Reflections of India
& Nepal
Duration – 15 Days
Destinations: - Kathmandu,
Varanasi,
Khajuraho,
Orchha,
Agra,
Jaipur,
Aurangabad,
Mumbai
Day 01: - Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal
Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport.
Kathmandu - Locked between India and Tibet the tiny kingdom
of Nepal is a country full of diversity and fascination. It
is a hidden Kingdom of great beauty embracing eight of the
world's ten highest mountains including Everest, Annapurna
and Kangchenjunga. The scenery is stupendous, from the highest
point on earth (Mount Everest) to the fertile jungle lowland.
Although its people are predominantly Hindu, there is a considerable
overlap with Buddhism, and it is this vibrant mix of religion
and culture which characterises the allure of Nepal and, in
particular, its capital Kathmandu. It has an artistic and
architectural tradition that rivals anything you will find
in the great cities of Europe. Beyond the temples and bustle
of the towns of the Kathmandu Valley rise the mountains of the Nepal Himalaya - the 'Abode of Snows'.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our
representative who will present you with a welcome pack including
all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer
to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu
This morning you are collected from your hotel for a full
day tour of Kathmandu.
The morning tour includes a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square
- a number of interesting pagodas and Indian style temples
(Sikhara), the House of Kumari (the living Goddess) and the
Kasthamandap (or wooden house which is the origin of the word
Kathmandu) and many more things to see.
Soyambhunath - The monkey temple, with its commanding views
of Kathmandu, its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis
of Buddhist and Hindu religions.
Hanuman Dhoka – a temple complex in the middle of the
old city. Built during the Malla period, the area consists
of a number of different monuments & image of Lord Hanumana.
Afternoon tour includes a visit to Patan Durbar Square -
this whole square is a cluster of fine pagoda temples and
stone statues. The stone temple of Lord Krishna and the Royal
Bath (Tushahity) with its intricate stone and bronze carvings
are two masterpieces in the same vicinity.
Bouddhanath Stupa - It is among the largest stupas in South
Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism
in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead.
This place is also famous as a “little Tibet of Nepal”.
Pashupatinath Temple - A temple dedicated to Shiva and holiest
Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal, existed at this site
in AD 879. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues,
shrines, and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Kathmandu
This morning you are collected from your hotel for an excursion
tour of Bhaktapur.
Bhaktapur - Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon is a storehouse of medieval
architecture founded in the 9th century. Here you visit the
Golden Gate at the Palace of 55 windows; the Nyatapole temple,
the tallest in the country and best example of the pagoda
style; the Dattatreya temple; and Pujari Math, with its uniquely
carved wooden windows.
Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own. By
western standards, the city is intimate. You can visit the
many interesting sights, shrines, and markets, or stroll in
Kathmandu's fascinating Asan Tole Bazaar.
Day 04: Kathmandu
- Varanasi
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Kathmandu airport in time for your
flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi - One of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is
one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major
tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism
since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred
Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization
for more than 2,000 years. Written records of the Skanda Purana
and the Mahabharata mention its existence as long as 3,000
years ago. It is probably the oldest living city in India,
and one of the world's most ancient. Varanasi has been a great
cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning
and the craft of silk weaving.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Afternoon, you are collected from your hotel
for a half-day tour of Sarnath.
Sarnath - After attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha
came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon. The Emperor
Ashoka (c 304 - 232 BC), who spread the Buddha's message of
love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath
around 234 BC, and erected a stupa here. This tour includes
a visit to Visit Dhamek Stupa - the imposing stupa 39m high
was probably erected in 200 B.C in the Mauryan era. Ashoka
Pillar - erected by the Emperor Ashoka, the pillar had his
edict engraved on it. At one time it stood over 17m high.
Its citadel with the four lions back to back, is also the
official symbol of modern India.
Chaukandi Stupa - this stupa was rebuilt by Mughal Emperor
Akbar. Dhamarajika Stupa - only the ruins of this stupa built
by Emperor Ashoka can be seen today. Moolgandha Kuti Vihara
- built in more recent times by the Mahabodhi Society, it
has a life-size statue of the lord Buddha in the Dharmachakra
Pravartan form.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Varanasi
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges
followed by a city tour of Varanasi.
Boat Ride - A highlight of any trip to Varanasi - this incredible
scene as multitudes of devotees comes to the river to pay
homage to the Sun God. The riverfront, as seen from a boat
at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep
and mystical, is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a
glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of a sacred bell;
in the chant of the priests; and in the fragrance of flower
oblations.
The tour of this ancient city includes The Bharat Mata Temple,
which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares
Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal
Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple,
bathing ghats, The Kashivishwanath temple, The Durgakund.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 06: Varanasi – Khajuraho
Morning at leisure. Early afternoon, met by our representative
and escorted from your Hotel to the Varanasi airport in time
for your flight to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho - Famous for its temples that are India's unique
gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life,
to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression.
Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone,
testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to
the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs
under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed
in the short span of a hundred yeas, from 950-1050 AD, in
a truly inspired burst of creativity.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Evening at leisure and overnight in Khajuraho.
Day 07: Khajuraho
– Orchha
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half-day
City tour of Khajuraho visiting eastern & western group
of temples.
Afternoon drive from Khajuraho to Orchha (180 kms/04 hrs.).
Orchha - In the central part of India, once the capital of
Bundela rulers, Orchha is now a village set among a wonderful
complex of well-preserved palaces and temples which date back
to the 16th century. Many of the temples are still in use
and are visited regularly by thousands of devotees who go
there to worship at the shrine of Rama A relatively undiscovered
spot it is definitely worth visiting Orchha for its peaceful
beauty. Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials,
each with its own poignant history, each contributing to the
nostalgic beauty that is Orchha.
Upon arrival check-in to the Orchha Resort. Evening at leisure.
Overnight in Orchha.
Day 08: Orchha –
Jhansi - Agra
Morning at leisure to explore & visit Jahangir Mahal,
Rai Praveen Mahal the Chaturbhuj temple and the Royal Chhattris
by the Betwa river.
Late in the afternoon drive from Orchha to Jhansi (16 kms/½
hrs.) nearest railway station of Orchha, and aboard the Shatabdi
Express train to Agra (1750/2000hrs).
Agra - “The Land of Taj” was once the capital
of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in
the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their
passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest
structures in the world. Agra is an old city and it is said
that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that’s
finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times
Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital
city in 1501. Later it passed into the possession of the Mughals.
It was during the time of the third emperor “Akbar”
that Agra came into its own and later on his grandson “Shah
Jehan” ornamented the city with that masterpiece of
Mughal architecture - The Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Overnight in Agra.
Day 09: Agra
This morning you are collected for half day city tour of Agra
visiting The Taj Mahal - a poem, a feeling of love, in white
marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural
styles. It has been described as the most extravagant monument
ever built for love. Your tour also includes a visit to the
Red Sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the
16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost
in the heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the
years of 1565-1573.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Agra
Day 10: Agra –
Jaipur
This morning you drive to Jaipur (250 kms/05 hrs.), visiting
Fatehpur Sikri en-route – often called the ghost city
, built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as
the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously
abandoned 13 years later. Later continue your drive to the
Pink City of Rajasthan – Jaipur
Jaipur- Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song
with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's
most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads,
streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer
Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation.
Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications
from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture.
This "Pink City," so called because its buildings
are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses
the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. The
royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The
palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions,
now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition
accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing
people.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 11: Jaipur
This morning, you are collected from your hotel for a city
tour of Jaipur.
Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds,” one
of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually
little more than a façade. The five-story building
was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household
to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.
The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is
a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and
also houses an interesting museum.
Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient
astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion
for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a
warrior.
Your tour also includes a visit to the Amber fort , situated
on the outskirts of the city .Here ,you are transported back
in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and
painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort,
was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside
the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 12: Jaipur – Mumbai - Aurangabad
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Jaipur airport in time for your flight
to Mumbai followed by a connecting flight to the Western Indian
city of Aurangabad.
Aurangabad - The city that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb built
in the dusk of his empire is Aurangabad, the city that is
base to the marvels of man - the Ajanta and Ellora caves.
Situated in Maharashtra, Aurangabad today is a thriving industrial
metropolis and apart from being the jump-off point for Maharashtra's
most celebrated tourist attraction, it also merits as one
of the cleanest cities in the country.
With a lot to offer the avid tourist including incredible
Deccan Mughal architecture, the most pleasant feature of Aurangabad
is its inhabitants. Retaining the charms and mannerisms of the Nizams, they are courteous, polite and extremely helpful.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Aurangabad
This morning you are collected from your hotel for an excursion
tour to Ajanta & Ellora Caves.
The Ajanta Caves - About 107 kms from the city of Aurangabad,
the rock cut caves of Ajanta nestle in a panoramic gorge,
in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. Among the finest examples
of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave paintings
and sculptures, these caves comprise Chaitya Halls, or shrines
dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas or monasteries used by
Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings.
The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves
depict incidents from the life of Buddha and various Buddhist
divinities. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage
Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come
to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.
The Ellora Caves - The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora,
excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment are 26
kms north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement,
the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas, or halls of worship,
and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning
a period of about 600 years between the 5th and the 11th century
A.D., the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (cave
29). The most imposing excavation is, without doubt that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (cave 16), which is the single
largest monolithic structure in the World. Ellora has been
designated a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic
legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations
to come.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Aurangabad - Mumbai
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Aurangabad airport in time for your
flight to Mumbai.
Mumbai: Mumbai or Bombay as it was known earlier,is the commercial
capital of India, a city of entrepreneurs, concrete towers,
clubs and discos, cricket, Bollywood and more. In 1661, Charles
II of England received the islands of Bombay as dowry when
he married Princess Catherine of Braganza. The British Government
leased the islands to the East India Company, who developed
it into a thriving trading port.
Today, Mumbai is the country's financial and cultural capital.
It is also home to India’s thriving film industry. It
is seen, to the teeming masses that flock there to live and
work, as a place where opportunities abound. Its inhabitants,
an amalgam of great wealth and abject poverty, are swept into
the endless maelstrom of activity that characterises this
city of dreams.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Afternoon you are collected from your hotel
for a half-day tour of Mumbai.
This tour includes a visit to the Gateway of India -- a grand
ceremonial arch built to commemorate the visit of King George
IV, Mani Bhavan – where the father of our Nation resided
for 15 years, the Marine drive, the Prince of Wales museum
-- considered as one of the best museums in the country, the
Hanging gardens & Victoria rail station.
Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the
city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 15: Depart Mumbai
Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to
the Mumbai airport in time for your flight home.
|
