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HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTH & CENTRAL INDIA

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival meet & greet and escorted to your Hotel.

Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines both the ancient and the modern aspects of Indian culture. The city’s many monuments, located amidst tall, modern skyscrapers, stand as silent reminders of the region’s ancient legacy.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi Sightseeing
Morning after breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour of New Delhi, driving along Rajpath, the capital’s broadest avenue. As you go you will drive pass Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President’s Palace), & you will see India Gate. Next you will visit Humayun’s Tomb, the tomb, an elegant example of early Mughal architecture and Qutab Minar, a soaring, 238-foot-high stone tower. After viewing Qutab Minar, you will move on to Birla Temple, which is one of the major landmarks of New Delhi.

This afternoon your tour will focus the seventeenth-century walled city of Shahjahanabad. You will visit the Red Fort (Lal Quila) (Closed on Mondays). You will then take a walk through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahjahanabad, which is now a picturesque bazaar. It consists of many narrow lanes that are crowded with shops selling everything from authentic Indian food and clothing to electronics. Next you will visit the Raj Ghat and Ashoka Pillar.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi / Udaipur (By Air)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and transfer to airport to connect flight for Udaipur. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Hotel.

Udaipur, founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh, Udaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in India. It contains lakes that, in arid Rajasthan, are a refreshing sight, as well as forested hills where wildlife still abounds. The old city was defensively designed, fortified with bastions and eleven guarded gates through which people could enter the city. Ruins of these ancient fortifications are still in evidence.

Later proceed for a sightseeing tour visiting City Palace & Sahaliyon Ke Bari followed by boat ride at Lake Pichola.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Udaipur (Chittaurgarh Excursion)
Morning after breakfast proceed for a same day excursion to Chittaurgarh. Chittaurgarh is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates with history of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with the tales sung by the Bards of Rajasthan. The main reason for visiting Chittaurgarh is its massive hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput culture and values. The fort stands on a 240-hectares site on an 180m high hill that rises rapidly from the plains below. Thrice a stronger enemy sacked Chittaurgarh.

Today a new township sprawls below the hill on the west side. Chittaurgarh is connected by both bus and rail. The bus stand and the railway are located in the new township. Chittaurgarh Fort is a massive structure with a 1 kilometre zigzag accent to it. The road leads through seven gates to the main gate Rampol (meaning Gate of Ram). On the climb between the second and third gate you see two Chattris cenotaphs built to honour Jaimull and Kulla heroes of 1568 siege by Emperor Akbar. The main gate of the fort itself is Surajpol (meaning Sun Gate). Within the fort a circular runs around the ruins of the fort. According to often told legend the construction of the fort was started by Bhim a Pandav hero of mythological epic Mahabharata. The fort has many magnificent monuments. Akbar carried away all the distinctive pieces of architecture and sculpture and placed them in his capital. These are still manifested in the fort of Agra. Even though the fort is ruin but it is an overwhelming reminder of past history and its walls resonate with unbelievable legend of extra ordinary men and women and their equally astounding deeds.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 : Udaipur / Jaipur (By Air)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and transfer to airport to connect flight for Jaipur. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Hotel. Jaipur “The Pink City”, the capital city of Rajasthan.

Later you will tour the city of Jaipur, which is steeped in heritage, picturesque with exquisite architecture and vibrant with heroic lore and romance. You will visit the Hawa Mahal, Next you will explore City Palace, adjacent to the City Palace lies Jantar Mantar, the largest and best preserved of the five observatories built by Jaipur’s founder, Jai Singh.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : Jaipur Sightseeing
Morning after an early breakfast you will enjoy the unique experience of riding a royally draped and elegantly painted elephant from the foothills to the ramparts of the ancient Amber Fort. The fort was once the capital of the Mina tribes, who are believed to be the original inhabitants of the area. Tales of the fort recall the glory and wealth of its association with the Mughals. Once inside, you will explore the Sheesh Mahal, or “Palace of Mirrors,” which is inlaid with millions of tiny, glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 07: Jaipur / Ranthambore (180 Kms – 4 Hrs Drive)
Morning after breakfast check out from Hotel and drive to Ranthambore. There you will discover the remains of a thousand-year-old fortress, which is today a wildlife sanctuary, where leopards and tigers prowl. On arrival check in at the Hotel.

Ranthambhore is one of the few preserves where the nocturnal, camera-shy tigers may be seen in daylight. Thanks to the efforts of “Project Tiger” and the World Wildlife Fund, the Bengal tiger population is slowly increasing, despite being hunted in the past almost to extinction by the local royalty and their British overlords. Afternoon enjoy a game drive at Ranthambore National Park.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 08: Ranthambore
Today you will enjoy thrilling game drives in both the morning and the evening as you search the jungle for wildlife.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 09: Ranthambore / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (275 kms – 7 Hrs Drive)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and drive to Agra, you will stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri. This amazing city, a masterpiece of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architecture, was built by Akbar the Great in the sixteenth century. Comprised predominantly of red-sandstone buildings that sprawl over a huge area, the architectural style of the city is very much in tune with Akbar’s vision. A shortage of water was one of the main reasons the site was abandoned. You will also tour Agra Fort, a huge, red-sandstone structure built by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar in AD 1565. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and many other noteworthy structures. On arrival proceed for a sunset visit to magnificent Taj Mahal.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 10: Agra / Gwalior (120 Kms – 4 Hrs Drive)
Morning an optional sunrise visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal. Later after breakfast check out from the Hotel and proceed to     visit Agar Fort.

Later drive to Gwalior. Gwalior's strategic position between north and south India made it an important possession and was captured by several ruling houses. The first historical holders of the city were the Huns. Between 11th to 14th century AD, Gwalior came under the influence of Kachwaha Rajputs, the Pratiharas, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, and Iltutmish, and remained under Muslim possession until 1398. On arrival check in at the Hotel.

Afternoon enjoy the city tour of Gwalior. The Gwalior Fort was built in the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop that overlooks the city. The outer wall of the fort stands two miles in length and 35 m in height.Man Mandir is the Fort's piece de resistance. The palace built by Man Singh Tomar is a delicate structure exhibiting a sense of joy and abandon through use of color, motif, and design.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 11: Gwalior / Datia / Orcha (115 Kms – 4 Hrs Drive)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and drive to Orchha via Datia. Datia is mentioned in the Mahabharata as ‘Dityavakra’. Main historical monuments are the seven story palace by Raja Bir Singh Dea, Gopeshwar temple.

Later drive to Orcha. On arrival check in at the Hotel. Orchha, located on the banks of Betwa River set against the verdant hills and greenery, Orchha was the capital of the powerful Bundela kingdom. The place is unique in the sense that it has been successful in retaining its medieval charm. Afternoon proceed for a half day city tour visiting Fort & Temples.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 12: Orcha / Khajuraho (135 Kms – 4 Hrs Drive)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and drive to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho, was the religious and political capital of the Chandela Dynasty from the ninth to thirteenth centuries. Today Khajuraho is best-known for its amazing Tantric temples which were built in the graceful Nagara style of architecture and enveloped with erotic sculptures. It is the oldest site of its kind in the world. On arrival check in at the Hotel.

Afternoon proceed to visit Western group of Temples. The western group of temples contains the largest and loveliest temples of the area. Of this group, the Kandariya Mahadev temple, which is dedicated to Shiva, is the most perfect. With its elaborate 100-foot-high spire and bands of beautiful carving, it represents Chandela art at its best. Kandariya Mahadev shares a high terrace with the older and simpler Devi Jagadamba temple.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 13: Khajuraho / Varanasi (By Air)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and proceed to visit Eastern group of temples, which reflects the austerity of the Jains. Afternoon you will be transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi (Benares), India’s holiest city, which is located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River.

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel en route visiting Sarnath.

Sarnath, which is the site of Buddha’s first sermon. While there, you will visit the museum, one of the most important in India. You will also see the many stupas, or shrines, and Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, a Tibetan Buddhist shrine, which was built by the Mahabodhi Society and contains a life-size golden image of the Buddha and colorful murals and frescoes painted by a Japanese artist.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 13: Varanasi / Delhi (By Air)
Today early morning you will embark on a sunrise boat cruise on the Ganges River. During the trip you will be presented with an incredible tableau as you watch multitudes of devotees paying homage to the Sun God. The deep and mystical presence of Hinduism can be seen and felt everywhere—in a decorated doorway, a glimpse of a glittering temple, the sound of a sacred bell, the chant of the priests or the fragrance of flower oblations. This religious city is crowded with temples and its labyrinthine streets swell with throngs of people. As you float down the river you will pass the bathing ghats, where thousands of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges, and the burning ghats, where cremations are conducted. The cruise will be followed by a walking tour of the old city.

Later you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi, Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to International airport to connect your flight for onward journey.

End of Services.

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