Itinerary:
Day One:
Be met at Dehli airport by an office representative, and be transferred to the hotel for night one.
Day Two: Visit to Old and New Delhi
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a full-day city tour. Old Delhi came into prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. You visit the 300-year-old Chandni Chowk market. A maze of lanes crowded with shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and food, the noise and crowds are a quintessential part of any Indian market. From here you continue to the Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque. This is India's largest mosque designed by Shah Jahan, and was his last architectural legacy. Originally it was called Masjid-I-Jahanuma, which means "mosque commanding a view of the world". In complete contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, is Raj Ghat a simple and stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India's independence. You pass through the Red Fort that dominates this area is the landmark. Built-in the mid-17th century by Shah Jahan, it was plundered by the marauding armies of Nadir Shah and later by British soldiers. In the afternoon, you take your tour of New Delhi, visit Qutab Minar, the tapering monument begun in 1199 and was built to symbolize the supremacy of Islam. This structure was eventually the prototype of all miners or towers in India. You will drive past the India Gate, Presidential Palace and Parliament House. You are free to enjoy your evening.
Day Three: Delhi - Jaipur (Drive: 5.5 hours)
After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur approx.4hrs drive from Delhi. Upon arrival in Jaipur, a representative will assist you to complete the check-in formalities in the hotel. You have the entire afternoon free to relax in the hotel. (Optional you can visit Local Market of Jaipur).
Day Four: Jaipur
After breakfast, you leave for your excursion to Amber Fort. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded in the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. En route to Amber Fort from your hotel, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. In the afternoon, you tour the city of Jaipur. First visit the Maharaja's city Palace, the former Royal residence part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built-in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. The main entrance leads to the courtyard at the centre, which is the Mubarak Mahal. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. On the first floor is the Textile and Costume Museum, which is the fine example of fabrics and costumes from all over India.
Day Five - Jaipur - Abhaneri - Agra
After breakfast, you drive to Agra, en-route visit Chand Abori in Abhaneri. Upon arrival in Agra you will check-in at the hotel.
Day Six: Agra - Varanasi (Overnight train)
At sunrise, you will visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) built by Shah Jahan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the sill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 years to complete this 'Love Poem in Marble'. After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and drive to Agra and visit Agra Fort. Agra fort, built by Emperor Akbar, reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This fort palace was begun by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel and was subsequently completed by two successive generations that added the delicate mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the history of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal. You have the afternoon free. Later on, you will transfer to the railway station in Agra or in Delhi (Subject to seat availability) to board the train to Varanasi. Overnight stay in the train.
Special Note: - Taj Mahal remains closed on every Friday.
Day Seven: Arrive in Varanasi (By train)
Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be meet and greeted by a representative and transfered to the hotel. In the evening you will witness the Aarti ceremony on the river Ganges. Every evening, as dusk descends, it's time for the Ganga Aarti to be performed at the three holy cities of Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi in India. It's a very powerful and uplifting spiritual ritual. The aarti takes place facing the river. The lamps are lit and circled around by the pandits (Hindupriests) in a clockwise manner, accompanied by changing or songs in praise of Mother Ganga. The idea is that the lamps acquire the power of the deity. After the ritual is complete, devotees will cup their hands over the flame and raise their palms to their forehead in order to get the Goddess's purification and blessing. You will return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day Eight: Varanasi - Delhi (Overnight Train)
Early morning today you leave for a boat ride on River Ganges. The western banks of Ganges has a string of Ghats -the chain of stone steps, all built with pavilions, palaces and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city. At dawn, the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of this activity. The sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience. After you will return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon "Maha- Dharma-Chakra Pravartan" (in Buddhist terminology, ‘turned the wheel of the law’) after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the richest in Buddhist antiquities ranging in date from the times of Ashoka down to the 12th century A.D. Ashoka built here the Dharmarajika Stupa and erected a pillar surmounted by the magnificent capital of four adored Lions, which today forms the national emblem of India. Among other structures at Sarnath are the ruins of the brick temple; the DhamekhStupa adorned with delicate floral carvings; the Chaukhandi Stupa and Mahabodhi Society’s Mulgandha Kuti Vihar Temple. You will also visit the Archeological Museum, with an extremely rich collection of Buddhist sculptures comprising of numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva images. In the afternoon you will visit the Vishwanath temple, also called the golden temple because of the gold-plating on its roof and drive pass Bharat Mata Mandirand Benaras Hindu University - is a premier Central University and a world-class educational institution located in Varanasi. It is regarded as the largest residential university in Asia. The fully-residential campus has more than 128 independent teaching departments in its 1350-acre campus. Later on you will transfer to the railway station to board the train to Delhi. Overnight stay in train.
Special Note: - Sarnath Museum remains closed on every Thursday
Day Nine: Delhi (By train)
On arrival, a representative will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel. Breakfast will be on direct payment basis. You will have the full day free to explore.
Day 10: Delhi
Free day to explore.
Day 11: Departure Delhi
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight for your onward destination.
Inclusions:
- Meeting and assistance on arrival / departure at the airport by our office representative.
- 8 night’s accommodation on sharing twin room basis at below-mentioned hotels or similar available alternates
- All transfers, sightseeing excursions as per program using a private air-conditioned vehicle
- English speaking local guide for all the visits as per program
- Elephant ride (one way ride for ascending only) at Amer Fort. 2 pax on each elephant
- Rickshaw ride in Varanasi
- 2 overnight trains from Agra (Delhi) to Varanasi and Varanasi to Delhi
- Aarti ceremony in Varanasi
- Sarnath Excursion in Varanas
- Boat Ride on River Ganges in Varanasi
- One time monument entry fee at all monuments mentioned in the program
- 1 additional breakfast in Varanasi on arrival on day 6
- Packed dinner from Varanasi during train journey from Varanasi - Agra
- Government Service Taxes
Exclusions:
- Any visa fee, airport taxes
- Any meal (lunch/dinner) (that is not stated above)
- Visa charges and airport taxes
- Still or video camera fees
- Any tips to drive/guide/escort/restaurants etc
- Any porter-ages on arrival and departure at the hotel
- Any extras like table drinks, telephone calls, any tips, laundry etc or any other items of personal nature
Standard Accommodation
- Delhi: Mapple Exp
- Jaipur: Hyphan Ujjwal
- Agra: Siris – 18
- Varanasi: Meadows
- Delhi: Mapple Exp
Superior Accommodation:
- Delihi: Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar
- Jaipur: Sarovar Portico
- Agra: Sarovar Premier
- Varanasi: The Ammaya
- Delhi: ITC welcome Dwarka
Conditions
Valid from Jul 15, 2019
Expires Dec 30, 2019
Limit: 4 per user and 2 as gift for others
Bookings essential and must be made at least 30 days prior to departure or by 30th December 2019, whichever occurs first. Subject to availability. International flights not included. Deal valid for one people on a twin share basis i.e. two vouchers must be purchased at this price. Single supplement fee of $499 (standard) or $699 (superior) applies for solo travellers. Valid for accommodation class stipulated on coupon. Inclusions: Meeting and assistance on arrival / departure at the airport by our office representative, 08 night’s accommodation on sharing twin room Breakfast Basis at below mentioned hotels or similar available alternates at all the place, All transfers, sightseeing excursion as per program using private air-conditioned Vehicle, English speaking local guide for all the visits as per program, Elephant ride (One way ride for ascending only) at Amer Fort. 02 pax on each elephant, Rickshaw ride in Varanasi, 02 overnight trains from Agra (Delhi) to Varanasi and Varanasi to Delhi, Aarti Ceremony in Varanasi, Sarnath Excursion in Varanasi, Boat Ride on river Ganges in Varanasi, One time monument entry fee at all monuments mentioned in the program, 01 additional breakfast in Varanasi on arrival on day 06. Packed dinner from Varanasi during train Journey from Varanasi - Agra., Government Service Taxes. Excludes: visa fees; airport taxes; medical expenses; Meals (lunch/dinner); Still/ video camera fees; Tips; Any porter-ages on arrival/departure at hotel; Extras or personal expenses; Travel insurance & anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Travel insurance recommended. Value of deal is based on current rates, which are subject to change. No refund unless required by law. No cashback. Not to be used with other offers.
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