Art & Culture Tour of India

Tour Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Places Covered : Mumbai - Aurangabad - Ajanta Caves - Ellora Caves - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Jaipur - Nawalgarh - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi.

Tour Itinerary:
Day 01 - Arrival Mumbai
Arrive at Mumbai airport and transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax.
Mumbai is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city in Western India. The capital city of Maharashtra State, formerly known as Bombay lies in the southwestern part of India and occupies a peninsular site originally composed of seven islets lying off the Konkan coast of western India. Oozing with the self-confidence of a maverick moneymaker and a carefree attitude, Mumbai is also the country's financial and commercial hub and has a principal port on the Arabian Sea.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 - At Mumbai
Morning after relaxed buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed for guided tour to visit  Gateway Of India: Mumbai's principal landmark, the Gateway of India is a huge archway on the water's edge at Apollo Bunder. It is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. This famous monument was built to commemorate the visit of the first ever British Monarch, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.  Mumbai Fort: The area north of Colaba is known as Mumbai Fort, since the old British fort was once located here. There are a lot of impressive buildings from Mumbai's golden period here. St. John's church, dedicated to the soldiers, who laid down their lives in the Sindh campaign of 1838, and the first Afghan war of 1843, is also worth a visit.  Marine Drive in Mumbai: Marine Drive located in the central Mumbai, built in the 1920s and 30s on land reclaimed from the sea, is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. It is also referred to as the Queen's Necklace because of the dramatic line of street lamps lit up at night. Recently it has come to known as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road with Nariman Point on one end to Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar on the other. Chowpatty Beach: Chowpatty Beach situated at the end of Marine Drive has a moderate expanse of sand and is the only beach in the central part of Mumbai. One can witnesses many Hindu religious ceremonies taking place at Chowpatty like the Annual Thread-Tying Ceremony initiating young boys into the Brahmin caste, 'Nariel Purnima' towards the end of the monsoons and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' immersions.  Flora Fountain/ Hutama Chowk: This fountain situated in the heart of the city was erected in 1869 in honour of a British Governor of Bombay. Sir Bartle Frere. Flora Fountain marks a junction of five streets and known as the 'Picadilly Circus' of Mumbai, which is decorated at its four corners with mythological figures, the Fountain is a structure in dull stone with a statue of the Roman Goddess of flowers, on the top.  Mumbai High Court: An attractive building in early English Gothic style, situated next to the Oval Ground is well worth a visit for its impressive architecture. Statues representing Justice and Mercy surmount the Central structure.  Rajabai Clock Tower: Rajabai Clock tower, situated at the gardens of the Bombay University building rises above the portion of the library section. Consisting of five elaborately decorated storeys the tower is 280ft.in height. The top of the cupola is ornamented with sixteen statues depicting various Indian castes.  Hanging Gardens in Mumbai: Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, the Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens, because of their location on the slope of a hill. The terrace garden looks south from Malabar Hill towards Colaba, and affords a panoramic view of the city or a breathtaking sunset. It is built over three reservoirs, which store 30 million gallons of water pumped here for cleaning before being supplied to the town.  Kamala Nehru Park, Mumbai: The Malabar hill offers superb views of Mumbai. On top of the Malabar hills are the Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park. Built in 1952 and named after the wife of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, this park covers an area of 4,000 sq. yards and from here one enjoys a magnificent view of the lights on Marine Drive, also known as the 'Queen's Necklace'.
Relax at the hotel in the evening.

Day 03 -  Mumbai to Aurangabad:
Morning after breakfast at the hotel transfer to airport to board flight  for Aurangabad. Meeting on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Aurangabad was founded in 1610, on the site of a village, Khirki by Malik Ambar - the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II. When Fateh Khan, Malik Ambar's son turned successor in 1626, he gave the city the name 'Fatehpur'. Later in 1653, when Prince Aurangzeb became Viceroy of the Deccan, he made the city his capital and called it Aurangabad. Aurangzeb added the walls that enclose the central part of the city in 1686 in order to withstand attacks from the Marathas. There are four principle gateways to the city - the Delhi Darwaza, the Jalna Darwaza, the Paithan Darwaza and the Mecca Darwaza. Nine secondary gateways also formed a part of the defensive system of this city.

Aurangabad today is a bustling city of Maharashtra with diverse big and small industries, fine silken textiles, and exquisite hand woven brocades of silver and gold fabrics, Himroo, of world frame. To scholars and lovers of art and culture the city is more familiar as the gateway to the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora, both famous as treasure houses of Indian Art and Sculpture.

Afternoon proceed for a guided tour to visit to Aurangabad Caves: The almost forgotten caves of Aurangabad lie just outside the city. Excavated between the 2nd and 6th century AD, they reflect Tantric influences in their iconography and architectural designs. In all there are nine caves, which are mainly viharas (monasteries). The most interesting among these are Caves 3 and 7. The former is supported on 12 highly ornate columns and has sculptures depicting scenes from the legendary 'Jakata' tales. Cave 7 with its detailed figures of bejeweled women also has a dominating sculpture of a 'Bodhisattva' praying for deliverance.  Daulatabad Fort: Once known as 'Devgiri', this magnificent 12th century fortress stands on a hill just 13 km. from Aurangabad. It was given the name Daulatabad, the 'city of fortune', by Muhammad Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi. Initially a Yadav stronghold, it passed through the hands of several dynasties in the Deccan. One of the world's best-preserved fort of medieval times, surviving virtually unaltered, Daulatabad yet displays the character that made it invincible. This fortress was conquered only by treachery. A series of secret, quizzical, subterranean passages lie coiled like a python amidst the fort. Here flaring torches were thrust upon an unwary enemy. Or hot oil poured down his path, as he deliberated in the labyrinth. Also the heat from a brazier was blown into the passage by a process of suction suffocating the entire garrison within. The Fort itself lies in the body of an isolated hill; the steep hill - sides at the base falling so sharply to the moat that no hostile troops could scale the height. The moat, 40 ft. deep with mechanical drawbridges teemed with crocodiles. A 5-kilometer sturdy wall, artificial scarping and a complicated series of defenses made Daulatabad impregnable. The 30-meter high Chand Minar (Tower) built much later with 3 circular galleries had a defensive and religious role in the fortress.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04  - At Aurangabad
Morning after an early breakfast at the hotel proceed for full day excursion to visit Ajanta and Ellora Caves.  

Ajanta caves: Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyardi hills, 100 km from Aurangabad in the shape of a mammoth horse- shoe, are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta. The Caves date from the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer and chisel, Ajanta, once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders features several 'chaityas' (chapels) and 'viharas' (monasteries). The exquisite wall and ceiling paintings, panels and sculptures of Buddha's life are famous throughout the world as the earliest and finest examples of Buddhist pictorial art.

Ellora Caves: Impressive in their own right is the rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora that lie just 30 km away from Aurangabad city. In all, there are 34 cave temples, 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 AD) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 AD) 22 more caves, dedicated to Lord Shiva, were recently discovered. Kailash Temple (cave16), the central attraction at Ellora, is the most remarkable. Chiseled by hand from a single massive rock, it includes a gateway, pavilion, courtyard, vestibule, sanctum, sanctorum and tower, which bear testimony to the excellence of Dravidian art. It is believed to have taken 7000 laborers, working in continuous shifts and 150 years to build. Ever since the first European visitors in 18th Century, Ellora has attracted chroniclers, antiquarians, scholars and in more recent years, ever- increasing numbers of tourists.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 - Aurangabad to Udaipur- Fly
After relaxed breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport to board flight for Udaipur.  Meeting on arrival at Udaipur Airport and transfer to the hotel.  Rest of the afternoon free to relax.  Evening enjoy a motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will see  the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert.  Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake.  You may opt to take a boat to Lake palace hotel for dinner tonight.

Day 06 - At Udaipur
Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace where you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.  Continue your visit to see  Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.
Afternoon free to relax or self explore this city of lakes.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 -  Udaipur to; Jodhpur - Drive 6 hours
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur en-route, visit the Ranakpur Temples, dating back to the 15th century. You will see 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Arrive Jodhpur and check into the hotel.  Afternoon tour of Jodhpur - Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. A high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions encompasses the city.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 - Jodhpur to Jaisalmer - Drive 6 hours
Morning time  free to explore more of Jodhpur.  Afternoon drive to Jaisalmer and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 09 - In Jaisalmer
Morning tour of Jaisalmer city.  Afternoon excursion to Sam Sand Dunes  for Sunset view in the Desert where you have option of short camel ride. Overnight at hotel in Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer : The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes stewn with magnificent palace, havelis, temples and of course skilled artisans and ubiquitous camels. Folk dances, exciting competitions an contests, especially the turban-tying contest. Mr. Desert contest and camel races enliven the festivities.
Morning tour will take you to Jaisalmer Fort Patwon ki Haveli, Tazia Tower and Gadsisar Lake.

Day 10 - Jaisalmer to Bikaner - Drive 6 hours
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Bikaner and check in at hotel   Afternoon  commence sight seeing tour of Bikaner covering Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, Bandh Sagar Temple The 16th century Jain temple, Camel Breeding Farm – a unique experience where you can ride on a camel & have perhaps the first taste of camel’s milk. Evening leave for an excursion to Deshnok Rat Temple - situated in semi desert village at a distance of 30 kms, this place is famous for Karnimata Temple where you will see thousands of rats roaming freely in the temple complex and are held sacred. 
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 - Bikaner to Nawalgarh - Drive 5 hours
Morning drive to Nawalgarh and check in at hotel on arrival.  Afternoon visit some beautifully painted mansions in Shekhawati region.  Overnight at the hotel.
Painted Havelies (Mansions) : The popular design was usually a plain faceted with the accent on the internal courtyard. The main entrance is usually through a carved wooden gate leading into a courtyard, which in turn leads to another courtyard. Unlike the Mughal havelis, the havelis of Shekhawati consist of two courtyards, one outer and one inner. The larger ones however have upto four courtyards and are two stories high, The windows are exquisitely latticed and carved. Most of them feature mirror work and mural work while others are embellished with paintings. The facades, the gateways, the courtyard wall, the parapets and the ceilings were all covered with frescoes. Intricate wooden carvings with ornate iron and brass fittings demonstrate the owner's wealth. It was from the latticed windows on the balconies and over the courtyards that women viewed the world. The havelis, apart from providing a residence, also served to wall in the domestic life of a family. They represented the rigid, but ostentatious lifestyle of the people.

Day 12 - Nawalgarh to Jaipur - Drive 4 hours
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Jaipur via visiting  Samode Palace.   Check in at hotel ARYA NIWAS on arrival.  Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 - In Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort where you will enjoy an Elephant ride. Afternoon tour of Jaipur city.
Morning after breakfast at the hotel visit Hawa Mahal - which was constructed in 1799, the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, is one of Jaipur's major landmarks, although it is actually little more than a façade. This five storey building, which overlooks the main street of the bustling old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. Later proceed to Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the state until 1728. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir of the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. You ride up to the ramp of this 11th Century Bastion atop a gaily decorated elephant.
Afternoon City sightseeing tour includes Maharaja's City Palace - which occupies a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but other additions are much more recent, some dating from the start of this century. Today, the palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and weapons. Also visit Jantar Mantar- an observatory, next to the entrance of the City Palace, begun by Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh's passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as warrior and before commencing construction, he sent scholars abroad to study foreign observatories. Jantar Mantar appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses.

Day 14 - Jaipur to Agra - Drive 5 hours
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Agra enroute visiting  Fatehpur Sikri.  Check in at hotel on arrival.  Afternoon tour of Agra city including Taj Mahal.  Overnight at the hotel.
Agra - To the lover of art and to the traveler seeking the wonders of the world, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage to the creative best : the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal.  The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire for nearly a hundred years from 1564.
Red Fort built by three generations of  Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction.  It housed both the residential Palaces of the Royal family, and the military quarters.  Taj Mahal - visit to the world famous Taj Mahal by decorated tongas. The inimitable poem in white marble, built over a period of 22 years by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.  Visit a marble-in-lay factory to see the Pietra Dura work made famous by  the Taj Mahal.

Day 15 : Agra to Orchha - Khajuraho
After an early breakfast at the hotel transfer to the Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express train for Jhansi at 8 AM.  Meeting on arrival at Jhansi railway station, drive to Khajuraho via visiting medieval city of Orchha. Orchha which has hardly been touched by the hands of Time. Orchha is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 17th and 18th century. The four main and important temples worth a visit are The Chaturbhuj, Janaki, Laxmi and The Raja Ram temples
Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 : At Khajuraho
Morning after breakfast at the hotel tour of Khajuraho temples.
KHAJURAHO CITY : Founded in the 9th and 10th century by the rulers of Chandela
Afternoon transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi at 1.30 PM.  Meeting on arrival at Varanasi Airport at 1.10 PM and transfer to the hotel.  Rest of the time free to relax. 
Overnight at the hotel.
Dynasty, influenced by tantrism, in eroticism becomes a theme of philosophical interest and the aim is submlimation of sexual relationship in the sexual act or "Maithun", women being regarded as the incarnation of the divine energy or "Shakti".
It is also possible that the Khajuraho were influenced by "Kama Sutra".among the temples to visit are the Kandariya Mahadeo, the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple, it soars 31 mts. high.Chaunsat Yogini, the only granite temple and the earliest surviving shrine of the group (900 A.D.) it is dedicated to Kali. Chitragupta temple is the temple dedicated to the Sun God : Surya. Vishwanath temple, a three headed image of Brahma is enshrined in this temple, and various other temples.
Rest of the afternoon is left free to explore this erotic temple town on your own.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17 : Khajuraho to  Varanasi - Fly
Morning after breakfast you will get a little more time at leisure.  Afternoon transfer to the airport in order to board flight for Varanasi.  Meeting on arrival at Varanasi airport and transfer to the hotel.  Evening free to relax.  Overnight at the hotel.

Day 18 : At Varanasi
Early morning proceed to River Ganges for boat ride at dawn followed by temple tour.
VARANASI CITY : The consists of visiting the city temples the durga temple, better known as the Monkey temple on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the temple of Vishwanath (or Vesheshwar "Lord of the Universe") are the most sacred spots in the city. Visit will also include Bharat Mata or Mother India Temple and the Benares Hindu University.
Afternoon commence tour to visit SARNATH : 10 kms from the centre of the city, Sarnath symbolises the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Lord Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The Museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - Archaic, the covering work of sculptors from 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 19 : Varanasi to Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel.  Rest of the day free to relax or visit holy Ganges once again.  Evening transfer to the Railway Station to board overnight train for Delhi.  Overnight on board.

Day 20: Arrive Delhi
Met upon arrival at Delhi Railway Station and transfer to the hotel at around 7.30 Am. Later after breakfast at the hotel at around 10 AM proceed to visit Old and New Delhi.
Tour of Old Delhi will include Red Fort: A must visit for all the visitors to Delhi, Red Fort or Lal Qila is a massive red sandstone structure built on the shores of River Yamuna. Shah Jahan built it with a vision of shifting his capital from Agra to Delhi. It was completed in 1648 and has two main entrances - Delhi Gate and Lahori Gate. Visit Diwan-e-Am, the court where the king heard public grievances and Diwan-e-Khas ('khas' means 'special)'. Jama Masjid: ) Built by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid was begun in 1650 and it took hard work of six years of more than 5000 workers to build the largest mosque in India. Jama Masjid has three massive gateways - the largest and highest being on the east. This gateway was reserved exclusively for the stately appearance of the emperor. The red stone of the main courtyard sprawls across 408 square feet with a large marble tank in the center, which serves the purpose of making the water available for the devotees to wash themselves before offering prayers in the mosque. The three onion shaped domes made of white marble adorn the main mosque. They are inlaid with stripes of black slate.  Raj Ghat: A pilgrimage to all the patriotic Indians, this place was where the Father of The nation, Mahatama Gandhi, was cremated after his assassination in 1948. It consists of a simple square platform with the words 'Hey Ram' written on it.  Chandni Chowk: Just as Mughal Emperor Shahjahan built Red Fort as he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, Jahanara, her favorite daughter designed Chandni Chowk that was built in 1650 as an addition to the fort, which could be approached through the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort. From the original arcade of shops built in a half-moon shape, it soon grew into a flourishing trading center that branched into a number of narrow bylanes in all directions. It is still the biggest market of Delhi and caters to all types of shopping needs of all the classes.

Sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar 234 feet high tower. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73m(243ft) high and tapers from a 15m(50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m(9ft) at the top. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and the fifth of marble & sandstone. Also visit the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, the Persian-born senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, this is a wonderful early example of Mughal architecture. The elements in its design a squat building, high arched entrances that let in light, topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President's House, which was once the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat buildings.

Day 21 ; Depart Delhi
Transfer to the airport in time to board your flight for onward destination.

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