Day 01 / Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel.
Night stay in Delhi.
Day 02 / Delhi
After breakfast gear up for your visit of Old & New Delhi
:
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting
the Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of
the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square
black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi
was cremated. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal
Nehru - the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay
Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Jama Masjid - the
largest mosque in India. Red Fort - One of the most spectacular
pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort.
Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648,
the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with
the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts.
on the city side. Chandni Chowk - a place that has a history
of about 400 years. More evidences of the ancient times that
once existed in old Delhi can be found out by winding through
the labyrinthine lanes of Chandni Chowk in a rickshaw. The pleasure
associated with the Rickshaw Ride here is ultimate. The rickshaw
rides gives the passengers an opportunity to see a different
prospective of Chandni Chowk, which is otherwise only regarded
as one of the favourite shopping avenues of Delhi.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would
include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive
along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India
Gate -was built by Edwin Lutyens to pay homage to the Indian
soldiers who died in the World War I and the Afgan War. Closely
looking at the walls of India Gate would let you know the names
of 90,000 soldiers who died during the World War I, the Afgan
War and the North-West Frontier operations. The structure was
finally completed in the year 1931. India Gate was originally
called the All India War Memorial., Laxmi Narayan Temple also
known as Birla Temple - one of the landmarks in the nation’s
capital New Delhi. It was built in the 20th century by the Birla
family of industrialists known for its many other temples in
India. It is modern in concept and construction. It attracts
several devotees and international tourists. The presiding deity
here is Lakshmi Narayan (Vishnu), Parliament House, the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
The evening is free to be spent at your leisure. Night stay in
Delhi.
 Day 03 / Delhi - Jaipur (By Superfast air-conditioned train
Dep 0610Hrs Arr 1040Hrs )
Early morning pick up from hotel & transfer to railway station
to board the superfast airconditioned train to Jaipur. Breakfast
in the train. Arrive Jaipur and transfer to hotel. Later sight
seeing tour of Jaipur covering:
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the
area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind
Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. JANTAR MANTAR - This is
the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories
built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This
observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is
still in use. HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace
of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey
structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork
and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows.
Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand
for the palace women. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 04 / Jaipur
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for a morning excursion to
Amber Fort. Elephant Ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani
fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592,
and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior
belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and
Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing.
JAIGARH FORT - The Western skyline is dominated by the extensive
parkotas (Walls), watch-towers and gateways of Jaigarh. It is
one of the few military structures of medieval India preserved
almost intact containing palaces, gardens, open and covered reservoirs,
a grannary, an armoury, a well planned cannon foundry, several
temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon the Jai Ban
the largest in the Country. LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE - Situated in
the south of Jaipur, Laxmi Narayan Temple is one of the many
such temples built by wealthy Birla family in India, thus it
is also known as Birla Mandir. The temple is a great reminder
of the secular traditions India has shown over the centuries.
The temple has been constructed in white marble and has three
domes, each portraying the different approaches to religion.
The temple is situated at the foot of Moti Doongri Fort, converted
as a small palace by Ram Singh II for his wife Gayatri Devi.
Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 05 / Jaipur - Agra ( By road approx 235kms/ 05Hrs ) enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri
After breakfast drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri-
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as
his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating
experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are
in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court
life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit
the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Continue
drive to Agra and transfer to hotel. Evening free to explore
the rich handicrafts of Agra. Night stay in Agra.
 Day 06 / Agra - Varanasi ( By overnight train in air-conditioned
sleeper class Dep. 2330Hrs Arriv 1155Hrs. )
Early morning at sunrise visit TAJ MAHAL - the fifth Mughal emperor,
Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory of his second wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying
her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion,
after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed
the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown
snow white in a few months. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive,
she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he
build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that
he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb
on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises.
Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty
thousand people were deployed to work on it. An Iranian architect
designed it and it is best appreciated when the architecture
and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it.
It is a "symbol of eternal love". A ride on Tonga upto
Taj is sheer fun and frolic all through.
Also visit AGRA FORT -the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort
of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction
was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Am (hall
of public audience), a colonnaded hall of red-sandstone with
a throne alcove of inlaid marble at the back, the Emperor heard
public petitions. At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience)
where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience,
the Emperor sat on his gem-studded Peacock Throne and met foreign
ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Late evening transfer
to railway station to board the air-conditioned train to Varanasi.
Overnight in air-conditioned sleeper class.
 Day 07 / Varanasi
On arrival in Varanasi railway station meet assist and transfer
to hotel. Later sight seeing of Varanasi (The land of Varanasi
(Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for
ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest
living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say
it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition,
older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them
put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to
die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom
from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and
Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in
Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins
of mortals ) covering Temples, Aurangazeb’s Mosque and
one of the biggest university of India. Evening view “Aarti” ceremony
on the Ghats. Night stay in Varanasi.
Day 08 / Varanasi - New Jalpaiguri ( By aircondtioned train
Dep 2225Hrs Arrv 1145Hrs, nearest railway station to Darjeeling
)
Morning boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of
life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Later excursion to Sarnath, 10kms & East
of Varanasi, is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first
sermon. The celebrated Mantra, 'Buddham Sharanam Gachhami', owes
its origin to Sarnath. On the day before his death Buddha included
Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four
places he thought to be sacred to his followers. It makes Sarnath
one of the most venerated Buddhist places. Besides Buddhism,
Sarnath is also connected with Jainism. There are many Buddhist
monuments and edifices in Sarnath. Some of the important Buddhist
monuments at Sarnath are the Dhamekha stupa, the Chaukhandi stupa
and monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism
from Japan, China, Thailand, Burma and others. The Indian Buddhist
society called Mahabodhi Society maintains a park around the
Buddha temple. The Mahabodhi Temple within the park has a tooth
relic of the Buddha.There is also a vast expanse of ancient ruins
at Sarnath. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath
between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today
it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist
trail. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the National emblem of
India. Also visit the Deer Park and the Museum and later back
to Varanasi to board the air-conditioned train to New Jalpaiguri
( nearest railway station to Darjeeling ). Overnight in air-conditioned
sleeper class.
Day 09 / Darjeeling
Arrive New Jalpaiguri ( nearest railway sttaion to Darjeeling
) and transfer to Darjeeling ( 94 Kms/3hrs) - The name Darjeeling
is thought to be a derivation of 'Dorjeeling' meaning the place
of the Dorjee, the majestic thunderbolt of the Lamaist religion.
In fact, the famous Buddhist Monastery standing at the top
of the Observatory hill was known by this name. The district
was the part of the dominions of the Raja of Sikkim upto the
beginning of the 18th century. Night stay in Darjeeling.
 Day 10 / Darjeeling Sightseeing
Early morning start for Tiger Hill - Passing through primitive
forests of Oak, Magnolia etc. with beautiful ferns ablaze with
colour, adorning the hill-sides is the steeply ascending road
to Senchal , running through Ghoom on its way to Tiger Hill
, 11 kms from the town and at an elevation of 2,590m (8482
ft). To the summit of this internationally famous 'Hill' journey
- mountain and nature lovers to view the world's most majestic
mountains- "Khang- Chen-Dzod-Nga" of mighty Kanchenjunga,
the king of them all. Mount Everest , 225 kms away rarely deigns
to come out of the cloudy mists, with its two other peaks Mahakalu
(27,769ft) and another peak on both sides.About 125 kms away
is Tibet's Chomol Hari mountain , said to be the world's most
beautiful peak.. Visit Ghoom Monastery and Batasha Loop War
Memorial - Aboard the 'Toy Train' from Siliguri to Darjeeling
just below Ghoom and 5 kms from Darjeeling is the Batasia Loop,
an engineering marvel and feat. Almost imperceptibly, the railway
line negotiates a circle and descends 1,000 ft in altitude.
The train's figure 8s and Z manoeuvres are as picturesque as
the flowers, streams and water - falls. At Batasia - windy
place - one gets a grand view of the town of Darjeeling perched
on the slopes of hills and Mt. Kanchenjunga in the background.
The War Memorial constructed in the memory of brave sons of
Darjeeling who died in different actions since 1947, is worth
a visit. A glorious view of snowy peak and town can be seen
from this place while returning to the hotel. Breakfast at
hotel followed by full day local sightseeing covering Padmajan.
Zoological Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute , Tibetan
Refugee Self-help Center - Centre was started in on October
1, 1959 by a ten - men committee. At that time, following the
dramatic escape of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Tibetan Spiritual
Leader), thousands of our fellow countrymen leaving hearth
and home, fled into the neighbouring countries to live as free
human beings. The overwhelming majority of the refugees had
brought nothing with them, apart from the clothes they wore
and what little food and provisions they could carry with them
as they began the long and difficult trek over the Himalayas.
and visit to the all and Local Market (City Life). Enjoy the
Historical Toy joy ride provided the train is running for the
day. Night stay in Darjeeling.
Day 11 / Darjeeling - Kolkata ( By flight )
Transfer to Bagdogra airport to board the flight to Kolkata -
is the capital city of West Bengal state in India. The city
which is the cultural capital of whole India and the commercial
capital of Eastern India. The city was earlier known as Calcutta,
being pronounced since the British rule and has changed to
Kolkata officially in 2001, has derived the name from Kalikata,
which is a village name in the area before the British arrival,
means the land of Goddess “Kali”. On arrival in
Kolkata meet assist at airport and transfer to hotel. Later
in the afternoon sightseeing tour of Kolkata covering important
landmarks of the city like Victoria Memorial - The building
is 184 ft high upto the base of the figure of Victory, which
is another 16 ft high. The groups of figures above the north
porch represent Motherhood, Prudence and Learning. Surrounding
the main dome are figures of Art, Architecture, Justice, Charity
etc. The Memorial is situated on a 64 acres of land with the
building covering 338 ft by 228ft, New Howrah Bridge - Bridge
was renamed as Rabindra Setu on 14th June 1965. The new Howrah
Bridge is technically a `cantilever truss` bridge, constructed
exclusively by `riveting`, without nuts or bolts. The bridge
was made by using more than 26,500 MT of high-tensile steel
and it is 705 meters long and 97 feet wide. It is supported
by two piers, each nearly 90 meters above the road. Seeing
the importance of calcutta and Howrah in the economic sphere,
a need arose to build a bridge connecting Howrah, which resulted
in the construction of the famous Floating Pontoon Bridge in
1874. Then this bridge was replaced by the new Howrah bridge
and the final cost of the bridge amounted to £2,500,000.etc.
Later return to hotel. Night stay in Kolkata.
Day 12 / Kolkata - Departure
Transfer to airport to board the flight for your onwards destination.
Includes:
» 09 Nights accomodation as per the itinerary with daily breakfast + 02 nights in overnight train.
» All three meals ( breakfast , lunch & dinner ) at the time of staying in Darjeeling.
» All transfers, sightseeing, excursion as per the itinerary by exclusive airconditioned car ( Except in Darjeeling where Non air-conditioned vehicle shall be provided as air-conditioned does not work due to high altitude ).
» Local English speaking guides.
» Boat ride in Varanasi.
» Elephant ride in Jaipur. ( subject to availability )
» Train tickets from Delhi - Jaipur by air-conditioned chair car, Agra - Varanasi & Varanasi - New Jalpaiguri by air-conditioned sleeper class.
» Historical Toy ride in Darjeeling.
» All taxes, driver allowances, permit, parking , fuel charges.
Doesn't Include:
» Entrance fee to monuments.
» Cost of personal nature like camera fee, tips, laundry, porterege.
» Any airfare.
» Any item not mentioned in cost includes.
Hotels Selected - Luxury (5* Deluxe)
Delhi : The Oberoi / The Imperial
Agra : The Oberoi Amarvilas
Jaipur : The Oberoi RajVilas
Darjeeling : Windamere or Similar
Varanasi : Taj Ganges / Radisson
Kolkata : The Oberoi Grand
Hotels Selected - Royal (5* Deluxe)
Delhi : The Metropolitan / The Lalit / The Grand
Agra : Jay Pee Palace / Taj View / Trident
Jaipur : Hotel Trident / Le Meridien
Darjeeling : Windamere or Similar
Varanasi : Taj Ganges / Radisson
Kolkata : The Park / Hindustan
Hotels Selected - Classic (4*)
Delhi : The Connaught / Hotel City Park / De Marks
Agra : Clarks Shiraz / Holiday Inn
Jaipur : Hari Mahal Palace/ Wall Street / Hotel Clarks Amer / Ramada Plaza / Country Inn & Suits by Carlson
Darjeeling : The Elgin or Similar
Varanasi : Clarks Varanasi / Ideal Tower
Kolkata : Peerless Inn
Hotels Selected - Jewel (3* - 4* & Heritage)
Delhi : Hotel Gautam Deluxe / Hotel Sunstar
Agra : Hotel Amar / Hotel Usha Kiran
Jaipur : Hotel Jas Vilas / Nana ki Haveli / Dera Rawatsar
Darjeeling : Cedar Inn or Similar
Varanasi : Hotel India / Meraden Grand
Kolkata : Fairlawn Hotel
Hotels Selected - Economy (2* Moderate)
Delhi : Hotel Blue Bell / Hotel De Gold
Agra : Royale Residency / Hotel Pushapvila
Jaipur : Hotel Vijay Niwas / Hotel Sarang Palace
Darjeeling : Cedar Inn or Similar
Varanasi : Hotel India/ Meraden Grand
Kolkata : Fairlawn Hotel |
