ITINERARY # ROYAL NORTH INDIA
Date / Day-‐ Wise Route Day 1 – Arrive Delhi (India) Day 2 – Delhi Day 3 – Delhi to Udaipur (By Flight) Day 4 – Udaipur Day 5 – Drive Udaipur to Jodhpur via Ranakpur Day 6 – Jodhpur Day 7 – Drive Jodhpur to Jaipur Day 8 – Jaipur Day 9 – Drive Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri Day 10 – Agra Day 11 – Agra to Varanasi (By Flight) Day 12 – Varanasi Day 13 – Varanasi to Delhi (By Flight) Day 14 – Departure Tour Attractions
-‐ Dinner with Traditional Folk Dances in Jaipur -‐ Lunch With His Majesty King of Udaipur or Jodhpur (Subject to Availability and Additional cost) -‐ Elephant ride in Jaipur -‐ A visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World “The Taj Mahal” -‐ Witness the biggest handmade gun in Jaipur stretched by 16 Elephants from foothill upto uphill fort of king.
Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrive Delhi Arrive Delhi. On arrival you will be met and welcomed with Garlands by Wandering Monk Tours India representative. On way to hotel you will be provided with basic do’s and don’t’s which will enable a smooth experience throughout the tour. Once you reach the hotel, you will be assisted throughout the check in process. Rest of the day at leisure, Overnight at hotel. Note – Check in time is 1200 hrs. Day 2 Delhi – Sightseeing After breakfast at hotel, embark on a sightseeing tour of Delhi. Red Fort – the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. Visit Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. Afternoon visit New Delhi visiting the Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century an early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The Qutub Minar – the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles – the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chattris Hindu and the graceful colonnades very British. It has 340 rooms. The Government Buildings designed by Baker, are topped by baroque domes and decorated with lotus motifs and elephants, while the north and south gateways are Mughal in design. The northern building has an inscription with “Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be enjoyed”. The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter. Inside is the library and chambers for the council of state, chamber of princes and legislative assembly. The India Gate (42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-‐Pakistan war of 1971. Overnight at hotel. Overnight at hotel. NOTE: RED FORT is CLOSED ON MONDAY. **Old Delhi Sightseeing Time – Approx 4 Hrs. **New Delhi Sightseeing Time – Approx 4 Hrs. Day 3 Fly Delhi to Udaipur Early morning, according to your flight time our local office representative will escort you to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur, on arrival our Udaipur office representative will be waiting at exit gate with your name card and will escort you till hotel and help in check in process. Afternoon at leisure, In the evening, you will get to learn how to use some of the Indian spices to create our local dishes. This will be at a local restaurant that is known for its culinary excellence in regional cuisine. Once done, bask in your hard work and enjoy the delicious meal you have just helped prepare! Note: This activity is aimed to give our guests an insider’s view to the local culture of this region. Next, it’s time to go back to your hotel for a good sleep. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 Udaipur City Sightseeing After breakfast, morning tour of Udaipur city includes city palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh In 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughal influences, half of it is still occupied by the royal family, and part converted into a museum. The Jagdish Temple – (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of the Nagara style of temple Architectures. a brass Garuda stands outside and stone elephants flank the entrance steps. Inside is a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, the lord of the universe. Sahelion-‐ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18th century. it has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers. Evening enjoy the boat ride at Lake Pichola. Evening at leisure to relax. Overnight at hotel. **Sightseeing Time – Approx. 3.5 Hrs. Day 5 Udaipur to Jodhpur via Ranakpur (270 Kms. / Time Approx. 6 Hrs.) After breakfast at hotel, drive to Jodhpur en-‐route visit Ranakpur -‐ (Jain temples at Ranakpur built in white marble. Its 29 halls spread over 40,000 sq.ft. and consisting of 1,444 pillars, not one of which is alike in its carving). The unforgettable main Temple dedicated to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439) built in marble took 65 years to complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres, and has one of the best temple complexes. After visit continue drive to Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur and check into hotel. Overnight at hotel. ** Ranakpur – Approx 1 Hrs. Day 6 Jodhpur Sightseeing After an early breakfast at hotel enjoy sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses -‐ the Colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. At the end of the tour enjoy in Jodhpur a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur. Overnight at hotel.
Wandering Monk Tours -‐ Special *** (OPTIONAL – On Request) Lunch with The Royal Highness of Udaipur. Even though India is a democratic republic country, Maharajas still live here. Meet the King and have lunch with him at his palace and at his very dining table! Experience the touch of royalty, as the King shares his experience and tells you the lesser known tales of the Rajputs. A lavish lunch with stories to go, in Royal Style-‐ it just can’t get better!
Day 7 Jodhpur to Jaipur After break at hotel, enjoy a relaxing and scenic drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check into hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel. Day 8 Jaipur – Sight Seeing After breakfast, half-‐day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 stored building with 25cm thick facade from the 18 century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal
family could see the procession and events in the city without being visible to the people. Proceed to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. Enjoy an Elephant ride to the top of the Palace fort. Return to Jaipur. Afternoon visit the “Pink City” of Jaipur. The City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armory, manuscripts, paintings etc. Also visit Jantar Mantar (1728-‐34) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading. Overnight at hotel. **Sightseeing Time – Approx. 5 Hrs.
Day 9 Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri After early breakfast at hotel, start another journey to see the city Agra -‐ which holds the symbol of Love “Taj Mahal” Drive to Agra which is around 250 kms which will take 4.5 hrs to reach Agra via visiting Fatehpur Sikri – which is about 40 km (1 hour) before Agra, lies the beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. It was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today, it is perfectly preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire’s splendour. Arrive Agra and evening at leisure to relax. Overnight at hotel. **Sightseeing Time – Approx. 2 Hrs. Day 10 Agra -‐ Sightseeing After breakfast at hotel enjoy full day city tour visiting the world famous monument of India, The Taj Mahal (1631-‐1653), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. It employed 20,000 workers from the Central Asia and Europe for 22 years to construct this extravagant monument of love, inlaying the white marble edifice with precious and semi precious stones. After Taj Mahal visit -‐ Red Fort, the rusty and majestic red-‐sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-‐I-‐Am (hall of public audience), a colonnaded hall of red-‐sandstone with a throne alcove of inlaid marble at the back, the emperor heard public petitions. At the Diwan-‐I-‐Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience, the emperor sat on his gem-‐studded peacock throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly Kingdoms. Day 11 Agra – Varanasi by Flight After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to airport for your flight to Varanasi. (If Agra airport is not operational, then you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your flight to Varanasi. Drive time from Agra to Delhi is 3 Hrs.) On arrival you are met with our representative who will escort you to check into hotel. Later enjoy the Aarti (Prayer Ceremony) at river Ganga. After visit return back to hotel. Overnight at hotel. ** Evening holy Prayer at River Ganga -‐ Approx. 1 Hr.
Day 12 Varanasi – Yoga and Meditation + Boat Ride & City Tour Early morning enjoy the Yoga and Meditation in the Hindus most sacred city. Later after breakfast at the hotel enjoy the Boat ride on River Ganga and followed with sightseeing tour of Varanasi visiting Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple and Tulsi Manas Temple. The Bharat Mata Temple north-‐west of Godaulia is a modern shrine, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. It has a huge relief map of the Indian sub-‐continent showing all its rivers, mountains and pilgrimages. The 19th century Durga temple 4 kms from Godaulia is also popularly known as the ‘monkey temple’ because of an overwhelming simian presence. The idol of Durga, a manifestation of Shakti is dressed in red and rides a tiger with the trident, the discus and a sword in her hands. The Tulsi Manas Temple-‐ its white marble walls have the verses of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas inscribed on them. Day 13 Fly Varanasi to Delhi After breakfast at hotel, intime transferred to airport for your flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transferred to hotel to spend and cherish the memories of 13 days long tour. This is your last day in India for this tour. If some group participants wants to go for shopping for souvenirs then lets us know so we can arrange transport and suggest nearest place from your hotels to buy stuff. Day 14 Delhi Departure Intime as per your flight departure, you will be transferred to airport for your flight back home. **End of the Tour**