Rajasthan with Khajuraho, Varanasi & Mumbai

Morning after breakfast full day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi.

Old Delhi, built in the 17th century by Shah Jehan the Magnificent (who also built the Taj Mahal). First we will visit the famous Jama Masjid mosque with its 9,000 sq. ft. courtyard, three domes and two minarets. Then proceed to the massive complex known as the Red Fort (only for photo stop). (Red Fort is closed on Monday).

Later visit Raj Ghat the crimination ground of Mahatma Ghandi, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a Spectacular structure that’s just 60 years old, India Gate – the war memorial, photo stop at Presidential Palace and Parliament House and then proceed via India Gate – the war memorial, photo stop at Presidential Palace and Parliament House.

Later transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Sarnath, 10 kms north of Varanasi is Sarnath, where in the Deer Park; Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon. After he received enlightenment. The ruins of monasteries, built more than 2000 years ago, the Dhamok Stupa, the Dharmaraji Ka Stupa and the main shrine draw Buddhist pilgrims yearly to Sarnath.The Mahabodhi Society of India have recently built a modern Vihara, the interior frescoes of which have been executed by a Japanese artist.  At Sarnath stands the famous Ashoka Pillar of polished sandstone whose lion capital has been adopted by the republic of India as its state emblem. The museum designed like a Buddhist monastery, contains many superb specimens of ancient art.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Today early morning you experience the life of this ancient city. See the beauty of the rising sun on the Ganges Boat Ride. The boat ride passes along some of the 100 ghats, with numerous palaces built by Hindu kings. Experience the early morning rituals of the Hindus being performed, thousands of people taking a bath in the holy river believing they will be free from the circle of rebirth. It is interesting to see the pilgrims offering sweets, flowers and holy water to the Sun God.

Return to hotel for breakfast. Later you will see the Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to Mother India, which, instead of gods and goddesses, houses a relief map of India carved out of marble. Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) erected by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776.  The shikharas of the temple are gold plated.

In time transfer to airport to board flight for Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho and transfer to hotel.

After lunch at hotel. Half day city tour of Khajuraho. Visit Eastern and Western group of Temples.

The Eastern Group of temples are mainly dedicated to the Jain teachers - tirthankaras - The Parsvanatha Temple, the Adinatha Temple and the Santinatha Temple. There is a 4.5m statue of Adinatha in the main place of Jain worship. The temples are ornately carved on the outside with beautiful figures of Hindu gods, goddesses.

The Western Group consists of a group of artistic temples built in sandstone. The sculptures of Hindu deities, dancers and musicians appear to be so natural as if they would come alive any time. We will visit the Varaha Temple dedicated to Vishnu, and also the Lakshmana Temple also dedicated to Vishnu. It is one of the earliest of the western enclosure temples dating from 930 to 950 AD. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is not only the largest of the temples, it is also artistically and architecturally the most perfect. Built between 1025 and 1050 it represents Chandella art at its most finely developed phase.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Jhansi enroute visit Orcha.

Orcha, 18 km from Jhansi, is highly picturesque & is set on an island on a bend in the Betwa River. You see the beautiful Orcha Fort palace raised on a rocky promontory above the wooded countryside.

After lunch drive to Jhansi to board train for Agra.

Board Shatabdi Express at 1756 hrs. Arrive Agra at 2025 hrs. Meet and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning visit Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by a sorrowing Shah Jehan in memory of his young wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The building’s stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).

Return to hotel and have breakfast. Later visit Agra Fort.

Agra Fort, Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects and artists.

Afternoon drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check in hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, you will explore the city of Jaipur, founded in the 18th century. Called the ‘pink city’ many of its buildings are made of pink sandstone. Visit Amber Fort by Elephant Ride, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Like the 18th-century Palace of Winds, the screened windows of Am ber allowed for the ladies of the court in times gone by to view the processional, civic activities, and formal matters of state. Photo Stop at Water Palace.

Afternoon visit the Jantar Mantar, an open-air royal observatory with gigantic astronomical instruments. Also visit Laxmi Narayan Temple Etc. Evening visit Johiri Bazar for shopping.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, visit the City Palace Museum, which houses the magnificent art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. Later visit Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Lunch at hotel. Later drive to Jodhpur. 

Arrive Jodhpur and check-in at hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, visit the Meharangarh Fort, stands a hundred feet in splendor on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons.

Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens. After lunch drive to Udaipur. Enroute visit Jain temples at Ranakpur.

Arrive Udaipur and and check in at hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Moring after breakfast, enjoy city tour of this "Lake City". Udaipur is a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell. The huge City Palace, towering over the Lake Pichola is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.

Proceed on to the Jagdish temple which enshrines a black  stone image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle - a mighty bird   called Garuda in a brass image. The temple is a very fine example of Indo-Aryan art. The temple is still in use and is visited by colourfully dressed pilgrims.

Also visit Sahelion Ki Bari – the spectacular garden displaying the unique life style of the royal ladies who once lived in the palaces.

Evening take a leisurely cruise in small boats on the serene and beautiful Lake Pichola. The island palace on the lake called Jagmandir Palace is quite fascinating. The banks of the lake provided interesting glimpses of the daily bathing and laundry that takes place here. Looking across the lake, with the city and its great palace rising up behind the island palace, is a scene of rare beauty. You will also have time to spend in the bustling market   that sprawls behind the City Palace Complex.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai.

Later visit Prince Wales Museum. - This museum stands not too far from the Gateway of India.   It has a priceless collection of art, sculpture, China and other antics. Carefully preserved, this mid-Victorian Gothic style building built in 1904 with beautiful gardens surrounding it, is worth visiting in Mumbai

Later visit CST Railway terminal.

Evening drive past Marine Drive Marine Drive was once called the queen's Necklace, strung with glittering street lights like an enormous strand of imperious jewels, Chowpatty Beach - Chowpatty beach is situated on Marine Drive. This beach is well-known for it's stalls selling "Bhel-Puri and Pani -Puri chat" a favorite fast food among the Mumbaites and visitors to the city

Overnight stay at hotel.

Moring after breakfast, Visit Gateway of India - Mumbai's most famous monument. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947. Later visit Elephanta Caves Elephant Island situated at 10 Kms from Mumbai. Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD, and attract more visitors each year than the entire city of Mumbai. No wonder: this place resonates with the spiritual energy of India. The cave complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Afternoon visit Mani Bhawan - located on leafy Laburnum Road, a quiet lane named after its shady trees, Mani Bhavan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma GandhiAlso visit Hanging Garden - The Hanging Gardens or Ferozshah Mehta Gardens were laid in 1881 on top of a reservoir on the Malabar Hills. This place has become a heaven for dating couples nevertheless the place provides a good view of the city. 

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, transfer to international airport to board onward destination flight.