Ancient & Medieval India: Empire of Splendours

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 : ARRIVE DELHI

IMPERIAL HOTEL

Arrive in Delhi on your international flight.

DAY 2 : DELHI / AURANGABAD

TAJ RESIDENCY

Morning flight to Aurangabad. Afternoon free. (B,D)

DAY 3 : AURANGABAD

TAJ RESIDENCY

Depart for Ajanta Caves, symbol of India’s pre-history. Cut from volcanic lava, these masterpieces recount the life story of the Buddha and reveal the rich culture of the people of the times. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 : AURANGABAD / MUMBAI

TAJ MAHAL HOTEL

Excursion to the magnificent fortress of Daulatabad and Ellora Caves, highlighted by the sublime monolith in the form of Kailasa Temple. Fly to Bombay. (B,D)

DAY 5 : MUMBAI

TAJ MAHAL HOTEL

Motorboat to Elephanta Caves with its massive carvings of extraordinary grace. Tour the Prince of Wales and Gandhi Museums, and colorful Dhobi Ghat. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 : MUMBAI / UDAIPUR

LAKE PALACE

Fly to Udaipur, the most romantic city in India, replete with marble palaces and blue lakes. Explore the City Palace followed by a lake cruise. (B,D)

DAY 7 : UDAIPUR

LAKE PALACE

Drive into the wooded hills of the Aravalli range to Ranakpur, site of Adinatha Jain temple whose 1,444 intricately carved pillars are all distinct. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 : UDAIPUR / JAIPUR

RAMBAGH PALACE

Fly to the “Pink City” of Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan. Tour the City Palace with its vast courtyards and clusters of museums. See Jantar Mantar, a medieval observatory, the Palace of Winds façade and the life in the old city. (B,D)

DAY 9 : JAIPUR

RAMBAGH PALACE

Ride on elephant back to the Amber Fort, dominating the rocky hills surrounding Jaipur. Once the capital of the Rajput rulers, the fortress is laced with narrow passageways and magnificent halls embedded with mirror-work and polychromatic paintings. (B,D)

DAY 10 : FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA

AMARVILAS

Visit Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th century imperial medieval capital of the Mughals, abandoned due to lack of water and now perfectly preserved. Continue to Agra and your hotel with Taj Mahal-facing room. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 : AGRA

AMARVILAS

Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, the superlative expression of Shah Jahan’s undying love for his queen. Continue to Agra Fort, a huge red sandstone complex. The Tomb of I’timad-ud-daulah, the ‘Baby Taj,’ was built for Ghiyas Beg and his wife, Nur Jahan. Romantic sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B,D)

DAY 12 : AGRA / KHAJURAHO

HOTEL CHANDELA

Fly to Khajuraho to visit the 10th century masterpieces. The central theme of 22 remaining temples is ‘Shakti,’ the manifestation of female energy associated with Lord Siva. In Hinduism, sexual union is a metaphor for human love for the divine. Evening Sound & Light Performance at Khajuraho. (B,D)

DAY 13 : KHAJURAHO / VARANASI

HOTEL TAJ GANGES

Fly to Varanasi and visit Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon. At the sacred Ganges River, see pil-grims congregate to bathe and clean away their sins. Walk along the ghats and watch the magical evening “aarti” ceremony, where devotees release leaf borne lamps on to the water at sunset. (B,D)

DAY 14 : VARANASI / DELHI

IMPERIAL HOTEL

Return to the ghats for the dawn prayers; witness the awesome sight of devotees standing waist deep in water with cremations nearby. Return flight to Delhi this afternoon. (B,D)

DAY 15 : DELHI

IMPERIAL HOTEL

Visit Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat, Jama Masjid mosque, Qutab Minar tower, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Crafts Museum. Transfer to the airport. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 : DEPART INDIA

EN ROUTE

Depart on your return flight home.