Taj Mahal with Temples
7 Nights / 8
Days to Taj Mahal with Temples Delhi / Agra / Gwalior /
Orchha / Khajuraho / Varanasi / Delhi
Day 01 : Abroad - Delhi Arrive at Delhi International airport.
On arrival in Delhi, the guest will be met by our representative and
transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 :
Delhi This morning you will be taken to visit
Old Delhi -
Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow
streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the
Red Fort, built in 1648
and board the 'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort,
through
"Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the
sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later
visit the
Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in
1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the
Raj Ghat,
the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
This afternoon you will
be taken to visit
New Delhi - drive past the stately government
buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the
India
Gate & the
Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful
Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world
famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of
Qutab Minar.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (203 km)
Upon arrival in Agra - check into the
hotel
Afternoon visit red fort and famous
Taj Mahal.
Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost
in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the
years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and
walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj".
It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love,
for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage,
during the birth of her 14th child.The central structure has four small domes
surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah
Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is
closed on Friday).
Stay at pristine
Taj Mahal for sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late
afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04: Agra -
Gwalior - Orchha Transfer to the Railway Station for train to
Gwalior for a full day sightseeing tour.
Upon arrival at Gwalior
Railway Station, the guests will directly proceed for sightseeing.
Tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace. This Palace
is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have
in converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia.
After the visit proceed to the Usha Kiran Palace hotel for a lunch.
This Palace was originally the Maharaja's guesthouse.
After lunch proceed to the huge
Gwalior Fort - where a sun
temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort. Also
visit
Man Mandir which is a six-towered palace & which
forms the eastern wall of the fort. The fort has monuments dating back to 8th
century AD onwards & is one of the largest forts in India.
Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses
the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a
saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the famous musician
Tansen.
Thereafter continue drive to Orchha
Orchha
overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the
capital of Bundela kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing
through a rugged century side, it still retains the captivating air of the
bygone era.
Upon arrival in Orchha - check-in at the hotel.
Dinner
and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Orchha - Khajuraho Morning tour of Orchha - walk by
the century old temples and forts, each with its own poignant history, and
rest amidst the beauty of the ruins. Amongst the various imposing edifices,
of particular interest are the
Jehangiri Mahal, built by
Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, The
Raj Mahal and the
Laxmi Narayan temple,
both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings.
Lunch at the
hotel Afternoon drive to Khajuraho (170 kms)
Khajuraho
- ancient centre of the Chandela Dynasty. Khajuraho flourished from 950 to
1050 AD and is spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of
tools. Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending order
representing man's aspirations towards spiritual goals. They are famous
tourist draw because they have the most sublime, sensuous and erotic
sculptures and are romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and
hot plains of Madhya Pradesh.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho -
check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06:
Khajuraho - Varanasi Morning visit the temples.
Visit
the
Eastern group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and
3 Jain temples, their proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the
times in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular.
Also
visit the most important and fascinating
western group of temples.
The temples of Khajuraho have been declared a 'world heritage' site by
UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to
future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are
famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of
the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Late afternoon transfer to
airport for Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1320/1400 hrs.).
Upon
arrival proceed for city tour of Varanasi. Walk through the myriad of narrow
lanes in the old city, past the many ancient temples, shrines and little
shops crammed with customers looking for the famous silver & gold
brocades for weddings or even for cremation cloth. The most famous temple is
the
Kashi Vishvanath or Golden temple which, though
off-limits to non-Hindus, can be seen from the top floor of the old house
opposite it.
After sightseeing check in at hotel.
Overnight at
hotel.
Day 07 : Varanasi Early morning
drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take
a boat ride on the sacred river
Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions
of one of the world's oldest and most important religions.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, visit
Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi -
one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first
Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist
monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection
of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.
Transfer to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi flight
(1430/1540 hrs.).
Upon arrival at Delhi airport, the guests will be
transferred to hotel where rooms will be available for wash or change.
Dinner at the hotel. Later transfer to airport for flight back home.
Day 08 : Delhi - Abroad Depart Delhi