Extension tour

Eternal India

Day 01 Agra to Varanasi
Early morning transfer to Agra fort railway station to board express train [2308] to Varanasi at 06.45 – 16.50hrs. On arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.

Day 02 Varanasi
The holy city of Varanasi, known to devout Hindus as Kashi, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Early morning take a boat ride along the River Ganges and see the famous bathing ‘Ghats’, the stone steps which lead down to the river where you can watch the gathered faithful, ritually cleansing themselves.
Back to hotel for breakfast and later drive to Sarnath for a half day sightseeing. Ten kilometers from Varanasi lies the site of Sarnath, where it is said Buddha preached his first sermon, setting in motion the Wheel of Law. Pilgrims travel from around the world to Sarnath and there are monasteries constructed by Buddhists from several countries including China, Burma, Tibet and Japan.
Evening free to stroll around the ghat area to watch the ‘aarathi’ pooja. O/n Hotel.

Day 03 Varanasi to Delhi
Morning free, before noon transfer to airport to board flight 9W 724 to Delhi at 14.40 – 16.00hrs. On arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.

Day 04 Delhi
Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mangols Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and finally the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even thought it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times. Today, the twin cities of Old and New Delhi still intrigue Indians and tourists alike as the cultural and political capital of the largest democracy in the world.
After breakfast, your New Delhi tour [full day] will take you to India Gate, the Predient’s Palace, the pre-Mughal monuments and the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and towering Qutab Minar.
Afternoon drive to Old Delhi for an half day visit to the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat.
Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjahnabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts the Diwan-I-Khas, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate the city. The Raj Ghat is the location of Gandhi’s cremation. O/n Hotel.

Day 05 Delhi
Early morning transfer to int’l airport to board flight to your onward destination.

Colours of Rajasthan

Day 01 Agra to Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (about 240kms/05hrs), enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar in 1568 as his capital. The town’s palaces, courts and other monuments are a perfect example of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles.
Arrive and check into the hotel and relax. O/n Hotel.

Day 02 Jaipur
Built in 1727, Jaipur was the dream of Brilliant ruler, Jai Singh. It has retained its reputation as one of the foremost cities in India planned and executed in a manner that draws accolades from modern town planners. Jaipur is known as the ‘Pink City’, because many buildings are still washed pink, the traditional colour of welcome, which was originally introduced to honour the visit of the Prince Albert in 1856.

After an early breakfast visit to Amber Fort, ascent to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber; this fort palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking views of the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) below.
Afternoon half-day city tour including the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar Observatory and the façade of the Palace of Winds.

The City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh’s descendants, is a superb fusion of Rajputs and Mughal architecture. A city within a city it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja’s museum with his personal collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on the streets below.

Day 03 Jaipur to Udaipur
Early morning transfer to airport to board flight to Udaipur by 9W 3401 at 07.15 – 08.10hrs. On arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel and later we explore the city, set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan.

Our half day city tour consists of the City Palace and Jagdish Temple. The City palace is the larges palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added at different times by various Maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal with its mirror inlay and the Chini ki Chitra Mahal’s iridescent tile work. At the nearby Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. O/n Hotel.

Day 04 Udaipur
Morning free to relax, afternoon we do a boat ride around Lake Pichola offers spectacular vies of the city. The City Palace towers over the lake and you will also see the merchant’s havelis, temples, the royal hunting lodge and the exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion and Jag Mandir Island. Having disembarked, you continue to the ornamental gardens of the Maids of Honour or Sahelion ki Bari. O/n Hotel.

Day 05 Udaipur to Delhi / Mumbai
After late breakfast transfer to airport to board flight to Delhi or Mumbai. On arrival, assistance and transfer to int’l airport to board flight to your onward destination.