Classic India 12 days.
Price per person from: $ 1 600:-
This tour takes you to some of the most classic sights in India. We start in the capital Delhi and then moves to Jaipur with Amer fort, where you might have a chance to ride an elephant if space available. We continue to Agra and the fabulous Taj Mahal which is on most peoples bucket list when it comes to a visit to India. From there we continue to Orchha and the spiritual capital of Varanasi, which is a sacred place to many Hindus. Our tour ends back in Delhi after having experienced the most classic sights in India!
This is included:
11 nights in a double room on bed and breakfast basis.
Air-conditioned transportation.
Train tickets Agra – Jhansi in an Air-conditioned coach.
English speaking guides at all tours.
Entrance to all the places we visit.
Elephant ride in Jaipur, if space is available.
Boat ride on the Ganges river at Varanasi.
Rickshaw ride in Varanasi.
Travel insurance via Swedish kammarkollegiet.
Day to day presentation:
Day 1: Arrival to Delhi.
At the arrival to Delhi you are met by the local staff and gets transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own. Delhi is a place filled with beautiful architecture to explore and lots of people.
Day 2: Delhi.
After breakfast, proceed for a half day tour of New Delhi. The tour will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence.
After lunch, we proceed for a half day tour of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; Drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. It was the last architectural extravaganza of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan built in the year 1656 AD with the help of 5,000 craftsmen. It was made across the road from the Red Fort. The mosque is also known as Masjid-I-Jahanuma, which means ‘mosque commanding view of the world’. The measurement of the mosque is 65 m X 35 m while the courtyard is forms an area of 100 m square. The mosque has the capacity to hold as many as 25,000 devotees.
Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur.
Today we take a 6-7 hours drive to Jaipur. At the arrival we check into our hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own. Jaipur is the capital in the Rajasthan province and is a beautiful city filled with pink colors, Rajput culture and hospitality. It was founded in 1726 by Jai Singh II.
Day 4: Jaipur.
After breakfast, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amer to see the fabulous Amer Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amer was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. On return from Amber fort make a small photo stop at Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Continue for sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visit the city of Jaipur. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armory, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets. Return to hotel after the sightseeing.
Day 5: Jaipur – Agra.
After an early breakfast we get transfer to Agra which takes about 6 hours. En-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition. After the visit continue to Agra and check into the hotel.
Day 6: Agra.
After breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal. Taj is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Later visit Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort – the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Return to hotel after the visit.
Day 7: Agra – Orchha.
After breakfast, transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi train for Jhansi. The train takes about 2 ½ – 3 hours. At the arrival a car is ready to drive you to Orccha, about 30 minutes. At the arrival check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own.
Day 8: Orchha – Khajuraho.
After breakfast, enjoy the quiet town of Orchha bordered by the River Betwa, with a complex of palaces & temples. The impressive temples, date back to the 17th Century, and are still worshiped in. The most noteworthy temples are the Ram Raja Temple with its soaring spires, and the Lakshmi Narayan Temple for its well-preserved murals. Visit the Palace built by Emperor Jahangir way back in the 17th century, Visit Rajmahal and Rai Parveen Mahal, the 14 Chhatris of the rulers. After the visit drive to Khajuraho, 4 hrs. drive approx. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9: Khajuraho till Varanasi.
In the morning proceed for a tour of the Chandela Temple Complex. The tour of Khajuraho this morning concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India. The remote location of Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven.They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the majority were constructed in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was abandoned. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana. Of the eighty-five original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition. You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai Temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture. Upon arrival in Varanasi you will be met with our representative, who will transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening proceed to watch Aarti on river Ganges.
Day 10: Varanasi.
Rise before dawn and board a boat on the River Ganges. At sunrise, you will witness one of the world’s most moving acts of faith as Hindu pilgrims come to the river to wash away their sins or pour out the ashes of their ancestors on the river’s current. You will watch some of these rituals as you take a boat ride on the river Ganges. Return to your Hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, proceed for a half day city tour primarily visiting the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi. Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold plating on the ‘shikaras’ was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Bharat Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; and some other important temples Afternoon, proceed for excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath (also Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Return to hotel after the visit.
Day 11: Varanasi – Delhi.
Today we fly back to Delhi. At the arrival check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own. Take the time to do some last-minute shopping before going home.
Day 12: Departure.
You are transferred to the airport to start your onward journey. This concludes our tour.
This is not included:
International flight. (Can be bought on your own or via us)
Visa fees.
All meals not mentioned in the program.
Expense of personal nature like tipping, laundry, Portage, telephone/fax calls, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airfare, airport departure tax etc.
Travel insurance.
Please note:
Hotel Check-in/Check-out time is 1200 noon in 3 star hotels & 4 star hotels. However in 5 star hotels the check-in time is 1400 Hrs. & check-out time is, 1200 Noon.
TAJ MAHAL remains closed on Fridays.
Elephant ride is subject to availability as Government of Rajasthan has restricted the number of rides and prior reservation. Clients will have to queue themselves and wait to see if they can get a chance to have the Elephant ride.
Tip! You can get a discount if you are 3 persons or more travelling together.
The prices are based upon the lowest booking class and season. Prices are calculated per person in shared double room.
We reserve ourselves against changes in currencies.
