Day 01
DELHI
Arrive Delhi.  Meeting and transfer to hotel. (Check-in time).  Overnight at hotel.

Day 02
DELHI
Morning combined city tour of Old and New Delhi visiting in Old Delhi - the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque), Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatma Gandhi) and drive past Chandni Chowk.

 

In New Delhi visit Qutab Minar, the 234 feet high tower, with the nearby Iron Pillar, the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, the modern Birla Mandir Temple. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President's House, which was once the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat Buildings.

Evening witness a Pageant of Indian music and dance followed by Dinner at the Village BISTRO.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 03
DELHI/JAIPUR

(253 KMS or 157 Miles) Morning depart by coach for Jaipur.

Arrive and check-in at hotel.

 

Afternoon city sightseeing, visiting the Maharaja's City Palace, which now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts and fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and weapons, and the nearby Observatory.  Drive through the pink-rose residential and business areas and the Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, the landmark of Jaipur.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 04
JAIPUR
Morning excursion to Amber Fort.  You ride up to the ramp of this 11th Century bastion atop a gaily decorated elephant.

 

Afternoon free for shopping.  Jaipur is a major gems and jewellery centre where one can find some of the finest Jewellery besides woollen carpets & cotton rugs, hand-block printed Sanganeri & bagru cotton fabrics.

 

Evening witness puppet show.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 05
JAIPUR/AGRA

(230 KMS or 143 Miles) Morning depart by coach for Agra.

Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - cultural and imperial capital conceived and built by Emperor Akbar.  Continue your journey to Agra.  Arrive and check in at hotel.,

 

Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shahjahan for his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal.  Also visit Agra Fort, an impressive cluster of palaces, fortresses and mosques on the banks of the River Yamuna across from the Taj Mahal.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 06
AGRA/GWALIOR

(118 KMS or 73 Miles) Depart by coach for Gwalior.

Arrive and check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit the Gwalior Fort which dominates the city and is its most magnificient monument.  Visit Gujari Mahal within the Fort which is of medieval architecture.  Visit Man Mandir Palace built by Raja Man Singh.  Also visit Sas Bahu Ka Mandir, Suraj Kund, Tansen's Tomb and Sun Temple.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 07
GWALIOR/KHAJURAHO

(278 KMS or 172 Miles) Morning depart by coach for Khajuraho.  Enroute visit Datia & Orchha, a medieval city situated on the River Betwa.  Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela chieftain Rudra Pratap. The magnificient Jehangir Mahal is surrounded by lovely chhatries.  Complementing the exotic exteriors are grand interiors housing some unique representations of the Bundela school of paintings.  After lunch, proceed to Khajuraho.

Arrive and check-in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 08
KHAJURAHO

Morning sightseeing tour visiting the Eastern and Western group of temples.  The largest temple is Kandariya Mahadev, dedicated to Lord Shiva.  In the Western group lies the Chaunsat Yogini temple.  Other noteworthy temples are Viswanath, Lakshmana, varaha and Chitragupta temple.

 

Rest of  the time free for independent activities.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 09
KHAJURAHO/VARANASI

In time transfer to the airport to board flight IC 407 for Varanasi.

 

Depart Khajuraho      at  1150 hrs

Arrive Varanasi         at  1235 hrs

 

Meeting and transfer to hotel.

Afternoon visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 10
VARANASI

Early morning excursion to the holy River Ganges and a visit by boat to the Bathing and Cremation Ghats, followed by city tour visiting the Bharat Mata Temple which houses one of the most perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble, the Durga temple and Tulsi Manas Mandir.  Drive past Banaras Hindu University, which has an Art Gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

 

Evening visit Amrit Rao Peshwa Ghat to witness devotees performing the "Ganga Arti" which culminates in placing tiny lamps or 'diyas' on fragile leaves and floating them in the shimmering waters of the Ganga.  As the sun sets, a specially arranged cultural feast of dances and music follows.

 

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11
VARANASI/LUCKNOW

(286 KMS or 177 Miles) Morning depart by coach for Lucknow.

Arrive and check-in at hotel.

late in the afternoon, visit the State Museum by "tonga" (horse driven buggy - capacity 04 persons: 2 Kms or 1.3 miles one way), located in the Prince of Wales Park.  Established in 1963, the museum displays a fascinating collection of Avadh Art works.

 

Overnight at hotel.

Day 12
LUCKNOW

Morning city tour visiting the most romantic capital town in India.  There is no city where it is so simple to turn back the pages of history and look into the colourful days of Nawabs and Begums, through the eyes of those who claim to have the personal knowledge of court & customs.  Visit the Bara Imambara: built in 1784, it ranks as one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Muslim period in India.  The central hall is said to be among the largest vaulted chambers of its kind in the world and does not have a single beam to support it. A complex of arched corridors surrounds the three-storied structure, from the first floor upto the top, in a secret labyrinth called Bhul Bhulaiyan, Rumi Darwaza: located west of Bara Imambara is a 60 feet high gate, believed to be a copy of the gate of Constantinople in Turkey; Husainabad Imambara: a mausoleum built by Mohammad Ali Shah in 1837-42, it contains the tomb of Nawab's daughter and her husband.  The main building is domed structure with exquisite turrets and minarets.  The interior is lavishly decorated with a large collection of chandeliers, tinted mirrors and colourful tazias. The Picture Gallery contains life-size portrait paintings of the Nawabs of Avadh.  Also visit Clock Tower and Jumma Masjid.

Afternoon visit Chowk market to see the craftsmen doing zardozi or gold thread embroidery on silk or cotton.  A stroll through the Chowk market which is the main trading centre for Chikan embroidery.  Besides dresses, one could shop for table linen and scarves.

 

Evening Sham-e-Avadh or traditional Avadhi dinner that gives a taste of the variety of Lucknowi cuisine.  The highlight of the evening will be a kathak dance performance.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 13
LUCKNOW/DELHI

Morning explore city on your own. In time transfer to the Railway Station to board the Shatabdi Express train for Delhi.

 

Depart  Lucknow       at  1520 hrs

Arrive  Delhi              at  2150 hrs

 

Arrive and transfer to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14
DEPART DELHI

In time transfer to International airport to board flight for onward destination.

Note: Flight and Train schedules subject to change.

 


For detailed itinerary of any other tour, please e-mail us at tours@sunshineindia.com