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Discover India Tour |
Tour Code : CTI/HWT-408 |
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Program
Itinerary in Details |
Days 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi meet, assistance on arrival and
transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit
fascinating sights of old & New Delhi. Delhi, one of
India's fastest growing cities has spread far beyond
the "Seven Cities" created between the 13th and the
17th centuries. Now it's divided in to two parts old
and New Delhi, city carried history of thousand
years, Old Delhi was the capital of Muslims between
17th to 19th centuries. City that is as old as
civilization itself and has been over nine capitals,
each built with loving care by several destinies.
Delhi was the city of magnificent kings and prince's
who gave world famous masterpieces of beauty like
the Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Purana Qila, Raj Ghat,
India Gate, President's House, and Parliament House
etc. New Delhi designed and constructed by Sir Edwin
Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker is a mixture of east &
west and overnight at hotel. |
Days 02 : DELHI- JHANSI- ORCHA- KHAJURAHO
After breakfast transfer to railway station to board
Shatabadi Express for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and
drive to Orcha (16 km.). Orcha, once the capital
city of Bundelas, set amongst a complex of well -
preserved palaces and temples. Orcha was founded in
1531 and remained the capital of a powerful Rajput
kingdom until 1783 when nearby Tikamgadh became the
new capital. Bir Singh Deo ruled from Orcha between
1605 and 1627 and built the Jhansi fort. A favourite
of the Mughal Prince Salim, he feuded with Akbar and
in 1602 narrowly escaped the emperor's displeasure;
his kingdom was all but ruined by Akbar's forces.
Orcha golden age was during the first half of the
17th century when Jehangir visited the city in 1606.
After lunch depart for Khajuraho - 165 kms.
KHAJURAHO, Known for its magnificent temples which
are among the most creative examples of Indian
architecture. Built between 950 and 1050 A.D. only
22 temples out of 85 now survive. Khajuraho
sculpture is sublime and sensuous, the center of new
imagery in art. The sculptors have shown many
aspects of Indian life 1000 years ago - Gods and
Goddesses warriors and musicians, real and
mythological animals. These temples were built
during the Chandela period a dynasty, which survived
for five centuries before falling to the Mughals
onslaught. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 03 : KHAJURAHO
Khajuraho, the temple of love is the most popular
destination for foreign visitors for its exotic,
beautiful and erotic temples. These temples show
Indian culture at its best. They were built 500
years before the discovery of America. These temples
show the creative part of life between men and women
hunting, feasting, enjoying music and dancing. Here
the Khajuraho artists portrayed with no false
modesty and even less prudery, handsome men and
voluptuous women in the most intimate postures
making love to each other. One begins to wonder what
made the people of Khajuraho to build such fine
temples with sculptures, which have no equal in the
world. Islam had not come to this part of India and
women were free to move about and enjoyed perfect
equality with men. Women dressed simply wore
ornaments and joined their men in hunting, feasting
and attending fairs and festivals. The joys of flesh
give place to meditation. Temples are located within
an area of eight square kilometers. These can be
divided into three groups- western group, eastern
group and southern group of temples. KANDARIYA
MAHADEVA TEMPLE is not only the largest but also
architecturally and artistically the most perfect.
Built during the period 1025-1050 A.D., it represent
Chandella art at its finest. The main spire of this
temple is 31 feet high in its majesty and the temple
is lavishly carved. 226 statues inside of the temple
and another 646 outside it- make 872. CHITRAGUPTA
TEMPLE: The fourth temple at the back of the western
enclosure is called Chitragupta Temple and does not
share the common platform with the other three
temples mentioned above. A unique feature of this
temple is that it is dedicated to the sun god (Surya)
driving his chariot with seven horses. On the
central niche, you can see an 11 headed statue of
Lord Vishnu. LAKSHMANA TEMPLE: One of the earliest
of Khajuraho temples 930-950 A.D., the Lakshmana
Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of
the well-preserved temples. CHAUSATH YOGINI TEMPLE:
This is the oldest temple in western group built
around 900 A.D. and perhaps earlier. KHAJURAHO
MUSEUM: Within the area of western group of temples
is the rich archaeological museum of Khajuraho. The
museum is small but worth a visit. Opposite the
museum is the Archaeological Survey of India
Compound. It has many more rescued sculptures.
Overnight at hotel. |
Days 04 : KHAJURAHO- VARANASI
Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi
departure 1215 / 1255 hrs. Assistance at airport and
transfer to your hotel. Varanasi, to the Hindus,
Varanasi, sprawling along the left bank of the river
Ganga, is the holiest city. With its array of
shrines, temples and palaces rising in several tires
from the water edge, Varanasi is one of the most
fascinating cities in the east. It is also a city of
fairs and festivals, celebrating about four hundred
of them during the year. Since time immemorial,
Varanasi has been a center of learning and the
tradition is kept alive today by the Banaras Hindu
University founded in 1916. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 05 : VARANASI
Morning Gangles tour to Bathing Ghats including boat
ride. Return to hotel for breakfast followed by city
tour of Varanasi visit: Bharat Mata Temple, Durga
Temple, Aurangzeb's mosque and Banaras Hindu
University. After lunch trip to Sarnath. Overnight
at hotel. |
Days 06 : VARANASI - AGRA
Morning at leisure. After lunch transfer to airport
to connect flight for Agra. Assistance at airport
and transfer to your hotel. Agra is the most
important city of Uttar Pradesh, especially for its
magnificent monument Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur
Sikri and Itmad-ud-Dullah's Tomb. Agra was the
chosen city of the Mughal emperors, that's why they
made it as the capital of Sikander Lodhi in 1501 and
Akbar ruled here from 1570 to 1585 after that he
left the city due to water problems but in 1599 he
returned and remains here until death. Overnight at
hotel. |
Days 07 : AGRA
Agra is the most important city of Uttar Pradesh,
especially for its magnificent monument Taj Mahal,
Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Itmad-ud-Dullah's
Tomb. Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal
emperors, that's why they made it as the capital of
Sikander Lodhi in 1501 and Akbar ruled here from
1570 to 1585 after that he left the city due to
water problems but in 1599 he returned and remains
here until death. Morning city tour of Agra visit :
Taj Mahal, Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb and Agra fort. TAJ
MAHAL a monument to love built by Shah Jahan in
memory of his wife Mumtaz after her death.
Construction of Taj Mahal begun in 1631 and
completed in 1653, workers were recruited not only
from India but also from Central Asia, total 20,000
people worked on it. Isha Khan was the main
architect who came from Shiraz (Iran).
ITIMAD-UD-DULLAH'S TOMB: Noorjehan, the prettiest
queen of Jehangir, built for her parents. This tomb
was made by warm yellow marble and highlighted by
white and black marble. Agra Fort lies on the bend
of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the
city. The construction of the fort started in 1573
by Akbar and completed by his grandson. Inside of
the fort many fascinating buildings are there like
Diwan-a-Aam, Diwan-a-Khas, Moti Masjid, Jahangiri
Mahal and Jama Masjid. |
Days 08 : AGRA- JAIPUR (268 KM, 06-HRS. DRIVE)
Depart for Jaipur enroute visit: FATEHPUR SIKRI:
Akbar's capital for a short period of 12 years.
Fatehpur Sikri Fort is one of the most impressive
forts of India there are many magnificent building
inside which describe the story of that era. Visit
Birbal Bhawan, Shahi Darwaza,Buland Darwaza, Panch
Mahal, Diwan-I-Am and Diwan-I-Khas. Overnight at
hotel. |
Days 09 : JAIPUR
After breakfast visit Jaipur the Rajput City, in a
land of forts, palaces and temples, the city that
stands out for its unique design and layout is
Jaipur, the "Pink City". Built in 18th century by
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and his
architect-builder Vidyadhar. Basically this is the
city of culture, tradition and crafts. THE CITY
PALACE: Specially designed for the royal family with
lots of doors and windows a part of which remains
the residence of Jaipur family and rest of the
palace serves as a museum, which explain the saga of
that era. JANTAR MANTAR: Jantar Mantar is one of the
Jai Singh's five remarkable observations. The two
Ram Yantras used for the gauging altitudes are
unique in their isolation. HAWA MAHAL: The
ornamental façade of this "Palace of winds" is a
landmark in Jaipur. Its five-storey structure of
pink sandstone encrusted with fine trelliswork and
balconies has 953 windows. It was built in 1799 by
Pratap Singh and was a royal grandstand place for
royal family women's. AMBER FORT: The complex of
palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temple were
built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and
Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two
centuries. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 10 : JAIPUR - PUSHKAR (131 KM, 03 HRS. DRIVE)
After breakfast drive to Pushkar. On arrival
check-in hotel after lunch we will explore the
interesting sites of Pushkar - The abode of the Lord
Brahma, PUSHKAR LAKE - Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot
for Hindus. During the month of Oct/Nov. Devotees
throng in large number here to take a dip in the
sacred lake. According to myth. Lord Brahma was on
his way to search for a suitable place to perform a
'Yegna' (a fire sacrifice). While contemplating, a
lotus fell from his hand on the earth and water
sprouted from three places. One of them was Pushkar
where Lord Barhma performed his yegna. SAVITRI
TEMPLE - A temple dedicated to the first wife of
Lord Brahma, this temple can be reached by a flight
of steps only. MAN MAHAL - On the bank of Pushkar
Lake this palace is built by Raja Man Singh now
converted into RTDC Sarover Hotel. BRHAMA TEMPLE -
It is the only temple in India dedicated to lord
Barahama. FOY SAGAR - A picturesque artificial lake
named after the engineer Foy who created it under a
famine relief project. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 11 : PUSHKAR - CHITTORGARH (202 KM, 04 HRS.
DRIVE)
After breakfast drive to Chittorgarh. On arrival
meet, assistance and transfer to your hotel.
Chittorgarh, Chittor's first defeat occurred in 1303
when Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Pathan king of Delhi
besieged the fort in order to capture the beautiful
Padmini, wife of the Rana's uncle Bhim Singh. When
defeat was inevitable the Rajput noble women,
including Padmini committed sati and Bhim Singh led
the orange - clad noblemen out of their deaths. In
1535 it was Bahadur Shah, the sultan of Gujarat, who
besieged the fort and, once again, the medieval
dictates of chivalry determined the outcome. The
final sack of Chittor came just 33 years later, in
1568, when the Mughal emperor Akbar, took the town.
Once again, the fort was defended heroically but
once, the odds were overwhelming and the women
performed sati; the fort gates were flung open and
8000 orange-robed warriors rode out to their deaths.
On this occasion Maharana Udai Singh fled to Udaipur
where he re- established his capital. In 1616,
Jehangir returned Chittor to the Rajputs but there
was no attempt at resettlement. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 12 : CHITTORGARH
After breakfast visit interesting sights of
Chittorgarh visit: THE FORT: Believed to have been
constructed by later Maurya rulers in 7th century
A.D., this fort is located on a 180 mts. high hill,
covering 700 acres. The fort has many architectural
attractions. VIJAY STAMBH (VICTORY TOWER): Built by
Maharana Kumbha in commemoration of victory over
Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujrat in 1440 A.D., this
37 Mts. high tower is a structure of nine storeys.
Its exoterior is decorated with sculptures and it
has withstood the vagaries of nature through the
centuries. KIRTI STAMBH (TOWER OF FAME): This 22
Mts. high, Tower of Fame was built by wealthy Jain
Merchants in the 12th centuries A.D. and is
dedicated to Adinathji, the first of Jain
tirthankaras. The tower is decorated with figures
from the Jain pantheon. RANA KUMBHA'S PALACE: The
great historical and architectural palace in
Chitourgarh. It is believed that in one of the
underground cellars, Rani Padmini and other women
committed jauhar. This palace is the biggest
monument in the fort of Chittaur. PADMINI'S PALACE:
Rani Padmini was a celebrated beauty and according
to a ledgent, it was here that Rana Ratan Singh
showed a glimpse of her to Allauddin Khilji, the
Sultan of Delhi. It overlooks a pool in which the
'Zanana Mahal' is situated, where Padmini stood when
her reflection was shown to Allauddin Khilji in a
mirror in the main hall. MEERA & KUMBHA SHYAM
TEMPLE: This temple is associated with mystic
poetess and a great devotee of Lord Krishna,
Meerabai: She is the wife of Rana Bhojraj and is set
to have consumed Poisson sent by the Rana but
survived because of Lord Krishna's blessing.
GOVERMENT MUSEUM: The magnificent Fateh Prakash
Mahal has been converted into a museum now. It has a
rich collection of sculptures from temples and
buildings in the fort. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 13 : CHITTORGARH - UDAIPUR (112 KMS, DRIVE)
After breakfast drive to Udaipur. On arrival
check-in hotel. UDAIPUR Maharana Udai Singh founded
Udaipur the last of the capitals of Mewar, in 1567.
Driven by the besieging armies of Emperor Akbar, he
abandoned struggle and choosing the fertile valley
between the famous Mewar forts of Chittaurgarh and
Kumbhalgarh, centered his new city round three
lakes. Udaipur was to become the most beautiful
cities of India. There is no place in India, which
appeals more to the imagination of poets, painters,
travelers and writers. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 14 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast visit: - CITY PALACE: Completely
white and majestic, the City Palace stands on a hill
surrounded by crenellated walls. The sparking white
filigreed balconies and windows, ornate arches and
small domes. Now become a museum, is labyrinth of
courtyards richly decorated with inlaid mirror work,
galleries covered with wall pictures. Its main
entrance is through the triplearched gate, the
Tripolia, built in 1725. There is Suraj Gokhada, the
balcony of the sun, where the Suryavanshi Maharana
of Mewar presented themselves in time of trouble to
the people to restore their confidence. LAKE
PICHOLA: An island on the lake houses the elegant
Jag Nivas, built in 1746 as the summer residence of
the rulers, and now the Lake Palace Hotel. JAGDISH
TEMPLE: Built in 17th century has a remarkable
bronze statue of Garuda (a mythical bird) facing his
revered Lord Vishnu. It is the largest and most
splendid temple in Udaipur. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 15 : UDAIPUR - AURANGABAD
After breakfast depart Udaipur and catch flight for
Aurangabad. On arrive transfer to your hotel.
AURANGABAD itself a number of monuments: Bibi Ka
Maqbara, the tomb of Begum Rabia Durani, Aurangzeb's
wife the Pan Chakki, an intricate 17th century
water-mill by, which the Mughals using the concept
of the Persian water-wheel, managed to channelise
water from a spring on a hill some distance away and
generated energy to turn large grinding stones; and
the cluster of caves in the hills just outside of
the city. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 16 : AURANGABAD - ELLORA- AJANTA - AURANGABAD
Early morning drive to Ellora visit: KAILASA TEMPLE:
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is
unquestionably the most glorious achievement here.
The whole splendid structure of Kailasa is "an
enormous monolithic rock carving in architectural
form", three great trenches were cut down into the
rock and beginning from the top of the cliff work
progressed down to the base. Day Excursion to Ajanta
caves. Return to hotel. Overnight at hotel. |
Days 17 : AURANGABAD - BOMBAY - GOA
After breakfast flight to Bombay at Bombay airport
connect flight to Goa or onward destination. |
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