The
Indian culture is an ancient and dynamic entity, spanning back to the very
beginnings of human civilization.
Beginning
with a mysterious culture along the Indus River and in farming communities
in the southern lands of India,
the history
of the sub-continent is one puncuated by constant integration with migrating
peoples and with the diverse
cultures
that surround India. Placed in the center of Asia, Indian history is a
crossroads of cultures from China to Europe,
and the
most significant Asian connection with the cultures of Africa Indian history.
India is one of the most culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse
regions one can imagine. In the north, the great mountain barrier. To the
south, the
great
river plains of the Indus and the Ganges and the large, High plateau of
the Deccan. This is the stage on which a
complex
history took place, and the first act began along the Indus River. Archaeology
has provided evidence of the
beginnings
of ancient India. Rigveda which is perhaps the oldest document in human
history has also provided
evidence
of life in ancient India. Rigveda has been transmitted orally from generation
to generation it is
like
a tape recording, transmitted with astonishing philological integrity.
The date of the Rigveda is not known.
WE bring
to you this tour which is not only rich in culture, history & archelogical
content, but also architecturaly mind
boggling,
covering the Western, Northern & Eastern, parts of this ancient country,
called "Bharat" during ancient times
GLIMPSES
OF ANCIENT INDIA USD1599 PER
PERSON ON TWIN SHARING BASIS 19
Nights/ 20 Days MUMBAI
/ AURANGABAD/ BHOPAL / SANCHI / MATHURA / AGRA
/ DELHI / KAJURAHO / VARANASI / KOLKATTA / PURI / BHUBNESHWAR / MUMBAI
DAY
01ARRIVE MUMBAI
Arrive
Bombay. On arrival, meeting, assistance & Transfer to HotelComfort
Inn Heritage Afternoon city
sightseeing
tour. Drive past Flora fountain built in 1869, in honour of Bombay's governer
Sir Bently, visit
the St
Thomas Cathedral,Town Hall, Tower of Silence - Parsi funeral site and the
Prince of Wales museum.
Finish
tour visitung the Hanging Gardens, Gateway of India and the Marine
Drive. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
02 MUMBAI
Morning
after breakfast, transfer to jetty to take boat journey to visit the Elephanta
Caves. These cave temples
were
built by carving out solid rocks from mountain side, sometime between 450-
700 AD Here you see some
unparalle
examples of Brahmanical Sculptors. Return to hotel. Balance day at leisure.
Overnight in hotel
DAY
03 MUMBAI > AURANGABAD
Morning
transfer to airport to connect flight at 0710 hrs for Aurangabad. On arrival,
meeting, assistance and
transfer
to QI Medows Hotel.
After fresh & change proceed, excursion
to the Ellora caves and Bibi-ka-Makbara
a monument
built by Emporer Aurangzeb's son in 1679 AD in memory of his mother Rabia
(Aurangzeb's wife)
Their
architect Ata Ullah modeled it on the Taj Mahal, but comes nowhere near
the architectural splendour of
the original.
Situated outside the city of Aurangabad 400 kms northeast of Mumbai, are
the caves of Ellora. They
constitute
one of the most beautiful expressions of the art of the Indian MiddleAges
and are designated as an
UNESCO
World Heritage Site. They are noteworthy as three major Indian religions
have laid joint claim to the
caves
peacefully since they were created. These breathtaking caves are definitely
worth visiting for their
remarkable
reliefs, sculptures and architecture. Return to hotel for Overnight
DAY
04 AURANGABAD > BHOPAL (overnight in train)
Morning
after breakfast proceed for full day excursion to the Ajanta caves. The
buddhist caves of Ajanta are
situated
100 kms north-east of Ellora. These magnificent caves containing carvings
that depict the life of Buddha
have
also been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. They date from around
200 B.C. and their
carvings
and sculptures are considered to be the beginning of classical Indian art.Late
evening transfer to
railway
station to connect overnight express train at 2120 hrs for Bhopal,
capital city of the state of Madhya
Pradesh,
founded by Bhuj, the Parmar king in 11th century AD. Situated on the banks
of a huge lake,
it has
splendid gardens and great views from top the Shyamla Hills. Overnight
in train
DAY
05 BHOPAL > SANCHI > BHOPAL
Arrive
Bhopal city at 0535 hrs. Meeting, assistance & transfer to Noor-us-Sabah
Palace Hotel.After
breakfast
proceed
for half day excursion to Sanchi, associated with various incidents in
the life of Emperor Ashok.
He built
8 stupas, out of which only 3 remain today.The Brihat Stupa, started by
Ashok & completed around
3-2nd
century BC is 16.4m high. Other attractions are the 4 arches or entrances
to the stupa, built
around
35 BC. Return to hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in hotel
DAY
06 BHOPAL > MATHURA (overnight in train)
Morning
after breakfast, depart for half day city tour of Bhpoal. Founded by Bhuj
the Parmar king inthe 11th century
AD, lies
on the banks of a large lake. Visit Bharat Bhavan art gallery, Shyamala
Hills offering a birds eye view
of the
city, the Archelogical museum & Laxminarayan temple. Return to hotel.
Later in time, transfer
to railway
station to connect overnight express train at 2255 hrs for Mathura. Overnight
in train.
DAY
07 MATHURA > AGRA
Arrive
into Raja-ki-Mandi early morning at 0830 hrs. On arrival, after breakfast
at a local restaurant proceed
for city
tour. Mathura is mentioned in the ancient hindu texts " the Puranas" originally
the capital of Yadavas,
is described
by Fa-Hein (401-410 AD) as being a centre of Bhuddhist culture & leraning.
It is one of the 7 well
known
Hindu Pilgrimage places and was the birth place of Lord Krishna, 1500 years
before Christ. Visit Keshab
Dev Temple,
Bishranti Ghat, the museum. Also visit Vrindavan - the pleasure ground
of lord Krishna & Radha.
Later
proceed by surface transportation to Agra. On arrival, check into Hotel
Amar.
Late afternoon visit the 7th
wonder
of the modern world - The Taj Mahal This monument a fine example of fusion
of many architectural styles
is one
of the wonders of the modern world. Built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan.
It took 22 years and 20,000
skilled
artisans to complete this poem in white marble. Spend time at the Taj.
Return to hotel for overnight.
DAY
08 AGRA > DELHI
Morning
after breakfast, excusrion to Fathepur Sikri the ghost city 35 kms from
Agra. Fatehpur Sikri built in red
sandstone
in honour of Saint Salim Chisti, who foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor
Akbar, is an example of
robust
stability combined with originality. Each important edifice here represents
a type by itself. Notable among
them
is the Diwane Khas, Punch Mahal, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Buland
Darwaza. Afternoon, visit the
Agra
Fort which lies across the river Jamuna. It was here that Aurangzeb the
3rd son of Shah Jahan kept his
father
under house arrest. Next visit Itmaudualla, mosoleum built by Queen Noor
Jahan in memory of her
parents
followed by a tour of Sikandra, tomb of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great.
Later in time transfer
to railway
station to board superfast express at 2020 hrs to Delhi. You
are greeted on arrival at the Delhi
Railway
Stataion and drivenThe Qutab Hotel
.Check
-in for overnight in hotel
DAY
09 DELHI
Morning
after breakfast, proceed for half day guided tour of New Delhi. The buildings
designed by Edward
Lutyens,
architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic. The Presidential Palace,
Parliament House and India
Gate
are all reminiscent of the British “Raj”. We drive through Delhi’s beautiful
tree-lined avenues and the
Diplomatic
Enclave enroute to the 12th century, 234 foot high fluted minaret
of Qutab Minar. Afternoon,
proceed
for half day guided city tour of Old Delhi. Explore the magnificent Red
Fort, built at the zennith of
the Mughal
empire in India. The centuries- old international market- place that sprawls
at its feet is still one
of Delhi’s
most important commercial hubs: Chandni Chowk, or “Moonlight Square”. Ride
on cycle-rickshaws
through
the bustling silver market and the wholesale spice market. The sounds,
smells and colors of the bazaar,
and the
throngs of people who animate it makes this an unforgettable spectacle.
Visit Jumma Masjid, the
largest
mosque in Asia., before returning to hotel. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
10 DELHI > KAJURAHO
Morning
after breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight at 1040 hrs for Kajuraho.
On arrival at 1300 hrs,
meeting,
assistance & transfer to Holiday Inn
Hotel.
The temples of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift
to the
world, built by the Chandela kings some 1000 years ago- which probably
forms one of the best examples
of Indian
Erotic art. The Temples are divided into 3 parts according to location-
Western, Eastern & Southern
occupying
13 sq kms out of which the Western Group is the most acclaimed. Kajuraho
is a World Heritage Site.
Late
afternoon visit the Southern Group of Temples which comprises of Duladeo
& Chatarbhuj - Temples
dedicated
to God Shiva & Vishnu. Return to hotel for overnight
If
You schedule your visit in March, you will be fortunate enough to see the
Annual Classical Dance Extravaganza
by renowned
dancers, held at the Western Group of Temple complex, organized by the
State Tourism Ministry
DAY
11 KAJURAHO
Morning
after breakfast, full day visit of the Western & Eastern group
of Temple complex. In the morning,
you visit
the Western group of temples and the museum and in the afternoon the Eastern
group. You will see
exquisitely
sculptured Temples of Kandariya Mahadeb, Laxman, Vishwanath, Parvati,
Chittragupta, Varaha
&
Jagdamba in the western complex, dedicated to different Gods & Goddess,
which presently comprises of
12 temples.
The Eastern Group of temples, adjoining the Kajuraho village comprises
0f 3 temples each of
Hindus
& Jains. Also visit the newly constructed Hanuman Temple before returning
to hotel for overnight.
DAY
12 KAJURAHO > SARNATH > VARANASI
Morning
after breakfast, time at leisure, till transfer to airport to connect flight
at 1330 hrs for Varanasi. On arrival
at 1410
hrs, transfer to Radisson Hotel.
Varanasi
more than 2500 years old is the only city in the wiorld that
is still
flourising in its full form. Earlier known as Kashi, which finds mention
in the Upsnishads & Puranas it is
believed
to have been established by King Kashya in around 1200 BC. Enroute visit
Sarnath - where Bhuddhism
first
made its appearance nearly 2500 years ago and where Lord Buddha gave his
first sermon to his 5 disciples.
Visit
the Chowkhandi Stupa, the 46m high Dhamek stupa & Dharmarajik stupa
built by Emperor Ashok around
258 BC.
See the 20m high Ashok Pillar before contunuing onwards to your hotel for
Overnight
DAY
13 VARANASI > KOLKATTA (overnight in train)
Early
morning, transfer to the Ghats to take an unforgetable boat ride on the
Ganges. See the different Ghats
(bathing
spots) built by kings & noblemen. Watch sunrise before returning to
hotel for breakfast. After breakfast,
proceed
for half day city tour of this very ancient town, situated on the banks
of river Ganges, in the State of
Uttar
Pradesh. Visit the Ramgarh Fort, Benaras Hindu University campus &
the temples of Bharat Mata, Kashi
Viswanath
& Durga Mata. Walk around the narrow bylanes near the ghats, before
returning to hotel.
Afternoon
free for Shopping & other personal leisure activities. Later in time
transfer to railway station
to board
express train for Kolkatta. Overnight in train (Room
till 12 noon)
DAY
14 ARRIVE KOLKATTA
Arrive
into Kolkatta early morning at 0700 hrs. On arrival, meeting, assistance
& transfer to Hotel QI Golden
Park After breakfast proceed for half
day city tour. Visit The Victorial Memorial, which sits in mejestic
splendour
at the bottom end of this big green space called the "Maidan" An immence
palace of white marble, built
in honour
of Queen Victoria by the British. Drive past the Race course to Botanical
Gradens, founded in 1786.
The 200
+ year old Banyan tree is the main attraction.Our last halt is the City
Museum, constructed in 1814,
it presents
a 300 feet footage raising two stories high in Italian architecture. Return
to hotel for overnight.
DAY 15 KOLKATTA > BHUBNESHWAR > PURI
Early
Morning after breakfast, transfer to railway station to board superfast
express train at 0605 hrs for
Bhubneshwar.
Later on arrival at 1320 hrs, transfer directly by surface transportation
to Puri. Located on
the shores
of Bay of Bengal it is one of the 4 dhams (holy places) of India. Reach
at 1600 hrs and check
into
Coco
Palm Beach Resort Balance
time free to enjoy the sea & the beach. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
16 PURI > KONARAK > PURI
Morning
after breakfast, proceed for half day excursion to Konarak Temple. Konarak
Sun Temple, a shrine
in stone
built by king Narasimha in 11th century AD, is 100ft high, decorated with
thousand of sculptures
consisting
of carved animals, larger than life erotic groupings, statues & honeycombed
rocks. The temple
design
depicts a chariot driven by 7 horses, representing 7 days, with 12 immence
stone wheels signifying
12 months.
The temple is dedicated to "Surya" The Sun God. Afternoon visit the
12th Century Jagatnath
Temple
at Puri, believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu or Sri Krishna (Non Hindus
are not allowed inside
the Temple
complex). Balance day free to enjoy the beach and the bazars, selling sea
shells to colourful
Pipli
work ( A small Village located on the highway between Puri & Bhubneshwar)
Overnight in hotel
DAY
17 PURI > BHUBNESHWAR
Morning
after breakfast, transfer by surface to Bhubneshwar. Enroute visit Pipli
Village, world famous for its
very
colourful Piplique workmanship & Dhauli Shanti Stupa, built by the
Japanese at the place where the great
battle
of Kalinga was fought in 261 BC and which turned Emperor Ashok's footsteps
towards non violence &
bhuddhism.
Later on arrival check into Swosti Hotel.
Bhubneshwar is called the city of temples. Afternoon
excursion
to Nandanvan - Botanical Garden cum Zoo to see the Royal Bengal & white
Tigers. Overnight in hotel
DAY
18 BHUBNESHWAR
Morning
after breakfast, proceed for half day tour of this very ancient city. Visit
the world famous 11th century
Lingaraja
Temple (Non Hindus are not allowed inside the complex) so we see from outside.The
Bindu sarovar
(lake)
lying north of this temple is our next halt- it's history dating back to
mythological times. Also we visit the
Ananta
Basudev, Raja Rani, Mukteshwar & Parashurameswar Temples. Afternoon
half day excursion to Udaygiri,
Ratnagiri
the budhist & Jain caves carved out of granite rock sometime
around 2nd century BC, combiningly
comprising
of approximately 75-100 such caves. You get to see a birds eye view of
Bhubneshwar town from
top of
Khandagiri Caves. Return to hotel. Evening free for personl activities.
Overnight in hotel
DAY
19 BHUBNESHWAR > MUMBAI
Morning
after breakfast, free time. Later in time transfer to airport to connect
flight to Mumbai at
1415
hrs. On arrival at 1615 hrs, meeting, assistance & transfer to Comfort
Inn Heritage Hotel for
overnight.
DAY
20 DEPART MUMBAI
In
time transfer to Internatioanl airport to connect flight for onward
destination
END
OF OUR SERVICES
USD
1599 PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARING BASIS #SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT
USD 799
October thru April Include Accommodation
in standard AC rooms on twin sharing basis, with daily breakfast at all
places
All
surface, including arrival & departure transfers, at all places mentioned
in itinerary using air - conditioned vehicle
Rail
fare II AC sleeper class & AC chair car train tickets, as per itinerary
Services of local English speaking guide at places of visit
Sightseeing
& Excursions with entrance fees, as mentioned in the itinerary using
private air-condiioned vehicle
All
presently applicable taxes, including hotel, state, toll, bridges, drivers
daily allowance, parking fees at monuments,
airports,
etc, insurance of vehicle & gasoline All
Transfers and Luggage Handling Within India
Professional
service charges for preparing & executing the tour program
EXTRA
AIRFARE:
Mumbai-
Aurangabad / Delhi -Kajuraho-Varanasi / Bhubneshwar-Mumbai
Hotels
are subject to availability , please note that due to peak season starting
from Oct onwards, most of hotels in 4 /5*
category
are already fully booked 2 to 3 months in advance for the peak period starting
from October and going up to April.
Once
you finalise your package choice, we shall initiate hotel booking. It may
be possible that we may have to go for a
higher
/ lower category of hotels/ rooms in any place & we shall advice you
of any supplement / reduction in the price.
COST VALIDITY
- 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 For
Group Travel concessions Please email us WE HAVE
NO ARGUMENTS WITH COMPETITORS WHO CHARGE LESS... THEY KNOW
WHAT THEIR PRODUCT IS WORTH NO ESCALATION
* NO HIDDEN COSTS
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