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North and Central India
Tour |
North
and Central India Tour
Duration : 9
Nights / 10 Days
Destinations Covered :
Delhi-Jaipur-Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Delhi
Day 01
Arrival Delhi: Met on arrival by PCTI
representative. Traditional welcome with
garlanding and transfer to the hotel. Overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 02
Delhi / Jaipur (250 Kms - 05 hrs): After a
morning at leisure we drive to Jaipur - the
fabled "pink city" of the desert named after Jai
Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur. The
palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were
witnesses to the royal processions and
splendors, are now living monuments. Arrive and
check inn to the hotel.
This will be a cultural evening, we visit Chokhi
Dhani - An ethnic village resort, the vitality
of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as
children dance rhythmically to the loud tenor of
folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in
bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses
and bullock carts offer joy rides. A traditional
Rajasthani dinner will be served. Overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 03
In Jaipur: After enjoying a hearty breakfast at
the hotel we visit the dramatic hilltop fortress
at Amber - ascend the imposing fort on a painted
elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and
the Hall of Mirrors.
We stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal (Palace
of the Winds)- this elaborate building, now
little more than a façade, is encrusted with
delicate screens and carved balconies from which
the royal ladies, confined to their quarters,
could sneak views of the outside world.
Post lunch tour of the Maharajah's City Palace,
now partly a museum display a unique fusion of
Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare
collection of paintings, Rajput armoury and
costumes. Later we visit the unique Jantar
Mantar Observatory - situated in the heart of
the city where time has been accurately measured
since the 17th century. Overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 04
Jaipur / Agra (250 Kms - 05 hrs): Morning drive
leisurely to the city of Taj, Agra, we stop at a
good restaurant for lunch enroute also visit the
evocative city of Fatehpur Sikri - Built by
Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the
late 16th century, it is a veritable fairytale
city built of red sandstone, and its "ruins" are
in pristine condition.
We continue to Agra, arrive and check inn to the
hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05
In Agra: After having our breakfast at the hotel
we leave to explore the monumental heritage of
the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj
Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World
and surely the most extravagant expression of
love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over
17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's
beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and
semi-precious stone - undoubtedly the highlight
of the tour.
Post lunch tour of the imposing Agra Fort -
built of red sandstone and marble is a hilltop
citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and
gates.Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06
Agra / Jhansi / Orchha (By Train): By way of
contrast today, we stray off the beaten tourist
track to rural Madhya Pradesh. A short journey
by Shatabdi Express train takes us to Jhansi,
from where we transfer to Orchha and check inn
to our hotel in time for lunch.
Post lunch tour of this historical site with
magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the
Palaces were decorated with painted murals,
which represent the finest flowering of the
Bundela school of Painting. Overnight stay at
the hotel.
Day 07
Orchha / Khajuraho (178 Kms - 4 hrs.): Morning
drive to Khajuraho - the legendary temples of
Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century
are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as
one of the world's artistic wonders. Khajuraho
has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its
erotic sculptures.
Arrive by lunch and check inn to the hotel.
After lunch we visit the exquisite 10th century
temples of Khajuraho. Overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 08
Khajuraho / Varanasi (By flight): Morning free
at leisure. Early afternoon flight to Varanasi -
said to be the India's most sacred city situated
on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It
is also the oldest living city in the world. As
a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds
of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the
riverfront as seen from a boat can be a
spiritually uplifting sight. It has a
fascination uniquely its own, a quality of
sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal.
Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described,
only experienced.
On arrival we transfer to the hotel. After lunch
we leave for a half-day sightseeing of this holy
city visiting Durga Temple (Monkey Temple),
Mother Indian Temple, Banaras Hindu University &
Birla Temple. Evening take the boat ride to view
the “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats. Overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 09
Varanasi / Delhi (By flight): Morning we take a
Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the
way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Then we
visit Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first
sermon. Sarnath's temples and Archaeological
Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures. This
afternoon we fly to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10
In Delhi & Departure: Breakfast at the hotel,
followed by a sightseeing tour of Old & New
Delhi. Including Jama Masjid - this immense
mosque is the largest in India, Red Fort - once
the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul
Empire, nearby we enjoy the rickshaw Ride in the
local markets of Chandni Chowk & Kinari Bazar.
In New Delhi visit 11th century Qutab Minar
Tower, the India Gate and the grand government
buildings, the President's House and Parliament
House all dating back to the time of British
Raj.
Evening transfer to the international airport to
Board your homeward flight or connect to your
onward destination.
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