Classic India Tour

Duration	11 Days
Destination	Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi - Orcha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Travel Theme	Cultural Tour

Itinerary

01 Day -- Arrive Delhi
Assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is 12 Noon.Overnight.

Day 02 -- Delhi
Full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi

Sprawling on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India, typifies the soul of the country. The city conceals within its bosom the remains of civilization that flourished over the last three thousand years. Since those legendary days, many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its regal soil. The legacy of that past survives in the many monuments left behind by the regents.

Old Delhi, constitutes of Red Fort built by Emperor Shahjehaan in 1638 AD, Jama Mosque largest mosque in India also built by Shahjehan, Raj Ghat and Shanti van-the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and drives past Chandni Chowk, the main congested shopping hub of Old Delhi.

New Delhi visit includes Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD ) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mahal, India Gate, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a memorial to soldiers, drives past Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple and The Connaught Place.

Day 03 -- Delhi--Jaipur drive, 260 km
Morning drive to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 -- Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex.

Afternoon city sightseeing tour

Jaipur, this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. Visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old part of Jaipur city


Day 05 -- Jaipur-Agra drive, 235 km/6 hours
Drive to Agra visiting en-route Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569. The shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city. Visit the mosque of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces.

On arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight.

Day 06 -- Agra
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra.

Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal, the inimitable poem in white marble is the first expression of love of an Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah built between 1622 AD by Empress Nur Jehan, in memory of her father, Ghias-id-Din Beg., it is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal.

Afternoon at leisure.

Day 07 -- Agra-Jhansi-Orcha
Transfer to railway station for train to Jhansi (0800-1040 hours)

Assistance on arrival and transfer by coach to Khajuraho(30 minutes)

Orcha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of central India. Situated on the river Betwa, the medieval city was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Chieftain Rudra pratap.The succeeding rulers built some of the finest examples of Bundela architecture which can be seen at Orcha today, such as Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Ram Raj Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Sunder Mahal.

Day 08 -- Orcha- Khajuraho, 175 km/4 hours
Drive to Khajurhao and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Afternoon visit of Khajuraho temples

Khajuraho, once the great capital of Chandela, now a quiet town, Khajuraho temples here were built during the Chandela period from 950 to 1050 AD. Almost intriguing as the sheet beauty and the size of the temples is the question of why and how they were built here as Khajuraho is isolated, 1000 years ago as it is even today. The temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture and depict images of gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals and in great detail - women and sex. In between are the mithuna, erotic figures running through a whole Kamasutra of positions and possibilities. Of the two groups of temples - Western and Eastern - important temples to visit are - Lakshmi and Varaha, Lakshmana, Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagdamba, Chitradurga, Parvati, Vishvanath Temple and Nandi, Chausath Yogini, Parsanavanth and Adinath.

Day 09 -- Khajuraho-Varanasi flight
Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi

On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Rest of the day free

Day 10 -- Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims throng the water's edge, bathing, worshipping, meditating. On stone platforms under palm leaf umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside over rites and rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including the cremation sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi (Varanasi) and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death.

Afternoon city sightseeing tour.

Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, believed to be founded 3000 years ago, is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindus. It was a flourishing trading centre 500 BC when the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. A city of great wealth and religious importance when the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited it in the 7th century. Visit the Vishwanath Golden Temple, the abode of great God Shiva, Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir and Banaras Hindu University.

Day 11 -- Varanasi-Delhi flight
Morning visit Sarnath.

Sarnath, 7 km from the city where Buddha preached his first sermon more than 2500 years ago. The site is marked by the massive Dhamek stupa which is believed to date back to 500 AD. Nearby is a Museum where rare collection of manuscripts and other items related with Lord Buddha can be seen.

Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi

Assistance on arrival and transfer to international airport for return flight

 Package includes:

· 10 Nights accommodation on twin sharing basis with Breakfast
·  Daily breakfast
·  A/C transportation as per the itinerary
·  Local English speaking guide during the sight seeing of the tour whereas visit at Pushkar/Ranakpur wil be on your own
·  Boat ride in Udaipur and varanasi
.  Mineral Water Per Day ( 2 Bottle )  

Package does not include:

·  Any airfare or airport tax.
·  Any Monument entry fee & camera fee (wherever Applicable)
·  All presently applicable taxes.
·  Any expense of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
·  Any other expense not mentioned in the "Package includes".