bari Garden, Fateh Sagar is a beautiful lake, built by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1678. Nehru Park, a popular garden island with a boat-shaped café, is situated in the middle of the Lake. Enjoy boat ride on the lake. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 14: Udaipur - Mumbai - Aurangabad (By Air) Today morning we will transfer to Udaipur airport to board flight for Mumbai. On arrival, take connecting flight to Aurangabad. Arrive at Aurangabad airport. Meet our representative and transfer to hotel. Aurangabad is a historical city, situated on the western coast of India. Though it lies in the remote corner of Maharashtra, it manages to attract many tourists every year. The main attractions of the city comprise of the historical sites and religious places, situated in and around its precincts. Overnight at hotel

Day 15: Aurangabad Today morning we will visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, a magnificent mausoleum, situated at a short distance from the city. It entombs Rabia-ul-Daurani, alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor . It has a identical similarity with The Taj Mahal. Afterwards we will proceed to Ajanta caves, a secluded retreat for the Buddhist monks was carved out of deep curved mountainside, lying deep in Sahyadri hills in 200 BC and remain shrouded in obscurity for more than a millenniam from 650 AD when it was abandoned in favor of Ellora caves. It was only in 1819 when British officers spotted the caves when they were on the hunting expedition to the nearby hills. It’s amazing to see from the distance which looks like stark holes on the rock face are actually the treasure troves of numerous Buddha sculptures, ancient paintings, fine workmanship.Visit the 29 caves in Ajanta of which 5 served as Chastiyas (Temples) and rest as Viharas (Monasteries). Overnight at hotel

Day 16: Aurangabad - Mumbai (By Air) Today we will check-out and visit Ellora Caves, the wonder of fourth century and you will see what is called the perfect religious harmony. The 34 caves of Ellora built from 350 AD to 700 AD belongs to people of three different faiths Buddhists, Hindus and . The 12 caves on the South are of Buddhists and 17 caves in center are dedicated to the Hindus while five caves to the North belongs to the Jain’s. The major attraction of these caves is the statue of Buddha seated in a two-story structure of Stupa with all the grace, nobility and serenity inherent in him. On returning to Aurangabad, visit , a magnificent fort situated in Maharashtra, at a distance of around 13 km from the Aurangabad city. It forms a part of the Daulatabad city, which was earlier known as ‘Devigiri’. After sight-seeing, transfer to Aurangabad airport to board flight for Mumbai. On arrival at Mumbai, meet our representative and transfer to hotel. Mumbai, the city with passion, will surprise you with its diverse culture, fashion, people, politics, share market, beaches, temples, parks, mosques, skyscrapers, Bollywood, local trains, slums. Mumbai has a life of its own. A life that has a old worldly charm as well as the latest fashion center. If you are in Mumbai, then this place will make you its own. A city that will welcome you warmly. There are number of places to see in Mumbai. Major places to visit in Mumbai include Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach, Marine drive and many more. Overnight at hotel

Day 17: Departure to Mumbai Today morning we will checkout and visit the city. Visit , a yellow basalt arch of triumph officially ‘opened’ in 1924 and then swiftly made redundant just 24 years later when the last British regiment eremoniously departed India from here. Next visit the adjoining, Taj Mahal Palace. Known as India’s first luxurious hotel, this iconic 105-year old heritage building retains its stature as the flagship property of Taj group.

Visit Prince of Wales museum, founded by the future George V, on his Indian visit of 1905. boasts a Good collection of ancient Indus-valley artcrafts, Nepaleese and Tibetian Buddhist Thankas and over 2000 miniature paintings .

Chhatrapati Terminus, designed in Italian Gothic style by Architect F W Stevens. It is one of Mumbai’s most prominent buildings and architecturally one of the finest stations in the world. The building construction commenced in 1878 and was completed in 1885.

Afterwards drive through the Marine Drive, which runs along the shore of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill.

After sight-seeing, transfer to Mumbai international airport to board flight for onward journey.