Architectural Marvels - North India - 12 Days

Architectural highlights: Taj Mahal, Ajanta and Ellora Caves of Aurangabad, Sanchi and Videsha of Bhopal, Eastern and Western Exotic temples of Khajuraho and Elephanta Caves of Mumbai.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel of your choice.

Day 02 : Delhi
Morning, tour of Old Delhi, includes the Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial), the Jama Masjid (Universal Mosque), the Red Fort and the fabled Chandni Chowk (Silver Street). Afternoon, tour of New Delhi, includes, the Qutub Minar, the Emperor Humayun's Tomb, the India Gate, the Houses of Parliament and the Presidential Palace.

Note: The Red Fort is closed on Mondays.

Day 03 : Delhi / Agra ( By train Shatabdi Express - 0600 hours / 0755 hours )

Early morning, representative will assist you for transfer to the railway station to board the train to Agra. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Late morning, visit the Agra Fort, a standing testimony in red sandstone to the glory of the Great Mughal. Later visit the Fatehpur Sikri - the capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, built entirely of red sandstone. In sharp contrast stands the pristine white marble monument to Salim Chisti, Akbar's teacher, who granted him his wish for a son. It is here that wishes come true when you tie a string on the marble lattice

Day 04 : Agra - Khajuraho (By Flight IC 7407 / 1220 / 1300 hours)

At sunrise, visit the legendary Taj Mahal, poetry in marble and a symbol of eternal love. Afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight for Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the architectural marvels of "The Khajuraho Temples". These Hindu temples with erotic carvings were built 1000 years ago with art and architecture merged to perfection. Evening dinner followed by a talk on erotic architecture of Khajuraho and the Kamasutra.

Day 05 : Khajuraho

Morning revisit these great temples. Afternoon excursion to Raneh Falls and Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary.

Day 06 : Khajuraho - Orchha (By road 4 hours drive)

Morning drive to Jhansi to board After breakfast drive to Orcha. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to the Palace of Jahangir, Raj Mahal, Rai Mahal & Sheesh Mahal and the cenotaphs

Day 07 : Orchha to Jhansi (By road 45 minutes)
Jhansi - Bhopal (By shatabdi Express : 1025 / 1405 hours)

Morning drive to Jhansi and transfer to station to board train to Bhopal. Arrive Bhopal . Meet and transfer to hotel. Bhopal, lies in the heart of Malwa and is the capital of the state Madhya Pradesh. It is hallowed by memories of the great Hindu King-Raja Bhoj. It was also once renowned as a prominent center of Buddhist culture. It is known as the "lakeside city", a fairyland, half hidden among seven high hills, rich in foliage. It was built in the 11th century when the legendary Raja Bhoj, fond of lakeside views, created a lake around which grew the beautiful sprawling city named after him. Soon, more lakes and gardens, parks and ponds appeared, turning Bhopal into one of the most beautiful cities in India. Succeeding battalions of invaders seemed determined on its destruction, and Bhopal fell into oblivion. However, with the coming of the extravagant Moguls in the 14th century, Bhopal was reborn. The Moguls made it a city of artists and musicians, monuments and mausoleums

Day 08 : Bhopal

Morning excursion to Sanchi, an important site of Buddhist pilgrimages. The first things you notice are the huge stupas standing on a tranquil hill overlooking rich forests. These stupas are funeral mounds where the holy relics of the Buddha and other sages were interred. Emperor Ashoka built as many as eight stupas at Sanchi. Today only 3 survive but they are unparalleled for their stone craft. The most magnificent Great Stupa is 37 meters in diameter and 16 meters high. The ground balustrade circumscribing the Great Stupa has four toranas or gateways depicting Buddhist legends and the main events in the Buddha's life. Close to the South gateway lie the ruins of the Ashoka Pillar. Other interesting monuments include the 15-meter high Stupa #3 and the new Vihara or monastery where the relics of the Buddha have been enshrined. The 7-meter high Stupa #2 is noted for its Chaitya Hall or shrine. The museum displays a number of sculptures found in the area. These are the oldest Buddhist structures in India and one of the earliest religious structures on the sub-continent. Some 12 km northwest of Sanchi lies the ancient town of Vidisha a market town also known as Besnagar. This is the sight of many relics of the Mauryan civilization, including the Udayagiri Caves. The Kham Baba is a monolithic pillar built in 90 BC by Heliodorus, an ambassador of the Greek king to the court of Vidisha. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu

Day 09 : Bhopal - Mumbai (By Flight 9W 3106 : 2010 / 2210 hours)

This morning visit the Museum of Man, which has an excellent exhibit of India's indigenous minorities - the adivasis (tribals). The exhibit exposes the richness and ingenuity of India's tribal culture providing insight into a way of life few see first hand. This 200-acre hilltop site includes a coastal village, a rock-art gallery, a research center, and as its centerpiece an open-air exhibition of traditional adivasi houses, compounds and religious shrines. Specialist adivasi craftsmen have built authentic replicas of these buildings, using only tools and materials available in their home environments. Begin at the introductory gallery and marvel at the tribal dwellings, original tools, intricate murals, and statues of tribal deities, chariots and more! Visit the Jama Masjid, built by Qudsia Begum, which has tall dark minarets crowned with glittering golden spikes. The Moti Masjid is patterned on Delhi's Jama Masjid. An outstanding feature of Bhopal is its two picturesque lakes. The sunset on the lakes and a view of the festive city lights from the two high points of Idgah and Shamla are a must see. Late evening transfer to airport to fly to Mumbai

Day 10 : Mumbai - Aurangabad (By Flight 9W 3103 : 0715 / 0815 hours)

Morning transfer to airport to fly to Aurangabad. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Ellora Caves, located 26 kilometers north of Aurangabad. These monuments are excavated out of the vertical face of the Khuldabad escarpment to face westwards across the Deccan plain. The Ellora caves span a period of about 350 years, from the 6th-10th centuries AD. This architectural style has been inspired by other rock cut locales in the Western Deccan and areas further south and the Pallava temples in the Tamil territory as well as the Chalukya temples in the Kannada region. The Ellora caves, exemplifies the last stage in the development of the rock-cut medium, and the outpouring authority of free structural style. The sculptures are one of the greatest examples of the Chalukya, Kalachuri and Rashtrakuta Era.

Explore the magnificent Ajanta Caves that lie 107 kilometers northeast of Aurangabad. The incredible rock-cut monuments of Ajanta house important examples of Buddhist architecture and sculpture. These are comprehensive examples of early Buddhist paintings. A British Captain, John Smith, in 1819, accidentally discovered these fabulous caves. The cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which, is a waterfall that feeds a natural pool, the Saptakunda. There are thirty excavations many unfinished. Some of the paintings depict the Buddhist way of life, divided into two distinct periods, an earlier Hinayana period and a later Mahayana Phase

Day 11 : Aurangabad

Morning proceed to visit the magnificent Ajanta Caves that lie 107 kilometers northeast of Aurangabad. The incredible rock-cut monuments of Ajanta house important examples of Buddhist architecture and sculpture. These are comprehensive examples of early Buddhist paintings. A British Captain, John Smith, in 1819, accidentally discovered these fabulous caves. The cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which, is a waterfall that feeds a natural pool, the Saptakunda. There are thirty excavations many unfinished. Some of the paintings depict the Buddhist way of life, divided into two distinct periods, an earlier Hinayana period and a later Mahayana Phase

Day 12 : Aurangabad - Mumbai (By Flight 9W 3104 : 0845 / 0945 hours)

Morning transfer to airport to fly to Mumbai. Met upon arrival and transfer hotel. Later proceed for excursion to Elephanta Caves, which is 10 Kms from Gate way of India and takes around 40 Minutes by motor boat. This is major tourist attraction due to its four superb rock- cut temples, mainly related to God Shiva, built between 450 to 750 A.D. Late evening transfer to international airport to board flight for onward destination.

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