Cultural Heritage Of India

Duration: 8 days

Highlights: Delhi, Bhopal, Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho, Varanasi

Explore India’s heritage in the form of its history and rich culture.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport, you are met by our representative and escorted to your hotel by private vehicle, where you are assisted with check-in.

Overnight: Delhi

Day 2 - Delhi

Enjoy a full day guided tour of Delhi.

The city consists of two parts - Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Mughal India and has a prodigious collection of mosques, monuments and forts.

Begin your day in Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the Royal Mosque, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes followed by a short walk in Chandni Chowk, the well-known and colorful shopping bazaar. Drive past Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Continue to Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon, visit New Delhi - the imperial city created by the British as the capital of India. In 1911, Edwin Lutyens, the most renowned English architect of the day, was chosen to design New Delhi. Drive through the majestic boulevards, proceed towards Rashtrapati Bhawan, where the Viceroy once lived and is now the official residence of the President of India. See India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honor of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Visit Humayun’s Tomb (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the first great example of Mughal architecture in India. The day’s tour ends at Qutab Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) - a soaring tower of victory which is 72.5 meters high and has five distinct storys.

Meals: B

Overnight: Delhi

Day 3 - Delhi – Bhopal

This morning transfer to Bhopal by either train or flight.

Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel.

Later, visit the city’s famous mosques including Taj-ul-Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. The Moti Mahal, built in 1860, also vies for attention with architectural similarity to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi. Built under the order of the progressive Sikander Jehan Begum, the Masjid stands out with its dark red minarets and golden spikes.

Then, move to Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Also known as Birla Mandir, it is a beautiful showcase of Hindu architecture. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Laxmi, it reflects a bygone era with sculptures dating back to the Paramana period, and the terracotta architecture reflecting the Kausambi era.

Visit the State Museum. Packed with artifacts including fossils, sculptures, and textiles, the museum showcases the very best of the state’s rich heritage. Known for its culture, the city is also home to the Manav Sangrahalaya or Tribal Museum, which showcases the habitat and evolution of man.

On your return, drive past the upper lake, which is one of the oldest man-made lakes in India. Join others who come here in search of an open horizon and calming waters.

Meals: B

Overnight: Bhopal

Day 3 - Bhopal – Sanchi – Udayagiri Caves – Bhopal

This morning, visit one of India’s oldest Buddhist sanctuaries, Sanchi. About 40 kilometers away from Bhopal, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is well known for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars, most of which were built between the 1st century BC and the 12th century AD. The site flourished under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka, who commissioned the renowned Ashoka pillar. Erected in the 3rd century B.C., the pillar consists of a shaft and a crown of four lions that stand back to back.

From here, move to the splendid Udayagiri Caves, located near the town of Vidisha. The caves, which are cut into rock, date back to as early as the 4th century A.D. An inscription in one of these caves reveals that they were created under the rule of the mighty Chandragupta II Empire.

Meals: B

Overnight: Bhopal

Day 4 - Bhopal – Gwalior

This morning, take a train to Gwalior.

Gwalior has made a successful transition into a modern Indian city. A multitude of reigning dynasties of the great Rajput clans have left indelible etchings in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. The magnificent mementos of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior an appeal which is unique and timeless.

Meet and greet on arrival at Gwalior railway station and transfer to your hotel.

Later in the afternoon enjoy a city tour of Gwalior.

Visit the magnificent Gwalior Fort. The city’s most famous landmark has within its walls several interesting temples and ruined palaces. Then, visit Teli-ka-Mandir, a 30-meter-high temple, which is also the oldest monument in the fort complex. This intriguing piece of architecture reflects Dravidian and ornamental north Indian styles of architecture. Continue onto the Jai Vilas Palace and Scindia Museum. This palace-cum-museum has a stunning Durbar hall which is resplendent with its painted gold leaves and enormous mirrors and features one of the largest pair of chandeliers.

Meals: B

Overnight: Gwalior

Day 5 - Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho

This morning enjoy a 3 hour drive to Orchha.

Far from the madding crowds is Orchha, located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. This former princely state served as the seat of power for the Bundela kings.

A tour of Orchha starts from the banks of the River Betwa. From here, you are greeted by the sight of the impressive palace-fort complex, which comprises three palaces or mahals. Jahangir Mahal, the most commanding of these palaces, was built by the then ruler Vir Singh Deo, to honor the Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s visit to the city. This three-story mahal features hanging balconies and porches.

The fort complex is also home to the Ram Raja temple. It was initially the palace of the then ruler Madhukar Shah, who converted it into a temple, based on certain visions that he had in his dreams. The beautiful Chaturbhuja (four-handed) temple is also a part of the same legend. It features an idol of Lord Vishnu, the sustainer in the Hindu Holy Trinity, who had four hands, from which the temple derives its name.

Later, enjoy a drive to Khajuraho (approximately 4 and a half - 5 hours).

Khajuraho is world renowned for its temple architecture. The famous sculptures in the sandstone temples of Khajuraho are truly beautiful, they are widely acknowledged as some of the most exquisite temple art in India. The 22 temples, located in three distinct groups, were built by the Chandela dynasty that died out in the 10th century.

On arrival, check-in at your hotel.

In the evening, visit the Western Group of Temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The Western Group constitutes some of the finest examples of Chandela art in existence. The largest is the Kandhariya Mahadev dedicated to Lord Shiva, followed by Chaunsath Yogini, a granite temple.

Meals: B

Overnight: Khajuraho

[Extra Day in Khajuraho – February - Khajuraho Dance Festival]

The festival provides a platform for young dancers to prove their calibre by performing in front of visitors. It is a cultural event that attracts enthusiasts of traditional Asian performing art. Dancers from far and wide visit Khajuraho to take part in the festival.

Internationally famed, the Khajuraho Dance Festival is acclaimed by international dancers as well as academies. The dance festival offers a rare opportunity to see the performance of maestros and grand dames of India.

As the dusk leaves its way to the night, lamps in the temple in a golden radiance create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the event. The euphonic strains of the flute set the mood. The “Mrindangam” (an Indian musical instrument) and the tabla create rhythms resounded by the “Ghungroo” of the dancers.

Meals: B

Overnight: Khajuraho

Day 6 - Khajuraho – Varanasi

This morning, visit the Eastern Group of Temples. The Eastern Group comprises two historic Jain temples, the Adinath Temple which is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures and the Parsvanath Temple which is sculpted with charming detail and is the largest Jain temple.

After the visit you are escorted to the airport for the flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi is probably the place in India that has the most profound impact on visitors. Formerly known as Benares, it sits on a bend of the Ganga and has been a pilgrimage site since the 6th century BC. The Old City, a maze of tiny alleys, has several temples, including the Golden Temple which is only accessible to Hindus - and many cows, which have traffic priority!

Arrive in Varanasi and proceed directly to the Sarnath Ruins. This is the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Also visit the Archeological Museum, full of Buddha art treasures.

Varanasi - Evening Aarti ceremony- Visit the banks of the river Ganga to participate in the aarti (hymn). The evening aarti offers one of the most spectacular sensory experiences, when hundreds of lamps light up the river side at dusk, the entire city of Varanasi comes to a standstill and the sound of chimes and dongs reverberates in each and every street.

Meals: B

Overnight: Varanasi

Day 7 - Varanasi

Experience a serene early morning boat ride on river Ganga.

After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Varanasi. Visit the famous Banaras Hindu University. Spread across 1,300 acres, this great center of learning was founded in the year 1916. The university also has an art and archaeological museum called ‘The Bharat Kala Bhavan’, established in 1920, which has on display some rare collections of paintings and Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.

Next, visit the famous 18^th century Durga temple dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Owing to the large number of monkeys, this temple is also known as the Monkey Temple.

Then visit one of the most famous temples of Varanasi, the Tulsi Manas temple. Built in 1964, the temple is made of white marble and the magnificent landscaping around it makes the temple a visual treat. The walls of the temple are engraved with verses and scenes from Tulsidas’ famous Indian epic, Ramcharitamanasa.

End your tour viewing a one-of-a-kind temple the ‘Bharat Mata’ (Mother India) temple. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The temple has the undivided India personified as a mother deity and has her statue built in marble. Unlike other temples, this one does not have images of the customary gods and goddesses; it houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble.

Meals: B

Overnight: Varanasi

Day 8 – Varanasi – Delhi

After breakfast, you are escorted to the airport for your flight to Delhi.

Meals: B