Day 01: Arrival in Bombay
Upon your arrival in Bombay, our executives will meet you at the
airport and escort you to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the day
with a bit of sightseeing on your own or just at leisure. You will stay
in the hotel for the night.
Day 02: Bombay Sightseeing
In the morning depart for an excursion to the Elephanta Caves - 7th
century caves temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave complex, scooped
out of solid rock, encompasses a number of shrines, courtyards, grand
halls and porticos replete with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods
and Goddesses. Embark on a city tour in the afternoon visiting the
Gateway to India, Museum, Hanging Gardens, Jain temples etc. Overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Bombay to Aurangabad - Ellora Caves
Leave for Aurangabad in the morning by air. On arrival our executives
will transfer you to the hotel. Later depart for an excursion to the
Ellora caves. The Ellora caves represent a unique synthesis of Buddhist,
Jain and Hindu cave temples, all scooped out of the vertical face of the
Charanandri hills. Of these, the Kailash temple is regarded an
architectural marvel for the complexity involved in its creation from a
single rock. Come back to the hotel to rest for the night.
Day 04: Aurangabad - Ajanta Caves
Set out for an excursion to the Ajanta Caves. Hewn out of basalt rocks
in the second century BC, the Ajanta Cave complex contains 29 caves that
served as retreats for Buddhist monks. The Ajanta Caves can be
categorized into two types depending on their allegiance to either of
the two Buddhist schools, the Hinayana and the Mahayana.
Day 05: Aurangabad/Udaipur
In the morning depart by air for Udaipur, the city of gleaming lakes
and majestic palaces. On your arrival at the city you will be
transferred to the hotel. Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur
visiting Eklingji temple, Nagda temple and the City Palace. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, the Eklingji temple enshrines a splendid 50 feet high
multi-faced black stone statue of Lord Shiva. Late afternoon enjoy a
boat ride on the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola constructed by Maharana
Udai Singh II. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 06: Udaipur/Jaipur
Leave for Jaipur by air. On arrival, you will be transferred to the
hotel by our representatives. In the afternoon embark on a city tour
visiting the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Birla temple etc.
The Hawa Mahal or 'the Palace of Winds,' constructed by Maharaja Sawai
Pratap Singh, is a prominent landmark of the city. The Laxmi Narayan
Birla temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and goddess Laxmi. Return to
the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 07: Jaipur/Agra
In the morning set out for an excursion to the imposing edifice of Fort
Amber, a synthesis of Hindu and Mughal architecture. In the afternoon
depart by surface transport for Agra. Stop over en route to visit
Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th century city built by Emperor Akbar in honor of
Sufi saint Salim Chishti. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After
arriving in Agra, check into the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Agra/Khajuraho
Take a city tour of Agra including the world famous Taj Mahal and the
Agra Fort. Taj Mahal, the eternal monument of love, was built by Emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. The sprawling
complex of the Taj houses the mausoleum of Mumtaz, a Charbagh garden and
an imposing gateway. It is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the
World. In the afternoon depart by air for Khajuraho. On arrival transfer
to the hotel and retire for the night.
Day 09: Khajuraho/Varanasi
Embark on a temple tour of Khajuraho for a glimpse into the ancient
Hindu temples famous for the profusion of erotic sculpture. Khajuraho
was the regal capital of Chandela Rajputs from the 10th to the 12th
centuries. The temple complex, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
houses 22 temples built in the northern Indian shikhara temple style. In
the afternoon depart by air for Varanasi. Having reached Varanasi check
into the hotel and rest for the night.
Day 10: Varanasi/Bhubaneswar
Located on the banks of River Ganges, the city of Varanasi is steeped
in history and religion. Also known as the Holy City, it is one of the
most sacred Hindu pilgrimages in India. The renowned Kashi Vishwanath
Temple, built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, enshrines
Vishwanatha, the Jyotirlinga of the Lord Shiva. Also visit Sarnath,
where Lord Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana. In the afternoon depart by
air for Bhubaneswar. Transfer and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Bhubaneswar/Konark/Puri
In the morning set out on a full day excursion to Konark, famous for
the 13th century Sun temple. The temple, also known as the Black Pagoda,
was built by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1236-1264) of the Ganga dynasty.
After that, travel to Puri to pay a visit to the famous Sri Jagannath
temple. Built in the Kalinga style of Architecture, the temple enshrines
the deity of Lord Jagannath and the annual 'Rath Yatra' festival is
attended by lakhs of devotees. Return to Bhubaneswar for overnight stay.
Day 12: Bhubaneswar/Calcutta
Bhubaneswar is the cultural and political center of the state of
Orissa. In the morning take a city tour encompassing the temples of
Lingraj and Rajrani and Mukteswar. In the evening take the flight to
Calcutta. On arrival our representative will transfer you to the hotel
for overnight stay.
Day 13: Calcutta/Kathmandu
Calcutta, one of the four major metros in India, is the capital of West
Bengal. In the morning set out on a sightseeing tour of Calcutta city
including the attractions of Victoria memorial, Howrah Bridge, Fort
William, Marble Palace and the Vidyasagar Setu. In the afternoon depart
by air to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. On arrival you will be
transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 14: Kathmandu
Being the capital, Kathmandu is the center of political and cultural
activities of the country. In the morning depart for a city sightseeing
tour visiting the temple at Swayambhunath. After that set out for Patan,
the oldest and the most beautiful among the three royal cities of Nepal.
The city provides a peek into the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15: Kathmandu
Take an excursion tour to the famous Pashupathinath temple and Bodhnath
Stupa. With a history going back to the 400 A.D, the Pashupatinath
Temple is regarded the most sacred Shiva temple in the world. It is a
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Located 7 km from Kathmandu, the
massive Bodhnath Stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal. Overnight stay in
the hotel.
Day 16: Kathmandu
You can spend the day according to your wishes. Ideally you should go
for a shopping trip to take back keepsakes of the tour. Or else you can
just relax at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 17: Kathmandu/Delhi
The Morning half of the day is free to pursue your own interests. In
the afternoon depart back for Delhi. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Day 18: Delhi
Assistance and transfer to the airport for departure for onward
journey.
