Duration : 20 nights / 21 days

Cities : Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra, Mathura, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Puttaparthi, Mysore

Highlights : A detailed tour visiting the greatest spiritual and religious centers of ancient India. The ideal tour for the great Indian Diaspora: families who left India long ago, whose children grew up in other countries, who want to revive their emotional, cultural and religious roots with their mother - land. The cities included in the tour reflects the rhythm of Indian custom, traditions & religion at its peaceful vibrations through relaxed understanding visit.
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[These Special Interest Tour Programs are best run with minimum 6 travelers to a group & more]

Day 1 -  ARRIVE DELHI
The romance and colour of India greets you as you disembark from your jet in Delhi - India’s splendid capital. Founded on the site of several cities it has been the seat of power for centuries. Today Old and New city combine to present a harmonious whole offering the traveler elegant shops, broad laburnum lines avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colorful bazaars.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - DELHI
This morning you will start sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. An aura of history is everywhere in Old Delhi. Red Fort with its Majestic ramparts, see the halls of public and private audience and Jama Masjid one of the Asia’s largest mosques from the hub. Emperor Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar complex, dating back to the 12th century. You will also make a stop at Rajghat - Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site.

New Delhi is well planned with wide tree lined avenues, fountains and parks. Colonial architecture dominates this part of the city, you will drive along the ceremonial avenues of Rajpath and view the splendid Presidential Palace, the circular Parliament House and impressive diplomatic enclave.

EVENING WITNESS A PAGEANT OF INDIAN MUSIC AND DANCE FOLLOWED BY DINNER (OUTSIDE HOTEL). Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 - DELHI / RISHIKESH
(225 KMS)
Depart for Rishikesh by Coach - The plaits of the Sage.
On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Evening Ganga Aarti of holy river Ganges. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 - RISHIKESH
Early morning walk along the holy river Ganges. It is a place of ashrams where solaces come to spend their time in serenity of God. Visit the Shivananda Ashram where discourses in English on Hindu religious texts can be heard. Also visit Laxman Jhoola - a suspension bridge spanning the Ganga. Time permitting, participate in a prayer meeting and watch a yoga demonstration.

Day 5 - RISHIKESH / HARIDWAR / DELHI
Morning depart for Haridwar - means “Gateway to God” (24 kms from Rishikesh). It is essentially a Hindu pilgrim town with the temples, hermitage and dharamshalas along the bank of the river Ganga. Also visit Har-ki-pauri, the most popular bathing Ghat which has a footprint of Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God of preservation, on stone.
Continue your journey to Delhi. On arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6 - DELHI / VARANASI
Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi.
Depart Delhi by IC 897 at 1500 hrs
Arrive Varanasi at 1615 hrs
Meeting and transfer to hotel.

“EVENING VISIT AMRIT RAO PESHWA GHAT TO WITNESS DEVOTES PERFORMING THE “GANGA AARTI” WHICH CULMINATES IN PLACING TINY LAMPS OR DIYAS ON FRAGILE LEAVES AND FLOATING THEM IN THE SHIMMERING WATERS OF THE GANGA. AS THE SUN SETS, A SPECIALLY ARRANGED CULTURAL FEAST OF DANCES AND MUSIC FOLLOWS”.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 - VARANASI
Early morning excursion to holy river Ganges and visit by boat the bathing ghats, cremation ghats. Watching people bathing and worshipping at the ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Thereafter visit the temples in the city. The Bharat Mata temple which houses one of most perfect relief maps of India carved out of the marble. The Durga temple, Tulsi manas mandir and Banaras Hindu university.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 - VARANASI / ALLAHABAD / VARANASI
Full day excursion to Allahabad - one of the holiest place for Hindus. (135 kms one way). It is the venue of the famous Kumbh Mela and is the place where Triveni sangam takes place (the confluence of India’s three holy rivers - the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati). Visit the sights with includes Anand Bhawan - ancestral home of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru (First prime minister of India) Triveni sangam, museum, palaces and gardens. Return to Varanasi for overnight stay.

Day 9 - VARANASI / KHAJURAHO
Transfer to airport to board flight for Khajuraho -whose remarkable 11th century temples constantly amaze visitors.

Depart Varanasi by IC 408 at 1325 hrs
Arrive Khajuraho at 1410 hrs

Meeting and transfer to hotel.
This afternoon visit Khajuraho temple carvings which potray much more than frank eroticism for which they are famous. The imposing proportions of the temples and their richly varied imagery will leave behind lasting impressions. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - KHAJURAHO / AGRA
Transfer to airport to board flight for Agra- Synonymous with the timeless beauty of The Taj Mahal - radiant at noon & amber at dusk.

Depart Khajuraho by IC 408 at 1440 hrs
Arrive Agra at 1525 hrs.

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon you will visit the worlds greatest love tribute. Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shahjahan for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Mark Twain said of this monument “You cannot keep your emotions within bounds, when that soaring bubble of marble breaks upon your view” Taj Mahal is like a silent rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. You will also visit Agra Fort, an impressive cluster of palaces, fortresses and mosques on the banks of river Yamuna across the Taj Mahal. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 - AGRA / MATHURA / AGRA
Full day excursion to Mathura by coach a 45 minutes drive from Agra, Mathura is one of the oldest towns situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It is a pilgrimage city for Hindus and the birth place of LORD KRISHNA. Visit the museum and temples and thereafter, proceed to Vrindavan, a town of temples with some of the most magnificent shrines in North India. Return to Agra for overnight stay.

Day 12 -

Day 13 - AGRA / JAIPUR
Morning depart for Jaipur by Coach stopping enroute for Fatehpur Sikri: a glittering imperial capital conceived and built by Emperor Akbar. It is filled with red sandstone buildings, mosques and courtyards. The pearl Mosque here is designed after the mosque of Mecca and is a fine blend of Persian and Hindu architecture. Continue your journey to Jaipur.

Jaipur - gateway to Rajasthan and a city ablaze with colour when latticed rose - pink monuments vie with brilliantly turbaned men and vividly costumed women for attention.
Upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Your day starts with an excursion to Amber Fort, you ride up the ramp of this 11th century bastion atop a gaily decorated Elephant. Later visit City Palace, a picturesque complex of palaces and courtyards famous for its collection of Rajput miniatures, carpets and manuscripts. You also visit the exquisite Palace of Winds with its honeycombed facade and 18th century Observatory.
Later time free for shopping. Jaipur is a major gems and jewellery centre where one can find some of the finest jewellery beside woolen and silk carpets, hand block printed Sanganeri and Bagru cotton fabrics.

“EVENING WITNESS PUPPET SHOW. PUPPETEERS NARRATE LOCAL LEGENDS AND TRADITIONAL FOLKLORE WITH A COMIC TWIST”
Overnight at hotel.
Transfer to airport to board flight for Bombay - a metropolis of energy and vitality.

Day 14 - JAIPUR / BOMBAY
Depart Jaipur by IC 491 at 0655 hrs
Arrive Bombay at 1005 hrs
Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour f visiting the Gateway of India built to commemorate the visit of King George V of England in 1911. Visit the Hanging gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, Prince of Wales Museum - a Victorian domed structure housing the fine collection of miniature painting and has three sections of Art, Archaeology and Natural history. Other interesting sites are Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat and Crawford Market. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 - BOMBAY
Morning excursion to Elephanta Caves by Motor Launch. Elephanta contains a fine cluster of 6th - 8th century rock-cut caves. The sculptures are beautifully executed and most outstanding of three is the Maheshmurthy or Trimurty - a five meter high three headed bust hewn from single rock, representing the three aspects of Shiva the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer.
Return to Bombay. Rest of the day free. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 16 - BOMBAY / BANGALORE
Transfer to airport to board flight for Bangalore.
Founded in 1537 by Kempgowda, a far sighted local chieftain, Bangalore has blossomed into one of the Asia’s fastest - growing cities. Bangalore combines the vibrant pace of a modern metropolis with a quaint old - world charm. Perched at a height of 3250 feet above sea level, its salubrious climate play hosts to innumerable parks, gardens, lakes and verdant tree lined avenues that gives it the Sobriquet “ Garden City “. Bangalore is the multifaceted jewel. Modern marvels, historic monuments, bustling shopping plazas, tranquil walking paths, rustling silks and fragrant sandalwood exotic cuisine and friendly people.

Depart Bombay by IC 105 at 0615 hrs.
Arrive Bangalore at 0745 hrs.

Meeting and transfer to hotel.
This afternoon you visit the Vidhan Soudha housing the state legislatures and secretariat, was conceived and executed by Kangai Hunumanthaiya, the then Chief Minister, in 1956. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in Neo Dravadian style. Directly opposite it stands the gothic structure of the Attra Kacheri which houses the state high court. The high court building was completed in 1668 and stands in the green splendour of the Cubbon park laid out in 1864 by Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon. The Lalbagh Gardens, laid out in 1760 by Hyder Ali has area of 240 acres. The glass house inspired by crystal palace in London is a favorite spot for picnickers and film makers, with its vast grounds and Tudor style architecture. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 17 - BANGALORE
(177 KMS)
Morning depart by coach for Puttaparthi which is the home of PUTTAPARTHI the modern day saint - Philosopher who is credited with benign powers, SHRI SATYA SAI BABA. A legend in his own times, Sai Baba has devotees around the world.
Return to Bangalore in the evening. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 18 - PUTTAPARTHI / MYSORE
(320 Kms)
Morning depart by coach for Mysore - 770 meters above sea level, the city of Mysore was once the capital of Wodeyars. It still retains the quaint charm that never fails to enchant. Arrive and check in at Hotels. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 19 - MYSORE
This morning you visit Mysore Palace once the residence of Woodeyars, is one of the largest of its kind in India and one of most splendid. This Indo - Sarcenic buildings has among other things - a carved silver door, a solid gold throne and a gallery of exquisite paintings. This afternoon you visit Somnathpur - the Sri Channakeshara, built around 1260 AD during the heyday of Hoysala Kings, is at Somnathpur. It’s an extremely beautiful and interesting buildings. The walls of the star shaped temples are literally covered with superb sculptures in stone depicting various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita and the life and the times of Hoysala Kings. Not two friezes are alike. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 20 - MYSORE / BANGALORE / BOMBAY
Morning depart by coach for Bangalore airport to board flight for Bombay.

Depart Bangalore by IC 106 at 0835 hrs.
Arrive Bombay at 1005 hrs.
Meeting and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 21 - BOMBAY
Your India experience comes to an end as you are transferred to the airport to catch your flight for onward destination.