passage+india

PASSAGE TO INDIA – 14 DAYS

Delhi- Udaipur- Jodhpur- Desert Camp- Jaisalmer- Jaipur- Agra- Varanasi- Delhi

WHILE ITS COLOUR-CHARGED CITIES throb with the crowds and chaos of emerging India, the treasures of the past hold pride of place in mind and spirit. This tour takes you to the ‘must-do’ cities of North India. New Delhi, the contemporary manifestation of the many cities that have occupied this site is where you begin. Travel to some of the most vibrant cities in Rajasthan, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur with their beautifully painted havelis and light, airy palaces. Further east, on the banks of the River Ganges lies the ancient, seemingly unchanged city of Varanasi, the holiest of cities for Hindus, its temple spires reaching upward to the sky. a World Heritage Site, as is the the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century. One of the most beautiful building in the world, it took about 20,000 workers 12 years to complete. The sights, the temples, the bazaars, the spirituality, the complex history and mixed cultures make the tour an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Upon arrival you will be met, greeted with a traditional welcome and transferred to your hotel. One of the oldest cities in the world, Delhi has an excellent old town ambience in Old Delhi, and modern in New Delhi. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutub Minar, a gigantic 72-meter tower and Humayun’s Tomb, the mausoleum of second Mughal Emperor Humayun. Drive past the Diplomatic Area, Government buildings, Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India), Parliament and India Gate. Visit the Gurudwara, Sikh Temple, an architectural beauty. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi, driving past the Red Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Enjoy a Rickshaw (pedi-cab) ride in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest enclosed bazaars in India. Continue on your tour visiting the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque of India and Rajghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi, "Father of the Nation," was cremated. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Often called ‘Venice of the East’ and the ‘city of lakes’, Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature paintings. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the City Palace which was built in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Also, visit Fateh Prakash Palace to view the Durbar Hall's royal portrait gallery, with its massive chandeliers and Venetian mirrors, and see the Crystal Gallery, which has a huge collection of rare cut-crystal furniture and ornaments. Later, visit the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, drive past the Fateh Sagar Lake and visit Sahelion-ki-Bari or the ‘garden of the maidens’. Sunset cruise on Lake Pichola and visit the Jagmandir Palace. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Jodhpur visiting en route the Jain Temple at Ranakpur. Transfer to the Hotel. Located almost on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is also known as the ‘Blue City’ since most houses in the old part of the city are painted blue. Transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of Meherangarh Fort, crowning a perpendicular cliff, it was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD, around which the city grew. Also visit, Jaswant Thada, the imposing white marble memorial, built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh ll in 1899. Afternoon visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace and its museum to see a private collection of artefacts of the royal family of Jodhpur. Explore the downtown clock tower to see the vegetable, fruit and spice markets. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning transfer by road to the Desert Camp. Upon arrival, transfer to the camp, in the middle of the desert. In the afternoon, camel ride in the Thar desert to explore the sand dunes, which is an experience one should have in life. Camel safaris are undoubtedly the ideal way to spend time exploring the rustic and royal Rajasthan, enjoy sunset over the dunes on your camel Safari. Enjoy dinner and folk entertainment in your camp. Dinner and Overnight at the Camp.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Jaisalmer, founded by Rao Jaisal in 1156 making it the oldest "living" fortified city in Rajasthan. Transfer to the Hotel. Afternoon visit Bada Bagh to see the royal cenotaphs and later enjoy the famous Jaisalmer sunset. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the Jaisalmer Fort, said to be the largest in the world and its temples. Also visit the Salim Singh Haveli, Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli and Patwon-Ki-Haveli, mansions of wealthy merchants. Visit the Gadsisar Lake, built in the 14th century, which was once the main source of drinking water for the entire town of Jaisalmer. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the “Pink City”. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of Amber Fort and enjoy an elephant ride. Drive past the beautifully restored Jal Mahal, a former royal pleasure pavilion. Afternoon tour of the City Palace, it’s museum and Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds–a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Also visit, Jantar Mantar or the astronomical observatory, largest of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II. Explore the exotic ‘bazaars’ of Jaipur to discover the artistic wealth of the region. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Agra visiting en route Fatehpur Sikri, a world Heritage Site. Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals and was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 AD. Continue on your drive to Agra, famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Taj Mahal. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the Taj Mahal, India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. Also, visit the Agra Fort, an imposing fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Afternoon visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and later, enjoy another view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Varanasi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Considered to be one of the oldest living cites in the world, there are few places in India as colorful, charismatic or spiritual as the bathing ghats along the River Ganges in Varanasi. Afternoon visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after getting enlightenment, some 2500 years ago. Witness the evening prayer ceremonies on the ‘Ghats’ (stone steps) of River Ganges. Overnight at the Hotel.

Sunrise cruise on River Ganges to see the Hindu rituals on the Ghats. The great river banks at Varanasi are surrounded by eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Remain in transit for the connecting flight back home.

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