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12 Days - Exploring Central
India
DAY 1, Mon
Depart the USA to India. Your flight includes meals,
drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Tues
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Balance
of the day at leisure: DELHI
DAY 3, Wed
This morning, enjoy a tour of Old Delhi, an ancient
historical city with more than 60,000 identifiable monuments.
Visit the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and the Jama Masjid,
India's largest mosque, and on to view the famous Red
Fort. This afternoon, tour New Delhi. Pass by the UNESCO
World Heritage Qutab Minar, the world's tallest brick
minaret (spire). Continue for a visit to the Mausoleum
of Humayun and the 20th century Birla Temple. Drive
past India Gate, the former Viceroy's Palace, and the
Indian Parliament House
DAY 4, Thurs
This morning, transfer to your hotel in Jaipur, the
famed Pink City of India. The entire city was painted
its unique pink color in 1876 to celebrate the visiting
Prince of Wales. Several legends exist to explain why
the color pink was chosen, but no matter the reason,
it has come to represent the welcoming hospitality of
Jaipur. Balance of the day at leisure
DAY 5, Fri
This morning's excursion takes you to the 16th century
Amber Fort. Ascend the hill to the fort on the back
of an elephant, and admire views of Jaipur's original
city walls and the Maotha Lake below. In the afternoon,
tour Jaipur, including visits to the observatory of
Maharaja Jaisingh and the museum at the Maharaja City
Palace. Drive past the 18th century Hawa Mahal ("Palace
of Winds"), which has a streetside facade of 953 small
windows designed to circulate wind throughout the palace;
thus, giving the palace its name
DAY 6, Sat
Travel to the medieval city of Agra via the deserted
city of Fatehpur Sikri. Explore the well-preserved buildings
of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Panch
Mahal Palace and 17th century Jama Masjid, one of the
largest and most impressive in India
DAY 7, Sun
This morning, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the "Seven
Wonders of the World," built by Emperor Shah Jehan as
a mausoleum for his beloved Queen Mumtaj Mahal. This
monumental construction, which took 22 years to complete
(1631-53), is most famous for its imposing white-marble
dome, and is considered the finest example of Mughal
architecture in the world. Continue to the Taj's nearby
sister monument, the Agra Fort, begun by Emperor Akbar
the Great in the 16th century. View the palaces, mosques,
and Halls of Public and Private Audiences of this UNESCO
World Heritage Site
DAY 8, Mon
This morning, board the Shatabdi Express train for Jhansi.
Continue via motorcoach to Khajuraho, stopping at Orchha
on the River Detwa to view some of the most noteworthy
Hindu architecture in India
DAY 9, Tues
Enjoy an exciting morning tour of the Chandela Dynasty
Temples. First visit the Western Temples including the
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple to Lord Shiva and the Chaunsath
Yogini Temple, dedicated to the 64 Yoginis of the Goddess
Kali. Among the Western Temples you will view the Bharatji
Temple, with its 11-headed sculpture of Vishnu. Next
visit the Eastern Temples including the Ghantai Temple,
Javari Temple, and the Vamana Temple, dedicated to the
dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The afternoon is free
to explore the city on your own
DAY 10, Wed
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight
to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Visit
the Bharat Mata Temple, with its marble relief map of
an undivided India, the Durga Temple, and the golden-spire
temple of Vishwanath. Enjoy time at leisure to shop
for authentic silks and brocades in the city's bustling
bazaars
DAY 11, Thurs
Relax, and enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Ganges
River. Pass the bathing Ghats, where Hindus come to
purify their souls in the river; and the burning Ghats,
where the dead are cremated and dispersed there in.
Drive to the city of Sarnath, the ancient deer park
where Guatama Buddha gave his first divine sermon of
Dharma, and view the ruins, the stupa, and the Buddhist
Temple. Continue to the airport for your flight to Delhi.
Arrive and transfer to the hotel
DAY 12, Fri
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
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