Classical India

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN DELHI
We welcome you in the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history-markers of mediaeval north India. Wars were fought and rulers changed in Delhi but ordinary lives were lived in relative continuity. Glimpses of these can be seen even today as the character of the city underwent massive changes in the last decades. In the lands fabled to have seen seven cities, signs of the old are continuously jostling with the new, presenting an ever-fascinating panorama. We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own. Arrive Delhi airport by flight, meeting and assistance at airport and transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 2 | DELHI
Delhi is often distinguished as the old and new, the old referring to the pre –British habitations and the new is Lutyen’s Delhi, built to suit British sensibilities and the rapidly expanding city of independent India. However as we walk you through this city which has fascinated one and all for centuries, you will see that these demarcations are fluid with an intermixing of the old and new Delhi’s producing a supremely fascinating pulse to its city life. This morning after breakfast at hotel and later proceed for the visit to Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). Drive past Red fort and once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Later visit Jama Masjid, - The largest mosque in India. On our way back contrast the swift architectural changes brought by the colonial rulers mirroring styles from across Europe and adapted to the Indian environment. In New Delhi visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture. Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Later visit Birla Temple.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 3 | DELHI – JAIPUR BY SURFACE (265 KMS – 05 HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Delhi surface to Jaipur, On arrival check-in at hotel
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4 | JAIPUR
Morning: After breakfast excursion to Amber fort. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful l from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces from Belgium Enroute to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – (also known as the Palace of Winds).
Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of city visiting Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the Palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armory Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, Which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5 | JAIPUR – AGRA BY SURFACE (241 KMS / 05 HRS)
Today morning after breakfast leave Jaipur by surface to Agra, On arrival check-in at hotel
Later visit the Agra Fort, which contains the halls private and public audiences and other palaces. Shah Jahan spent years of confinement at the hands of his son Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at the Taj Mahal from the Fort.
During sunset visit Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ' Love Poem in Marble'.(Closed on Fridays)
Overnight stay at hotel

DAY 6 | AGRA – LUCKNOW BY SURFACE (340 KMS / 5.5 HRS DRIVE)
Today morning after breakfast leave for Lucknow known for its cuisine and fascinating cultural heritage. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Lucknow is one of those few places that cling on to their original character and refuse to let go even in the face of the fiercest of the storms of change. Majestic old monuments all but scream out the tales of an ephemeral yet rich tangible past. Descendants of royal chefs still serve cuisine prepared from recipes secretly handed down over generations. The tradition of Tehzeeb (courtesy) inculcated by the Nawabs (royal retainers) of the yesteryears often springs forth from the small gestures and language of the folks living here. Small wonder that all the sights, smells and sounds of Lucknow connive to become obsessive yet endearing memories.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7 | LUCKNOW
This morning, after breakfast, start with your sightseeing tour of Lucknow- the city of Nawabs! Located in what was historically known as the Awadh region, Lucknow has always been a multicultural city. Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persia-influenced Nawabs of the city characterize the city. Present day Lucknow is a vibrant city that is witnessing an economic boom and is among the top ten fastest growing non-major-metropolitan cities of India. Lucknow and the region around it are also known for a wide variety of mangoes and delectable melons. Lucknow is also famous for its small scale industries like the oil based perfumes ittar, kite making, and unique styles of embroidery, namely Chikan and Lakhnawi Zardosi.
Sightseeing of Lucknow includes visit to the exquisitely decorated Rumi Darwaza, also known as the Turkish Gate, the magnificent Bara Immambara, the Husainabad Immambara, and the Asafud-daula Immambara, which reflect the quintessence of Awadhi architecture. Visit the Picture Gallery, which houses a collection of life-size oil paintings of the Nawabs of Oudh and also visit Chattar Manzil, Moti Mahal and the British Raj Residency, which was the site of Mutiny in 1857.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 8 | LUCKNOW TO VARANASI BY TRAIN
Today, early morning transfer to railway station to board train for Varanasi. Lucknow / Varanasi LKO BSB Intercity Express 07:00/13:30 hours Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel for check in Evening visit to the Ganges to witness the Aarti ceremony. Aarti is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals. In the traditional Aarti ceremony, the flower represents the earth (solidity), the water and accompanying handkerchief correspond with the water element (liquidity), the lamp or candle represents the fire component (heat), the peacock fan conveys the precious quality of air (movement), and the yak-tail fan represents the subtle form of ether (space). The incense represents a purified state of mind, and one’s "intelligence" is offered through the adherence to rules of timing and order of offerings. Thus, one’s entire existence and all facets of material creation are symbolically offered to the Lord via the Aarti ceremony.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9 | VARANASI
Go on an early morning boat cruise on the River Ganges and watch the ‘acts of faith’ performed on the Ghats lining the western banks of the Ganges. Right at the crack of dawn, devotees start offering prayers to the rising sun and perform other rituals. During the boat ride, you will get the chance to see the mesmerising sunrise on the Ganges. Also enjoy Yoga session with a local yoga teacher. In the late morning, go on an excursion to Sarnath, around 10 km away. It’s one of the most important Buddhist pilgrim sites and is full of ancient relics, including stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. Visit the Archaeological Museum, famed for its Ashokan symbol of four lions sitting back to back in a circle. Also visit the world famous Mahabodhi Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site marks the location, where the Buddha attained Enlightenment. The site also has a Bodhi Tree, which is believed to be a descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha meditated. Another prominent highlight is the Dhamek Stupa; it’s believed to be the spot where the Buddha gave the first sermon to his first five Brahmin disciples after attaining enlightenment.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 | VARANASI TO DELHI BY FLIGHT
Today, in time, transfer to Varanasi airport to board the flight for Delhi
Meeting and assistance at airport and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11 | DEPARTURE DELHI
At the appropriate time, transfer to Delhi International Airport to board your onward flight.