THE PLAINS OF INDIA AND PUSHKAR FAIR, October 2010.

15 Nights – 16 Days.

MUMBAI

Day 1 (29th Oct) Arrive Mumbai. Transfer to hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 (30th Oct) City tour of Mumbai commences at about 11.00 hours. Visit Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Victoria Terminus Railway Station (Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), Mani Bhawan, Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens, Crawford Market, Banganga Tank. Drive past the Marine Drive. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 (31st Oct) Half day visit to Elephanta Islands, commences at 8:45 by motor launch, visit the artistically carved caves. Return to the Gateway, evening free for shopping. Overnight at hotel.

JAIPUR

Jaipur the `Pink City' as it is popularly known, is the bustling capital of Rajasthan. `Pink city' because most of the buildings are pink in color in the old city. The city retains its old self, at the same time it is moving fast as a modern city. You can see extreme contrast on the streets of Jaipur. On one side you have cars, buses and motorbikes, on the other side you can see camel carts. On one side there are traditionally dressed men and women in their turbans and colorful long skirts and blouses. On the other hand you can see modernly dressed Indians and foreign tourists having a bite in their favorite American restaurants

Day 4 (1st Nov) Depart Mumbai for Jaipur at 1130 hrs by IT 104 and arrive at 1325 hrs. Transfer to hotel. Evening Rajasthani folk dance program. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 (2nd Nov) Breakfast. Full day sightseeing of Jaipur visit Amer Fort, City Palace, and Palace of the Winds (from outside) Afternoon free for shopping. Evening visit Chokhidhani for dinner. Overnight at hotel.

PUSHKAR

The Pushkar fair in Pushkar is celebrated annually with fervour. The festival pays homage to lord Brahma, the creator. Celebrated on the occasion of Karthik Purnima (November), it is believed that Lord Brahma, Vishnu and others come down to Pushkar to bath in the lake Pushkar. So it is considered very holy to bath in the Pushkar lake on this auspicious occasion. The festival is focal point for the cultural and trading activities during these days. The villagers bring herds of cattle along. The Pushkar fair is an international event which should not be missed.

Day 6 (3rd Nov) Transfer by coach to Pushkar, traveling time three hours. Afternoon visit Camel Fair. Overnight in tents.

Day 7 (4th Nov) Visit Pushkar lake and temple. Overnight at tents in Pushkar.

AGRA

Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Agra came to its own when Shah Jahan ascended to the throne of the Mughal Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Day 8 (5th Nov) Depart Pushkar for Agra (Driving time- 4 Hrs). Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 9 (6th Nov) Early morning visit to the enchanting monument built to commemorate love, the Taj Mahal, followed by a visit to Agra Fort. Afternoon take an excursion to visit the ruins of Fatehpur Sikri, former capital of Emperor Akbar. Overnight at hotel. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday)

KHAJURAHO

Khajuraho: Khajuraho boasts of some of the finest temples ever built. Their distinctive feature is carvings of ethereal beauty on sandstone brought from the quarries of Panna on the east bank of the Ken river. The unique temple structure built on a high platform, gives an impression of a vast open promenade round the temple. These temples are interconnected, and built on a single axis running in an east-west direction, and have 3 main compartments namely: the entrance known as ‘ardha mandapa’, the assembly hall – ‘mandapa’ the assembly hall – mandapa’ and the inner sanctum- garbha-griha’ . The central dome is surrounded by balconied windows, which admit light into the interiors, making the interplay of light and darkness a spectacular affair. The compartments have their own roofs, which rise from their lowest over the entrance porch, to their highest over the sanctum. When seen from a distance, these roofs resemble Mount Kailasa with which the Hindu temple is compared.

Day 10 (7th Nov) Depart Agra for Khajuraho by train, Shatabdi Express, good luxury train at 8:30, arrive Jhansi at 11:00, board coach to Khajuraho, arrive 3.5 hours later. Check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 (8th Nov) Full day sightseeing of Khajuraho, including visits to Western, Eastern and Southern Group of temples. Overnight at hotel.

VARANASI

Varanasi is said to combine all virtues of all other places of Pilgrimage. Varanasi stands as the chief centre of Sanskrit learning in North India and derives its name from 2 streams, Varuna to the North & Assia small trickle on the South. Banaras is a corruption of Varanasi but it is also called Kashi (The City Of Light) by the Hindus. As one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. It attracts well over One million Pilgrims while about 50,000 Brahmins are permanent residents.

Day 12 (9th Nov) Depart Khajuraho for Varanasi by IC405 at 1400 hrs and arrive at 1440 hrs. Transfer to hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 (10th Nov) Full day sightseeing of Varanasi , including boat ride, visit to temples, the bathing and burning stairways, and Sarnath - the place where Buddha preached his first sermon. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 (11th Nov) Morning free Depart for airport to board flight to Delhi by IT334 at 1345 hrs and arrive at 1500 hrs. Transfer to hotel. Evening free. Overnight in the hotel.

DELHI

A history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here -- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or Shahjahanabad. But combined and integrated into one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway.

Day 15 (12th Nov) Breakfast, half day sightseeing of Delhi, visit Qutub Minar, Bahaai Temple and Humayun Tomb. Evening free to visit the Hauz Khas Shopping Village Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 (13th Nov) Full day sightseeing of Delhi. Visit the largest mosque in India, Jamma Masjid followed by a cycle rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk. Drive past Red Fort, visit memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, Humayun Tomb and India Gate. Drive past the President’s Palace and later in the afternoon visit the Qutub Minar and the Bahaai Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17 (14th Nov) Breakfast. Depart for airport for international to board a flight for onward journey.

TOUR ENDS

Your Holiday Includes:

Accommodation on twin sharing basis

Domestic Airfare.

Services of a tour escort for the complete tour

English speaking guides at places mentioned in program, entrance fees to monuments.

Air-conditioned vehicle with driver for all land journeys

Elephant ride at Amer Fort in Jaipur

Tour cost does not include:

Air fare to India

Lunches

All expenses of a personal nature, such as tips, laundry, alcoholic beverages, etc.

Any item not specifically mentioned as `included’ in tour program.

HOTELS:

MUMBAI: Hotel Ambassador or similar.

JAIPUR: Hotel Mansingh or similar

PUSHKAR: Tented accommodation.

AGRA: The Trident or similar

KHAJURAHO: Hotel Ramada or similar

VARANASI: Radisson or similar

DELHI: Hans Plaza or similar