India is a country that creates
sensory overload with its copious smells of incense,
cacophony of extraordinary sounds, appetizing
cuisine and drinks, and visual wealth of ancient
architecture. The colorful and varied costumes,
the cornucopia of varied scenery, and convoluted
cosmologies makes this country one of the most
intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth.
Home to one sixth of the world's population and
the world's largest democracy, India presents
a full and diverse culture, and an intoxicatingly
rich history. India is a juxtaposition of old
and new with centuries of history - from the pre-historic
Indus civilization to the British Raj –
and all rub shoulders with the computer age and
Bollywood, where a profusion of films are made
each year. India's history goes back five thousand
years to when Hinduism was first founded. Buddhism,
Jainism, Sikhism. Judaism. Zoroastrianism, Christianity
and Islam all exist peacefully within this huge
country today.
Day 1: Arrive
Mumbai
Upon arrival to Mumbai (Bombay) airport, transfer
to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Mumbai
After breakfast travel by boat to the tranquil,
forested island of Elephanta,
one of the most atmospheric spots in India. We
will enter a unique cave temple to view a massive
Trimurti, or three-faced Shiva. A glorious example
of Hindu architecture, the 8th century cave is
reached by climbing more than one hundred steps
to the top of the hill. Inside, walk past massive
columns carved from solid rock to inspect several
extraordinary carved panels covered with scenes
depicting Hindu sagas. Upon return to Mumbai enjoy
a short city tour. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 3: Mumbai -
Aurangabad
Breakfast will be in the hotel and morning free
to explore the beautiful city on the water. In
the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight
to Aurangabad. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 4: Ajanta &
Ellora Caves
After breakfast, leave for a full day excursion
to Ajanta. Here, hewn from the near-vertical sides
of a horseshoe-shaped ravine are caves carved
from the rock containing spectacular artwork.
Less than two centuries ago this remote spot was
practically unknown. The shadowy entrances had
been abandoned under a thick blanket of rainforest.
In 1819 a small group of British troops were led
to the spot, and upon closer inspection saw the
façade of a cave protruding through the
dense foliage. Ultimately a total of 28 cavern
shrines were found, many with interiors adorned
with a swirling profusion of vibrant multicolored
murals – paintings that rank among India’s
most beautiful treasures. These Buddhist caves
predate Ellora and span a period of 800 years.
Return to Aurangabad hotel for night stay.
Day 5: Aurangabad
- Delhi
After breakfast drive to Ellora caves, lying north
of Aurangabad, the caves at Ellora are over ten
centuries old and among the most important historical
monuments in India. Here, thirty-four caves are
carved out of the rock into the slope of a hill,
many with intricately carved facades and containing
a wealth of sculpture. Located on a busy caravan
route, this spot became the focus of intense religious
and artistic activity about the time that Ajanta
was abandoned in the 6th century. Three religions
– Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jain – are
represented here. The Buddhist caves, filled with
rows of restrained Buddhas, gives way to Hindu
cave-temples throbbing with vitality. Huge bas-reliefs
line the walls, writhing with dynamic scenes from
the scriptures. The Hindu cave architecture culminated
in the 10th century with magnificent Kailash Temple,
Ellora’s masterpiece. Carved from the living
rock to become completely freestanding, the temple
is a giant replica of the Sacred Mountain and
the divine axis between heaven and earth. Return
to Aurangabad in time for flight to Delhi. On
arrival to Delhi transfer for overnight stay in
the hotel.
Day 6: Delhi
Breakfast will be in the hotel and sightseeing
of India's captivating combination of ancient
and modern capital city, Delhi. Visit the Red
Fort, or Lal Quila, that once housed the legendary
Peacock Throne and Koh-i-noor diamond later stolen
by Persian forces. This immense fortress, built
out of red sandstone by a Mughal emperor in 1648,
contains elaborate gardens, the harem, and the
palace. The Qutab Minar is a high tower engraved
with verses from the Koran; it was built in the
13th century by the first Muslim sultan of Delhi
to celebrate his victory over the Hindu kings.
Spend the afternoon in the National Museum to
gain an overview of Indian culture and history
as we view the impressive artifacts housed within,
including a carved Buddhist gateway from Sanchi.
Evening back to the hotel for night stay.
Day 7: Delhi -
Varanasi
After breakfast, morning flight to Varanasi. Upon
arrival drive to Sarnath. In a quiet grove here
in the sixth century BC Siddhartha Gautama gave
his first sermon that put into motion the Wheel
of Law, the Dharmachakra. Siddhartha ultimately
became known as the Buddha, the Awakened One,
and he and his followers continued to return to
Sarnath to rest from their rounds of teaching.
Over the centuries, this became a place of pilgrimage,
and the richness of the monasteries, temples,
and shrines bear witness to the holiness of the
site. Most impressive is the Dhamekh Stupa, composed
of a cylindrical tower ornamented with decorative
bas-reliefs. Overnight stay in the hotel in Varanasi.
Day 8: Varanasi
Early this morning, board a private boat to ride
on the Ganges River to watch the sunrise over
the city. The great river banks at Varnasi, built
high with 18th- and 19th-century pavilions and
palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with
an endless chain of stone steps known as ghats,
literally landings, where thousands of pilgrims
and residents come for their daily ritual ablutions.
Later sightseeing of the holy city of Varanasi
visiting Hindu temples, the great city of Varanasi
stretches along a crescent of the holy river Ganges,
and is one of the oldest living cities in the
world. Located next to a ford on an ancient trade
route, Varanasi is among the holiest of all tirthas,
or crossing places, and stands at the center of
the Hindu universe.. Night stay in the hotel.
Day 9: Varanasi
- Khajuraho
After breakfast walk down narrow winding alleys
to see several ghats, temples, and shrines. In
the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the
flight to Khajuraho. On arrival transfer to the
hotel for night stay.
Day 10: Khajuraho
Breakfast in the hotel. Later day tour to the
magnificent Khajuraho, the religious and political
capital of the Chandela dynasty during 9th- to
13th-century. The resplendent Hindu temples here
are famed for the delicate sensuality and eroticism
of their sculpture. Much of the ornate carving
that adorns the walls of the sanctuaries is almost
three-dimensional, with shades of pink in the
stone imbuing the figures with gentle flesh-like
tones. Every square inch of these temples is covered
with incised human and divine forms in every aspect
of life. Evening back to the hotel for night stay.
Day 11: Agra
After breakfast transfer to the airport to board
flight to Agra. Visit the magnificent tomb, Taj
Mahal, built by Shah Jahan to enshrine the body
of his favorite wife, Arjumand Bann Begum, who
died in 1631 shortly after giving birth to her
14th child. 20,000 workmen took 22 years to complete
the mausoleum, quite literally one of the most
beautiful buildings in the world. Continue to
Agra Fort, the majestic 16th-century citadel that
was the stronghold of the Moghul Empire for generations.
The red-sandstone fortress guards a bend in the
Yamuna River and is encircled by ramparts and
entered through massive, decorated gates. Clustered
around a high terrace overlooking the waterway,
the royal pavilions were designed to catch the
cool breeze. The fort also contains the royal
palaces. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 12: Agra -
Jaipur
After breakfast visit to Sikandra Fort a high
battlement walls pierced on each side by four
gateways built of red sandstone enclose Sikandra
- the mausoleum of Akbar, placed at the centre
of a huge garden. Crowning each corner of the
gateway are four marble minarets. The burial chamber
is reached by a corridor, which leads deep into
the heart of the building. Later drive to the
pink city of Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri. This magnificent
fortified ghost city was the capital of Mughal
empire between 1571 and 1585, during the reign
of Emperor Akbar. It was built by the emperor
to commemorate the birth of his son Jahangir.
Fatehpur Sikri was thereafter quickly abandoned,
but till date it remains a perfectly preserved
example of Mughal architecture. Night stay in
the hotel at Jaipur.
Day 13: Jaipur
Breakfast in the hotel and drive into the city
for sightseeing. The pink city of Jaipur is the
picturesque capital of Rajasthan and a colorful
showcase of Rajashani architecture. Glorious palaces
and temples are scattered throughout the town
in an assortment of styles that span the centuries.
After a stop at the ashwamedh, or horse-sacrifice
pillar, begin the day at the Amber Fort, the former
seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. As royalty,
we will ascend to the fortress seated on the back
of an elephant. Fortified by natural hills and
high ramparts, Amber’s magnificent palace
is distinctly Rajput. The walls of the royal apartments
are completely covered with intricate mosaics
of mirrors and colored glasses. After our exploration
of the fortress, return to Jaipur. Raja Jai Singh,
the founder of Jaipur, was no ordinary man. He
was a scholar and an astronomer, and a formidable
general who tempered power with wisdom. In building
Jaipur, Jai Singh's vision took him beyond architectural
beauty, for he gave India its first planned city.
High walls enclose the old city, and the seven
sections within are laid out in a planned pattern,
as dictated by the Shilpa Shastra, an ancient
architectural treatise. We will enter the open-air
royal observatory, Jantar Mantar, with its gigantic,
astronomical instruments; this is the largest
of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories.
From here, enter the City Palace, an imposing
blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.
Now housing the Sawai Man Singh Museum, it is
encircled by high walls and situated among lush
gardens. The museum contains a select collection
of various types of Rajasthani dresses, a fascinating
armory of Mughal and Rajput weapons, and spectacular
swords, some encrusted with jewels and encased
in bold and magnificent scabbards. In the center
of the compound with balconies and windows studding
its seven-story façade, Chandra Mahal is
still the residence of the royal family. Stop
by Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds. It was built
in 1799 to enable the women of the court to watch
street processions while remaining in a strict
state of purdah. Its five-story façade
contains 593 finely screened windows and balconies.
Night stay in the hotel at Jaipur.
Day 14: Jaipur
- Delhi
After breakfast drive to Delhi. Rest of the day
free in Delhi for last minute shopping etc. Evening
Classical Indian Dances Show at Anjuman Parsi
Hall (Subject to availability) and overnight stay
in the hotel.
Day 15: Leave Delhi
After check out of our hotel transfer to the airport
to board onward flight.
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