Rajasthan - A Photo Tour

Day 13: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (245 Kms) (05 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Agra, stopping at deserted Capital City of Fatehpur Sikri. This abandoned capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at the height of the empire’s splendour. The city divided into religious and secular parts has interesting well-sculpted buildings. From here we continue our ride to Agra.

Upon arrival check into Hotel Crystal Sarovar Premiere.

Evening, we will visit Mehtab Bagh. The Moonlight Garden was an extension of the Taj Mahal Garden - on the other side of the river. In 1652 Aurangzeb wrote to his father telling of a visit to 'the blessed tomb' and commenting that 'the Mehtab Garden was completely inundated and has lost its charm, but soon it will regain its vagrancy. The octagonal pool and the pavilion around it are in splendid condition.' The Mehtab Bagh was lost under the mud but re-excavated in the 1990s. Originally, the garden was planted with fragrant flowers and used in the cool of the night as a place from which to view the Taj Mahal reflected in the octagonal pool and in the river

Overnight at Hotel Crystal Sarovar Premiere (Deluxe Room)

Day 14: Agra / Delhi (205 Kms) (04 Hrs Drive) (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday) Delhi / Varanasi (Shiv Ganga Express – 1855 / 0650 Hrs AC First Class*)

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. At sunrise we visit one of the greatest sights of one’s lifetime - Taj Mahal. A dawn visit to the fabled Taj Mahal to witness the magical effects caused by the reflections of the changing colours of the rising Sun on this brilliant white marble building. Later we return back to our hotel for breakfast.

After a leisurely breakfast, we ride to the massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire

Later, we will drive to Delhi along one of the India’s finest freeways.

Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the train station to board your overnight train to Varanasi

Overnight aboard First Class Air – Conditioned Sleeper Accommodation

Day 15: Arrival / Varanasi

Varanasi is quite possibly the world’s oldest living city. Religious artifacts link it to the sixth century B.C. Said to be founded by Shiva, Varanasi’s Vedic affiliation goes back to the beginning of time. It is also a city of many names. The present name, Varanasi (derived from the names of two nearby rivers) is mentioned in the Mahabharata. The ancient name is Kashi, the City of Light. To the devout it is also called Kashika, the shining one, referring to the light of Shiva. Many others prefer the anglicized Benares. Revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jain alike, Varanasi is considered the holiest city in all of India. It is presided over by Shiva in his manifestation as Vishwanatha, Lord of the Universe. Buddha delivered a sermon in nearby Sarnath and Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, lived in Varanasi. As a result, more Indians will make a pilgrimage to Varanasi in their lifetime than any other place.

(Though Check – in time is 2 PM, every effort would be made to ensure an as early as possible check-in- Subject to availability)

Meeting & assistance upon arrival and transfer to the Hotel Rivatas by Ideal

We will have breakfast at Hotel

After wash & change, we will visit several temples and the Hindu University at Benares. First stop would be the Bharat Mata (temple of Mother India). Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, it features a huge marble map of India on the ground floor. Next up, the Durga Temple. Known for its bright red color and the playful, if sometimes aggressive, monkeys that run amok there, the Durga Temple is one of the most imposing architectural monuments in Varanasi.

The university, which occupies a large piece of land at the southern end of town, is also home to the New Vishwanatha Temple. The New Temple is modern in design and open to Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Surrounded by palm trees, it is a splendid white marble structure that shines in the afternoon sun against a pale blue sky. Inside, the temple is spacious and airy. The interior walls are covered with Vedic art above inscriptions from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. In the center of the first floor is the Shiva linga, we visit the ghats of Varanasi to witness the performance of Ganges Aarti. We enjoy a special evening cruise on the Ganges. See the Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambience is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chantings. Later return to the hotel

Overnight at Rivatas By Ideal (Deluxe Room)

Day 16: Varanasi (Sarnath Temple is closed on Fridays)

At dawn we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride. Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The great river banks are lined with an endless chain of stone steps—the ghats—that stretch from one end of the city to the other. The Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution. Believing that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life’s earthly confines. We would dock our boat at Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here; the ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire.

Following the boat ride we set off on foot to explore the inner city. Through a twisted maze of narrow alleys, home to numerous shrines and pilgrim shops, we walk back a few centuries. Life here has stood still for years. The homes, the shops and even the cattle have not changed over the centuries. It is a brilliant nostalgic experience of timelessness!

Next, we will visit a Widows Ashram where we will have a different view of life, and how it can be so unfair to some. Since Varanasi is a religious city many Widow Ashrams are constructed by people who want to make charity, NGOs and government to give shelter to dying, helpless and old widows. Reason of such a big number of Widow Ashrams is also that widows are abandoned in Varanasi to die as it is believed that one who dies in Varanasi gets salvation. What will surprise you after meeting these widows is that they are not all from poor families. Some of them are from good middle class families who have been sent to Varanasi because of social beliefs related to the death of a women’s husband. The widows here have been rehabilitated, and are offered training in various crafts and skills. Hence, they have a feeling of worth and all is not lost.

We will also visit the Matri Bhawan. This is the place where people arrive to die. People often take the “last train to Varanasi”. When people are old, sick or about to die, they arrive on their last leg on a train to Varanasi. Here, there are volunteers and NGOs who collect them at the station, and , bring them to places as Matri Bhawan. Matri means “Mother” and, Bhawan means “Home”. The old arrive at their Mother’s Home awaiting acceptance to paradise. This should be a unique aspect to your India tour.

Evening we take a short trip to the Buddhist city of Sarnath .It is here that the Buddha preached his first sermons after attaining enlightenment.

Overnight at Rivatas By Ideal (Deluxe Room)

Day 17: Varanasi / Delhi (UK 813 – 1520 / 1650 Hrs) Delhi / Departure

Morning is at leisure for independent activities. You might choose to visit the banks of the Ganges or walk along the narrow meandering lanes of the old city to witness the performance of various rituals.

(Though the check out time is 12 noon, every effort would be made to retain rooms till as late as possible without additional charges-Subject to availability).

Afternoon transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi

Upon arrival, transfer to international airport to board your onward flight.

No Hotel Quoted for this day

Tour Cost for 02 People Traveling Together on Twin Sharing Basis

• Cost valid for period from 01st April, 2024 till 30th September, 2024: INR 197,085* Per Person
• Cost valid from 01st October 2024 till 31st March, 2025: INR 223,365* Per Person

NOTE: - Upgrades for 05 star hotels available upon request

*T & C Apply

*Discounts available for larger numbers.

Above mentioned quotes not valid for peak period (20th December 2023 to 05th January 2024)

Cost Includes : Accommodation on twin share basis; daily American breakfast; air-conditioned private Sedan car for all journeys and tours; Local English speaking guides; Jeep safari at Rohet and Manvar; Camel ride at Manvar ; Boat ride in Udaipur; Jeep ride in Jaipur, Horse carriage ride in Jodhpur; Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi and Morning boat ride and evening aarti in Varanasi. Train journey as per the itinerary; Inner India airfares as per the itinerary (subject to change and 100% cancellation charges), GST Levy.

Cost Does Not Includes : Entrance, Camera & Video fee to monuments, Meals other than as mentioned above, Expenses of Personal nature such as Laundry, Drinks, Telephone calls, Tips etc., Credit Card Transaction Charges.