NORTH INDIA CULTURE TOUR, NORTH INDIA TOURS

Day 1 - Europe / Delhi 
Arrive Delhi - meet & transfer to hotel. Night at hotel.    
 
Day 2 - In Delhi 
Morning, after breakfast, half day sightseeing of Old Delhi visiting Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan, Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, Raj Ghat - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, the shopping centre of Old Delhi. Afternoon, half day sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place, the shopping centre of New Delhi. Overnight at hotel.    
 
Day 3 - Delhi / Jaipur ( 265 Kms) 
Drive to the intriguing 'Pink City' of Jaipur, enclosed in battlemented walls built from local rose-pink coloured stone. Jaipur is noted for its arts, crafts & handicrafts. It is the Gem capital of India.    
 
Day 4 - In Jaipur 
Drive out to the hills beyond the city to Amber the ancestral hill fortress of Jai Singh. Take an elephant ride up to the fort which is well known for its lavish architecture. A/noon:    Visit Jaipur to see the City Palace, a blend of Mughal & Rajasthani design, it now contains many treasures from Jaipur's princely past. Nearby is the ornate Hawa Mahal - decorated with delicate screens carved from pink stone and Jantar Mantar observatory containing immense brick and mortar instruments.    
 
Day 5 - Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (250 Kms) 
Drive to Agra, stopping enroute at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Empror Akbar, tiring of Agra, built a new capital here only to abandon it a few years later due to shortage of Water. Continue to Agra. Overnight stay at Hotel.    
 
Day 6 - In Agra 
Visit Agra, strategically located on the river Yamuna, it was once the capital of Moghul India and the centre of great power & glory. Moghuls built many beautiful monuments here - Taj Mahal , an incredible 20,000 workman laboured on it, day and night, for over 20 years. Agra Fort with its superb views of the taj across the Yamuna river and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula a masterpiece of refined craftsmanship. Shop here for souvenirs made of Marbles. Overnight stay at hotel.    
 
Day 7 - Agra / Gwalior 
Drive to Gwalior noted for its very old and a large fort which is said to be finest in India. Within the walls of the fort you will find many interesting temples and palaces. A/noon city tour of Gwalior.    
 
Day 8 - Gwalior / Orcha / Khajuraho 
Drive to the village of Orcha which was once a capital of the region, here an old fort on an island in the river contains several exquisite palaces. Continue to Khajuraho - world famous for its magnificent temples built by the rich and powerful Chandela emperors. The temples present the best examples of Indian art and architecture. Overnight stay at Hotel. 
     
Day 9 - In Khajuraho 
Khajuraho has always remained tucked away from the main stream events of history. This is probably why the famed temples escaped the ravages of invaders. The origin of these temples as well as the history of the Chandela dynasty, during whose era they were built, are not fully documented. However, it is generally agreed that they were built between 950 A.D. and 1050 A.D. and that they numbered no fewer than 85. Today only 22 Temples in a good state of preservation, survive. Morning, after breakfast, half day tour visiting the western group of temples of which the most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali and the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, 31 meters high, which has a fantastic range of sculptures including sensuous themes. The Chitragupta temple is dedicated to Surya-the sun God. Also visit other important temples like Vshwanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple and the Visha Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and the largest and most typical of temples. Overnight stay at the hotel.    
 
Day 10 - Khajuraho / Varanasi by flight 
Transfer to Airport. Take a/noon flight of Jet Airways 1130 hrs to Varanasi ( duration 1 hour) Arrive Varanasi � transfer to hotel. Varanasi - considered to be the holiest Hindu city in India and one of the oldest surviving cities in the world. Situated on the bank of River Ganges, it has been centre of learning for over 2000 years. The old age names of this city has been Benaras and Kashi, but its present name is a restoration of an ancient name meaning the city between two rivers, Varauana and Asi. Overnight stay at hotel. 
 
Day 11 - In Varanasi 
Early morning boatride to see the sunrise over the Ganges and to see the rituals that take place along the ghats (waterside steps). Return to hotel for breakfast. Morning, Later drive outside the city to Sarnath where the Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment 25 centuries ago. Here you will find Chinese and Buddhist temples. Followed by a city tour of Benaras.    
 
Day 12 - Varanasi / Delhi by flight 
Morning free to relax. A/noon, transfer to airport to fly out to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you are taken to a short shopping tour. Thereafter, dinner at an Indian restaurant, followed by transfer to the International airport for flight back home. 

PACKAGE INCLUDES 

1. Accommodation in all the hotels on single/twin/triple sharing basis, as per the list above.
2. Breakfast on all days.
3. All prevailing taxes like Luxury tax in all hotels and Expenditure tax wherever applicable.
4. All transfers to or from hotels, city tours, excursions, drives by an air-conditioned transport.
5. Services of an English speaking local guide.
6. Inter state road tax, toll tax, drivers allowance, parking etc.
7. Train fare as per the itinerary. 

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE 

1. Any lunch, dinner, snacks, mineral water etc. unless mentioned in the itinerary.
2. Entrance fee to any monuments or camera fee.
3. Any airfare or airport tax
4. Tips, gratuities.
5. Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks or any other expenses of personal nature.