India Holiday Special offers you an opportunity to visit New Dehli, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Mumai to learn about Indian unique cultures, history, food, especially indian people.
DAY 01 (05 APR) : AUSTRALIA / DELHI
Depart on your morning flight bound for Delhi . Upon your arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 02 (06 APR) : DELHI (B.D)
You will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid one of Asia ’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi , which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India . Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence.
In the evening light and sound show at Red Fort followed by dinner at Chor Bizzare Restaurant
DAY 03 (07 APR) : DEHLI (B)
A whole free day to explore Dehli and its people, culture on your own
DAY 04 (08 APR) : DEHLI (B): FREE DAY
DAY 05 (09 APR) : DELHI/VARANASI (B.D)
Take your morning flight to Varanasi , meet and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon excursion to Sarnath.
DAY 06 (10 APR): VARANASI/AGRA (B.D)
Enjoy an early morning boat ride at Ganges, the Holly River . Following by half day city tour visiting Vishwanath temples, Bharat Mata mandir etc. Check out from the hotel by noon, you will have free time for shopping and leisure in the afternoon. In the evening you will board the overnight train to Agra
DAY 07 (11 APR) : AGRA (B.D)
Arrive in Agra in the morning. After rest, afternoon proceed for tour of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding.
You will then visit the Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River . Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
DAY 08 (12 APR) : AGRA (B)
A morning Yoga session (30 – 45 minutes ) will be arranged. Enjoy the rest day for free to explore the city.
DAY 09 (13 APR) : AGRA/JAIPUR (B.D)
Morning drive to Jaipur ( 235kms ) on the way visit Fatehpur Sikri the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect. On arrival check in to your hotel.
In the evening a special Rajasthani cuisine will be held at Choki Dhani ethnic village resort.
DAY 10 (14 APR) : JAIPUR (B.D)
In the morning, tour will start at the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
En-route to Amber you will stop and see the ` Palace of Winds ’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
In the afternoon, you will visit the city of Jaipur . Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace , which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets.
DAY 11 (15 APR) : JAIPUR/UDAIPUR (B.D)
Take morning flight to Udaipur , upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Late in the morning enjoy city tour including visiting City Palace Towering over the Pichola Lake on a hill lies the imposing City Palace, a majestic marvel of architecture. It is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Although a conglomeration of buildings constructed by various Maharanas over a period of time, the complex still manages to retain a uniformity of design. The palace has many courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. One can get a magnificent view of the lake and the city from the upper terraces of the palace. The main part of the palace has now been preserved as a museum. You get to see the beautiful mosaics of peacocks at the Mor Chowk, the glass and mirror work in the Manak Mahal and Moti Mahal, and a beautiful collection of miniatures in Krishna Vilas.
Jagdish Temple : Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, the temple is located at about 150 metres north of the entrance to the City Palace . The temple, built in Indo-Aryan style, is the largest temple of Udaipur . Here you can have a look at a black stone image of Lord Vishnu, who has been enshrined here as Jagannath, lord of the universe. A brass image of Garuda lies in front of the temple.
Sahelion Ki Bari : To the north of the city lies Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, a garden of the maids of honour. This small ornamental garden has many fountains, delightful lotus pools, chiselled kiosks and marble elephants.
Enjoy the evening boat ride at Lake Pichola
DAY 12 (16 APR) : UDAIPUR (B)
You will have a free day to explore the city and enjoy the leisure time.
DAY 13 (17APR) : UDAIPUR/MUMBAI (B.D)
Take morning flight to Mumbai, upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. An afternoon city tour will take you to Gateway on India , Mani Bhawan & Prince of Whales museum. The Gateway of India is the main attraction of Mumbai city. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. Situated at the Apollo Bunder, the gateway holds greater historical significance as the last of the British troops that left India by sea, marched through its portals. The monument is complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Mani Bhawan is one of the important places to visit in Mumbai. Presently functioning as a Gandhi memorial, it used to be the Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It is from this famous house No. 19, called Mani Bhawan, that Gandhiji was arrested in 1932. This two storied building houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo feature on the Mahatma's life, some memorabilia, an old Gandhiji's charkha and a film and recording archive. A minimum entry fee is required to get into the Mani Bhawan. The Prince of Wales museum is another major attraction of Mumbai. Built in the year 1914, it is surrounded by a beautiful landscape forming an ideal getaway for the people of Mumbai. The museum houses art, sculpture, rare coins, and old firearms and a priceless collection of miniature paintings.
DAY 14 (18 APR) : MUMBAI (B)
A whole free day to explore Mumbai
(Or optional Bollywood Tour – extra US$145 per person).
DAY 15 (19 APR) : MUMBAI/AUSTRALIA (B)
Morning at leisure. Check out by noon. Late in the afternoon transfer to International airport for your homewards flight back to Australia .
DAY 16 (20 APR) : AUSTRALIA
Arrive home with unforgettable memories.
Departure dates: on request and minimum departing is 2 person
Cost: $3,530 per person plus tax (Approx $600 p.p)
Note: price is subject to change without notice
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