9 Days Clássical Índia

After breakfast in the hotel, you will proceed for the combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi.

The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. You will than proceed to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. It was made across the road from the Red Fort. The mosque has the capacity to hold as many as 25,000 devotees. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

From here you will board cycle rickshaws on a journey through impossibly small laneways and alleys in the area around Chandni Chowck (silver street), one of the oldest market areas in India and certainly one of the busiest.

The cycle rickshaw will take you to the biggest spice market called Khari Baoli– a street in Delhi which is Asia's largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs and food products like rice and tea.

In the afternoon you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind.

The tour of Imperial Delhi will start with a drive past to the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence (all these 03 places by driving past).

You will then proceed to visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - the most prominent Sikh house of worship. The eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan resided during his stay in Delhi. During that time, there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic, and Guru Har Krishan helped the suffering by giving aid and fresh water from the well at this house. The water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes. The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large pond etc. Visit the community kitchen – that welcomes thousands of people every day regardless of caste, creed, religion or race and offers them a free meal or Langar. The men and women volunteer and cook for thousands, two meals a day and seven times a week. At the Gurdwara, visitors are reminded to cover their hair and not to wear shoes. Head scarves and a shoe-minding service can be found inside the compound and are available free of charge.

Your last stop will be Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India.  The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it is2.7 m.  The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India.

Return to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Delhi to Agra (204 Kms/ 04.30 Hrs)

Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood.  It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best.  The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb, the magnificent Taj and Akbar’s deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and outstanding.

Upon arrival at Agra proceed to check in at your hotel

In the afternoon you will proceed for the sightseeing tour of Agra.

The tour will start with a visit to Taj Mahal (remains closed on Fridays)

The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.

You will then proceed to visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration, and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.

Return to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Agra to Jaipur (240 Kms/ 05 ½ hours) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry, and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago.  It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Upon arrival visit the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal and Jodhabai Palace etc

Continue your drive to Jaipur.

Rajasthan’s kingdoms are an enduring legacy to India’s history. A land endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palaces ad waves of sand dunes and serene lakes. No other region in the country assembles the many paradoxes of India, as does the desert land of Rajasthan. By far it is the most colourful region in India. Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the "pink city".

Upon arrival at Jaipur proceed to check in at your hotel

Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort enroute stopping for photo stop at `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.

Continue your drive to Amber.

An elephant /Jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress (Elephant ride is subject to availability).

Once on top you will stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.

In the afternoon you will proceed for the sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art, and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets, and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day.

Return to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel

After leisurely breakfast, you will be driven from Jaipur to Delhi enroute visiting Neemrana Fort – Palace, a 15^th century old medieval Fort-Palace - Built since 1464, abandoned in 1947, acquired in 1986, this splendid ruin restored into an exquisite resort near Delhi, opened in 1991. Today it is a premiere Heritage Hotel in India. Neemrana Fort Palace takes a lot of pride in being a premier heritage hotel of Rajasthan as also a unique hotel of India. Special care has been taken to ensure that these time-honored structures are restored and preserved with authenticity to take you back to the medieval times.

In the late afternoon continue your driven from Neemrana to Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi, a Distinct Destination representative will meet you and transfer you to airport to board your flight to Varanasi.

Departure: Delhi                                 at:                   By: Flight

Arrive: Varanasi                                  at:

The antiquity of Varanasi is veiled in immortal times and has been the center of religion, learning and civilization since ages. The city gets its inherent charm from the location as it’s situated on west side of the Holy Ganges. The principal attractions are the bathing ghats which are always bustling with life at any given time of the day. There is no Indian attraction like Varanasi. There are no architectural splendour no exquisitely carved palaces, or impregnable forts, and yet the city has an inherent charm.

Upon arrival at Varanasi airport a Distinct Destination representative will receive you and will transfer you to your hotel for check in.

overnight at the hotel

Today early morning you will be taken on a visit to the ghats witnessing the Hindu pilgrims perform the rituals and following the centuries old tradition and belief that by dying in Varanasi or by immersing the mortal remains in the holy Ganges, it clears one from the birth circle and you are incarnated to human life in the next birth. You would be taking a boat cruise on the river Ganges around all the ghats and stopping at the important ones. The riverfront, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, is a spiritually uplifting sight.  Important note: Boat ride is subject to water level in the river Ganges. In case of no boat ride due to increase water level etc, we shall alternatively provide walking tour of Ghats in the morning.

While coming back to your hotel you will visit Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi.  Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold plating on the 'shikaras' was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Important note: non Hindus are not allowed to visit the sanctum sanctorum of Kashi -Vishwanath Temple

Return to your hotel for breakfast

Post breakfast you will proceed to the Temple Tour. You will first visit to the Bharat Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India.  It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; and some other important temples.

You will then proceed to visit Durga Temple. Erected in the 18th century, the temple is sacred to Goddess Durga. It was a Rani Bhabani of Natore - a Bengali Queen who built this Hindu temple in Varanasi. An interesting fact is associated with the idol of the presiding deity of the temple. It says that the image of Goddess Durga is not built by anyone; it is believed to have emerged on its own. Such is the significance of this renowned tourist site in Varanasi that a visit to this temple is said to protect one from all the problems. Due to the presence of oodles of monkeys at the shrine site, Durga Temple is also entitled as Monkey Temple.

Your next stop will be Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is an old public university that is functioning since 1919. It is the largest residential university in Asia, 3rd best university in the country and 10th best university in the world. Although the college has the word ‘Hindu’ in it, it allows students of all creeds, religion, and ethnicity. Students from foreign lands also study in this university. Herein you will visit Shri Vishwanath Temple (also known as Birla Temple) –located in the center of the university and consists of seven temples and was built in March 1931. It took 30 years for its construction. The famous Indian industrialist Birla had built this temple and hence it is also known as Birla Temple.

In the afternoon you will proceed to visit Sarnath is a major Buddhist centre in the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the 'Awakened One', delivered his first sermon here. It was sixth century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra. This dwelling place of the rishis, it was also known as 'Rishipatana' (the place of the Rishis or sages). Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where he initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist monkshood. Buddhism found its roots in Sarnath, the birthplace of this way of life.

In the evening in time, you will be taken to the Ganga Aarti. At a pre-decided place, you will board rickshaw to the riverbank which will pass through narrow lanes and crowded markets of Varanasi to witness the Illuminated Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Ganga Aarti is a spectacular sight. As the sun begins to set, plating the river with gold, bells and gongs ring and chants fill the air. Rows of religious celebrants hold plates of flaming ghee, moving them in a circular salutation to the Goddess of the River Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.

Return to your hotel

Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast in the hotel in time you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Delhi:

Departure: Varanasi                at:                   By: Flight

Arrive: Delhi                           at:

Upon arrival at Delhi a Distinct Destination representative will receive you following that you will proceed to visit Akshardham Temple (remains closed on Mondays).

Akshardham Temple - the pink sandstone and white marble complex which is built on the bank of the Yamuna River. The temple is 141 feet high wherein the main temple dome rises majestically over the two-storied sandstone colonnade of 1,160 pillars that encircles it from three sides. There are 73 richly patterned and 63 partially carved pillars. Spread across a 23-acres, this complex is flooded with shrines, sculptures, parks, lakes and rides. Note: Any metal items, cell phone, battery, leather items, camera, tobacco items etc. are not allowed inside the temple complex

If time permits, you will explore the local bazaar for the last-minute shopping etc

Later in time you will be transferred to an airport.

Later in time a Distinct Destination representative will meet you and transfer you to international airport to board your flight for back home.

Special note: No accommodation has been envisaged in Delhi on this day.

Today in time you will board your flight to back home