Rajasthan Tour 11 Days

Itinerary Details...

Day 01: Delhi
Arrive Delhi.Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel.Delhi, the capital city of India lying along the River Yamuna, Seven cities have existed here since the 10th century, ruled over by a succession of Rajputs,Turks,Afghans,Mughals and the British. Delhi is two cities in one; the Old Delhi of the Mughals, created by Shah Jehan after moving his Capital from Agra in 1638 AD is still a medieval district of narrow lanes, forts, mosques and bazaars. The second, New Delhi, built by the British between 1911-1931 and characterized by Sir Edwin Lutyens' architecture, is a spacious and well-designed metropolis of broad avenues, grand imperial buildings and landscaped gardens. New Delhi is a green city with its tree lined avenues, parks and natural forest and one of the City’s hidden delights is the picturesque Lodi Gardens set around Mughal tombs and it is home to a number of museums including the national Museum, Rajasthan tour planner the Museum of Modern art, the Museum of Natural History and the creative Arts and Crafts Museum where artisans can be seen at work.
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Day 02 Delhi
Morning: enjoy your breakfast at the hotel; later proceed for sightseeing tour of Delhi- visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand- carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time not rusting even after 1500 years. Later proceed to Humayun’s Tomb – Humayun’s wife Haji Begum had this tomb built after nine years of his death. It was designed by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of the Indian soldiers), Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President's house, from outside) - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and the Secretariat Buildings- an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture, Red Fort and Jama Majid (if time allows).
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Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur
Morning: enjoy your breakfast at the hotel; later depart & proceed for Jaipur. Arrival at Jaipur and Transfer to hotel.Jaipur, Widely known as the ‘Pink City. This city is color washed pink to welcome Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England who visited India in 1883 A.D. The city was founded in 1727 A.D by one of the greatest ruler Jai Singh II. Jaipur is surrounded by hills on three sides, crowned by formidable forts and majestic palaces, mansions and gardens. Jaipur is the only city in the world, which is sub-divided in to nine rectangular sectors symbolizing nine divisions of universe. Jaipur is the first planned city designed in accordance with ‘Shilpa Shastra’- epochal treatise of Hindu architecture Evening upon arrival in Jaipur proceed for check- in to your hotel. Rest of day is at leisure, free for independent activities.
Over night stay at your hotel

Day 04: Jaipur
Morning: enjoy your breakfast at the hotel; later proceed for the excursion to Amber Fort, here you will enjoy the Elephant Ride to reach atop of the palace. This journey on embellished elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort visit the Hall of Victory or Jag Mandir - is the famed Sheesh Mahal- a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Continue your journey: with the city tour of Jaipur- visiting 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. 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. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world, having 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. During the tour you will also have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.
Over night stay at your hotel

Day 05: Jaipur - Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (By Surface- 250 Kms\ 6 hrs Drive)
Morning: After an early breakfast at the hotel; later proceed for Agra by surface Continue your drive and visit “FATEHPUR SIKRI” situated around 40 km before Agra, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. This was the capital of the mughal emperor- Akbar from 1570 to 1586. Fatehpur Sikri’s sprawling structure is made of red sandstone and combines both Hindu and Muslim architecture. The main entrance to this walled city is through the 175 feet Buland Darwaza. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas and Panch Mahal. Continue drive for Agra by surface. Arrive Agra , check-in to the hotel.
Over night stay at your hotel

Day 06: Agra – Sikandra – Agra
Morning: enjoy your breakfast at the hotel; later proceed for sightseeing tour of Taj Mahal which is one of the wonders of the world, built by Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal on the banks of river Yamuna. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality. (TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS). After this breathtaking experience continue with the of city tour of Agra- visit Itamd- ul- Daula and Agra Fort built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Am & Diwan-i-Khas. Also visit Dayal Bagh and Akabr Tomb in Sikandra.
Over night stay at your hotel

Day 07: Agra - Gwalior – Orchha (BY Surface- 250 Kms\ 7 hrs drive)
Morning: after an early breakfast (0730 hours) at the hotel; later drive to Orccha via Gwalior. Gwalior located 120 kms from Agra ( 3 hours drive). Gwalior Fort: If there is one thing you can’t escape in Gwalior, it’s the fort. Perched high on a rocky massif, the imposing edifice with its blue tiled palace is visible from each and every corner of the city. Nearly three km long and built at a vantage height of 100 m above the city, the fort seems to cling to the edged of steep cliffs. It has been the scene of momentous events in the history of the entire region. On the steep winding southwest approach road to the fort, near the Urwahi Gate, you pass Jain monoliths of the Tirthankaras carved into the rock face between the 7th and 15th centuries, the tallest being 19m.
Man Mandir Palace was built by Raja Man Singh towards the end of the 15th century. This is an impressive structure that clings to the very edge of the fort, its façade embellished with blue ceramic tiles. The palace of Raja Man Singh forms the backdrop for an excellent ‘son-et-lumiere’ show held here every evening. It is amongst the best in the country and vividly recreates an era and brings to life the history of the Fort and the love story of Raja Man Singh and his Queen Mrignay The Jai Vilas Palace, built in 1875, and the current residence of the Scindia Royal family, provides an insight into the lifestyle of the erstwhile Maharajas. 35 rooms in the Palace have been converted into a museum where there is an interesting collection of family memorabilia including royal robes, thrones and even a crystal train that chugged around an enormous dining table with condiments and other delicacies for royal guests! Rajasthan tour planner In the Durbar Hall of the Palace is a pair of chandeliers said to be the world’s largest, each 12.8m high and weighing 3 tons. The palace guides tell visitors that the chandeliers were installed only after the ceiling had been tested to take the weight of ten elephants
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Day 8: Orchha - Khajuraho
Morning breakfast in hotel. Later visit Jahangir Palace and drive to Khajuraho for 04 hours. Depart hotel and proceed for Temple tour- visit of Eastern and Western Group of Temples, the most important temple being the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple-dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest and most typical of the Khajuraho temples. Visit the Chaunsat Yogini Jain Temple-dedicated to the 64 "Yoginis" or attendants of Goddess Kali. This temple stands apart from the rest. Also see the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely sculpture of Lord Vishnu in his 11-headed form. The sculptures that adorn the temples, carved in stone depict gods, goddesses and amorous couples. Later visit the Eastern Group of temples including the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple- dedicated to the "Vamana" or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Javari Temple and the famous Vishwanath Temple. Rajasthan tour planner There are also three Jain Temples with beautiful carvings and non-erotic sculptures. Although these are Jain temples, they also contain numerous Vaishnav deities. Evening optional: Light and sound performance.
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Day 9: Khajuraho - Varanasi by surface (11-12 hours)
After an early morning breakfast (0500 hours) drive to Varanasi for 11-12 hours. Arrival in Varanasi late in the evening. VARANASI: picturesquely situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga, Varanasi, one of the ancient seats of le1arning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year. Over night stay at your hotel

Day 10: Varanasi
Early morning: proceed for boat cruise 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 buzz 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.
Morning: enjoy your breakfast at the hotel; later for the half day city tour of Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, the city of Learning and Burning (because of the almost continuous cremations of the dead) from time immemorial has been the religious centre of Hindus.Rajasthan tour planner All Hindus want to be here at least once in their life time. Visit some of the important temples. Bharat Mata Mandir - a unique temple inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi houses one of the most perfect relief maps of India and is dedicated to Mother India. Durga Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga consort of Lord Shiva. Drive past the beautiful Tulsi Manas Temple. Later drive through he largest Residential University of Asia - Banaras Hindu University founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.
Later proceed for tour of Sarnath, 10-Kms away from Varanasi is the fabled place, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. The remains date back to as far as the3rd-Century BC when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar Edicts. The most important of the monuments is the 34 mts. high Dhamekh Stupa. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological Museum. The main attraction is the superb Ashoka Pillar - the Ashoka symbol of four back-to-back Lions which has been adopted as the state symbol Independent India. Also visit the Mahabodhi’s Buddha Temple and walk around the Deer Park.
Over night stay at your hotel

Day 11: Varanasi Depart Delhi
Later transfer to Varanasi airport in time for your flight to Delhi