Cultural Heritage India

14 Nights/ 15 Days

Private car round trip: Delhi - Mandawa - Samode - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Day 1 - Arrival Delhi

Arrival from your country to Delhi International airport. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Delhi is the capital of the giant country India with more than 16 millions inhabitants. Delhi can measure itself based on its cultural, architectural and above all historical wealth thoroughly with cities like Athens, Rome and Istanbul.

Day 2 - Delhi

After the breakfast city tour of old and New Delhi. In old Delhi, you will discover Red Fort made in 17th century by Mughal emperor Shahjahan after he resided previously in Agra. This imposing fort has a 33m high red stone boundary wall with beautiful gardens and exquisite palaces. Opposite lies Jama Masjid, build in 1656 out of red sandstone and white marble. It is the largest Mosque of India and 20000 persons can pray here together. Also, experience a Rickshaw ride in the old streets of Delhi. Further, it goes to the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's (Father of Nation) Memorial, which lies at the bank of the Yamuna River.

Afterwards visit Humayun Tomb, the grave of the second Mughal emperor, which was completed by his wife in 16 th century. Shahjahan got the idea of structure of Taj mahal from this tomb. The Qutub Minar, a 72m high tower, built between 1199 and 1368 by one of the first Muslim rulers of India. Further, it goes to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the Indian President. After that you see the Government Buildings and the Parliament House and India Gate (42m high), which was built in the memory of the soldiers, who were died in the First World War. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3 - Delhi - Mandawa

After breakfast, drive to Mandawa through the villages of Rajasthan. After arrival, transfer to hotel. After lunch go for a visit to 150 to 200 year old havelies (former mansions), which were painted by the natural colors. These havelies belongs to the rich community, who were businesspersons during those days. Also, watch the daily life of villagers in the streets of the village. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4 - Mandawa - Samode - Jaipur

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. En route visit Samode. Hotel Samode Palace is 400 years old fort, which is now converted in excellent luxury hotel. It was made by the prime minister of king of Jaipur. Enjoy lunch and exclusive mirror frescoes and paintings in Samode palace. Drive through Samode village and have a look on the life of villagers in India. After the visit, it goes further to Jaipur, the capital of the state Rajasthan, also well known as "Pink City " because of its pink houses facade and city wall. After arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4 - Jaipur

After early breakfast morning excursion to fort Amber (11 km), the former capital of Kachhawaha Rajputs. On the way, you make a stop in the landmark of the city, the Hawa Mahal (palace of the winds). A five-storey building of 18 th century, with 953 windows and niches from where the royal women observe the procession in the street without being seen. Further, it goes to the Amber fort, which lies on 130m high hill and is surrounded by the chain of mountains known as Aravalli. Afterwards visit to the Pink city Jaipur. The city palace (1734) lies in the center of Jaipur and is now the residence of the royal family of Jaipur and a beautiful museum. After that, you see the Jantar Mantar, an observatory. It was built in the 18 th century by the city founder Jai Singh II. The instruments are out of stone and marble and served to the sky observation. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 5 - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

After breakfast, drive to Agra. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri (40 km from Agra ), former metropolitan of Akbar, built in 1569. Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri, but after 13 years due to the scarcity of water, capital was shifted to Lahore in Pakistan and later again to Agra. Continue your drive to Agra. After arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay. Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and was seat of the Mughal rulers in 16 th and 17 th centuries.

Day 6 - Agra

After the breakfast, visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (1631-1653), a poem in white marble, built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its extravagant architecture reveals its secret of being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 20,000 workers with experts from Italy, France, Iran and Asia were busied for 21 years with the monument. Afterwards visit the huge and massive Agra fort at the west bank of the Yamuna River. The Agra fort was built in the 16 th century by Akbar and was completed by his grandson. Visit Sikandra, the impressive grave of Akbar, the most powerful of all Mughal emperors lies 11 km from the city. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 7 - Agra - Khajuraho (By Train)

Morning after breakfast at 7.15 a.m. transfer to Agra railway station to board train Shatabadi Express for Jhansi. After arrival in Jhansi, assistance by our representative and proceed to Khajuraho by car. En route visit Orchha, which is famous for its 17 th century forts and palaces. Continue your drive to Khajuraho. After arrival, transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8 - Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Flight)

In morning after breakfast, visit the Eastern and Western group of temples. The figures and sculptures in these temples show only two things- women and sex. These temples are around 1000 years old and one of its kind in the whole world. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is situated on the banks of holy river Ganges. The oldest name is Kashi and means "city of Light". The city is devoted to Lord Shiva and is one of the holiest cities of the Hindus. It is also one of the oldest centers of learning of the world. After arrival in Varanasi, transfer to hotel and after a short break you make an excursion to Sarnath (9 km), one of the head centers of the Buddhism. Buddha preached here his first sermon after he got enlightenment. Of the entire complex, the Dhamekh Stupa is (5 th - 6 th century) or also Dharma Chakra the most imposing building and was built in order to pay tribute to the place where Buddha preached his first 5 disciples. Visit also Dharmarajika Stupa (273-326 BC) where alleged bones of Buddha are. Here Buddha meditated. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9 - Varanasi - Delhi (By Flight)

Early morning enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. Watch sunrise and you can see hundreds of people are worshiping and taking bath in the holy river. Come back to hotel for breakfast.

Afterwards go for the city tour of the old city visiting the temples including Kashi Hindu University where more than fifty thousand students from all over the world are learning. Also, visit the fort on the bank of the river Ganges. Most of the part of this fort is now converted into beautiful museum. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Arrivala nd trnasfer to international airport for onward journey.