Indian Mystic

Indian Mystic

Discover the most famous monuments of India during nine impressive days exploring this mystical cradle of ancient civilisation. See with your own eyes the glory of the iconic yesteryear, giving off a sense of nostalgia and nevertheless of belonging. Delhi has the influence of Moghul and British architecture, whereas Jaipur is known for being India’s first planned city. On the other hand, Agra, once the heart of the Moghul Empire, boasts the unparalleled beauty of the Taj Mahal, which adorns the banks of the Yamuna River. This route brings together the best this fascinating country has to offer: history, heritage, culture and exoticism.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL DELHI

Pass By: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Upon your arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a tour representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Delhi is a bustling metropolis where the past and the present merge, both defining the capital’s cultural and architectural heritage. The remainder of the day is for you to spend at your own leisure, making the most of the services available at the hotel, exploring this exciting city, or even perhaps enjoying an optional excursion.

Overnight in Delhi in selected hotel and board option.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel = Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar or similar 4*

Superior Hotel = Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar or similar 5*

Day 2: DELHI

Pass By: Mayur Vihar phase 2 neelam mata mandir, Nabha House, Lady Irwin College, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
After breakfast, go out on a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and discover the city’s largest monument: the imposing Red Fort, built with glorious red sandstone (photo stop from outside, entrance not included). The walls of the massive Red Fort rise a daunting 33 metres above the bustle of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power of former emperors. Continue to the nearby 17th-century Jama Masjid (‘Friday Mosque’), the largest mosque in India. Also visit Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation. In the afternoon, once in New Delhi, visit the India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, and Quwat-ul-Eslam (‘Light of Islam’) Mosque. Drive past the Presidential Palace and the Secretariat buildings flanked by the houses of Parliament. Late in the afternoon return to the hotel.

Overnight in Delhi in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel = Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar or similar 4*

Superior Hotel = Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar or similar 5*

Day 3: DELHI – JAIPUR (255km – 6 hrs)

Pass By: The Fern An Ecotel Hotel, Jaipur, Plot No. 3, Airport Plaza, Tonk Rd, Chandrakala Colony, Mata colony, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302018, India
After breakfast at the hotel, depart Delhi, heading to Jaipur, or the ‘Pink City’, as it is popularly known, for its red terra-cotta-coloured walls give it the “tone of an autumn sunset.” It is the second largest city in Rajasthan and the gateway to the Thar Desert in the Marwar region. En route, make a stop to visit the Samode Palace, a splendid example of regal Indo-Saracenic architecture. Have lunch at the hotel Samode Palace before continuing your way to Jaipur, arriving late in the afternoon to check in at the hotel.

Overnight in Jaipur in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Fern or similar 4*

Superior Hotel Category = Fortune Select Metropolitan or similar 5*

Day 4: JAIPUR

Pass By: The Fern An Ecotel Hotel, Jaipur, Plot No. 3, Airport Plaza, Tonk Rd, Chandrakala Colony, Mata colony, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302018, India
After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit of the Amber Fort. This is one of the most fascinating Indian forts, comprising a palace of mirrors, a hall of public audience and beautiful gardens, all of which give us a glimpse of the majestic life of a bygone era. After lunch, join an afternoon city tour. Visit the Hawa Mahal (‘Palace of Winds’), an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycombed screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory made of stone and marble in the world, built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince, was also soldier, astronomer and builder. Also visit Maharaja's City Palace, part of which is now a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal Family of Jaipur. It contains a fine collection of Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury. Late in the afternoon return to the hotel.

Overnight in Jaipur in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Fern or similar 4*

Superior Hotel Category = Fortune Select Metropolitan or similar 5*

Day 5: JAIPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA (235km – 7 hrs)

Pass By: Crystal Sarovar Premiere, Agra, Fatehabad Rd, Near KFC, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Agra and, en route, stop to visit the ‘Ghost City’ of Fatehpur Sikri. This monumental walled city was built by Akbar the Great, the third emperor, to be his capital, but it was abandoned within a few years of its completion due to a lack of water. Today, it is a remarkably well-preserved collection of red sandstone palaces, pavilions and mosques. The buildings here present a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, and include the Panch Mahal, the Buland Darwaza and the Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti, which speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughals. Once the visit ends, proceed to Agra late in the afternoon.

Overnight in Agra in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Crystal Sarovar or similar 4*

Superior Hotel Category = Double Tree by Hilton or similar 5*

Day 6: AGRA

Pass By: Crystal Sarovar Premiere, Agra, Fatehabad Rd, Near KFC, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India
After breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of world. It was built by Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of river Yamuna. After her untimely death, Shahajahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And following his own demise, he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum. The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality. Later visit the Agra Fort, notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central-Asian architectural styles. The Diwan-i-Am (‘Hall of Public Audience’), the Diwan-i-Khas (‘Hall of Private Audience’), the Khas Palace, the Sheesh Mahal (‘Palace of Mirrors’), the Shahjahan’s Palace, Jahangir’s Palace, and the Akbar’s Palace are the fascinating palaces you’ll find inside the fort.

Overnight in Agra in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Crystal Sarovar or similar 4*

Superior Hotel Category = Double Tree by Hilton or similar 5*

Day 7: AGRA – JHANSI BY TRAIN (2 hrs 50 m) – ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO (185km – 5.5 hrs)

Pass By: Golden Tulip Khajuraho, OPP. PAHIL BATIKA MAIN ROAD 471606 1.83 km from city Centre, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606, India
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Railway Station to catch a connecting train to Jhansi. A tour representative will meet and assist you upon arrival. You then proceed by road to Ochha and join a sightseeing tour of this city, visiting the Jehangir Mahal, built in the 17th century by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris and trellis work. The Raj Mahal has a plain exterior crowned by chhatris, but the interior has exquisite, boldly colourful murals on religious themes. The Ram Raja Temple is most unusual as it is a palace turned temple where Rama is worshipped as a Raja (‘king’). The Laxminarayan Temple is linked by a flagstone path to the Ram Raja Temple. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha’s wall paintings. After the visit, proceed for Khajuraho by road. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel late in the evening.

Overnight in Khajuraho in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Golden Tulip or similar 4*

Superior Hotel Category = Ramada Hotel or similar 5*

Day 8: KHAJURAHO – VARANASI (1 hr FLIGHT)

Pass By: The Amayaa, The Mall Rd, Near Madin, Varanasi Cantt, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
In the morning, after breakfast at hotel, visit the Eastern and Western Group of Temples, the most important temple being the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visit the Chaunsat Yogini Jain Temple, dedicated to the 64 attendants of the Goddess Kali, and see the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple, which contains a lovely sculpture of Lord Vishnu in his 11-headed form. The stone sculptures that adorn the temples depict gods, goddesses and amorous couples. Later visit the Eastern Group of temples, including the Ghantai Temple, the Vamana Temple dedicated to the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the Javari Temple. There are also three Jain Temples with beautiful carvings and non-erotic sculptures. Although these are Jain temples, they also contain numerous Vaishnav deities. After the visit, transfer to the airport and board a flight for Varanasi (not included in the tour price). A tour representative will meet you after you land and transfer you to the hotel. Late in the evening, visit the Mother of India Temple, which is carved from a single piece of marble. From here ride a rickshaw to the ghats to witness the Aarti ceremony, passing by the crowded bazaars of this ancient city, its small shops illuminated with beautiful lights. Then hop onto a boat on the Ganges from where you’ll witness the Aarti ceremony amidst jingling bells, floating diyas (‘traditional lamps’) and chanted mantras, giving you an unforgettable experience.

Overnight in Varanasi in selected hotel and board option.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = The Amayaa or similar 4*

Superior Hotel Category = Rivatas Varanasi or similar 5*

Day 9: VARANASI – DELHI (1.5 hr FLIGHT)

Pass By: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi District, Babatpur, Uttar Pradesh 221006, India
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the holy river Ganges. The river’s western banks contain a series of 84 ghats and each of them has a store to tell. Most of these ghats built with pavilions, palaces and terraces are mainly used as shelters for pilgrims during their visit to the holy city. The sunrise on the Ganges, popularly known as Subeh Banaras, is a soul-lifting experience. At dawn, the ghats are abuzz with activity as the devotees perform their ablutions in the river, offer prayers to the rising sun or perform cremations (photographing is forbidden). A boat ride from the Dasaswamedh ghat gives you vantage views of these activities. See the Bathing Ghats, Cremation Ghats, the 17th-century Gyanvapi Mosque built on the ruins of the Vishwanath Golden Temple by the fanatical Emperor Aurangazeb. After the boat ride, visit the Golden Temple and walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later hop onto a transfer to the airport to catch a connecting flight to Delhi (not included in the tour price), where a tour representative will guide you to the international airport to catch the flight to your next destination.

Breakfast included

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.