Day 01 Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 02 Delhi
You have a slow start to the day to recover from the flight. At midday you depart to visit some of the highlights of the city.
New Delhi is a blend of ancient and pre independence India. The Qutb Minar, the tapering monument begun in 1199 was built to symbolize the supremacy of Islam. This structure was eventually the prototype of all minars or towers in India. A pivot of faith, justice and righteousness, its name carried the message of its founder Qutb-ud-din's own achievements and the inscriptions say that the tower was erected to cast the shadow of God over both East and West; Humayun's tomb was built by his senior wife and mother emperor Akbar. This is the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. It is believed that it was this mausoleum which inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal. We will return to our hotel via the elegant government buildings designed by Lutyen and Baker. The architecture is a blend of Indian and European styles and is the celebration of the British rule in India. The most outstanding of this collection is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace.
Day 03 Delhi - Varanasi
You transfer to the airport for a flight to Varanasi. A contemporary of Nineveh and Thebes, Varanasi today, is the oldest living city in the world. One of India's most sacred cities, a devout Hindu believes to die and be cremated in Varanasi is to gain "moksha" or release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. The visit to the old city is a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism. Every temple is well attended and every street corner has roadside shrines and vendors selling garlands, incense sticks and other items used in worship. We walk through the narrow alleys where we share space with cows, scooters, cycle rickshaws, shops and people to the banks of the Ganges. Here we board a boat, which takes us mid stream to witness the evening "aarti" ceremony. This is the evening service performed by a priest on the banks of the river. Accompanied by the hypnotic beat of drums and bells and the chanting of prayers, the whole ceremony is mesmerizing ending with the release of hundreds of lamps into waters of the river.
Day 04 Varanasi
A visit to Varanasi reveals the spiritual heart of India, and the best way to experience this is to tour the Ganges in a country boat at sunrise. Pilgrims, yogis and mystics flock to the ghats (steps) which lie along the banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India's holiest river, practice yoga, meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes and vessels. Early morning life in this city revolves around the ghats.
Later you will drive to Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon in 500 BC. You will visit the very spot where he spoke marked by the Dhamekha Stupa and follow his footsteps along the path he walked while meditating. Later you visit the temple decorated with art illustrating the main events in the life of The Buddha. For those who wish, you can join the evening chanting repeating the first sermon of Buddha.
Day 05 Varanasi / Khajuraho
We take a flight to Khajuraho. After checking into our hotel, we spend half a day touring. This tiny village is famous for its remarkable complex of temples built in an inspired burst of creativity between 950 and 1050 AD under the Chandela kings. Of the original 85, only 25 survive and each is a masterpiece dedicated to different deities. The temples were lost among the forest for centuries and were accidentally discovered by a British army engineer in 1858. The presence of erotic temple sculpture, which accounts for less than 10% of the total carvings, has resulted in many theories. The most popular being that the Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult which believes that gratification of earthly desires in a step towards attaining moksha or release from the cycle of rebirth. We have a full day to explore these temples at leisure, their remarkable sculptures are unique in that they show great sensitivity and warmth displaying one aspect of Hinduism - a genuine love of life.
Day 06 Khajruaho / Orchha
Today we drive to Orchha. Once the capita of the Bundela Rajputs, Orchha rivals Rajasthan in the magnificence of its palace and temples. Founded in 1531, Orchha reached the pinnacle of its glory in the mid 17th century when the Mughal emperor Jehangir visited the city and a special palace was built for him. Of particular note, apart from the palaces is the 17th century temples which are still in use today. The Rama Raja temple with its soaring spires was orginally palace but became a timeple when an image of Ram was houses here. The idol is now locked behind silver doors at the Charubhuj Temple. The murals at the Lakshmi Narayan temple are well worth a visit. Though the Chattris lying along the banks of the Betwa River are in ruins, they are very atmospheric and best seen at sunset.
Day 07 Orchha / Jhansi / Bhopal
Later in the morning you drive to Jhansi and board the Shatabdi Express to Bhopal.
Day 08 Bhopal
According to legend Bhopal stands on a 11th century site, and in a country where women play a secondary, role, it has the distinction of being ruled by two women in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Today your destination is Sanchi, one of most important Buddhist sites in India even though the Buddha himself never visited this place. The cluster of stupas and monasteries on the hilltop give his area a melancholic and serene air, and a visit here is immensely rewarding. A break from the crowds and noise, it lends itself naturally to meditation. The morning is spent visiting the Stupas and monasteries and the 5th and 7th century Hindu temples.
After an early lunch you drive to Udaygiri to visit the caves. Excavated between 382-401 AD, they are the work of artisans under the patronage of the Gupta rulers. The caves reflect the unique richness and vitality which distinguishes the art of this period. Of the caves, the most outstanding are Cave 1 with ornate shrines; Cave 5 has a statue of Vishnu in his incarnation of the Varaha or boar holding his Parvati aloft on one tusk as well as a massive statue of a reclining Vishnu. The last cave of any note is Cave 9 which is known for its long portico and pillared hall.
Day 09 Bhopal / Agra
Rising early you drive to Bhimbetka which has South Asia's richest collection of prehistoric paintings. The best time to visit is at sunrise. Discovered in 1975, it lies in an area of dense deciduous forest and important food source for the surrounding tribal settlements. Against this setting is a stretch stretching for 10 kms. Over 500 of them contain prehistoric and later paintings, and a small number show evidence of Stone Age habitation.
You return in time to take the train to Agra arriving at 2000 hrs.
Day 10 Agra / Karauli
Agra at one time served as the capital city for the great Mughal Empire, and it is the repository of some of their finest architectural creations. The Agra Fort reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This fort palace was begun by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel and was subsequently completed by two successive generations who added the delicate mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the history of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is described as "A tear on the face of eternity" by the poet laureate Tagore and is an enduring monument to love. Built by a grieving Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal built of glistening marble, fabulously decorated in a mosaic of semi precious stones, is a stunning mausoleum. Later in the day you drive 182 kms to Karauli. Tonight you stay at Bhanwar Niwas where you share space with the royal family.
Day 11 Karauli
Off the tourist trail and unspoilt, Karauli is an ancient devotional city. The city palace is a wealth of architecture, stone carvings, classical paintings and outstanding jali work continuing to the Kaila Devi Sanctuary with a picnic lunch. Later you walk through the quaint market famous for particular items of handicraft including stone carvings and colorful bangles. In the evening you will join devotees at the Kaila Devi temp |
