1

Arrival at Delhi airport. You will be greeted by our representative at the Airport and transferred to hotel and check in at the hotel (at 1200 hours) and start your exploration of India with a city tour of Old Delhi. Our first stop is Jama Masjid, built in 1650, it is one of the largest mosques in Asia. Enjoy rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes and alleys of the ancient bazaar of Chandni Chowk.

Visit the majestic Red Fort, a huge complex built of red sandstone, the capital of Mughal Empire in India for two centuries. This completes the visit to Old Delhi and begins our tour of New Delhi. On your way before returning to hotel we take a tour of the India Gate, Parliament Buildings and President House and finally return to hotel for overnight stay. (This tour is possible only if your flight arrives in the morning).

2

Morning drive to Agra which was once the capital of Mughal India and centre of great power and glory. Visit world famous ‘Taj Mahal’, the monument of love immortalized in marble. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his Queen Mumtaj. While the arch-and-dome profile of clean white marble has become iconic, other beauties lie in the Taj Mahal’s painstaking details: inlaid semiprecious stones and carvings and Koranic verse in calligraphy create an enchanting interior space.

Then visit Agra Fort which was built by Emperor Akbar. He was undoubtedly the Greatest Mughal Emperor of India. The construction of Agra fort commenced in the 1565 and completed in 1571. Built with red sandstone Agra Fort is a mixture of the Islamic and Hindu styles of architecture.

Later visit Sikandra. The tomb of the great Mughal emperor Akbar is a mixture of many architectural styles and completely different from earlier Mughal Buildings. Afternoon visit Itmad-ud-Daullah. It is a tomb built with white marble in the typical Islamic style architecture. It was built by the Mughal Empress Noor Jahan in the memory of her father. Overnight stay.

3

Morning breakfast at the hotel and then leave for Gwalior. On arrival visit Gwalior fort. Medieval history has described it as shining pearl in the garland of Indian Forts. Different building styles from ancient to modern are encountered here. Built at a height of 700 metres on a hill and protected by tall ramparts and large towers, it was difficult to conquer. There are six gates that provide entry to the fort. Of all the palaces in the Gwalior Fort, Man Mandir Palace is the most beautiful. It is said that the walls were once covered in white plaster and the towers were glad with shining copper. Towers above the wall are decorated with blue tiles.

In the afternoon leave for Orccha. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by Rudra Pratap who was the Bundela Rajput chieftain. This is the land that portrays the splendour of the well-known Bundela dynasty. The place is situated at 16 km from Jhansi. It is surrounded by captivating hills and lush greenery. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

4

Morning breakfast at the hotel and then visit Rai Praveen Mahal, which is famous for its enchanting beauty. The palace was constructed by Prince Inderjit Singh. The palace is well adorned with garden. The walls of the central hall depict various moods of Rai Praveen, the paramour of Indrajit Singh. Laxminaryan temple is the most important tourist attraction of the place.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. It displays a unique style of architecture as it boasts a mix of fort and temple moulds. It even houses the very post mutiny paintings. Then leave for Khajuraho. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the famous temples of Khajuraho. Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho constitute some of the most splendid and architecturally marvelous specimen of temple architecture in India. The group includes such magnificent temples like Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshamana Temple, Matangeswara Temple, and Varaha Temple.

Later visit Eastern Group of temples which are quite different from the other temples in Khajuraho. These are primarily dominated by the Jain temples. These include Parsvanath temple, Adinatha temple and the Ghantai temple. There is also a Brahma Temple which is dedicated to Vishnu and is the only temple built in granite here. Overnight stay.

5

Morning breakfast at the hotel and then leave for Allahabad. On arrival check-in at Luxury Camp. Allahabad was formerly known as Prayag – which means ‘Place of sacrifice’ in Sanskrit. It is believed to be the spot where Lord Brahma offered his first sacrifice after creating the world.

The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Of these three, the river Saraswati is invisible and is said to flow Underground and join the other two rivers from below. Here the muddy and pale-yellow waters of the Ganges merge with the blue waters of Yamuna. At the confluence of these two great Indian rivers, where the invisible Saraswati conjoins them. It is here that the greatest event on earth takes place known as Kumbh Mela. The festival is once-in-a-lifetime experience for every visitor who is curious about Hindu religion and philosophy. The crowd and confusion of buyers and sellers, the native groups in every imaginable costume, and many are half or full naked or wildly clad.

The whole atmosphere during Kumbh Mela is bursting with sounding bells, chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras, procession of Naga Sadhus and other Akhaaras on camels and elephants in their gold and silver chariots being pulled by devotees, as they display their strength and skills is a pure enchantment for the soul. Later part of day is to experience yourself the spiritual atmosphere of Kumbh Mela. Overnight stay in Camp.

6-7

The next two days are to witness the greatest Indian Festival which is also one of the largest gathering of people for spiritual benefit in the world and attracts millions of devotees from all over. A large number of Sadhus with their disciples make Allahabad their home during Kumbh Mela. To live among the Sadhus, who have dedicated their entire lives in meditation and fulfilling spiritual deeds is indeed a unique experience of life.

There are many Ashrams set up for this special occasion where the Sadhus along with disciples stay and have discourses about religion and Hindu philosophy. You may also join them and take advantage of their preaching of divine path of Moksha. There may also be an opportunity to even interact with them and take pictures of them with their permission.

If you go by the Hindu mythologies, then this is the only time and place in the world where you can unburden your sins and achieve ‘Nirvana’; from the vicious cycle of birth and re birth. Take dips in the holy water of Ganges that is said to wash away all the sins of a person. Light a Diya, attend Yoga sessions and make a wish, they do come true! After full day of hustle and bustle, return to Camp for nice and relax in Luxury Camp Overnight stay.

8

Morning breakfast at the camp site and then visit the fair again. After lunch leave for Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi Check in at the hotel. Varanasi is most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devout praying standing water deep in Ganges.

In the evening visit Dashashwamedh Ghat. Ganga Aarti is performed daily by a group of priests there. It is a great moment that one must not miss. The Aarti in the evening will enchant you with spiritual thoughts and positivity. Overnight stay..

9

Early Morning boat cruise on the river Ganges to visit Bathing Ghats. See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river and people bathing in the holy water and worshiping the rising sun. Witness the conclusion of life at the riverbank holy cremation grounds. Then city tour of Varanasi visiting various temples.

In the afternoon, we shall have excursion to Sarnath, a well-known Buddhist site and a popular tourist destination. The place became famous when the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment after 2500 years. It is one of the holiest places in Asia. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

10

Morning is free to explore the holy city of Varanasi. Later transfer to airport to catch flight for Kolkata which is often called ‘fascinating’, ‘overwhelming’, ‘grand’, Calcutta evokes such responses because it has several cities in one. Arrival at Kolkata airport and transfer to hotel. Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta was once glorious Capital during British Raj. The city was once a small fishing village on Hooghly River which is a tributary of Ganges and used to be called as “Ganga” traditionally in Bengal. Kolkata can also be called cultural Capital of India as it has been home to many artists, painters, poets and Mother Teresa. Overnight stay.

11

Morning breakfast at the hotel start city tour of Kolkatta visiting Howrah Bridge, the Icon of Kolkata was built in 1939 but is was opened for public only in the year 1943. The bridge was constructed with 26500 tons of steel with support of two massive 90 meters high pillars. Next stop is Belur Math, which is headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, founded in 1900 by Swami Vivekananda, the world acclaimed philosopher and yogi who was disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa The place is so calm and peaceful that it gives a relief from hustle and bustle of the city.

Later we proceed to Dakshineswar Kali Temple which almost looks like a painting on the canvas. The temple complex has huge courtyards and is surrounded by 12 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Victoria Memorial, a truly majestic structure
made of white marble. It was built in memory of Queen Victoria, as the name suggests, during British Raj. The architecture is a blend of Mughal and European style. The Memorial also houses a museum where many specimens of the past and artefacts are kept. The Missionaries of Charity’s Mother House. It is a place of reverence for anyone searching for his meaningful existence. Mother House was established by the Saint Mother Teresa in 1950 with the purpose of selfless service to mankind. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

12

In time transfer to airport to catch flight for onwards destination.