- || India Culture and Wildlife Expedition ||-
Duration: 14
Nights / 15 Days
Places to Visit:
Delhi - Jaipur - Fatehpur
Sikri - Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Nagpur - Mumbai
Day01. ARRIVE DELHI
Company representative will receive you on arrival at the international
airport in Delhi late evening. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
Delhi: India's capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold
the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime
reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New
Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between
New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British
& the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will
invariably confront the city's past.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day02. DELHI
After breakfast, half Daycity tour of Old Delhi.
Old Delhi: Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, Built
by Shah Jahan. Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jahan. This massive
fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation
site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi.
New Delhi: Visit Humayuns Tomb: built in mid 16th century this
is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India
Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day03. DELHI - JAIPUR
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur - The Pink City.
Jaipur: Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished
guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply
any other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink
shade for its walls. A contractor's compulsion famed Jaipur to Pink city.
Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.
Arrive Jaipur and check-into hotel.
Rest of the Dayat leisure.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day04. JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort.
Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance.
Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the
ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592
by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb
example of Rajput architecture. It was commenced by Raja Man Singh in
1600 AD and then completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the eighteenth century.
The fort is an example of fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture
built in red sandstone and white marble. The highlight of the fort is
the
Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) : a palace known for its craftsmanship
in mirrors. It also locates in itself large ramparts, terraces and pavilions.
Later sight-seeing of Jaipur City.Visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar,
Hawa Mahal.
City Palace : A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in
the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and
the City Palace Museum.
Jantar Mantar : This is the largest and the best preserved of the
five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.
This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still
in use.
Hawa Mahal : The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds"
is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone
plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies.
The palace has 953 niches and windows.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day05. JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
After breakfast, leave for Agra.
Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital
of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of
water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its
original glory.
Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra and check into hotel. Later sightseeing
of Agra covering Agra Fort and Mausoleum of Itmad-Ud-Ula.
Agra Fort : a massive structure with 70 foot high, 1.5-mile long
walls encompassing an astounding collection of well preserved buildings,
many of them completed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
Visit to the taj Mahal by Sunset.
Taj Mahal : Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder
which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra.
Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful
wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was
designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning
design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly
for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best
inlay work ever seen.
Overnight at Agra.
Day06. AGRA-JHANSI-KHAJURAHO
Breakfast will be at hotel. You will be transferred to station for train
to Jhansi. Leaves Agra at 0815hrs & arrives Jhansi at 1040hrs
Reach Jhansi and proceed to Orchha, 12 km away. Proceed for sightseeing
of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Enjoy your lunch at Orchha. Continue
drive to Khajuraho.On arrival at Khajuraho transferred to hotel.
Khajuraho : Khajuraho is well known for its magnificent temples,
were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. Khajuraho derives its name from the
Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which can be found in abundance in the
area.The divine sculptures in these temples, are a tribute to Life itself,
embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. The murals
depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state
of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also
to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose
reign, these temples were constructed.
Afternoon sightseeing of Eastern groups of Temples.
Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day07. KHAJURAHO - BANDHAVGARH
After breakfast, visit Western group of Temples.
Later drive to Bandhavgarh.
Bandhavgarh National Park: Set amongst The Vindhya Hills in Madhya
Pradesh, Bandhavgarh consists of 168 sq miles of Sal & a mixed forest
with large stretches of Bamboo and Grassland to The North. One is generally
lucky to view The Tiger, Chital, Chansingha ( Four horned antelope). This
Park houses some 150 species of birds including the Blue Bearded bee eaters,
White Browed Fantails, and The Malabar Hornbill. The Bandhavgarh Fort
, besides offering breath taking views, houses a 35 ft reclining statue
of Lord Vishnu and 10th Century Rock Images of the incarnation of the
Lord.
On arrival at Bandhavgarh,check into Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.
Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.
Day08. BANDHAVGARH
Early morning game rides by 4x4 open jeep in the Park.
Rest of the morning at leisure.
Late afternoon game rides in the park.
Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.
Day09. BANDHAVGARH
Early morning game rides by 4x4 open jeep in the Park.
Rest of the morning at leisure.
Late afternoon game rides in the park.
Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.
Day10. BANDHAVGARH - KANHA
Morning game rides in the jungle.
After breakfast, drive to Kanha.
Kanha National Park : Set on The Chhota Nagpur Plateau in Madhya
Pradesh, Kanha provides breath taking vistas of grassy plains and strands
of mixed sal / teak forests. This 366 sq mile preserve was set to save
two endangered species i.e. Tiger and The Barasingha. You would also have
an opportunity to see Swamp Dear, Black Buck, Cheetal, Indian Bison, Barking
Dear, Sambhar, Leopard and Tiger.
Arrive Kanha and check in at Kanha Jungle Lodge.
Overnight at Kanha jungle Lodge.
Day11. KANHA
Early morning game rides by 4x4 open jeep in the Park.
Rest of the morning at leisure.
Late afternoon game rides in the park.
Overnight at Kanha Jungle Lodge.
Day12. KANHA
Early morning game rides by 4x4 open jeep in the Park.
Rest of the morning at leisure.
Late afternoon game rides in the park.
Overnight at Kanha Jungle Lodge.
Day13. KANHA - NAGPUR - MUMBAI
Early morning game rides by 4x4 open jeep in the Park.Rest of the morning
at leisure.And later proceed to Nagpur to board flight for Mumbai.
Jet Airways; 9W 116
Leaves Nagpur at 2130hrs & arrives Mumbai at 2250hrs
On arrival at Mumbai,met and transferred to hotel.
Overnight at Mumbai.
Day14. MUMBAI
Morning: ferry to explore Elephanta Caves.
Elephanta Caves - The rock-cut Hindu temples at Elephanta, an island
6 miles across the harbour provide an exciting glimpses of Indian sculpture
dating from 600 AD. Huge panels depict episodes relating to Lord Shiva,
the central one being the most imposing one - a five metre bust of the
God, represents his three aspects as creator, preserver and destroyer.
Motor-launch takes about an hour to reach the island where the caves
are situated.
Afternoon: City tour of Mumbai including Gateway of India, Prince of
Wales Museum and Kamla Nehru Park, then ascend the slopes of Malabar
Hill with its Hanging Gardens for a panoramic view.
Overnight at Mumbai.
Day15. MUMBAI - ONWARD DESTINATION
On time transfer to International airport to board flight for back home.
Tour Ends.
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