Kaleidoscopic India

DAY 01: DELHI Delhi is India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital Delhi. It was the magnet, which drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent past. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times. Today, the twin cities of Old and New Delhi still intrigue Indians and tourists alike as the cultural and political capital of the largest democracy in the world.

DAY 02: DELHI – JODHPUR – DECHU Drive through the sand dunes of Thar desert on a jeep to explore the true charm of the sleeping villages and the rustic barren trail of the Desert. The journey takes you through the well-kept secrets of the desert - from nocturnal shades of the sun to ever changing colors of the vast sea of shimmering sand and barren land. As you drive through far and distant villages, be amazed by the life style of locals, see mud huts and stroll through narrow lanes, get to see Antelopes, deer, desert fox.

DAY 03: DECHU – JAISALMER Jaisalmer - the captivating city of Jaislamer, founded by Prince Jaisal in 1156 AD, has been dubbed Golden City because of the honey color imparted to its yellow sandstone walls by the setting sun. With the crenelated walls and narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings, it has an extraordinary medieval feel. It was a major post in the desert trade route between India and Central Asia.

DAY 04: JAISALMER - JAIPUR Jaipur is known as the ‘Pink City’, for the abundance of pink plastered stone used to build its massive forts, magnificent palaces and exquisite temples. The city built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II followed a grid system, which made it the only planned city of its time. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with Shilp Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. There is far more to the city than just its famous monuments and to get a complete experience of Jaipur, uncover the mysteries of the bazaars and visit silversmiths, turban sellers and traditional markets.

DAY 05: JAIPUR Visit the Amer Fort. The stunning Amber Fort was built all in white marble and red sandstone and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim (Mughal) elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery. Later a short drive brings you to Dera Amer which is located at the foothills of the Aravali Range and surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest with no urban civilization in the vicinity, just a few hamlets housing the local villagers occupied by farming on the their fields bordering a pretty lake. Continue to the City Palace built within the fortified area of the original city, with one of the finest monumental entrances in India.

DAY 06: JAIPUR - BHARATPUR Bharatpur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri Fatehpur Sikri is a fort palace that was the onetime capital of the Mughal Empire and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. The deserted red sandstone city, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water.

DAY 07: BHARATPUR - AGRA Agra - best known as the city of the world’s most famous monument of love, is situated along the banks of the River Yamuna and attracts thousands of visitors every day from all over the world, to visit Taj Mahal, a seventh wonder of the world, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Late afternoon, you will be taken for a spectacular sunset tour of the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday). Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

DAY 08: AGRA - JHANSI By Train: (0955/1235 hours) JHANSI – PANNA A great way to experience how locals travel is to take a train ride. Indian Railways is one of the largest train networks in the World and is the quickest way to travel on certain route. This short train journey will offer opportunity to see the life around the country side. Visit the medieval town of Orchha: Founded in the 16th century by the Bundela king, Rudhra Pratap on the banks of Betwa River, this beautiful medieval town is abundant with gorgeous temples, fascinating forts, and stunning palaces. The architecture is a synthesis of traditional Hindu, hybrid Indo-Saracenic and ornate Mughal. Check in at Sarai Toria - a wonderfully luxurious but charmingly earth-friendly property situated on the banks of the Ken River and just outside Panna Tiger Reserve.

DAY 09: PANNA Enjoy Game drive in Panna National Park. Late afternoon enjoy a boat ride on river Ken.

DAY 10: PANNA - KHAJURAHO Drive: (22 Kms +/- 45 mints) KHAJURAHO – VARANASI Khajuraho was built by the Chandela dynasty, which rose to power in Central India between the 10th and 11th centuries and is home to some 25 odd temples depicting the different facets of life, including the erotic. These erotic carvings on some panels have given rise to much speculation since Khajuraho’s rediscovery by a British officer in 1838. To preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho has been declared a World Heritage Site and is among the prominent destinations on the world tourism map.

DAY 11: VARANASI Hindus regard the Ganges as the elixir of life bringing purity to the living and salvation to the dead. Watch the wonderful colors of the sunrise as you meander along the sacred Ganges River in a boat. As part of their pilgrimage rites, the faithful walk down steps into the river to perform their religious ablutions. Watching the people worshiping at the ghats is an extraordinary experience. Morning take a guided excursion to the Buddhist city of Sarnath, just outside Varanasi. The place Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, Sarnath is as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Visit the Weavers colony which was created to help the endangered millennial tradition of weaving in Benares. Famous worldwide for its magnificent quality and beauty, the textiles of Varanasi has been recognized among the royalty and nobles through ancient times to present. Depart for Dasahwamedh Ghat to watch the illuminated Aarti ceremony. The presiding priests stand on a Chauki (wooden stand) near the water. To the chant of Sanskrit mantras, and the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is worshiped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganges accepts the worship. It is the Ganges that gives Varanasi its spiritual resonance.

DAY 12: VARANASI - DELHI - DEPART DELHI (International Flights)