NORTH INDIA HERITAGE TOUR
Duration - 15 Nights / 16 Days
Places to See - Delhi – Jaipur – Agra – Mathura – Gwalior - Orchha – Khajuraho – Chitrakoot – Allahabad - Varanasi

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Railway station and transfer to the hotel.
Delhi - India’s capital & major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising then that what constitutes Delhi today is a conglomerate of seven cities. Down the ages region in & around modern Delhi saw Lalkot built in the mid-11th century, Siri established by Allauddin Khilji, Tughlakabad, & Ferozabad built by Tughlaks followed by the city of the Lodis & then came Shahjahanabad, capital of the Mughals under Shah Jahan.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi:
Morning city tour of old Delhi and New delhi ..
Red Fort: Built in Red Sand stone this imposing fort is 3 kms in perimeter with the height of the wall varying from 18 to 30 meters at places.

Rashtrapati Bhawan : The president's mansion is situated on Raisina Hill in the center of Delhi, overlooking the green lawns around India Gate. This elegant building, is truly worth seeing, for its architectural beauty and historic significance. The beautiful Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhawan, which are open to the public in spring, are an added attraction.

Parliament House: Located in Central Delhi, this elegant building with its wide pillared walkways and large halls, is worth a visit, to see the corridors of power where India's lawmakers and statesmen decide the future of India. Raj Ghat : The memories of Mahatma Gandhi.

India Gate: Situated on Rajpath, in the center of Delhi, this 42-meter high arch, was designed by Edwin Lutyens, in memory of the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the first World War. Their names can be seen inscribed on the arch. The Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame, burns in memory of the unknown soldier, beneath the shelter of the arch, which is surrounded by green lawns, fountains and water bodies - an evergreen picnic zone in the heart of central Delhi..

Birla Mandir Laxmi Narayan Temple : It was built by the industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is an important prayer centre and contains idols of several deities. Interestingly, Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also a regular visitor to it.

Bahai Temple : This aesthetically designed monument, commonly known as the Lotus Temple, because the white marble structure is built to in the shape of a lotus, set amidst, lakes and green lawns. It is a serene house of meditation, within which there are no idols and total silence prevails, so all can meditate in complete peace. Overnight at hotel

Day 03: Delhi / Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Afternoon city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armory Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 04: Jaipur
Morning visit - Amber Fort with Elephant ride (subject to availability) failing by jeeps. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. After noon free for personal activites.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 05: Jaipur / Agra
Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. - The city of victory beautifully preserved. The sandstone mansions of Sikri Are experiments in art and architecture and to a great extent uphold Akbar's ideals and visions. Afternoon city tour of Agra . Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Over night stay a hotel.

Day 06: Agra / Mathura
After breakfast drive Mathura is one of the most ancient cities of India and is one of the holiest of religious places in the Hindu mythology. Situated at the bank of river Yamuna in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura is one of the prominent destinations of pilgrimage. It is said that Lord Krishna was born here at Mathura. The place is famous for not just its religious connotation but for its temples, folklores and beautiful river banks.
On arrival check-in at hotel.
Afterwards visit –
Krishna Janambhoomi is one of the most visited tourist destination in India. The place has been named so because it is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. 'Janam' means 'Birth' and 'Bhoomi' means 'Place' in Hindi. It is supposed that the present temple is built over spot of the prison where Lord Krishna took birth.
Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.
EVENING AARTI AT DWARKADHISH TEMPLE.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 07: Mathura / Gwalior
After breakfast drive to Gwalior is a majestic city that retains its past grandeur amidst the daily choas. The influence of great dynasties of the Rajput clan of the Pratiharas, Kachwahas and the Tomars have left indelible etching in this city. The old city retains its flavour with the 10th century fort standing atop a huge bluff, a silent witness to its glorious past.
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.Afternoon visit - Gwalior Fort, Memorial of Tansen: Adjacent to the tomb of Ghaus is another small white, austere tomb. This is the memorial dedicated to Tansen, a famed musician, and one of the nine gems of Akbar’s court.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 08: Gwalior / Orchha
After breakfast drive to Orchha - "A hidden archaeological legacy of medieval India with treasure of spiritual tranquility, like poetry written on stones embraces orchha."
Orchha is a small town between Jhansi and Khajuraho in the northern part of Madhyha Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the river Betwa, it was once the capital of Bundelkhand. Located at a distance of 16 kms from Jhansi, Orchha still preserve the pristine charm and tales of war, peace and destruction.
On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon visit – Orchha Fort
The fort is reached by an arched bridge and the three palaces set in an open courtyard within the fort are the first buildings to explore. The tiered Jahangir Mahal was built in 1606 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir in 1606. The Raj Mahal, to the right of the courtyard, was built by Madhukar Shah and has bold colorful murals inside. The third palace, is the Rai Praveen Mahal, which is a two storey brick structure set in the gardens of Anand Mahal. Of the many temples within the fort, three are especially worth visiting. The Ram Raja Mandir was originally a palace and became a temple more by accident than design. An image of Ram was installed while the temple, The Chaturbhuj was being built for it. For some reason the image could not be moved from the palace and despite its spires and ornate decoration became a sacred place. Linked to the Ram Raja is the Lakshminarayan temple, the interiors of which have some of the best preserved murals and wall paintings in Orchha.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 09: Orchha / Khajuraho
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho - located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh is a well known for its temples and sculptures. The monuments of Khajuraho, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site are extremely controversial yet showcase exceptions artwork and craftsmanship. Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel

Day 10 Khajuraho
Breakfast at Hotel.
Proceed for the sightseeing of Eastern or Western Group of Temples. The Eastern Group of temples include the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple dedicated to the "Vamana" or 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.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11: Khajuraho / Chitrakoot
After breakfast drive to Chitrakut - is one of the most sacred pilgrim sites of north India. It covers a vast area comprising five villages: Sitapur, Karvi, Nayagaon, Kamta, and Khohi. The mountain ranges of the Vindhya surround the area. Mixed forests spread in all directions.Today, the main pilgrim center, Ram Ghat, on the banks of the river Mandakini is synonymous with Chitrakut. This small, sleepy village is associated with many a legend and epic. It is believed that Rama and Sita, the leading dramatis personae of the epic Ramayana, spent 11 years out of their 14 years of exile in the forests around Chitrakut. Afternoon visit - Ram Ghat: Ram Ghat, the center of Chitrakoot, is a series of steps cutting into the banks, for the pilgrims to perform religious ablutions and rituals. Its hallowed sanctity is often compared to that Rishikesh and Benaras. It is that the sacred Sarayu river emerges from its subterranean sojourn, and vanishes again. Tulsi Chabutra, a platform on the Ram Ghat, is believed to the place where the great poet-saint Tulsidas penned the Ram Charit Manas. Early in the morning, devotees worship the dawn with an oblation stand waist-deep in the river. Janki Kund: The Janaki Kund is considered as the favourite bathing spot of Sita. A series of steps on the left bank of a straight stretch of river, descending down to the water is almost greenish-blue in colour. The sounds of temple bells float through the stillness early in the morning. The recital of prayers is broadcast through loudspeakers as pilgrims start arriving even before the dawn.

Day 12: Chierkut / Allahabad
After breakfast drive to Allahabad. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon city tour of Allahabad includes –
The Sangam is one of the most sacred places of the Hindus. Situated around 7 km from Civil Lines, it is the meeting point of three holy rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Pandas (priests) can be seen here perched on small platforms performing puja and assisting the devout in their ritual ablutions in the shallow waters. The Sangam becomes a hub of activity after every 12 years when it hosts the Kumbh Mela. Anand Bhawan : the former ancestral home of the Nehru family. Donated to the Indian government in 1970 by Indira Gandhi, it was turned into a museum. The exhibits in the two storied building seen through glass panels include personal items of Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru; the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Indira Gandhi (Prime Minister1966-77, 1980-84) and her sons Sanjay Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi (PrimeMinister1984-1989). One can see the room where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his visits, Jawarlal Nehru's room and study also.
Swaraj Bhawan: Situated next to Anand Bhawan, Swaraj Bhavan was donated to the Nation by Moti Lal Nehru to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. Late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born here.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 13: Allahabad / Varanasi
After breakfast drive to Varanasi - is situated along the west bank of the Ganges in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Called Benaras by the British, Varanasi is an important pilgrimage center for the Hindus. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayan. Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
EVENING BOAT RIDE AT GANGES AND GANGA AARATI.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 14: In Varanasi
Early Morning Boat cruise on river Ganges. The western banks of Ganges has a string of Ghats the chain of stone steps, all built with pavilions, palaces and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city. At dawn, the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of this activity. The sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience. Later, visit the Vishwanath temple, also called the golden temple because of the gold-plating on its roof.
Breakfast at Hotel.
Morning after breakfast half day sightseeing of Varanasi. Visit the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an art gallery and the mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Later in the afternoon excursion to Sarnath, 10-Kms away from Varanasi is the fabled place, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. The remains date back to as far as the3rd-Century BC when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar Edicts. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological Museum. The main attraction is the superb Capital from Ashokan Pillar the Ashokan symbol of four back-to-back Lions which has been adopted as the state symbol Independent India. Also visit the Mahabodhi' Buddha temple and walk around the Deer Park. Later see the Monastery ruins area, Dhameka Stupa.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 Varanasi / Delhi by air
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai .Upon arrival meet, assistance and transfer to hotel. Over night stay at hotel.

Day 16: Leave Delhi
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.