Essential India Tour
13 Nights
13 Nights
Overview
Day 01
Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Immediate check-in . Breakfast at hotel. Later tour of historic city of Old Delhi – To include Old Havelis , Spice Market, Street food, Local shops, Red Fort ( FROM OUTSIDE ) , The Jama Masjid , India`s largest mosque, Rajghat – memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk . Afternoon sightseeing in New Delhi to include Sikh Temple, Qutab Minar , India gate and Government buildings and Connuaght Place . Overnight at Hotel
Day 02
Delhi – Jaipur ( Drive – 5-6 hrs )
Morning drive to Jaipur . On arrival check-in at hotel. Later see a Bollywood film at the famous Art Deco Raj Mandir cinema. Evening walk around the famous flower market. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03
Jaipur
Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families, . Visit Local Children School . Later Tour of the Pink City – will include City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here. Also visit the Hawa Mahal “Palace of the Winds”, and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast stronomical instruments. Visit Indian Home for interaction and learn Indian cooking , followed by Dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04
Jaipur – Tordi Sagar ( Drive –3-4 hrs )
Morning drive to Tordi Sagar . Checkin-at hotel. Visit this Rajasthani rural village in the beautiful countryside with a close tie to the land. Travel to the rural village of Tordi Sagar. Walk with a local resident through the markets, potters, iron smiths, temples, and farms and get a taste of the complexity of rural India. Go on a camel cart ride to the dunes in the surrounding region. Visit hamlets around the village, ancient stepwells, or watch a stunning sunset on the reservoir. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05
Tordi Sagar – Agra ( Drive – 6-7 hrs )
Morning drive to Agra stop by the impressive Abhaneri step wells -Visit Abhaneri, known for its beautiful baoris (stepwells) and the famous Harshat Mata temple. Arrive to Agra, a city that is best known as the site of India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06
Agra
Visit the famous Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort.Visit the sparkling Taj Mahal for sunrise then stick around to explore . Later, visit the walled city of Agra Fort by cycle-rickshaw and the I’timad-ud-Daulah, or the Baby Taj. Evening Cultural walk- Get to know Agra the local way, by exploring the city’s hidden lane-ways, bustling spice market, and religious mosques and temples, all with your feet to guide you. Sample treats at a 200-year-old sweets shop, hop on a cycle rickshaw, and learn why Hindu families dress their idols. Hear the legends that have been passed down through generations and learn how modern-day India is reshaping itself. Finish it all up with the spectacular sight of the Taj Mahal from a secret spot. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07
Agra – Jhansi ( Train : 0810/1040 hrs ) – Orcha
Transfer to railway station to board the train to Jhansi. On arrival drive to Orcha. Check-in at hotel. Visit the Orchha Palace complex in this quiet rural town along the banks of the Betwa River. Visit a unique paper-making plant, set up to assist tribal women from the area. Set on the banks of the Betwa River, Orchha is the perfect antidote to the chaos of India’s cities. Take an orientation of this small town before a visit to Tarragram, a unique paper making plant, set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp. Evening puja ceremony at the Ram Raja Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08
Orcha – Alipura ( Drive – 2-3 hrs )
Morning drive to Alipura and travel along typically rough Indian roads to Alipura, a friendly village which will be our base for two days. Here, stay in a heritage property with time to wander the town and interact with locals. Enjoy some free time to meet the locals and check out village life. Enjoy a day trip to Khajuraho to visit the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India’s largest group of medieval temples, known for their kama sutra statues.
Day 09
Alipura – Khajuraho ( Drive – 2-3 hrs )
Morning drive to Khajuraho, one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Learn the history of these world-famous temples on a guided tour and enjoy a taste of a little erotica from the Middle Ages. Later enjoy a sound and light show within the erotically carved Khajuraho temple complex. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10
Khajuraho – Allahabad ( Drive – 6-7 hrs )
Morning drive to Allahabad. En route, you can visit Chitrakoot, which is famous temples and sites mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Upon arrival at Allahabad, check in at the hotel. Walk around local markets of allahabad. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11
Allahabad ¬– Varanasi ( Drive – 3-4hrs )
Morning sightseeing in Allahabad. Visit Anand Bhawan, residence of Nehru family, Alfred Park (now Azad Park), see Allahabad High Court, Allahabad Fort and Sangam (confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati). Later proceed to Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi, check in at the hotel. Rest of time is free to relax or you can have a stroll near to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12
Varanasi
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the sacred River Ganges, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Participate in a candle and flower ceremony while on the water. Later we would take you for sightseeing in Varanasi. In this tour, visit famous temples such as Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, New and Old Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Also visit Asi ghat, Dashashwamedh temple, Hanuman ghat, Panchaganga ghat etc. In the Evening, attend Aarti (ritual) on the banks of Ganges.
Day 13
Varanasi – Delhi ( Flight : 15: 50/17:20 )
Morning visit Sarnath (10 Km from Varanasi). Sarnath is the place where Buddha first taught Dharma (law that upholds regulatory order of the universe) and where the concept of Buddhist Sangha (assembly) came into existence. Visit stupas (heap structures) in Sarnath. Later transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to International Terminal.
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