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Trip
Duration : 15 Nights /16
Days
Places Covered :
Bombay - Rajkot - Gondal -
Bhavnagar - Palitana - Ahmedabad - Mt. Abu - Udaipur - Jaipur -
Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01 : Arrival Bombay
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to
hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Bombay - Rajkot - Gondal
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbor brings you to
the lush green Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and
intricately carved cave temples that date back to the 8th
century, and which are dedicated to the Hindu Sun God - Shiva
(Closed on Monday). Lunch at hotel and check-out.
Evening transfer from hotel to the airport for flight to Rajkot
(1610/1700 hrs.). Meeting and assistance upon arrival and
straight drive to Gondal (40 kms 1 hrs). On arrival check in at
hotel. Cultural performance followed by dinner. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 03 : Gondal - Bhavnagar
Morning visit the Vintage car
collection of the Maharaja of Gondal, close to where you will be
staying. Also, visit 500 years old Palace, temple. Early lunch at
hotel. Continue drive to Bhavnagar (250 kms/5 hrs.). On arrival
check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Bhavnagar – Palitana - Ahmedabad
Early morning drive to Ahmedabad
(250 kms / 5 hrs) via Palitana. Palitana lies at the foot of the
Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya river flowing to its
South. The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent
temple, 863 in all, that soar in marble splendor of its top. Only
the Gods live on this holy hilltop city for, after sundown, none
may stay here, not even the priests who wend their way down the
hill and leave the resplendent pinnacle to the gods. The temples
were built over an impressive span of 900 years, with each
generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of
Shatrunjaya. Lunch at Vijay Vilas Palace near Palitana. On
arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Ahmedabad
Morning city sightseeing tour of
Ahmedabad visit the Jama Masjid, famous for its picturesque
porticoes resting on 250 columns. Visit Sidi Sayyad's Mosque
which is world renowned for it's intricate lattice-work of rich
and elaborate design. Also visit Calico Textile Museum. Dinner
and overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Ahmedabad - Mount Abu
Early morning drive to Mount Abu
(230 kms / 6 hrs) enroute visiting Modhera, Patan and the havelis
of Sidhpur.
Day 07 : Mount Abu - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur, via
Ranakpur (292 kms/7 hrs.). Ranakpur visit the famous Jain Temple,
dating back to the 15th century. Its 29 halls are supported by
200 pillars, none of which are alike. The Temple abounds with
intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more
Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic
sculptures. Lunch at Maharani Bagh, Continue your drive to
Udaipur. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 08 : Udaipur
Morning, sightseeing tour of
Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at
rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows
and inlaid marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard. Also
visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens. Afternoon, motor
launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat
you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises
majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan
desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island
palace in the middle of the lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Udaipur - Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from
hotel to the airport for Udaipur /Jaipur flight (0810/0915 hrs.).
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel.
Morning excursion to Amber Fort. Make your ascent to the palace
fortress on the gaily caparisoned elephant back. Tour the
chambers and hallways of the palace which are famous for the
excellence of their design and decoration. Afternoon tour of
Jaipur, known as "The Pink City of Rajasthan". Visit the unique
Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 1700's, yet
even today still looks futuristic or almost surrealistic; the
City Palace and its Museum, the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of
Winds. Dinner at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Jaipur - Agra
Morning, drive to Agra Enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri (221 kms/6 hrs.) the deserted, red sandstone
city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in
the 16th century. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza the largest
gateway in the world. Continue your drive to Agra and upon
arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Agra
Full day sightseeing tour of Agra
visiting Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad ud Daulah Tomb &
Sikandra.
Day 12 : Agra - Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho
After breakfast transfer from
hotel to the railway station. Leave : Agra at 0815 hrs by
Shatabdi Exp. Ar: Jhansi at 1040 hrs Meeting and assistance upon
arrival and proceed directly to Orcha. Orcha, overlooked by the
modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the capital of
Bundela Kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing
through a rugged country side, it still retains the captivating
air of a bygone era. Amongst the various imposing edifices, of
particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir
Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir,
the Raj Mahal and the Laxminarayan temple, both noted for their
fine Frescoes and Mural paintings. After lunch drive to Khajuraho
(170 kms/ 4 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 13 : Khajuraho - Varanasi
Morning, sightseeing tour of the
famous Chandela Dynasty Temples which are set in a lovely grassy
park. The Temples are quite amazing - rising in many peaks and
spirals, intricately carved and designed with statues and
friezes, some of which are the renowned erotic carvings. Early
lunch at hotel and transfer to the airport Khajuraho/Varanasi
flight (1330/1410 hrs.). Meeting and assistance upon arrival and
transfer from airport to :hotel Afternoon sightseeing tour of the
holy city of Varanasi. Visit some of the many Hindu Temples that
line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars
full of shops selling, among other things, the world-famous
Banaras Silks. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Varanasi - Delhi
Early morning, drive to Daswamedh
Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. Continue by
boat to see burning and bathing Ghats. Thereafter visit the
buried Buddhist city of Sarnath, just outside Varanasi - it's as
holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Here you will
witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and
then visit a fine museum which houses an excellent collection of
Buddhist art and sculpture (Sarnath Museum Closed on Fridays).
Afternoon transfer from hotel to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi
flight (1440/1550 hrs.). Meeting and assistance upon arrival and
transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Delhi
Morning, sightseeing tour of Old
Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India; and the Red
Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul
Empire. Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the
Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar. Drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House
and the President's Residence and end the tour with a drive
through Diplomatic Enclave. Late evening transfer to airport.
Day 16 : Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi.
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