India Tours - Program 2 - 13Days.

Note: Have increased a night each in Jaipur, Agra to make the pace of the tour more comfortable as I night in Jaipur and Agra would rush the program with a early morning train to Jhansi the clients would get little time to see Agra.

Have increased a night in Varanasi as there is a lot to see and this is one city which needs to be experienced and we should give more time in this city and also this would make the program comfortable.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Delhi International airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to hotel.

Day 02: Delhi
This morning, tour of Old Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial), the Jama Masjid (The Universal mosque), and the Red Fort. Travel by cycle rickshaw through the fabled Chandni Chowk (Silver street). Here, alleys filled with Gold and Silversmiths, the exotic spice market and colorful fabric merchants are but some of the few sights that will amaze and tempt you. Afternoon, tour of New Delhi, includes, the Qutab Minar (A 70 meter high victory tower), Emperor Humayun's Tomb. Drive past to the India Gate, the Houses of Parliament and the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhawan). Also visit the Craft Museum & village, and later visit the Birla Temple to see the evening prayers. This evening, you will see Dances of India, and have dinner at Chor Bizarre restaurant. B D
NOTE : The Red Fort & Craft Museum are closed on Mondays.

Day 03 : Delhi - Samode ( By road - 4 1/2 hours drive )
After breakfast, you will be driven to Samode. Arrive and check in to the Samode Palace Hotel (Deluxe) / Samode Bagh (First Class), 45 kms away from Jaipur. Afternoon will be at leisure to explore on your own. Car & driver will be at your disposal. B

Day 04 : Samode - Jaipur ( By road -1 hour drive )
After breakfast, straight driven to the Amber Fort, where you ascend the hill like a Maharaja - on the back of an elephant. Arrive and check in to the Rambagh Palace Hotel (Deluxe) / The Trident Hilton Hotel (First Class). Afternoon city tour of Jaipur, includes, the City Palace of the Jaipur Maharaja and the major Rajput landmark, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD. Continue on to the Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Late afternoon, you are invited for Tea at a local family home to learn about the religion, culture, and joint family system. This evening enjoy a Hindi Movie show at Rajmandir Palace, which will also give you an insight into the bollywood pictures, and help you understand the difference, in the technology, thought behind, and the presentation of the movie. B

Day 05 : Jaipur
After breakfast, visit the fairy tale like Amer Fort, where you ascend the hill like a Maharaja on the back of an elephant. After Amer, we have a (optional) visit to a carpet weaving unit making hand knotted carpets, using vegetable dyes, thereby making the colors of each piece unique. This afternoon vehicle at disposal to explore the local bazzars of Jaipur. Evening, drive around 18 Kms to the Magnificent Fort Kanota, spread in 8 Acres of land and have nice Rajasthani DINNER with the royal family in the gardens/ lawn of the Fort. The food is cooked on the old local royal recipes, tried and tested for ages. BD

Day 06 : Jaipur - Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (By road - 6 hours drive)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Agra, enroute visit Abhaneri is a small village is known for its beautiful baoris (step wells) and the famous Harshat Mata Temple. Abhaneri is believed to have been established by Raja Chand. Many believe that Raja Chand was in fact Raja Bhoja, a celebrated king who ruled over the Gurjar kingdom in the 9th century. Abhaneri was earlier known as Abha Nagri or the city of brightness. Today, this ancient village is in ruins. Tour the Chand Baori with a vast well with flights of steps on three sides is a 10th century monument. It is a fine example of the architectural excellence prevalent in the past. This impressive step-well is deep as a seven storeyed building. See the famous Harshat Mata Temple opposite the well. Historians believe there might have been a religious connection between the two. The step-well is 35 meters on each side with steps leading down from each side where water can be drawn from any level. Continue to Agra. Stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the Mughal Emperor Akbar, built it entirely of red sandstone and now declared as a World Heritage Monument. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Late afternoon enjoy INDIA IN MOTION a 6 D film on Indian Culture and History. B
NOTE : The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Day 07 : Agra
After breakfast, visit the Agra Fort, reminiscent of the glorious and sorrowful Mughal reign, visit the mausoleum of Itmad-ud-Daula : The tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg (Father of the Empress Nur Jahan) - and an earlier example of the fine workmanship of the Taj Mahal. Also visit Mother Teresa Orphanage. At sunset, visit the legendary Taj Mahal, poetry in marble and a symbol of eternal love. Evening COCKTAIL DINNER at the hotel, over a session filled with exchanging of ideas, coming up with feedback of tour, talking on issues related to India and Indian culture, with the tour escort. B D

Day 08 : Agra - Jhansi ( By Shatabdi Exp- 0820 hrs / 1040 hrs ) Jhansi - Orchha ( By road - 1 hour drive )
Morning, the representative will assist you for transfer to the Agra railway station to board the train to Jhansi. On arrival at Jhansi railway station, you will be met by a representative and driven to Orchha. Arrive and check in to the hotel. Afternoon visit Orchha Fort - The fort is reached by an arched bridge and the three palaces set in an open courtyard within the fort are the first buildings to explore. The tiered Jahangir Mahal was built in 1606 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir in 1606. The Raj Mahal, to the right of the courtyard, was built by Madhukar Shah and has bold colorful murals inside. The third palace, is the Rai Praveen Mahal, which is a two storey brick structure set in the gardens of Anand Mahal. Of the many temples within the fort, three are especially worth visiting. The Ram Raja Mandir was originally a palace and became a temple more by accident than design. An image of Ram was installed while the temple. B

Day 09 : Orchha - Khajuraho ( By road - 3 hours drive )
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho is India's unique gift to the world. Of the original 85 temples, 22 survive, enthralling visitors worldwide. Arrive and check in to hotel. Later visit The Eastern Group can be subdivided into two groups. The first is made up of interesting Jain temples in the walled enclosure. The other four temples are scattered through the small village of Khajuraho. This evening enjoy Sound and Light Show. B

Day 10 : Khajuraho / Varanasi (By 9W 724 : 1330 hrs / 1410 hrs)
After breakfast, tour The Western Group of Temples, one thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, the magnificent temples of Khajuraho are poetries in stone. The architectural beauty of the exquisite sculptures, the temples are unlike any other in India or anywhere in the world. The main temples are in the Western Group, which are the largest, compact and centrally located, includes some of the most prominent monuments, built by the Chandela rulers. The other four temples are scattered through the small village of Khajuraho. Later, our representative will assist you for transfer to the airport to fly to Varanasi. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. At the time of sunset, enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges Rivers to witness the aarti (prayer) ceremony emitting a spiritual ambiance to this ancient city. During the ceremony, oil lamps are placed in the river followed by aarti as bells ring in the back-round accompanied with chanting and singing, a magical conclusion to this day. B

Day 11 : Varanasi
Early morning at dawn after tea or coffee, visit the ghats to witness the Hindu pilgrims perform their rituals, following centuries old tradition and belief that by dying in Varanasi or by immersing the mortal remains in the holy Ganges it clears one from the birth circle, and is incarnated to human life in the next birth. Enjoy an early morning boat cruise on the river Ganges passing the ghats, making stopping at the important ones. The riverfront, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, is a spiritually uplifting sight. This religious city is crowded with temples and its labyrinth of streets with throngs of people, is exciting and enticing. Walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi to experience the real local life. Return to the hotel. After breakfast, lecture on Hinduism by a Professor of Benares Hindu University. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later, proceed on an excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, after attaining enlightenment. Visit the museum, many stupas, ruins and Mulagandhakuti Vihara, housing relics found during the early excavations. Late afternoon, visit to an ordinary / non premier school, and talk to some teachers to understand the primary / secondary education system in India in general B

Day 12 : Varanasi - Delhi ( By 9W 724 ; 1440 hrs / 1600 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a morning tour of Varanasi. Points of interest on a tour of Varanasi include the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi. Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold plating on the 'shikaras' was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Bharat Mata Temple, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; followed by a visit to the local market. After breakfast, you will do the tour of Sarnath & museum. Afternoon, our representative will assist you for transfer to the airport to fly to Delhi. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Farewell Dinner at the good local restaurant. BD

Day 13 : Delhi Departure
The representative will assist you for transfer to the International airport to board the flight for onward journey.

STANDARD INCLUSIONS FOR ALL PACKAGES:

• Two way transfer to local train station at Haridwar.
• Accommodation in a Deluxe Room.
• Morning Wake Up signature tea.
• Daily fresh fruit bowl.
• 3 Ananda Rejuvenation Spa Cuisine meals (breakfast/ lunch/ dinner), per night of stay, per person.
• Spa treatments as per the package program.
• Introductory Spa and Fitness orientation sessions with an Initial Spa consultation.
• Daily use of the Hydrotherapy facilities: Indoor and Outdoor Jacuzzi, Steam, Sauna, Chill Plunge Pool, Kneipp Hydrotherapy Foot Bath and Heated Lap Pool.
• Opportunity to participate in scheduled Spa Lifestyle and Wellness activities Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Fitness, Cooking demonstrations. Lectures and Workshops/ Excursions.
  

Our prices do not include the following: