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Glimpses of India
Tour Ref.# HTI011

Special Feature: Historical Monuments, Worship with earthen lamps, Holy River Ganges, Ajanta/Ellora Caves etc.
Destination: North & Central India
Transportation : Air-conditioned Car with an expert driver

Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and we meet and greet you at IGI International Airport to accompany you on your drive to your hotel. Assistance is provided for the check-in. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02  - Delhi
After breakfast full day city tour visiting India gate (war memorial, Rajghat  (the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi ) and Red Fort. After that visit The National Museum is one of India's most prestigious institutions. The galleries of the museum follow a historical and chronological sequence. The Indus Valley Gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images and pots, jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculpture. Later on drive past President's House, Parliament House & Secretariat Building. Later on visit Qutab Minar. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 03 - Delhi - Agra
After Breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Agra on the way visiting Sikandra. Arrive Agra and check-in into hotel.

After check-in rest of the day free to relax at your hotel. OR you can explore the local markets for shopping. Agra is also known for its fabulous handicrafts such as Marble and soft stone inlay work, gold thread embroidery (zari and zardozi), metalware, exquisite hand -knotted silk and woollen carpets and leather goods including bags, shoes and clothing The Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts. Empress Nur Jahan took personal interest and was an accomplished artist herself in zari embroidery work. Semi-precious and precious jewelry in Mughal style is also available. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 04 - Agra - Varanasi
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal which is India’s most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece. Set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna river, this edifice was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. After her untimely death, Shah Jahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum. The Taj is most enthralling in the quietness of early morning. With the rising Sun the white marble changes its colour and hues and it is excellent for photography.  Come back to hotel for breakfast. Rest of the morning free to relax at your hotel.

Later on visit Agra Red Fort which is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall. It is home to the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am and Moti Masjid. Later it was used by his son Jehangir as the seat of power. With four gates the Fort is enclosed by a double barricaded wall of red sand stone. The Jahangir Mahal is reached through an impressive gateway and its inner courtyard consists of beautiful halls, profuse carvings on stone, exquisitely carved heavy brackets, piers and cross beams.

In the evening transfer to Agra Cantt. Railway station to catch Marudhar Express train to Varanasi. Car and driver will be at your disposal until departure from Agra. Overnight Train. (Breakfast)

Day 05 - Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi at 0930 Hrs and you will be met our representative, holding a play card with your name on it. Arrival transfer to hotel for check-in (if rooms are available then early check-in will be provided).

Later on half day city tour of Varanasi. One of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for more than 2,000 years. Written records of the Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata mention its existence as long as 3,000 years ago. It is probably the oldest living city in India, and one of the world's most ancient. As a place of devotion and worship, Varanasi attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Many Hindus in the latter part of their lives wish to spend their retirement here. The mythological name of the city was Kashi, meaning light or luminescence, and the city indeed illuminates with a spiritual light. Two rivers, the Varuna and the Assi, meet the holy Ganges River at the northern and southern tips of the city. In medieval times and until as recently as the mid-20th century, the city was known as Banares. Varanasi seems to have been the result of putting together the names of the rivers Varuna and Assi. This religious city is crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets swells with throngs of people. Varanasi is a city that cannot be described--only experienced.

In the afternoon an excursion to Sarnath - where Bhuddhism first made its appearance nearly 2500 years ago and where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to his 5 disciples. It's an important centre of Buddhism. It's remarkable that nowadays "only" 6.6 million Buddhists (on a population of   670 million with 80% Hindu). 
At that time Buddha came to that small village to preach the "middle" way to the Nirvana  after he gained the state of enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Due to the support of the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka Sarnath developed to a big en mighty Buddhist centre, among other things as the erection of magnificent stupas and Buddhist monasteries. In the year 640 AD Sarnath was visited by a Chinese traveller who noticed that 1,500 priests accommodated here and that there was a 100m high stupa. Due to Moslem invasions (as usual with great vandalism) and afterwards ruled by the Hindus Sarnath  declined and diapered out of the history. Excavations started in 1836 by British archaeologists. In the evening take part in Aarti- worship with earthen lamps and incense candles at a temple. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 06- Varanasi - Khajuraho
Morning free and after an early lunch transfer to airport to catch flight to Khajuraho. On arrival check in into hotel. In the afternoon city tour of Eastern / Western group of temples which includes Laxmi & Varha Temples , Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagdamba temples. The story Khajuraho temples is a romantic blend of myth, legend and carefully researched facts. It is a massive group of as much as 85 temples. Evening at leisure to relax by the pool side at your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 - Khajuraho - Bhopal
After an early breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Bhopal - capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh, founded by Bhuj, the Parmar king in 11th century AD. Situated on the banks of a huge lake, it has splendid gardens and great views from top the Shyamla Hills. On arrival check-in into hotel. Evening is free for you to explore Bhopal on you own. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 08 - Bhopal - Sanchi - Bhopal
After breakfast visit famous sites of Sanchi which is an assemblage of ruins of Stupas, Temples and Monasteries built from 3rd Century BC to the 12th Century AD. Sanchi gained prominance as an important pilgrimage centre of Buddhist World. Come back to Bhopal and then visit to National Archievs. Evening we have arranged a cocktail and dinner with an Indian family. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 - Bhopal - Indore
After breakfast visit Zoological Park of Bhopal and lateron departure to Indore. Arrival Indore and check-in into hotel. After lunch visit Bodhi Sheesh Mahal and Lal Bagh Palace. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - Indore - Dhar
After breakfast departure to Dhar. The Group will stay at Jhira Bagh Palace, which is a Heritage Hotel and only 30 kms away from Mandu. After lunch visit famous sites of Mandu. Mandu is called The City of Joy which in fact is a superb Hill top Fort deserted, dramatic and alive with ghosts. It is the largest fortified city in the world. There are palaces, gardens and a dazzling variety of architect. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 - Dhar
After breakfast an excursion to Bagh which is famous for Bhuddhist Caves of Gupta Period. The Highlights of caves are wall paintings. Come back to Hotel Jhira Bagh Palace for lunch. After lunch an excursion to Maheshwar and Omkareshwar on the river Narmada famous for finest Ghats, Temples and Mystic Power Centres. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - Dhar - Aurangabad
After an early breakfast departure to Aurangabad. Enroute stopping at Dhule for lunch. Arrival Aurangabad and after check-in into hotel. Evening is free for you to explore Aurangabad on you own. Overnight at hotel.Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 - Aurangabad
Early morning excursion to Ajanta caves. These 30 caves were built to offer seclusion to the Buddhist Monks. Ajanta offers a rich tapestry of images carved by monks using just hammer and chisel. Come back to Aurangabad and after lunch an excursion to Ellora caves. Ellora caves were carved during the 5th and 8th Century A.D. the rock temples and monasteries represent three faiths Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - Aurangabad - Mumbai
After breakfast departure to Airport to catch fligth to Mumbai. Arrival Mumbai and transfer to hotel. After check-in half day excursion to Elephanta Island. Evening is free for you to explore Mumbai on you own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 - Mumbai (Departure)
After breakfast rest of the morning free to relax at your hotel. In the afternoon check-out from the hotel and enjoy half day city sightseeing of Mumbai, as it was formerly known - remains India's city of dreams. Built largely by the British around one of the best-protected natural harbors in the world, Mumbai is India's business center and one of the most important commercial hubs between Singapore and Europe. It generates more than a third of the country's GNP, and half of India's foreign trade moves through this busy seaport on the Arabian Sea. Mumbai also is home to the country's prolific Bollywood film industry, which cranks out more feature films than any place in the world. Covering The Gateway of India which is Mumbai's most famous landmark, The Gateway of India, is situated at Apollo Bunder. It was designed by George Wikket. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. Through this magnificent monument, numerous viceroys and governors were welcomed to India as they disembarked from their steamers, hence the name.

After that visit The Prince of Wales Museum - This museum stands not too far from the Gateway of India. It has a priceless collection of art, sculpture, china and other antics. Carefully presereved, this mid-Victorian Gothic style building built in 1904 with beautiful gardens surrounding it, is worth visiting in Mumbai. In the evening transfer to International Airport for flight back home.

   


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6/96, SFS, Mansarovar
Jaipur - 302 020 Rajasthan (INDIA)
Telephone : 0091 (141) 2397139, 2400061
Fax: 0091 (141) 2397295
E-mail:
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