Taj Mahal & Temples
Duration - 7 nights / 8 days
Places to See -: 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
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