Dev Diwali

Breakfast at hotel

Morning proceed for Full day sightseeing of Delhi.  Start your day by visiting Old part of the city drive past Red Fort, Later visit Jama Masjid, a red sandstone structure is one of the large mosque’s in India and can hold 25000 people during Friday prayers.  Stroll through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi one of the oldest markets in Delhi.  Later visit Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, also known as father of the nation.

Continue with sightseeing of New Delhi, drive past the central avenue of the city with state buildings the Sansad Bhawan (Parliament House) and Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace), which at one time served as the Royal Residence of the British Viceroys who ruled India. Later take a short photo stop at India Gate, Visit Humayun’s Tomb, and the Qutab Minar (73 m high minaret, the diameter of the base of which is 15 m and 2.5 m at the top).

Time permitting visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara: a prominent house of worship for the Sikh community. This 17th-century shrine is dedicated to the memory of Guru Har Krishan, who was the eighth Sikh Guru. It has stunning golden dome and beautiful architecture. People from all religion are welcome to enter the temple and learn about Sikhism.  They also serve langar (free food) from the community kitchen and everyone is welcome to help as per their choice in the kitchen or other chores at the Gurudwara

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Morning depart Delhi for Jaipur and on arrival check-in at hotel

Later in the afternoon visit Birla Temple: A Hindu temple built by the B.M. Birla Foundation in 1988 is constructed solely of white marble.  It is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (Narayan), whose images appear inside, along with other Hindu gods and goddesses and selections from the Gita and Upanishads.

Relax for the day.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Morning Sightseeing of Jaipur city visiting Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Observatory

Amer Fort: Located approx. 11 kms from Jaipur city, this ancient capital of Jaipur was founded in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. A UNESCO world heritage site, constructed on a small hilltop in red sand stone and marble, it is a great example of Rajput architecture with influences of Mughal architecture at some places.  The Fort contains Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors) in the main courtyard.  The Fort has many gates known as “Pol” like Chand Pol, Suraj pol, Ganesh Pol etc.. The Fort also contains many rooms diwan-e-aam (Hall for commons) & King’s rooms and Zenana Mahal rooms used by ladies of the house (Ascend to the fort will be by Indian Jeeps).

En-route to Amer Fort, photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 CE, which is one of the main attractions of Jaipur. Perfect to stop for a while for pictures.

City Palace. The palace covers a vast area and is a complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Part of this palace today is a museum, which includes 3 halls: Weapons, Textiles and Artifacts. A part of the palace is still used by the royal family as their residence

Jantar Mantar (observatory): built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728 CE.  This observatory is a unique example, since each structure has its own special purpose and exceptional accuracy in determining the location of stars, heights and azimuths, or calculating eclipses.

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning depart Jaipur for Agra en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri- A city predominantly in red sand-stone, situated at a distance of 37 kms (01 hour drive) from Agra was built by Emperor Akbar who wanted to build his Capital from Agra in honor of the great Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti.  Its magnificence offers a fine example of the emperor’s architectural finesse. Some of the important buildings include Khwabgah (House of Dreams) Akbar’s residence, Panch Mahal, a five-storey palace, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Ankh Michauli and the Astrologer’s Seat, in the south-west corner of the Pachisi Court.  However, the capital was abandon in less than 10 years due to lack of drinking water and shifted back to Agra

Continue drive to Agra and on arrival check in at the hotel.

Afternoon visit Itmad-ul-Daulah Built by Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir in memory of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. arched entrances, octagonal shaped minarets and use of exquisitely carved floral patterns represent Islamic style architecture.

Overnight stay at hotel

Early morning visit Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed on Friday’s): One of the seven wonders of the world, the legendary architectural monument built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his sixteenth wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  Located on the right bank of Yamuna River, a UNESCO World Heritage.  Taj Mahal represents the finest architectural and artistic achievement through perfect harmony and excellent craftsmanship in a whole range of Indo-Islamic sepulchral architecture.  An interesting facet of the Taj Mahal is that it changes colors throughout the day. During sunrise, it appears to be pale pink; in the afternoon, it is sparkling white; and in the evenings, it turns a bronzish-orange as the sun sets. In late evenings, the Taj appears to be light-bluish in color.

 Return back to hotel.

Afternoon visit Agra Fort: Stronghold of the Mughal Empire. This impressive fortress holds many stories in its walls of deep red sandstone that spans almost 3 kilometers (two miles) long.  Explore its various palaces, halls, and mosques that showcase exquisite Mughal architecture.  Also View the Taj Mahal from fortress trough an ornated window arch

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel

Early morning transfer to train station to board train to Khajuraho

On Arrival in Khajuraho, assistance at the train station and transfer to hotel

Afternoon half day sightseeing of Eastern and western group of temple complex dating to 10th century, a UNESCO world heritage site. The tour concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India.  The remote location of Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven.

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel

Morning depart Khajuraho for Prayagraj and on arrival check-in at hotel

Late afternoon sightseeing of Prayagraj visiting Anand Bhawan former residence of Nehru family which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artefacts and articles of the era of Independence movement in India.  Later visit Triveni Sangam where is the confluence of three rivers the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswati River.  the distinct characteristics of the rivers are visible, the Ganges flows with clear water, while the Yamuna appears greenish and however the Saraswati River is invisible.  Enjoy short boatride at the Sangam.

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel

Morning depart Prayagraj for Varanasi en-route visiting Sarnath place has religious, cultural, and architectural significance. Explore several parts of the UNESCO World Heritage site including Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Tibetan Temple, Ashoka Pillar, and Archeological Museum.

Later proceed to Varanasi and on arrival check-in at hotel

Evening visit the Ghat areas stroll through the narrow lanes visiting some of the ghats like Manikarnika Ghat, also known as the burning ghat,  Interact with locals (small vendors etc..).  also witness the Ganga Aarti.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning take a leisurely boatride on the river Ganges enjoying sights on both sides of the river, where locals perform their daily morning prayer rituals.   Also visit Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Return back to hotel for breakfast

Evening visit again the Ghat area along Ganges river to witness the Dev Diwali celebrations where the ghats are beautifully illuminated covered with millions of diyas (earthen lamps) and beautiful rangolis (colorful designs).  Processions are taken out in the streets of Varanasi with drums.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Morning transfer to airport to board flight to Mumbai

On arrival in Mumbai assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel

Afternoon half day sightseeing of Mumbai city visiting Gateway of India an arch-monument completed in 1924 on the waterfront of Mumbai. It was erected to commemorate the landing of George V for his coronation as the Emperor of India in December 1911 at Strand Road near Wellington Fountain. He was the first British monarch to visit India.  The Gateway is also the monument from where the last British troops in the Army of India left in 1948.  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum also as the Princess of Whales Museum, is one of the main Museum of Mumbai city and has a collection of 70,000 historic and artistic works of various materials and techniques. These objects reflect the history of the human race from the stone age to contemporary times.  The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: (World Heritage site) is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture.  Mani Bhawan Museum, Mahatma Gandhi’s Mumbai headquarters for about 17 years, from 1917 to 1934. The mansion belonged to Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri, Gandhi’s friend and host in Mumbai. It was from Mani Bhavan that Gandhi initiated the Non-Cooperation, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat Movements.

 Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel

Morning excursion to Elephanta Caves (World Heritage site) – A collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on a small island, located 10 kms east of Mumbai.  The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. An Approximate one-hour ferry ride (each way), will take you to this island temples.

Later in time transfer to airport to board onward international flight