Day 13: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (245 Kms) (05 ½ Hrs Drive)
After breakfast, we drive to Agra, stopping at the deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri. This abandoned capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at the height of the empire’s splendour. The city divided into religious and secular parts has interesting well-sculpted buildings.
From here we continue our ride to Agra
Upon arrival, check into hotel Grand Mercure By Accor.
Evening, we will visit Mehtab Bagh. The Moonlight Garden was an extension of the Taj Mahal Garden - on the other side of the river. In 1652 Aurangzeb wrote to his father telling of a visit to 'the blessed tomb' and commenting that 'the Mehtab Garden was completely inundated and has lost its charm, but soon it will regain its vagrancy. The octagonal pool and the pavilion around it are in splendid condition.' The Mehtab Bagh was lost under the mud but re-excavated in the 1990s. Originally, the garden was planted with fragrant flowers and used in the cool of the night as a place from which to view the Taj Mahal reflected in the octagonal pool and in the river.
Overnight at Grand Mercure By Accor (Superior City View Room) (B)
Day 14: Agra / Delhi (241 Kms) (04 ½ Hrs Drive) (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays) Delhi / Varanasi (Shiv Ganga Exp – 2005 / 0610 Hrs) (AC First Class)
Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. At sunrise we visit one of the greatest sights of one’s lifetime - Taj Mahal. A dawn visit to the fabled Taj Mahal to witness the magical effects caused by the reflections of the changing colours of the rising Sun on this brilliant white marble building. Later we return back to our hotel for breakfast.
After a leisurely breakfast, we ride to the massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire
Later, we will drive to Delhi along one of the India’s finest freeways.
Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the train station to board your overnight train to Varanasi.
Overnight aboard First Class Air – Conditioned Sleeper Accommodation (B)
Day 15: Arrival / Varanasi
Varanasi is quite possibly the world’s oldest living city. Religious artifacts link it to the sixth century B.C. Said to be founded by Shiva, Varanasi’s Vedic affiliation goes back to the beginning of time. It is also a city of many names. The present name, Varanasi (derived from the names of two nearby rivers) is mentioned in the Mahabharata. The ancient name is Kashi, the City of Light. To the devout it is also called Kashika, the shining one, referring to the light of Shiva. Many others prefer the anglicized Benares. Revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jain alike, Varanasi is considered the holiest city in all of India. It is presided over by Shiva in his manifestation as Vishwanatha, Lord of the Universe. Buddha delivered a sermon in nearby Sarnath and Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, lived in Varanasi. As a result, more Indians will make a pilgrimage to Varanasi in their lifetime than any other place.
(Though Check – in time is 2 PM, every effort would be made to ensure an as early as possible check-in- Subject to availability)
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel, Rivatas by Ideal
We will have breakfast at hotel
After breakfast, we will visit several temples and the Hindu University at Benares. First stop would be the Bharat Mata (temple of Mother India). Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, it features a huge marble map of India on the ground floor. Next up for the Durga Temple, known for its bright red color and the playful, if sometimes aggressive, monkeys that run amok there, the Durga Temple is one of the most imposing architectural monuments in Varanasi.
The university, which occupies a large piece of land at the southern end of town, is also home to the New Vishwanatha Temple. The New Temple is modern in design and open to Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Surrounded by palm trees, it is a splendid white marble structure that shines in the afternoon sun against a pale blue sky. Inside, the temple is spacious and airy. The interior walls are covered with Vedic art above inscriptions from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. In the center of the first floor is the Shiva linga.
Afternoon is at leisure for your independent activities.
Evening, we will visit the Ghats of Varanasi to witness the performance of Ganges Aarti. We enjoy a special evening cruise on the Ganges. See the Hindu devotees performing the Puja with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambience is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chanting.
Overnight at Rivatas by Ideal, Varanasi (Deluxe Room) (B)
Day 16: Varanasi (Sarnath Museum is closed on Fridays)
At dawn we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride. Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The great river banks are lined with an endless chain of stone steps—the ghats—that stretch from one end of the city to the other. The Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution. It was believes that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life’s earthly confines. We would dock our boat at Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here; the ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire.
Following the boat ride, we set off on foot to explore the inner city. Through a twisted maze of narrow alleys, home to numerous shrines and pilgrim shops, we walk back a few centuries. Life here has stood still for years. The homes, the shops and even the cattle have not changed over the centuries. It is a brilliant nostalgic experience of timelessness! Later we return to hotel for breakfast.Day 17: Varanasi / Delhi (AI 2674 – 1520 / 1655 Hrs) Delhi / Departure
Morning is at leisure for your independent activities.
(Though the check out time is 12 noon, every effort would be made to retain rooms till as late as possible without additional charges – Subject to availability).
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to connect your flight to Delhi.
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to connect your flight to Delhi.
NO HOTEL QUOTED FOR THIS DAY (B)
We do hope the flavor of India will remain on your taste buds for all times to come and hopefully would kindle an indelible fondness for the country and her people; Thank you for being our guest, and as we say in India
"Please come back soon"
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!!
Tour Cost for 02 People Travelling Together on Twin Sharing Basis
NOTE: - Upgrades for 05 star hotels available upon request
*T & C Apply
COST INCLUDES:
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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