Temple Tour of India

Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi – Ajmer – Pushkar – Nathdwara - Udaipur – Ranakpur – Mount Abu – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Bikaner – Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Mathura – Hardwar – Rishikesh – Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi – Sarnath – Varanasi

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Meet and assist by our representative upon your arrival at the airport. Then drive to your hotel with your driver and car.

Day 02 Delhi – Ajmer (By train) 3hrs 40minutes
Early morning transfer to the train station to catch SHATABDI EXPRESS your correspondence to Ajmer. Breakfast on board the train.
Upon arrival in Ajmer drive to Pushkar. Pushkar happens to be the holiest places according to the Hindus as it is considered that Lord Brahma (the Creator) and his wife Saraswati (the godess of learning and music) performed a ritual in the lake. Here we visit the only Brahma temple of the world before intermingling with the local colours in the local bazaar. Pushkar is the world famous for its cattle fair held each year in the month of October/November. Proceed towards Ajmer. Ajmer is the pious city for the Muslims. Surprisingly both the cities are at distance of 11km from each other. Visit the Durgah built in fond remembrance of Khwaja Muin ud Din Chisti where the Muslim pilgrims from all over India throng during the festival times. Later visit Mughal emperor Akbar’s Palace where his son Jehangir received Sir Thomas Roe to grant him the permission of trade to East India Company with India, that changed the history of India completely and slowly and steadily India became colony of the British Empire.

Day 03 Ajmer – Udaipur (270km)
Today we cross the arid desert region to reach the oasis town of Udaipur. En route visit the temple complex of Eklingji and Nagda. After lunch see the Sahelion ki bari and get set for a sunset cruise on the lake Pichchola.
The temple at Eklingji is a temple that belongs to the Maharana of Mewar (royal family) and he is often there to pray. The temple complex of Nagda is a group of temples of which only two remain intact and those are that of Saas and Bahu. These two temples are that of Shiva and of Vishnu both from the 7th century.

Day 04 Udaipur
Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in the entire Rajasthan. See the Peacock Square and the miniature painting school inside the palace premises. Udaipur has the prestige of housing the best miniature schools in the country under the royal patronage of the king of Udaipur. Post lunch session visit the Jagdish temple in the old city dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Day 05 Udaipur – Mount Abu (250km)
This morning we drive through the rich and fertile villages of Rajasthan to reach Ranakpur a big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. After visiting the temple of Adinath which has 1444 pillars and 29 bastions we continue towards the lone hill station in Rajasthan at a height of 1200mt where we take you for a tour of the temples for a few hours.
Mount Abu is a true pilgrimage centre for the Jains as here we see the Delwara Jain temple complex with temples dating back to the 11th century. Later see the Nakki Lake and then view the Sun going down the horizon from the sunset point. Overnight in hotel.

Day 06 Mount Abu - Jodhpur
Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon.
Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the odours of the spices filling the air around you Then go to Mandore gardens the then capital of Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and the hall of local heroes of the wars. Drive back to Jodhpur and see the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the present residence of the king of Jodhpur. Retire to your hotel and relax. Dinner and overnight in hotel

Day 07 Jodhpur – Jaisalmer
After breakfast we visit the Mehrangarh fort museum the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking.
After lunch commence your journey across the Thar Desert to reach Pokaran. Visit the 15th century fortress where the 3rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colourful and full of local flavours. After lunch continue towards Jaisalmer and arrive by evening to witness the sunset over the desert with the most imposing edifice of the town behind you. Night in hotel.

Day 08 Jaisalmer
Morning an exclusive visit of the Jain temples inside the Sonar Kila.. The Jains are a community that respects life and are pure vegetarians by religion. Visit the citadel’s palace that houses a museum with a huge collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. Visit the Patwaon ki haveli with intricately designed latticed windows used by the ladies to view the external world. Also see the Gadisar Lake.
Later, we go to Sam or Khuri village. Here we have loads of excitement in store for you. Upon arrival in the village you will be taken to the nearby sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset by camel carts. After sunset we return to the village where your dinner is arranged in the ethnic mud huts. In the evening listen to the haunting tunes of the desert by the local artists and musicians. A lifetime experience. After dinner return to the city.

Day 09 Jaisalmer – Bikaner
Leave the golden city and reach Bikaner to see the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16th century. Later visit the camel-breeding farm, a unique experience. Evening time visit the Laxmi mandir and the Durga temple to witness the evening aarti (ceremony). Overnight in hotel.

Day 10 Bikaner – Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur in the morning crossing the desert dunes on the way. En route stop at Samode to have look at a real palace of the maharajah. Visit the local artisans and craftsmen in the village bazaar. Later continue towards Jaipur a short distance away.

Day 11 Jaipur
Visit the Amber fort in the morning; included is an elephant ride at the Amber fort. See the marvelous Shish mahal built in the 17th century in a fusion style of Hindu and Islamic art. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja Man Singh’s Palace who had twelve queens.
After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting the observatory Jantar Mantar built in 1727 by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a mathematician, an astronomer an astrologer and a great musician of his era. He built five observatories throughout India – Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, Mathura and Delhi but only the one at Jaipur is functional.
Then visit the City Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection of robes and saris in cotton and silk with gold-lattice work. The City Palace houses a collection of paintings also in the painting gallery and of course a collection of arms and ammunitions in the ammunition gallery.

Day 12 Jaipur – Agra
Leave the Pink city after breakfast and reach Fatehpur Sikri by early afternoon. Visit this abandoned city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the second half of the 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar after his Hindu wife bore him the long awaited son who was born after the renowned sufi saint Salim Chisti blessed Jodhabai Akbar’s hindu wife with a son. Also visit Jodhabai’s palace the biggest palace in Fatehpur Sikri even bigger than the emperor’s palace himself as this was the queen who bore him his heir to the throne.
Continue towards Agra and reach Agra by early evening. Relax at your hotel or go to the local bazaar to see the lifestyle of the people. Night in hotel.

Day 13 Agra
Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning. A must see with the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design, balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen anywhere in the world.
Then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar where Aurangzeb imprisoned Shahjahan.
After lunch visit Itmad ud Daulah – it is the first mughal building built out completely of marble. In many contexts it is referred to being the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor Akbar.

Day 14 Agra – Brindavan - Mathura – Agra
Today we have an excursion a short distance away to Mathura and Brindavan both the cities pious due to Lord Krishna. Mathura happens to be Lord Krishna’s birth place and Brindavan where the Lord spent his childhood chasing village demoiselles and breaking there milk pots.
In Mathura you will visit the temple Krishna Janambhoomi and the mosque built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb along the walls of the temple. Also visit the government museum here in Mathura.
Then we go to Brindavan to witness the evening chants in the ISCON temple and then return to Agra.

Day 15 Agra – Varanasi (By flight)
In time transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi. The eternal sacred city for the pious Hindus. Upon arrival in Varanasi visit Sarnath the sacred city for the Buddhist all over the world. It was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his first five disciples. Also worth visiting is the museum with artifacts dating back to 3rd century BC. Visit the nearby ruins of the ancient seat of learning in Sarnath.

Day 16 Varanasi – Hardwar (By overnight train)
Early in the morning (0500hrs) we take you to banks of the river Ganges where we board a boat to see the morning ablutions of the Hindus from the security of our boat. The boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh Ghat and ends at Manikarnika Ghat along the sacred Ganges. See the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi kund and the mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares Hindu University the largest residential university in India with more than 3000 residential students. Here there is a big Vishwanath temple to be visited.
Return to your hotel for breakfast and rest of the day is free.
In time transfer to the train station to catch your train to Hardwar.

Day 17 Hardwar – Rishikesh
Upon arrival in the morning visit this temple town of the Hindus. See Har ki Pauri where the Mahakumbh takes place every twelve years along the banks of the river Ganga. Visit the temples in the vicinity all along the Ganga.
Continue towards Rishikesh and see the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. Also visit the ashram on the Ganges.
Later check in to your hotel.

Day 18 Rishikesh – Delhi
In the morning leave Rishikesh and reach Delhi in time for lunch. After lunch city tour of this imperial British capital of the 20th century. Visit the Qutub Minar – the tallest free standing minaret in stone in the world; then onto Humayun’s tomb – the first Mughal construction in India from 1565 AD. Also see the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the India Gate built in the earlier half of the 20th century. Drive through the old city past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid – the biggest of its kind in India. Here take a rickshaw through the winding streets of the old city to see the life of the people in this part of the world. A perfect introduction of your tour. The rickshaw puller pulls you through the imperial avenue the Chandni Chowk where you will find each and every small business under the sky. Finally, reach Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where your chauffeur is waiting for you to take you to your next stop the Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in activity.

Day 19 Delhi - Amritsar
Early morning transfer to the train station to catch your train connection to Amritsar. Upon arrival check in to your hotel and freshen up before going to visit the Golden Temple a big pilgrimage center for the Sikhs. Also see the Jalianwallah Bagh which has been immortalised in the minds of every Indian due to the fact that the British General Dyer had slaughtered innocent and unarmed men and women brutally here in 1939.
Rest of the day is free.

Day 20 Amritsar – Delhi (By train) 4hrs
In the day board your train back to Delhi. In the evening Light and Sound show has been arranged for you at the Purana Kila (old fort). A farewell dinner is followed by transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Tour Ends

PRICE PER ADULT ON TWIN SHARING USD 2222

CITY	HOTELS SELECTED	CATEGORY	NIGHTS
DELHI	GRAND SARTAJ	THREE STAR	3
BIKANER	BHAIRON VILAS	HERITAGE	1
JAISALMER	RANG MAHAL	HERITAGE	2
JODHPUR	ABHAY DAYS INN	FOUR STAR	1
MT ABU	PALANPUR PALACE	HERITAGE	1
UDAIPUR	NAGDA RESORT	FOUR STAR	2
OVERNIGHT IN TRAIN 2nd AC SLEEPER			1
JAIPUR	RAJMAHAL PALACE	HERITAGE	2
AJMER	MANSINGH PALACE	FIVE STAR	1
AGRA	HOLIDAY INN	FIVE STAR	3
RISHIKESH	GANGA KINARE	DELUX	1
AMRITSAR	RITZ PARK PLAZA	FOUR STAR	1
VARANASI	CLARKS VARANASI	FIVE STAR	1

Included on this tour are:
1.        Daily breakfasts
2.       All sight seeing and tours mentioned in the itinerary
3.       Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
4.       Overnight stay in the hotels mentioned
5.       One night’s dinner in mud huts in the dunes
6.       Air conditioned car with English speaking chauffeur
7.       All applicable taxes
8.       Rickshaw ride in the old city of Delhi
9.       Sunset cruise on Lake Pichhola in Udaipur
10.    Early morning boat rides on river Ganges in Varanasi
11.     Airfare for sectors mentioned: Agra – Varanasi
12.    Train fare for the sectors:
Delhi – Ajmer                            SHATABDI EXPRESS
Varanasi – Hardwar                  DOON EXPRESS
Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi SWARN SHATABDI
13.    Camel rides on the dunes in the desert.
14.    Farewell dinner on the last day in Delhi before departure to international airport.