Beyond the Gangetic Plains
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Samode - Jaipur - Agra - Orcha - Khajuraho -
Varanasi - Puri - Konarak - Bhubaneshwar - Calcutta - Paris
Day
01 - Arrive Delhi
Meet and assist by our representative upon your arrival at the airport. Then
drive to your hotel with your driver and car.
Day 02 - Delhi
Morning after breakfast a full day city tour of this imperial British capital
of the 20th century awaits you. Visit the Qutub Minar – the tallest free
standing minaret in stone in the world; then onto Humayun’s tomb –
the first Mughal construction in India from 1565 AD. Also see the Rashtrapati
Bhawan, the India gate built in the earlier half of the 20th century. Drive
through the old city past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid – the
biggest of its kind in India. Here take a rickshaw through the winding streets
of the old city to see the life of the people in this part of the world. A perfect
introduction of your tour. The rickshaw puller pulls you through, the imperial
avenue of the yesteryears, the Chandni Chowk. Finally, reach Rajghat, the memorial
of Mahatma Gandhi, where your car and chauffeur is waiting for you to take you
to your next stop the Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in activity.
Day 03 Delhi – Samode – Jaipur
Leave in the morning for Jaipur on the way visiting Samode Palace. See the Sheesh
mahal and the hall of private audiences. This palace was the royal second home
of the kings of Jaipur. Visit the palace and the village with its small marketplace
where they make bangle of lac. A delightful experience.
Arrive Jaipur by early evening.
Day 04 - Jaipur
Visit the Amber fort in the morning; included is an elephant ride at the Amber
fort. See the marvelous Shish mahal built in the 17th century in a fusion style
of Hindu and Islamic art. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja
Man Singh’s Palace who had twelve queens.
After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting the observatory Jantar Mantar
built in 1727 by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a mathematician, an astronomer
an astrologer and a great musician of his era. Then visit the City Palace of
the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection of robes and saris in cotton
and silk with gold latticed work. The city palace houses a collection of paintings
also in the painting gallery and of course a collection of arms and ammunitions
in the ammunition gallery.
Day 05 - Jaipur – Agra
Leave in the morning for Jaipur and enroute visit the phantom city of Fatehpur
Sikri: the erstwhile capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great.
Visit the Diwan-i-am the hall of public audiences where the emperor used to
give justice to his oppressed subject. See Jodhabai’s palace (Akbar’s
Hindu wife) that is even bigger than his own private palace. Later visit Salim
chisti’s tomb at the nearby mosque. Salim chisti was a Sufi saint who blessed
Akbar and his Hindu wife with a long awaited son. Akbar was so overwhelmed that
he built a mosque in his remembrance to thank the Sufi saint.
Day 06 - Agra
After breakfast in your hotel proceed to see the Agra Fort built by Akbar in
1567 where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.
Don’t forget Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today. A must see with
the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the morning
sun. Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always
the sole raison d’être for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful
wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed,
and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance
and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes,
intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen anywhere
in the world
Later visit the tomb of Itmad ud Daulah the finance minister of the Mughals
and the father of Noor Jehan: Jehangir’s wife. It is the first mughal building
built out completely of marble. In many contexts it is referred to being the
predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor
Akbar.
Day 07 - Agra – Orcha - Khajuraho
Today we go to Orchha the erstwhile stronghold of the Bundela clan of rajput
rulers of central India. Orchcha is a medieval village where time has stopped.
You feel the timelessness of this spot. Orchha is a medieval city founded by
Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century –
which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The river Betwa picturesquely
flanks the city.
Reach Orchha and see the beautiful Palace Complex – Jahangiri Mahal and
the Raja Mahal. Closely study the intricacies of the mural paintings in the
Raja Mahal and visit the Laxminarayana Temple.
Post lunch continue towards Khajuraho about 182 km away by road.
Day 08 - Khajuraho
Morning sight seeing shows us the temples built during the 9th to the 11th centuries
by the powerful dynasty of Chandela rajputs. The temples with their erotic sculptures
are a feast to the eyes. Visit the eastern and western group of temples
The Chandelas built 85 temples in all but today only 20 temples stand intact.
Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect
an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. The temples of Khajuraho are
a world heritage site and belong not just to India but to the world. The nearby
Panna National Park is a project tiger park making the area a unique combination
of outstanding cultural and natural heritage - one of the few millennium destinations
of the world.
Afternoon is free.
Day 09 - Khajuraho – Varanasi By flight (45 minutes)
Breakfast at your hotel and transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi.
Upon arrival at Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to hotel. In the afternoon
visit the temple of Bharat mata and then witness the evening prayers at the
banks of the river Ganges.
Day
10 - Varanasi - Puri (by train)
Early morning, after `morning tea`, transfer by bus to the `ghats` for a boat
ride on the holy river Ganges at sunrise. Return to hotel for breakfast, etc.
and then leave for visit to Sarnath. Return to hotel for lunch. Evening free
for independent activitiies, etc. In the eveniing transfer to railway station
for train `Nilanchal Express` to Puri, departure at 20:05 hours. Overnight on
board the train.
Day 11 - Arrival Puri
Spend day on board the train. Arrival Puri at 19:05 hours.Transfer to hotel
for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 - In Puri
Morning leave for a visit of the town: Puri is a hindu religious centre famous
for the massive chariot cars used in the annual `Rath Yatra` procession. Puri
is also a popular beach resort. Evening free to relax on the beach. Dinner and
overnight at hotel.
Day 13 - Puri - Konarak - Bhubaneshwar
After breakfast, leave for Bhubaneshwar (about 62 kms away) enroute visiting
Konarak, famous for it's Sun Temple built symbolically like the chariot of the
sun. After an early lunch at Konarak, continue the drive to Bhubaneshwar stopping
enroute at the village of Pipli, where applique handicrafts are made. Arrive
Bhubaneshwar and check in at hotel, after which commence sight seeing of the
city. Visit Lingaraja temple( 9th c.) which is the finest representation of
Kalinga art. Then onto Mukteswar temple (10th c.) with its profusion of wall
carvings. Later visit Parasurameshwar temple (7th c.) famous for its laticed
windows. Rajarani temple (11th c.) with its exquisite carvings of the feminine
form. Brahmeswar temple (11th c.) typical of the Oriya temple.
Day
13 - Bhubaneshwar - Calcutta
In the morning leave for an excursion to the nearby caves at Udaigiri &
Khandagiri. Which happened to be the abode of Jain monks. Transfer to airport
for flight to Calcutta. On arrival in Calcutta, transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 14 - Calcutta - Paris
Morning leave for half day city tour including visit to Victoria Memorial, Indian
Museum, Jain Temple, Rabindra Sarobar and Marble Palace.
Afternoon free at your disposal for last minute shopping etc.
Farewell dinner and then transfer to the airport for flight back to Paris.
| City |
Hotel |
Nights |
| Delhi |
The Connaught |
2 |
| Jaipur |
Days Inn |
2 |
| Agra |
Clarks Shiraz |
2 |
| Khajuraho |
Holiday Inn |
2 |
| Varanasi |
Radisson |
1 |
| Puri |
Mayfair Gardens |
2 |
| Bhuhaneshwar |
Swosti Plaza |
1 |
| Calcutta |
The Park |
1 |
Included on this tour are:
A. TWIN SHARING ACCOMMODATION AT MENTIONED HOTELS,
B. DAILY BREAKFASTS AT HOTELS,
C. AIR-CONDITIONED CAR AT DISPOSAL FOR ALL MENTIONED TOURS,
D. DRIVER ALLOWANCE, PARKING AND TOLL TAXES,
E. ALL HOTEL AND GOVERNMENT TAXES,
F. ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES FOR SIGHTSEEING WHEREVER REQUIRED,
G. SERVICE TAX AS PER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS,
H. MEET AND ASSIST SERVICES ON ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE.
I. WELCOME DINNER IN DELHI WITH YOUR TOUR MANAGER FOR A TOUR DEBRIEF
J. ALL DOMESTIC AIRFARES
K. ALL TRAIN FARES IN AIR-CONDITIONED SLEEPER CLASS
Not included on this tour are:
- any international airfares
- any meals not specified
- any expenses of a personal nature viz drinks etc..
- any tips to drivers, guides, porters etc..
