Day 1 : Delhi - Varanasi
Depart at 9:00 am for Delhi sightseeing. Today we will head to explore Delhi. Begin your day with a guided tour of the Old City of ‘Shahjahanabad’. Your introduction to the city will start with Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, driving past the Red Fort — the magical monument in red sandstone built at the pinnacle of the Mughal Empire. From here proceed to the bustling streets to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia built by Shahjahan, on a bicycle rickshaw.
Continue on a guided tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy that the British left behind. You will visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India built to establish the might of Islam and the onset of Muslim rule in India. After that comes the Humayun’s Tomb, the first great example of a new distinctive style, which developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. We also drive past the imposing India Gate (War Memorial Arch), the Parliament Buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President’s residence). Later you will be transferred to Varanasi via flight from New Delhi Domestic Airport. On Arrival Hotel Check-in and rest for the day.
Overnight at Hotel, Varanasi
Day 2 : Varanasi
After breakfast you're chauffeur & guide will be their explore UNESCO World Heritage Site “ Sarnath” . Start at the Chaukhandi Stupa, an elevated structure surrounded by an octagonal tower which serves as the gateway to Sarnath. Next, stop at the Dhamek Stupa. Built of stone and brick, this cylindrical structure is engraved with delicate floral carvings.
Next, visit the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar Temple which houses impressive frescoes and Buddhist literature. Finally, visit the Sarnath Museum to view its collection of Buddhist art and sculpture.
Later in the evening enjoy the famous Ganga Arti .
GANGA AARTI: A group of priests daily in the evening at this ghat perform "Agni Pooja" (Worship to Fire) wherein a dedication is made to Lord Shiva, River Ganga (the Ganges), Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe. Special Aarti’s are held on Tuesdays and on religious festivals.
Later transfer to hotel and rest for the day.
Day 3 : Varanasi - Agra
Pick up from the hotel at 5:30 am and proceed to ghat to enjoy morning Boat ride at the time of Sun rise and after that comeback hotel has breakfast. After some rest proceed to the Old city of Varanasi, B.H.U. University, Hanuman Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, etc .and in the evening enjoy the evening prayer ceremony by boat ride. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before being driven to railway station in Varanasi.
Board your overnight train to Agra .
Day 4 : Agra
Your chauffeur will wait for you at Tundla Railway Station. Later on, Transfer to your hotel and relax. After relaxing & comfort enjoy your sightseeing. This is it! The Taj Mahal. Today we head out on a spectacular sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal, celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. Emperor Shah Jahan built this exquisite white marble mausoleum for his favourite queen Mumtaz Mahal. The monument was commissioned in 1631 and took 20,000 artisans, 22 years to complete. Witness the dramatic interplay of light as the sun rises and casts its golden rays over the pearl white tomb, recreating the magic of the Taj. Once you have taken some memorising morning photos, there is time to explore the Taj. After which we head back to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we explore the Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Shah Jahan, the creator of Taj, spent the last years of his life time imprisonment awarded by his son Aurangzeb, here. It was built in the late 1560s by their predecessor, Akbar, with later embellishments by Jahangir, his son, and Shah Jahan, his grandson.
Exquisite Indian Lunch at Hotel Courtyard By Marriott (5 Star Hotel).
After Lunch, we will proceed to Itmad - ud - Daulah’s Tomb, the marble mausoleum built by Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father, Ghiyas Beg. Also known as the ‘Baby Taj’, it is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice.
Day 5 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
Today, after breakfast we head to the pink city of Jaipur (237 Km / 6 hours drive Approx) en route to visit Akbar’s abandoned capital, Fatehpur Sikri. Located 37 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571 in honour of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti. It was the Mughal capital for 14 years after which it was abandoned due to paucity of water. Made of red sandstone and combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture. Even to this day, the entrance to the fort is through the road that Akbar built which leads to the Buland Darwaza, a huge 54 metres gateway. Other inspiring monuments in Fatehpur Sikri are the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, Birbal House and the Diwan - i - Khas.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, proceed to check in at the hotel. Jaipur, one of the most enticing places in India, is nestled between mighty forts and the rugged Aravalli Hills. It is known as ‘the pink city’ as its prominent buildings are washed in this colour. Jaipur is a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trappings of a modern metropolis yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day 6 : Jaipur
An exciting day awaits you today, with a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five-storey wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Continue your tour as you drive to the ancient capital of Amer to see the fabulous Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks Moata Lake. Ruins and remains of the fort are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding area.
You will be taken on the jeep or a decorative elephant ride up to the main gate. Explore the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for its excellent design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the Elephant Headed God - Ganesh. The merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Niwas, Jas Mandir Apartments, and the Charbagh Garden with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points and shimmering mirrors encrust the walls of Sheesh Mahal.
This afternoon, enjoy a tour of the Pink City, an “abode of rajahs”. The highlights of the tour include a visit to the City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiselled handles. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. It also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.
Proceed to the awe-inspiring Jantar Mantar Observatory, A stone Astrological & Astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century.
Overnight Stay at Jaipur Hotel.
Day 7 : Jaipur - Delhi - Airport
After early breakfast, after breakfast, drive to Delhi along one of India’s finest freeways. Later, transfer to Hotel for Check In or drop at the airport for the onward flight.
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