Golden Triangle Tours with Varanasi & Nepal

Duration : 13 Days / 12 Nights
Destinations: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Nepal - Delhi

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi:
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi - Jaipur
By Road 221 Kms/6 hr
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 03: Jaipur:
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. It's forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

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. Its five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process.
Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 04 : Jaipur - Agra:
By Road 250 Kms/6 hr
Proceed for Agra after breakfast.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Reach Agra in the afternoon.

AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Check in at hotel and proceed for sightseeing.
Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.

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 it's 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. Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight at Agra.

Day 05 : Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho:
By Train: 2002 Bhopal Shatabadi: Dep:08:15 Arr: 10:40
Drive Jhansi 180 Km 4 Hrs.
Leave Agra by train for Jhansi. Thereafter, proceed to Khajuraho - the ancient temple town famous for its temples of love, and en-route visit the Orchha Temples - an ancient site set amidst a complex of well preserved temples and palaces. Check-in at hotel on arrival at Khajuraho and stay overnight.

Day-06: Khajuraho
After Leisurely breakfast explore the One of the most celebrated manifestations of Indian architecture is to be found in a group of temples at Khajuraho in central India. Situated a hundred miles south-east of the town of Jhansi in the modern-day state of Madhya Pradesh, these temples are over thirty in number. These temples, unlike many others in central or south India, do not illustrate a development over a long period of time, but were erected over a relatively narrow period of hundred years from A.D. 950. The Khajuraho temples represent, one might say, a happy and almost unique coincidence of religious emotion, abundant patronage, artistic genius, and aesthetic sensibility. Fortunately, these temples have weathered the climate for a thousand years and have withstood neglect surprisingly well.

The existing temple of Khajuraho can be divided into three groups, Western, Eastern and Southern. The famous Western Group, designated a World Heritage site, is enclosed within a beautifully laid-out park. Yasovarman (AD 954) built the temple of Lord Vishnu, now famous as Lakshmana temple is an ornate and evolved example of its time proclaiming the prestige of the Chandellas.
The Vishvanatha, Parsvanatha and Vaidyanatha temples in Khajuraho belong to the time of king Dhanga, the successor of Yasovarman. The Jagadambi, Chitragupta, are noteworthy among the western group of royal temples of Khajuraho. The largest and grandest temple of Khajuraho is the immortal Kandariya Mahadeva, which is attributed to king Ganda (AD 1017-29). The other examples that followed viz., Vamana, Adinatha, Javari, Chaturbhuj and Duladeo, are smaller but elaborately designed. The Khajuraho group of temples are noted for lofty terraces (jagati) and functionally effective plans. The sculptural embellishments include, besides the cult images; 'Parivara', 'Parsva', 'Avarana' 'Devatas', 'Dikpalas', the 'Apsaras' and 'Sura-Sundaris' which win universal admiration for their delicate, youthful female forms of ravishing beauty. The attire and ornamentation embrace the winsome grace and charm.
Unlike the rather plain treatment of other central Indian temple interiors, the Khajuraho temples are richly decorated with sculpture. Other than numerous deities enshrined in wall niches, there are attendants, graceful "maidens" in a variety of provocative postures, dancers, musicians and embracing couples. On one temple alone, the figures thus depicted are over six hundred and fifty in number. Many of these compositions display great sensuality and warmth. There are also scenes of explicit sexual activity which possibly illustrate the tantric rites that accompanied temple worship. It is quite reliably said that some of the sexual postures follow the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian manual of love-making.

The Khajuraho temples were built during the reign of the Chandelas. While some show marks of a Shaivite sensibility, others clearly manifest the influence of Vaishnaism, Jainism, and tantrism. These temples have an architectural character distinct from that of any other group of temples elsewhere in the country. Instead of being contained within the customary enclosure wall, each temple stands on a high and solid masonry terrace. Though none of the temples are very large, they are still imposing structures because of their elegant proportions and rich surface sculpture. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day-7: Khajuraho - Varanasi
By flight: 9W- 724
Dep:13:30 Arr:14:10
Morning visit the Eastern temples of Khajuraho, an eloquent and ornate poetry in stones that presents a picture of eternal, spiritual and physical love. In the After noon transfer to airport in time to catch the flight to Varanasi - one of the ancient seats of learning in India on the banks of the Ganges. Life in the city of Varanasi revolves around its over one hundred Ghats (river landings). The River Ganga flows from north to south, and the city forms a circular shape from the Asi ghat in the south up to the confluence of the Varuna river with the Ganga. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe and worship in the river at the first light of dawn. Boat rides down the river in the morning are a very popular excursion.

Most of the ancient temples and structures along the ghats have been destroyed. What remain are mainly 18th and 19th century buildings.

A very important pilgrimage for the devout is the Panchatirtha Yatra, a tour covering the 5 important ghats of Asi, Dashashwamedha, Adi Keshava, Panchganga and Manikarnika. The Panchkosi road, beginning from the Asi ghat and ending at the Manikarnika ghat denotes the sacred area of Kashi. A tour around this 58 km route takes about 6 days on foot. Each of the important ghats has a lingam.
Overnight at hotel.

Day-08: Varanasi
Early morning boat-ride on the River Ganga and visit to Ghats of Varanasi. Afternoon excursion tour of Sarnath - the place where Buddha preached his first sermon in 590 BC. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day-09: Varanasi - Kathmandu:
Flight:(By Air - departing at 1255 hrs and arriving at 1405 hrs)
Morning boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the rituals performed by devotees and priests. Half day guided tour of Varanasi including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Banaras Hindu University and other important monuments. Transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day-10: Kathmandu
Breakfast at hotel. Daylong tour covering Swambhunath and Patan Durbar Square. Shopping and rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day-11: Kathmandu - Dhulikhel (32km / 1hr)
After breakfast proceed to Dhulikhel, a hill resort set in the breathtaking panorama of the Himalayas. On arrival check in at the resort Enjoy the day at leisure and visit the markets and temples. Stay overnight at the resort.

Day-12: Dhulikhel - Kathmandu (32km / 1hr)
Kathmandu - Delhi
(By Air departing at 1350 hrs and arriving at 1510 hrs)
Leave after breakfast and proceed to Kathmandu. Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach Delhi and transfer to The Hotel.

Day- 13: Delhi
Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.

OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Delhi - Home:
After breakfast explore the city and local markets. Proceed for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening at 1800 hr after checking out of the hotel. After the show you will have FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.

Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi & Nepal, Travel Packages Reservation Form

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