16/12/2014
Dear Friends
Namaste from India !
Romantic and Spritual India Tour
Please find below hot selling tour itinerary for your upcoming
trip to India.
India has announced visa on arrival for 43 countries and it is easier now to plan a last minute trip to this part of the world.
The TVoA (Tourist Visa on Arrival) enabled with ETA Scheme which has been launched already, will facilitate nationals of 43 countries to travel to India for tourism for a short stay of 30 days. The countries are Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Tongo, Laos, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Papua & New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea (i.e. South Korea), Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam and Vanuatu.
Suggested Itinerary :
Day 01 – Arrive Delhi & Drive to Jaipur – 5 hrs
Meeting and greetings on arrival at Delhi’s international airport and drive to Jaipur. Check into the hotel on arrival for overnight stay.
Day 02 – At Jaipur
Morning after breakfast at the hotel visit Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the state until 1728. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal and the Temple of Kali. You ride up to the ramp of this 11th Century Bastion atop a gaily decorated elephant (Subject to operation).
City sightseeing tour includes Maharaja’s City Palace - which occupies a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but other additions are much more recent, some dating from the start of this century. Today, the palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and weapons. Also visit Jantar Mantar- an observatory, next to the entrance of the City Palace, begun by Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh’s passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as warrior and before commencing construction, he sent scholars abroad to study foreign observatories. Jantar Mantar appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 – Jaipur to Bharatpur – 3 ½ hrs
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Bharatpur and check into the hotel. Later after some relax visit Bharatpur Bird sanctuary by Cycle Rickshaw or horse cart. Overnight at the hotel..
Day 04 - Bharatpur / Agra - Drive – 1 ½ hours (Taj mahal remains
Morning drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Check in at the Hotel. Afternoon visit Agra city including Taj Mahal.
Fatehpur Sikri 40 kms (25 miles) before Agra - a cultural and imperial capital conceived and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal.
Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday) – The beautiful structure of The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to child in 1631 left the Emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned gray overnight. Construction of the Taj, begun in the same year, was not completed until 1653. In total 20,000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building. The Taj Mahal is like a silent rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort, constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1695 on the banks of the Yamuna River. Initially the fort was a military structure, but during Shah Jahan’s reign it had partially become a palace.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 - Agra / Jhansi / Orchha – Train 0830 / 1045 hrs
Morning after breakfast at the hotel transfer to Agra Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express train for Jhansi at 8.15 AM. Meeting on arrival at Jhansi Railway and proceed to Khajuraho via visiting Medieval town of Orchha - Orchha which has hardly been touched by the hands of Time. Orchha is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 17th and 18th century. The four main and important temples worth a visit are The Chaturbhuj, Janaki, Laxmi and The Raja Ram temples.
Rest of the time free to spend in the village to see the locals and their life.
Overnight at the homestay.
Day 06 – Orchha to Khajuraho – drive 4 hrs
Morning after relaxed breakfast at the hotel drive to Khajuraho and check into the hotel on arrival.
Afternoon tour of Khajuraho Temples. The small village of Khajuraho is in the Chattarpur district that housed the Chandella dynasty in the 11th Century. Khajuraho is famous for the temples here which have some of the most exotic and breathtaking carving ever to be done by a Human hand. The temples classified as Indo-Aryan architect are in three groups covering an area of about 08 square miles. The western Group is the largest and most important. The whole afternoon is spent visiting these temples.
Day 07 – Khajuraho to Varanasi – Fly – 1505 / 1555 hrs
Morning free in Khajuraho for self exploration. Afternoon transfer to airport to board flight to Varanasi at 3.05 PM. Meeting on arrival Varanasi airport at 3.55 PM and transfer to the hotel.
Evening visit Holy River Ganges
Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh ghat, close to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is one of the prime attractions of Varanasi. It starts just after sunset, with a bunch of young men choreographing to the chantings, holding the lamps.
People start arriving at the ghats as early as 5pm. Dasaswamedh ghat becomes a hub of activity, with people sitting and waiting for the aarti, buying flowers and other things from nearby shops or performing pooja. I sat listening to an attractive old man who narrated Ramayana to a bunch of tourists who were listening keenly. Several babas sat near the ghats, looking for donations
Varanasi or Kashi as it was called in the 7th century B.C has been the religious capital of the Hindu faith since recorded time and is one of the oldest cities in the world and a hub of firmly rooted traditions. The old city of Varanasi is a maze of small streets and alleyways, hiding in disorderly array no less than 2000 temples and shrines. Domes, minarets, pinnacles and towers, and derelict 18th century palaces dominate the sacred left bank of the river Ganges.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 - Varanasi / Delhi – overnight train (can fly if want)
Early morning boat ride on the river Ganges, where you can see hundreds of devotees offering prayers to the sun god, and rinsing them selves of all their sins in this holy river. Walk through the narrow streets and cremation ghat. On the way back also visit Banaras Hindu University and Shiva Temple.
Return to the hotel for late breakfast. Rest of the morning free to relax.
Afternoon time permitting excursion to Sarnath - after attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha came and delivered his first sermon, or in religious language, set in motion the Wheel of Law, Maha Dharmachakra Pravartan. The virtuous emperor Ashoka who later in his life became a strong follower of Buddhism, spreading the message of love and compassion everywhere, visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and erected a Stupa here. After this, several Buddhist structures were raised from the period 3rd century BC to 11th century AD. Sarnath today stands witness to some of the great Buddhist monuments, an important landmark in the history of Buddhist religion.
Evening transfer to Varanasi Railway Station to board overnight train for Delhi at 6.45 PM. Overnight on board.
Day 09 – Arrive Delhi
Meeting on arrival at Delhi Railway Station at 7.45 AM and transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the morning at leisure to relax from long train ride.
Afternoon visit Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple – epitomizes 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom an d bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.
The Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and thousands of BAPS volunteers. Heralded by the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple, the complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 – At Delhi
Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel met your licensed local Guide and driver at hotel lobby and proceed for a combined tour of Old and New Delhi.
New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar – 234 feet high tower. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73m(243ft) high and tapers from a 15m(50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m(9ft) at the top. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and the fifth of marble & sandstone. Also visit the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, the Persian-born senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, this is a wonderful early example of Mughal architecture. The elements in its design – a squat building, high arched entrances that let in light, topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens – were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President’s House, which was once the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat buildings.
Old Delhi visiting Red Fort - The red sand stone walls of Lal Quila, the Red Fort extend for 2 km and vary in height from 18m on the river side to 33m on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The Red Fort dates from the peak of Mughal power. The Mughal reign from Delhi was a short one. Aurangzeb was the first and the last emperor to rule from here. Jama Masjid- the Great Mosque of Old Delhi was both the largest and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m (133ft) high constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. The courtyard of the mosque can hold 25,000 people. Take a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk - the main street of Old Delhi - the colourful shopping bazaar just opposite the Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi after his assassination in 1948.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 – Depart Delhi
Transfer to the Airport intime to board homebound flight.
Bon Voyages
Per Person Cost for above itinerary on TWIN sharing would be as below :
Hotel Category Budget 3 star 4 star 5 star
Per person cost in US$ US$ 610 US$ 710 US$ 880 US$ 1020
Additional costs
Monument entrance US$ 80 US$ 80 US$ 80 US$ 80
Air fare
Khajuraho to Varanasi As applicable As applicable As applicable As applicable
- Monument entrance fee to be paid directly with the help of our guide / driver on spot Or can be added to the main cost to make cost inclusive of monument entrance fee.
- Air fares – Fares are subject as it will be available at the time of booking.
Suggested Hotels or similar :
City Budget 3 star 4 star 5 star
Jaipur Radolli House Bissau palace Mansingh Radisson
Bharatpur Eagles Nest Eagles Nest Ashok Forest Lodge Ashok Forest Lodge
Agra Royal Residency Siris18 Mansingh Palace Radisson
Khajuraho Greenwood Clarks Clarks Radisson
Varanasi Temple Town Temple town Meradan Grand Radisson
Delhi Jeniffer Inn Rockland Royal Plaza Metropolitan
Above costs include :
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis at above mentioned or similar hotels subject to availability.
- Daily breakfast.
- Assistance on arrivals and departures.
- All sightseeing tours as per itinerary with English speaking local guide in each city.
- Air-Conditioned chair car train travel for Jhansi to Agra sector by Shatabdi Express train and 2 tier air-conditioned train travel from Varanasi to Delhi.
- 2 Boat ride at River Ganges in Varanasi.
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur.
- Cycle Rickshaw ride in Delhi
- All transfers / surface travel using an air-conditioned tata indigo car with driver, fuel, road taxes, toll taxes parking charges and driver’s own lodging and boarding.
- All currently applicable taxes.
Costs do not include :
- Any expenses of personal nature like table drinks, laundry and telephone calls etc.
- Any monument entrance fee (quoted separately).
- Any air fare for internal or international flights (quoted separately for domestic flights).
- Any major meals other than breakfast.
- Any travel insurance, visa or medical insurance.
- Any expenses other than mentioned above.
I hope you will find above in order and to your interest. Look forward to hearing from you with your concerns / questions on the above if any and also your acceptance in order to proceed further.
Have a great day !
Kind regards
Chaman Thakur
Discovery Full Circle Tours
328, Plot No. 3, Vardhman Dwarkadeesh
Sector 10, Central Market, Dwarka
New Delhi - 110 075
India
Phone : + 91 11 45573299, 28083543
24 hours help line : + 91 9811552453
Office Cell : + 91 9873442453, 9873692453
Email : [email protected]. [email protected]
Web site : www.discoveryfullcircle.com, www.tourism4india.com,
