Discover India Tour (12 Days and 11 Nights)
Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Delhi
1
You will be received at New Delhi International Airport by our tour guide. Drive to a hotel for check-in. There will not be any excursions during the day to allow you rest to recover from travel fatigue.
2
After breakfast, visit to the India Gate – an arch built in the memory of all the Indian solider who laid down their lives in World War I. This 42-meters-tall monument was dedicated to the nation in 1931. Catching a glimpse of the president’s house, you will then head for the Birla House where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. A museum inside the building complex shares detailed information about his life and his contribution to the freedom struggle of India. Visit to the famous Sikh shrine of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. The shrine is associated with the life of the eighth Sikh Guru, Sri Harkrishan. The museum inside the shrine complex shares in-depth pictorial history of Sikhism in India.
Post lunch, visit to the Qutub Minar – one of the tallest minarets in the world. It is believed that Qutub-ud-din Aibak, who was the first Muslim conqueror of Delhi, laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar in 1192 AD. The height of the Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters and there are 379 steps to reach its top. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Post lunch, visit to the Qutub Minar – one of the tallest minarets in the world. It is believed that Qutub-ud-din Aibak, who was the first Muslim conqueror of Delhi, laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar in 1192 AD. The height of the Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters and there are 379 steps to reach its top. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
3
Post breakfast, visit to the Akshardham Temple which is an architectural marvel. The temple management through well conceived exhibitions educates the visitors about India’s magnificent spiritual and cultural heritage. Followed by lunch, drive to Jaipur (270 KM, 5.5 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
4
After breakfast, visit to the magnificent Amer Fort (also known as the Amber Palace) located outside the city over a hilltop. The fort was home to the Hindu Rajput kings. The construction of the fort was started by the orders of the king Mansingh and it was completed in 1592 AD. His descendants added many portions to the fort later. Made of pink sandstone and white marble, the Amer Fort has a lofty structure.
Later in the day, visit to the Central Museum which is located inside the Albert Hall Complex. The foundation of the building was laid by the Prince of Wales in 1886 AD. The building work was completed in 1887. The museum has an impressive collection of artifacts spread over fifteen categories.
In the evening, visit to a government owned outlet where you can shop for handcrafted products such as textile, furniture, blue pottery, terracotta pottery, paintings, silver and lac jewelries. These products are made in different districts of the state of Rajasthan by traditional artisans. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Later in the day, visit to the Central Museum which is located inside the Albert Hall Complex. The foundation of the building was laid by the Prince of Wales in 1886 AD. The building work was completed in 1887. The museum has an impressive collection of artifacts spread over fifteen categories.
In the evening, visit to a government owned outlet where you can shop for handcrafted products such as textile, furniture, blue pottery, terracotta pottery, paintings, silver and lac jewelries. These products are made in different districts of the state of Rajasthan by traditional artisans. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
5
The day’s excursion will begin with a visit to the City Palace. The founder of Jaipur, king Sawai Jai Singh II, laid the foundation of the palace in 1729 AD. Later, his descendants also contributed towards the expansion of the palace complex. One can explore the reception hall of the palace where the king would meet guests and his subjects. A section of the palace is converted into a museum, where the royal garments and the weaponry are on display. The royal family continues to live in a section of the palace complex which is restricted for the visitors. The carved marbles, lattice work and attractive paintings give the palace a unique identity.
You will then visit the Jantar Mantar which is located close to the palace. Built in the 18th century, it was an observatory for viewing the astronomical positions with naked eye. There are twenty fixed instruments which are unique and some of them are the largest in their category.
Post lunch, visit to the Hawa Mahal. This five storeys palace was made for the women of the royal family, so that they can watch the religious & cultural processions and other street activities. The women from the royal family had little freedom to go outside and experience the outside world. Thus, the Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799 by the king Sawai Pratap Singh. The Hawa Mahal literally means the palace of the winds. The palace is made of red & pink sandstones and there are 953 windows in it. Dinner in a restaurant and then overnight stay at the hotel.
You will then visit the Jantar Mantar which is located close to the palace. Built in the 18th century, it was an observatory for viewing the astronomical positions with naked eye. There are twenty fixed instruments which are unique and some of them are the largest in their category.
Post lunch, visit to the Hawa Mahal. This five storeys palace was made for the women of the royal family, so that they can watch the religious & cultural processions and other street activities. The women from the royal family had little freedom to go outside and experience the outside world. Thus, the Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799 by the king Sawai Pratap Singh. The Hawa Mahal literally means the palace of the winds. The palace is made of red & pink sandstones and there are 953 windows in it. Dinner in a restaurant and then overnight stay at the hotel.
6
After breakfast, drive to Ranthambore (190 km, 3.5 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel. In the afternoon, Jeep Safari in the Ranthambore National Park. Established in 1955 as a sanctuary, the Ranthambore National Park is spread over 109 square miles and is popular for its tiger population. The park is home to spotted deer, macaque, langur, boar, sloth bear, blue bull, mugger crocodile, hyena and leopard. There are over 300 species of plants and birds inside the park. Dinner and stay at the hotel.
7
Jeep Safari in the Ranthambore National Park in the morning and afternoon. There will not be any other sightseeing activity during the day. Overnight stay at the hotel.
8
Check-out from the hotel and drive to Agra (300 km, 6 hours). After check-in at a hotel, visit to the Agra Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The original fort was a brick structure made by a Hindu king. It was the Mughal emperor Akbar, and later his son Shah Jahan, who gave the fort its present shape. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
9
After breakfast, you will explore the magnificent Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum of white marble. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Janah in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 16 years to complete the work on main structure. Artisans from all over India, Central Asia and Iran were involved in the construction of the masterpiece.
Check-out from the hotel and drive to Orchha (260 km, 5 hours). Check-in at a hotel in the historic town of Orchha. The erstwhile capital of the kingdom of Bundelkhand – Orchha transports one to the medieval times. With a backdrop of the picturesque Vindhya mountains, the artistically crafted palaces, forts and temples tell the tale of the bygone era.
Check-out from the hotel and drive to Orchha (260 km, 5 hours). Check-in at a hotel in the historic town of Orchha. The erstwhile capital of the kingdom of Bundelkhand – Orchha transports one to the medieval times. With a backdrop of the picturesque Vindhya mountains, the artistically crafted palaces, forts and temples tell the tale of the bygone era.
10
Visit to the Orchha Fort Complex which includes three prominent architectural masterpieces: the Raja Mahal, the Jahangir Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal. The Raja Mahal is a 15th century palace which was constructed by the king Rudra Pratap Singh. The external appearance of Raja Mahal is modest, but it has fascinating mural work on its inner walls and ceilings.
Jahangir Mahal was built in the 17th Century by the king Bir Singh Deo to welcome the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The palace is known for its latticework and is an exquisite representation of the Mughal and the Bundela architecture. Post lunch, visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple, Royal Cenotaphs and Chaturbhuj Temple. Return to hotel for dinner and stay.
Jahangir Mahal was built in the 17th Century by the king Bir Singh Deo to welcome the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The palace is known for its latticework and is an exquisite representation of the Mughal and the Bundela architecture. Post lunch, visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple, Royal Cenotaphs and Chaturbhuj Temple. Return to hotel for dinner and stay.
11
Drive to the heritage town of Khajuraho (180 km, 3 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel on arrival. Post lunch, you will explore the fascinating Eastern and Western Groups of Temples in Khajuraho. Listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these groups of temples are unique architectural marvels. They were built under the rein of the Chandela Rajputs during the period of 950-1050 AD.
The Kandariya Mahadev Temple, the Lakshman Temple and the Matangeshwar Temple are the most popular among the Western Group of Temples. The Adinath Temple and the Javari Temple are quite popular & most visited among the Eastern Group of Temples. Out of the 85 temples, only 22 have survived the tests of time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
The Kandariya Mahadev Temple, the Lakshman Temple and the Matangeshwar Temple are the most popular among the Western Group of Temples. The Adinath Temple and the Javari Temple are quite popular & most visited among the Eastern Group of Temples. Out of the 85 temples, only 22 have survived the tests of time. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
12
Post breakfast, you will continue your exploration of the Groups of Temples in Khajuraho. Post lunch, you will be driven to Khajuraho Airport to fly to New Delhi. From New Delhi Airport, you may then head for your onward journey. The tour concludes.
