Classic India Tour with Teej Festival

(Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights)
(Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur)

Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN DELHI
Arrival in Delhi. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon: Visit New Delhi, including Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh Temple). Drive to India Gate (a memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers), the President’s Residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House, and the Secretariat Buildings – an interesting blend of Victorian and 20th-century architecture.
In the evening, visit the Akshardham Temple with a musical fountain show. The Akshardham Temple is notable for the complete absence of steel in its architecture. The temple contains 234 ornate pillars, 9 domes, and 20,000 statues and sculptures. The walls of the main monument are covered with carvings of dancers, deities, flora, and fauna, displaying a blend of various architectural styles from across India. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 – DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of Old Delhi, including the Red Fort (drive), the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, Rajghat – Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, and a rickshaw ride along the Silver Street in Chandani Chowk.
In the afternoon, visit Humayun’s Mausoleum. Afterwards, visit New Delhi, including the Birla Temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Qutub Minar, a drive through India Gate, and government buildings.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 – DELHI – VARANASI BY TRAIN
At the scheduled time, transfer to the train station to board the train to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon for leisure activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 – VARANASI
Morning: Early departure for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River. It is an ideal place to observe Hindu rituals, such as the thread ceremony, head shaving, and the offering of food to departed souls. A walk through the narrow, winding alleys will allow you to observe various pilgrim rituals, followed by a city tour, including the Bharat Mata Temple, the Shanta Durga Temple, and the Banaras Hindu University.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
In the afternoon, excursion to Sarnath (9 km), where the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
In the evening, take a rickshaw ride to the riverside to witness the Aarti ceremony on the Ganges River. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 – VARANASI – KHAJURAHO BY TRAIN
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station to board the train to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, visit the most important and fascinating temples of the Western Group in Khajuraho. The Khajuraho temples have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve the rich architectural legacy left by the kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings, which are among the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 – KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA – JHANSI BY OVERFLOW
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road to Orchha. Upon arrival, visit Orchha and its imposing monuments, including Jehangiri Mahal, the Raj Mahal, and the Ram Raja Temple. Then, transfer to the railway station in Jhansi to board the train to Agra.
Arrive in Agra and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 – AGRA
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the most romantic buildings in the world, famous for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. You will also visit Agra Fort, a city within a city, which includes the Moti Masjid, the Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audiences), the Diwan-I-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences), the Octagonal Tower, Jahangir’s Palace, and many other monuments.

HENNA HAND PAINTING

India is famous for its celebrations, weddings, and festivals, and all of them are incomplete without women’s hands adorned with various floral and artistic henna designs, known in India as mehndi. Henna is prepared from the leaves of the henna tree and is believed to be a natural coolant for the body. This ancient art form is cherished in every home. It is believed to be an important part of makeup before any special family occasion.
That day, you will have the opportunity to experience this wonderful art form, which is an integral part of women’s makeup in India.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 – AGRA – Fatehpur Sikri – JAIPUR BY SURFACE
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, transfer to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route, the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty, known as the city of ghosts. It was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over southern India.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, transfer to the hotel.
In the evening, visit the Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Birla Temple) to attend the Aarti ceremony.

OPTIONAL: DINNER AT HOME WITH DEMONSTRATION
These popular cooking workshops and demonstrations are personally led by the ladies of the Peelwa family in coordination with our in-house chefs. For approximately two hours, you will be taken to their kitchen where the cooking demonstration will begin.
You will be shown how each dish is cooked, and your hosts will describe the spices and ingredients used to prepare these wonderful dishes. While you wait for the food to finish cooking, you will have the opportunity to really get to know your hosts. Once the meal is ready, you will be seated at the table, where it will be served to you. The food will be adjusted to your specific tastes, so it won’t be too spicy unless you request it! You will truly be treated like a guest of the family during your visit; it is an authentic experience and a great way to see traditional Indian cuisine in action.

Day 9 – JAIPUR – Amber – JAIPUR FESTIVAL AND TEEJ CELEBRATIONS
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Amber Fort on elephant back. Amber Fort is a classic and romantic palace-fortress in Rajasthan. Inside the Fort, visit the Jag Mandir, or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famous Sheesh Mahal, a hall with all its walls and ceiling completely inlaid with pieces of glittering mirror work, specially imported from Belgium at that time. On the way to Amber Fort, you’ll have a brief photo stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of the Winds.

HANDBLOCK PRINTING WORKSHOP

Handblock printing is one of the oldest and simplest forms of textile printing. Some consider it the most artistic; the weathered look cannot be replicated by a machine. The design is first carved into a wooden block. The printer then covers the block with dye and presses it firmly onto the fabric, beating it hard from behind. The fabric is then turned into a variety of products, from travel accessories to everyday household items.

TRADITIONAL INDIAN GARMENT TYING DEMONSTRATION

Women’s Saree Tying Demonstration and Men’s Kurta Payzama Try-On.
The women of Jaipur wear a six-yard-long sari in a variety of ways, and watching these activities will be great fun. Women and girls can try on these long saris and take photos immediately. It’s important to note that Jaipur saris are not only famous in India but also around the world. You will learn how to drape Indian saris stylishly during the saree demonstration in Jaipur.
A kurta is a loose, collarless shirt worn in many regions of South Asia, and now also around the world. The kurta is traditionally made of cotton and can be plain or embroidered. It can be loose or fitted around the torso, typically falling just above or slightly below the wearer’s knees. Pajamas, often abbreviated as PJs or jammies, can refer to several related types of clothing originating from the Indian subcontinent.
In the Western world, pajamas are loose-fitting garments derived from the original garment and are worn primarily for sleeping, but sometimes also for lounging, by all genders. More generally, pajamas can refer to daywear.

You will then enjoy the Teej festival and celebration at the City Palace. Afterward, there will be a city tour of Jaipur, beginning with the Maharaja’s Palace and the Jantar Mantar, the world-famous marble observatory. Located near the City Palace gate, the observatory boasts 17 major instruments, many of which are still in working order.
In the evening, return to the hotel.

Day 10 – JAIPUR – DELHI BY OVERLAND (260 KM / 6 HRS.) DEPARTURE FROM DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Delhi by road. Upon arrival, transfer to the international airport to board your flight to your final destination.

………End of Tour…………..