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Cities and Citadels

Duration : 11 Days 10 Nights
Destination : Delhi - Lucknow - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Agra - Gwalior

Day 01 Delhi
Fly from London Heathrow to Delhi

Day 02 Arrive Delhi
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for one night stay Rooms held from the previous day to ensure immediate occupancy on arrival.
Enjoy a sightseeing of Old Delhi in the morning.
(Including Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk)
Note: Red Fort is closed on Mondays

Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan – the builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve center), the hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all around you and chattering voices.

Enjoy a sightseeing of New Delhi in the afternoon.
(Including Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Lutyen's buildings)

New Delhi stands in formal splendour, like a lone sentry guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city of wide boulevards, which offers ever-changing perspec­tives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city rich with formal parks and you will see the magnificent Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys and now the Presidential Palace, India Gate (a majestic 42-mts high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutub Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating back to 13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic Culture), Humayun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal Architecture at its graceful best).

Day 03 Delhi - Lucknow
Transfer to Delhi airport
Fly from Delhi to Lucknow by Jet Airways flight
9W 3319 – 0830:0955 hours; operational daily
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for one night
Day is at leisure to explore the city

Lucknow is the capital of India's most populous state – Uttar Pradesh. The very name Lucknow is evocative of a lifestyle long gone by; only its vestiges are still to be found in the city's mannerisms and habits. Lucknow was the abode of the Nawabs of Avadh, and their regal pastimes and pleasures were legendary. They refined their formal speech, extolling virtues to high exaggeration, were fond of song and dance and nurtured Urdu verse as well as the Kathak School of court dance. The foods from the Royal kitchen were the result of creative experimentation, delicate in taste. And their monuments excelled in the use of arches, pavilions and domes. Lucknow owes a lot of its growth into an elegant city to a great ruler, Nawab ASAF-UD-DAULA, who shifted his capital here from Faizabad in 1775 AD, a patron of the arts and builder of palaces, gardens, mosques and shrines.

Day 04 Lucknow – Varanasi
Transfer to Lucknow railway station to board the train ASR HWH Mail to Varanasi
Air-conditioned second class – 1055:1635 hours
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for two nights
Rest of the day is at leisure

Day 05 Varanasi
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges.
(Witness the Hindu devotees taking holy bath in the river Ganges)

Boat Ride
The early morning boat ride on the Ganges to view the Sunrise, as seen from the boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight.  From dawn to dusk the riverfront (Ghats) are thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform their holy rituals in the hope of attaining eternal salvation, the "NIRVANA".Later in the morning enjoy city sightseeing tour.

Varanasi City
The Holy City of Varanasi, the Religious Capital of Hinduism, crowded with temples and its labyrinth of streets with their throngs of people, is exciting, enticing and a city to be experienced. As a place of devotion and worship, Varanasi attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The city represents the best thoughts of Vedic religion and culture. The city sightseeing includes a visit to the Kashi Vishvanath Temple, the Bharat Mata Mandir and the new Vishvanath temple. The Kashi Vishvanath Temple (or the Golden Temple), is a gold spiraled temple rebuilt in the 18th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The spire is covered with tones of gold plating donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. Only Hindus are allowed inside. The Bharat Mata Mandir is dedicated to Mother India and has a relief map of "Mother India" in marble. The new Vishvanath Temple (1966) at the Benaras Hindu University (the largest residential university in Asia - a great seat of learning Sanskrit) is one of the tallest in India. The marble Shiva temple modeled on the old Vishwanath temple is open to all castes.
Afternoon excursion to Sarnath - the site of Buddha's first sermon (on the outskirts of Varanasi)

At a distance of 12 km from Varanasi lies Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment.  Here he revealed the eight fold path, the Buddhist Doctrine. And also here, at some distance, are centres of Buddhist pilgrimage such as Patna, Gaya and Bodhgaya.

Day 06 Varanasi – Khajuraho
Transfer to Varanasi airport
Fly from Varanasi to Khajuraho by Jet Airways
9W 723 – 1220:1300 hours; operational daily
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for one night
Afternoon visit the famous Chandela Dynasty temples.

A thousand years ago, this was the seat of the Chandela Kings who built 85 temples, of which 22 remain in eloquent testimony to the glory of the reign. The famous Chandela Dynasty Temples built between 950 and 1050 AD immortalized in stone is a wealth of sensuous and erotic sculptures, an exquisite depiction of human life and emotions, equating passion with spiritual union. The sculptures considered most perfect figures achieved in stone, depicts Gods and Goddesses and amorous couples.

Day 07 Khajuraho – Orcha
Drive from Khajuraho to Orchha (about 5 hours drive)
Check in at your hotel overnight stay
Afternoon visit the ruins.

Once the capital city of Bundela, Orchha is now just a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. It’s definitely worth a visit. Orchha was founded in 1531 and it’s golden age was during the first half of the 17th century. A special palace, Jehangir Mahal was built when Jehangir visited the city in 1606. It is of impressive size and there are good views of the countryside from the upper levels.

The Raj Mahal nearby has superb murals. Dinman Hardaul’s palace is also interesting palace. Orchha’s worth visiting temples date back to the 17th century. They are still in use today and are visited regularly by thousands of devotees. Ram Raja Temples with its soaring spires. The Lakshmi narayan temple is worth the walk for its well preserved murals. The walled Phool Bagh gardens, a cool summer retreat, are also worth visiting other places to see include the dilapidated Sundar Mahal and Chhatris (memorials) of Orchha’s rulers, down by the betwa river.

Day 08 Orchha – Jhansi – Gwalior
You will be transferred to Jhansi railway station to board the train Utkal Express to Gwalior
Air-conditioned second class– 0618:0745 hours
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight stay
Enjoy a sightseeing of the city
(Includes the fort, Jai Vilas Palace & Museum)

Gwalior Fort built by Raja Man Singh Tomar, is one of the biggest and best Forts in India. The sights in the city include the Chhatris or Cenotaphs commemorating the rulers of the Scindia dynasty, which ruled the region till independence. The Mansingh Palace was built between 1486 to 1517AD. The Gujari Mahal built by Raja Mansingh in the 15th century for his favourite queen is interesting sites. The latter now houses an archaeological museum. Sas Bahu ka Mandir is an 11th century temple of Lord Vishnu, while the Teli ka Mandir is an over 300 meter high Vishnu Temple of the 9th century.

Day 09 Gwalior – Agra
Transfer to Gwalior railway station to board the train Mangla Lakshadweep Express to Agra
Air-conditioned second class – 0956:1154 hours

Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for one night
Enjoy a sightseeing of the city in the afternoon
(Including Taj Mahal and Agra Fort)

Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays

A sprawling industrial town, Agra is situated 204 kilometres from Delhi. Agra was established in 1475 by Badal Singh and came into its own when Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty chose it for his capital because of its proximity to the Yamuna. Babur defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also to lay the foundation of the Mughal Empire. Places of interest in Agra include the most extravagant monument, Taj Mahal; Agra Fort, the tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, Itmad-Ud-Daulah.

Day 10 Agra – Delhi
Visit Fatehpur Sikri in the morning
The deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to scarcity of water. Here you will see the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other palaces.

The attractions in Fatehpur Sikri are Jama Masjid – a beautiful building containing elements of Persian and Hindu Design. The main entrance is through a 54-metre high Buland Darwaza, the Gate of Victory, constructed to commemorate Akbar’s victory in Gujarat. The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) is a projecting room with walls made entirely of stone latticework. Birbal Bhavan, built either by or for Raja Birbal, Akbar’s favourite courtier, this small palace is extremely elegant in its design and execution. Hiran Minar (Deer Minaret) is said to have been erected over the grave of Akbar’s favourite elephant. Panch Mahal – This amusing little five-storied palace was probably once used by the ladies of the Court and originally had stone screens on the sides. The lower floor has 56 columns, no two of which are exactly alike.
Check in at your hotel for two nights
Afternoon is at leisure
Later evening you will be transferred to Agra Cantonment railway station to board the train Shatabdi Express to Delhi
Air-conditioned chair car – 2043:2305 hour, Overnight in Delhi

Day 11 Departure Delhi
You will be transferred to Delhi international airport for your flight

Fly out

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