11 Days /10 Nights
(Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur)
11 Aug. ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Meet & assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel.
{Check In time 14:00 Hrs.}
Afternoon: sightseeing of New Delhi including Bangla sahib Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
Evening visit of Akshardham temple with Musical fountain show. Akshardham Temple the unique feature in the architectural plan is the complete absence of steel. The temple contains 234 ornate pillars, 9 domes and 20,000 statues and sculptures. The walls of the main monument are covered top to bottom with carvings of dancers, deities, flora and fauna. One can see a blend of various architectural styles used across India.
Overnight at hotel.
12 Aug. DELHI
Post breakfast city tour of Old Delhi including Red Fort (Drive Past), The Jama Masjid, India`s largest mosque, Rajghat – memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk.
Afternoon Visit Humayun’s Tomb. Later sightseeing of New Delhi to include, Birla Mandir, Gurudwara bangla sahib, Qutab Minar, Drive past India gate and Government buildings
Overnight at the Hotel.
13 Aug. DELHI – VARANASI BY TRAIN 22436 – 0600/1400 HS.
In time transfer to the Railway Station to board the train for Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel. Evening free for leisure activities.Overnight at the Hotel.
14 Aug. VARANASI
This morning an early start for a dawn boat ride on the Ganges River. Ritual is a very important aspect of Hinduism and there is no better place to observe it than at the Ganges. You will view the thread ceremony, head shaving and food being offered to the departing souls. A walk through narrow twisting lanes will give you a chance to witness the various rituals of the pilgrims and followed by city tour including Bharat Mata Temple, Shanta Durga Temple and Banaras Hindu University.
Drive back to hotel for breakfast.
Afternoon excursion to Sarnath (9 kms). This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment.
Evening rickshaw ride till the river front to witness Aarti Ceremoney at River Ganges. Overnight at the Hotel.
15 Aug. VARANASI – KHAJURAHO BY TRAIN 22436 – 0600/1400 HS..
Breakfast at the Hotel. In time transfer to Railway station to board the train for Khajuraho. On arrival proceed for city tour of Khajuraho 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.
Overnight at the Hotel.
16 Aug. KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA – JHANSI BY SURFACE 180 KMS/ 05 HRS.
JHANSI – AGRA BY TRAIN SHATABDI EXP. 12001 – 1835/2110 HRS.
Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Orchha. After arrival visit Orchha Amongst the various imposing monuments important ones are the Jehangiri Mahal the Raj Mahal and Ram Raja Temple. In time transfer to Jhansi Railway station to board the train for Agra
Arrive Agra and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at hotel.
17 Aug. AGRA
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast Taj Mahal undoubtedly one of the most romantic buildings of the world. Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man’s proudest creations to commemorate his love (Friday Closed). Also visit Agra Fort. The fort is really a city within a city, which embraces the Moti Masjid, the Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences, the Diwan-I-Khas or the Hall of Private Audiences, the Octagonal Tower, Jahangir’s Palace and many more monuments”.
HENNA PAINTING ON HANDS
India is home to celebrations, weddings festivals, and all of them are quite incomplete if the hands of females are not covered in various floral designs and artistic designs of henna or popularly known in India as mehndi. Henna is prepared from the lea ves of Henna tree and believed to be natural coolant for the body
This old age art form is loved in every household. It is believed to be an important part of a makeup before any special occasion in the family.
On this day you will get a taste of this wonderful art form which is now an integral part of female makeup in India.
Overnight at hotel.
18 Aug. AGRA – Fatehpur Sikri – JAIPUR BY SURFACE (260 KMS / 06 HRS.)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri is the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty. Famously known as the city of ghosts, it was built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory of South India.
Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel.
Evening visit Lakshmi Narayan temple (Birla Temple) to attend the Aarti ceremony.
Overnight at hotel.
OPTIONAL -: HOME HOSTED DINNER WITH DEMO
The popular cooking workshops and demonstrations are personally conducted by ladies of the Peelwa family in coordination with our in-house chefs which takes approximately 2 hours. You’ll be taken in to their kitchen where the cooking demonstration will commence.
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 chance to really get to know your hosts. Once the food is ready you will sit at the dining table, where your food will be served.
It will be tempered to your specific tastes – so it won’t be too hot unless you ask for it that way! You will really be treated as a guest of the family throughout your visit here, it is an authentic experience and a great way to see traditional Indian cooking in action.
19 Aug. JAIPUR – Amber – JAIPUR TEEJ FESTIVAL & CELEBRATIONS
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning: visit of Amber Fort riding on elephant back. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds.
HAND BLOCK PRINTING WORKSHOP
Hand-block printing is one of the earliest and simplest forms of textile printing. Some consider it the most artistic; the distressed look can’t be replicated by a machine. The design is first carved out of a wooden block. The printer then covers the block with dye and presses it firmly onto the cloth striking it smartly on the back. The fabric is then turned into a variety of products from travel accessories to everyday home furnishings.
INDIAN TRADITIONAL COSTUMES TYING DEMOSTRATION
Saree Tying Demonstration for Women & Kurta Payzama Trial for Men
Jaipur women wear six-yard-long cloth in various ways and watching these activities will be a sheer fun. Ladies and Girls can wear these long sarees and take photos immediately. It is worth to note that Jaipur sarees are not only famous in India but also throughout the world. How to drape Indian sarees with style- Visitors will learn to wear Jaipur sarees when they come for Saree Demonstration in Jaipur.
A kurta is a loose collarless shirt worn in many regions of South Asia, and now also worn around the world. The kurta is traditionally made of cotton o it is worn plain or with embroidered decoration, and it can be loose or tight in the torso, typically falling either just above or somewhere below the knees of the wearer.
Pajamas often shortened to 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 worn chiefly for sleeping, but sometimes for lounging as well by all genders. More generally, pajamas may refer to daywear.
Later enjoy the festival and celebration of Teej in the city palace. Later there will be a tour of the city of Jaipur, which begins with the Maharaja Palace, Mantar Janta, which is the world -made marble observatory in the world. Located near the door of the city of the palace. The Observatory has 17 major instruments, many of which still work very well.
At night we return to the hotel.
20 Aug. JAIPUR – DELHI BY SURFACE (260 KMS / 06 HRS.) LEAVE DELHI
Breakfast the hotel. After breakfast transfer to Delhi by surface.Upon arrival transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onward destination.