Duration : 14 nights / 15 days

Cities covered : Mumbai - Kolkatta - Hyderabad - Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Highlights : India's rich cultural heritage was built by various civilizations in the form of great temples, forts and other monuments. With the advent of subsequent civilizations, previous cultures were damaged or destroyed. The remains of these cultures now form some of the best museums in the world. A must for artists, historians, archaeologists and culture-lovers. India’s magnificent past can be seen all around in the spectacular monuments of ancient kingdoms and historic empires, but many of the land’s greatest treasures repose in its world famous museums. This tour takes the participating members through experience of the richness and diversity of 5,000 years of Indian culture and civilization.
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[These Special Interest Tour Programs are best run with minimum 6 travelers to a group & more]

Day 1 - MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai.
Meeting and Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - MUMBAI
Full day sightseeing tour of Mumbai visiting The Prince of Wales Museum, established in 1905, was designed and built to represent the ancient and medieval architectural styles of Western India. The Art section at the museum presents the collection of painting in India, ranging between 11th and 12th century illustrated palm leaf manuscripts to early 19th century Pahari paintings (closed on Mondays 26 January and 15th August). The Jehangir Nicholson Museum of Modern Art: Established in 1976, this museum displays a superb collection of contemporary Indian Art.

Mani Bhawan: Where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, Fish Aquarium, Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens on the sopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine lines and Chowpatty Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, then to Dhobi Ghat. Also drive past Afghan Church, Flora Fountain (Mumbai Nerve Centre), colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive. Also visit Gateway of India. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 - MUMBAI / CALCUTTA
In the morning transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Calcutta :
Depart Mumbai at 0600 hrs by IC-175
Arrive Calcutta at 0820 hrs

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Morning at leisure for independent activities.
Afternoon visit the Indian Museum. India’s first and oldest museum opened to the public in 1875. In the Bharhut room the remains of a Buddhist stupa discovered in 1873, carved in red sandstone is similar to the great Sanchi Stupa. an inscription on a pillar of the gateway informs us that this was constructed in the 2nd century BC. The railings are decorated with bas relief’s depicting scenes from the jatakas and stories from the Buddha’s former lives. Brief labels on the panels help identify the story. the labels make the earliest inscribed sculpture of India. India’s best collection of Gandhara sculpture is here with a large number of Buddhist relics from the Mahayana period. the Nuismatic gallery displaying coins of great craftsmanship, from the 5th century BC through the Gupta period to the Mughal period (closed on Mondays & government holidays).

Central Museum : This is specially on ethnographic museums and has on view objects and specimen related to the different tribal and other communities of India. The collections on view are especially significant because of the diversity of subjects and material available. (Closed on Government holidays).

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum : donated by the pioneer industrialist G.D. Birla, this Museum was opened to the public in 1959. this is India’s first public science museum. It displays scientific models, hands on interactive exhibits on scientific phenomena and models of various industries. On the ground floor is the Atom Gallery which explains what atoms are. what they are made of, their various properties and their use to mankind. The Motive Power gallery presents the developments of power from the earliest times onwards while the transport system. Culminating with man’s momentous footsteps on the moon. The galleries on the first floor contain exhibits relating to the principles of mechanics, sound, optics and modern electronics. there is a display of the mining of ore to the finished copper and steel . the petroleum gallery portrays the origin of oil, surveying, drilling, purification and the uses of petroleum.

On the second floor contain exhibits of machines and mechanisms encountered in daily life. there are galleries on electricity, communication, television and electronics. the mock up coal mine shows the principles of both bord and pillared long wall systems and generally acquaints visitors with an underground mining situation. The museum also has a small animalorium with live snakes, reptiles, rabbits and aquariums.
(closed on Mondays and certain holidays.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 - CALCUTTA / HYDERABAD
Morning half day city sightseeing tour visiting the Jain temple, Kali Temple,, Kali Temple, Victoria Memorial, drive past Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie square, Fort Williams, Secretariat Buildings and old court House Street. Afternoon transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Hyderabad.

Depart Calcutta at 1600 hrs by IC-769
Arrive Hyderabad at 2055 hrs
(Flight operates on all days except Saturdays)
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 - HYDERABAD / DELHI
Morning visit Salar Jung Museum: The collections of the Salar Jung Museum are mainly the result of the efforts of the late Nawab Salar Jung III= a distinguished member of a remarkable family who acquired rare and beautiful works of art from all parts of the world It has one of the richest collection of jade and jewellery. Of out standing importance are the manuscripts, miniature paintings, cut glass, Wedgewood and Dresden china and objects with inlay work. (Closed on Fridays, Govt. holidays).

Thereafter sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Charminar, rectangular four arched monumental Gate often described as “the Arch of Triumph of the East”, the Mecca Mosque and later drive past the High Court Building. Transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Delhi.

Depart Hyderabad at 1650 hrs by IC-840
Arrive Delhi at 1815 hrs
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 - DELHI
In the morning visit The National Museum. It has a rich collection of sculpture, The Bronze gallery, rare manuscript and miniature painting etc. (closed on Mondays and government Holidays).
National Gallery of Modern Art: The Stately Jaipur House is the location. On display are paintings, sculpture and graphic art from mid 19th century today (Closed on Mondays and government holidays).

Crafts Museum: Within the museum itself are examples of traditional Indian crafts, wooden carving and images (closed on Mondays and national holidays).

Gandhi Memorial Museum: It displays the relics of Mahatma Gandhi, copies of his letters which he had published as well as number of photographs which depict the various aspects of his invaluable contribution to modern India (Closed on Mondays and Government holidays).

In the afternoon sightseeing Tours of Old Delhi visiting the Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan Jama Masjid, one of the largest Mosque in India, Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, shopping centre of Old Delhi.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 - DELHI
In the morning sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek in 1199, Humayun’s Tomb, India gate (War Memorial Arch) Lakshmi Narayan temple, a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Building and Connaught Place, shopping centre of New Delhi.

In the afternoon visit Rail Transport Museum: This museum depicts 130 years of evolution and development of the Indian railways. The oldest preserved locomotive fairy Queen built in 1855. The Patiala Monarail tramway, The Prince of Wales Saloon (1875), the luxurious Maharaja of Mysore’s saloon, etc.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum and Nehru Memorial Museum: Teen Murti the sprawling Prime Ministerial residence of Jawaharlal Nehru, was converted into a museum after his death. The museum consequently revolves around the life and works of Nehru, especially those objects pertaining to the freedom struggle (Closed on Mondays and Government holidays)

Day 8 - DELHI / JAIPUR
Morning depart by coach for Jaipur. On arrival check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur City which includes visit to the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh 2nd Museum, Chandra Mahal Palace; built in 1727, displays the ancestral collections of former Maharajas etc. The Maharajas City Palace and the Observatory. Also visit Central Museum (Albert Hall); Situated in the midst of Ramnivas gardens, the museum has a wide range of metal objects and large collection of miniature and paintings etc. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 9 - JAIPUR
In the morning half day excursion to Amber Fort, The ancient capital of the state until 1728. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the temple of Kali. Ascend on the elephant back the hill on which the Fort is situated. Afternoon Free. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 - JAIPUR / AGRA
Morning depart for Agra by Coach. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri (40 Kms Before reaching Agra : Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. Then proceed to Agra and on arrival Check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 - AGRA
In the morning half day sightseeing tour of the city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his queen the Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit Agra Fort containing the Halls of Private and Public audience and other palaces. also visit the Tomb of Itmad ud Daulah, built by Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father. Also visit Akbar’s Musoleum at Sikandra (10 kms away from Agra) which is a fusion of Hindu and Muslim architecture which, like the emperor himself, characterised the era. Afternoon free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 - AGRA / KHAJURAHO
In the evening transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Khajuraho.
Depart Agra at 1035 hrs by IC 407
Arrive Khajuraho at 1120 hrs

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Khajuraho City including visit to the world famous Khajuraho Temples. Built by the Chandela Kings Between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The most important are the chaunset, Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitra Gupta or Bharati temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshman temple, Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of Temples. Also visit The Archaeological museum in Khajuraho : it displays sculpture and architectural panels dating to the 10th and 12th century corresponding to the temple style and are mainly Brahmanical and Jain in influence. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 - KHAJURAHO
Transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Varanasi.
Depart Khajuraho at 1150 hrs by IC 407
Arrive Varanasi at 1235 hrs

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon half day tour of Sarnath: The buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century B.C. to 12th century A.D. Visit the ruins, the Stupa, the Buddhist temple and the Museum (closed on Fridays) designed like a Buddhist monastery, contains many superb specimens of ancient art. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - VARANASI / DELHI
Early morning visit Amrit Rao Peshwa Ghat including boat ride on holy river Ganges, Aarti at Sunrise, Yoga and meditation classes followed by breakfast. Later sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir ,Benaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of mughal emperor Aurangzeb built on the sight of an ancient Hindu Temple. Transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Delhi.
Depart Varanasi at 1625 hrs by IC-408
Arrive Delhi at 1935 hrs

Day 15 - DEPART DELHI
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer from the airport to the hotel. Transfer to the International airport in time to board the flight for onward destination.