INDIA ON YOUR OWN - 02

Departure from your own Country.

Arrive Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Morning tour of Delhi visiting Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch ), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Overnight Delhi.

Morning transfer to airport for Kathmandu flight. Arrive & transfer to Hotel. Overnight Kathmandu.

Morning visit the Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residential quarter, Mahadev and Parvati Temple and other temples. Overnight Kathmandu.

Transfer to airport for Varanasi flight. Arrive Varanasi & transfer to Hotel. Overnight Varanasi

Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges, a ferry pilgrimage from ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation ghats are Manikarnika & Harishchandra where funeral pyre burns day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Overnight Varanasi.

Day free. Check-out at 1200 hrs. Evening transfer to rail station for Tundla (Agra) night train. Night on board.

Morning arrive Agra and transfer to Hotel. 
Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. Overnight Agra.

Drive to Jaipur visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. Overnight Jaipur.

Morning visit Amber Fort. Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors.
Afternoon tour of Jaipur. Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince and ever since, it has retained this colour. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory & Ram Niwas Gardens. Drive past Hawa Mahal & through the pink rose residential & business areas. Overnight Jaipur.

Drive to Delhi Airport, time for return flight. No Hotel in Delhi.

Departure.