Splendours of North India

Day 1

Arrive Mumbai

Upon your arrival in Mumbai, the fast paced commercial and celluloid capital of India, you will be greeted by our representative at the International Airport. After a warm welcome, you will be escorted to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 2

Day in Mumbai

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Mumbai.

This afternoon, take a city tour of Mumbai visiting the Gateway of India, built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India ; Prince of Wales Museum, built in early 20th century in Indo-Saracenic style architecture, housing a priceless collection of art, sculptures, china and other antiques; Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, Mahatma Gandhi’s home during his stay in Mumbai, which shows glimpses of Gandhi’s life and houses a library of books written by or about Gandhi.

While driving in Mumbai you get an opportunity to observe and take photo stops at some famous landmarks such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST – previously called ‘Victoria Terminus’), Mumbai’s most famous railway station, a brilliant specimen of Victorian Gothic style architecture in India; Dhobi Ghat, the open air launderette, Nariman Point and Marina Drive Queens Necklace view.

Day 3

FLY Mumbai to Udaipur

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Udaipur, your entry port to colourful Rajasthan. A romantic and serene city, Udaipur nestles in the scenic valley of Aravalli hills, surrounded by three lakes – Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar.

Upon arrival in Udaipur, check in at your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 4

Day in Udaipur

Today, visit the 16th century City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan comprising residence of the current Maharaja, heritage hotels, museums and galleries, courtyards and reception halls where royal events take place even today; Jagdish Temple, the 17th century Indo Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe; Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, garden of the maids of honour, with beautiful green lawns, flower beds, water pools, marble elephants and bird fountains.

Enjoy the evening at leisure in Udaipur.

Day 5

Udaipur to Jaipur [400 Kms / 7.5 Hrs]

After breakfast, embark on your drive to Jaipur - land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities.

Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in at your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 6

Day in Jaipur

After breakfast, visit the Amber fort, which was built in the 16th century. An elephant ride will help you ascend to this hilltop fort (elephants are subject to availability). Alternatively, you could choose to walk or drive up to the fort.

This afternoon, visit the City Palace complex with its museums and Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory. Also drive past Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), built in the 18th century. This palace with its innumerable windows and screened balconies was especially built for the royal women to view the city and processions from behind their purdahs.

The ‘Pink City’, of Jaipur is well known for its beautiful carpets, enamelled ornaments, precious and semi-precious stones, brassware and many other arts and crafts. Later in the afternoon, visit gem and carpet weaving factories, and enjoy haggling for souvenirs in colourful bazaars of Jaipur

Day 7

Jaipur to Agra [240 Kms / 5.5 Hrs]

After an early breakfast, embark on your drive to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal.

Upon arrival in Agra, check in at your hotel and freshen up. This afternoon, visit the Agra fort, lying across the River Yamuna, built in red sandstone with magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens.

Then, experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the eternal symbol of love, the Taj Mahal. Often referred to as a poem in white marble, Taj Mahal displays the saga of love between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. You may wish to stay at the Taj Mahal, to see the glistening white marble beauty by sunset.

Day 8

Train Agra – Jhansi

Drive Jhansi - Orchha – Khajuraho [195 Kms / 4.5 Hrs]

This morning board an express train to Jhansi. Then, embark on a short drive to Orchha, a medieval riverside town known for its palaces and temples. The word Orchha literally means 'hidden place'.

In Orchha, we visit ruins of old palaces such as the tiered Jahangir Mahal, the erstwhile palace of Emperor Jahangir, a fine example of medieval Indo Islamic architecture decorated with paintings and frescoes built in 17th century and the Raj Mahal, which features colorful murals and frescoes from the life of Lord Rama and Krishna and incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Also visit popular temples of the region such as Ram Raja temple, Chaturbhuj temple and Lakshmi Narayan temple. You will also see a spread of Bundela Chhatris (Royal Tombs) of erstwhile rulers of Orchha.

Then continue drive to Khajuraho – a UNESCO world heritage site in central India, famous for its erotic sculptured temples. Upon arrival in Khajuraho, check in to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9

FLY Khajuraho to Varanasi

This morning visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.

Later you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India (also known as Kashi and Benaras).

Upon arrival in Varanasi, check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 10

Day in Varanasi

Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted.

After breakfast, enjoy a visit to Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century BC to 12th century AD. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the national emblem of India. Visit the ruins, stupa, Buddhist temple and the Sarnath Museum.

Day 11

FLY Varanasi to Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Delhi.

Upon arrival at Delhi, take a short city tour of New Delhi, visiting Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and India’s tallest brick minaret; Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship; Photo stop at India Gate, the war memorial arch built in honour of the soldiers who died in the first world war; drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi

Day 12

Day in Delhi (Departure)

Today, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rikshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, ‘moonlit square’, one of the largest trading centres of India; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.

Later this afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home.