Day 1 Arrive Chennai & drive to Tirupati
Arrive Chennai. You will be met by our representative at the airport & proceed for drive to Tirupati.
Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirumala is located 860 metes above sea level atop a hill named Venkatadri. It is the last of the seven hills one has to traverse through from Tirupati, a transit point for Tirumala. This temple’s importance in Indian religious milieu cannot be undermined. Some of the Vedic hymns aver that in Kali Yuga one can attain bliss (mukti) only by worshipping Sri Venkateswara or Lord Balaji, as he is also known. The evolution of this temple can be traced to Vaishnavite philosophy (a doctrine which maintains that by seeking forgiveness of God almighty people rid themselves of their sins and come close to salvation.)
On arrival transfer & check in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2 Tirupati – Chennai & fly to Delhi
Morning darshan at the temple.
Post darshan drive to Chennai airport to connect flight for Delhi. You will be by our representative in the arrival hall. He will then take over to assist you with the transfer and check in at hotel.
DELHI: The capital city of Independent India is often the starting point of a visit to India . Like Rome it is an eternal city and is a name with music in it for most of the people. For Indians it is the capital of their country, the centre of power and cultural; for the simple villager it is identified as the home of Panditji, as Mr. Nehru was affectionately known. For foreigners who have read of it in their newspaper and seen on their Television, it is a strange, and sometimes puzzling blend of ancient and modern, of pageantry and socialistic planning.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3 In Delhi
After leisurely breakfast proceed for full day combine city tour of Old and New Delhi
In Old Delhi drive past the Red Fort, – a marvel in red sandstone, the Raj Ghat, – memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Jama Masjid, – the largest mosque in India. Proceed to Chandni Chowk to savour the ambience of an oriental, crowded bazaar.Old Delhi was once known as the city of Shahjahanabad. This fortified city has a long and interesting history and even today, the remains of its glorious past can be seen in the form of Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate and Feroz Shah Kotla. At Chandni Chowk & take rickshaw ride to see the massive area packed with shops, bazaars, and people. As Asia’s largest wholesale market, Chandni Chowk features an array of goods available at the shops and stalls.
Continue to New Delhi; pass by India Gate (memorial to the Indian army soldiers who died in the World War I), the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy’s residence) and the Parliament House.
Visit the imposing Lakshmi Naryan Temple, see the 12th century Qutab Minar – gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the Ashoka iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years and the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 Delhi – Rishikesh
Post breakfast drive to Rishikesh.
Situated 24 km. upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Rivers Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre. It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh, hence the name. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally recognised as centres of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. An international yoga week is organised here every year between 2nd and 7th February. For the adventurous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on the River Ganga.
Upon arrival check in at Hotel.
Evening visit GANGA Arti at Triveni ghat – this is the most important ghat on the river Ganga, at Rishikesh, where a holy dip is a must for every devotee. The Ganga Aarti performed every evening is a spectacular sight when thousands of lighted lamps are set afloat on the river, after a common evening prayer is said by all the priest from the many thousands of temples.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 5 In Rishikesh
Post breakfast proceed for full day tour of Rishikesh & Haridwar
Visit includes Triveni ghat –bathing ghat where every evening an Aarti to river Ganga is performed. Lakshman jhoola -A suspension bridge across the Ganga along the old route to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Temples – include Raghunath Temple, Pushkar Temple, Venkateshwsar Temple, Chandra Mauleshwaran Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Bharat Mandir and Lakshman Temple.
Haridwar is situated on the right bank of the holy River Ganga, and is the point where the river spreads over the northern plain. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. It is also one of the four venues for the Kumbh Mela, held in its magnitude every twelve years. Essentially a religious centre which holds promise of salvation for devotees, Haridwar is also a centre of herbal medicine, and traditional studies at Gurukul Kangri. There are many places of scenic beauty on the outskirts of the town.
Sightseeing includes visit to Chandi devi – A panoramic view of Haridwar can be enjoyed from the temple of Chandi Devi located on top of Neel Parvat. The temple is a 3 km trek from Chandi Ghat. Legend has it that Chanda-Munda the army chief of the local demon king, Shumbha-Nishumbha, was killed by Goddess Chandi here. Bharat mata temple –is a eight storey building in which the images of cities, heroes and great men are installed. Shanti kunj– is the famous ashram of Gayatri. Followers and pilgrims from far and wide converge here for yoga and natural cures.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6 Rishikesh – Delhi
Morning free.
Afternoon drive to Delhi. Upon arrival check in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7 Delhi – Agra
Morning drive to Agra.
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 gullies and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughal still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.
Upon arrival , check in at Hotel.
Afternoon visit the Taj Mahal ,which is perhaps the world’s most perfectly proportioned monument. This stunning mausoleum immortalized the name of Shah Jahan’s last wife Mumtaz Mahal, “light of the palace”. Built by Indian artisans and artisans from neighboring Islamic countries, it is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stones and Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an “Urs”, an important place of pilgrimage since the empress died in childbirth making her a martyr. Prayers are said and passages from Koran are constantly recited in the mosque and cenotaph chamber.
Later you visit Agra Fort. The present structure stands on the site of 14th century fort that was occupied by the Lodi Sultans of Delhi. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding the fort as a beautiful fort palace. The work was completed by his son and grandson, highlighting the Mughal’s ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in a part of this fort that Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters where he was confined, has a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8 Agra – Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A deserted red sandstone city that was built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.
After visit continue drive to 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. Inspite of growing into bustling metropolis, it still retains it’s character and history…. a beautiful fusion of yesteryears and modernity. For long called the Pink city because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honour 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.
Upon arrival check in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9 In Jaipur
After breakfast you will visit Amber Fort. Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers. Belonging to the Hindu “Kshatriya” or warrior class, they believed in the line from the sacred holy book, the Purana that “a fort is the strength of a king”. They built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan; some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces. Amber is one of the finest examples of a fort palace, built similar in style to the surrounding richly decorated Mughal courts.
This afternoon you will proceed on a city tour of Jaipur. You will tour part of the City Palace which is open to the public. The most striking building on entering through the Atish Pol or stable gate is the beautiful marble and sandstone Mubarak Palace, initially used to welcome foreign dignitaries and later used as the Cabinet Office. Today the palace houses the textile gallery exhibiting an excellent collection of costumes and rich textiles from the private collection of the Jaipur royal family. The armory is entered through the magnificent marble inlaid Singh Pol or Lion Gate. The most impressive part of the place is the Diwan-I-Khas or the hall of Private audience. Entered through a gateway richly decorated in pietra dura and flanked by a pair of elephants carved out of a single block of marble, the star exhibits of this area are a pair of enormous sterling silver vessels used to store holy water from the Ganges. The water was used by the Maharaja for his daily bath when traveling overseas, to protect him from ritual pollution. Also of interest is the Art Gallery which has a collection or royal memorabilia. The Jantar Mantar which you visit next is a collection of futuristic structures and astronomical instruments designed by Sawai Jai Singh the founder of Jaipur. This was a result of this intense study of Astrology and Astronomy, and these 17th century extraordinary structures are accurate even today.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 Jaipur – Udaipur
Morning after breakfast for Udapiur enroute visiting Chittorgarh.
Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. It is located beside a high hill near the Gambheri River. It is 112 km from Udaipur and 182 km from Ajmer. The climate of Chittorgarh is arid. Summers are quite hot (April-June) and winters are cool (October-February). It experiences scant rainfall between June and August.
The main tourist attraction of the town of Chittorgarh is its fort, which is located on a steep hill beside the modern township. A zigzag ascent of about 1 km through seven gates leads the tourist to its main western gate or Rampol. On the way, one can see two chhatris or memorials of Jaimal and Kalla marking the spots where they fell while defending the fort during the siege of 1568. The main gate on the eastern side of the fort is known as the Surajpol. Though most of the monuments in the fort are in ruins, yet they reflect the glory of its great rulers.
After visit continue drive to Udaipur.
The city of Udaipur or the city of `sunrise’ combines real beauty with a picturesque association of a great and glorious past. The legendary Ranas or kings of this state traced their ancestry back to the sun! It stands in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of the wide, steel blue lake Pichola and is regarded as the most romantic spot in India. On little islands in the lake, from the waters edge, rise marble palaces of pure white that glisten like fairy castles. Crowning the ridge, in which the city clusters, along the shore of the lake, stands the massive palace of the Maharana.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11 In Udaipur
Morning: Sightseeing tour of Udaipur
Highlights include a visit to the City Palace and Sahelion-ki-Bari. City Palace is composed of 4 major and several minor palaces that form a single façade. Its main entrance is through a triple arched gate, the Tripolia, built in 1725. The gate leads to a series of courtyards, corridors and gardens. The Rai Angan (Royal Courtyard) has a shrine, which is the oldest part of Udaipur. It is here that Udai Singh met an ascetic who suggested this site for Udaipur. The centrally located 17th century Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) gets its name from inlaid glass mosaics of peacocks on its walls. Next, visit Sahelion-ki-Bari, Garden of Maids of Honour that comprises sof ornamental fountains, a lotus pool and rose garden. It was built specially for one of the queens of Udaipur, whose dowry included 48 maids
Afternoon: Boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola derives its name from Pichola Village, with the City Palace extending along its eastern bank and the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir enclosed in its vast expanse. Maharana Udai Singh enlarged the lake after he founded the city of Udaipur and today it stands 4 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide. The lake is surrounded by hills and its panoramic beauty is best viewed against the backdrop of the setting sun
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12 Udaipur – Mumbai (Flight)
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Mumbai.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay), situated on the western coast of India, is the city of glamour and megastars, of industrialists and business houses, of a futuristic lifestyle and an amalgamation of the West with the traditional Maharashtrian culture. Apart from being the financial capital of India, it is also the capital of India’s most progressive state, Maharashtra. Mumbai is the gateway of India, the point of arrival for most of the visitors who travel to Mumbai on business or holiday. Today Mumbai stands tall as India’s commercial capital and the country’s most cosmopolitan city.
Check-in at hotel and stay for 2 nights.
Upon arrival you will be met by dnata representative & transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13 In Mumbai
Morning half day city tour of Mumbai.
Start with a stop at the Gateway of India –a Indo – Sarcenic style of architecture (1927), designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911, drive, past the Victoria Terminus the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India opened during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Year, Marine Drive and visit the Hanging Gardens so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Bombay. Visit the Jain Temple built of marble and dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankaras. Much of the decoration depicts the lives of the Tirthankaras. And last but not the least; make a brief photo stop at “Dhobi Ghat” the Indian laundry system.
Later visit Prince of Wales Museum. A magnificent, but somewhat strange structure, built in a confluence of Gothic and Moorish styles, and crowned by a sparkling white dome.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14 In Mumbai
Day free at leisure for independent activities ( No transport envisaged)
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15 Leave Mumbai
In time transfer to international terminal to connect flight for onward destination.
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