Taj & Temples Tour
Duration
: 08 Days
Places to Visit : Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha
- Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day
01 : Abroad - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International airport. On
arrival in Delhi, the guest will be met by our representative and
transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 :
Delhi This morning you will be taken to visit
Old Delhi -
Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow
streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the
Red Fort, built in 1648
and board the 'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort,
through
"Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the
sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later
visit the
Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in
1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the
Raj Ghat,
the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
This afternoon you will be
taken to visit
New Delhi - drive past the stately government
buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the
India
Gate & the
Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful
Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world
famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of
Qutab Minar.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
Morning drive to
Agra
(203 km)
Upon arrival in Agra - check into the hotel
Afternoon
visit red fort and famous
Taj Mahal.
Red Fort -
lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It
was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest
architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a
moat.
Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was
constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the
lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant
monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz
died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child.The
central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome.
Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common
practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
Stay
at pristine Taj Mahal for sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in
gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day
04: Agra - Gwalior - Orchha Transfer to the Railway Station for
train to Gwalior for a full day sightseeing tour.
Upon
arrival at Gwalior Railway Station, the guests will directly proceed for sightseeing.
Tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas
Palace. This Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A
few of the rooms have in converted into a museum filled with the Scindia
dynasty memorabilia.
After the visit proceed to the Usha Kiran
Palace hotel for a lunch. This Palace was originally the Maharaja's
guesthouse.
After lunch proceed to the huge
Gwalior Fort
- where a sun temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of
the fort. Also visit
Man Mandir which is a six-towered
palace & which forms the eastern wall of the fort. The fort has
monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards & is one of the largest
forts in India.
Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace
of stone now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb
of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the
famous musician Tansen.
Thereafter continue drive to Orchha
Orchha overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful
medieval town, was once the capital of Bundela kings. Built along the banks
of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged century side, it still retains
the captivating air of the bygone era.
Upon arrival in Orchha -
check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Orchha - Khajuraho
Morning tour of Orchha - walk by
the century old temples and forts, each with its own poignant history, and
rest amidst the beauty of the ruins. Amongst the various imposing edifices,
of particular interest are the
Jehangiri Mahal, built by
Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, The
Raj Mahal and the
Laxmi Narayan temple,
both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings.
Lunch at the
hotel Afternoon drive to Khajuraho (170 kms)
Khajuraho
- ancient centre of the Chandela Dynasty. Khajuraho flourished from 950 to
1050 AD and is spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of
tools. Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending order
representing man's aspirations towards spiritual goals. They are famous
tourist draw because they have the most sublime, sensuous and erotic
sculptures and are romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and
hot plains of Madhya Pradesh.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho -
check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06:
Khajuraho - Varanasi Morning visit the temples.
Visit
the
Eastern group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and
3 Jain temples, their proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the
times in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular.
Also
visit the most important and fascinating
western group of temples.
The temples of Khajuraho have been declared a 'world heritage' site by
UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to
future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are
famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of
the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Late afternoon transfer to
airport for Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1320/1400 hrs.).
Upon arrival proceed for city tour of Varanasi. Walk through the myriad of narrow
lanes in the old city, past the many ancient temples, shrines and little shops
crammed with customers looking for the famous silver & gold brocades for
weddings or even for cremation cloth. The most famous temple is the
Kashi
Vishvanath or Golden temple which, though off-limits to non-Hindus,
can be seen from the top floor of the old house opposite it.
After sightseeing check in at hotel.
Overnight at
hotel.
Day 07 : Varanasi Early
morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take
a boat ride on the sacred
river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living
traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, visit
Sarnath
- 5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world,
where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the
ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum
which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at
the site.
Transfer to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi flight
(1430/1540 hrs.).
Upon arrival at Delhi airport, the guests will be
transferred to hotel where rooms will be available for wash or change.
Dinner at the hotel. Later transfer to airport for flight back home.
Day 08 : Delhi - Abroad Depart Delhi
Taj & Temples Tour Reservation Form
