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Duration:
16 Days
Destinations: Bombay - Rajkot - Gondal - Bhavnagar -
Palitana - Ahmedabad - Mt. Abu - Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra - Orcha -
Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01: Arrival Bombay
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to
hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Bombay-Rajkot-Gondal
Morning, one hour boat ride
across Mumbai Harbor brings you to the lush green Elephanta Island. Here,
visit some of the huge and intricately carved cave temples that date back
to the 8th century, and which are dedicated to the Hindu Sun God - Shiva
(Closed on monday).
Lunch at hotel and check-out.
Afternoon,
sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum (Monday
closed) here you will see its extensive collection of fascinating 18th &
19th century miniature paintings; elegantly carved ivory artworks; and a
rich collection of Nepalese and Tibetian art, among other fine works of
art. Also visit the Gateway of India overlooking the Harbor; and the Dhobi
Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the Malabar
Hill to the lovely Hanging Gardens and the Kamla Nehru Park from where you
will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea, spread out before
you. Also visit Mani Bhavan, a small museum dedicated to the life and
works of Mahatma Gandhi; and the bustling Crawford Market.
Evening
transfer from hotel to the airport for flight to Rajkot (1610/1700 hrs.).
Meeting
and assistance upon arrival and straight drive to Gondal (40 kms 1 hrs).
On arrival check in at hotel. Cultural performance followed by dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Gondal-Bhavnagar
Morning
visit the Vintage car collection of the Maharaja of Gondal, close to where
you will be staying.
Also, visit 500 years old Palace, temple.
Early
lunch at hotel.
Continue drive to Bhavnagar (250 kms/5 hrs.).
On
arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Bhavnagar-Palitana-Ahmedabad
Early morning drive to
Ahmedabad (250 kms / 5 hrs) via Palitana.
Palitana lies at the foot
of the Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya river flowing to its South.
The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent temple, 863 in all,
that soar in marble splendor of its top. Only the Gods live on this holy
hilltop city for, after sundown, none may stay here, not even the priests
who wend their way down the hill and leave the resplendent pinnacle to the
gods. The temples were built over an impressive span of 900 years, with
each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of
Shatrunjaya.
Lunch at Vijay Vilas Palace near Palitana.
On
arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Ahmedabad
Morning city sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad
visit the Jama Masjid, famous for its picturesque porticoes resting on 250
columns. Visit Sidi Sayyad's Mosque which is world renowned for it's
intricate lattice-work of rich and elaborate design. Also visit Calico
Textile Museum. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 06:
Ahmedabad-Mount Abu
Early morning drive to Mount Abu (230 kms / 6
hrs) enroute visiting Modhera, Patan and the havelis of Sidhpur.
Modhera:
The Sun Temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian temple
architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D the temple is dedicated to
the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone
tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently
carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers.
Patan:
Home of the famous patola silk saris , Patan is a beautiful old town
with Jain temples and carved wooden houses. Rana ki vav (step well) is
another interesting place to visit in Patan.
Sidhpur:
Situated on the banks of river Saraswati, is famous for two things -
havelis of the Vohra community of Muslims and as a Hindu pilgrim center. A
guided walk to see the havelis along the narrow streets is rather
interesting; wherein marvelous carvings and glass paintings could be seen.
You might be taken inside a Haveli by some friendly families.
Lunch
at hotel Balaram Palace, Balaram.
On arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon,
city sightseeing tour of Mt.Abu. visit Dilwara Temple, Nakki Lake, Sun-set
Point. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Mount Abu-Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur, via Ranakpur (292 kms/7 hrs.).
Ranakpur visit the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century.
Its 29 halls are supported by 200 pillars, none of which are alike. The
Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to
two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic
sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh, Continue your drive to Udaipur.
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Udaipur
Morning, sightseeing tour
of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms
with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid
marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the lovely
Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens.
Afternoon, motor launch cruise on the
placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the
city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of
the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island
palace in the middle of the lake.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09: Udaipur- Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from
hotel to the airport for Udaipur /Jaipur flight (0810/0915 hrs.).
Meeting
and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Morning excursion to
Amber Fort. Make your ascent to the palace fortress on the gaily
caparisoned elephant back. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace
which are famous for the excellence of their design and decoration.
Afternoon
tour of Jaipur, known as "The Pink City of Rajasthan". Visit the
unique Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 1700's, yet even
today still looks futuristic or almost surrealistic; the City Palace and
its Museum, the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Jaipur-Agra
Morning, drive to Agra enroute visit
Fatehpur Sikri (221 kms/6 hrs.) the deserted, red sandstone city that was
built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also
visit the Bulund Darwaza the largest gateway in the world.
Continue
your drive to Agra and upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 11: Agra
Full day
sightseeing tour of Agra visiting Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad ud Daulah
Tomb & Sikandra.
Taj Mahal - the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz
Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj complex
comprises a forecourt, a lofty entrance, and a charming formal Mughal
garden with canals and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb
proper, and an attached mosque on the west and its symmetrical counterpart
on the east. The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportions and rich
pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill. The building,
often styled "a dream in marble" is said to have taken at least
22 years (1631-1653) to build.
Agra 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 1565-73 in the finest architectural style. It
has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Itmad Ud
Daula Tomb - His daughter, the empress Nur Jahan, commissioned the tomb in
memory of her father. Like all other Mughal mausoleums, the tomb stands in
the center of a garden and is the first Mughal building constructed
entirely of marble. It is lavishly decorated with pietra dura inlay work.
Because of the medium of its construction and the use of inlay as the
chief form of decoration, it is often called the mini-Taj Mahal, and has
been accurately likened to a jewel box.
Sikandra, here you will visit
the impressive Mausoleum of Emperor Akbar the Great Moghul, a four storied
building, three stories being red sandstone and the fourth of white
marble.
Evening magic show at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Agra-Jhansi-Orcha-Khajuraho
After breakfast transfer from hotel to the railway station.
Leave:
Agra at 0815 hrs by Shatabdi Exp.
Ar: Jhansi at 1040 hrs
Meeting
and assistance upon arrival and proceed directly to Orcha.
Orcha,
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 country side, it still retains the captivating
air of a bygone era. 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
Laxminarayan temple, both noted for their fine Frescoes and Mural
paintings.
After lunch drive to Khajuraho (170 kms/ 4 hrs).
On
arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day
13: Khajuraho-Varanasi
Morning, sightseeing tour of the
famous Chandela Dynasty Temples which are set in a lovely grassy park. The
Temples are quite amazing - rising in many peaks and spirals, intricately
carved and designed with statues and friezes, some of which are the
renowned erotic carvings.
Early lunch at hotel and transfer to the
airport Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1330/1410 hrs.).
Meeting and
assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to :hotel Afternoon
sightseeing tour of the holy city of Varanasi.
Visit some of the many
Hindu Temples that line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes
and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world-famous
Banaras Silks.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14:
Varanasi-Delhi
Early morning, drive to Daswamedh Ghat and
take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. Continue by boat to see
burning and bathing Ghats.
Thereafter visit the buried Buddhist city
of Sarnath, just outside Varanasi - it's as holy to the Buddhists as
Varanasi is to the Hindus. 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 sculpture (Sarnath Museum
Closed on Fridays).
Afternoon transfer from hotel to the airport for
Varanasi/Delhi flight (1440/1550 hrs.).
Meeting and assistance upon
arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Delhi
Morning, sightseeing tour of
Old Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India; and the Red Fort -
once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub
Minar. Drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing
India Gate, Parliament House and the President's Residence and end the
tour with a drive through Diplomatic Enclave.
Late evening transfer
to airport.
Day 16 : Delhi - Abroad
Depart
Delhi.
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