Breakfast in the Hotel.

Full day guided tour of Old & New Delhi

Delhi, the capital of India comprises of conspicuously contrasting Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries and one can find mosques, monuments and forts related to Muslim history. New Delhi is the imperial city created as India’s capital by the British intricately planned and comprises of imposing buildings displaying various modern style of architecture.

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Dive past Red Fort Closed on Monday (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE – Red Fort was built by the mughal emperor famous for its architectural wonders one of which is Taj Mahal – Shah Jahan. Red Fort is famous for its delicately carved inlaid and Royal chambers) –

Jama Masjid – the Great Mughal Mosque (It is the largest mosque in India. Located in Old Delhi, the mosque has the capacity to accommodate 25000 devotees. Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 AD and it again the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is behind this architectural masterpiece. Close to some 5000 craftsmen were involved in the construction of the mosque)

Then visit Raj Ghat (The cremation ground of the father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi) After the visit of Old Delhi you will move ahead to visit Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE – Humayun’s tomb is believed to have been designed in 1565 AD by the widow of Mughal emperor Humayun. Its plan is based on the description of Islamic paradise garden and is known to have inspired the Taj Mahal and many later Mughal tombs. This type of garden is known as a charbagh and is based on a grid)

Continue your tour with Qutab Minar (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE – Qutab Minar is 73 meters high which tapers from a 15 m diameter base to just 2.5 m at the top. The walls consist intricately carved quotations from Koran and is one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world),at last enter the Lutyens Delhi and drive through India Gate (The war memorial) and President’s Palace.

Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel 

Depart for Delhi airport in time to connect flight to Varanasi. 

Meet/Assist on arrival and transfer to Hotel

Varanasi, the city was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago, thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, mention the city.

In the afternoon you will be taken to visit Sarnath – It is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India at Sarnath have revealed many structures which represent facets of the Buddhist history visit the Archaeological Museum, Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Tibetan Temple, Thai Temple and the Deer Park. The Archaeological Museum in Sarnath is one of the most famous museums of its kind in Southeast Asia. The museum is situated very near the historical ruins. It contains a huge collection of sculptures. 

Overnight at hotel  

Arise early morning for boat ride on river Ganges. The sunrise is worth watching. The visit would include the burning ghats among other ghats where people do their early morning chores like bathing, yoga etc. You would also be able to walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi or Kashi. 

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

Half day sightseeing tour of Varanasi visiting

Durga Temple – also nicknamed “Monkey temple,” was built at some point of time in 18th century. The temple got the name ‘Monkey temple’ because of the presence of large number of monkeys in the temple. According to legends, the present statue of Goddess Durga was not made by man but appeared on its own in the temple. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit the Durga temple during Navratri and other auspicious occasions. Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard of the Durga temple but not the inner sanctum.  

Bharat Mata Temple

Bharat Mata Mandir or Bharat Mata Temple is one of its kinds in Varanasi. Contrary to what most of the tourists believe, this temple is not dedicated to any God, Goddess or certain deity for that matter. It is dedicated to the human manifestation of India popularly called Mother India or Bharat Mata in Hindi. And this temple even not houses the statue or bust of Bharat Mata; instead it has a very big relief map of India carved out of marble. The temple was inaugurated by non other than Mahatma Gandhi, The father of the Indian Nation

The map is said to be perfectly in scale both longitude as well as latitude wise. The map has been carved out of white marble bought out of Makrana. The construction of temple is unique in itself. It stands on 5 distinct pillars that converse in to one at the top. The five pillars signifies the 5 basic elements of creation namely earth, wind, fire, water and sky. There convergence in to a single pillar symbolizes that every element has to ultimately submerge into the supreme. The temple is a handiwork of two people namely Babu Shiv Prashad Gupta and Shri Durga Prashad Khatri. While the former was a nationalist leader, the later was a renowned numismatists and antiquarians.

Also drive through the most famous Banaras Hindu University founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and visit Laxmi Narain temple. 

Overnight at hotel 

Breakfast in the hotel 

Transfer to Varanasi airport in time to connect flight to Agra 

Meet/Assist on arrival and transfer to hotel 

Agra is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world – The Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the Moslems, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While it’s significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jaha, it’s architectural wealth has secured it’s place on the international map.

Rest of the day is free to relax.

Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel 

Depart for half day sightseeing tour of Agra visiting TAJ MAHAL (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

Described as a most extravagant monument ever build for love, this sublime Mughal mausoleum is India’s most ogled icon. The Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. The death of Mumtaz left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned grey virtually overnight. Construction of the Taj began in the same year and was not completed until 1653. Not long after it was finished, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in Agra Fort where, for the rest of his days, he could only gaze out at his creation through a window. Following his death in 1666, Shah Jahan was buried here alongside Mumtaz.

Than visit AGRA FORT (sometimes called the Red Fort), was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and is another of Agra’s World Heritage Sites. A stone tablet at the gate of the Fort states that it had been built before 1000 but was later renovated by Akbar. The red sandstone fort was converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time, and reworked extensively with marble & Pietra  dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e’Ām and Dīwān-e-Khās (halls of public and private audience), Jahagir Palace, Khās Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), 

Also visit local market and a marble factory where you can actually see the inlay work being done on marble like it was done for Taj in the past. 

Afternoon is free to relax 

Overnight at hotel 

Breakfast in the hotel.

Depart for Ranthambore en route en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri 

The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpūr Sikrī about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is visited by most tourists. The name of the place came about after the Mughal Emperor Barbar defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Sikrī . Then the Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpūr Sikrī his head quarters, so he built a majestic fort; due to shortage of water, however, he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort.

Continue your drive to Ranthambore and check in at hotel.

Rest of the day is free to relax.

Overnight at hotel

Morning again you will be taken into the park for game viewing. 

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national park in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Being considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers in this destination.

Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

Depart for Jaipur and check in at Hotel. 

Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and is the first well planned city of India, located in the desert lands of India, Rajasthan. The city which once had been the capital of the royalty now is the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. In the present date, Jaipur is the major business centre for the natives of Rajasthan with all requisites of a metropolitan city.

Rest of the day is free to relax. 

Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast at the Hotel. 

Morning depart for Amber fort (Situated atop the Aravali hills, it is the ancient capital of Jaipur and a magnificent example of Rajput architecture). 

We ascend to the fort on Elephant’s back and come down in Jeep. 

Pronounced ‘Amber’ and meaning ‘High’, this wraithlike fort – palace beautifully illustrates Rajput artistry in the faded shades of the reddish pink. Situated on the rugged hills 1 Km north of town, Amber was once the ancient capital of the Jaipur state.  

Later sightseeing of Jaipur city visiting Hawa Mahal– Palace of Winds (This five storied building which looks out over the main street of the old city is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks. This is a stunning example of the Rajput artistry with it’s pink, semi-octagonal and delicately honey combed and stone windows. 

Originally Hawa Mahal was built to enable the ladies of the royal families to watch the daily life and processions of the city), 

Jantar Mantar (The Observatory, built by Raja Jai Singh in1728. It is an excellent example of the marvelous precision where in each construction has a specific purpose to measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths or calculating eclipses. The most striking instruments the Sun Dial which is 90 feet high) and 

Palace Museum (City Palace is delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture. A part of the palace is still the house of the former Maharaja of Jaipur). Visit the various galleries displaying the armory, clothes and paintings of the Rajput clan. 

The tour of Jaipur is not complete without shopping as Jaipur is known as a shopper’s paradise famous for jewellery, handicraft, carpet, blue pottery and textiles.

 Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel

Depart for Jodhpur & check-in at hotel.

Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathores, and the city grew out of the profits of opium, sandalwood, dates and copper. Rathore kingdom was once cheerily known as Marwar (the Land of Death), but today its moustached men are m ore about smiling for the camera.

Overnight at hotel. 

Breakfast in the hotel 

Morning Half-day tour of Jodhpur visiting

 Mehrangarh Fort lies at the outskirts of Jodhpur city and is located atop a 125 m high hill. The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur ka kila) is the most majestic and one of the largest forts in India. It was originally started (c.1459) by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur. However, most of the extant fort dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide; they enclose some exquisite structures. The fort museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. The ramparts of Mehrangarh Fort provide not only excellently preserved cannons but also a breath-taking view of the city, 

Jasawant Thada 

The Jaswant Thada is architectural landmark found in Jodhpur. It is a white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun’s rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs. 

Also visit the bustling market of Jodhpur. 

Afternoon is free to relax 

Overnight at Hotel

Breakfast in the Hotel. 

Depart for Udaipur en route visiting Ranakpur 

Ranakpur is located in the mountain ranges of Pali district, 23 kms away from the Phalna railway station. Ranakpur is reached after passing lush green valleys and streams and the heart capturing views drive away any fatigue of the journey. The Ranakpur Jain Temples were built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. An enormous basement covers 48,000 sq. feet area. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and eligibly domes supported by over four hundred columns 

Continue your drive to Udaipur and check in at Hotel. 

Udaipur was the capital of the Rajpur kingdom of Mear, ruled by the Sisodia clan. The founder of Udaipur was Rana Udai Singh. The ancient capital of Mewar was Nagda, located on the Banas River northeast of Udaipur. Legend has it that Maharana Udai Singh came upon a hermit while hunting in the foothills of the Aravalli Range. The hermit blessed the king and asked him to build a palace on the spot and it would be well protected. Udai Singh established a residence there. In 1568 the Mughal emperor Akbar captured Chittor, and Udai Singh moved the capital to the site of his residence, which became the city of Udaipur. As the Mughal empire weakened, the Sisodia ranas, and later maharanas, reasserted their independence and recaptured most of Mewar except the fort of Chittor. Udaipur remained the capital of the state, which became a princely state of British India in 1818. After India’s Independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Udaipur acceded to the Government of India, and Mewar was integrated into India’s Rajasthan state. The city’s pride , the ‘Lake Palace’ was once a prison.

Overnight at Hotel. 

Breakfast in the hotel.

Depart for sightseeing tour of Udaipur – also known as City of lakes visiting 

City Palace – standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the Palace provide panoramic views of “Jag Niwas” (the Lake Palace Hotel), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other side of the city of Udaipur. Its main entrance is through the triple-arched gate – the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the Maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The Chinese Painting Exhibition is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are numerous other Palaces such as Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and Krishna Vilas – built in the memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the Palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day, 

Sahelion ki Bari was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The garden set below the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake has lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant-shaped fountains. These fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts specially carved for the purpose.

Late afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit the Jag Mandir Palace. The palace, built of granite and marble, covers four acres and is almost in the middle of the lake. Visit the Borra Mahal, Khas Mahal and the courts, gardens and fountains. 

Overnight at hotel  

Breakfast in the hotel 

Transfer to Udaipur airport in time to connect flight to Delhi 

Upon arrival in Delhi change terminal from domestic to International in time to connect your onward flight to next destination