Classical Tours in India
Trip Name: Traditional Trail
Total Duration: 13 days
Destinations covered: Delhi- Jaipur- Agra- Khajuraho- Varanasi-
Puri- Bhubaneshwor- Kolkata
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive at New Delhi's International airport. Welcome with garlands, and then transfer to hotel where welcome drinks await the group members. One picture post card with postage stamp to each group member with our compliment for the first mail home. After lunch, leave for visit of New Delhi including visits to Qutab Minar, Humayun`s Tomb, India Gate, Presidents`s House, The Parliament & other government buildings, Lakshminarayan temple, & Connaught Place (the main commercial & Shopping centre of New Delhi). Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi/Jaipur
Morning visit Old Delhi including visit to Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana, The Mosque, Red Fort & Chandni Chowk (the main commercial & Shopping centre of old Delhi). Return to hotel for an early lunch and then leave by bus for Jaipur. On arrival check in at hotel Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Jaipur
After breakfast, leave for visit to Fort Amber, the ancient capital of Rajasthan since 1728, where the ascent to the top of the fort is on elephants & visit the temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit the `pink` city of Jaipur. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur/Agra
After breakfast, leave by bus for Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal enroute stopping to visit Fatehpur Sikri with lunch enroute. On arrival in Agra, check in at hotel. In the evening magic show at hotel. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Agra
Full day sight seeing of Agra including visit to Taj Mahal, Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra Fort & Sikandra, and Dinner & Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Agra/Khajuraho
Early morning visit Taj Mahal at sun rise. Return to hotel for breakfast, etc. Later in the morning transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho. On arrival at Khajuraho, transfer to hotel. After Lunch proceed for visits of the temples. Dinner & Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Khajuraho/Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel. Later in the morning, transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit the city of Benaras. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Varanasi/Puri
Early morning, after morning tea, transfer by bus to the 'ghats' for a boat ride on the holy river Ganges at sunrise. Return to hotel for breakfast, etc. and then leave for visit to Sarnath. Return to hotel for lunch. Evening free for independent activities, etc. In the evening transfer to railway station for train `Nilanchal Express` to Puri, departure at 20:05 hours. Overnight on board the train.
Day 09: Puri
Spend day on board the train. Arrival Puri at 19:05 hours.Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Puri
Morning leave for a visit of the town: Puri is a hindu religious centre famous for the massive chariot cars used in the annual `Rath Yatra` procession. Puri is also a popular beach resort. Evening free to relax on the beach. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Puri/Bhubaneshwar
After breakfast, leave for Bhubaneshwar by bus (about 62 kms away) enroute visiting Konarak, famous for it's Sun Temple built symbolically like the chariot of the sun. After an early lunch at Konark, continue the drive to Bhubaneshwar stopping enroute at the village of Pipli, where applique handicrafts are made. Arrive Bhubaneshwar and check in at hotel, after which commence sight seeing of the city. Bhubaneshwar, the well-planned capital of Orissa, ancient Kalinga, is a city of temples. It had 7000 temples at one time of which about 500 remains today. These temples going back to over 1000 years reflect the grandeur & high quality of workmanship of Kalinga temple art. It was here that in 261 B.C., Emperor Ashoka, after waging the bloodiest of wars, foreswore war for all time & converted to Budhhism. Ashok then spread the Budhha's message in India & abroad. It is also from here (and from South India) that Indian art and culture was carried to Indonesia and the Malayan Archipelago, where it survives to this day. Visit Lingaraja temple (9th c.), which dominates the landscape rising to a height of 46 mts. It is the finest representation of Kalinga art. Mukteswar temple (10th c.) with its profusion of wall carvings. Parasurameshwar temple (7th c.) famous for its latticed windows. Rajarani temple (11th c.) with its exquisite carvings of the feminine form. Brahmeswar temple (11th c.) typical of the Orissan temple. Return to hotel for dinner & overnight.
Day 12: Bhubaneshwar/Kolkata
Morning leave for an excursion to the nearby caves at Udaigiri & Khandagiri (8 kms). Going back to the 2nd c. B.C. they were the abode of Jain monks. Transfer to airport for flight to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 13: Kolkata/Departure
Morning leave for half day city tour including visit to Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Jain Temple, Rabindra Sarobar and Marble Palace. Afternoon free at your disposal for last minute shopping etc. Farewell dinner and then transfer to the airport for flight back home.
Cost Includes & Excludes
Cost Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis with daily buffet breakfast.
- Transportation by Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Sightseeing as per package details.
- Entrances Fees at Monuments (Except in the museum visit and camera fee)
- Service of Local English Speaking Guide
- All Applicable Taxes including 4.08 % Service Tax
Cost Excludes
- Meals at hotels except those listed in above inclusions.
- Entrance fees to the museums and camera fee.
- Expenses of personal nature such as tipping, porters, laundry, telephones, etc.
- Inland / International flights any
- All other than those listed in above inclusions
- Price excludes any supplement for Christmas & New Year Eve
Note: Hotels are subject to availability, please note that due to peak season starting from Oct onwards, most of hotels in 4- 5category are already fully booked for many dates starting from october, Once you finalise the booking, we shall start booking the hotels. It may be possible that we may have to go for a higher / lower category of hotels/ rooms in any place & we shall advice you of any supplement / reduction in the price.
