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Day
01: New Delhi
Around Midnight arrive in
New Delhi.
The cosmopolitan city and capital New Delhi is the main
gateway for the travellers to India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an
Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day
02: New Delhi
Today in the morning we have sightseeing
in Old Delhi. Sightseeing in Old Delhi includes
"Rajghat", the place where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated and
Jama Masjid, the great mosque
of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun
Tomb" which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture in India and "Qutub Minar" which
is 71 meter high and was constructed in 1199. Before we
proceed to the hotel we will drive through New Delhi
where we will visit the
India Gate, Government Buildings and
Embassies.
Day
03: New Delhi - Jaipur (about 270 km)
Today we drive to the Pink City,
Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful
planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja
Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan
and famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious
stones. In the afternoon we visit the
City Palace that
is still the formal residence of the royal family, built
in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.
In the museum of the City Palace we visit the private
collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to
Jantar
Mantar, a stone observatory, and the largest of Jai Singh's
five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments
reveal us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy.
Day
04: Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the
ancient capital of
Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur.
Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for
6 centuries before it was moved to newly created Jaipur.
We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an
Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the
Hawa Mahal (Palace
of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small
casements with each having its own balcony. The windows
enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch
processions below without being seen. In the afternoon
we have a walk through the colorful Bazaars of Jaipur
and visit a factory to see the famous block printing work
being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we
drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi
Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white
marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a
prayer ceremony.
Day
05: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about
260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest
state in India and drive through a series of fields, small
towns and villages to Agra. Enroute we make a stop and
visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial capital
frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the
16th century. This wonderful city constructed by red sand
stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built.
It has been generally stated that it was due to failing
in the water supply. In the evening arrive in
Agra. Evening
free for leisure.
Day
06: Agra
Today we start our sightseeing by
a visit to the
Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure
began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the
time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the
impressive imperial quarters and mosque. After the visit
of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument
of India, the
Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love,
with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb
and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of
the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to
her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take
this impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal
we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay work that
is still being done in Agra by the descendants of the
families of builders and artists of the Taj Mahal.
Day
07: Agra - Mathura (about 57 km)
In the morning after having breakfast
we drive to
Mathura. Arrive in Mathura by the afternoon.
Mathura is a very important religious city of Uttar Pradesh.
It is the epicenter of Brajbhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna
and lies on the banks of the Yamuna River. Mathura derives
its glory & sacred character from being the birth place
of Lord Krishna. Through centuries, it has attracted pilgrims
from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jains. Arrive in Mathura
by the afternoon. In the evening we have sightseeing in
Mathura. The main place to visit in Mathura is the Dwarkadhish
Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna built by Seth Gokul Dass
of Gwalior in 1814. Another temple is the Krishna Janma
Bhoomi Temple. This temple is built inside an ancient
prison believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The Yamuna River and its ghats (banks) form the focus
of pilgrims in Mathura. The Ghat is dotted with multiple
temples and shrines.
Day
08: Mathura - Vrindavan - New Delhi
In the morning, after having our
breakfast we drive to New Delhi. Enroute we will stop
at Vrindavan. Vrindavan is around 15 km from Mathura.
It is another major place of pilgrimage. It is the town
of 4,000 temples where the sounds of celebrations for
Lord Krishna is constantly resounded. In Vrindavan we
will visit Madan Mohan Temple. This temple is located
near the Kali Ghat and is the oldest existent temple in
Vrindavan today. This temple is closely associated with
the Saint Chaitanya. Another temple that we will visit
is the Banke-Bihari Temple. This temple was built in the
year 1864. It is the most popular shrine at Vrindavan.
After we visit this temple we will drive to New Delhi.
Arrive in New Delhi in the evening. Evening free for leisure.
Day 09: New Delhi - Rishikesh
In the morning drive to Rishikesh.
Rishikesh represents the gateway to the Himalayas in the
Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed
that several yogis and sages lived and practiced penance
here. Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished
the demon Madhu. It abounds in natural splendour. The
spectacle of the River Ganges rushing through the Himalayan
foothills is an awesome sight. The freshness of the air,
the sound of flowing water, the scenic beauty of the region
and the distant sound of bell chimes create an unforgettable
experience for those that visit this pilgrimage town.
We will arrive in Rishikesh by the afternoon. In the evening
we will visit various temples, the Laxman Jhoola - the
swinging Bridge and ashrams along the banks of River Ganges.
Day
10: Rishikesh - Haridwar
In the morning, we will drive to
Haridwar. Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages
in the Uttarakhand region and is located on the foothills
of Shivaliks on the banks of River Ganges. The River Ganges
leaves the mountains and enters the plains with Haridwar
being the first major town on the plains. Though the Ganges
does not lose its rapids completely nevertheless it becomes
very quite and calm here. The city acquires a unique charm
in the evening when the ghats become breathtakingly beautiful
with thousands of Diyas and Marigold floating in the waters
of Ganges. We visit various places like Mansa Devi temple,
Sapt Rishi, Daksha Mahadev temple etc. In the evening
we will visit Har Ki Pauri. In the evening a Maha Aarti
is performed here. It is an event which is a must, not
be missed by any visitor.
Day 11: Haridwar - Varanasi
In the morning we leave for
Varanasi.
Varanasi is without doubt India's most sacred city and
thus visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also
called the city of light - Kashi or Benaras. Buddha visited
this city in 500 BC. Varanasi is regarded as one of the
oldest and the holiest city. According to the Indian chronicles,
Varanasi was established as a city around twelve hundred
years ago before the Christian era.
Day
12: Varanasi
In the early morning we take boat
- ride on the holy river Ganges and enjoy sunrise on the
boat.
Ghats (flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims
on that are the principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi.
Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this city to
make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves
through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. In the
noon we visit the city of Varanasi. Then we will drive
to
Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered
his first sermon at deer park. Afterwards we will return
to Varanasi.
Day 13: Varanasi - New Delhi
(by air)
In the afternoon we drive to the
airport for a flight from Varanasi to New Delhi. In New
Delhi we have rest of the day at leisure. Rooms are available
to get fresh and change before we depart to the airport
with Indo Vacations representative.
Day
14: New Delhi
Around midnight flight to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get more information or to book this tour send us an
e-mail !
(Please mention the tour name and days in your E-Mail).
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Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
in the 
Chat
