Day
01: New Delhi
You arrive in Delhi by international flight. After a
traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representatives would
assist you at the airport and to our hotel for check in
and overnight stay.
Day 02:
New Delhi
Breakfast at the Coffee shop. Rest of the morning at
leisure. You will be taken on a guided tour of Delhi,
beginning with a morning sightseeing trip to Old Delhi
and followed by visits to the 1648 Red Fort, India's
largest mosque - Jama Masjid and Gandhi Memorial at Raj
Ghat. Afternoon tour includes visit to India Gate,
President's House, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple and
Qutab Minar. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03:
New Delhi -
Jaipur (about 270 km)
Today we drive to the Pink City, Jaipur. This city owes
its name, foundations and careful planning to the great
warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and famous for its
handicrafts and precious and semiprecious stones. In the
afternoon we visit the City Palace that is still the
formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend
of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum
of the City Palace we visit the private collection of
the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to Jantar Mantar, a
stone observatory, and the largest of Jai Singh's five
remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments reveal
us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy.
Day 04: Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to Amber, 11 km. away from
Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha
dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly
created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on
the back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we visit the
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it
contains 953 small casements with each having its own
balcony. The windows enabled cool air to circulate and
the ladies to watch processions below without being
seen. In the afternoon we have a walk through the
Colourful Bazaars of Jaipur and visit a factory to see
the famous block printing work being done since
centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we drive through the
new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a
Hindu temple made out of white marble. We might have an
opportunity here to observe a prayer ceremony.
Day 05: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and
drive through a series of fields, small towns and
villages to Agra. Enroute we make a stop and visit
Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial capital
frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the
16th century. This wonderful city constructed by red
sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been
built. It has been generally stated that it was due to
failing in the water supply. In the evening arrive in
Agra. Evening free for leisure.
Day 06:
Agra
Today we start our sightseeing by a visit to the Agra
Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors.
The construction of this massive structure began in 1565
under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his
grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive
imperial quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra
Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument of
India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with
a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and
memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the
Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her
14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take
this impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj
Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay
work that is still being done in Agra by the descendants
of the families of builders and artists of the Taj Mahal.
Day 07:
Agra -
Mathura (about 57 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to
Mathura. Arrive in Mathura by the afternoon. Mathura is
a very important religious city of Uttar Pradesh. It is
the epicenter of Brajbhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna
and lies on the banks of the Yamuna River. Mathura
derives its glory & sacred character from being the
birth place of Lord Krishna. Through centuries, it has
attracted pilgrims from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jains.
Arrive in Mathura by the afternoon. In the evening we
have sightseeing in Mathura. The main place to visit in
Mathura is the Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Lord
Krishna built by Seth Gokul Dass of Gwalior in 1814.
Another temple is the Krishna Janma Bhoomi Temple. This
temple is built inside an ancient prison believed to be
the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Yamuna River and its
ghats (banks) form the focus of pilgrims in Mathura. The
Ghat is dotted with multiple temples and shrines.
Day 08:
Mathura -
Vrindavan - New Delhi
In the morning, after having our breakfast we drive to
New Delhi. Enroute we will stop at Vrindavan. Vrindavan
is around 15 km from Mathura. It is another major place
of pilgrimage. It is the town of 4,000 temples where the
sounds of celebrations for Lord Krishna is constantly
resounded. In Vrindavan we will visit Madan Mohan
Temple. This temple is located near the Kali Ghat and is
the oldest existent temple in Vrindavan today. This
temple is closely associated with the Saint Chaitanya.
Another temple that we will visit is the Banke-Bihari
Temple. This temple was built in the year 1864. It is
the most popular shrine at Vrindavan. After we visit
this temple we will drive to New Delhi. Arrive in New
Delhi in the evening. Evening free for leisure.
Day 09:
New Delhi -
Rishikesh
In the morning drive to Rishikesh. Rishikesh represents
the gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri- Garhwal
region of Uttaranchal. It is believed that several yogis
and sages lived and practiced penance here. Rishikesh
represents the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon
Madhu. It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of
the River Ganges rushing through the Himalayan foothills
is an awesome sight. The freshness of the air, the sound
of flowing water, the scenic beauty of the region and
the distant sound of bell chimes create an unforgettable
experience for those that visit this pilgrimage town. We
will arrive in Rishikesh by the afternoon. In the
evening we will visit various temples, the Laxman Jhoola
- the swinging Bridge and ashrams along the banks of
River Ganges.
Day 10:
Rishikesh - Haridwar
In the morning, we will drive to Haridwar. Haridwar is
the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttaranchal
and is located on the foothills of Shivaliks on the
banks of River Ganges. The River Ganges leaves the
mountains and enters the plains with Haridwar being the
first major town on the plains. Though the Ganges does
not lose its rapids completely nevertheless it becomes
very quite and calm here. The city acquires a unique
charm in the evening when the ghats become
breathtakingly beautiful with thousands of Diyas and
Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges. We visit
various places like Mansa Devi temple, Sapt Rishi,
Daksha Mahadev temple etc. In the evening we will visit
Har Ki Pauri. In the evening a Maha Aarti is performed
here. It is an event which is a must, not be missed by
any visitor.
Day 11: Haridwar -
Varanasi
In the morning we leave for Varanasi. Varanasi is
without doubt India's most sacred city and thus visited
by over one million people. Varanasi is also called the
city of light - Kashi or Benaras. Buddha visited this
city in 500 BC. Varanasi is regarded as one of the
oldest and the holiest city. According to the Indian
chronicles, Varanasi was established as a city around
twelve hundred years ago before the Christian era.
Day 12:
Varanasi
In the early morning we take boat - ride on the holy
river Ganges and enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats
(flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims on that
are the principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi.
Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this city to
make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves
through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. In the
noon we visit the city of Varanasi. Then we will drive
to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered
his first sermon at deer park. Afterwards we will return
to Varanasi.
Day 13:
Varanasi -
New Delhi (by air)
In the afternoon we drive to the airport for a flight
from Varanasi to New Delhi. In New Delhi we have rest of
the day at leisure. Rooms are available to get fresh and
change before we depart to the airport with our
representative.
Day 14:
New Delhi
Tour concludes. Caper thanks you for your patronage and
ensures a punctual transfer to the Railway Station /
Airport for your onward travel.