CLASSICAL INDIA TOUR (Daily arrival for a min party of 2)

Trip Highlights:

Old or Walled city of Delhi and New Delhi Guided tour to city Varanasi and Sarnath along with the evening Aarti and morning Boat

ride at river Ganga. Guided tour to Khajuraho eastern and western Temples Guided tour to Orchha Fort. Guided tour to fabulous Taj Mahal of Agra Fort. 03 game drives with Naturalist and by shared Canter. City tour of Jaipur, marvels of City Palace and elephant ride at hill fort of Amber

Detailed Program

DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a SITA Representative will meet as you exit the arrivals terminal building and transfer you to your hotel.

Delhi is India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. It is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy

Meal Plan: BreakfastOvernight at The Claidges

DAY 02 DELHI

Post breakfast; proceed for full day tour of Old and New Delhi.

Old Delhi had been the capital of Mughal India between the 12th and 19th centuries. See the 17th century Jama Masjid and walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colorful and bustling Chandni Chowk. You have the option of taking a rickshaw ride through these bazaars. Also visit the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort.

Afternoon proceed for New Delhi. Visit Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in Honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at The Claidges

DAY 03 DELHI - VARANASI BY: AI 406 @ 1030 / 1145 HRS

After breakfast, assisted transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi

Varanasi is the religious center of Hindu religion. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is considered to be among the oldest living cities of the world and has been a center of learning and civilization for centuries. Varanasi holds special significance in the lives of the Indian people. Every year hundreds of thousands of Travel to Varanasi with an open mind and see what faith can do to people and what their devotion to god leads them to achieve. Look beyond the poverty into the eyes of the people and you will see a sense of enlightenment and peace that their belief in a god has given them. Varanasi is a unique city that vibrates with cosmic forces beyond comprehension.

On arrival in Varanasi, transfer to your hotel.

Afternoon proceed for half day excursion to Sarnath, which is around 10 Kms. from the center of the city. Sarnath symbolizes the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath (closed on Mondays) is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval - covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Also seen here is the original lion’s heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic.

Later return to Varanasi.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at the Taj Gateway

DAY 04 VARANASI

Early this morning leave your hotel around 5:30 for an early morning sunrise boat excursion on the holy River Ganges. See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river. See people bathing in the holy water and worshiping the rising sun. Witness the conclusion of life at the river bank holy cremation grounds. It is believed if you die in

Varanasi you go straight to heaven. Varanasi will be one of the most extraordinary experiences of your visit to India.

On return, visit the bazaars and Kashi Vishwanath Temple - a sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afterwards return to your hotel for breakfast.

Remainder of the day is at leisure to pursue independent activities.

In the evening, you will return to the Ganges to witness the Aarti ceremony.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at the Taj Gateway

DAY 05 VARANASI –KHAJURAHO BY: 9W 3423 @ 1205 / 1255 HRS

After breakfast, assisted transfer to the airport to board your flight to Khajuraho

On arrival at Khajuraho, you shall be greeted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

In the afternoon enjoy a half day tour of the Western and Eastern group of temples. Visit the Western Group of Temples designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Kandariya Mahadev, Jagdambi, Chitragupta, Lakshmana and Vishvanath temples showcase the best of Khajurahos art. Explore the temples of the South Eastern and Northern Group. The SE group has many Jain temples that are similar to one other. The Parshavnath temple is the biggest amongst these. There are also temples to Ghantai and Adinatha. The Northern side has temples like Devi Jagadambi, Sun Temple, Vishwanath, Marakateswara and Parvati.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at the Radisson Jass

DAY 06 KHAJURAHO – JHANSI VIA ORCHHA [SURFACE – 175 Kms / 04 Hrs]

JHANSI – AGRA [SHATABADI-1800 / 2030 HRS]

Breakfast at the Hotel

Later drive to Jhansi Railway Station enroute visit to Orchha.

SITA representative will transfer you to the Railway Station in time for your train to Agra.

A SITA representative will meet you at the Agra Station. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at the ITC Mughal

DAY 07 AGRA

Early morning, you will be taken for tour of the Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday’s.) Midway Tonga’s “horse carriages” would be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj Mahal, taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world.

After visit to the Taj, you will return back to the hotel for buffet breakfast.

After breakfast, you will visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jahan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.

After visiting Agra Fort continue your tour with the visit to Itmad ud Daulah - The tomb of Itmad ud Daulah is sometimes called the 'Baby Taj' because of its resemblance to Agra's most famous monument.

Evening visit Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh – across the river.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at the ITC Mughal

DAY 08 AGRA – BHARATPUR BY: SURFACE –210 Kms / 04 Hrs BHARATPUR – SAWAI MADHOPUR BY: TRAIN (1550 / 1802 Hrs)

After breakfast, you will proceed from Agra to Bharatpur via visiting Fatehpur-Sikri en-route.

The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built of red sandstone by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century and deserted soon after because its water supply failed. It is a perfectly preserved ghost city characterized by a harmonious synthesis of Hindu, Mughal and Persian architectural style.

Tie a wish knot at the tomb of Salim Chisti. It is a common belief in India that every wish is full filled by tying a knot at the tomb and when fulfilled one has to come back to open the knot.

After the visit continue your drive to Bharatpur station to board your train to Sawai Madhopur.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Ranthambore was the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Among the most famous of their hunting parties was the one organized for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1961. Ranthambore is famous for its tigers. Here, more than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are now encountered in broad daylight. Besides tiger, Ranthambore has a large variety of animals and it is also a bird watcher's delight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge

DAY 09 RANTHAMBHORE

Today early morning you will proceed to Jungle for a game-viewing safari. Ranthambore is possibly the best place to see tiger in the wild and in the open. Other predators in the park are leopard, marsh-crocodile, jungle cat and hyena. The park also has a large population of jackal, sambar, chital and Nilgiri. Ranthambore has sounders of wild boar; Indian hare and mongoose are sometimes seen on the edge of the water. The park also has abundant bird life including Bonelli's eagle, the crested eagle, Great Indian horned owl, gray partridge, painted partridge and tree pie

paradise. The flycatcher, pheasant-tailed jacana, painted stork, spoonbill, white-necked stork and spur-fowl are also all found here.Return back to your hotel for the breakfast and rest day at leisure.

Afternoon post lunch, proceed for the PM game-viewing safari in Jungle.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOvernight at Vivanta by Taj – Sawai Madhopur Lodge

DAY 10 RANTHAMBHORE - JAIPUR [BY SURFACE: 180 KMS / 04 HRS]

Today early morning you will proceed to Jungle for a game-viewing safariReturn to the hotel for breakfast.

Later drive to Jaipur.

Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan province is known for its arts and crafts, jewellery, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures; it is one of North India’s finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Upon arrival, check in your hotel

On arrival, check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure activities.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at Samode Haveli

DAY 11 JAIPUR

After an early breakfast, your will visit Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. With its honey-colored fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills which can be mounted on elephant back, Amber has been described as the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan.

Afternoon, proceed for city tour of Jaipur. Start your visit from 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. The main entrance leads to the courtyard at the center, which is the Mubarak Mahal. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury 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. On the first floor is the Textile and Costume Museum, which is the fine example of fabrics and costumes from all over India. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world built by Jai Singh from 1728 to 1734. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerOvernight at Samode Haveli

DAY 12 JAIPUR – DELHI BY: SURFACE ( 256 KM/ 06 HRS)

DEPART DELHI BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

After breakfast drive to Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi, check–in at hotel for wash and change.

In time you will be transferred to airport to board your flight to onward destination.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & DinnerRoom for wash and change (Pride Plaza)

Tour Ends

11 nights / 12 days Land Cost

Hotel envisaged or similar City Nights Hotel Envisaged Room Category

Delhi 02 The Claridges Deluxe

Varanasi 02 Taj Gateway Executive

Khajuraho 01 Radisson Jass Deluxe

Agra 02 ITC Mughal Mughal Room

Ranthambore 02 Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge (Vivanta by Taj) Superior Charm

Jaipur 02 Samode Haveli DeluxeDelhi Day use room Pride Plaza Standard

    

Tour Cost as below in CAD and Per Person

 Winter' 2016 Summer' 2017 Winter' 2017

Validity 10 Nov'16 till 31 Mar'17

01 Apr'17 till 30 Jun'17

01 Oct'17 till 31 Mar'18

2-3 Pax CAD4830 CAD3750 CAD5070

4-6 Pax CAD4300 CAD3240 CAD4550

Particulars Cost per personEconomy class airfare supplement for sector Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho

CAD315 per person

NOTE: The airfares mentioned are indicative airfare and are subject to change without notice.

Cost i ncludes 1. Accommodation on TWIN sharing basis at all hotels.2. Daily buffet breakfast and dinner as per itinerary3. Transportation by air-conditioned Tempo traveler as per the itinerary. 4. Services of English speaking local guides during sightseeing tours.5. Entrance fees to the places of visit as per the itinerary.6. 03 shared Jeep/Canter safari in Ranthambore7. Train ticket for Jhansi – Agra & Bharatpur-Sawai Madhopur in air-conditioned

chair car8. All applicable taxes.9.

 Cost Does Not Include 

1. International/ Domestic airfare (Domestic air fare given as supplement above)2. India Visa3. Any room service, telephone charges, mini bar, gratuities, porterages tips.4. Any expenses of personal nature5. Any insurance of any kind.6. Any meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Any item not specified under ‘cost includes’.