Exotic India Temple Tour - PI-0496
This tour combines the ancient attractions of the Golden Triangle cities of India with some of the most celebrated temples of the country.
Day 1: Delhi
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - Thursday, November 28, 2024
Start your trip with the capital city of Delhi where your flight lands. Famous for being both the modern as well as historical capital of India, the city is full of architectural wonders of the past hobnobbing in perfect sync with the modern wonders and other high rise buildings. Meet with our representative at the airport itself who will then help you to check in to your hotel and relax so that you can start your trip with a fresh mind and relaxed body.
Day 2: Delhi
Thursday, November 28, 2024 - Friday, November 29, 2024
Breakfast is followed by a day long sightseeing of the historical capital city of Delhi. The city tour involves visits to the attractions of both old and New Delhi. Take a walk through the labyrinth of Old Delhi streets and bylanes sampling some delicious street food the city is famous for. Visit the famous memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated, more popularly known as the
Raj Ghat. Pay your respects at the largest mosque of India located in Old Delhi going by the name of Jama Masjid. Later, wander around in the modern setup of New Delhi with an extensive sightseeing tour involving some of its most famous charms such as the historical Humayun’s Tomb, the victory tower of
Qutub Minar and several others. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, the place is home to many a historical buildings and sights that say their own story of British influence on India’s past. There is the imposing
India Gate, the majestic President’s House and the seat of the government, the
Parliament House. Drive along the ceremonial avenue of India’s national celebrations, Rajpath and feel the aura of India’s past brush you with all its modern influences. Overnight stay at the Delhi hotel.
Day 3: Delhi - Jaipur
Friday, November 29, 2024 - Saturday, November 30, 2024
After the historical charm of Delhi, get ready to be stunned by the opulence and majesticity of the forts and palaces of Jaipur. After breakfast, enjoy an early morning ride to Jaipur where you shall check in to your hotel. Relax for the day and prepare for the charms of this Pink City for the next day. Meals: B
Day 4: Jaipur
Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Sunday, December 1, 2024
Transcend back into the time when the royals were at their best and the maharajas ruled the common folks with their royal aura and presence. Get a feel of the way royals did with an early morning visit to the famous Amer Fort after a relaxed breakfast. Riding on the elephant, Amer Fort is the symbol of classic Rajasthani romantic setting as the place boasts of a picturesque setting complete with spellbinding views from the top. Built under the supervision of Man Singh I in 1592 and completed under Jai Singh I, the forbidding exterior of the fort belies an inner paradise that lies within its four walls. Presenting a beautiful fusion of Hindu and Mughal styles, the place is the ultimate expression of the royal opulence of that era. Later, continue on to the
Jaigarh Fort which is counted among the few military structures of historical India still preserved with its palaces, reservoirs, temples, a well-planned cannon foundry, a granary and other important towers and monuments. The place also features giant cannon named ‘Jaivana’ which was considered to be then the largest cannon on wheels in the world. The place was built to protect the Amer Fort and its palaces from enemy attacks. Next on our itinerary is the famous Laxmi Narayan temple, which is just one of the many others, built by the wealthy Indian industrialist family, the Birlas. Located at the foot of the Moti Doongri Fort which is a small palace by Ram Singh II for his wife Gayatri, the temple is made entirely from white marble and consists of three domes each portraying diferent approaches to the religion. Later, tour the delightful
City Palace that presents a beautiful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture and housing many other interesting museums and places in itself. There is also the
Jantar Mantar, considered to be one of the best preserved observatories built by Jai Singh II and consisting of outsized astronomical instruments still used by the scientists. Also visit the Palace of Winds, also known as
Hawa Mahal, built as the royal grandstand for royal women and encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. Finish the day with a relaxing and delicious authentic Rajasthan fare at Chokhi Dhani Village Resort. Overnight stay in Jaipur Meals: B
Day 5: Jaipur - Agra
Sunday, December 1, 2024 - Monday, December 2, 2024
Breakfast is then followed by a drive to the world famous Mughal city of Agra, enroute visiting the abandoned Mughal city of
Fatehpur Sikri. This deserted red andstone city was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital with full opulence and beautiful palaces. Still preserved in a pristine condition, the city ruins present an exhilarating fairytale experience to all the visitors. Considered to be one of the best preserved collections of Mughal architecture, the place is the origin of the famed tales of Akbar and his famous courtiers, the Navratnas. It is said that the place was built according to Persian principles, complete with typical Indian embellishments. However, the imperial complex was abandoned shortly after its completion due to the shortage of water in the region and its proximity to the North West Rajputana regions, which were then in huge turmoil. Resembling a huge ghost town,the place regularly visited by those looking to witness the best works of Mughal architecture and experience life as it was during those days of Mughal grandeur. Also on the itinerary is a visit to the largest gateway in the world, the Bulund Darwaza. Later, continue your drive to Agra where you check in to the hotel and spend rest of the day at your own leisure. Meals: B
Day 6: Agra
Monday, December 2, 2024 - Tuesday, December 3, 2024
The day starts with a memorable sunrise visit to the famous
Taj Mahal, seventh wonder of the world built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1631. According to the legend, her death crushed the emperor so much that his beard and hair turned snow white a couple of months later from grief. It is said that when alive, she extracted four promises from the emperorfirstly that he will build the Taj for her after her death, secondly he will marry again, thirdly, he will always be kind to all their children and last but not the least, he will visit her tomb every year on her death anniversary. It is for the fulfillment of her wishes that he began the construction in 1631 and got the monument completed in 22 years. Designed by the best Iranian architect of the times and worked on by twenty thousand people with adornments and embellishments that are linked to the passion behind the place. Considered to be a symbol of eternal love, the sight of the monument standing on the banks of Yamuna river is sure to make your trip worthy of all the efforts. Also on our itinerary is a visit to Agra Fort, a majestic red sandstone structure built by Akbar in 1566. With its floral inlays, expansive Diwan-e-aam and colonnaded hall of red sandstone with a throne alcove of inlaid marble work, the place was once home to the famous gem studded peacock throne. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: B
Day 7: Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Breakfast is followed by transfers to the railway station to board your train to Jhansi from where you proceed directly to the medieval town of
Orchha. Overlooked by the modern era, this Bundela Kings capital flows through a rugged countryside along the banks of river Betwa still giving the aura of bygone era. Amongst others, visit the interesting Jahangiri Mahal that was built by Raja Br Singh Deo to commemorate the Mughal emperor Jahangir’s visit to their kingdom and the beautiful Laxminarayan Temple and Raj Mahal that are both famed for their fine frescoes and paintings. After a hearty lunch,enjoy a scenic drive to the erotic temples of Khajuraho that are considered to be India’s immortal gift of sensual love to the world. Portraying diverse erotic postures and possibilities, these temples are a tribute to the pleasures of life embodying its colorful yet sublime essence. These temples, also a world heritage site are a like a tingling paradise of erotica, truly establishing India as the birthplace of Kamasutra. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: B
Day 8: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 - Thursday, December 5, 2024
Today, the day belongs to the temples of Khjuraho. Enjoy a tour of the western and eastern group of Khajuraho group of temples that include the famous Laxmi and Varha Temples. This famous archeological site was just one of the capitals of Chandela kings during 9th to 11th Century A.D. Extending over an area of over 21 square kilometers and containing over 85 temples built by different rulers at different times, the place is home to richly carved sculptures that are quite sensual in nature and most of the time, sexually explicit. In fact, in the vast history of temple architecture of India, Khajuraho retains a unique place of its own. Legend has it that the temples were created for a specific purpose of educating boys, who till puberty lived in hermitages, about the worldly role of householder and earthly passions. The temples at Khajuraho are divided into different broad groups. The Western Group is the largest, compact and centrally located group in Khajuraho and includes some of the most prominent monuments, built by the Chandela rulers. The Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha Temple form one complex and the Visvanatha and Nandi temples are not far from this complex. The Eastern Group comprises of five detached sub-groups in and around the present village of Khajuraho. The eastern group of monuments, located in close proximity to the Khajuraho village, includes three Brahmanical temples known as Brahma, Vamana and Javari and three Jain temples, the Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath. Later, board a flight to Varanasi where you check in and spend the night at the Varanasi hotel.Meals: B
Day 9: Varanasi
Thursday, December 5, 2024 - Friday, December 6, 2024
Considered to be one of the oldest living cities of the world, Varanasi is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage center. In the words of the famous English author Mark Twain, “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. Explore the rich tapestry of this charming city complete with the hymns and mantras flowing in the air with the fragrance of incense filling up all your senses. Start your day with an early morning boat ride in River Ganga when the golden hues of sunlight shimmer across the high banks of this holy rive. Later, take a trip down the revered Buddhist town of Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Afternoon is devoted to a city sightseeing tour of the Varanasi city covering some of its most famous attractions such as Alamgir Mosque, Beni Madhav ka Darera, Dasaswamedh Ghat and the bharat mata temple.Overnight stay at the hotel.Meals: B
Day 10: Varanasi - Delhi
Friday, December 6, 2024 - Saturday, December 7, 2024
This morning, after breakfast, board your flight for Delhi. Here spend the rest of the day at the hotel or sightseeing at your own pleasure. Meals: B
Day 11: Delhi
Saturday, December 7, 2024 - Sunday, December 8, 2024
The trip concludes with transfers to the international airport for your onward flights. Meals: B
