DAY 01 NEW DELHI : Arrive New Delhi International Airport. Welcome on arrival. You will be met and assisted for your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in New Delhi.

DAY 02 NEW DELHI : After breakfast proceed for a Full-Day City Tour of Old and New Delhi. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Thereafter, visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Later in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (BY SURFACE 205 KMS /5 HRS) After breakfast drive to Agra. On arrival check in at your hotel. Later proceed for City Tour of Agra visiting The Taj Mahal which is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this gem of a monument defies description. The Taj Mahal is actually a mausoleum, commissioned by Enperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of this marble wonder began in 1632 and was completed around 1653. Thousands of laborers were employed to construct the monument, that is replete with decorate inlays, carvings and calligraphy. To this very day, the Taj is considered an architectural marvel. Also visit Agra Fort. This is a 16th century Mughal fortress built of red sandstone and comprises of many fairy tale palaces. Overnight in Agra.

DAY04 AGRA /GWALIOR (BY SURFACE 120 KMS/3 HRS DRIVE APPROX) : After breakfast drive  to Gwalior. On arrival check in at hotel. Later proceed to visit Gwalior Fort. The history of Gwalior dates back to the 8th century and it has been home to kings, musicians, poets and saints. Gwalior Fort has been looking over the city for over 100 years.

DAY 05 GWALIOR -ORCHHA (120 KMS / 4 HRS) : After breakfast drive to Orchha. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit The Orchha fort complex, which actually houses three palaces. One of them is called Jehangir Palace in honour of the Emperor Jehangir. The friendship between the Orccha ruler Vir Singh and Jehangir went back a long way before either of them became rulers. Witness the Aartis (Prayer) at Raj Rama Temple, this temple is the only place in India where God Rama is worshiped as king but not god. Overnight in Orchha.

DAY 06 ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO (180 KMS / 5 HRS DRIVE APPROX) : After breakfast drive to Khajuraho. which is famous for the legendary Khajuraho temples, belong to both the Hindu and Jain faiths. The temples were built between the 9th and the 12th century. Though only 20 of the original 85 temples survive, the facades of these temples are a sight to behold. They are replete with erotic sculptures and depictions of dance, music and other creative arts. On arrival you will check into your hotel . Evening you will leave to visit the Eastern temples of Khajuraho, situated close to the village. Few of the Jain temples in the area are still in use. The temples have fine sculptures without sensuous themes. One of the oldest temples in Khajuraho, which is mostly in ruins, is also situated here. Afterwards, you will visit the Western Temples of Khajuraho. The Western group of temples is entirely Hindu and contains some of the most erotic sculptures found in a place of worship. These temples are considered to be the most evolved temple architecture and represent the Chandela dynasty at its peak. Overnight in Khajuraho.

DAY 07 KHAJURAHO / VARANASI     BY FLIGHT : After breakfast morning at leisure. Later transfer to airport on board flight for Varanasi. You will be met and assisted for your transfer to the hotel. Later Visit Sarnath. Sarnath is a much-frequented pilgrim centre not only for the Buddhists but for the Jains and Hindus as well. The site has some Buddhist stupas (hemispheric Buddhist funerary mound) which, albeit in ruins now. Evening visit the holy ghats (river banks) of Ganges and witness the evening arti (prayer). Overnight in Varanasi.

DAY 08 VARANASI Early morning take a boat ride on river Ganges. Return back to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed for city tour visiting famous Benares Hindu University, Temples. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Varanasi.

DAY 09 VARANASI/NEW DELHI BY FLIGHT: Morning at leisure. Later departure transfer to airport to board flight for New Delhi to connect onward flight connection.

END OF OUR SERVICES

HOTELS ENVISAGED OR SIMILAR

VALIDITY - From 01 April/30 September’2011 

COST PER PERSON IN US$

VALIDITY - From 01 Oct’11 /31 March’12

COST PER PERSON IN US$

*** RATES ARE NOT VALID FROM 20 DEC/10 JAN’12

IMPORTANT NOTES: