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Journey to the Ganges
Duration :- 14 Days Tour
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A cultural tour of India
This is a journey to the oldest city and cultural center of India. It is where every day, 365 days a year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims congregate on the banks of the River Ganges to bathing in this holy river. The cultural roots from Varanasi and Khajuraho, ancient India to the medieval Moghul cities of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi to the pre and post independent India, all come into light and are received as a story of India- one of the most fascinating cultures in our world. Journey to the Ganges offers the flexibility of extending your journey to Nepal or to Eastern India.

Day 01: Sunday, Arrive New Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 02: Monday, Delhi
Our morning concentrates on Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Moghul Empire. Next we visit another Moghul majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. Here we can enjoy shopping and bargaining for the rest of the day. (B, D)

Day 03:Tuesday, Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit first the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. Our morning tour of New Delhi is a blend of Moghul India, Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent India. Afternoon is free.
Evening you can enjoy a spectacular overview of Mughal history at the Sound & Light Show at the Red Fort in Delhi. (Optional) (B, D)

Day 04:Wednesday, Delhi / Mandawa (Drive 260 kms / 160 miles)
An easy morning. Late morning we depart on an interesting countryside drive as we head for the colourful province of Rajasthan. This journey will give us our first exposure to the spectacular countryside and rural life in India. Upon arrival we are transferred to our castle home.
Overnight: (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05:Thursday, Mandawa
Today is a full day tour of this rural yet feudal center of the country. Mandawa is located in the Shekawati region of North - West Rajasthan and has interesting heritage buildings of the feudal lords called havelis. The town has an air of serenity as well as royal prestige. We meet the local folks, who still possess and air of dignity in their style and culture. Evening we visit the colourful Manadaw bazaar followed by dinner Rajput style at the Castle. (B, D)

Day 06: Friday, Mandawa / Jaipur (Drive 230 kms / 140 miles)
Driving through the Rajasthani country we head south for the famous city of Jaipur.
En route we have enjoy photo stops and take time to meet the local people at various villages.
Overnight: Jaipur (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Saturday, Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by the founder of the city, Jai Singh. We also visit the majestic Palace which houses a rare collection of Indian art and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B, D)

Day 08: Sunday, Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (Drive 235kms / 145 miles)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Moghul King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Moghul architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir, the builder of the Taj. Continue drive to
Jaipur. Arrive Agra in time for Dinner
Overnight: Agra (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Monday, Agra
After breakfast we tour Agra and visit one of the most well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on the black echo of the Taj Mahal. Afternoon free to explore Agra, the many handcraft stores or personal visit of the Taj Mahal. (B, D)

Day 10: Tuesday, Agra / Khajuraho (Train)
Today we board the famous Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi and continue by coach to visit Orchha, an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After our visit of Orchha we proceed to the city that houses the splendid temples, Khajuraho. Evening we can enjoy an optional Sound and Light Show.
Overnight: (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11: Wednesday, Khajuraho / Varanasi (Flight)
Our Khajuraho visit starts with the temples that have been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only about 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
After our sightseeing of Khajuraho we take a short flight to the holy city of Varanasi - amongst the oldest living cities in the Sub Continent. We start our Varanasi experience with a visit to the old part and also visit Bharat Mata Temple housing a big relief map of India in marble. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and we cover the Durga temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir beside the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb. The city is famous also for its Banarasi silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where such silk sarees are weaved. Evening is free to enjoy this 5000 years old city and experience sunset at the Ganges.
Overnight: (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Thursday, Varanasi / Delhi (Flight)
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges and every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different from anything else in the world. Later we tour Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers before visiting local homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. Later we fly to Delhi. (B, D)
Overnight: (2 nights)

Day 13: Friday, Delhi
We have this free day free for shopping at Delhi. The capital cities of Old and New Delhi offer a wide variety of markets, bazaars, activities and archaeological sites that you could still visit. Evening you will enjoy a typical Indian dinner at a local restaurant before you are transferred to the airport for your flight back home. (B, D)

Day 14: Saturday, Delhi / Home (Flight)
Today you bid farewell to India after what will have been an excellent experience of a culture that is as old as history. Optional extension to Kashmir available. (B)