Classical Summer Tour

DAY 01   ARRIVE DELHI

Assistance upon arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02    IN DELHI

Morning after breakfast, full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Among some of the most interesting highlights of your

city tour

of Old and New Delhi are the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat in the old city area and the Government

Buildings, a drive through the majestic Rajpath to the India Gate, the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutab

Minar etc. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03     DELHI-VARANASI

Morning after breakfast, departure transfer to the airport to board flight 9W-723 1045/1155 hrs to Varanasi. Assistance upon

arrival at the airport and transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon excursion to Sarnath (total distance approx. 10 km). Sarnath the fabled place bear testimony to its great past

where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples expounding the principles of Buddhism. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04   IN VARANASI

Early morning boat-ride on holy river Ganges. In Varanasi life and various activities revolve around the river. Life begins

before dawn when thousands of pilgrims - and devotees - come down to the river to offer early morning prayers. Also visit the

famous ghats and enjoy a spectacular view of sunrise from river Ganges.

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Temples of Varanasi including Durga Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Durga, consort of

Lord Shiva. Bharat Mata Temple: This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi and houses one of the most perfect

relief of India carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas Temple: Built in white marble this unique temple has the whole of Ram

Charit Manas (Ramayana) inscribed on its wall. Well laid out landscaping around the temple adds to its beauty and Banaras Hindu University.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05   VARANASI-KHAJURAHO

Late morning departure transfer to the airport to board flight 9W-723 1225/1305 hrs to Khajuraho. Assistance upon arrival

at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06   KHAJURAHO-ORCHHA

Morning after breakfast half day sightseeing tour of Eastern & Western Group of Temples.
Western Group is the best known as it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temples belong -

the Kandariya Mahadeo. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 metres high. The main shrine is in an almost perfectly state of

preservation. This shrine has an exquisitely carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes: celestial beings, lovers,

serenading musicians - movement captured in stones and frozen in time, yet retaining the warmth of pulsating life. The

stones seem to have taken on the sensuousness of the carved figures. Eastern Group: Hindu and Jain temples make up

the eastern group, close to Khajuraho Village. The largest Jain temple, Parsvanath, is in this group. Sculptures on the

northern outer wall

make this temple the finest in the group. The carvings are timeless, of a woman bending thoughtfully over a letter, a

damsel removing

a thorn from her foot. The sanctum has a thronefacing a bull, emblem of the first Tirthankara, Adinath. The actual image of

Parsvanath, from which the temple derives its name,was installed in 1860.
Afternoon depart by surface to Orchha (165 kms/4 hrs drive) and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07  ORCHHA-JHANSI-AGRA

Morning after breakfast, sightseeing tour of Orchha Fort. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time and a

rich legacy and the palaces and the temples built by it Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century retain much of their

pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chattries has a spectacular view of soaring

temples spires and cenotaphs.

Late afternoon departure transfer to the Jhansi Railway Station to board train Shatabdi Express 1755/2010 hrs to Agra.

Assistance upon arrival at the Railway Station and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08  IN AGRA

Morning after breakfast half-day sightseeing tour of Agra city - which includes:
Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, this beautiful mausoleum is built of pure white marble and is an

architectural marvel, in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar over the years 1565 - 1573 with its maze of courtyards, mosques, and private chambers.

Most of the buildings originally built by Akbar were destroyed and were replaced by his grandson Shah Jehan. The only

surviving structure from Akbar's period apart from the solid sand stone ramparts and the gateway is the Jehangir Mahal.

Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09  AGRA-FATEHPUR SIKRI-JAIPUR

Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Jaipur (235 kms/6 hrs) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of

Mughal India. Among the principal attractions of Fatehpur Sikri are the large audience halls, palaces, the Mosques, the tomb

of Salim Chishti, The Panchmahal, and the Buland Darwaza, which is among the biggest gates in Asia. Continue your drive

and upon arrival in Jaipur check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10   VARANASI-KATHMANDU

Morning excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory

glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and Temple of Kali. The highlight of the visit is to take a ride on gaily decorated

elephant to the

ramparts of the Fort.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Among the principal sights are the Jantar Mantar or the Observatory, The Palace of

Winds or Hawa Mahal, The City Palace & Museum. Jaipur is also a major centre of precious and semi precious stones,

jewellery, cotton textiles and the typical Blue Pottery. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11   JAIPUR-JODHPUR

Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Jodhpur and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12   IN JODHPUR

Morning after breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone

hill, including Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Later visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memoriam built in 1899 and the

museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens.

Afternoon excursion to Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar, which was abandoned for strategic reasons. At the foot of the

hills amidst gardens, commemorative cenotaphs line the silent city. A shrine reputedly of 300 million gods, contains the life

size statues of local deities and heroes. Overnight at the hotel.