Varanasi Holidays
Sample Itinerary - REF INDIA 2152
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Day 1: Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to India and New Delhi the capital city of India. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel with the rest of the day yours to relax after your long flight.
Day 2: Delhi
Our full day guided sightseeing tour of Delhi today covers the colourful chaos of Old Delhi and the modern simplicity of New Delhi. This vibrant city is full of forts, monuments, temples, mosques and more. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Delhi was important centre of the Mughal dynasty and the British made it the capital city in 1911. We take in Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, the bustling bazaar, as well as the Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana – the cremation sites of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru. In New Delhi we visit India Gate, Rasthrapati Bhawan, Parliament House and Humayun’s Tomb.
Day 3: Delhi - Darjeeling
We will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Bagdogra (SG 881, departing at 11:15 and arriving at 13:25). On arrival in Bagdogra we will drive you to Darjeeling (approximately 3 hours) and check you into the hotel.
Day 4: Darjeeling
Enjoy a drive to Tiger Hill to catch sunrise over the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga - the world’s third highest mountain. Later, we take the toy train ride to the Ghoom Gompa (monastery). In the afternoon enjoy an city highlights tour.
Day 5: Darjeeling - Varanasi
We will transfer you to New Jalpaiguri train station (3 hours) for the train to Mughal Sarai, which is near Varanasi. Train - North East Express, departing at 17:30 and arriving at 06:10 the following morning.
Day 6: Varanasi
We will pick you up from the train station and transfer you to Varanasi and check you into the hotel. We will then take you on a tour of the city taking in the key places of interest, followed by a tour of the famous Buddhist holy sight of Sarnath. Sarnath is located at 10 Kms from Varanasi where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to the five holy men; preaching the middle way to final 'NIRVANA’.In the evening your guide will take you to the river to see the evening ritual worship.
Day 7: Varanasi - Khajuraho
This morning, we enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the holy Ganges where we’ll view the ancient religious tradition of ritual cleansing that takes place on the many riverbank ghats (riverside steps). We will then drive you through to Khajuraho. On arrival we will transfer you to the hotel and check you in.
Day 8: Khajuraho
Today, enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of the Chandela Dynasty temples built between 950-1050 AD. Immortalised in stone, the carved temples depict Indian life a millennium ago, including erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra. Afternoon at your leisure to further explore, highly recommended to come back to the temples for sundown when they seemingly change colour in twilight.
Day 9: Khajuraho - Agra
We will drive you to Jhansi train station, a 5 hour drive and en-route we will have a guided visit to Orchha. At Jhansi you will board the Shatabadi Express train bound for Agra, departing at 18:00 and arriving at 20:25. On arrival we will check you into the hotel.
Day 10: Agra - Jaipur
Today we rise early to see the Taj Mahal in its ethereal morning light - quite a contrast to sunset on our previous visit. We will then visit Agra Fort. Later in the day we will take a drive out to the ghostly fortified city of Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned only 8 years after its construction due to droughts in the area. Continuing on you will arrive in to Jaipur 'The Pink City'.
Day 11: Jaipur
This morning we visit the delicate pink, magnificent fort-palace of Amber - a wonderful example of Rajput architecture just north of Jaipur. Subject to Government regulations, we will arrive in style riding on an elephant! In the afternoon you will enjoy a tour of the city. Highlights include the City Palace, which boasts an interesting museum of regal attire and Jantar Mantar, an ancient astronomical observatory.
Day 12: Jaipur - Deogarh
Morning we drive to the village of Deohgarh is a lovely little village situated between Jaipur and Udaipur. Here you can have a taste of a more rural, dare I say ‘real’ India, all from the comfort of your fantastic heritage hotel. Afternoon go out and explore the little local temple and mingle with the locals.
Day 13: Deogarh - Udaipur
Leaving Deogarh after a hearty breakfast, we drive to Ranakpur, a small town tucked away in a remote valley and famed for its beautiful 14th century Jain temples. You can enjoy some exploration here without a guide before your driver will take you onto Udaipur.
Day 14: Udaipur
This morning visit the City Palace which was built in 1725, and has various palaces inside such as Dilkush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, the Palace of Krishna etc, all ornately decorated. Saheliyon Ki Bari this 'Garden of Maids of Honour' is a small ornamental pleasure garden which contains an elegant lotus pool, gushing fountains, beautiful black marble kiosks. Afternoon at your leisure and in the evening enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Day 15: Udaipur - Amritsar
Morning you will be taken to Udaipur for your returning flight to Delhi (9W 2628 - 0800 / 0940) - arriving here meet your local driver. Afternoon at leisure with car at disposal. Later we go to the station for the Shatabadi Express - 1730 / 2300 train to Amritsar (AC Chair Car class) - Arriving late into Amritsar we will get you to your hotel as fast as we can.
Day 16: Amritsar
Today a visit to the Famous Golden Temple the seat of the Sikh religion, Amritsar is one of the Punjab’s principal cities. Built in 1803 and made of marble, copper and pure leaf gold, the temple is an amazing architectural feat. Also you will enjoy a visit to Wagah - the only border crossing between India and Pakistan for the sunset ‘Retreat’ ceremony, where the changing of the guards & ceremonial lowering of the flags is performed with great pomp.
Day 17: Amritsar - Srinagar
We will drive you to Jammu airport, a 5 hour drive, for the flight to Srinigar (flight S2 4105, departing at 12:15 and arriving at 13:15). On arrival we will transfer you to the houseboat.
Day 18: Srinagar
After breakfast, enjoy a full day cultural tour to the old city visiting its old monuments and bazaars. Srinagar is the summer capital of Kashmir and a city with a distinctly Central Asian flavour. The old city includes a labyrinth of alleyways, mosques and houses that constitute the commercial heart of the city.
Day 19: Srinagar
Today you will have a full day excursion to Sonamarg, a golden meadow with a beautiful river running through it, which streams down from the Himalayas. Today is all about nature and enjoying the scenery so sit back and relax and take in the gorgeous surroundings.
Day 20: Srinagar - Pahalgam
Today we will drive you to Pahalgam, surrounded by fir capped moutains, with the snowy peaks of the Himalayas towering above. On arrival we will check you into the hotel.
Day 21: Pahalgam
You will have a sightseeing tour of Pahalgam today, a beautiful town that is divided by the Lidder River. With temples, meadows and an abundance of shepherds, Pahalgam is a little oasis.
Day 22: Pahalgam - Gulmarg
Today a drive to Gulmarg - along the way the scenery is enchanting so sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. We will take you on a sightseeing tour of Gulmarg today, taking in Aru and the Gondola Ride. Gulmarg was a favourite of Emperor Jahangir and stands in a broad meadow of flowers. From vantage points the entire Vale of Kashmir and the surrounding mountains are visible.
Day 23: Gulmarg
We will transfer you to the airport in Srinagar for the flight to Delhi (flight IT 646, departing at 16:10 and arriving at 17:35). On arrival you will have a car and driver at your disposal for dinner, before we transfer you to the international airport in time for your check-in at 11pm.
Alsisar
Often called the 'open air art gallery of Rajasthan', the region of medieval Shekhawati in northeastern Rajasthan lies in the ...
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