India Luxury Tours

Art and Architecture Tour of India

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Aurangabad - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Delhi - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai
On arrival at the international airport in Mumbai, our representative will escort you to the hotel. After a traditional Indian welcome at the reception, check in and relax for the day. Enjoy the various hotel facilities and treat yourself to an authentic Indian dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mumbai.

Day 2: Mumbai
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of Mumbai city. Visit St John's Church at Mumbai Fort; drive on the classic Marine Drive, click a photograph at the Gateway of India, and snack at the Chowpatty Beach. Later visit Flora Fountain at the Hutama Chowk, 18 km long Juhu Beach, and see the sunset as the Mumbai comes to life in the night from the famous 1880's Hanging Gardens in Malabar Hills. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Mumbai.

Day 3: Mumbai - Aurangabad
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is free for you to spend at leisure. Post lunch transfer to the airport for a short flight to Aurangabad on Indian Airlines plane. This 17th century city has been seen the rise and fall of many mighty empires that ran the length and breath of India especially the Deccan Plateau. Today it is one of the most prominent places in Maharashtra that serves as the ideal base camp to explore the nearby World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

On arrival, check in at the hotel, refresh and proceed for an excursion to the Ellora Caves (World Heritage Site), 12th century Daulatabad Fort and the lesser known Aurangabad Caves (Buddhist monasteries showcasing influence of Tantric art and architectural style from the 2nd and 6th centuries) . At Ellora, visit the 34 Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and Jainism shrines carved from solid rock. These caves date back to the 4th and 9th century and the magnificent Kailash Temple marks the highlight of the day trip. Later in the evening, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Aurangabad.

Day 4:Aurangabad
Today, after an early morning breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to the 2000-year-old Ajanta Caves, another World Heritage Site in Maharashtra. Rock cut on the horse-shoe shaped cliff of the Sahyardi Hills, this set of 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves for monasteries and chapels are a must visit for their cave paintings and Buddhist art. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Aurangabad.

Day 5: Aurangabad - Mumbai - Udaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport for a short flight to Mumbai. On arrival, proceed for a day trip to the Elephanta Caves on a jetty. After one and half hours of sea travel that in itself an exhilarating experience, land on the island that has been distinguished as a World Heritage Site for its 9th - 12th century caves. After lunch return to the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight to Udaipur.

On arrival in the city of lakes and palaces and the rising sun, check in at the hotel and relax for the day. The day is free for you to enjoy the city at your own pace. Walks to the colorful Udaipur bazaars, boat cruises and other water activities at the picturesque Lake Pichola, or shop at Shilpgram crafts village are sure to get you in the spirit of this desert oasis. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 6: Udaipur
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Udaipur that includes visits to City Palace, Jag Mandir Palace (an island palace), Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, Museum, and Jagdish Temple. Post lunch proceed for an excursion to the 15th century Kumbhalgarh fort and the temples of Eklingi and Nagada. Rest of the evening is free for you to spend it on leisure activities. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 7: Udaipur- Jodhpur
Overnight stay at Umaid Bhavan Palace or Taj Hari Mahal

After an early breakfast at the hotel, leave for a 6-hour drive to Jodhpur (260 km from Udaipur). On arrival, check in at the hotel and proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace, and white marble cenotaphs. In the evening, walk to the festive local markets and shop for handicrafts and souvenirs. You may even indulge your palette with the spicy street food. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Jodhpur.

Day 8: Jodhpur - Jaipur
After an early breakfast at the hotel, leave for a 6-hour drive to Jaipur (290 km from Jodhpur). En route, visit the Kishangarh Fort and lunch at the Kishangarh Mahal Palace. On arrival in the city, check in at the hotel, shop at the traditional markets of Jaipur, and return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 9: Jaipur
In the morning, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Visit Amber Fort (the former capital of Jaipur that can be approached by treks or elephant rides), City Palace (famous for its Mughal-Rajasthani architectural blend, Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum), Jantar Mantar Observatory (the finest of the 5 astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II), Hawa Mahal (five-storied pink sandstone Palace of Winds'), Birla Temple (white marble Vishnu temple), Jaigarh Fort (famous of the largest cannon-wheel) and Nahargarh Fort (now a heritage hotel). Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 10: Jaipur - Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, leave on a 6-hour drive to Delhi (260 km from Jaipur). On arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. Post lunch check out the prominent temples around the hotel and attend the Dances of India Show in the evening. Return to the hotel and treat yourself to an authentic Indian dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 11: Delhi
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi. Drive through the Rajpath and sightsee the Parliament, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Diplomatic Enclave. Later, take a rickshaw ride to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, Chandi Chowk markets, Red Fort, and Rajghat. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 12: Delhi - Agra
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport to board the flight to Agra. On arrival in Agra, 2 hours after takeoff, check in at the hotel and proceed for a sightseeing tour. Visit Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Akbar's Tomb and Taj Mahal by twilight on a battery van ride. Visit to the Taj Mahal in the moonlight can be arranged on request. Later in the evening, explore the colorful markets of the city and shop for souvenirs and eat out or return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Agra.

Day 13: Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho
After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, board the train to Jhansi (Bhopal Shatabadi Express). On arrival, drive to the medieval city of Orchha 12 km away. Once there, it is time for nature appreciation and sightseeing. Orchha, a city founded by Bundela rulers, has many 16th and 17th century palaces and temples that bespeak of its glorious past. After lunch, drive further to Khajuraho famous as a World Heritage Site. On arrival in Khajuraho, check in at the hotel and go on a stroll to the nearby temples and adjoining village. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Day 14: Khajuraho - Varanasi
After breakfast at the hotel, go on a guided sightseeing tour of the 1000 year old Chandela temples in the Western Group. Return to the hotel in the afternoon and transfer to the Khajuraho airport to board the Jet Airways flight to Varanasi. On arrival, check in at the hotel and proceed on a brief excursion to Sarnath (5 km from Varanasi) and check out the ruins of a major Buddhist monastery and the Museum that has preserved the remains of Buddhist art and sculpture excavated from the site. Later, attend the evening aarti on the ghats (banks) of Ganga and return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 15: Varanasi - Delhi
Go on an early morning boat ride on the Ganges that starts from Daswamedh Ghat (the oldest cremation grounds in India) to catch the people bathing and praying to the sun rising in the sky. After breakfast, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Varanasi. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Banaras Hindu University besides other prominent temples, mosques, and museums. Later in the day, visit a carpet industry that has become the hallmark of Varanasi in recent years. Return to the hotel and transfer to airport to board the Jet Airways flight for a short journey to Delhi. On arrival, board the connecting flight heading back home or to your onward destination.


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