The Timeless Journey

Tour Highlights

• Traditional welcome with Garland & a bottle of water at the airport.
• Experience the Delhi metro train ride with locals.
• Witness prayer ceremony at one of the Sikh temple in Delhi.
• See the colourful Shekhawati paintings on the walls of Havelis & Old Mansions in Mandawa.
• Excursion to Amer fort by jeep ride.
• Experience the evening prayer ceremony at Hindu temple in Jaipur.
• Walking tour through the spice and vegetable market of Old city in Jaipur.
• Brief photo stop at Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal) followed by Jal Mahal.
• See the World famous Taj Mahal in Agra.
• Visit imagistic & impressive Agra fort overlooking the Taj Mahal.
• Experience the Indian train journey
• See the impressive stone architectures at Khajuraho temples.
• Experience the early morning boat ride on river Ganges and witness the rituals.
• Witness the live evening prayer ceremony with local on the bank of river Ganges. 
• Souvenir gift at the end of the tour.

Detailed programe

Day 01                 Arrive Delhi by international flight

Arrive Delhi by international flight. Welcome at Delhi airport and transfer to hotel. Hotel check-in time 1400 hour.

India’s capital city, Delhi, is a unique and fascinating blend of two very different cities, each with its own distinctive flavour and character. No visit to India is complete without visiting these two complementary halves of its capital city – Delhi, both Old and New. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02                 Delhi – Mandawa (Approximately 5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Delhi by boarding metro train upto Old city. Upon arrival at Old city, visit Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosque in North India) followed by drive past through the Red fort and the visit Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi memorial). Continue, the sightseeing tour of New Delhi with drive past India Gate, Parliament House, President House and Government buildings.

This afternoon drive to Mandawa, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03                 Mandawa – Jaipur (Approximately 3 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visits Havelis and Old mansions and see the Shekhawati paintings.

The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

This afternoon drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Jaipur is a city of history and tradition, dating back to its foundation in the 17^th century by Sawai Jai Singh, from whom it derives its name.  Jai Sing meticulously planned the civic layout of Jaipur, with wide roads and impressive architecture, all of which is painted pink to this day. Jaipur is almost equidistant from Delhi and Agra, and forms part of the famed Golden Triangle, which so many visitors to north India take.

This evening visit one of the Hindu temple and witness & participate live evening prayer ceremony with locals. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04                 In Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel.

After a brief photography stop at the famed Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, drive out of town, to visit Amber Fort.  Visitors can walk or go by jeep up to the entrance of this romantic, traditional Rajasthani Fort, setting the mood for a visit to the dramatic, hill-top fortress.  Once inside the rugged walls, there are beautiful miniatures depicting hunting and battle scenes, along with precious stones and mirrors embellishing the plasterwork walls. The Jag Mandir, or Hall of Victory contains the extraordinary Sheesh Mahal, where all four walls and the ceiling are completely covered with glittering mirror pieces, creating a beautiful effect.

On the way to city take a stop at Jal Mahal for brief photography.

Continue, the sightseeing tour with visiting the historic City Palace, a huge, sprawling complex, covering almost a seventh of the walled part of Jaipur.   The palace is still home to the erstwhile royal family, who live in one section, while the rest has been converted into a museum. Highlights are the Armoury Museum, with its impressive collection of royal weapons.

Return to hotel for short rest.

Later this afternoon, take a walking tour through the spice & vegetable market and spend some time at the Jaipur colourful bazaar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05                 Jaipur – Agra (Approximately 5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning drive to Agra, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

If there is one image that sums up India to the world, it is the Taj Mahal.  This beautiful monument in Agra is an absolute must for every visitor.

Later this afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ‘ Love Poem in Marble’. (Taj Mahal remain closed on Friday).

Continue your tour with visiting the impressive Agra Fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces by overlooking the Taj Mahal. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06                    Agra – Jhansi by train

                              Jhansi – Orcha – Khajuraho (Approximately 4 hour drive)

After early breakfast, in time transfer to Agra Cant railway station to board your train for Jhansi.  

Upon arrival at Jhansi railway station, drive to Khajuraho en-route visiting Orcha.

Orchha’s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy of the ages. For this medieval city, the hand of time has rested and the palaces and the temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th 17th century retain much of their pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful Chhatries commands a spectacular view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs.

Continue drive to Khajuraho, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07                 In Khajuraho

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit the Western Group of temples, the most important temple being the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple-dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest and most typical of the Khajuraho temples. Visit the Chaunsat Yogini Jain Temple-dedicated to the 64 “Yoginis” or attendants of Goddess Kali. This temple stands apart from the rest. Also seethe Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely sculpture of Lord Vishnu in his 11-headed form. The sculptures that adorn the temples, carved in stone depict gods, goddesses and amorous couples.

Return to hotel for short rest.

Later this afternoon visit the Eastern Group of temples including the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple dedicated to the “Vamana” or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the Javari Temple. There are also three Jain Temples with beautiful carvings and non-erotic sculptures. Although these are Jain temples, they also contain numerous Vaishnav deities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 08                 Khajuraho – Varanasi by train

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free to explore Khajuraho town by walking on your own.

In time transfer to Khajuraho railway station to board your train for Varanasi. Dinner will be served onboard train.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Varanasi is one of India’s most important religious and pilgrimage sites.  Every Hindu dreams of visiting the city at least once in their lives.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09                 In Varanasi

Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges.  The western banks of Ganges has a string of Ghats – the chain of stone steps, all built with pavilions, palaces and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city.  At dawn, the Ghats are buzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals.  A boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of this activity.  The sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience.  Later, visit the Vishwanath temple, also called the golden temple because of the gold-plating on its roof.

Return to hotel for breakfast and take a rest. Explore Varanasi Ghats and city on your own by walking tour.

This evening witness aarti (prayer) ceremony on bank of river Ganges.

To experience Varanasi intimately, you have to visit the ghats, preferably in the evening.  The temples and ghats are lit with oil-lamps and candles.  Participate in a collective prayer ceremony, known as an Arti, and watch the floating oil-lamps on the Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10                 Varanasi – Delhi by flight

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure for independent activities. Hotel check-out 11:00 hours.

In time transfer to airport to board your flight for Delhi. On the way to Varanasi airport en-route visit Sarnath.

Sarnath, 10-Kms away from Varanasi is the fabled place, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism.  The remains date back to as far as the3rd-Century BC when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar Edicts.  Visit the art collection at the Archaeological Museum.  The main attraction is the superb Capital from Ashokan Pillar – the Ashokan symbol of four back-to-back Lions which has been adopted as the state symbol Independent India.  Also visit the Mahabodhi’Buddha temple and walk around the Deer Park. Later see the Monastery ruins area, Dhameka Stupa.

Arrive Delhi by evening flight ex Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer to international terminal to board your flight for onward destination. (No accommodation envisaged in Delhi on this day)

Day 11                 Leave Delhi