Classical North India

Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days

Highlights
City	Major Attraction
Delhi	Old Delhi: Rajghat, Jama Masjid, Red Fort New Delhi : India Gate , President’s House, Humayun's Tomb,
Jaipur	Amer Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal
Agra	Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra
Gwalior	Gwalior Fort, Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal,  Jai Vilas Palace, Sun Temple
Orchha	Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Ram Raja Temple
Khanjuraho	Chandela Eroctic Temples
Varanasi	Evening Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat, Morning Boat ride, Sarnath Excursion

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi takes pride in being the capital of the country for many dynasties. It is in fact a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. A vibrant melting pot, it encapsulates two very different worlds, the 'old' and the 'new', each representing delectably different experiences. It is sprinkled with glittering gems like: captivating ancient monuments, magnificent museums, a vivacious performing-arts scene and some of the subcontinent's yummiest places to eat. Delhi blends within its folds the great cultural variety of India. Delhi is not just a name, it is a feeling. Come experience it...
Overnight Hotel – Delhi

Day 02: Delhi Sightseeing
Post breakfast start your day with a private guided city of Old Delhi

Old Delhi:
Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation20on 31 January 1948.
Continue the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India.
Experience the rickshaw ride ‘a friendly local guides takes you through the bustling streets for an authentic glimpse of the ‘walled city’ in the heart of Delhi. As you travel by foot and rickshaw, explore Khari Baoli, Spice Market, Visit a Sikh temple & admire historical land mark and more…

Post lunch Continue private guided tour of
New Delhi:
Drive past India Gate, and memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.
President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.

Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India.
Qutub Minar built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. QutubMinar& its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy rest of the free time enjoy light sightseeing of Delhi & shopping at some High end Fashion stores of South Delhi – One of the most happening places of Delhi. Visit Craft Emporiums etc with our shopping expert.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur (Drive 262 Kms / 5-6 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Jaipur: popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of velour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Rest of the day at leisure to explore the local market of PINK City.
Optional: Explore and discover the culinary wealth of Rajasthan on a private cooking session (approx 2 Hrs) at a fine Rajsthani home specially organized for you. Learn the culinary art of Rajasthani cuisine is also gaining more popularity due to the rich taste, exotic flavour and healthy preparation.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 04: Jaipur Sightseeing
Post breakfast private guided sightseeing of PINK City, Jaipur  
Start your day with an exciting adventure overwhelming experience of elephant ride at Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh.

City Palace a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The centre of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city.

Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory) an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date.

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stoneJharokas (mini windows).

Post Lunch day at leisure to explore the local market of PINK City.

Optional: Followed by evening CHOKIDHANI ethnic village excursion and traditional Rajathani dinner.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 05: Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (Drive 260 km - 6 hours)
Post breakfast driven to Agra, en route a private guide visit to FatehpurSikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. Also visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque &Tomb of Salim Chisti.

Continue drive to Agra: beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Post Lunch guided city of Agra
Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations.
Rest of the day leisure to explore local market and famous inlay marble art work of Agra.
Overnight Hotel – Agra (B)

Day 07: Agra – Gwalior {Bhopal Shatabdi 12002 @ 0811 / 0923 Hrs}           
Gwalior – Orchha (100 Kms / 2 hrs)
Start your day with a guided visit “Symbol of eternal LOVE Taj Mahal” at dawn (Closed on Friday), which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, MumtazMahal. It was completed in 22 years.
Later transfer to railway station to board the train to Gwalior. Enjoy the breakfast onboard. Gwalior; Famous for its medieval hilltop fort, and described by Mughal emperor Babur as ‘the pearl amongst fortresses in India’, Gwalior makes an interesting stop en route to some of the better-known destinations in this part of Indian. The city also houses the elaborate Jai Vilas Palace, the historic seat of the Scindias, one of the country’s most revered families.
Proceed for guided sightseeing of Gwalior City.

Gwalior Fort: Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most significant monument. It has been the scene of momentous events, imprisonment, battles and jauhars. A steep road winds upwards to the fort, flanked by statues of the Jain tirthankaras, carved into the rock face.
Man Mandir Palace: Built between 1486 and 1517 by Raja Mansingh.The tiles that once adorned its exterior have not survived, but at the entrance, traces of these still remain. Vast chambers with fine stone screens were once the music halls, and behind these screens, the royal ladies would learn music from the great masters of the day.

Gujari Mahal:  The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his intrepid Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The outer structure of Gujari Mahal has survived in an almost total state of preservation; the interior has been converted into Archaeological Museum housing rare antiquities, some of them dating back to the 1st century A.D. Even though many of these have been defaced by the iconoclastic Mughals, their perfection of form has survived the ravages of time.

Sas Bahu ka Mandir:  architecturally beautiful 11th century temples.
 Jai Vilas Palace: A splendor of a different kind exists in the Jai Vilas Palace, current residence of the Scindia family. Some 25 rooms have been turned into the Jivaji Rao Scindia Museum, and in these rooms, so evocative of a regal lifestyle, the past comes alive. Jai Vilas is an Italianate structure which combines the Tuscan and Corinthian architectural modes. The imposing Darbar Hall has two central chandeliers weighing a couple of tonnes, and hung only after ten elephants had tested the strength of the roof. Ceilings picked out in gilt, heavy draperies and tapestries, fine Persian carpets and antique furniture from France and Italy are the features of these spacious rooms.

Sun Temple: Located near the Residency at Morar, the newly constructed Sun Temple takes its inspiration from the famous Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.
Continue drive to Orchha, located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi. It has a medieval town atmosphere attached to it. The Betwa River quietly flows by the town. The 16th century palaces & temples built by its Bundela rulers appear to be suspended in time
Overnight Hotel – Orchha (B)

Day 08: Orchha – Khajuraho (74 Kms / 2 hrs)
Post breakfast guided visit to Orchha

Orchha Fort complex Within the Fort complex we visit Jahangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha.

Raj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo.

Ram Raja temple, palace-turned-temple with soaring spires & palatial architecture. Built by the King Madhukar Shah it is one of the most unusual temples in India & the only place where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King not as a deity.

Continue…drive to Khajuraho, built between 950-1050 AD by the mighty warrior kings of the Chandela dynasty, a truly inspired burst of creativity. Contain stunningly explicit erotic sculptures. They were rediscovered in the 20th century, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Hotel – Orchha (B)

Day 09: Khajuraho – Varanasi {Jet Airways 9W 2424 @ 1325 / 14:15 Hrs}
Post breakfast visit Khajuraho temples, famous for the magnificent carvings depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra, ancient Indian work on sex. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. In fact, worship is still done today in the Matangeshwara temple, continuing an unbroken 1000 year tradition.

Post Lunch board the flight to Varanasi, picturesquely situated on the banks of holy river Ganga. The city is the Oldest Living City of the World & traces of its existence are found around 10000 BC. Other than being a very holy city for Hindus, it also holds a very significant association with Buddha's life & Buddhism.

In the evening we take you for Evening Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat. (Not to Miss activities, highly recommended)
Overnight Hotel – Varanasi (B)

Day 10: Varanasi
Start your DAY with a private boat ride on the river Ganges.  Rise before dawn & step gingerly in the boat as the boatman starts rowing the boat. Witness the daily miracle to unfold, as the Sun appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches & temple bells add to the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas (hymns) now rise, in one voice, to a crescendo of unparalleled piety & joy. Later we explore the city by foot to get the feel of this oldest living city of the world

Post breakfast a private guided excursion to Sarnath ; the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism. It has been a premier centre for Buddhism & has a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics & antiques comprising numerous Buddha & Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum.

Rest of the day leisure to explore the local market of Varanasi & shop famous Banarasi saris.
Overnight Hotel – Varanasi (B)

Day 11: Varanasi – Delhi {Jet Airways 9W 2424 @ 12:40 / 14:05 Hrs}
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to Hotel..

Rest of the free time for light sightseeing of Delhi & shopping at some High end Fashion stores of South Delhi – One of the most happening places of Delhi. Visit Craft Emporiums etc with our shopping expert.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 12: Delhi Departure
Morning transfer to international airport to board flight for onward journey.
Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.