Khajuraho Varanasi & Nepal |
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Khajuroho, it was the first capital of Chandelas, who rose to rule the
region in the 9th century. Right from the onset Khajuraho was
envisaged as a temple town, which accounts for the absence of any non
religious structures other than tanks and lakes. The temples
in this complex were large and lavishly decorated, displaying the
wealth and power of its rulers. These are dedicated either to Vishnu or
Shiva. Varanasi's definitely a colorful place, during
Shivaratri, the festival celbrating Shiva (Varanasi is dedicated to
Shiva), so there was much prayer and dancing in the street celebration
enabled by the bhang lassi concoction. The burning ghats are definitely
worth a look. People come to Varanasi to die so that their ashes may go
directly into the holy Ganges and their souls, therefore, go straight
to heaven. This sad but hopeful drama goes on 365 days per year, 24
hours a day. It's fascinating but of course one should pay due respect.
Some feel the Taj is best seen on a full moon night, others find it
ethereal at dawn while some insist that it is sensuous at sunset.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi : Upon arrival in Delhi airport you are met and transferred to your Hotel for rest of the night. Day 02 Delhi : After breakfast leisure breakfast commence half day Old Delhi sightseeing visit Swaminarayan Akashar Temple, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chadani Chowk, and Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial) rest of the time leisure for individual activities. Overnight at hotel. Day 03 : Delhi-Jaipur (By road, 4-5 hrs drive) : After an early breakfast leave by surface to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in at your hotel. Rest of the time visit Jaipur (Old City), It is called the "Pink City" as it was painted all in pink to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. No one is quite sure why they settled on the color pink, but since that day, all buildings in Jaipur must be painted that color. One of the favorite sites of Jaipur is shown above. The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds. It is not a palace at all, but merely a facade, much like a Hollywood set. It was built in 1799 for the ladies of the royal household to enjoy the breeze and to look out on Jaipur without disobeying the laws of purdah. The basic design was taken from a Jain temple and repeated over five stories. Overnight at hotel. Day 04 Jaipur : After breakfast morning visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a super example of Rajput (medieval Hindu) style Architecture. About 10 miles northeast of Jaipur lies the imposing Amber Fort. The name "amber" derives from the goddess Amba Mata (Mother Earth) worshiped by local tribes at the site prior to the building of the fort complex. It was established as a citadel in 1529 by Man Singh I on the remains of an 11th century fort, and much of its architectural beauty derives from later additions made by Jai Singh I. The Kachhawaha Rajputs (one of the three ruling warrior dynasties in Rajasthan) maintained the Amber Fort as their capital until moving to Jaipur in 1727. However, the fort retained its ceremonial value, as the rajas came to the Shila Devi Temple on religious occasions to pay their respects to the Mother Goddess. The Kachhawawaha Rajputs maintained their control of the region in part due to savvy alliances with the ruling Mughuls (most notably, Akbar) and the pleasure palaces within the fort reflect the Islamic influence. Afternoon - tour of City Palace and Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The Palace of Winds – a five-storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the Royal household to watch everyday life. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 05 : Jaipur – Ranthambore (By road 5-6 hrs drive) : After breakfast leave by surface for Ranthambore. Upon arrival in Ranthambore check in at your hotel, later evening Park ride. Ranthambore is situated in the North-western state of Rajasthan. It lies midday between Bharatpur and Kota townships, close to the town of Sawai Madhopur. Ranthambore National Park is a beautiful national park that is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravalli hills and is quite close to the Thar desert. Anyone who claims to be an animal lover should definitely visit this beautiful place that not only boasts of peaceful surroundings but is also home to many endangered species. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 06 : Ranthambore : Morning and Afternoon spent visiting the Park. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 07 : Ranthambore – Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri : (By road 5-6 hrs drive) : After breakfast leave by surface for Agra en-route visit to Fatehpursikri, is 37 km west of Agra. Jajal-ud-din-Muhammad Akbar, Humanyun's son, accessed the throne at the tender age of 14. While hunting around Sikri his curiosity was aroused by the songs of some minstrels about the celebrated Khwaja -Mu'inu'd-din Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order of SUFIS. Akbar, who was without a male heir heard about Saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568. The saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri built under his supervision. As a mark of respect to the saint, Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built various secular buildings like the Diwan -I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai palace, Birbal's house, Marian's house and the Panchmahal. After finish the sightseeing proceed to Agra on arrival check in hotel for overnight. Day 08 Agra : Very early morning visit the Famous Taj Mahal at sunris, one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan's second Wife). This is a breathtaking view. The Building’s stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking. (Every Friday Taj Mahal is Closed). After viewing Taj Mahal we return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for the city tour of Agra visiting the Agra Fort, Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. and Itmad- Ud-Daulah, rest of the time leisure for individual activities. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 09 : Agra-Jhansi (train)-Orchha: Morning transfer to station for train to Jhansi. Upon arrival at Jhansi meet to driver the drive to Orchha. Afternoon visit Orchha, located on an island in the bend of the river Betwa. This city was the capital of the kingdom of Orchha is a set of three palaces The Raja Mahal, Jehangir Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal - built by successive Maharajahs in a similar style with a set as large as that of Udaipur. See also Ram Raja Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple. Overnight at hotel. Day 10: Orchha-Khajuraho (By road 3-4 hrs dirve): After breakfast depart to Khajuraho. on arrival check in hotel, later commence sightseeing, founded in the ninth and tenth centuries, influenced by Tantrism where eroticism was the subject of philosophical interest. Visit the temples of Khajuraho World Heritage of Unesco, groups East and West. They are splendid examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, all around the temples, gods, goddesses, warriors, musicians and animals, real or mythological, succeed magnificently in friezes carved in stone. Overnight at hotel. Day 11: Khajuraho-Varanasi (Benares) Flight : In time dep. transfer to aiport take fligh to Varanasi, one of the oldest holy cities of the world. On arrival, meet our staff, at the airport and transfer to hotel. Discovery of Sarnath, the city's first sermon of Buddha where the historical Buddha taught for the first time in his teaching the Deer Park. The remains of the stupa built by Ashoka side with those of a vast temple of the Gupta period. Overnight at hotel. Day 12: Varanasi (Benares). Very early, at sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, along the Ghats. The Ghats are terraces leading to stairs built along the Ganges. Then visit the city, the Bharat Mata Mandir, a museum where a huge map of India in relief. Then you discover outside the Benares Hindu University, one of the oldest universities, it is still a major center of teaching art, culture, Indian music, also devoted to the study of Sanskrit. In the evening, visit the Bazaar (famous for its silks). Part of this visit will be a rickshaw. And then attend the religious ceremony of the articles which takes place every evening at dusk the ghats Varanasi. Overnight at hotel. Day 13: Varanasi-Kathmandu (Flight) - Nagarkot (32km, 1h30). Transfer and flight to Kathmandu. on arrival meet to our local staff then drive to Nagarkot. Nagarkot is a perfect destination to enjoy the sunrise and sunset and panoramic view of Himalayas including Mount Everest, the rest of the day off, take the opportunity to relax and breathe the cool mountain breeze in this city. Overnight at hotel. Day 14 : Nagarkot-Changunarayan-Bhaktapur-Kathmandu (32km, 1h45). Early in the morning you can enjoy the beautiful view of sunrise and excursion to Changu Narayan, the Hindu temple built in pagoda style dedicated to Vishnu in his incarnation of Narayana. This is one of the oldest temples in Nepal, built in the early 3rd century AD, it is also considered one of the greatest artistic legacies of the era Lichhavian. Also visit Bhaktapur, a real museum town and back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. Day 15: Kathmandu, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath & Boudhanath. (20km, 1h30) Excursion to Swayambhunath (called the Temple of the Monkeys by the large amount of his animals that crowd around the temple to eat the offerings.), Which combines the Hindu religion and Tibetan Buddhists and visit Royal Place, the house of the Kumari, living goddess ... visit to Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located amidst a lush greenery on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, the famous stupa of Boudhanath (one of the largest in the world). Overnight at hotel. Day 16: Kathmandu-Patan (20km, 1h30) Dep. : Morning visit Badgaon, a typical Newari village founded in the 7th century where we find wood carvers and then visit the former royal capital of Patan, the oldest town in the valley, famous for its artisans. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. |
