Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Amber Fort -
Fatehpur Sikri - Varanasi - Bhubneshwar - Puri - Bhubneshwar - Calcutta -
New Jalpaiguri - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Bagdogra
Day
01 : Arrival Delhi Met upon arrival and assisted transfer to your
hotel for two nights. Afternoon enjoy sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi
Morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DELHI - The Old and the
New Delhi is really two distinct cities.
Old Delhi plushes
with the energy, colour, hustle and bustle of the thronged bazaars and is
laced by a maze of narrow lanes, which twist and turn between tall, leaning
houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent.
In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort, surrounded by
shops, and bazaars (built by Emperor Shah Jehan - the builder of Taj Mahal),
the Jama Masjid mosque, with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble
domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve centre), the hurly-burly of
everyday Indian life all around you and chattering voices.
As a
complete contrast, New Delhi stands, in formal splendour, like a lone sentry
guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city of wide boulevards,
which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a
city rich with formal parks and you'll see the magnificent Parliament
Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President
of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens), once
awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys and now the Presidential
Palace, the Raj Ghat (cremation site of Mahatama Gandhi), India Gate (a
majestic 42 mts high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed
in World War I), Qutab Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating back to 13th
century and one of the greatest bequest of Islamic Culture), Humanyun's Tomb
(built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj
Mahal has its Mughal Architecture at its graceful best) and the Birla Mandir
(a large Hindu Temple built in 1938).
Day 03 :
Delhi - Agra Early morning transfer to the Rail Terminal in time
to connect your train to Agra. Upon arrival met and transferred to your
hotel in Agra. This morning, enjoy an excursion to the deserted Mughal city
of Fatehpur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen
years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the
Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other
palaces. Afternoon enjoy sightseeing tour of the Agra city. Overnight at the
hotel.
Agra - sightseeing The city
sightseeing includes a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal, one of the
wonders of the world, the Red Fort and the tomb of Itmad -ud-daula. The Taj
Mahal is a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630
for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two
years 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece, which has
held the world awe struck ever since. Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son
in the magnificent fort at Agra. Here you will see the art and crafting of
the white marble that has made the area so famous, the Pearl Mosque, the
halls of Public and Private Audience, and finally the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula
built by the Empress Noorjehan in the memory of her father.
Day 04 : Agra - Khajuraho Morning assisted
transfer to the airport in time to connect your flight . Afternoon enjoy
sightseeing tour of Khajuraho city. Overnight at the hotel.
Khajuraho A thousand years ago, this was the seat
of the Chandela Kings who built 85 temples, of which 22 remain in eloquent
testimony to the glory of the reign. The famous Chandela Dynasty Temples
built between 950 and 1050 AD immortalised in stone is a wealth of sensuous
and erotic sculptures, an exquisite depiction of human life and emotions,
equating passion with spiritual union. The sculptures considered most
perfect figures achieved in stone, depicts Gods and Goddesses and amorous
couples.
Day 05 : Khajuraho - Varanasi
Morning assisted transfer to the airport in time to connect your flight to
Varanasi. Afternoon enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Varanasi. Overnight at
the hotel.
Varanasi The Holy City of
Varanasi, the Religious Capital of Hinduism, crowded with temples and its
labyrinth of streets with their throngs of people, is exciting, enticing and
a city to be experienced. As a place of devotion and worship, Varanasi
attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The city represents the best
thoughts of Vedic religion and culture. The city sightseeing includes a
visit to the Kashi Vishvanath Temple, the Bharat Mata Mandir and the new
Vishvanath temple. The Kashi Vishvanath Temple (or the Golden Temple) is a
gold-spiralled temple rebuilt in the 18th century and is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. The spire is covered with tones of gold plating donated by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh of Punjab. Only Hindus are allowed inside. The Bharat Mata
Mandir is dedicated to Mother India and has a relief map of "Mother
India" in marble. The new Vishvanath Temple (1966) at the Benaras Hindu
University (the largest residential university in Asia - a great seat of
learning Sanskrit) is one of the tallest in India. The marble Shiva temple
modelled on the old Vishwanath temple is open to all castes.
Day 06 : Varanasi - Bhubneshwar - Puri Early
morning boat ride on the river Ganges followed by a visit to Sarnath.
Afternoon transfer to the airport in time to connect your flight to
Bhubneshwar. Upon arrival in Puri check into your hotel for 02 night.
Overnight at the hotel.
The early morning boat ride on the Ganges
The early morning boat ride on the Ganges to view the Sunrise, as seen from
the boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. From dawn to dusk the
riverfront (Ghats) are thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform their
holy rituals in the hope of attaining eternal salvation, the "NIRVANA".
Sarnath At a distance of 12 km from
Varanasi lies Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after
enlightenment. Here he revealed the eight-fold path, the Buddhist Doctrine.
And also here, at some distance, are centres of Buddhist pilgrimage such as
Patna, Gaya and Bodhgaya.
Day 07 : Puri
Full day is at leisure to enjoy the beach. Overnight at the hotel.
Puri Puri is known for the Jagannath temple, one of the 4 holiest
Pilgrimage centres for Hindus and its fine beaches, which extend for miles.
The sea however is rough for watersports and swimming. One can ride the
waves in Catamarans, which are a few logs strong together.
Day 08 : Puri Konark - Bhubneshwar Depart by surface to
Bhubneshwar, which is 60 kms from Puri (approx 2 hrs drive), visiting Konark
enroute. Upon arrival at Bhubneshwar, check into your hotel for 02 nights.
Afternoon enjoy city sightseeing of Bhubneshwar. Overnight at the hotel.
Konark Konark is one of the most vivid
Architectural Treasures of Hindu India. It is the former centre of Orissan
Buddhism, an active port, now silted and in ancient times a centre for Sun
worship. A temple of the Sun God was built here in the 9th century. The
present Sun Temple was erected in the 13th century. It took 16 years to
complete, 1200 artisans were employed on the task. In its original form the
temple consisted of a 70 meter high "deul" with a 40 meter high "Jagmohana"
representing together the Chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven impetuous
horses representing the seven colours in the rainbow.
Bhubneshwar Bhubneshwar - the Architectural Legacy
is in every sense a Temple town, with some 500 temples, many of them located
around the Bindu Sarovar, a tank, which is believed to receive water from
all the holy rivers of India. It is said that at one time there were
thousands of temples in and around Bhubneshwar. Bhubneshwar has always been
famous for its plethora of temples built some 2000 years ago and well
preserved even today. The city's sightseeing mostly includes visits to these
man made wonders and the museums authenticating history.
Day 09 : Bhubneshwar Morning enjoy an excursion to
Dhauli. Afternoon is at leisure or for independent activities. Overnight at
the hotel.
Dhauli Dhauli has Emperor
Ashoka's rock edicts that date back to the 3rd century BC. It was the
horrors of the Kalinga War, which led King Ashoka to acknowledge the value
of Buddhist teachings and resulted in his conversion to Buddhism. It is from
this place that he set out for his historic mission for spreading Buddhism.
Day 10 : Bhubneshwar - Calcutta
Morning transfer to the Airport in time to connect your flight to Calcutta.
Upon arrival at Calcutta, met and transferred to your hotel for one night.
Afternoon enjoy a city sightseeing tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Calcutta Calcutta is a city of glaring contrasts: a curious blend
of the old and the new, partly feudal, partly born out of growing
urbanisation, partly undefinable. It is a medley of the east and the west, a
graft of a European city imposed on the Asian scape that gives Calcutta its
bewildering charm, confusion and excitement. Being just about 300 years old,
Calcutta hardly has many great historical monuments. Perhaps, the oldest
remembered is the site where the Kalighat Temple now stands. Today Calcutta
is the largest city in India with a population over 10 million and boasts of
India's first ever Metro rail system. It is city that shocks on first
impression but eventually the visitor falls in love with it.
The
sightseeing of the city includes a visit to the Victoria Memorial,
Calcutta's most imposing and monumental dream in marble opened by the Prince
of Wales in 1921 and often called the "Taj" of the British Raj,
St. Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum, the largest in India, with one
of the best collections of Indian art.
Day 11 :
Calcutta - New Jalpaiguri Morning is at leisure. Evening transfer
to the Rail Terminal in time to connect your train to New Jalpaiguri.
Overnight in Air-conditioned Sleeper.
Day 12 :
New Jalpaiguri - Darjeeling Upon arrival at New Jalpaiguri, change
to Toy Train to Darjeeling. The journey in Toy Train is a stunning
achievement, winding its way up the hillside, often with brilliant views
over the plains. Upon arrival at Darjeeling, met and transferred to your
hotel for 02 nights. Overnight at the hotel.
Darjeeling With the backdrop of the mighty snow clad Himalayan
Peaks; Darjeeling is the most important hill resort in Eastern India. The
mighty Kanchenjunga peak overlooks the town from where one can get a clear
view of the peak on a sunny day. The world's highest peak- The Mount Everest
can also be seen from near the town. Darjeeling is famous for its tea, which
is the most expensive tea in the world.
Day 13 : Darjeeling Early morning enjoy an excursion to the Tiger
Hill and return via Ghoom Monastery. Afternoon enjoy the sightseeing of the
city along with a visit to the Tea Estate, where you can watch the picker's
at work. Overnight at the hotel.
Tiger Hill and
Ghoom Monastery Visit Tiger Hill to view breath-taking view of the
sunrise over the Kunchenjunga. On a clear day Mount Everest with two other
peaks of the three sisters are also visible - a Magnificent Sight. Ghoom
Monastery - a yellow hat Buddhist Monastery is the most famous in the area.
It was built in the year 1875.
Tea Gardens
Tea-drinkers all over the world must be constantly blessing the memory of
the person who decided around 1840 that the climate of the Darjeeling region
was very conductive to the growth of the tea. Huge forest areas were cleared
and tea planted. Chinese experts were called in to teach the art of tea
making and thousands of Nepalis were hired to work in the tea gardens.
Darjeeling Tea had such a premium value in the Western markets that it was
soon considered to be one of the finest teas in the world when it came to
aroma and delicacy of taste. Not only has tea formed the backbone of the
economy in the region, but "Darjeeling" and "excellent tea"
have become synonymous. Out of over seventy tea gardens in the area, Happy
Valley Tea Estate is the nearest to Darjeeling town and a view of its
gardens has been included in the sightseeing tour.
Day 14 : Darjeeling - Gangtok (97 Kms - 4 Hrs)
Depart by surface to Gangtok, which is 97 kms from Darjeeling (approx 4 hrs
driving time) visiting Pemayangtse monastery enroute. Upon arrival at
Gangtok, check into your hotel for 02 nights. Overnight at the hotel.
Pemayangtse Monastery Pemayangtse Monastery is
Sikkim's 2nd oldest Monastery, which was built during the reign of the 3rd
Chogyal Chador Namgyal in the year 1705. The walls and ceilings have
innumerable paintings and there is an exceptional collection of religious
art works, including a wooden sculpture depicting the resting place of Guru
Rimpoche.
Day 15 : Gangtok Morning
enjoy an excursion to the Rumtek Monastery and the Research Institute of
Tibetology. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Gangtok Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, a tiny
Himalayan state known for its orchids and flowers and for the heavy
influence of Tibetan culture. Once a sleepy little town and considered "very
remote", Gangtok is fast expanding from a busy, bustling town towards
the status of a city. However, the bustle of busy market areas and busy
thoroughfares contrast sharply with quiet and serene spots -within minutes
of each other.
The Rumtek Monastery The
Rumtek Monastery is a structure of great beauty - situated in the one of the
lower Valleys. The 16th Gwalpa along with his followers took refuge in
Sikkim after the Chinese invaded Tibet. On the invitation of Chogyal, the
Karmapa settled in Rumtek with the statues, Thangkas and Scriptures, which
they had brought with them, and the Lamasery was built.
The Research Institute of Tibetology Built in 1958
by the last Chogyal (King) of Sikkim. It has a faculty of eminent scholars,
a library with a large collection of documents and rare books on Buddhism
and an attached museum with a rare collection of antiques, coins and Tibetan
paintings (Thankas). It is world famous for its research activities on the
language and culture of Tibet.
Day 16 : Gangtok
- Bagdogra - Delhi Depart by surface to the Bagdogra Airport, which
is 124 kms (approx 4 hrs driving time), in time to connect IC 879 (1105 hrs
/1500 hrs) to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, met and transferred to your
hotel for one night. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
17 : Departure Delhi Assisted transfer to the Indira Gandhi
International Airport in time to connect your flight for Onward Destination.
Cities
in Rajasthan
